bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning commons reference collections in ARL libraries
Authors: Pierard Cindy , Bordeianu Sever
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the changing role of the reference collection in learning commons at Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A 15-question survey was sent to managers at academic research libraries with membership in the ARL. Respondents were asked about their learning commons and reference collections. To increase the sample size, the researchers conducted phone interviews with a random sample of individuals from the same target population, utilizing the same questions and generated additional results.

Findings

Most respondents had or were planning learning commons for their libraries. The role of reference collections varied. Of those who had retained a print reference collection, the majority believed them to be little-used. The researchers believe this may signal an end to a formerly cherished idea: the primacy of the reference collection within a library learning space.

Research limitations/implications

This study involved a random sample of public service managers at North American ARL academic libraries. While the sample is believed to be representative of the broader population, findings may not be generalizable to all ARL libraries or to other academic libraries.

Originality/value

Many papers have been written about information or learning commons spaces and their distinctive elements. Others have discussed the changing role of reference collections. This paper is unique in examining the changing role of the reference collection within learning commons spaces.
Peer reference assistants in a small liberal arts college: case study
Authors: Gonnerman Kasia , Johnson Ken
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how to create and sustain a successful mentoring program for reference student assistants in the liberal arts environment. The study delineates student training, program assessment and the impact on reference practice in a way that can be used at other institutions considering implementing a similar initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study is written by professionals who have been deeply engaged in initiating, running and assessing the program. It presents the value of the program in an unbiased and objective manner by including the voices of the student mentees themselves reflecting on the experience.

Findings

The mentorship program has proven to be worthwhile and rewarding in equal measures to both the mentees and reference librarians working with our future successors. It serves an important role in inspiring and encouraging library student workers to become interested in academic librarianship as a career choice and it prepares them to be successful students in library and information science graduate programs.

Originality/value

Although the discussion of training reference student assistants per se is not rare in the library literature, this particular program is unique in several ways: its main intent is to mentor students who are interested in pursuing librarianship as a career goal; it occurs in the context of a liberal arts college rather than in a larger university setting, especially those offering degrees in information and library science; and it empowers students to provide in-depth independent reference services for their peers and faculty.
De‐extinction and evolution
Authors: Robert Alexandre , Thévenin Charles , Princé Karine , Sarrazin François , Clavel Joanne
Published: August 2016

De‐extinction, the process of resurrecting extinct species, is in an early stage of scientific implementation. However, its potential to contribute effectively to biodiversity conservation remains unexplored, especially from an evolutionary perspective.

We review and discuss the application of the existing evolutionary conservation framework to potential de‐extinction projects. We aim to understand how evolutionary processes can influence the dynamics of resurrected populations and to place de‐extinction within micro‐ and macro‐evolutionary conservation perspectives.

In programmes aiming to revive long‐extinct species, the most important constraints to the short‐term viability of any resurrected population are (i) their intrinsically low evolutionary resilience and (ii) their poor eco‐evolutionary experience, in relation to the absence of (co)adaption to biotic and abiotic changes in the recipient environment.

Assuming that some populations of resurrected species can persist locally, they have the potential to bring substantial benefits to biodiversity if the time since initial extinction is short relative to evolutionary dynamics. The restoration of lost genetic information could lead, along with the reinstatement of lost ecological functions, to the restoration of some evolutionary patrimony and processes, such as adaptation and diversification.

However, substantial evolutionary costs might occur, including unintended eco‐evolutionary changes in the local system and unintended spread of the species. Further, evolutionary benefits are limited because (i) the use of resurrected populations as ‘evolutionary proxies’ of extinct species is meaningless; (ii) their phylogenetic originality is likely to be limited by the selection of inappropriate candidate species and the fact that the original species might be those for which de‐extinction is the most difficult to achieve practically; (iii) the resurrection of a few extinct species does not have the potential to conserve as much evolutionary history as traditional conservation strategies, such as the reduction of ongoing species declines and extinction debts.

De‐extinction is a stimulating idea, which is not intrinsically antagonistic to the conservation of evolutionary processes. However, poor choice of candidate species, and most importantly, too long time scales between a species’ extinction and its resurrection are associated with low expected evolutionary benefits and likely unacceptable eco‐evolutionary risks.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) and Their Products as a Possible Means for the Prevention and Treatment of Noncommunicable Diseases and Unfavorable Health Effects Due to Exposure to Xenobiotics
Authors: Borowska Sylwia , Brzóska Malgorzata M.
Published: August 2016

Aronia melanocarpa berries (chokeberries) constitute a very rich source of numerous substances exerting a beneficial impact on health, including mainly polyphenols (proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids), possessing antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antiatherosclerotic, hypotensive, antiplatelet, and antidiabetic properties. Thus, the consumption of products made from chokeberries is of vital importance for health maintenance and protection. Nowadays, due to the growing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases and ubiquitous human exposure to numerous man‐made and naturally occurring toxic substances, some of which are dangerous even at low amounts, it is very important to look for effective means of health protection. An important role in this regard may be played by A. melanocarpa berries; however, up to now the attention of scientists, nutritionists, and health practitioners has been focused mainly on the effectiveness of chokeberry products in the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases, while only little attention has been paid to the possibility of their use to counteract the adverse health effects of exposure to xenobiotics. That is why in this review article the main interest has been focused on the possibility of using chokeberries in the protection against unfavorable health effects caused by the action of substances to which humans may be exposed environmentally and/or occupationally. The available experimental data indicate that not only the fruit but also the leaves of A. melanocarpa and their products may be effective means for prevention and treatment of the effects of toxic action of some xenobiotics in humans; however, further studies on this subject are necessary.
New family of biosensors for monitoring BTX in aquatic and edaphic environments
Authors: Hernández‐Sánchez Verónica , Molina Lázaro , Ramos Juan Luis , Segura Ana
Published: August 2016

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) contamination is a serious threat to public health and the environment, and therefore, there is an urgent need to detect its presence in nature. The use of whole‐cell reporters is an efficient, easy‐to‐use and low‐cost approach to detect and follow contaminants outside specialized laboratories; this is especially important in oil spills that are frequent in marine environments. The aim of this study is the construction of a bioreporter system and its comparison and validation for the specific detection of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different host bacteria and environmental samples. Our bioreporter system is based on the two component regulatory system TodS–TodT of P. putida DOT‐T1E, and the PtodX promoter fused to the GFP protein as the reporter protein. For the construction of different biosensors, this bioreporter was transferred into three different bacterial strains isolated from three different environments, and their performance was measured. Validation of the biosensors on water samples spiked with petrol, diesel and crude oil on contaminated waters from oil spills and on contaminated soils demonstrated that they can be used in mapping and monitoring some BTEX compounds (specifically benzene, toluene and two xylene isomers). Validation of biosensors is an important issue for the integration of these devices into pollution‐control programmes.
Prevalence of hand syndromes among patients with diabetes mellitus in Taiwan: A population‐based study
Authors: Hou Wen‐Hsuan , Li Chung‐Yi , Chen Lu‐Hsuan , Wang Liang‐Yi , Kuo Ken N. , Shen Hsiu‐Nien , Chang Ming‐Fong
Published: August 2016

Background

Population‐based data for diabetic hand syndrome (DHS) are limited. The aim of the present epidemiological study was to estimate the overall and cause‐specific prevalence and rate ratio (RR) of DHS in patients with diabetes.

Methods

The present study was a cross‐sectional study based on a random sample of 57 093 diabetics and matched controls, both identified from Taiwan National Health Insurance claims in 2010. The DHS analyzed in the present study included carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), stenosing flexor tenosynovitis (SFT), limited joint mobility (LJM), and Dupuytren's disease (DD).

Results

The prevalence of overall DHS was estimated at 2472 per 105 for the diabetics, compared with 1641 per 105 for the controls, representing a prevalence RR of 1.51 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.39–1.64). Stratified analyses further revealed that the significantly increased prevalence of overall DHS was more evident in females than males (1.59 vs 1.36) and was only noted in diabetics aged ≥35 years. Cause‐specific analysis suggested that patients with diabetes had the highest prevalence of CTS (1244 per 105), followed by SFT (1209 per 105), LJM (39 per 105), and DD (6 per 105). In addition, diabetes was only significantly associated with CTS (RR 1.34; 95 % CI 1.20–1.51) and SFT (1.74; 95 % CI 1.54–1.97).

Conclusion

The prevalence of overall and certain cause‐specific DHS was significantly elevated in patients with diabetes in Taiwan.
angsd‐wrapper: utilities for analysing next‐generation sequencing data
Authors: Durvasula Arun , Hoffman Paul J. , Kent Tyler V. , Liu Chaochih , Kono Thomas J. Y. , Morrell Peter L. , Ross‐Ibarra Jeffrey
Published: August 2016

High‐throughput sequencing has changed many aspects of population genetics, molecular ecology and related fields, affecting both experimental design and data analysis. The software packageangsdallows users to perform a number of population genetic analyses on high‐throughput sequencing data.angsduses probabilistic approaches which can directly make use of genotype likelihoods; thus,SNPcalling is not required for comparative analyses. This takes advantage of all the sequencing data and produces more accurate results for samples with low sequencing depth. Here, we presentangsd‐wrapper, a set of wrapper scripts that provides a user‐friendly interface for runningangsdand visualizing results.angsd‐wrapper supports multiple types of analyses including estimates of nucleotide sequence diversity neutrality tests, principal component analysis, estimation of admixture proportions for individual samples and calculation of statistics that quantify recent introgression.angsd‐wrapper also provides interactive graphing ofangsdresults to enhance data exploration. We demonstrate the usefulness ofangsd‐wrapper by analysing resequencing data from populations of wild and domesticatedZea.angsd‐wrapper is freely available fromhttps://github.com/mojaveazure/angsd-wrapper.
Variability of nitrifying communities in surface coastal waters of the Eastern South Pacific (∼36° S)
Authors: Levipan Héctor A. , Molina Verónica , Anguita Cristóbal , Rain‐Franco Angel , Belmar Lucy , Fernandez Camila
Published: August 2016

We report the seasonal and single‐diurnal variability of potentially active members of the prokaryote community in coastal surface waters off central Chile and the relationship between nitrifiers and solar radiation by combining 16S cDNA‐based pyrosequencing, RT‐qPCR of specific gene markers for nitrifiers (amoA, for general AOA, AOA‐A, AOA‐B, Nitrosopumilus maritimus and beta‐AOB; and 16S rRNA gene for Nitrospina‐like NOB), and solar irradiance measurements. We also evaluated the effects of artificial UVA‐PAR and PAR spectra on nitrifiers by RT‐qPCR. All nitrifiers (except AOA‐B ecotype) were detected via RT‐qPCR but AOA was the only group detected by pyrosequencing. Results showed high variability in their transcriptional levels during the day which could be associated to sunlight intensity thresholds in winter although AOA and Nitrospina‐like NOB transcript number were also potentially related with environmental substrate availability. Only N. maritimus amoA transcripts showed a significant negative correlation with solar irradiances in both periods. During spring‐summer, Nitrospina transcripts decreased at higher sunlight intensities, whereas the opposite was found during winter under natural (in situ) and artificial light experiments. In summary, a nitrifying community with variable tolerance to solar radiation is responsible for daily nitrification, and was particularly diverse during winter in the study area.
Reward and relief dimensions of temptation to drink: construct validity and role in predicting differential benefit from acamprosate and naltrexone
Authors: Roos Corey R. , Mann Karl , Witkiewitz Katie
Published: August 2016

Researchers have sought to distinguish between individuals whose alcohol use disorder (AUD) is maintained by drinking to relieve negative affect (‘relief drinkers’) and those whose AUD is maintained by the rewarding effects of alcohol (‘reward drinkers’). As an opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone may be particularly effective for reward drinkers. Acamprosate, which has been shown to down‐regulate the glutamatergic system, may be particularly effective for relief drinkers. This study sought to replicate and extend prior work (PREDICT study; Glöckner‐Rist et al. ) by examining dimensions of reward and relief temptation to drink and subtypes of individuals with distinct patterns of reward/relief temptation. We utilized data from two randomized clinical trials for AUD (Project MATCH, n = 1726 and COMBINE study, n = 1383). We also tested whether classes of reward/relief temptation would predict differential response to naltrexone and acamprosate in COMBINE. Results replicated prior work by identifying reward and relief temptation factors, which had excellent reliability and construct validity. Using factor mixture modeling, we identified five distinct classes of reward/relief temptation that replicated across studies. In COMBINE, we found a significant class‐by‐acamprosate interaction effect. Among those most likely classified in the high relief/moderate reward temptation class, individuals had better drinking outcomes if assigned to acamprosate versus placebo. We did not find a significant class‐by‐naltrexone interaction effect. Our study questions the orthogonal classification of drinkers into only two types (reward or relief drinkers) and adds to the body of research on moderators of acamprosate, which may inform clinical decision making in the treatment of AUD.
The importance of considering both taxonomic and habitat guild approaches in small mammal research
Authors: Santos‐Filho Manoel , Bernardo Christine S. S. , Silva Dionei José Da , Ignácio Aurea Regina Alves , Canale Gustavo Rodrigues
Published: August 2016

Studies on the effects of habitat fragmentation on small mammals often lead to confounding results as they only consider taxonomic groups in their analysis and neglect functional diversity of the communities. Here we describe the structure and composition of small mammal communities at 22 sites, ranging from 41 to 7035 ha, in a hyper‐fragmented landscape of an Amazonia‐Cerrado ecotone. Also, in considering a taxonomic and habitat guild approach, we report the effects of habitat structures and patch spatial attributes on richness, abundance and species composition. Small mammal richness reported in southern Amazonia (N = 23 species) is greater than most previous studies in the tropics. All rare small mammals captured in this study were forest interior species. Richness of forest interior species was positively related to larger patches, as shown by the species–area relationship. However, 52% of the small mammal species were in forest fragments smaller than 50 ha, highlighting the importance of preserving both large and small forest fragments in a landscape with accelerated habitat reduction. Richness of edge‐tolerant species was not associated with the tested variables, yet edge‐tolerant species were more abundant in degraded environments. Marsupials were positively associated with vertical habitat structures, while rodents were more strongly related to a ground‐level habitat structure. The landscape studied is extremely variable and has contributed to the difficulty in detecting clear patterns, particularly when considering only one approach. Because of the complementary outputs when analysing either taxonomic groups or habitat guilds, we recommend the use of multi‐taxa studies of different guilds to assist decision makers in designing conservation strategies and appropriate management of small mammal populations.
Creation of a model to predict survival in patients with refractory coeliac disease using a multinational registry
Authors: Rubio‐Tapia A. , Malamut G. , Verbeek W. H. M. , van Wanrooij R. L. J. , Leffler D. A. , Niveloni S. I. , Arguelles‐Grande C. , Lahr B. D. , Zinsmeister A. R. , Murray J. A. , Kelly C. P. , Bai J. C. , Green P. H. , Daum S. , Mulder C. J. J. , Cellier C.
Published: August 2016

Background

Refractory coeliac disease is a severe complication of coeliac disease with heterogeneous outcome.

Aim

To create a prognostic model to estimate survival of patients with refractory coeliac disease.

Methods

We evaluated predictors of 5‐year mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression on subjects from a multinational registry. Bootstrap resampling was used to internally validate the individual factors and overall model performance. The mean of the estimated regression coefficients from 400 bootstrap models was used to derive a risk score for 5‐year mortality.

Results

The multinational cohort was composed of 232 patients diagnosed with refractory coeliac disease across seven centres (range of 11–63 cases per centre). The median age was 53 years and 150 (64%) were women. A total of 51 subjects died during a 5‐year follow‐up (cumulative 5‐year all‐cause mortality = 30%). From a multiple variable Cox proportional hazards model, the following variables were significantly associated with 5‐year mortality: age at refractory coeliac disease diagnosis (per 20 year increase, hazard ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.38–3.55), abnormal intraepithelial lymphocytes (hazard ratio = 2.85; 95% CI: 1.22–6.62), and albumin (per 0.5 unit increase, hazard ratio = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61–0.85). A simple weighted three‐factor risk score was created to estimate 5‐year survival.

Conclusions

Using data from a multinational registry and previously reported risk factors, we create a prognostic model to predict 5‐year mortality among patients with refractory coeliac disease. This new model may help clinicians to guide treatment and follow‐up.
Effects of dietary manganese supplementation on nutrient digestibility and production performance in male sika deer (Cervus Nippon)
Authors: Bao Kun , Wang Kaiying , Wang Xiaoxu , Zhang Tietao , Liu Hanlu , Li Guangyu
Published: August 2016

This study aimed to investigate the effects of manganese (Mn) supplementation on nutrient digestibility and antler growth in male sika deer. Twenty 3‐year‐old male sika deer were divided into four groups (Control, T40, T80 and T120). The control diet contained 22.2 mg Mn/kg. The treatment diets were supplemented with 40, 80 and 120 mg of Mn/kg (provided as Mn methionine). The results showed that the digestibility of dry matter and crude protein in the T80 group was greater than other groups. Higher digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was observed in the T80 group than in the control group. Plasma Mn concentrations in the T80 and T120 groups were higher (P < 0.01) than control and T40 group (P < 0.01). The concentration of Mn in feces was increased with increasing Mn amount. Average daily gain of fresh antler and dry antler of T80 was greater than other groups, especially the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the suitable level of Mn supplementation was found to be 80 mg/kg (total Mn content 103.4 mg/kg dry matter), which significantly increased antler daily gain and feed digestibility in 3‐year‐old sika deer.
Prostate size, nocturia and the digital rectal examination: a cohort study of 30 500 men
Authors: Stone Benjamin V. , Shoag Jonathan , Halpern Joshua A. , Mittal Sameer , Lewicki Patrick , Golombos David M. , Bedretdinova Dina , Chughtai Bilal , Barbieri Christopher E. , Lee Richard K.
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of the digital rectal examination (DRE) in estimating prostate size and the association of DRE with nocturia in a population‐based cohort.

Subjects and Methods

We identified all men randomized to the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening (PLCO) trial for whom DRE results were available. Men were excluded if they had a history of prostate surgery or incident prostate cancer. Prostate posterior surface area was derived from DRE sagittal and transverse estimates. Relationships between prostate posterior surface area, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and nocturia were analysed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Spearman's rank correlation and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 30 500 men met the inclusion criteria, with 103 275 screening visits containing paired DRE and PSA data. Digital rectal examination posterior surface area estimates had an ICC of 0.547 (95% CI 0.541–0.554) and were significantly yet modestly correlated with elevated PSA level (rs = 0.18, P < 0.001) and TRUS prostate volume (rs = 0.32, P < 0.001). Prostate posterior surface area was significantly associated with nocturia on multivariable analysis, but was not significant in stratified analysis of men with cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, high body mass index, stroke). In men without these risk factors, the highest quintile of DRE posterior surface area had 22% greater odds of nocturia than the lowest quintile (odds ratio 1.216, 95% CI 1.036–1.427).

Conclusions

Digital rectal examination is a modestly accurate tool for measuring prostate volume. While DRE posterior surface area represents a statistically significant predictor of nocturia, the magnitude of effect suggests it has limited clinical utility for assessing this condition, particularly in the presence of cardiovascular risk factors.
Azoreductases in drug metabolism
Authors: Ryan Ali
Published: August 2016

Azoreductases are flavoenzymes that have been characterized in a range of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Bacterial azoreductases are associated with the activation of two classes of drug, azo drugs for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and nitrofuran antibiotics. The mechanism of reduction of azo compounds is presented; it requires tautomerisation of the azo compound to a quinoneimine and provides a unifying mechanism for the reduction of azo and quinone substrates by azoreductases. The importance of further work in the characterization of azoreductases from enteric bacteria is highlighted to aid in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of colon related disorders. Human azoreductases are known to play a crucial role in the metabolism of a number of quinone‐containing cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. The mechanism of hydride transfer to quinones, which is shared not only between eukaryotic and prokaryotic azoreductases but also the wider family of NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductases, is outlined. The importance of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human azoreductases is described not only in cancer prognosis but also with regard to their effects on the efficacy of quinone drug‐based cancer chemotherapeutic regimens. This highlights the need to screen patients for azoreductase SNPs ahead of treatment with these regimens.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Drug Metabolism and Antibiotic Resistance in Micro‐organisms. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.14/issuetoc
FBXW7 is involved in the acquisition of the malignant phenotype in epithelial ovarian tumors
Authors: Kitade Shoko , Onoyama Ichiro , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Yagi Hiroshi , Yoshida Sachiko , Kato Masaya , Tsunematsu Ryosuke , Asanoma Kazuo , Sonoda Kenzo , Wake Norio , Hata Kenichiro , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Kato Kiyoko
Published: August 2016

FBXW7 is a ubiquitin ligase that mediates ubiquitylation of oncoproteins, such as c‐Myc, cyclin E, Notch and c‐Jun. FBXW7 is a known tumor‐suppressor gene, and mutations in FBXW7 have been reported in various human malignancies. In this study, we examined the sequences of the FBXW7 and p53 genes in 57 ovarian cancer clinical samples. Interestingly, we found no FBXW7 mutations associated with amino acid changes. We also investigated FBXW7 expression levels in 126 epithelial ovarian tumors. FBXW7 expression was negatively correlated with the malignant potential of ovarian tumors. That is to say, FBXW7 expression levels in ovarian cancer samples were significantly lower than those in borderline and benign tumors (P < 0.01). FBXW7 expression levels in serous carcinoma samples were the lowest among four major histological subtypes. In addition, p53‐mutated ovarian cancer samples showed significantly lower levels of FBXW7 expression compared with p53 wild‐type cancer samples (P < 0.001). DNA methylation arrays and bisulfite PCR sequencing experiments revealed that 5′‐upstream regions of FBXW7 gene in p53‐mutated samples were significantly higher methylated compared with those in p53 wild‐type samples (P < 0.01). This data indicates that p53 mutations might suppress FBXW7 expression through DNA hypermethylation of FBXW7 5′‐upstream regions. Thus, FBXW7 expression was downregulated in ovarian cancers, and was associated with p53 mutations and the DNA methylation status of the 5′‐upstream regions of FBXW7.
Facts with feelings – social workers' experiences of sharing information across team and agency borders to safeguard children
Authors: Lees Amanda
Published: August 2016

This paper reports findings from a psychosocially informed case study of information sharing across team and agency borders, carried out in three children and family social work teams within one local authority. The study investigated practitioners' understanding and experiences of information sharing, the tasks, processes and technologies involved, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators. It also considered how the emotional and social dynamics of working contexts could impinge upon information work.

Practitioners described information tasks relating to collecting, interpreting, communicating and recording information, guided by the demands of rigid organizational protocols. Performance of these tasks was, however, infused by the emotional complexities of child protection work, presenting a number of challenges for practitioners seeking robust and reliable information in the midst of ambiguity, complexity and heightened emotions. For practitioners across all teams, information work, and information itself, was both cognitive and affective and often at odds with linear processes for its exchange across team boundaries, designed to filter out all but hard evidence. Increased recognition of the dual nature (facts and feelings) of information and information work, throughout the safeguarding process, has potential to enhance the generation of shared understandings and collaborative practice across team and agency borders.
Effect of different implant placement depths on crestal bone levels and soft tissue behavior: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: de Siqueira Rafael Amorim Cavalcanti , Fontão Flávia Noemy Gasparini Kiatake , Sartori Ivete Aparecida de Mattias , Santos Paulo Gustavo Freitas , Bernardes Sérgio Rocha , Tiossi Rodrigo
Published: August 2016

Objectives

This randomized clinical trial analyzed crestal bone changes and soft tissue dimensions surrounding implants with an internal tapered connection placed in the mandible anterior region at different depths (equicrestal and subcrestal).

Materials and methods

Eleven edentulous patients (five implants per patient) were randomly divided in a split‐mouth design: G1, 28 equicrestal implants; and G2, 27 subcrestal implants. All implants were immediately loaded. Correlation between keratinized tissue width (KTW) and vertical mucosa thickness (MT) with soft tissue recession was analyzed. Intraoral radiographs were used to evaluate crestal bone changes. Patients were assessed immediately, 4‐, and 8‐months after implant placement. Rank‐based ANOVA‐type statistical test was used for comparison between groups (α = 0.05).

Results

Fifty‐five implants (G1 = 28 and G2 = 27) were assessed in 11 patients. Implant survival rate was 100% for both groups. Both tested implant placement depths presented similar crestal bone loss (P > 0.05). Significant crestal bone loss for each group was found in the different measurement times (T4 and T8) (P < 0.05). Implant placement depths, KTW, and vertical MT had no effect on soft tissue recession (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Different implant placement depths do not influence crestal bone changes. Soft tissue behavior is not influenced by different implant placement depths or by the amount of keratinized tissue.
Adsorption equilibrium studies of a simulated textile effluent containing a wool reactive dye on gallinaceous feathers
Authors: Freitas Olga M. , Moura Lilita M. , Figueiredo Sónia A. , Pessoa de Amorim Maria T.
Published: August 2016

Gallinaceous feathers (from Gallus gallus domesticus, strains Cobb 500 and Label) were used as adsorbent for colour removal from a simulated textile effluent containing a wool reactive dye, the Yellow Lanasol 4G (CI Reactive Yellow 39). A brief chemical and physical characterisation of feathers was performed. Equilibrium studies at different selected temperatures, in the range 10–60 °C, were carried out. The equilibrium data were analysed using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. Adsorption capacity strongly increases with temperature. A maximum adsorption capacity of around 300 mg g−1 was obtained for Gallus gallus feathers, strain Cobb 500, at 60 °C, while for strain Label, 200 mg g−1 was obtained at 50 °C. For each type of feather a generalised model, valid for a given temperature range, was obtained. The isosteric heat of adsorption calculated was positive, so the mechanism involved in the adsorption process should correspond to endothermic chemisorption. This study provides important information concerning the use of gallinaceous feathers without any chemical treatment for colour removal from real textile wastewaters. The results in this study indicated that gallinaceous feathers, when compared with activated carbon, open promising perspectives concerning their utilisation for colour removal from textile effluent discharged at high temperatures; moreover, it would be an alternative for the valorisation of this waste.
The impact of ligation of proximal side branches on blood flow and functional status of the internal thoracic artery in coronary anastomosis
Authors: Abreu José Sebastião , Tsutsui Jeane Mike , Falcão Sandra Nívea R , Feitosa José Acácio , Rocha Eduardo Arraes , Oliveira Ítalo Martins , Diógenes Teresa Cristina , Paes José N , Sbano João C , Dallan Luis A , Filho Roberto Kalil , Mathias Wilson
Published: August 2016

Background

The effect of proximal side branches on the patency of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) is controversial. We used echocardiography and Doppler to verify the effect of ligation of branches on the flow and coronary flow reserve (CFR) of the grafted ITA in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods

We prospectively investigated 53 patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF >50%) who underwent CABG of the ITA. In Group I (25 patients), major branches were ligated during ITA anastomosis to the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, whereas no ligation was performed in Group II (28 patients). Systolic flow (SF), diastolic flow (DF), and total flow (TF = SF + DF) were measured by Doppler echocardiography at the proximal level of the ITA preoperatively, at early postoperative stage, and 6 months after surgery. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed at 6 months to determine CFR.

Results

The ITA flow was predominantly systolic before surgery and diastolic in the postoperative period. We found no differences between the groups in DF. On DSE, SF (19.5±9 mL/min vs 32.7±19 mL/min; P=.003) and TF (79±21 mL/min vs 101±47 mL/min; P=.037) were higher in Group II. There were no differences in CFR (1.9±0.46 vs 2.11±0.56; P=.143).

Conclusion

In patients with preserved LVEF, ligation of major side branches during anastomosis to the LAD does not alter ITA flow or CFR.
PUBLIC SPENDING REALLOCATIONS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ACROSS DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS
Authors: Acosta‐Ormaechea Santiago , Morozumi Atsuyoshi
Published: August 2016

This article examines the effects of public spending reallocations on economic growth. Assembling a disaggregated public spending dataset of 83 countries over the 1970–2011 period, we show that spending reallocations toward education, from health and social protection, have significant growth‐promoting effects across a wide range of countries' income levels. However, income heterogeneity matters, particularly when reallocations involve infrastructure spending. Specifically, a reallocation from this spending to education also promotes growth, albeit primarily when a country's income level is low. This occurs because the effects of infrastructure spending are particularly weak in low‐income countries, possibly due to the low quality of governance. (JEL O43, H50, O11)
Mountain passes are higher not only in the tropics
Authors: Currie David J.
Published: August 2016

A recent article in Ecography by Zuloaga and Kerr (2016) addressed a prediction of Janzen's (1967) classic contention that mountain passes are higher in the tropics: species assemblages separated by steep thermal gradients are less similar than assemblages separated by small thermal gradients. Their results have some surprising and important additional implications. In the New World, mountain passes are in fact higher in both the tropics and near 55°N. This fact allows a strong test of Simpson's (1964) hypothesis that thermal barriers promote allopatric speciation, which leads to higher species richness. Combined with the results of Zuloaga and Kerr, the Simpson/Janzen hypothesis predicts a peak of richness in southern Alaskan and northern British Columbia. Published data are clearly inconsistent with this prediction. High thermal barriers to dispersal do not necessarily lead to greater species richness.
Fiscal Transparency, Elections and Public Employment: Evidence from the OECD
Authors: Aaskoven Lasse
Published: August 2016

There is considerable variation in levels and changes in public employment within and between developed democracies. This article highlights the importance of fiscal transparency in determining changes in public employment. It argues that economic growth increases public employment under low fiscal transparency and that this effect is strongest in years of election. These hypotheses are tested on a panel of 20 OECD countries from 1995 to 2010. The analyses show substantial evidence in favor of the arguments. Fiscal transparency lowers the positive effect of growth on public employment, a relationship, which is most robust in election years.
A simplified de Vries‐based model to estimate thermal conductivity of unfrozen and frozen soil
Authors: Tian Z. , Lu Y. , Horton R. , Ren T.
Published: August 2016

Soil thermal conductivity (λ) is an important property in soil physics, environmental science, thermal science and engineering disciplines. In situ measurement of λ is complicated and there is a need for a model to predict λ accurately in both unfrozen and frozen soil. In this research, we developed a simplified de Vries‐based model to estimate λ of both unfrozen and frozen soil. The simplified model follows the basic assumptions of the de Vries model, but simplifies or improves the estimates of λair, λminerals and ga(minerals), ga(air) and ga(ice) (ga are the shape factors for various soil components): λminerals and ga(minerals) are related to soil mineral composition, and ga(air) and ga(ice) are related linearly to the volumetric fractions of air and ice, respectively. The λ and ga values of sand, silt and clay are required for calculating λminerals and ga(minerals). The values of λsilt and ga(silt), however, are not available in the literature. In this research, we estimated λsilt and ga(silt) by fitting the simplified model to measured λ values of 17 soil samples with various textures, water contents and bulk densities. The simplified model was validated with measured λ data from an additional 10 unfrozen and 18 frozen soil samples, obtained either from the literature or from our own measurements. The performance of the simplified model was evaluated by comparing estimates of λ with those from other available models. The results showed that the simplified de Vries‐based model provided accurate and consistent data for λ, and it performed better than other de Vries‐based models.

Highlights

We developed a simplified de Vries‐based model to estimate thermal conductivity, λ, of unfrozen and frozen soil.

We improved methods to calculate thermal conductivities of soil air and minerals and shape factors of minerals, air and ice.

Thermal conductivity and shape factor of silt were estimated with inverse modelling.

Our new, simplified model gave more accurate predictions of λ than did other de Vries‐based models.
Targeting CYP51 for drug design by the contributions of molecular modeling
Authors: Rabelo Vitor W. , Santos Taísa F. , Terra Luciana , Santana Marcos V. , Castro Helena C. , Rodrigues Carlos R. , Abreu Paula A.
Published: August 2016

CYP51 is an enzyme of sterol biosynthesis pathway present in animals, plants, protozoa and fungi. This enzyme is described as an important drug target that is still of interest. Therefore, in this work, we reviewed the structure and function of CYP51 and explored the molecular modeling approaches for the development of new antifungal and antiprotozoans that target this enzyme. Crystallographic structures of CYP51 of some organisms have already been described in the literature, which enable the construction of homology models of other organisms’ enzymes and molecular docking studies of new ligands. The binding mode and interactions of some new series of azoles with antifungal or antiprotozoan activities has been studied and showed important residues of the active site. Molecular modeling is an important tool to be explored for the discovery and optimization of CYP51 inhibitors with better activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxicological profiles.
Structure and biochemical properties of recombinant human dimethylglycine dehydrogenase and comparison to the disease‐related H109R variant
Authors: Augustin Peter , Hromic Altijana , Pavkov‐Keller Tea , Gruber Karl , Macheroux Peter
Published: August 2016

The human dimethylglycine dehydrogenase (hDMGDH) is a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)‐ and tetrahydrofolate (THF)‐dependent, mitochondrial matrix enzyme taking part in choline degradation, one‐carbon metabolism and electron transfer to the respiratory chain. The rare natural variant H109R causes dimethylglycine dehydrogenase deficiency leading to increased blood and urinary dimethylglycine concentrations. A detailed biochemical and structural characterization of hDMGDH was thus far hampered by insufficient heterologous expression of the protein. In the present study, we report the development of an intracellular, heterologous expression system in Komagataella phaffii (formerly known as Pichia pastoris) providing the opportunity to determine kinetic parameters, spectroscopic properties, thermostability, and the redox potential of hDMGDH. Moreover, we have successfully crystallized the wild‐type enzyme and determined the structure to 3.1‐Å resolution. The structure‐based analysis of our biochemical data provided new insights into the kinetic properties of the enzyme in particular with respect to oxygen reactivity. A comparative study with the H109R variant demonstrated that the variant suffers from decreased protein stability, cofactor saturation, and substrate affinity.

Database

Structural data are available in the PDB database under the accession number 5L46.
Better than Nothing: How Policies Influence Political Participation in Low‐Capacity Democracies
Authors: Hern Erin Accampo
Published: August 2016

A growing body of policy feedback work demonstrates that citizens' experiences with public policy influence the way they participate in politics. Most of this work takes place in advanced industrial democracies, but the nuances of policy design influencing participation in advanced democracies are often irrelevant for those in low‐capacity democracies. This study extends the policy feedback framework to address how policies might “feed back” differently in low‐capacity countries with uneven basic service delivery. In low‐capacity democracies, the most salient distinction is between those who have access to basic state‐provided services and those who do not. Using original data collected in Zambia, it demonstrates that those who have even marginal access to state services have higher levels of political engagement and political participation than those without access, indicating that imperfect extension of services may help boost democratic citizenship in developing countries.
Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to placental impairment in preeclampsia: basic and clinical evidences
Authors: Di Simone Nicoletta , Tersigni Chiara , Cardaropoli Simona , Franceschi Francesco , Di Nicuolo Fiorella , Castellani Roberta , Bugli Francesca , de Waure Chiara , Cavaliere Anna Franca , Gasbarrini Antonio , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Scambia Giovanni , Todros Tullia
Published: August 2016

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological association between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and PE onset has been widely shown. The aim of this study was to analyze a possible correlation between Hp infection and the severity of clinical presentation of PE and to identify an immunologic mechanism triggered by Hp infection potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of PE.

Materials and Methods

Sera from 93 preeclamptic women and 87 healthy pregnant women were tested for Hp infection by immunoassay and for anti‐CagA antibodies by Western blot assay. The serologic results were correlated with the clinical features of PE. The functional effect of serum IgG fractions, positive or negative for Hp, from preeclamptic women or controls were tested on trophoblast and endothelial cell cultures and in a murine model of angiogenesis.

Results

Preeclamptic women showed higher seroprevalence of Hp infection (57.0%) compared to controls (33.3%) (P<.001). The seropositivity for CagA‐positive strains of Hp was 45.2% in preeclamptic women vs 13.7% in controls (P<.001). In PE women, Hp infection was associated with abnormality of uterine arteries Doppler (P<.001). Hp+ IgG fractions from preeclamptic women bound to trophoblast and endometrial endothelial cell cultures, reducing in vitro invasiveness and angiogenesis, respectively, and inhibited angiogenesis in mice.

Conclusions

Our data show, for the first time, an association between Hp infection and PE with abnormal uterine arteries Doppler velocimetry, suggesting a role for Hp infection in impairing placental development and increasing the risk to develop PE. This study opens the new perspective of a potential screening and treatment for Hp infection in pregnancy.
High brood patch temperature of less colourful, less pheomelanic female Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica
Authors: Hasegawa Masaru , Arai Emi , Ito Shosuke , Wakamatsu Kazumasa
Published: August 2016

In birds, even a minor difference in egg temperature (1–1.5 °C) has been shown to affect the fitness of offspring by changing hatching success, incubation period and nestling quality. Female, but not male, passerines develop brood patches. Thus if there are traits, such as plumage ornamentation, that indicate optimal egg temperature, males should pair with females that exhibit those traits. However, no study has yet investigated the relationship between female brood patch temperature, which would directly affect egg temperature, and female plumage ornamentation. In this study, we examined the surface temperature of female brood patches during nocturnal incubation and examined its relationship with female plumage ornaments in Asian Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica gutturalis. After controlling for ambient air temperature, brood patch temperature was negatively associated with colour saturation of the female throat patch. No other female ornaments, such as tail‐length, white tail spots or throat patch size, predicted brood patch temperature. When oral (mouth) temperature was statistically controlled, females with less colourful throats and longer tails showed higher brood patch temperature, indicating that these females had hotter brood patches in relation to the temperature of other body parts. Furthermore, we found a negative relationship between pheomelanin pigmentation and brood patch temperature after controlling for ambient air temperature or oral temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that female ornaments can predict the absolute/relative thermal investment in brood patches. This relationship, together with other aspects of female quality, may affect male mate preference and female ornamentation.