bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The distribution of calbindinD‐28k and parvalbumin immunoreactive neurons in the somatosensory area of the pigeon pallium
Authors: Ahn J. H. , Park J. H. , Choi S. Y. , Lee T.‐K. , Cho J. H. , Kim I. H. , Lee J.‐C. , Choi J. H. , Hwang I. K. , Lee E. , Park S. , Lim J. , Lee Y. J. , Seo K. , Won M.‐H.
Published: November 2017

GABAergic interneurons regulate the degree of glutamatergic excitation and output of projection neurons. In this study, we investigated the distribution of calbindinD‐28k (CB) and parvalbumin (PV) in the somatosensory area of the pigeon pallium using immunohistochemical method. Our results show that anatomical structures of the somatosensory area of the pigeon pallium consisted of several subdivisions including the hyperpallium, intercalated hyperpallium, mesopallium, nidopallium and basorostralis. Neuronal density was significantly higher in the intercalated hyperpallium and basorostralis than that in the other subdivisions. The density of the CB immunoreactive neurons was generally similar in all the subdivisions; however, the density of PV immunoreactive neurons was particularly prominent in the basorostralis compared with that in the other subdivisions. In addition, the mean proportion of PV immunoreactive neurons to total neurons was higher than that in the CB immunoreactive neurons in all the subdivisions. In brief, our present study shows that PV immunoreactive neurons in the somatosensory area of the pigeon pallium were significantly abundant compared with CB immunoreactive neurons. This finding needs more studies regarding CB‐ and PV‐related functions in the somatosensory area of the avian pallium.
Rapid and simple detection of Ureaplasma species from vaginal swab samples using a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification method
Authors: Fuwa Kazumasa , Seki Mitsuko , Hirata Yoshiyasu , Yanagihara Itaru , Nakura Yukiko , Takano Chika , Kuroda Kazumichi , Hayakawa Satoshi
Published: November 2017

Problem

Ureaplasma species occasionally cause chorioamnionitis and premature labor. We developed a novel assay employing a loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to detect Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Method of study

Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification primers were designed to amplify Ureaplasma‐specific ureaseB genes. Four U. parvum strains, 5 U. urealyticum strains and 14 reference bacterial species were evaluated. Forty‐six vaginal swab samples were analyzed by LAMP, culture, and PCR.

Results

Our LAMP primers were specific to each species and had no cross‐reaction. Of 46 clinical specimens, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the LAMP method were 100% (12/12), 100% (34/34), 100% (12/12), and 100% (34/34), respectively, whereas those of PCR were 66.7% (8/12), 100% (34/34), 100% (8/8), and 89.5% (34/38), respectively, compared to culture‐based detection.

Conclusion

The LAMP detection method outperformed the culture and PCR methods. Early detection enables appropriate antibiotic selection for improved prenatal outcomes.
Chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 25 expressed by trophoblast cells and leukocytes bearing its receptor Ccr9: An alliance during embryo implantation?
Authors: Weingrill Rodrigo Barbano , Hoshida Mara S. , Martinhago Ciro Dresch , Correa‐Silva Simone , Cardoso Elaine , Palmeira Patrícia , Marinho Claudio Romero Farias , Bevilacqua Estela
Published: November 2017

Problem

We hypothesized that trophoblast expression of Ccl25 attracts a specific leukocyte cell population to the implantation site for local regulation.

Method of study

Mice blastocysts, ectoplacental cones, and decidua at gestational days 3.5‐7.5 were evaluated for Ccl25 and Ccr9 expressions. Peripheral availability and characterization of Ccr9+ leukocytes were determined by flow cytometry. Leukocyte chemotaxis was assessed in the presence of Ccl25 recombinant protein and embryos using antisense oligomers (ODNs) to Ccl25 and Ccr9 neutralizing antibody.

Results

Ccl25 was expressed by embryonic cells, whereas Ccr9 expression was strong at the maternal compartment and in PBMC. Immunolocalization confirmed this expression. In vitro, chemotaxis assays showed that the embryonic Ccl25 signals to Ccr9+ PBMCs. Maternal Ccr9+α4β7+ monocytes switch from an anti‐inflammatory phenotype (F4/80+11b+Ly6C‐TGF‐β+ cells, pre‐implantation) to an inflammatory profile (F4/80+11b+Ly6C+TNF‐α+ cells, post‐implantation).

Conclusion

Our data support the establishment of a CCL25/CCR9‐axis at the maternal‐fetal interface in mice, which may be involved in immune regulatory mechanisms during embryo implantation.
Circadian profiling reveals higher histamine plasma levels and lower diamine oxidase serum activities in 24% of patients with suspected histamine intolerance compared to food allergy and controls
Authors: Pinzer T. C. , Tietz E. , Waldmann E. , Schink M. , Neurath M. F. , Zopf Y.
Published: November 2017

Background

Histamine intolerance is thought to trigger manifold clinical symptoms after ingesting histamine‐rich food due to reduced activity of diamine oxidase (DAO). No study has hitherto systematically assessed daily fluctuations of histamine levels and DAO activities in symptomatic patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of histamine intolerance, to therefore establish day profiles of histamine levels and DAO activities, and to compare the results between patients with suspected histamine intolerance, food allergy and healthy controls.

Methods

We determined day profiles of histamine plasma levels and DAO serum activities in 33 patients with suspected histamine intolerance, in 21 patients with proven food allergy and in 10 healthy control patients. Clinical symptoms, food intolerances and further clinical and laboratory chemical parameters were evaluated.

Results

Twenty‐four percent (8 of 33) suspected histamine‐intolerant patients showed elevated histamine levels during the day. That might be caused by constantly and significantly reduced DAO activities in these patients compared to food‐allergic and control patients. The remaining 25 patients presented normal histamine levels and DAO activities, but an increased prevalence of multiple food intolerances compared to the other subgroup of suspected histamine‐intolerants. There was no correlation between subjective complaints and serological histamine parameters in patients with suspected histamine intolerance.

Conclusions

We determined by daily profiling that decreased DAO activities correlated with elevated histamine levels in a subgroup of suspected histamine‐intolerants. This finding discriminates these patients from food intolerant individuals with similar clinical symptoms and strongly suggests the presence of histamine intolerance.
Retrieval of Adult Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation by an Intensive Care Physician Model
Authors: Burrell Aidan J. C. , Pilcher David V. , Pellegrino Vincent A. , Bernard Stephen A.
Published: November 2017

The optimal staffing model during the inter‐hospital transfer of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is not known. We report the complications and outcomes of patients who were commenced on ECMO at a referring hospital by intensive care physicians and compare these findings with patients who had ECMO established at an ECMO center in Australia. This was a single center, retrospective observational study based on a prospectively collected ECMO database from Melbourne, Australia. Patients with severe cardiac and/or respiratory failure failing conventional supportive treatment between 2007–2013 were placed on ECMO via a physician‐led model of ECMO retrieval, including two intensivists in a four person team, using percutaneous ECMO cannulation. Patients (198) underwent ECMO over the study period, of which 31% were retrieved. Veno‐venous (VV)‐ECMO and veno‐arterial (VA)‐ECMO accounted for 27 and 73% respectively. The VA‐ECMO patients had more intra‐transport interventions compared with VV‐ECMO transported patients, but none resulting in serious morbidity or death. There was no overall difference in survival at 6 months between retrieved and ECMO center patients: VV‐ECMO (75 vs. 70%, P = 0.690) versus VA‐ECMO (70 vs. 68%, P = 1.000). An intensive care physician‐led team was able to safely place all critically ill patients on ECMO and retrieve them to an ECMO center. This may be an appropriate staffing model for ECMO retrieval.
In vitro activity and time‐kill curve analysis of sitafloxacin against a global panel of antimicrobial‐resistant and multidrug‐resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates
Authors: Jönsson Agnez , Foerster Sunniva , Golparian Daniel , Hamasuna Ryoichi , Jacobsson Susanne , Lindberg Magnus , Jensen Jörgen Skov , Ohnishi Makoto , Unemo Magnus
Published: November 2017

Treatment of gonorrhoea is a challenge worldwide because of emergence of resistance in N. gonorrhoeae to all therapeutic antimicrobials available and novel antimicrobials are imperative. The newer‐generation fluoroquinolone sitafloxacin, mostly used for respiratory tract infections in Japan, can have a high in vitro activity against gonococci. However, only a limited number of recent antimicrobial‐resistant isolates from Japan have been examined. We investigated the sitafloxacin activity against a global gonococcal panel (250 isolates cultured in 1991–2013), including multidrug‐resistant geographically, temporally and genetically diverse isolates, and performed time‐kill curve analysis for sitafloxacin. The susceptibility to sitafloxacin (agar dilution) and seven additional therapeutic antimicrobials (Etest) was determined. Sitafloxacin was rapidly bactericidal, and the MIC range, MIC50 and MIC90 was ≤0.001–1, 0.125 and 0.25 mg/L, respectively. There was a high correlation between the MICs of sitafloxacin and ciprofloxacin; however, the MIC50 and MIC90 of sitafloxacin were 6‐fold and >6‐fold lower, respectively. Sitafloxacin might be an option for particularly dual antimicrobial therapy of gonorrhoea and for cases with ceftriaxone resistance or allergy. However, further in vitro and particularly in vivo evaluations of potential resistance, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and ideal dosing for gonorrhoea, as well as performance of randomized controlled clinical, trials are crucial.
Transmission electron microscopy helpfulness in Whipple's disease masked by immunosuppressant therapy for arthritis
Authors: Loiodice Alessandra , Losurdo Giuseppe , Iannone Andrea , Rossi Roberta , Fiore Maria Grazia , Piscitelli Domenico
Published: November 2017

A 61‐year‐old woman received a diagnosis of undifferentiated non‐erosive arthritis in 2010 and assumed methotrexate and steroids in 2014. After 1 year, she experienced watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, weight loss, and severe hypoalbuminemia, thus being admitted into our Unit. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed duodenal lymphangiectasia and duodenal biopsy samples several foamy PAS‐positive macrophages and villous subtotal atrophy. Transmission electron microscope demonstrated several extracellular and intracellular rod‐shaped bacteria (Tropheryma whipplei). Therefore, we diagnosed Whipple's disease. Our patient assumed doxycycline/hydroxychloroquine with prompt remission of gastrointestinal symptoms. At 1 year of follow‐up, she was symptom‐free, histological reassessment showed almost complete mucosal healing and transmission electron microscope demonstrated bacteria breaking/disappearance. The present report demonstrates that: (i) rheumatological manifestations are common onset symptoms of Whipple's disease; (ii) immunosuppressive therapy may delay the diagnosis and worsen clinical presentation; (iii) transmission electron microscopy for specific bacteria detection/disappearance is an helpful diagnostic tool, when available.
Epistatic effects between pairs of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a, growth hormone, growth hormone receptor, non‐SMC condensin I complex, subunit G and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase genes on carcass, price‐related and fatty acid composition traits in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Komatsu Masanori , Nishino Kagetomo , Fujimori Yuki , Haga Yasutoshi , Iwama Nagako , Arakawa Aisaku , Aihara Yoshito , Takeda Hisato , Takahashi Hideaki
Published: November 2017

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a), growth hormone (GH), growth hormone receptor (GHR), non‐SMC condensin I complex, subunit G (NCAPG) and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD), are known to play important roles in growth and lipid metabolisms. Single and epistatic effects of the five genes on carcass, price‐related and fatty acid (FA) composition traits were analyzed in a commercial Japanese Black cattle population of Ibaraki Prefecture. A total of 650 steers and 116 heifers for carcass and price‐related traits, and 158 steers for FA composition traits were used in this study. Epistatic effects between pairs of the five genes were found in several traits. Alleles showing strain‐specific differences in the five genes had significant single and epistatic effects in some traits. The data suggest that a TG‐repeat polymorphism of the GHSR1a.5′UTR‐(TG)n locus plays a central role in gene–gene epistatic interaction of FA composition traits in the adipose tissue of Japanese Black cattle.
Effects of high ambient temperature on plasma metabolomic profiles in chicks
Authors: Tomonaga Shozo , Okuyama Hirofumi , Tachibana Tetsuya , Makino Ryosuke
Published: November 2017

Exposure to high ambient temperature is detrimental to the poultry industry. To understand the influence from a metabolic perspective, we investigated the effects of exposure to high ambient temperature on plasma low‐molecular‐weight metabolite levels in chicks using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry‐based non‐targeted metabolomic analysis. Heat exposure for 4 days suppressed growth and food intake. Of the 92 metabolites identified, the levels of 29 decreased, whereas the levels of nine increased. We performed an enrichment analysis on the identified metabolites and found 35 candidates for metabolic processes affected by heat exposure. Among them, the sulfur amino acid metabolic pathway was clearly detected and the levels of the following related metabolites were decreased: cystathionine, cysteine, cystine, homocysteine and hypotaurine. Changes in the kynurenine pathway in tryptophan metabolism, which is linked to the immune system and oxidative stress, were also observed: kynurenine and quinolinic acid levels increased, whereas nicotinamide levels decreased. These results suggest the possible involvement of various metabolic processes in heat‐exposed chicks. Some of these metabolites would be important to understand the mechanism of biological responses to high ambient temperature in chicks.
Scaffolding as a key role for teaching assistants: Perceptions of their pedagogical strategies
Authors: Bowles David , Radford Julie , Bakopoulou Ioanna
Published: November 2017

Background

Inclusive education policies have led to a worldwide increase in the number of teaching assistants (TAs) working in mainstream schools. TAs have a large amount of responsibility for supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a role which by default has become instructional in practice, and for which training and preparation are rarely adequate. While there is some research into the nature of TAs' interactions with pupils and the strategies they use which are helpful for children's learning, TAs' perspectives on their own classroom practice have yet to be explored.

Aims

To explore TAs' perceptions about their use of inclusive pedagogical strategies.

Sample

The study involved eleven TAs in two mainstream primary schools.

Methods

The TAs were interviewed face to face to explore their views about inclusive pedagogical strategies. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

TAs were clear about the strategies they use to offer emotional and relational support to children. There were some gaps, however, in their knowledge about how children learn, specifically in terms of transferring responsibility for learning onto children.

Conclusion

The study advances understanding of scaffolding from a TA perspective and highlights the importance of training TAs in scaffolding theory.
Verbal and action‐based measures of kindergartners' SFON and their associations with number‐related utterances during picture book reading
Authors: Rathé Sanne , Torbeyns Joke , De Smedt Bert , Hannula‐Sormunen Minna M. , Verschaffel Lieven
Published: November 2017

Background

Young children's spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON) as measured by experimental tasks is related to their mathematics achievement. This association is hypothetically explained by children's self‐initiated practice in number recognition during everyday activities. As such, experimentally measured SFON should be associated with SFON exhibited during everyday activities and play. However, prior studies investigating this assumed association provided inconsistent findings.

Aims

We aimed to address this issue by investigating the association between kindergartners' SFON as measured by two different experimental tasks and the frequency of their number‐related utterances during a typical picture book reading activity.

Sample

Participants were 65 4‐ to 6‐year‐olds in kindergarten (before the start of formal education).

Methods

Kindergartners individually participated in two sessions. First, they completed an action‐based SFON Imitation task and a verbal SFON Picture task, with a short visuo‐motor task in between. Next, children were invited to spontaneously comment on the pictures of a picture book during a typical picture book reading activity.

Results

Results revealed a positive association between children's SFON as measured by the Picture task and the frequency of their number‐related utterances during typical picture book reading, but no such association for the Imitation task.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that children with higher SFON as measured by a verbal experimental task also tend to focus more frequently on number during verbal everyday activities, such as picture book reading. In view of the divergent associations between our SFON measures under study with everyday number activities, the current data suggest that SFON may not be a unitary construct and/or might be task‐dependent.
Congenital neutropenia in the era of genomics: classification, diagnosis, and natural history
Authors: Donadieu Jean , Beaupain Blandine , Fenneteau Odile , Bellanné‐Chantelot Christine
Published: November 2017

This review focuses on the classification, diagnosis and natural history of congenital neutropenia (CN). CN encompasses a number of genetic disorders with chronic neutropenia and, for some, affecting other organ systems, such as the pancreas, central nervous system, heart, bone and skin. To date, 24 distinct genes have been associated with CN. The number of genes involved makes gene screening difficult. This can be solved by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of targeted gene panels. One of the major complications of CN is spontaneous leukaemia, which is preceded by clonal somatic evolution, and can be screened by a targeted NGS panel focused on somatic events.
The Costs and Benefits of Investing in Universal Preschool: Evidence From a Spanish Reform
Authors: van Huizen Thomas , Dumhs Lisa , Plantenga Janneke
Published: November 2017

This study provides a cost–benefit analysis of expanding access to universal preschool education, focusing on a Spanish reform that lowered the age of eligibility for publicly provided universal preschool from age 4 to age 3. Benefits in terms of child development and maternal employment are estimated using evidence on the causal effects of this reform. In the baseline estimation the benefit–cost ratio is over 4, indicating sizeable net societal benefits of the preschool investment. The results show that the child development effects are the major determinant of the cost–benefit ratio; the employment gains for parents appear to play a relatively minor role. Overall, the cost–benefit analysis provides support for investing in high‐quality preschool education.
Long‐term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients treated for differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Pajamäki Nelli , Metso Saara , Hakala Tommi , Ebeling Tapani , Huhtala Heini , Ryödi Essi , Sand Juhani , Jukkola‐Vuorinen Arja , Kellokumpu‐Lehtinen Pirkko‐Liisa , Jaatinen Pia
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Thyroid hormone suppression therapy has been widely used in the treatment of thyroid cancer, but concerns have been raised about the cardiovascular risks of this treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate long‐term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients treated for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and to assess the effect of TSH suppression and radioiodine (RAI) treatment on the cardiovascular outcome.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients and measurements

Patients (n = 901) treated for DTC between 1981 and 2002 at 2 Finnish University hospitals were compared with a randomly chosen reference group (n = 4485) matched for age, gender and the place of residence. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of morbidity or death due to different cardiovascular diseases (CVD) after the diagnosis of DTC.

Results

Morbidity due to any CVD (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05‐1.28) and due to all arrhythmias (HR 1.25, CI 1.06‐1.48) and atrial fibrillation (AF) (HR 1.29, CI 1.06‐1.57) was more frequent in the DTC patients than in the controls. The increased cardiovascular morbidity was confined to patients with a mean TSH level below 0.1 mU/L (HR 1.27, CI 1.03‐1.58) and to those treated with RAI (HR 1.18, CI 1.05‐1.31). Cardiovascular mortality, however, was lower among the patients than the controls (HR 0.73, CI 0.58‐0.92), due to a lower mortality from coronary artery disease.

Conclusions

Differentiated thyroid cancer patients have an increased CVD morbidity, which is mostly accountable to AF and to TSH suppression below 0.1 mU/L.
Central and peripheral leptin and agouti‐related protein during and after pregnancy in relation to weight change
Authors: Andersson‐Hall Ulrika , Svedin Pernilla , Andreasson Ulf , Gren Magnus , Ingemansson Ameli , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Pelanis Aurimantas , Mallard Carina , Holmäng Agneta
Published: November 2017

Objective

To study changes of neuropeptides and adipokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from pregnancy to postpregnancy in relation to weight changes, fat mass and glucose metabolism.

Context

With high postpartum weight retention being a risk factor in future pregnancies and of lifelong obesity, we evaluated neuropeptide and adipokine changes in women who either gained weight or were weight stable.

Design

Women were followed for 5 ± 1 years after pregnancy and divided into two groups, weight stable and weight gain, by weight change from start of pregnancy.

Patients

Twenty‐five women (BMI 27 ± 5 kg/m2) recruited at admission for elective caesarean section.

Measurements

CSF and serum levels of agouti‐related protein (AgRP), leptin and insulin, and serum levels of adiponectin and soluble leptin receptor were measured during and after pregnancy. These measurements were further related to fat mass and insulin sensitivity (HOMA‐IR).

Results

S‐AgRP levels during pregnancy were lower in the weight stable group and a 1 unit increase in s‐AgRP was associated with 24% higher odds of pertaining to the weight gain group. After pregnancy, s‐AgRP increased in the weight stable group but decreased in the weight gain group. Decreased transport of leptin into CSF during pregnancy was reversed by an increased CSF:serum leptin ratio after pregnancy. In women who returned to their prepregnancy weight, serum adiponectin increased after pregnancy and correlated negatively with HOMA‐IR.

Conclusion

S‐AgRP concentration in late pregnancy may be one factor predicting weight change after pregnancy, and circulating AgRP may be physiologically important in the long‐term regulation of body weight.
Translational evidence of prothrombotic and inflammatory endothelial damage in Cushing syndrome after remission
Authors: Aranda Gloria , Fernandez‐Ruiz Rebeca , Palomo Marta , Romo Mónica , Mora Mireia , Halperin Irene , Casals Gregori , Enseñat Joaquim , Vidal Oscar , Diaz‐Ricart Maribel , Hanzu Felicia A.
Published: November 2017

Objective

Sustained evidence from observational studies indicates that after remission of Cushing syndrome (CS) a cardiovascular risk phenotype persists. Here, we performed a translational study in active CS and CS in remission (RCS) to evaluate the subclinical cardiometabolic burden and to explore the direct pro‐inflammatory and prothrombotic potential of their sera on the endothelium in an in vitro translational atherothrombotic cell model.

Patients

Cross sectional study. The groups were (n = 9/group): I. RCS; II. Active CS (ACS) and III. Controls (CTR), all matched for age, body mass index, sex, without other hormonal deficits.

Design

We evaluated in vivo: cardiometabolic profile; endothelial markers (sVCAM‐1, NO); endothelial dysfunction (FMD); intima‐media thickness and body composition (DEXA). In vitro endothelial cells (EC) were exposed to sera taken from the different subjects to evaluate inflammatory EC response (tisVCAM) and thrombogenicity of the generated extracellular matrix (ECM): von Willebrand factor (VWF) and platelet reactivity.

Results

Three of the 9 RCS subjects were on glucocorticoid replacement therapy (GC‐RT). Patients on GC‐RT had a shorter period of time in stable remission. In vivo analysis ACS showed typically metabolic features, while cardiometabolic markers reached statistical significance for RCS only for Hs‐CRP (P < .01). In vitro:EC exposed to ACS and RCS sera displayed increased tisVCAM‐1 (P < .01 for ACS and P < .05 for RCS vs CTR), VWF (P < .01 for ACS and P < .05 for RCS vs CTR) and platelet adhesion on ECM (P < .01 for ACC and P < .05 for RCS vs CTR). No statistically significant differences were observed between GC‐RT RSC and RCS without GC‐RT.

Conclusions

The sera of premenopausal women with CS in remission, without atherothrombotic disease, contain circulatory endothelial deleterious factors with a direct thrombogenic and pro‐inflammatory endothelial effect that could increase cardiovascular risk.
Biodiversity and China's new Great Wall
Authors: Choi Chi‐Yeung , Jackson Micha V. , Gallo‐Cajiao Eduardo , Murray Nicholas J. , Clemens Robert S. , Gan Xiaojing , Fuller Richard A.
Published: November 2017

Coastal armouring and the reclamation of intertidal areas through the use of seawalls and other artificial structures has been practiced for thousands of years, but its recent expansion in China and elsewhere in Asia has been unprecedented in its rate and intensity. One result has been the recent loss of nearly two‐thirds of tidal flats in the Yellow Sea, a globally unique ecosystem of high ecological value. The severe effects on biodiversity of the recent large‐scale coastal land claim activities in China are well documented, yet some recent studies have emphasized the ecological opportunities provided by such artificial coastal infrastructure in China, in some cases suggesting that the ecological impacts of coastal infrastructure should be reconsidered due to benefits to some rocky shore species in a changing climate. This is cause for concern because, while studying the “new ecology” arising from coastal modification is useful, broad conclusions around the ecological role or conservation gains from seawall construction without adequate contextualization underplays the ecological consequences of large‐scale coastal land claim, and could potentially undermine efforts to achieve biodiversity conservation. Here, we clarify the characteristics of seawall construction in China and summarize the environmental damage and some broadscale impacts caused by this type of infrastructure expansion on the endangered Yellow Sea tidal flats ecosystem. We also highlight the urgent need for all coastal development plans to consider how coastal wetlands and ecosystem functionality can be maximally retained within the development precinct.
Systemic use of antibiotics and risk of diabetes in adults: A nested case‐control study of Alberta's Tomorrow Project
Authors: Ye Ming , Robson Paula J. , Eurich Dean T. , Vena Jennifer E. , Xu Jian‐Yi , Johnson Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2017

Aims

Previous observational studies using administrative health records have suggested an increased risk of diabetes with use of antibiotics. However, unmeasured confounding factors may explain these results. This study characterized the association between systemic use of antibiotics and risk of diabetes in a cohort of adults in Canada, accounting for both clinical and self‐reported disease risk factors.

Materials and Methods

In this nested case‐control study, we used data from Alberta's Tomorrow Project (ATP), a longitudinal cohort study in Canada, and the linked administrative health records (2000‐2015). Incident cases of diabetes were matched with up to 8 age and sex‐matched controls per case. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the association between antibiotic exposures and incident diabetes after sequentially adjusting for important clinical and lifestyle factors.

Results

This study included 1676 cases of diabetes and 13 401 controls. Although 17.9% of cases received more than 5 courses of antibiotics, compared to 13.8% of controls (P < .0001), the association between antibiotic use and risk of diabetes was progressively reduced as important clinical and lifestyle factors were accounted for. In fully adjusted models, compared to participants with 0 to 1 courses of antibiotics, participants receiving more antibiotics had no increased risk of diabetes [Odds Ratio, 0.97 (0.83‐1.13) for 2 to 4 courses and 0.98 (0.82‐1.18) for ≥5 courses].

Conclusions

After adjustment for clinical and difficult‐to‐capture lifestyle data, we found no association between systemic use of antibiotics and risk of diabetes. Our results suggest that those positive associations observed in previous studies using only administrative records might have been confounded.
Clinicopathological findings of an episode of mycotoxicosis in horses
Authors: Dedar R. K. , Virmani N. , Bala P. A. , Singh J. , Vaid R. K. , Legha R. A. , Tripathi B. N.
Published: November 2017

This report of mycotoxicosis in horses describes the clinical signs, post‐mortem findings, histopathological findings and prognosis following the accidental feeding of mycotoxin contaminated fodder to the horses at a farm over a 3‐year period. Variable clinical signs viz. weight loss, height retardation in foals, episodes of sudden weakness and staggering gait, ulceration in the oral cavity and at mucocutaneous junctions, yawning, decreased appetite to complete anorexia, rectal prolapse, and failure of blood clotting were observed in many horses at an organised equine farm over a period of 2–3 years. Post‐mortem examination of these cases revealed liver cirrhosis and pathological changes in other organs too. On examination of the fodder, it was observed that pearl millet fodder fed to the animals had ergot infestation. On laboratory investigation of the fodder, aflatoxins levels ranged from 24 ppb to 70 ppb in pearl millet fodder. The analysis eventually led to discontinuation of the pearl millet fodder. On follow‐up for 2 years, no new cases of hepatic cirrhosis were seen. Most of the horses at the farm including those that had shown high levels of serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and weight loss, recovered completely. The present episode demonstrates that there is a need for regular monitoring of cereal fodders of horses in subtropical and tropical areas to avoid mycotoxicosis. In the present episode, monitoring serum/plasma GGT levels was found to be a sensitive biochemical indicator to identify liver damage caused by mycotoxins.
Septic peritonitis secondary to a perforating gastric foreign body in an Irish Sport Horse gelding
Authors: Jeawon S. S. , O'Leary J. M. , Johnson J. P. , Hoey S. E. , Duggan V. E.
Published: November 2017

A 17‐year‐old Irish Sport Horse gelding was referred to the University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital for low‐grade colic that had been nonresponsive to medical treatment. Diagnostic investigation revealed a marked septic peritonitis. The inciting cause was detected by gastroscopy to be a perforating foreign body in the pylorus of the stomach from a briar of a blackthorn plant (Prunus spinosa spp.). Successful removal of the foreign body was achieved surgically via gastrotomy. The horse subsequently developed a multi‐drug resistant abdominal incision site infection, which was successfully managed over a 2‐month period. Abdominal incisional herniation occurred thereafter. Six months post‐operatively, the horse was back in light work and no further adverse sequelae had been noted.
The crystal structure and catalytic mechanism of hydroxynitrile lyase from passion fruit, Passiflora edulis
Authors: Motojima Fumihiro , Nuylert Aem , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: November 2017

Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) are enzymes used in the synthesis of chiral cyanohydrins. The HNL from Passiflora edulis (PeHNL) is R‐selective and is the smallest HNL known to date. The crystal structures of PeHNL and its C‐terminal peptide depleted derivative were determined by molecular replacement method using the template structure of a heat stable protein, SP1, from Populus tremula at 2.8 and 1.8 Å resolution, respectively. PeHNL belongs to dimeric α+β barrel superfamily consisting of a central β‐barrel in the middle of a dimer. The structure of PeHNL complexed with (R)‐mandelonitrile ((R)‐MAN) was also determined. The hydroxyl group of (R)‐MAN forms hydrogen bonds with His8 and Tyr30 in the active site, whereas the nitrile group is oriented toward the carboxyl group of Glu54, unlike other HNLs, where it interacts with basic residues typically. The results of mutational analysis indicate that the catalytic dyad of His8‐Asn101 is critical for the enzymatic reaction. The length of the hydrogen bond between His‐Nδ1 and Asn101‐Oδ1 is short in the PeHNL‐(R)‐MAN complex (~ 2.6 Å), which would increase the basicity of His8 to abstract a proton from the hydroxyl group of (R)‐MAN. The cyanide ion released from the nitrile group abstracts a proton from the protonated His8 to generate a hydrogen cyanide. Thus, the His8 in the active site of PeHNL acts both as a general acid and a general base in the reaction.

Enzymes

EC 4.1.2.10

Database

Structural data are available in PDB database under the accession numbers 5XZQ, 5XZT, and 5Y02.
Condition and recruitment of Aristeus antennatus at great depths (to 2,300 m) in the Mediterranean: Relationship with environmental factors
Authors: Cartes J. E. , López‐Pérez C. , Carbonell A.
Published: November 2017

Depth and seasonal trends in the biological condition and recruitment of the red shrimp (Aristeus antennatus) have been analyzed over the slope to 2,233 m in the western Mediterranean. The best biological condition of A. antennatus (gonadosomatic index [GSI]) for mating and spawning occurred at 800–1,300 m in summer, in areas deeper than the fishing grounds distributed between 500 and 800 m. Females moved shallower to feed on the upper slope during periods of water‐mass homogeneity (autumn–winter), increasing their hepatic gland weight (hepatosomatic index [HSI]). Females moved downslope (800–1,100 m) to spawn (high GSI) during periods of water mass stratification (late spring–summer). The HSI of females decreased with depth down the slope in autumn, after the reproductive period. Small juveniles were distributed deeper than 1,000 m, associated with high near‐bottom O2 levels, low turbidity and high C:N in sediments, implying favorable trophic conditions. This confirms the importance in studying the biology of deep‐sea species over their entire depth range. The progressive warming and increasing salinity of deep Mediterranean waters could provoke a decrease of dissolved O2 that would affect the life cycle of A. antennatus.
The genetics of human personality
Authors: Sanchez‐Roige S. , Gray J. C. , MacKillop J. , Chen C.‐H. , Palmer A. A.
Published: November 2017

Personality traits are the relatively enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that reflect the tendency to respond in certain ways under certain circumstances. Twin and family studies have showed that personality traits are moderately heritable, and can predict various lifetime outcomes, including psychopathology. The Research Domain Criteria characterizes psychiatric diseases as extremes of normal tendencies, including specific personality traits. This implies that heritable variation in personality traits, such as neuroticism, would share a common genetic basis with psychiatric diseases, such as major depressive disorder. Despite considerable efforts over the past several decades, the genetic variants that influence personality are only beginning to be identified. We review these recent and increasingly rapid developments, which focus on the assessment of personality via several commonly used personality questionnaires in healthy human subjects. Study designs covered include twin, linkage, candidate gene association studies, genome‐wide association studies and polygenic analyses. Findings from genetic studies of personality have furthered our understanding about the genetic etiology of personality, which, like neuropsychiatric diseases themselves, is highly polygenic. Polygenic analyses have showed genetic correlations between personality and psychopathology, confirming that genetic studies of personality can help to elucidate the etiology of several neuropsychiatric diseases.
Kinase interest you in treating incubated cocaine‐craving? A hypothetical model for treatment intervention during protracted withdrawal from cocaine
Authors: Szumlinski K. K. , Shin C. B.
Published: November 2017

A diagnostic criterion for drug addiction, persistent drug‐craving continues to be the most treatment‐resistant aspect of addiction that maintains the chronic, relapsing, nature of this disease. Despite the high prevalence of psychomotor stimulant addiction, there currently exists no FDA‐approved medication for craving reduction. In good part, this reflects our lack of understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of drug‐craving. In humans, cue‐elicited drug‐craving is associated with the hyperexcitability of prefrontal cortical regions. Rodent models of cocaine addiction indicate that a history of excessive cocaine‐taking impacts excitatory glutamate signaling within the prefrontal cortex to drive drug‐seeking behavior during protracted withdrawal. This review summarizes evidence that the capacity of cocaine‐associated cues to augment craving in highly drug‐experienced rats relates to a withdrawal‐dependent incubation of glutamate release within prelimbic cortex. We discuss how stimulation of mGlu1/5 receptors increases the activational state of both canonical and noncanonical intracellular signaling pathways and present a theoretical molecular model in which the activation of several kinase effectors, including protein kinase C, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) might lead to receptor desensitization to account for persistent cocaine‐craving during protracted withdrawal. Finally, this review discusses the potential for existing, FDA‐approved, pharmacotherapeutic agents that target kinase function as a novel approach to craving intervention in cocaine addiction.
Toward ecologically realistic predictions of species distributions: A cross‐time example from tropical montane cloud forests
Authors: Guevara Lázaro , Gerstner Beth E. , Kass Jamie M. , Anderson Robert P.
Published: November 2017

There is an urgent need for more ecologically realistic models for better predicting the effects of climate change on species’ potential geographic distributions. Here we build ecological niche models using MAXENT and test whether selecting predictor variables based on biological knowledge and selecting ecologically realistic response curves can improve cross‐time distributional predictions. We also evaluate how the method chosen for extrapolation into nonanalog conditions affects the prediction. We do so by estimating the potential distribution of a montane shrew (Mammalia, Soricidae, Cryptotis mexicanus) at present and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Because it is tightly associated with cloud forests (with climatically determined upper and lower limits) whose distributional shifts are well characterized, this species provides clear expectations of plausible vs. implausible results. Response curves for the MAXENT model made using variables selected via biological justification were ecologically more realistic compared with those of the model made using many potential predictors. This strategy also led to much more plausible geographic predictions for upper and lower elevational limits of the species both for the present and during the LGM. By inspecting the modeled response curves, we also determined the most appropriate way to extrapolate into nonanalog environments, a previously overlooked factor in studies involving model transfer. This study provides intuitive context for recommendations that should promote more realistic ecological niche models for transfer across space and time.
Climate‐mediated changes in marine ecosystem regulation during El Niño
Authors: Lindegren Martin , Checkley David M. , Koslow Julian A. , Goericke Ralf , Ohman Mark D.
Published: November 2017

The degree to which ecosystems are regulated through bottom‐up, top‐down, or direct physical processes represents a long‐standing issue in ecology, with important consequences for resource management and conservation. In marine ecosystems, the role of bottom‐up and top‐down forcing has been shown to vary over spatio‐temporal scales, often linked to highly variable and heterogeneously distributed environmental conditions. Ecosystem dynamics in the Northeast Pacific have been suggested to be predominately bottom‐up regulated. However, it remains unknown to what extent top‐down regulation occurs, or whether the relative importance of bottom‐up and top‐down forcing may shift in response to climate change. In this study, we investigate the effects and relative importance of bottom‐up, top‐down, and physical forcing during changing climate conditions on ecosystem regulation in the Southern California Current System (SCCS) using a generalized food web model. This statistical approach is based on nonlinear threshold models and a long‐term data set (~60 years) covering multiple trophic levels from phytoplankton to predatory fish. We found bottom‐up control to be the primary mode of ecosystem regulation. However, our results also demonstrate an alternative mode of regulation represented by interacting bottom‐up and top‐down forcing, analogous to wasp‐waist dynamics, but occurring across multiple trophic levels and only during periods of reduced bottom‐up forcing (i.e., weak upwelling, low nutrient concentrations, and primary production). The shifts in ecosystem regulation are caused by changes in ocean‐atmosphere forcing and triggered by highly variable climate conditions associated with El Niño. Furthermore, we show that biota respond differently to major El Niño events during positive or negative phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), as well as highlight potential concerns for marine and fisheries management by demonstrating increased sensitivity of pelagic fish to exploitation during El Niño.
An Area‐Based Approach for Estimating Extreme Precipitation Probability
Authors: Gao Peng , Carbone Gregory J. , Lu Junyu , Guo Diansheng
Published: November 2017

Accurate estimates of heavy rainfall probabilities reduce loss of life, property, and infrastructure failure resulting from flooding. NOAA's Atlas‐14 provides point‐based precipitation exceedance probability estimates for a range of durations and recurrence intervals. While it has been used as an engineering reference, Atlas‐14 does not provide direct estimates of areal rainfall totals which provide a better predictor of flooding that leads to infrastructure failure, and more relevant input for storm water or hydrologic modeling. This study produces heavy precipitation exceedance probability estimates based on basin‐level precipitation totals. We adapted a Generalized Extreme Value distribution to estimate Intensity‐Duration‐Frequency curves from annual maximum totals. The method exploits a high‐resolution precipitation data set and uses a bootstrapping approach to borrow spatially across homogeneous regions, substituting space in lieu of long‐time series. We compared area‐based estimates of 1‐, 2‐, and 4‐day annual maximum total probabilities against point‐based estimates at rain gauges within watersheds impacted by five recent extraordinary precipitation and flooding events. We found considerable differences between point‐based and area‐based estimates. It suggests that caveats are needed when using pointed‐based estimates to represent areal estimates as model inputs for the purpose of storm water management and flood risk assessment.
Understanding the influence tenure has on meanings of home and homemaking practices
Authors: Bate Bronwyn
Published: November 2017

Within Anglophone societies, the concept of home is closely tied to homeownership, and consequently, importance is placed on owner‐occupied tenure in the meaning and making of home. However, understanding home in this way is problematic because it excludes the significant proportion of people who rent both publicly and privately. This article provides an overview of the small amount of literature that examines the impact tenure has on the meaning and making of home within Anglophone societies, in particular, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Two key arguments are made. Firstly, tenure laws and policies make an important contribution in shaping how we understand, experience, and make home, yet tenure is often overlooked in literature that explores theories of home and homemaking. Secondly, the small amount of literature that does examine the experiences of renters focuses on how tenancy law could negatively impact or restrict renters within their homes. The cultures and practices of homemaking among renters are, for the most part, overlooked. Given the recent changes in housing trends, now, more than ever, it seems pertinent that we begin to understand some of the ways tenure might influence meanings of home and homemaking practices.
RNA‐Seq of Agropyron mongolicum Keng in response to drought stress
Authors: Ma Yanhong , Yu Xiaoxia , Yu Zhuo , Sun Fengcheng , Li Xiaodong , Li XiaoLei
Published: November 2017

Agropyron mongolicum Keng is the predominant perennial forage crop in the steppes of the Inner Mongolian Plateau, China. It is known to be tolerant to drought, low temperature and salinity, and is also a valuable resource for wheat improvement. However, the corresponding molecular mechanism underlying the adaptation to water shortage in A. mongolicum remains uncharacterized. In this study, the molecular responses of A. mongolicum were compared during drought stress. Two libraries prepared from control and drought‐stressed plants were sequenced via the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. A total of 44733 unigenes were obtained using de novo assembly software, of which 31944 had BLAST hits in the NCBI non‐redundant database. 22659 unigenes were assigned to gene ontology (GO), 8451 unigenes to clusters of orthologous groups (COG), 5178 unigenes to kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), and 20 850 unigenes to Swissprot database. There were significant differences in expression amongst a total of 2171 unigenes under drought‐stress conditions. These DEGs included 1300 GO terms and 83 KEGG pathways. Using next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, the transcriptome of A. mongolicum was studied; this provided important information for further gene expression and functional genomics studies, confirmed our results on the molecular mechanisms of drought response in A. mongolicum, and provides a useful resource for breeding of drought‐resistant crops.