bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple factors correlating with wing malformations in the population of Parnassius apollo (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) restituted from a low number of individuals: A mini review
Authors: Pierzynowska Karolina , Skowron Volponi Marta , Węgrzyn Grzegorz
Published: November 2017

The Apollo butterfly, Parnassius apollo (Linnaeus), was common in Europe over 100 years ago, but currently it is considered as near threatened. Different conservation programs have promoted the persistence of this species; however, it is still endangered. An example of such programs was the action devoted to reestablish the Apollo butterfly population in Pieniny National Park (Poland) from only 20–30 individuals which had survived till the last decade of the 20th century. This reintroduction has been successful; however, unexpected developmental problems appeared. Butterflies with deformed or reduced wings became frequent in the population living in the natural habitat, and particularly among those reared under seminatural conditions (in the same environment, but fenced by a net). Until recently, reasons for these malformations remained unknown. However, reports published during last months indicated that there are genetic, biochemical, and microbiological factors contributing to this phenomenon. In the malformed individuals, lesions in the wingless gene and dysfunctions of laccase 1 and 2 were found to be significantly more frequent than in normal insects. A large fraction of butterflies with deformed or reduced wings was devoid of the prokaryotic symbiont Wolbachia, which was present in most normal individuals. Moreover, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Pfeiffer) Smith and Thal, and Serratia sp., bacteria pathogenic to insects, were detected in the biological material from both normal and malformed butterflies from this population. These findings are summarized and discussed in this review, in the light of conservation of insects and restitution of their populations from a low number of individuals.
Antigastric Cancer Bioactive Aurantiochytrium Oil Rich in Docosahexaenoic Acid: From Media Optimization to Cancer Cells Cytotoxicity Assessment
Authors: Shakeri Shahryar , Amoozyan Neda , Fekrat Farzaneh , Maleki Mahmood
Published: November 2017

Dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may have a role in contributing to the prevention or inhibition of some malignancies. DHA, the most important polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in fish and thraustochytrid oils, is known for its anticancer activity. However, antigastric cancer activity of thraustochytrid microbial oil is still unclear. In this investigation, 45 thraustochytrid strains were screened for the production of antigastric cancer oil. Cytotoxicity of 12 thraustochytrid oils was assessed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethythiazol‐ 2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) on gastric cancer AGS cells. The most cytotoxic effect was related to the oil extracted from the qe‐4 strain with 45% cell cytotoxicity. Therefore, the Taguchi methodology was used to optimize this bioactive microbial oil. The amounts of biomass, oil, and DHA were increased to 10.32 g/L, 3.86 g/L, and 1390 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the use of glycerol in low saline medium enhanced the yield of DHA. Then, the cytotoxicity of thraustochytrids oil rich in DHA or C16 (0.5 to 10 mg/mL), was assessed on AGS cells. Only the oil that was rich in DHA showed an inhibitory effect (IC50) on AGS cells (same as the standard DHA at 1.26 mg/mL). These new findings revealed that thraustochytrid derived oil rich in DHA, has an inhibitory effect on gastric cancer cells. Phylogenetic analysis showed that qe‐4 is related to the genus Aurantiochytrium (AN: KR091914) as a potential candidate for the production of bioactive oil. In conclusion, these results certainly support further investigations on this bioactive microbial oil as an additive for the fortification of food and dairy products.

Practical Application

Thraustochytrid microbial oil rich in DHA, showed antigastric cancer activity comparable to that of pure DHA; indicating that this microbial bioactive omega‐3 oil rich in the very important PUFA (DHA), can be applied as an additive for the fortification of food and dairy products. Also, Aurantiochytrium sp. KR091914, as a GRAS microorganism, is a good producer of this bioactive oil.
Antioxidant Stability Study of Oregano Essential Oil Microcapsules Prepared by Spray‐Drying
Authors: Asensio Claudia M. , Paredes Alejandro J. , Martin Maria P. , Allemandi Daniel A. , Nepote Valeria , Grosso Nelson R.
Published: November 2017

Release kinetics of the volatile compounds of oregano EO microcapsules and the relation with the antioxidant activity were studied. Different wall material (WM) to core (C) ratios (1:1 and 2:1; WM:C), addition of colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD); and different storage conditions: 23 °C (room temperature; R) and 4 °C (fridge temperature; F) were evaluated for 90 d. Volatile compounds, total phenolic content (TPC), free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) were measured. The formulas 2:1 (WM:C) (R and F) without CSD behaved differently from the rest, exhibited a higher antioxidant activity, and released less amount of volatile compounds after 90 d. These treatments grouped together in the cluster analysis, showing the highest TPC (81.54 mg gallic ac/g), FRSA (8.66%), and TEAC (12.35 μg Trolox/g). The addition of CSD facilitated the released of volatile compounds through storage time and promoted losses in the antioxidant activity. The temperature had a significant effect in most of the evaluated variables. However, this effect was more noticeable in F2 (1:1, CSD).

Practical Application

Oregano essential oil has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and sensory preserving properties. However, it is susceptible to volatilization and is degraded by external factors. Its addition into food matrices is restricted due to low solubility and hydrophobicity. The antioxidant activity of oregano EO is preserved after the process of microencapsulation by spray‐drying that extends its stability during storage. Oregano EO microcapsules are an alternative of delivery which protects and extends the shelf life of this essential oil, overcomes stability related limitations and preserves its desirable characteristics allowing these kind of microcapsules to be later incorporated into food products. These microcapsules could be used as a natural additive/flavouring with antioxidant properties.
Disruption ofN‐acyl‐homoserine lactone‐specific signalling and virulence in clinical pathogens by marine sponge bacteria
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Barranquero José A. , Reen F. Jerry , Parages María L. , McCarthy Ronan , Dobson Alan D. W. , O'Gara Fergal
Published: November 2017

In recent years, the marine environment has been the subject of increasing attention from biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. A combination of unique physicochemical properties and spatial niche‐specific substrates, in wide‐ranging and extreme habitats, underscores the potential of the marine environment to deliver on functionally novel bioactivities. One such area of ongoing research is the discovery of compounds that interfere with the cell–cell signalling process called quorum sensing (QS). Described as the next generation of antimicrobials, these compounds can target virulence and persistence of clinically relevant pathogens, independent of any growth‐limiting effects. Marine sponges are a rich source of microbial diversity, with dynamic populations in a symbiotic relationship. In this study, we have harnessed theQSinhibition (QSI) potential of marine sponge microbiota and through culture‐based discovery have uncovered small molecule signal mimics that neutralize virulence phenotypes in clinical pathogens. This study describes for the first time a marine spongePsychrobactersp. isolate B98C22 that blocksQSsignalling, while also reporting dualQS/QSIactivity in thePseudoalteromonassp. J10 andParacoccusJM45. Isolation of novelQSIactivities has significant potential for future therapeutic development, of particular relevance in the light of the pending perfect storm of antibiotic resistance meeting antibiotic drug discovery decline.
How Do Self‐Assessment of Alexithymia and Sensitivity to Bodily Sensations Relate to Alcohol Consumption?
Authors: Betka Sophie , Pfeifer Gaby , Garfinkel Sarah , Prins Hielke , Bond Rod , Sequeira Henrique , Duka Theodora , Critchley Hugo
Published: November 2017

Background

Alexithymia describes an abnormality of emotional experience that is commonly expressed among individuals with addiction and alcohol abuse disorders. Alexithymic individuals are characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing their emotions. This impairment is linked to the development and maintenance of addiction. Moreover, an emergent theory suggests alexithymia is itself secondary to a failure of interoception (sensitivity to internal bodily signals, including physiological arousal states).

Methods

This study tested for hypothesized contributory roles of alexithymia and dysfunctional interoception in the expression of social drinking. Alexithymia, subjective sensitivity to bodily sensations, and alcohol consumption scores were quantified using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Body Perception Questionnaire, and the Alcohol Use Questionnaire, respectively, in a normative sample (N = 600). Regression and bootstrapping mediation analyses were used to test the hypothesis that alexithymia mediated the association between sensitivity to bodily sensations and alcohol consumption.

Results

Alexithymia was positively correlated with sensitivity to bodily sensations and with alcohol consumption. Mediation analysis revealed that alexithymia, and more precisely, difficulty in identifying feelings, mediated the relationship between sensitivity to bodily sensations and alcohol consumption, such that the predictive effect of sensitivity to bodily sensations on alcohol intake became nonsignificant when controlling for alexithymia.

Conclusions

These results indicate that alexithymia is associated with subjective hypersensitivity to bodily sensations. Moreover, our findings support the theoretical proposal that alexithymia is an expression of impaired processing of bodily sensations including physiological arousal, which underpin the development of maladaptive coping strategies, including alcohol use disorders. Our observations extend a growing literature emphasizing the importance of interoception and alexithymia in addiction, which can inform the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Impact of the 2014 Suspension Agreement on sugar between the United States and Mexico
Authors: Schmitz Troy G.
Published: November 2017

In December 2014, the U.S. and Mexico agreed to a suspension agreement that set a $22.25/cwt import price floor on U.S. sugar imports from Mexico. A partial equilibrium trade model was developed to estimate the economic impact the agreement would have had if it had been in effect from 2008 to 2014. In years when the price floor would have been binding, on average, U.S. producers would have gained $138 million and Mexican producers would have lost $218 million. However, total Mexican welfare would have actually increased by $11.5 million. Furthermore, the average price floor that would have maximized total Mexican welfare over that period is $22.76/cwt. Also, under certain supply and demand elasticity conditions, the average price floor that would have maximized joint U.S. and Mexican producer welfare over that period is $21.91/cwt. The latter two estimates are both close to the actual price floor agreed to in the 2014 Suspension Agreement.
The Social Provision of Punishment and Incarceration
Authors: D'Amico Daniel J.
Published: November 2017

Standard economic theory proposes that public goods (equally available to everyone) will be underprovided by private markets. Individuals can benefit without having to pay, so there is little incentive to invest or manage resources efficiently. The punishment of criminals is an example of this, since everyone in a society benefits from reduced crime whether they pay to apprehend criminals or not. On that basis, it is widely presumed that governments must provide criminal justice services, including prisons. But the evidence in favor of that view is ambiguous. Stateless societies throughout history have found ways to maintain public order without ever building a prison. Nations with adequate social safety nets and a high degree of equality are also likely to rely on alternatives to incarceration. Strong forms of public goods theory, when applied to punishments and prisons, are shown to be false, since crime control does exist without a centralized state. Furthermore, the available evidence suggests that centralized government provision and management can also suffer inefficiencies from overproduction. Only comparative institutional analysis can speak to the efficiency potentials of punishment, wherein the costs of underproduction are assessed against the likely consequences of overproduction.
Evaluation of a novel waste anaesthetic gas scavenger device for use during recovery from anaesthesia
Authors: Tallent R. , Corcoran J. , Sebastian J.
Published: November 2017

Volatile anaesthetic agents are a potential occupational health hazard to theatre and recovery staff. Operating theatres and anaesthetic rooms are required to be equipped with scavenging systems, but recovery units often are not. We compared exhaled, spectrophotometric sevoflurane and desflurane concentrations 15 cm from the mouth (‘patient breathing zone’) and 91 cm laterally to the patient (‘nurse work zone’) in 120 patients after tracheal extubation who were consecutively allocated to either ISO‐Gard mask oxygen/scavenging or standard oxygen mask, 0 min, 10 min and 20 min after arrival in the theatre recovery unit. Median (IQR [range]) duration of anaesthesia was similar between groups (control 76 (44–119 [15–484]) min vs. study group 90 (64–130 [15–390]) min, p = 0.136). Using the ISO‐Gard mask, the 20‐min mean patient breathing zone and nurse work zone exhaled anaesthetic levels were ~ 90% and 78% lower than those recorded in the control group, respectively, and were within the recommended 2 ppm maximum environmental exposure limit in the patient breathing zone of 53 out of 60 (88%) and the nurse work zone of all 60 (100%) patients on first measurement in the recovery room (vs. 10 out of 60 (17%) and 40 out of 60 (67%) in the control group). Our study indicates that the ISO‐Gard oxygen/scavenging mask reduces the level of exhaled sevoflurane and desflurane below recommended maximum exposure limits near > 85% of extubated patients within ~ 20 s of application in the recovery unit after surgery. We encourage the use of this mask to minimise the occupational exposure of recovery staff to exhaled volatile agents.
Results and evaluation of a first‐in‐human study of RG7342, an mGlu5 positive allosteric modulator, utilizing Bayesian adaptive methods
Authors: Sturm Stefan , Delporte Marie‐Laure , Hadi Salah , Schobel Scott , Lindemann Lothar , Weikert Robert , Jaeschke Georg , Derks Michael , Palermo Giuseppe
Published: November 2017

Aim

The objectives of this first‐in‐human study were to evaluate the safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of single ascending oral doses of RG7342, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) for the treatment of schizophrenia, in healthy male subjects.

Methods

This was a single‐centre, randomized, double‐blind, adaptive study of 37 subjects receiving single ascending oral doses of RG7342 (ranging from 0.06–1.2 mg, n = 27) or placebo (n = 10). A modified continual reassessment method, with control for the probability of overdosing based on the occurrence of dose‐limiting events (DLEs), was applied to inform the subsequent dose decisions for RG7342.

Results

DLEs consisted of dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and the incidence and severity of these adverse events increased in a concentration‐dependent manner. RG7342 doses of 1.2 mg under fasting conditions, which reached a mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 10.2 ng ml–1, were not tolerated (four out of six subjects experienced DLEs). RG7342 showed dose‐proportional pharmacokinetics, with rapid absorption and a biphasic decline, and a mean terminal half‐life estimated to be >1000 h.

Conclusions

Single oral doses of RG7342 were generally tolerated up to 0.6 mg under fasting and 0.9 mg under fed conditions in healthy subjects. Bayesian adaptive methods describing the probability of DLEs were applied effectively to support dose escalation. MTDs (fasting, fed) were associated with a Cmax of 6.5 ng ml–1. The development of RG7342 was discontinued owing to the potential challenges associated with a long half‐life in context of the observed adverse events.
Rac GTPase activating protein 1 promotes oncogenic progression of epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Wang Chuanjiang , Wang Wenxia , Liu Yujuan , Yong Min , Yang Yamei , Zhou Honggui
Published: November 2017

Rac GTPase activating protein 1 (RacGAP1) can regulate cytokinesis and cell differentiation. The oncogenic role of RacGAP1 has been partially studied in gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. In the present study, we endeavor to evaluate its expression and functions in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We retrospectively collected the clinicopathological information of 117 patients who underwent curative surgery for EOC. Expression of RacGAP1 protein in primary tumor tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, which was significantly associated with tumor pathological grade, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis. Patients with lower RacGAP1 level had a longer survival time and lower recurrence risk. Multivariate results identified the independent prognostic role of RacGAP1 for both recurrence and survival in EOC patients. Cellular studies showed that RacGAP1 can positively regulate the activation of RhoA and Erk proteins. In addition, wound healing assay and Transwell assay found that RacGAP1 can up‐regulate the migration and invasion process of EOC cells, respectively. In all, our results not only confirmed the prognostic role of RacGAP1 for recurrence and survival in EOC patients, but also highlighted its possible potency for drug development.
An oral epidemiological comparison of Chinese and New Zealand adults in 2 key age groups
Authors: He Songlin , Thomson William Murray
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To use recent national survey data to compare dentition status and oral diseases in China and New Zealand (NZ), with a particular focus on differences by sex and education level.

Methods

We undertook secondary analysis of representative data from oral health surveys conducted in 2009 in Sichuan (China) and NZ. Both surveys had an oral examination component and collected detailed demographic data. Socioeconomic position in this analysis was represented by the highest level of education completed. Participants were allocated to 1 of 3 comparable ordinal categories of years of education (primary, middle or tertiary). Analyses used survey weights.

Results

The proportion of Chinese who had been educated to only primary level was 3 times higher than that among their NZ counterparts, and the proportion with a tertiary education was correspondingly lower. In the 35‐44 age group, the dentate proportions were similar, although the mean number of teeth was higher in China than in NZ. There were substantial differences in dental caries experience, with the mean DMFT in NZ being almost 3 times that observed in China. New Zealanders had more filled teeth, but the prevalence of 1+ missing teeth was lower. Periodontitis was more common in the NZ sample than in the Chinese one, although the extent of bleeding on probing was almost 3 times higher among the latter. For the 65‐74 age group, there were significant differences in dentition status, with greater tooth retention among Chinese people. There were also significant differences in dental caries experience, with Chinese 65‐ to 74‐year‐olds having more decayed teeth but fewer filled or missing teeth, and lower DMFT scores, on average. Periodontal health was better among the New Zealanders. There were notable differences by sex and education level.

Conclusions

The differences observed in this study provide strong support for using broader sociocultural models of oral health.
Context and Perceptual Salience Influence the Formation of Novel Stereotypes via Cumulative Cultural Evolution
Authors: Hutchison Jacqui , Cunningham Sheila J. , Slessor Gillian , Urquhart James , Smith Kenny , Martin Douglas
Published: November 2017

We use a transmission chain method to establish how context and category salience influence the formation of novel stereotypes through cumulative cultural evolution. We created novel alien targets by combining features from three category dimensions—color, movement, and shape—thereby creating social targets that were individually unique but that also shared category membership with other aliens (e.g., two aliens might be the same color and shape but move differently). At the start of the transmission chains each alien was randomly assigned attributes that described it (e.g., arrogant, caring, confident). Participants were given training on the alien‐attribute assignments and were then tested on their memory for these. The alien‐attribute assignments participants produced during test were used as the training materials for the next participant in the transmission chain. As information was repeatedly transmitted an increasingly simplified, learnable stereotype‐like structure emerged for targets who shared the same color, such that by the end of the chains targets who shared the same color were more likely to share the same attributes (a reanalysis of data from Martin et al., which we term Experiment 1). The apparent bias toward the formation of novel stereotypes around the color category dimension was also found for objects (Experiment 2). However, when the category dimension of color was made less salient, it no longer dominated the formation of novel stereotypes (Experiment 3). The current findings suggest that context and category salience influence category dimension salience, which in turn influences the cumulative cultural evolution of information.
Incidence and radiologic‐pathological features of lung cancer in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhu Min , Geng Jing , Ban Chengjun , Zhang Shu , Chen Wenhui , Ren Yanhong , He Xuan , Chen Wang , Dai Huaping
Published: November 2017

Objective

To investigate the incidence and risk factors of lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and to learn the clinical, imaging and pathological features and of lung cancer in IPF.

Methods

The study population included consecutive 268 IPF patients. Of them, 46 patients had pathologically or cytologically proven lung cancer. The demographic, clinical, HRCT and pathological features in patients with IPF and lung cancer were analysed and compared with the patients with IPF alone.

Results

Of 268 IPF patients, 46 patients were diagnosed as IPF with lung cancer, accounted for 17.16%. 45.65% were adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer located mostly in the peripheral area and lower lobes of lungs consistent with IPF affected area. Old age and heavy smoking were risk factors of lung cancer developing in IPF. Chest pain and haemoptysis were more frequent in IPF patients with lung cancer than without lung cancer (P = .000). Nodular or mass shadows were found only in IPF patients with lung cancer (P = .000). The levels of CEA and CA125 in IPF patients were much higher in IPF patients with lung cancer (P ≤ .001). The median survival time was 36.2 ± 22.7 months in IPF patients, longer than 6.9 ± 3.3 months in IPF patients with lung cancer (P < .001).

Conclusions

Lung cancer frequently develops in patients with IPF, which is mainly adenocarcinoma, located in IPF affected area. Chest pain and haemoptysis are potential indicative of lung cancer developing in patients with IPF as atypical nodes or masses located in the peripheral areas and lower lobes on chest HRCT.
Vitamin A induced homeotic hindlimb formation on dorsal and ventral sides of regenerating tissue of amputated tails of Japanese brown frog tadpoles
Authors: Tazawa Ichiro , Yaoita Yoshio
Published: November 2017

When anuran tadpoles are treated with vitamin A after tail amputation, hindlimb‐like structures can be generated instead of the lost tail part at the amputation site. This homeotic transformation was initially expected to be a key to understanding the body plan of vertebrates. Unfortunately, homeotic limb formation has been reproduced in only some Indian frog species and a European species, but not in experimental anurans such as Xenopus laevis or Rana catesbeiana. Consequently, this fascinating phenomenon has not been well analyzed, especially at the molecular level. In addition, the initial processes of ectopic limb development are also unclear because morphological changes in the early phases have not been analyzed in detail. In this study, we report the induction of homeotic transformation using Japanese brown frogs and present a detailed morphological analysis. Unexpectedly, the ectopic limbs developed not only at the ventral sites, but also at the dorsal sites of the tail regenerates of vitamin A‐treated tadpoles. The relationship between position and axial orientation of ectopic limbs suggested the double duplication of positional value order along the rostral‐caudal axis and the dorsal‐ventral axis of the tail regenerates.
A retrospective analysis of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder following liver transplantation
Authors: Fararjeh Feras Al , Mahmood Shameem , Tachtatzis Phaedra , Yallop Deborah , Devereux Stephen , Patten Piers , Agrawal Kosh , Suddle Abid , O'Grady John , Heaton Nigel , Marcus Robert , Kassam Shireen
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate response rates and survival in adults developing post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) following liver transplantation.

Methods

Patients were identified retrospectively and data collected through local liver and haematology electronic databases and pharmacy records.

Results

Forty‐five patients were identified. The median age at first transplant and at development of PTLD was 48 and 54 years, respectively, with the median time from transplant to PTLD diagnosis of 56 months. The majority of cases (76%) were monomorphic B‐cell lymphomas, and 36% of tumours were EBV positive. Treatment involved reduction in immune‐suppression (RIS) in 30 (67%) with RIS the only treatment in 3. Ten (22%) patients were treated with rituximab alone, 13 (29%) with chemotherapy alone and 14 (31%) patients were treated with rituximab and chemotherapy. Twenty‐six (58%) patients achieved a complete response (CR). At a median follow‐up of 27 months, the median overall survival (OS) was 50 months. Response and OS were not associated with clinical factors or the use of rituximab.

Conclusion

Outcomes reported in this study are favourable and comparable to those reported previously. The addition of rituximab did not appear to have improved outcomes in this series, although a significant proportion of patients were able to avoid chemotherapy.
Absolute auditory threshold: testing the absolute
Authors: Heil Peter , Matysiak Artur
Published: November 2017

The mechanisms underlying the detection of sounds in quiet, one of the simplest tasks for auditory systems, are debated. Several models proposed to explain the threshold for sounds in quiet and its dependence on sound parameters include a minimum sound intensity (‘hard threshold’), below which sound has no effect on the ear. Also, many models are based on the assumption that threshold is mediated by integration of a neural response proportional to sound intensity. Here, we test these ideas. Using an adaptive forced choice procedure, we obtained thresholds of 95 normal‐hearing human ears for 18 tones (3.125 kHz carrier) in quiet, each with a different temporal amplitude envelope. Grand‐mean thresholds and standard deviations were well described by a probabilistic model according to which sensory events are generated by a Poisson point process with a low rate in the absence, and higher, time‐varying rates in the presence, of stimulation. The subject actively evaluates the process and bases the decision on the number of events observed. The sound‐driven rate of events is proportional to the temporal amplitude envelope of the bandpass‐filtered sound raised to an exponent. We find no evidence for a hard threshold: When the model is extended to include such a threshold, the fit does not improve. Furthermore, we find an exponent of 3, consistent with our previous studies and further challenging models that are based on the assumption of the integration of a neural response that, at threshold sound levels, is directly proportional to sound amplitude or intensity.
Marine management affects the invasion success of a non‐native species in a temperate reef system in California, USA
Authors: Caselle Jennifer E. , Davis Kathryn , Marks Lindsay M.
Published: November 2017

Despite promises that ‘healthy’ marine systems show increased resilience, the effects of ecosystem management strategies on invasion success in marine systems is still unclear. We show that resistance to the invasive alga, Sargassum horneri, in a temperate reef system occurs through alternate mechanisms in different ecosystem states. In an old marine protected area (MPA), invasion of S. horneri was suppressed, likely due to competitive pressure from native algae, resulting from protection of urchin predators. In a nearby fished urchin barren, invasion of S. horneri was also suppressed, due to herbivory by urchins whose predators are fished. Within newer MPAs with intermediate levels of interacting species, S. horneri was abundant. Here, neither competition from native algae nor herbivory was sufficient to prevent invasion. We confirm that invasion in marine systems is complex and show that multiple mechanisms in single systems must be considered when investigating biotic resistance hypotheses.
Présence de Siphonatrophia cupressi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) en Tunisie
Authors: Ben Halima‐Kamel M. , Mdellel L.
Published: November 2017

Siphonatrophia cupressi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) now present in Tunisia

This paper reports for the first time the presence of Siphonatrophia cupressi (Swain, 1918) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Tunisia on Cupressus sempervirens L. (Cupressaceae). A brief description of its distribution and associated parasitoids is given.
Quantitative image analysis of protein expression and colocalisation in skin sections
Authors: Zhang Hanqian , Ericsson Maja , Virtanen Marie , Weström Simone , Wählby Carolina , Vahlquist Anders , Törmä Hans
Published: November 2017

Immunofluorescence (IF) and in situ proximity ligation assay (isPLA) are techniques that are used for in situ protein expression and colocalisation analysis, respectively. However, an efficient quantitative method to analyse both IF and isPLA staining on skin sections is lacking. Therefore, we developed a new method for semi‐automatic quantitative layer‐by‐layer measurement of protein expression and colocalisation in skin sections using the free open‐source software CellProfiler. As a proof of principle, IF and isPLA of ichthyosis‐related proteins TGm‐1 and SDR9C7 were examined. The results indicate that this new method can be used for protein expression and colocalisation analysis in skin sections.
Personalized question recommendation for English grammar learning
Authors: Fang Lanting , Tuan Luu Anh , Hui Siu Cheung , Wu Lenan
Published: November 2017

Learning English grammar is a very challenging task for many students especially for nonnative English speakers. To learn English well, it is important to understand the concepts of the English grammar with lots of practise on exercise questions. Previous recommendation systems for learning English mainly focused on recommending reading materials and vocabulary. Different from reading material and vocabulary recommendations, grammar question recommendation should recommend questions that have similar grammatical structure and usage to the question of interest. The content similarity calculation methods used in existing recommendation methods cannot represent the similarity between grammar questions effectively. In this paper, we propose a content‐based approach for personalized grammar question recommendation, which recommends similar grammatical structure and usage questions for further practising. Specifically, we propose a novel structure namedparse‐key treeto capture the grammatical structure and usage of grammar questions. We then propose 3 measures to compute the similarity between the question query and database questions for grammar question recommendation. Additionally, we incorporated the proposed recommendation method into a Web‐based English grammar learning system and presented its performance evaluation in this paper. The experimental results have shown that the proposed approach outperforms other classical and state‐of‐the‐art methods in recommending relevant grammar questions.
Pernicious Plants: Imitation and Uncanny Ecocritical Thought in Gustav Meyrink's “Die Pflanzen des Dr. Cinderella”
Authors: Etzler Melissa
Published: November 2017

This article examines Gustav Meyrink's “Die Pflanzen des Dr. Cinderella” (1905), a fantastical tale about plant‐animal‐human hybrids born of experimental human intervention. I argue that this short story translates scientific hypotheses from the nineteenth century—Charles Darwin's botanical and zoological writings, for example—into the genre of the grotesque. Given the historical and geographic contexts in which Meyrink was writing, it is safe to say that his literature responds to an environmentally charged fear ubiquitous among industrialized or technologically advanced societies. “Die Pflanzen des Dr. Cinderella” demonstrates that Meyrink was concerned with the potential sentient nature of all living things and also with the agency of objects that many would consider dead matter. Thus, I will take an anachronistic leap to consider how this text can be brought into dialogue with twenty‐first‐century theories on political ecology and posthuman perspectives.
Spontaneous fracture of the genial tubercles of the mandible: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Wan Clifton , Bowe Conor , Madhavarajan Satish
Published: November 2017

Objective

To present a case of spontaneous fracture of the genial tubercles of the mandible and a review of the literature.

Background

Resorption of the mandible is well documented in edentulous patients. During this process, the genial tubercles, origin for both genioglossus and geniohyoid muscles, become more prominent and prone to trauma especially from poorly fitted lower full dentures and lead to fracture and separation of the genial tubercles from the mandible.

Materials and Methods

An 85 year old patient with the above presentation was monitored and documented to present this case report. A literature search was carried out to identify any previous reports of this type of fracture, and their diagnosis and treatment modalities.

Results

This case is extremely rare with only 17 cases reported in the literature.

Conclusion

Although rare, fractured genial tubercles should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a painful swelling in the floor of the mouth in the edentulous patient.
Chicken breast quality – normal, pale, soft and exudative (PSE) and woody – influences the functional properties of meat batters
Authors: Chen Hongqiang , Wang HuHu , Qi Jun , Wang Mengyao , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong
Published: November 2017

Three classes (normal, PSE‐like and woody, thirty for per class) of fresh chicken breast meats were selected from a Chinese processing plant. Then, three classes of chicken breast meats were used to prepare meat batters and meatballs. This study investigated the effects of three classes of chicken breast meat on the physicochemical properties, water distribution, protein secondary structures and microstructures of meatballs. PSE‐like and woody meatballs both had lower water holding capacity and textural properties than normal meatballs. Furthermore, the free water mobility and proportion in PSE‐like and woody meatballs were increased (P < 0.05). According to near‐infrared spectroscopy results, the intensity of the 1940‐nm bands of PSE‐like and woody classes both increased. Both PSE‐like and woody meatballs formed more aggregated gel matrices than normal class. PSE‐like and woody classes had higher α‐helix and lower β‐structure contents (P < 0.05). Overall, compared with normal meatballs, PSE‐like and woody meatballs showed inferior functional properties.
Early improvement of storage or voiding symptoms by tadalafil predicts treatment outcomes in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Yokoyama Osamu , Ozeki Akichika , Suzuki Nahoko , Murakami Masahiro
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To determine whether early changes in International Prostate Symptom Score predict final improvement in the quality of life and treatment satisfaction of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia receiving tadalafil.

Methods

This post‐hoc analysis of three randomized‐controlled trials of tadalafil for lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia used subpopulations based on treatment status (tadalafil, placebo) and region (Japan, Asia). Logistic regression, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis were applied to individual International Prostate Symptom Score and Patient Global Impression of Improvement response scores.

Results

From logistic regression, most individual International Prostate Symptom Score items predicted either International Prostate Symptom Score remitter or responder status; only International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life predicted Patient Global Impression of Improvement responder status in tadalafil‐treated patients. Among tadalafil‐treated patients, principal component analysis showewd that improvement of International Prostate Symptom Score items 2, 4, 7 and International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life at early visits were associated with Patient Global Impression of Improvement (final visit), whereas International Prostate Symptom Score items 1, 3, 5 and 6 at early visits were associated with total International Prostate Symptom Score at the final visit. No clear predictive items for Patient Global Impression of Improvement and total International Prostate Symptom Score existed for placebo‐treated patients. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the closest association was between International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life and International Prostate Symptom Score item 7 in placebo‐ and tadalafil‐treated patients, which supports the principal component analysis results.

Conclusions

Early changes of storage and voiding symptoms by tadalafil might lead to treatment satisfaction and overall International Prostate Symptom Score improvement, respectively. This finding could help physicians predict tadalafil treatment outcomes for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms from benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Identification and initial characterization of novel neural immediate early genes possibly differentially contributing to foraging‐related learning and memory processes in the honeybee
Authors: Ugajin A. , Uchiyama H. , Miyata T. , Sasaki T. , Yajima S. , Ono M.
Published: November 2017

Despite possessing a limited number of neurones compared to vertebrates, honeybees show remarkable learning and memory performance, an example being ‘dance communication’. In this phenomenon, foraging honeybees learn the location of a newly discovered food source and transmit the information to nestmates by symbolic abdomen vibrating behaviour, leading to navigation of nestmates to the new food source. As an initial step toward understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the sophisticated learning and memory performance of the honeybee, we focused on the neural immediate early genes (IEGs), which are specific genes quickly transcribed after neural activity without de novo protein synthesis. Although these have been reported to play an essential role in learning and memory processes in vertebrates, far fewer studies have been performed in insects in this regard. From RNA‐sequencing analysis and subsequent assays, we identified three genes, Src homology 3 (SH3) domain binding kinase, family with sequence similarity 46 and GB47136, as novel neural IEGs in the honeybee. Foragers and/or orientating bees, which fly around their hives to memorize the positional information, showed induced expression of these IEGs in the mushroom body, a higher‐order centre essential for learning and memory, indicating a possible role for the novel IEGs in foraging‐related learning and memory processes in the honeybee.
Fabrication and properties of CNT/Ni/Y/ZrB2 nanocomposites reinforced in situ
Authors: Jin Hua , Li Zhewen , Wang Liuwei , Zeng QinXuan
Published: November 2017

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized in situ by chemical vapor deposition of methane over nano‐ZrB2 matrix using Ni/Y catalysts. Well‐grown CNTs with tangled and long bodies and mainly composed of well‐crystallized graphite were obtained when the Ni content reaches 10 wt%. The CNT/ZrB2 nanocomposites obtained by spark plasma sintering at 1400°C exhibited full density and optimal mechanical properties. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the nanocomposites were 1184 ± 52 MPa and 10.8 ± 0.3 MPa·m1/2, respectively. Results indicated that the dispersion of CNTs in situ can improve composite performance, rendering the mechanical properties of the CNT/ZrB2 nanocomposites synthesized in situ considerably superior to those of monolithic ZrB2 nanoceramics and CNT/ZrB2 nanocomposites synthesized using the traditional method. The toughening mechanisms included crack deflection, crack bridging, CNT debonding, pull‐out, and fracture.
Effect of ZnO/MgO ratio on the crystallization and optical properties of spinel opaque glazes
Authors: Cai Jingpei , Lu Ming , Guan Kang , Li Weixiong , He Fan , Chen Peng , Peng Cheng , Rao Pinggen , Wu Jianqing
Published: November 2017

The effect of the ZnO/MgO ratio on the crystallization and optical properties of glass‐ceramic glazes from the SiO2–Al2O3–ZnO–MgO–CaO–K2O–Na2O–B2O3system was studied. The glazes with different ZnO/MgO ratios were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis and a spectrophotometer. The results reveal that the A glaze without ZnO content contains forsterite and sapphirine. The B and C glazes with intermediate ZnO/MgO ratio contain enstatite and spinel solid solution. The D to F glazes with higher ZnO/MgO ratio crystallize spinel solid solution as the only crystalline phase. The amount of spinel solid solution, lightness values (L*), gloss values and the reflectance of the studied glazes increase with the ZnO/MgO ratio.
Unhealthy fear: Influence of general health on fear of crime
Authors: Chadee Derek , Sooknanan Grace , Williams Diana
Published: November 2017

The current study proposed general health as a predictor of fear of crime with risk perception and general fear as mediating factors. Data were collected from a randomly selected household sample using face to face interviews (n = 300) and utilizing the following scales: general health, general fear, fear of crime, and perceived risk of victimization. Findings confirm hypothesis that persons with low general health will experience higher fear of crime, a relationship mediated by both general fear and perceived risk of victimization. A significant gender difference was observed with general fear significantly mediating relationship for females, and risk of perceived victimization mediating for males. Implications of findings are discussed in the context of previous and future research.
Using visible implant elastomer to study ammocoete populations with Cormack–Jolly–Seber models
Authors: Evans T. M.
Published: November 2017

This study examined the efficacy of marking wild populations of lampreys with visible implant elastomer (VIE) for 6–18 months to examine ammocoete movements using Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) open‐population models. These methods were tested on two lamprey populations in different river systems. American brook lamprey Lethenteron appendix at Dyke Creek apparent survival (φ) was high in the summer and winter (c. 0·7), but declined after flow events in the spring and autumn. Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus at Oquaga Creek φ in the top‐ranked models varied with stream location and time. Estimates of φ were similar to Dyke Creek during the summer (c. 0·7), but declined after flow events and remained low (c. 0·1) in winter. Open‐population models support current understanding of ammocoete movement, i.e. dispersal is driven by high‐flow events at certain times of the year. The present study provides a framework to study ammocoetes with VIE.
Generalization of a lumped parameters model using fractional derivatives applied to rice hydration
Authors: Nicolin Douglas Junior , Balbinoti Thaisa Carvalho Volpe , Jorge Regina Maria Matos , Jorge Luiz Mario de Matos
Published: November 2017

This study presents a generalization of a lumped parameters model through the use of fractional derivatives of arbitrary order. The conventional model has an analytical solution in terms of exponential function. However, when applied to kinetic data on moisture absorption in rice grains, its performance was worse when compared to the proposed generalized model. The results were analyzed for four hydration temperatures. Despite the similarity of the mass transfer coefficients for both models, the proposed generalization provided a statistically significant improvement in prediction of moisture values in relation to time and process temperature.

Practical applications

The model proposed in this paper is applicable in describing the hydration kinetics of rice which is an important step in parboiling process, for instance. The simplicity of the analytical solution of the model and the improvement of its prediction capability makes the presented approach useful to project of equipment intended to process rice.
Effects of essential oils on the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh Atlantic salmons (Salmo salar) during storage at 2 ± 1 °C
Authors: Tosun Şehnaz Yasemin , Üçok Alakavuk Didem , Ulusoy Şafak , Erkan Nuray
Published: November 2017

In this study, the effects of coriander, garlic, rosemary, and orange peel oils on the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes were examined 2 ± 1 °C during storage of inoculated fresh Atlantic salmon samples (96 hr). At the end of storage population decrease in Salmonella Enteritidis was significantly lower (p < .05) in the essential oil groups compared with control group. Salmonella Enteritidis count of rosemary oil treated group was higher than (p < .05) other groups (coriander, garlic, and orange peel oils) at the end of storage. Essential oils decreased the population of L. monocytogenes while the population in untreated samples were higher at the end of storage period (p < .05). Results of this study indicated that treatment of salmon fish samples with essential oils may be an effective natural antimicrobial application to control Salmonella Enteritidis and L. monocytogenes.

Practical applications

In the present study, it was concluded that essential oils had an antimicrobial effect Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes. Use of essential oils during storage of fish or fish products may play an important role against Salmonella Enteritidis and L. monocytogenes. Essential oils are easily applicable and a cheaper method. The results of this experiment propose that addition of essential oils to fish flesh can be recommended to seafood processors and fish market retailers.