bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the phenotypic heterogeneity of early autism spectrum disorder: subtypes and short‐term outcomes
Authors: Kim So Hyun , Macari Suzanne , Koller Judah , Chawarska Katarzyna 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundPhenotypic heterogeneity among toddlers presenting with ASD symptoms complicates diagnostic considerations and limits our ability to predict long‐term outcomes. To address this concern, we sought to identify more homogeneous subgroups within ASD based on toddlers’ clinical profiles in the second year of life, evaluating diagnostic stability and clinical outcomes within the subgroups 1–2 years later.MethodsOne hundred toddlers referred for suspected ASD underwent comprehensive assessments at 22 months (SD = 3) and 37 months (SD = 4). At 22 months, they were clustered based on symptom severity, developmental skills, and adaptive functioning. Diagnostic stability and clinical outcomes were evaluated within the clusters.ResultsFour clusters characterized by distinct clinical profiles at the time of the first diagnosis were identified. Diagnostic stability was excellent in 3 out of 4 clusters (93%–100%) and was lowest in the initially least affected cluster (85%). Autism symptom severity was stable, except for one group where it increased over time (16% of the sample). A large proportion of toddlers showed significant improvements in verbal and communication skills. Only a small group (17%) exhibited very low levels of functioning and limited gains over time.ConclusionsDiagnostic stability and developmental progression from the second to third year of life in toddlers with ASD vary depending on their initial early profiles of relative strengths and deficits. Although a small minority of toddlers with more complex clinical presentations may not retain their diagnoses by the age of three, most children continue to exhibit symptoms of autism. Despite limited improvements in symptom severity, many children show significant gains in verbal functioning. Only a small proportion of children (17%) exhibit very limited gains despite intensive intervention. These findings support continued efforts to examine determinants of developmental trajectories including factors mediating and moderating response to treatment.
Multilevel selection theory and evidence: a critique of Gardner, 2015
Authors: Goodnight C. J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGardner (2015) recently developed a model of a ‘Genetical Theory of Multilevel Selection, which is a thoughtfully developed, but flawed model. The model's flaws appear to be symptomatic of common misunderstandings of the multi level selection (MLS) literature and the recent quantitative genetic literature. I use Gardner's model as a guide for highlighting how the MLS literature can address the misconceptions found in his model, and the kin selection literature in general. I discuss research on the efficacy of group selection, the roll of indirect genetic effects in affecting the response to selection and the heritability of group‐level traits. I also discuss why the Price multilevel partition should not be used to partition MLS, and why contextual analysis and, by association, direct fitness are appropriate for partitioning MLS. Finally, I discuss conceptual issues around questions concerning the level at which fitness is measured, the units of selection, and I present a brief outline of a model of selection in class‐structured populations. I argue that the results derived from the MLS research tradition can inform kin selection research and models, and provide insights that will allow researchers to avoid conceptual flaws such as those seen in the Gardner model.
Evolutionarily advanced ant farmers rear polyploid fungal crops
Authors: Kooij P. W. , Aanen D. K. , Schiøtt M. , Boomsma J. J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractInnovative evolutionary developments are often related to gene or genome duplications. The crop fungi of attine fungus‐growing ants are suspected to have enhanced genetic variation reminiscent of polyploidy, but this has never been quantified with cytological data and genetic markers. We estimated the number of nuclei per fungal cell for 42 symbionts reared by 14 species of Panamanian fungus‐growing ants. This showed that domesticated symbionts of higher attine ants are polykaryotic with 7–17 nuclei per cell, whereas nonspecialized crops of lower attines are dikaryotic similar to most free‐living basidiomycete fungi. We then investigated how putative higher genetic diversity is distributed across polykaryotic mycelia, using microsatellite loci and evaluating models assuming that all nuclei are either heterogeneously haploid or homogeneously polyploid. Genetic variation in the polykaryotic symbionts of the basal higher attine genera Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex was only slightly enhanced, but the evolutionarily derived crop fungi of Atta and Acromyrmex leaf‐cutting ants had much higher genetic variation. Our opposite ploidy models indicated that the symbionts of Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex are likely to be lowly and facultatively polyploid (just over two haplotypes on average), whereas Atta and Acromyrmex symbionts are highly and obligatorily polyploid (ca. 5–7 haplotypes on average). This stepwise transition appears analogous to ploidy variation in plants and fungi domesticated by humans and in fungi domesticated by termites and plants, where gene or genome duplications were typically associated with selection for higher productivity, but allopolyploid chimerism was incompatible with sexual reproduction.
Rural‐Urban Differences in Perceptions of Child Overweight Among Children and Adolescents, Their Guardians and Health Care Professionals in the United States
Authors: Tarasenko Yelena N. , Chen Chen , Smalley K. Bryant , Warren Jacob 
Published: August 2015

AbstractResearch ObjectiveChildren and adolescents residing in rural environments with higher prevalence of an overweight population may develop inaccurate perceptions of a healthy weight. This study examines rural‐urban differences in perceptions of child overweight among overweight (85 ≤ BMI percentile < 95) and obese children (BMI percentile ≥ 95), their guardians and health care providers (HCPs), and children's concomitant weight control.MethodsThe cross‐sectional study was based on the 2005‐2010 NHANES data (1,844 overweight and obese children and adolescents, aged 8‐15 years). Rurality was defined using the 2003 RUCC. The weight status was based on the standardized measures of children's height and weight. Children reported whether they considered themselves overweight and whether they were trying to lose weight. Proxy respondents (ie, guardians) reported whether they considered their child to be overweight and whether an HCP had ever told them their child was overweight. Weighted percentages and predicted probabilities from multivariable logistic regressions were calculated, accounting for the complex, multistage, probability sampling design and nonresponse.FindingsRural residents comprised 18.8% of the study population; 41.8% of them were overweight and 58.2% were obese compared to 46.7% and 53.3% of urban peers, respectively. Misperceptions of children's weight status were 11.3 and 6.0 percentage points higher in rural children and their guardians, respectively. Recall of an HCP identification of child overweight was 6.3 percentage points lower among rural versus urban guardians.ConclusionObesity prevention efforts may be fostered by improving accuracy of child overweight perceptions. This may be particularly impactful in rural settings, where weight misperceptions are high.
Factors Associated With the Prevalence of Prostate Cancer in Rural Saskatchewan: The Saskatchewan Rural Health Study
Authors: Sharma Meenu , Lawson Joshua A. , Kanthan Rani , Karunanayake Chandima , Hagel Louise , Rennie Donna , Dosman James A. , Pahwa Punam ,   the Saskatchewan Rural Cohort Study Group
Published: August 2015

AbstractPurposeProstate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian males, and it is the third most common cause of cancer‐related deaths in men. Some studies suggest that occupational exposure may be associated with prostate cancer. However, the etiology of prostate cancer is ambiguous. The purpose of this study was to assess the rural occupational exposure, including farming, as a determinant of prostate cancer in rural men. We investigated the prevalence of prostate cancer and its putative relationship between rural exposures in the Saskatchewan province of Canada.MethodsIn 2010, a baseline mailed survey was conducted of 11,982 households located in 4 geographic regions (southwest, southeast, northwest, and northeast) of rural Saskatchewan, Canada. The questionnaires collected information on individual and contextual determinants from a rural population of men. In total 2,938 males older than 45 years were included in the logistic regression analysis.FindingsThe age‐standardized prevalence of prostate cancer was 3.32%. Farm residence was a significant risk factor associated with prevalence of prostate cancer while farming occupation and duration were not. Men who were exposed to insecticides and fungicides together (OR [95% CI] = 2.23 [1.15‐4.33], P = .02) at work showed an increased potential risk compared to the nonexposed. The effect of farm/nonfarm residence on prevalence of prostate cancer differed depending on personal smoking history and family history of cancer.ConclusionWorkplace exposure to insecticides and fungicides together were statistically significantly associated with prevalence of prostate cancer.
Obliterative portal venopathy without portal hypertension: an underestimated condition
Authors: Guido Maria , Sarcognato Samantha , Sonzogni Aurelio , Lucà Maria Grazia , Senzolo Marco , Fagiuoli Stefano , Ferrarese Alberto , Pizzi Marco , Giacomelli Luciano , Colloredo Guido 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsObliterative portal venopathy without portal hypertension has been described by a single study in a limited number of patients, thus very little is known about this clinical condition. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of obliterative portal venopathy and its clinical‐pathological correlations in patients with cryptogenic chronic liver test abnormalities without clinical signs of portal hypertension.MethodsWe analysed 482 liver biopsies from adults with non‐cirrhotic cryptogenic chronic liver disorders and without any clinical signs of portal hypertension, consecutively enrolled in a 5‐year period. Twenty cases of idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension diagnosed in the same period, were included for comparison. Histological findings were matched with clinical and laboratory features.ResultsObliterative portal venopathy was identified in 94 (19.5%) of 482 subjects and in all 20 cases of idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension: both groups shared the entire spectrum of histological changes described in the latter condition. The prevalence of incomplete fibrous septa and nodular regenerative hyperplasia was higher in the biopsies of idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (P = 0.006 and P = 0.002), a possible hint of a more advanced stage of the disease. The two groups also shared several clinical laboratory features, including a similar liver function test profile, concomitant prothrombotic conditions and extrahepatic autoimmune disorders.ConclusionObliterative portal venopathy occurs in a substantial proportion of patients with unexplained chronic abnormal liver function tests without portal hypertension. The clinical‐pathological profile of these subjects suggests that they may be in an early (non‐symptomatic) stage of idiopathic non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension.
Protein acetylation dynamics in response to carbon overflow in Escherichia coli
Authors: Schilling Birgit , Christensen David , Davis Robert , Sahu Alexandria K. , Hu Linda I. , Walker‐Peddakotla Arti , Sorensen Dylan J. , Zemaitaitis Bozena , Gibson Bradford W. , Wolfe Alan J. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryIn Escherichia coli, acetylation of proteins at lysines depends largely on a non‐enzymatic acetyl phosphate‐dependent mechanism. To assess the functional significance of this post‐translational modification, we first grew wild‐type cells in buffered tryptone broth with glucose and monitored acetylation over time by immunochemistry. Most acetylation occurred in stationary phase and paralleled glucose consumption and acetate excretion, which began upon entry into stationary phase. Transcription of rprA, a stationary phase regulator, exhibited similar behavior. To identify sites and substrates with significant acetylation changes, we used label‐free, quantitative proteomics to monitor changes in protein acetylation. During growth, both the number of identified sites and the extent of acetylation increased with considerable variation among lysines from the same protein. As glucose‐regulated lysine acetylation was predominant in central metabolic pathways and overlapped with acetyl phosphate‐regulated acetylation sites, we deleted the major carbon regulator CRP and observed a dramatic loss of acetylation that could be restored by deleting the enzyme that degrades acetyl phosphate. We propose that acetyl phosphate‐dependent acetylation is a response to carbon flux that could regulate central metabolism.
Esophagogastric junction distensibility in the management of achalasia patients: relation to treatment outcome
Authors: Smeets F. G. M. , Masclee A. A. M. , Keszthelyi D. , Tjwa E. T. T. L. , Conchillo J. M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundAchalasia is characterized by a functional esophagogastric junction (EGJ) obstruction. The functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP) is a method to assess EGJ distensibility. In a homogeneous group of newly diagnosed achalasia patients treated with pneumatic dilation (PD), we aimed (i) to determine whether the assessment of EGJ distensibility has added value in the management of achalasia patients and (ii) to evaluate whether EGJ distensibility differs between achalasia subtypes.MethodsTwenty‐six newly diagnosed achalasia patients were treated by graded PD (30 and 35 mm) separated by 1 week. EGJ distensibility was measured with the EndoFLIP technique before and after 30 mm PD. Good clinical outcome was defined as an Eckardt score <4 at 1‐year follow‐up. Fifteen healthy controls underwent an EndoFLIP measurement as control group.Key ResultsNewly diagnosed achalasia patients had reduced EGJ distensibility compared to healthy controls (0.9 [0.7–1.5] vs 3.4 [2.7–4.2] mm2/mmHg, p < 0.01), and EGJ distensibility was lower in type II compared to type I patients (0.8 [0.7–1.1] vs 1.5 [0.9–1.9] mm2/mmHg, p = 0.02). EGJ distensibility was increased after PD from 0.9 (0.7–1.5) to 4.2 (3.0–5.7) mm2/mmHg (p < 0.001). No difference was found in EGJ distensibility directly after PD between patients with good and poor clinical outcome at 1‐year follow‐up.Conclusions & InferencesAssessment of EGJ distensibility with the EndoFLIP technique is able to demonstrate the functional EGJ obstruction in newly diagnosed achalasia patients and EGJ distensibility differs between achalasia subtypes. Although PD improves EGJ distensibility, assessment of EGJ distensibility with a limited number of distension steps provides no additional information that is useful for clinical evaluation and management of achalasia patients.
Effect of anesthesia on gastroesophageal reflux in children: a study using BRAVO wireless pH study measurements
Authors: Rodriguez L. , Morley‐Fletcher A. , Souza A. , Rosengaus L. , Nurko S. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundAdult studies suggest conscious sedation increases gastroesophageal reflux (GER), but the role of anesthesia on GER in children is unclear. Our aim was to study the anesthesia effects on GER and pH study interpretation in children.MethodsChildren undergoing BRAVO wireless pH capsule placement under anesthesia and study duration >36 h were included. We evaluated the pH parameters (number of reflux episodes >5 min, duration of longest reflux episode, time pH <4 and fraction time pH <4) at 1, 2, 6‐h and total study duration blocks using 2 cutoff values (5.3% and 6%) for the worst day, average of both days, and 1st day alone. We compared time blocks to evaluate the effect of anesthesia on GER and the proportions of studies changing interpretation after excluding the 1st hour and 1st 2‐h blocks to evaluate anesthesia effect on study interpretation.Key ResultsA total of 150 children were included. We found a significant increase on the pH parameters in the 1st hour compared to subsequent block times suggesting an effect of anesthesia on GER. We found no significant change in the proportion of studies interpreted as normal vs abnormal, however, excluding the initial 2 h of the study would change the study interpretation from abnormal to normal in up to 5% of patients.Conclusions & InferencesWe found an effect of anesthesia increasing the GER parameters mainly in the 1st hour and up to the first 6 h of the study that may result in a change in the study interpretation.
Predicting asthma morbidity in children using proposed markers of Th2‐type inflammation
Authors: Konradsen Jon R. , Skantz Elizabeth , Nordlund Björn , Lidegran Marika , James Anna , Ono Junya , Ohta Shoichiro , Izuhara Kenji , Dahlén Sven‐Erik , Alving Kjell , Hedlin Gunilla 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundAssessment of inflammation is becoming a common practice in the clinical work‐up of children with persistent asthma. Biomarkers of Th2‐mediated inflammation include blood eosinophils (B‐Eos), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), total serum IgE (S‐IgE), and serum periostin. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between asthma morbidity and increased levels of these biomarkers in pediatric asthma.MethodsSchool‐age children (n = 96) with various manifestations of persistent asthma were included in this nationwide Swedish study. The protocol included the asthma control test, Juniper's quality of life questionnaire (QoL), assessment of pulmonary function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, height‐adjusted FeNO, blood sampling for S‐IgE, B‐Eos, and periostin, and high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs.ResultsChildren with both high levels of height‐adjusted FeNO and B‐Eos were younger (p = 0.001), had more often severe asthma (p = 0.015), were more allergic (p < 0.001), had a reduced asthma control (p = 0.035), reduced QoL (p = 0.035), more exacerbations (p = 0.004), reduced FEV1/FVC (p = 0.001), and increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness (p < 0.001) as well as greater bronchial wall thickening on HRCT (p = 0.022) compared to those with low levels of both biomarkers. Grouping children according to high and low serum periostin levels did not relate to differences in clinical characteristics and biomarkers.ConclusionsAssessment of both local and systemic Th2‐mediated inflammation by the analysis of easily attainable biomarkers such as exhaled NO and blood eosinophils has a high predictive value for the identification of children with the highest asthma morbidity. Adjusting FeNO values according to the individual child's height increases the clinical usefulness of this biomarker.
Rupatadine is effective in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria in children aged 2–11 years
Authors: Potter Paul , Mitha Essack , Barkai László , Mezei Györgyi , Santamaría Eva , Izquierdo Iñaki , Maurer Marcus 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundRecommendations in current guidelines for the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in infants and children are mostly based on extrapolation of data obtained in adults. This study reports the efficacy and safety of rupatadine, a modern H1 and PAF antagonist recently authorized in Europe for children with allergic rhinitis and CSU.MethodsA double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group, multicentre, placebo‐controlled compared study to desloratadine was carried out in children aged 2–11 years with CSU, with or without angio‐oedema. Patients received either rupatadine (1 mg/ml), or desloratadine (0.5 mg/ml) or placebo once daily over 6 weeks. A modified 7‐day cumulative Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) was employed as the primary end‐point.ResultsThe absolute change of UAS7 at 42 days showed statistically significant differences between active treatments vs. placebo (−5.5 ± 7.5 placebo, −11.8 ± 8.7 rupatadine and −10.6 ± 9.6 desloratadine; p < 0.001) and without differences between antihistamines compounds. There was a 55.8% decrease for rupatadine followed by desloratadine (−48.4%) and placebo (−30.3%). Rupatadine but not desloratadine was statistically superior to placebo in reduction of pruritus (−57%). Active treatments also showed a statistically better improvement in children's quality of life compared to placebo. Adverse events were uncommon and non‐serious in both active groups.ConclusionRupatadine is effective and well tolerated in the relief of urticaria symptoms, improving quality of life over 6 weeks in children with CSU. This is the first study using a modified UAS to assess severity and efficacy outcome in CSU in children.
Combination of warming blanket and prewarmed intravenous infusion is effective for rewarming in infants with postoperative hypothermia in China
Authors: Shen Jun , Wang Qin , Zhang YuXia , Wang Xuan , Shi Peng 
Published: August 2015

SummaryBackgroundPostoperative hypothermia in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) in neonates and infants is a well‐known serious complication as it can increase the risk of blood loss, wound infections, and cardiac arrhythmias.AimTo identify an effective rewarming method for neonates and infants in China with postoperative hypothermia, an open‐label, randomized, and controlled study was performed to compare the effects of three different rewarming methods.MethodsNeonates and infants (<1 year) admitted to the PACU after surgery between June 2011 and November 2012 in a local hospital were investigated. Patients diagnosed with hypothermia were randomly divided into three groups and rewarmed with only blanket (blanket group), blanket plus electric blanket (heating blanket group), and blanket plus prewarmed intravenous (i.v.) infusion (warmed infusion group). From the beginning of rewarming, the rectal temperature was recorded every 10 min up to 180 min.ResultsThe incidence of postoperative hypothermia in neonates and infants was 5.9%. Patients rewarmed with warming blanket plus prewarmed i.v. infusions showed the shortest rewarming time (67.0 ± 2.6 min, P = 0.02) and highest rewarming efficiency (0.027 ± 0.0008°C·min−1, P = 0.039).ConclusionsThe combination of conventional blanket rewarming and prewarmed i.v. infusion was shown to be an effective rewarming method for hypothermic infants in China.
An Arabidopsis mutant of inositol pentakisphosphate 2‐kinase AtIPK1 displays reduced arsenate tolerance
Authors: Sun Yang‐Yang , Xu Wen‐Zhong , Wu Li , Wang Ruo‐Zhong , He Zhen‐Yan , Ma Mi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractArsenate [As(V)] toxicity is considered to be derived from similarities in the chemical properties of As(V) and phosphate (Pi). An Arabidopsis thaliana mutant of inositol pentakisphosphate 2‐kinase (AtIPK1), atipk1‐1, has previously exhibited lower level of phytate and higher level of Pi, relative to wild‐type (WT). Here, atipk1‐1 displayed hypersensitivity to As(V) stress and less As(V) uptake when compared to WT. Overexpression of AtIPK1 controlled by the CaMV 35S promoter partially rescued the As(V)‐sensitive phenotype of atipk1‐1. When compared to control Pi status, addition of Pi enhanced As(V) tolerance of both WT and atipk1‐1 plants, while the arsenic concentration was less reduced in the latter genotype. Despite the higher Pi level in atipk1‐1 than did WT plants, the mutant suffered more severe Pi starvation under Pi limitation stress, indicating that Pi homeostasis was altered in the mutant. Gene expression analysis of WT and atipk1‐1 plants showed the diverse effect of As(V) stress on Pi starvation‐dependent regulation of Pi‐responsive genes. Our study suggested that a particular mechanism of As(V) toxicity existed in atipk1‐1 mutant, and may offer new insights into the interactions between Pi homeostasis and As(V) detoxification in plants.