bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of glucose load in an oral glucose tolerance test on urinary albumin excretion varies with 2‐h glucose levels
Authors: Chen Sisi , Hong Kui , Zou Fang , Peng Qiang , Hu Weitong , Li Juxiang , Lai Xiaoyang , Cheng Xiaoshu , Su Hai
Published: February 2015

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an oral glucose load can induce an increase in urinary albumin excretion (UAE).

Methods

One hundred and thirty subjects without macroalbuminuria or increased fasting serum glucose (≥7.0 mmol/L) were included in the study. At 0600 hours, subjects were asked to empty their bladder and drink 300 mL water. At 0800 hours, venous blood and 2‐h urine were collected for fasting examination. Subjects were then asked to drink 300 mL solution containing 75 g glucose and, at 1000 hours, samples were collected again for post‐challenge examination. Concentrations of serum glucose, urinary glucose, albumin, N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase and retinol‐binding protein were measured.

Results

Based on the results of the oral glucose tolerance test, subjects were divided into three groups: (i) normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 55); (ii) impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 39); and (iii) newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (NDM; n = 36). In the NDM group, post‐challenge urinary excretion of glucose and albumin was 14‐ and 1.6‐fold greater than fasting values, respectively. In the IGT and NGT groups, although post‐challenge urinary glucose excretion was 2.6‐ and 1.6‐fold greater than fasting values, UAE did not increase. There was a positive correlation between post‐challenge serum glucose and the UAE rate (UAER; r = 0.24, P < 0.01) and the UAER increment (ΔUAER; r = 0.19, P < 0.05), as well as between the serum glucose increment and post‐challenge UAER (r = 0.23, P < 0.01) and ΔUAER (r = 0.18, P < 0.05). Post‐challenge serum glucose levels were independently correlated with logarithmically converted post‐challenge UAER (β = 0.322, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Oral glucose load can induce a significant increase in UAE in NDM subjects. The main mechanism may be glomerular hyperfiltration.
Empagliflozin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: An overview of safety and efficacy based on Phase 3 trials 艾格列净治疗2型糖尿病：基于3期试验的安全性与有效性概述
Authors: Dailey George
Published: February 2015

In the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a relatively new class of oral agents inhibits sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), reducing reabsorption of filtered glucose and increasing urinary glucose excretion. Numerous SGLT2 inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of T2DM in adults, most recently empagliflozin, which was approved in Europe and the US in 2014. The Phase 3 program has enrolled >14 000 patients and has assessed the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin as monotherapy and in combination. These studies have demonstrated improvements in glycemic control, and modest reductions in body weight and blood pressure. Empagliflozin was generally well tolerated, with no increased risk of hypoglycemia versus placebo as monotherapy or as add‐on therapy, except when given with sulfonylurea. The studies showed an increased risk of urinary tract and genital infections with empagliflozin, although most infections were mild to moderate in intensity. Furthermore, small (but clinically insignificant) increases in hematocrit and lipid levels have been observed for empagliflozin. Due to the mode of action of empagliflozin, care should be exercised when treating patients at risk of volume depletion. The risks and benefits must be weighed for each patient, but the data reviewed herein show promise for empagliflozin as a treatment for patients with T2DM.
Ultrasound‐guided percutaneous tenotomy for the treatment of iliopsoas impingement: A description of technique and case study
Authors: Sampson Matthew J , Rezaian Nimah , Hopkins James MK
Published: February 2015

Summary

Iliopsoas impingement is a commonly recognised source of groin pain following total hip replacement. When conservative measures fail, open or arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release can reliably alleviate pain and improve function. This article describes an alternative ultrasound‐guided percutaneous technique, achieving iliopsoas tenotomy utilising a modified 18G coaxial needle and thus minimising the morbidity and cost associated with an open or arthroscopic procedure. This method proved successful with resultant complete resolution of patient symptoms. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case of ultrasound‐guided percutaneous iliopsoas tenotomy for iliopsoas impingement post total hip replacement.
Gout‐mimicking sarcoma recurrence at a prosthesis bone interface remote from any joint
Authors: Ogunwale Bamikole Busayo Kenneth , Amary M Fernanda , Skinner John Andrew Mcinnes , Green Ruth Amanda Rachel
Published: February 2015

Gout is known to occur in a variety of organs but most commonly presents as an inflammatory arthropathy. A few reported cases have documented its occurrence in prosthetic neo‐joints or juxta‐articular to this. We present the first reported case at a bone prosthesis interface remote from any joint and mimicking sarcoma recurrence because of its unusual location.
Shifts in the meso‐ and bathypelagic archaea communities composition during recovery and short‐term handling of decompressed deep‐sea samples
Authors: La Cono Violetta , Smedile Francesco , La Spada Gina , Arcadi Erika , Genovese Maria , Ruggeri Gioacchino , Genovese Lucrezia , Giuliano Laura , Yakimov Michail M.
Published: February 2015

Dark ocean microbial communities are actively involved in chemoautotrophic and anaplerotic fixation of bicarbonate. Thus, aphotic pelagic realm of the ocean might represent a significant sink of CO2 and source of primary production. However, the estimated metabolic activities in the dark ocean are fraught with uncertainties. Typically, deep‐sea samples are recovered to the sea surface for downstream processing on deck. Shifts in ambient settings, associated with such treatments, can likely change the metabolic activity and community structure of deep‐sea adapted autochthonous microbial populations. To estimate influence of recovery and short‐term handling of deep‐sea samples, we monitored the succession of bathypelagic microbial community during its 3 days long on deck incubation. We demonstrated that at the end of exposition, the deep‐sea archaeal population decreased threefold, whereas the bacterial fraction doubled in size. As revealed by phylogenetic analyses of amoA gene transcripts, dominance of the active ammonium‐oxidizing bathypelagic Thaumarchaeota groups shifted over time very fast. These findings demonstrated the simultaneous existence of various ‘deep‐sea ecotypes’, differentially reacting to the sampling and downstream handling. Our study supports the hypothesis that metabolically active members of meso‐ and bathypelagic Thaumarchaeota possess the habitat‐specific distribution, metabolic complexity and genetic divergence at subpopulation level.
Quality Indicators for Musculoskeletal Injury Management in the Emergency Department: a Systematic Review
Authors: Strudwick Kirsten , Nelson Mark , Martin‐Khan Melinda , Bourke Michael , Bell Anthony , Russell Trevor
Published: February 2015

Objectives

There is increasing importance placed on quality of health care for musculoskeletal injuries in emergency departments (EDs). This systematic review aimed to identify existing musculoskeletal quality indicators (QIs) developed for ED use and to critically evaluate their methodological quality.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the gray literature, including relevant organizational websites, were searched in 2013. English‐language articles were included that described the development of at least one QI related to the ED care of musculoskeletal injuries. Data extraction of each included article was conducted. A quality assessment was then performed by rating each relevant QI against the Appraisal of Indicators through Research and Evaluation (AIRE) Instrument. QIs with similar definitions were grouped together and categorized according to the health care quality frameworks of Donabedian and the Institute of Medicine.

Results

The search revealed 1,805 potentially relevant articles, of which 15 were finally included in the review. The number of relevant QIs per article ranged from one to 11, resulting in a total of 71 QIs overall. Pain (n = 17) and fracture management (n = 13) QIs were predominant. Ten QIs scored at least 50% across all AIRE Instrument domains, and these related to pain management and appropriate imaging of the spine.

Conclusions

Methodological quality of the development of most QIs is poor. Recommendations for a core set of QIs that address the complete spectrum of musculoskeletal injury management in emergency medicine is not possible, and more work is needed. Currently, QIs with highest methodological quality are in the areas of pain management and medical imaging.
Direct versus indirect facilitation (herbivore mediated) among woody plants in a semiarid Chaco forest: A spatial association approach
Authors: Tálamo Andrés , Barchuk Alicia , Cardozo Silvana , Trucco Carlos , MarÁs Gustavo , Trigo Carolina
Published: February 2015

In arid environments, direct facilitation (microhabitat amelioration) and indirect facilitation (‘associational resistance’ via protection from herbivory) among plants of different species may act simultaneously. Little is known about their relative effects. One way to disentangle the effects is by evaluating spatial associations. We examined the relative importance of these two mechanisms of facilitation in the semiarid Chaco vegetation of north‐central Argentina, through an eight‐way observational study in which we quantified the degree of spatial association between saplings of each of two key tree species, Schinopsis lorentzii (Anacardiaceae) and Aspidosperma quebracho‐blanco (Apocynaceae), with shrub neighbours either possessing spines or without spines and in both an ungrazed site and a site with a long history of cattle grazing. We analysed data across 400 subparcels at each site with spatial analysis by distance indices. Saplings of both tree species showed positive spatial associations with spiny shrubs in the grazed site but not in the ungrazed site, and never with non‐spiny shrubs. This result suggests that spiny shrubs may indeed provide associational resistance for saplings of key tree species in grazed habitats in these dry subtropical forests, that is, that indirect facilitation may predominate over direct facilitation. If confirmed by experimental studies, this result can have implications for the silvopastoral management of rapidly expanding ranches in the semiarid Chaco, where current practice includes the near elimination of native shrubs.
‘Just because you like it doesn't mean I will too:’ Cross‐cultural similarities in ignoring others' opinions
Authors: Lee Minha , Wilson Timothy D. , Eggleston Casey M. , Gilbert Daniel T. , Ku Xyle
Published: February 2015

Members of East Asian cultures are more likely to conform in public settings than are members of Western cultures. Little research has examined, however, whether East Asians are more likely to privately accept the views held by others. In two studies we gave European American and Korean participants descriptions of unusual food combinations, information about how much one peer had liked the food combinations, or both kinds of information, and asked them to predict how much they would like the foods. When people knew only how another person felt (without a description of the food combinations), both Koreans and Americans based their predictions on the other person's ratings. When people received descriptions of the foods and the ratings of another person, however, both Koreans and Americans based their predictions more on the descriptions than on how the other person felt. In short, we found no cultural differences in the extent to which people use another person's opinion to inform their own opinions.
IL‐33 drives airway hyper‐responsiveness through IL‐13‐mediated mast cell: airway smooth muscle crosstalk
Authors: Kaur D. , Gomez E. , Doe C. , Berair R. , Woodman L. , Saunders R. , Hollins F. , Rose F.R. , Amrani Y. , May R. , Kearley J. , Humbles A. , Cohen E.S. , Brightling C.E.
Published: February 2015

Background

Mast cell localization within the airway smooth muscle (ASM)‐bundle plays an important role in the development of airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR). Genomewide association studies implicate the ‘alarmin’ IL‐33 in asthma, but its role in mast cell–ASM interactions is unknown.

Objectives

We examined the expression and functional role of IL‐33 in bronchial biopsies of patients with and without asthma, ex vivo ASM, mast cells, cocultured cells and in a mouse model system.

Methods

IL‐33 protein expression was assessed in human bronchial tissue from 9 healthy controls, and 18 mild‐to‐moderate and 12 severe asthmatic patients by immunohistochemistry. IL‐33 and ST2 mRNA and protein expression in human‐derived ASM, epithelial and mast cells were assessed by qPCR, immunofluorescence and/or flow cytometry and ELISA. Functional assays were used to assess calcium signalling, wound repair, proliferation, apoptosis and contraction. AHR and inflammation were assessed in a mouse model.

Results

Bronchial epithelium and ASM expressed IL‐33 with the latter in asthma correlating with AHR. ASM and mast cells expressed intracellular IL‐33 and ST2. IL‐33 stimulated mast cell IL‐13 and histamine secretion independent of FcεR1 cross‐linking and directly promoted ASM wound repair. Coculture of mast cells with ASM activated by IL‐33 increased agonist‐induced ASM contraction, and in vivo IL‐33 induced AHR in a mouse cytokine installation model; both effects were IL‐13 dependent.

Conclusion

IL‐33 directly promotes mast cell activation and ASM wound repair but indirectly promotes ASM contraction via upregulation of mast cell‐derived IL‐13. This suggests that IL‐33 may present an important target to modulate mast cell–ASM crosstalk in asthma.
Recent trends in testosterone testing, low testosterone levels, and testosterone treatment among Veterans
Authors: Walsh T. J. , Shores M. M. , Fox A. E. , Moore K. P. , Forsberg C. W. , Kinsey C. E. , Heckbert S. R. , Zeliadt S. , Thompson M. L. , Smith N. L. , Matsumoto A. M.
Published: February 2015

Low serum testosterone (T) is common and increasingly prevalent with increased age. Recent studies report an ‘epidemic’ of T prescribing and concern about unnecessary T treatment. We investigated the number of men tested for T, the prevalence of low serum T levels, and initiation of T treatment among those with low T levels in men treated at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities in the Northwest US (VISN 20). We identified male Veterans aged 40–89 years and examined yearly proportions of men tested for T, found to have low T levels (total T < 280 ng/dL, free T < 34 pg/mL, or bioavailable T < 84 ng/dL), and subsequently treated with T from 2002 to 2011. We excluded men who had T treatment in the year prior and men with diagnoses of prostate or breast cancer. Treatment initiation was defined as the first prescription for T within a year following a low T test. From 2002 to 2011, the yearly population of eligible men in VISN 20 increased from 129 247 to 163 572. The proportion of men who had serum T tests increased from 3.2% in 2002 to 5.8% in 2011. Among the tested men, the percentage of men with low T levels increased from 35.0 to 47.3%. However, the proportion of men with low T levels who were given T treatment within a year decreased from 31.0 to 28.0%. Despite large increases in T testing, and detection of men with low T levels, there was a slight decrease in the proportion of men with low T levels who were treated with T. The decrease in T treatment during this time period contrasts with other studies and may be related to higher comorbidity in Veterans and/or VA formulary restrictions on the use of transdermal T formulations.
Implementation of client versus care‐provider strategies to improve external cephalic version rates: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Vlemmix Floortje , Rosman Ageeth N. , Rijnders Marlies E. , Beuckens Antje , Opmeer Brent C. , Mol Ben W.J. , Kok Marjolein , Fleuren Margot A.H.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of a client or care‐provider strategy to improve the implementation of external cephalic version.

Design

Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Twenty‐five clusters; hospitals and their referring midwifery practices randomly selected in the Netherlands.

Population

Singleton breech presentation from 32 weeks of gestation onwards.

Methods

We randomized clusters to a client strategy (written information leaflets and decision aid), a care‐provider strategy (1‐day counseling course focused on knowledge and counseling skills), a combined client and care‐provider strategy and care‐as‐usual strategy. We performed an intention‐to‐treat analysis.

Main outcome measures

Rate of external cephalic version in various strategies. Secondary outcomes were the percentage of women counseled and opting for a version attempt.

Results

The overall implementation rate of external cephalic version was 72% (1169 of 1613 eligible clients) with a range between clusters of 8–95%. Neither the client strategy (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.5) nor the care‐provider strategy (OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.6–2.3) showed significant improvements. Results were comparable when we limited the analysis to those women who were actually offered intervention (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3–1.4 and OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.7–4.5).

Conclusions

Neither a client nor a care‐provider strategy improved the external cephalic version implementation rate for breech presentation, neither with regard to the number of version attempts offered nor the number of women accepting the procedure.
Spontaneous corneal perforation associated with atopic keratoconjunctivitis: a case series and literature review
Authors: Nivenius Emma , Montan Per
Published: February 2015

Purpose

To describe spontaneous corneal perforations in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis.

Methods

Records of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis and spontaneous corneal perforation seen by the authors were reviewed. A literature search of corneal complications in atopic keratoconjunctivitis and predisposing factors for spontaneous corneal perforations in corneal ectasias was undertaken.

Results

Three patients with seven incidents of corneal perforation were identified and presented. Corneal thinning and keratoconus are observed at a higher rate in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and severe ocular allergy has been reported as a risk factor for corneal hydrops.

Conclusions

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis appears to be a risk factor for spontaneous sterile corneal perforation. Corneal thinning and keratoconus in addition to inflammatory changes of the cornea in these patients probably predispose to the corneal melt in these perforations. A close observation of the fellow eye of affected patients is important and systemic immunosuppressive therapy should be considered.
Impact of visceral fat and pro‐inflammatory factors on the pathogenesis of age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Haas Paulina , Kubista Katharina E. , Krugluger Walter , Huber Johannes , Binder Susanne
Published: February 2015

Purpose

Previous studies have indicated that the immune system is involved in the pathogenesis of the AMD. Increased visceral fat, in addition, has a pro‐inflammatory effect on the organism by producing or influencing different kinds of inflammatory factors. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship of body fat distribution in patients with age‐related macula degeneration in comparison to a control group in the Austrian population.

Methods

In this case–control study, body weight and height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured for each subject in 54 patients with exudative AMD and compared to 46 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy control subjects. Body composition and abdominal fat areas were measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Data on age, gender distribution, smoking history and systemic diseases, respectively, were compared. The inflammatory markers CRP, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha), leptin, amyloid A, amyloid beta and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were assayed by ELISA (R&D).

Results

DEXA revealed central‐abdominal‐to‐total body fat ratio of 0.073 +/− 0.011 in AMD patients compared to 0.061 +/− 0.013 in the controls (p <0.001; d = 0.98). The calculation of BMI has provided a significant result (p =0.045). U‐test results for Aß1‐42, IL‐6, SAA and CRP each were significant (p < 0.05), with higher values in AMD patients. Leptin, TNF‐alpha and Aß1‐40 showed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that abdominal fat distribution is significantly associated with age‐related macular degeneration. Analysis of patients with exudative AMD revealed higher levels of CRP, amyloid ß1‐42, IL‐6 and amyloid alpha.
Vascular smooth muscle cell in atherosclerosis
Authors: Chistiakov D. A. , Orekhov A. N. , Bobryshev Y. V.
Published: February 2015

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exhibit phenotypic and functional plasticity in order to respond to vascular injury. In case of the vessel damage, VSMCs are able to switch from the quiescent ‘contractile’ phenotype to the ‘proinflammatory’ phenotype. This change is accompanied by decrease in expression of smooth muscle (SM)‐specific markers responsible for SM contraction and production of proinflammatory mediators that modulate induction of proliferation and chemotaxis. Indeed, activated VSMCs could efficiently proliferate and migrate contributing to the vascular wall repair. However, in chronic inflammation that occurs in atherosclerosis, arterial VSMCs become aberrantly regulated and this leads to increased VSMC dedifferentiation and extracellular matrix formation in plaque areas. Proatherosclerotic switch in VSMC phenotype is a complex and multistep mechanism that may be induced by a variety of proinflammatory stimuli and hemodynamic alterations. Disturbances in hemodynamic forces could initiate the proinflammatory switch in VSMC phenotype even in pre‐clinical stages of atherosclerosis. Proinflammatory signals play a crucial role in further dedifferentiation of VSMCs in affected vessels and propagation of pathological vascular remodelling.
GABAergic signalling in the immune system
Authors: Barragan A. , Weidner J. M. , Jin Z. , Korpi E. R. , Birnir B.
Published: February 2015

The GABAergic system is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter system in the central nervous system (CNS) of vertebrates. Signalling of the transmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) via GABA type A receptor channels or G‐protein‐coupled type B receptors is implicated in multiple CNS functions. Recent findings have implicated the GABAergic system in immune cell functions, inflammatory conditions and diseases in peripheral tissues. Interestingly, the specific effects may vary between immune cell types, with stage of activation and be altered by infectious agents. GABA/GABA‐A receptor‐mediated immunomodulatory functions have been unveiled in immune cells, being present in T lymphocytes and regulating the migration of Toxoplasma‐infected dendritic cells. The GABAergic system may also play a role in the regulation of brain resident immune cells, the microglial cells. Activation of microglia appears to regulate the function of GABAergic neurotransmission in neighbouring neurones through changes induced by secretion of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. The neurotransmitter‐driven immunomodulation is a new but rapidly growing field of science. Herein, we review the present knowledge of the GABA signalling in immune cells of the periphery and the CNS and raise questions for future research.
Nature will have its way: local vegetation trumps restoration treatments in semi‐natural grassland
Authors: Auestad Inger , Austad Ingvild , Rydgren Knut
Published: February 2015

Questions

How do various grassland restoration methods (hay transfer from local or distant donors, seed sowing or natural regeneration) perform in restoration of species‐rich, semi‐natural grasslands? Are any of the donors particularly well suited as reference vegetation? Do bare soil treatments give better results than treatments where the soil is covered? What are the probabilities of steering vegetation development towards donor vegetation under the various restoration treatments?

Location

Sunnfjord open‐air museum in rural, Western Norway.

Methods

In a replicated field trial we tested four restoration methods: transferring fresh hay from a local or a distant donor (hay transfer), seeding with a regional species mix, and allowing natural regeneration. We evaluated outcomes by comparing species richness, transfer rates and vegetation dynamics in donor and trial vegetation over four successive years.

Results

Our study revealed considerable changes in species composition under all restoration treatments, which decreased over time, indicating decelerating succession rates. Many non‐trial grassland species became established, especially after seeding and natural regeneration (bare soil treatments). All trajectories became synchronized from the second year, and by trial end, the restoration treatments converged with respect to species richness and species composition.

Conclusion

All restoration treatments gave high resemblance to a specific donor: the local one. Distant hay transfer resulted in larger temporal changes and exemplified a climatic donor–receiver mismatch, while the failure of several seeded species to germinate indicated an ecological mismatch under the seeding treatment. Vigorous germination of non‐trial seeds in the two bare soil treatments evened out the initial treatment‐related differences. Dispersal from the surrounding area and between treatments may be utilized for restoration purposes, but also limits the potential for restoring a specific species composition. Although we apparently failed to tailor donor species composition to the recipient, we note that the slow dynamics of long‐lived grassland species may lead to a different long‐term restoration outcome.
Ecological disturbance regimes caused by agricultural land uses and their effects on tropical forest regeneration
Authors: Zermeño‐Hernández Isela , Méndez‐Toribio Moisés , Siebe Christina , Benítez‐Malvido Julieta , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel
Published: February 2015

Aims

Across tropical regions, large forest areas have been converted to different agricultural land uses. These uses impose ecological disturbances affecting forest regeneration potential after field abandonment. Finding ways to identify those agricultural land uses limiting forest regeneration is a critical issue for conserving biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes. Here, we developed a fast and inexpensive index, useful for quantifying ecological disturbance regimes associated with agricultural land uses, and tested its power to predict forest regeneration potential.

Location

Municipality of Marqués de Comillas, southeast Mexico.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with local farmers to quantify disturbance components (size, duration and severity) associated with agricultural land uses. The scaled values of these disturbance components were added in a simple ecological disturbance index (EDI). In each one of nine recently abandoned fields representing a wide range of EDI values, two 10‐m2 plots, one close to and one far from nearby forest remnants, were established. On each plot, all woody plants of 10–100 m in height were counted, identified and measured in four 1‐m2 subplots, at the time of field abandonment and 2 yr later. In addition, at each plot, 18 site condition (microclimate and soil) attributes were quantified at the time of abandonment. Plant density, biomass, species richness and species diversity were used as regeneration variables, and EDI and site condition attributes as independent ones.

Results

Two years after abandonment, most regeneration variables declined exponentially with EDI. Biomass was not explained by EDI but changed positively with light availability. EDI was strongly correlated to vapour pressure deficit, which also predicted regeneration potential (except biomass).

Conclusions

EDI is a cheap and easy tool for quantifying the ecological disturbance produced by a wide range of agricultural land uses. The index predicted several regeneration variables as well as or better than direct measurements of the site condition at the time of abandonment. EDI can be used to identify biodiversity‐friendly agricultural land uses in human‐modified landscapes.
Why elephant have trunks and giraffe long tongues: how plants shape large herbivore mouth morphology
Authors: Pretorius Yolanda , de Boer Willem F. , Kortekaas Kim , van Wijngaarden Machiel , Grant Rina C. , Kohi Edward M. , Mwakiwa Emmanuel , Slotow Rob , Prins Herbert H. T.
Published: February 2015

We investigated whether mass and morphological spatial patterns in plants possibly induced the development of enlarged soft mouth parts in especially megaherbivores. We used power functions and geometric principles to explore allometric relationships of both morphological and foraging characteristics of mammalian herbivores in the South African savannah, covering a body size range of more than three orders magnitude. Our results show that, although intradental mouth volume scaled to a power slightly less than one to body mass, actual bite volume, as measured in the field, scaled to body mass with a factor closer to 1.75. However, when including the volume added to intradental mouth volume by soft mouth parts, such as tongue and lips (or trunks in elephant), mouth volume scaled linearly with actual bite volume and in a similar fashion as actual bite volume to body size. Bite mass and bite leaf mass scaled linearly with body size. We conclude that these scaling relationships indicate that large herbivores use their enlarged soft mouth parts to not only increase bite volume and thereby bite mass, but also select soft plant parts and thereby increase the leaf mass fraction per bite.
Long term trends in oral antidiabetic drug use among children and adolescents in the Netherlands
Authors: Fazeli Farsani S. , Souverein P. C. , Overbeek J. A. , van der Vorst M. M. J. , Knibbe C. A. J. , Herings R. M. C. , de Boer A. , Mantel‐Teeuwisse A. K.
Published: February 2015

Aim

The aim of the study was to document long term trends in oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) use among children and adolescents in the Netherlands.

Methods

A population‐based cohort study was conducted using the Dutch PHARMO Database Network. All patients younger than 20 years old with at least one OAD dispensing were identified. Age‐adjusted and age‐specific incidence (1999–2011) and prevalence (1998–2011) rates of OAD use were calculated. Trends over time were assessed using joinpoint regression software. A subset of PHARMO Database Network (including community pharmacy dispensing records linked to general practitioner data (OPD‐GP database)) was used to assess indications for OADs.

Results

In 2011, the overall age‐adjusted incidence and prevalence rates of OAD use were 20.7/100 000 (95% CI 19.2, 22.1) person‐years (PY) and 53.8/100 000 (95% CI 51.5, 56.1) persons, respectively. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the overall age‐adjusted incidence rates from 1999 to 2011 was 18.9% (95% CI 4.5, 35.2). The incidence and prevalence rates of OAD use were higher among females and older age categories. The increases in rates of OAD use were mainly driven by metformin. For only 50% of the 98 patients in the OPD‐GP database, indications for OAD prescriptions were reported with type 1 diabetes (n = 20), type 2 diabetes (n = 16), and overweight/obesity (n = 10).

Conclusions

Incidence and prevalence rates of OAD use in children and adolescents substantially increased in the Netherlands, especially among older age categories (10–14 and 15–19 years) and females. The main indications for use of OADs were type 1 and 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity.
Risk factors for rapid cycling in bipolar disorder
Authors: Valentí Marc , Pacchiarotti Isabella , Undurraga Juan , Bonnín C Mar , Popovic Dina , Goikolea José M , Torrent Carla , Hidalgo‐Mazzei Diego , Colom Francesc , Vieta Eduard
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical factors associated with the development of rapid cycling, as well as to elucidate the role of antidepressants.

Methods

The present study (NCT01503489) is a prospective, naturalistic cohort study conducted in a sample of 289 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder followed and treated for up to 14 years. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the development of a rapid cycling course (n = 48) or no development of such a course (n = 241), and compared regarding sociodemographic, clinical, and outcome variables.

Results

Among the 289 patients, 48 (16.6%) developed a rapid cycling course during the follow‐up. Several differences were found between the two groups, but after performing Cox regression analysis, only atypical depressive symptoms (p = 0.001), age at onset (p = 0.015), and number of suicide attempts (p = 0.030) persisted as significantly associated with the development of a rapid cycling course.

Conclusions

The development of rapid cycling during the course of bipolar disorder is associated with a tendency to chronicity, with a poorer outcome, and with atypical depressive symptomatology. Our study also suggests that the development of rapid cycling is associated with a higher use of antidepressants.
Seasonal distribution and variability of atmospheric freeze/thaw cycles in Norway over the last six decades (1950–2013)
Authors: Kerguillec Riwan
Published: February 2015

This study focused on atmospheric freeze/thaw cycles in Norway and presents the results of processing daily thermal data from 20 Norwegian meteorological stations for the period 1950–2013. Its two major aims were: (i) to provide long‐term time series of atmospheric freeze/thaw cycle data for Norway, and (ii) to analyse their trends over the last six decades. The study highlights the spatial and temporal modalities of the distribution of freeze/thaw cycles in Norway. The differences in the seasonal distributions of cycles and their mean annual number are because of the geographical location of the stations (coastal or inland stations, lowland or mountainous stations) and result from the combined effects of oceanity, continentality, latitude and elevation. The annual average number of freeze/thaw cycles is similar in the north (90) and south of Norway (84) but shows notable differences between coastal stations (27) and inland and/or mountainous stations (114). Since the 1950s, prolonged periods of several years characterized by increasing numbers of cycles have given way to periods of decreasing freeze/thaw frequency. This cyclicity is linked with the Northern Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Strong positive or negative phases of the NAO since the 1950s have induced marked increases (or decreases) in atmospheric freeze/thaw cycle frequency in Norway.
Steeply Increasing Growth Differential Between Mixture and Monocultures of Tropical Trees
Authors: Ewel John J. , Celis Gerardo , Schreeg Laura
Published: February 2015

Studies of biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystem functioning have concentrated almost exclusively on temperate grasslands. To broaden the reach of biodiversity‐functioning research, five fast growing species, comprising three eudicot trees and two congeneric palms (none symbiotic with nitrogen‐fixing microorganisms), were grown for 13 yr in a replacement‐series mixture and monocultures on a fertile soil in a high‐rainfall area of lowland Costa Rica. The mixture accrued more biomass and had greater net productivity than the average, but not the most productive, monoculture. Relative Land Output (a measure of comparative yield) increased steeply. The combined evidence points to an increase in resource partitioning or facilitation among species over time. Spatial partitioning of aboveground space (for light capture) and soil (possibly for retrieval of deep nitrogen), and facilitation of phosphorus availability by one species, are mechanisms that may account for the inferred complementarity. Extending the generalized findings on biodiversity–productivity relationships from well‐studied grasslands to tropical forests is warranted. Mixtures of fast growing trees can out‐perform the average of their component monocultures, whether the metric is biomass accrual or productivity. The modular growth of long‐lived structure enables arborescent species to retain crown space previously captured and may lead to increased spatial partitioning and facilitation of resources over time.
Amazonian Dark Earth Shapes the Understory Plant Community in a Bolivian Forest
Authors: Quintero‐Vallejo Estela , Klomberg Yannick , Bongers Frans , Poorter Lourens , Toledo Marisol , Peña‐Claros Marielos
Published: February 2015

Amazonian Dark Earths (ADE) are the result of human modification of the Amazonian landscape since pre‐Columbian times.ADEare characterized by increased soil fertility compared to natural soils. In the Amazonian forest, soil fertility influences understory herb and fern species composition. However, little research has been done to evaluate the effect ofADEon the composition of the understory community. We evaluated the effects ofADEand soil in 36 plots (150 m × 4 m) established in a Bolivian moist forest (La Chonta). For each plot, we determined soil nutrients, and the composition, richness, and abundance of terrestrial fern, angiosperm herb, and understory palm species. We found that the presence ofADEcreated a gradient in soil nutrients andpHthat affected the understory species composition especially of ferns and palms. Additionally, the higher nutrient concentration and more neutral soilpHonADEsoils caused a decrease of ferns species richness. We therefore conclude that the current composition of the understory community in this particular Bolivian forest is a reflection of past human modifications of the soil.
Relevance of Global Forest Change Data Set to Local Conservation: Case Study of Forest Degradation in Masoala National Park, Madagascar
Authors: Burivalova Zuzana , Bauert Martin R. , Hassold Sonja , Fatroandrianjafinonjasolomiovazo Nandinanjakana T. , Koh Lian Pin
Published: February 2015

A global data set on forest cover change was recently published and made freely available for use (Hansen et al. 2013. Science 342: 850–853). Although this data set has been criticized for inaccuracies in distinguishing vegetation types at the local scale, it remains a valuable source of forest cover information for areas where local data is severely lacking. Masoala National Park, in northeastern Madagascar, is an example of a region for which very little spatially explicit forest cover information is available. Yet, this extremely diverse tropical humid forest is undergoing a dramatic rate of forest degradation and deforestation through illegal selective logging of rosewood and ebony, slash‐and‐burn agriculture, and damage due to cyclones. All of these processes result in relatively diffuse and small‐scale changes in forest cover. In this paper, we examine to what extent Hansen et al.'s global forest change data set captures forest loss within Masoala National Park by comparing its performance to a locally calibrated, object‐oriented classification approach. We verify both types of classification with substantial ground truthing. We find that both the global and local classifications perform reasonably well in detecting small‐scale slash‐and‐burn agriculture, but neither performs adequately in detecting selective logging. We conclude that since the use of the global forest change data set requires very little technical and financial investment, and performs almost as well as the more resource‐demanding, locally calibrated classification, it may be advantageous to use the global forest change data set even for local conservation purposes.
Carry‐over Effects of Size at Metamorphosis in Red‐eyed Treefrogs: Higher Survival but Slower Growth of Larger Metamorphs
Authors: Tarvin Rebecca D. , Silva Bermúdez Catalina , Briggs Venetia S. , Warkentin Karen M.
Published: February 2015

Most animals have complex life histories, composed of a series of ecologically distinct stages, and the transitions between stages are often plastic. Anurans are models for research on complex life cycles. Many species exhibit plastic timing of and size at metamorphosis, due to both environmental constraints on larval growth and development and adaptive plastic responses to environmental variation. Models predicting optimal timing of metamorphosis balance cost/benefit ratios across stages, assuming that size affects growth and mortality rates in each stage. Much research has documented such effects in the larval period, but we lack an equal understanding of juvenile growth and mortality. Here, we examine how variation in size at metamorphosis in the Neotropical red‐eyed treefrog, Agalychnis callidryas, affects post‐metamorphic growth, foraging, and behavior in the lab as well as growth and survival in the field. Surprisingly, many individuals lost mass for weeks after metamorphosis. In the lab, larger metamorphs lost more mass following metamorphosis, ate similar amounts, had lower food conversion efficiencies, and grew more slowly after mass loss ceased than did smaller ones. In field cages larger metamorphs were more likely to survive than smaller ones; just one froglet died in the lab. Our data suggest that size‐specific differences in physiology and behavior influence these trends. Comparing across species and studies, large size at metamorphosis generally confers higher survival; size effects on growth rates vary substantially among species, in both magnitude and direction, but may be stronger in the tropics.
Drought Impacts Survivorship and Reproductive Strategies of an Epiphyllous Leafy Liverwort in Central Amazonia
Authors: Zartman Charles E. , Amaral July A. , Figueiredo José N. , de Sales Dambros Cristian
Published: February 2015

Understanding how changing precipitation patterns impact the population dynamics of Amazonian plants is necessary for predicting their long‐term survival. Most terrestrial plants are characterized by life cycles intractably slow for evaluating such demographic consequences. Due to the demands of surviving on an ephemeral substrate such as a leaf surface, epiphyllous (leaf‐inhabiting) bryophytes have some of the fastest generation times for terrestrial plants. Considering these advantages, we investigated the demographic consequences of seasonality in precipitation during one‐year of the epiphyllous bryophyte Radula flaccida Gott. (Radulaceae) in a central Amazonian rain forest. In a 1‐ha sized study area, 154 epiphyll colonies from 18 phorophytes of the understory shrub Naucleopsis ulei (Warb.) Ducke (Moraceae) were marked and colony growth, extinction, recolonization, as well as rates of sexual and asexual expression were measured in nine demographic censuses. The probability of survivorship decreased in the dry season due to the synergistic effects of both increased leaf fall (e.g., loss of occupied patches) and colony mortality on persisting leaves. Asexual expression also declined significantly during the driest months; however, sexual expression, as measured by sporophyte density, was not related to seasonality. Logistic regression probabilities also indicate a minimum threshold colony size for optimal sporophyte expression. Lower survivorship and colony growth in the dry season along with reduced sporophyte production in smaller colonies implies that both demographic stability as well as population structure of Amazonian epiphyll species may be compromised whether climate models projecting prolonged droughts for the region are accurate.
Effects of the Flooding Gradient on Tree Community Diversity in Várzea Forests of the Purus River, Central Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Luize Bruno G. , Silva Thiago S. F. , Wittmann Florian , Assis Rafael L. , Venticinque Eduardo M.
Published: February 2015

Amazonian floodplain forests have remarkable variation in tree diversity and structure related to flood duration. We assessed how floodplain forests respond to the continuum flooding gradient and found that Fisher's α values vary up to seven times across the landscape.
Amphibians on Amazonian Land‐Bridge Islands are Affected More by Area Than Isolation
Authors: Lima Janaína R. , Galatti Ulisses , Lima Crisalda J. , Fáveri Sarita B. , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Neckel‐Oliveira Selvino
Published: February 2015

River damming has created fragmented landscapes in parts of the Amazon basin. The resulting decrease in forest area could directly affect amphibian species if large areas of habitat are required to guarantee the presence of specific types of breeding sites. Here, we describe the anuran assemblages on islands created by damming of the Tocantins River twenty years ago in the eastern Amazon basin. We surveyed 10 undisturbed islands varying in size from 3 to 2140 ha and located at distances of up to 6.7 km from the margin of the reservoir. We identified 32 frog species, of which 15, 14, and 3 have aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial development, respectively. The number of frog species increased significantly with island area but was not affected by island distance from the margin. Species with aquatic or semiaquatic development tended to be absent from the smaller islands, regardless of the degree of isolation from the mainland. These findings emphasize the need to preserve specific microhabitats on smaller land‐bridge islands to maintain amphibian diversity in reservoir environments.
Sirtuin 6 promotes transforming growth factor‐β1/H2O2/HOCl‐mediated enhancement of hepatocellular carcinoma cell tumorigenicity by suppressing cellular senescence
Authors: Feng Xin‐Xia , Luo Jing , Liu Mei , Yan Wei , Zhou Zhen‐Zhen , Xia Yu‐Jia , Tu Wei , Li Pei‐Yuan , Feng Zuo‐Hua , Tian De‐An
Published: February 2015

Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) can function as a tumor suppressor by suppressing aerobic glycolysis and apoptosis resistance. However, the negative effect of SIRT6 on cellular senescence implies that it may also have the potential to promote tumor development. Here we report that the upregulation of SIRT6 expression was required for transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and H2O2/HOCl reactive oxygen species (ROS) to promote the tumorigenicity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Transforming growth factor‐β1/H2O2/HOCl could upregulate SIRT6 expression in HCC cells by inducing the sustained activation of ERK and Smad pathways. Sirtuin 6 in turn abrogated the inducing effect of TGF‐β1/H2O2/HOCl on cellular senescence of HCC cells, and was required for the ERK pathway to efficiently suppress the expression of p16 and p21. Sirtuin 6 altered the effect of Smad and p38 MAPK pathways on cellular senescence, and contributed to the inhibitory effect of the ERK pathway on cellular senescence. However, SIRT6 was inefficient in antagonizing the promoting effect of TGF‐β1/H2O2/HOCl on aerobic glycolysis and anoikis resistance. Intriguingly, if SIRT6 expression was inhibited, the promoting effect of TGF‐β1/H2O2/HOCl on aerobic glycolysis and anoikis resistance was not sufficient to enhance the tumorigenicity of HCC cells. Suppressing the upregulation of SIRT6 enabled TGF‐β1/H2O2/HOCl to induce cellular senescence, thereby abrogating the enhancement of HCC cell tumorigenicity by TGF‐β1/H2O2/HOCl. These results suggest that SIRT6 is required for TGF‐β1/H2O2/HOCl to enhance the tumorigenicity of HCC cells, and that targeting the ERK pathway to suppress the upregulation of SIRT6 might be a potential approach in comprehensive strategies for the therapy of HCC.