bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ETDRS Grading of Diabetic Retinopathy: Still the Gold Standard?
Authors: Solomon Sharon D. , Goldberg Morton F.
Published: August 2019

This article aims to provide a narrative history of the evolution, modification, and legacy of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study classification system.
Immune System Regulation Affected by a Murine Experimental Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Genomic and Epigenetic Findings
Authors: Revhaug Cecilie , Bik-Multanowski Miroslaw , Zasada Magdalena , Rognlien Anne Gro W. , Günther Clara-Cecilie , Ksiązek Teofila , Madetko-Talowska Anna , Szewczyk Katarzyna , Grabowska Agnieszka , Kwinta Przemko , Pietrzyk Jacek J. , Baumbusch Lars O. , Saugstad Ola D.
Published: August 2019

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common cause of abrupted lung development after preterm birth. BPD may lead to increased rehospitalization, more severe and frequent respiratory infections, and life-long reduced lung function. The gene regulation in lungs with BPD is complex, with various genetic and epigenetic factors involved. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the regulatory relation between gene expression and the epigenome (DNA methylation) relevant for the immune system after hyperoxia followed by a recovery period in air using a mouse model of BPD. Methods: Newborn mice pups were subjected to an immediate hyperoxic condition from birth and kept at 85% O2 levels for 14 days followed by a 14-day period in room air. Next, mice lung tissue was used for RNA and DNA extraction with subsequent microarray-based assessment of lung transcriptome and supplementary methylome analysis. Results:The immune system-related transcriptomeregulation was affected in mouse lungs after hyperoxia. A high proportion of genes relevant in the immune system exhibited significant expression alterations, e.g., B cell-specific genes central to the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, the PI3K-AKT, and the B cell receptor signaling pathways. The findings were accompanied by significant DNA hypermethylation observed in the PI3K-AKT pathway and immune system-relevant genes. Conclusions: Oxygen damage could be partly responsible for the increased susceptibility and abnormal response to respiratory viruses and infections seen in premature babies with BPD through dysregulated genes.
Examination of Prenatal Sonographic Findings: Intra-Abdominal Bowel Dilation Predicts Poor Gastroschisis Outcomes
Authors: Dewberry Lindel C. , Hilton Sarah A. , Zaretsky Michael V. , Behrendt Nicholas , Galan Henry L. , Marwan Ahmed I. , Liechty Kenneth W.
Published: August 2019

Background: Gastroschisis is an anterior abdominal wall defect with variable outcomes. There are conflicting data regarding the prognostic value of sonographic findings. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify prenatal ultrasonographic features associated with poor neonatal outcomes. Method: A retrospective review of 55 patients with gastroschisis from 2007 to 2017 was completed. Ultrasounds were reviewed for extra-abdominal intestinal diameter (EAID) and intra-abdominal intestinal diameter (IAID), echogenicity, visceral content within the herniation, amniotic fluid index, defect size, and abdominal circumference (AC). Ultrasound variables were correlated with full enteral feeding and the diagnosis of a complex gastroschisis. Results: Bivariate analysis demonstrated an increased time to full enteral feeds with increasing number of surgeries, EAID, and IAID. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between IAID and AC percentile with the diagnosis of complex gastroschisis. On multivariate analysis, only IAID was significant and increasing diameter had a 2.82 (95% CI 1.02–7.78) higher odds of a longer time to full enteral feeds and a 1.2 (95% CI 1.05–1.36) greater odds of the diagnosis of a complex gastroschisis. Conclusions: Based on these findings, IAID is associated with a longer time to full enteral feeding and the diagnosis of complex gastroschisis.
Long-Term Incidence and Growth of Chorioretinal Atrophy in Patients with Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Park Sung Eun , Lee Sung Chul , Koh Hyoung Jun , Kim Sung Soo , Byeon Suk Ho , Kim Min , Lee Christopher Seungkyu
Published: August 2019

Purpose: To investigate the long-term incidence and growth rate of chorioretinal atrophy (CRA) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and determine the associated risk factors. Methods: The medical records of 88 patients with unilateral symptomatic PCV who received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections with or without photodynamic therapy (PDT) were analyzed retrospectively. Near-infrared fundus imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were used to measure the CRA area and growth rate. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to estimate the CRA incidence. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to investigate risk factors (e.g., age, frequency of abnormal OCT findings, PDT history, total injection number, and choroidal thickness) associated with the CRA incidence and growth rate, respectively. Results: The overall CRA incidence was 40.8% at 5 years. The absence of subretinal fluid, the presence of intraretinal fluid, and a thin choroid were significant risk factors for CRA occurrence with a history of PDT. Overall 5-year CRA growth rate was 0.69 mm2/year. Faster CRA growth was significantly related to the presence of subretinal hyperreflective material and thin choroid. PDT history was not significantly related to CRA growth. Conclusions: Thin choroid may be a significant risk factor for long-term development and growth of CRA in eyes with PCV. Intraretinal fluid seems to promote the development of CRA, while subretinal fluid seems to be associated with CRA prevention. The history of PDT was significantly related to the occurrence of CRA, but not to the growth rate of CRA.
Are Simple Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers Predictive of Neurodevelopmental Outcome at Two Years in Very Preterm Infants?
Authors: Dewan Monia Vanessa , Herrmann Ralf , Schweiger Bernd , Sirin Selma , Müller Hanna , Storbeck Tobias , Dransfeld Frauke , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Hüning Britta
Published: August 2019

Background: Preterm infants are at increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairment due to the vulnerability of the immature brain. Early risk stratification is necessary for predicting outcome in the period of highest neuroplasticity. Several biomarkers in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term equivalent age (TEA) have therefore been suggested. Objective: To assess the predictive value of simple brain metrics and the total abnormality score (TAS) – a modified score for brain injury and growth – in relation to neurodevelopmental outcome of very preterm infants in MRI at TEA. Methods: Single-centre cohort study including preterm infants with gestational age (GA) ≤32 weeks and birth weight ≤1,500 g. Biparietal width (BPW), interhemispheric distance, transcerebellar diameter (TCD) and TAS were assessed. To detect subtle haemorrhages, additional susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) was used in addition to conventional MRI to evaluate its clinical relevance. Neurodevelopment was tested by the Mental and Psychomotor Developmental Index (MDI/PDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at a corrected age of 24 months. Results: One hundred twenty-nine children with median GA of 28.1 weeks and median birth weight of 980 g were included. BPW significantly correlated with PDI (p= 0.01, R2 = 0.06) and TCD with MDI (p < 0.01, R2 = 0.05) and PDI (p < 0.01, R2 = 0.06) but explained variances were low. TAS was not predictive of neurodevelopmental outcome. By using SWI, additional 4 cases of low grade haemorrhages were identified compared to conventional sequences. In one case this additional information was clinically relevant (MDI/PDI below average). Conclusion: Simple brain metrics and TAS did not reliably predict neurodevelopmental outcome in a cohort with low prevalence of high grade brain injury. The additional value of SWI is yet to be determined in larger cohorts. The combination of imaging and functional biomarkers may be advisable for the prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome.
Hesperidin Improves Colonic Motility in Loeramide-Induced Constipation Rat Model via 5-Hydroxytryptamine 4R/cAMP Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wu Minna , Li Youran , Gu Yunfei
Published: August 2019

Fructus has motivation effect on gastrointestinal tract. Hesperidin is extracts of Fructus, and we attempted to prove its effects on improving the gastrointestinal transmission function and determine the possible mechanisms by a loperamide-induced slow transit constipation (STC) model. Constipation phenotypes were measured in rats with Lop-induced constipation after treatment with hesperidin. The amounts and water content of stool were significantly higher in the hesperidin-treated group than the loperamide-induced model group, whereas food intake was maintained at constant levels. Moreover, intestinal transit rate was increased in the treatment group of hesperidin. Histological alteration was detected by H&E staining, we found that the colon smooth muscle cells and neuron cells of the rats were increased, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells was decreased in the hesperidin-treated group compared with the loperamide-induced model group. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor4 fluorescence intensity and intracellular-free calcium ions in colon tissue were increased, and relative protein of cAMP/PKA pathway and p-cAMP response component-binding protein (CREB) pathway were upregulated in the hesperidin-treated group compared with the loperamide-induced model group. Further, SMCs from colon tissue of rats were cultured and identified. We found hesperidin could significantly promote tegaserod-induced increase of 5-HTR4 fluorescence intensity, intracellular calcium ions, relative protein of cAMP/PKA pathway and p-CREB pathway, and cell proliferation and inhibit GR113808-induced decrease of 5-HTR4 fluorescence intensity, 5-HTR4 pathway-related proteins (ADCY3, cAMP, PKA, and p-CREB), intracellular calcium ions, and cell proliferation. The analysis of our data suggested that hesperidin could obviously improve the gastrointestinal transmission function in loperamide-induced STC rat model via increasing the 5-HTR4 and intracellular-free calcium ions to enhance the expression of relative protein of cAMP/PKA pathway and p-CREB pathway. Hesperidin could be used in the treatment of STC, and our data not only provide experimental basis for the treatment of STC in hesperidin but also provides a theoretical reference for clinical treatment.
Syndromic Oral Clefts: Challenges of Genetic Assessment in Brazil and Suggestions to Improve Health Policies
Authors: Gil-da-Silva-Lopes Vera Lúcia , Fontes Marshall Italo Barros , dos Santos Ana Paula , Appenzeller Simone , Fett-Conte Agnes Cristina , Francisquetti Marina Cristine Cano , Monlleó Isabella Lopes
Published: August 2019

Addressing the unmet health needs of persons living with congenital anomalies in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) is a major challenge. Registries and databases are exemplary tools capable to link research data with health programs. Since 2009, Brazil’s Craniofacial Project, a multicenter and voluntary research initiative, collects socioeconomic, medical, and genetic information on individuals with craniofacial anomalies through the Brazilian Database on Craniofacial Anomalies (BDCA). This article discusses challenges to the provision of genetic assessment and counselling for individuals with syndromic oral clefts (SOC) through public health services in LMIC, such as Brazil. Subjects were selected using methods of the BDCA as described elsewhere. Among 800 records, 66 assigned as SOC with no etiologic diagnosis were preselected for genomic imbalance screening. Only 28 have timely completed basic protocol using public health services, and 22 were able to perform chromosomal microarray analysis. Pathogenic genomic imbalances were identified in 4 (18.18%) and a copy number variation of uncertain clinical significance was detected in one. Results exemplify barriers faced by the majority of the population of Brazil to reach whole genetic assessment either through public genetic services or in research settings. In this unfavorable scenario, BDCA has allowed the recognition of individuals with similar needs, optimizing the scarce genetic laboratory facilities in Brazil. Ultimately, BDCA has facilitated the translation of research into care. This experience may be successfully extended to other congenital anomalies and to LMIC with similar characteristics. A set of suggestions focusing on oral clefts is provided.
The P2X7 Receptor Is Overexpressed in the Lesional Skin of Subjects Affected by Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Manfredini Marco , Giuliani Anna Lisa , Ruina Giulia , Gafà Roberta , Bosi Cristina , Zoppas Elisabetta , Di Virgilio Francesco , Bettoli Vincenzo
Published: August 2019

Background: P2X receptors (P2XRs) are plasma membrane channels involved in the modulation of immune responses. The role of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has never been investigated in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), which is a recurrent skin disease characterized by inflammatory nodules, scarring, and suppuration. Objective: Our aim was to investigate by immunohistochemistry (IHC) P2X7R, NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain-containing 3), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression in HS lesions compared to healthy control (HC) skin. Method: The intensity of IHC immunostaining was semi-quantitatively graded for keratinocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Statistical significance was assessed by the Mann-Whitney U test, Cohen’s κ coefficient, and χ2 test. Results: A total of 59 samples, 31 from HS and 28 from HC, were collected and analysed. In skin keratinocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes, but not in neutrophils, P2X7R and NLRP3 protein expression was significantly increased in HS versus the HC group. IL-1β protein expression was also higher in HS versus the HC group both in skin keratinocytes and in the inflammatory infiltrate. Cohen’s κ correlation coefficients for the expression of P2X7R versus NLRP3 or IL-1β in skin keratinocytes were significant (κ = 0.43 and 0.34, respectively). The same association between P2X7R and NLRP3 or IL-1β was confirmed by χ2 tests. Conclusion: P2X7R, NLRP3, and IL-1β are overexpressed, and therefore the entire P2X7R/NLRP3/IL-1β pro-inflammatory axis is likely overactive in the skin of HS patients. This observation might provide clues to the pathogenesis of this disease and suggest novel therapies and markers of disease activity.
Measuring Psychotic-Like Experiences in the General Population
Authors: Nordgaard Julie , Buch-Pedersen Marlene , Hastrup Lene Halling , Haahr Ulrik Helt , Simonsen Erik
Published: August 2019

Introduction: The notion of a full psychosis continuum in which psychosis is seen on a continuum with normal experience rests heavily on studies showing that psychotic symptoms are common in the general population. However, the methods of assessment in the studies have been criticized. Objectives: (1) to investigate how many from the general population who answered positively on a psychotic-like symptoms questionnaire and (2) to clinically assess a subset of those with psychotic-like experiences (PLE). Methods: A self-rating questionnaire concerning PLEs was given to individuals from the general population. A subsample of those, who scored positively for PLEs, was clinically assessed for psychosis. Results: Totally, 5.7% of the participants rated positive for PLEs according to the self-rating questionnaire. Forty of these were clinically assessed and 7 (17.5%) of them were found to have had a psychotic experience, 4 of them were already in psychiatric treatment. Conclusion: The self-reported psychotic-like phenomena were more common in the general population than psychotic disorders. However, when assessed clinically, the experienced phenomena did correspond to psychotic phenomena except in a few patients, who were found to suffer from a psychotic disorder. Overall, we did not find support for the full psychosis continuum model.
Comparison of Voice Handicap Index in Patients with Esophageal and Tracheoesophageal Speech after Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Dragičević Danijela , Jović Rajko M. , Kljajić Vladimir , Vlaški Ljiljana , Savović Slobodan
Published: August 2019

Background: Successful speech rehabilitation has a great impact on the quality of life in totally laryngectomized patients. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to compare the self-assessed voice handicap of totally laryngectomized patients with two different methods of alaryngeal speech – esophageal (ES) and tracheoesophageal speech (TES). Method: The research comprised 83 totally laryngectomized, disease-free patients, split into two groups. The first group included 43 participants with successfully rehabilitated ES, and the second group included 40 participants with successfully established TES after secondary implantation of Provox 2TM voice prosthesis. All subjects filled in the Serbian version of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30). The results (overall score and three VHI subscales) were analyzed and compared with those of the subjects of both groups. The impact of age in the subgroups (<65 years old and ≥65 years old) and previous irradiation on the examined VHI values were also analyzed. Results: The median value of the overall VHI score in the participants with TES was 29.03 ± 23.479 (range: 0–97), and in the participants with ES it was 64.51 ± 21.089 (range: 19–99). The VHI scores (overall and three VHI subscales) were significantly higher in participants with ES compared to those with TES (p < 0.01), indicating a larger voice handicap. No significant difference was found in the overall VHI score and VHI subgroups in terms of age subgroups and previous irradiation (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our data reveal a significantly higher voice handicap in participants with ES compared to the TES group, with a large interindividual variation within both groups. VHI values are not significantly different between the two age subgroups, nor are they significantly influenced by irradiation.
Severe Pulmonary Stenosis or Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum in the Fetus: The Natural History
Authors: Gottschalk Ingo , Strizek Brigitte , Menzel Tina , Herberg Ulrike , Breuer Johannes , Brockmeier Konrad , Geipel Annegret , Gembruch Ulrich , Berg Christoph
Published: August 2019

Purpose: To assess the intrauterine course, the outcome, and to establish a new prenatal echocardiographic scoring system to predict biventricular (BV) versus univentricular (UV) outcome of fetuses with severe pulmonary stenosis or atresia with intact ventricular septum (PSAIVS). Methods: All cases of PSAIVS diagnosed prenatally over a period of 14years were retrospectively collected in 2 tertiary referral centers. Results: Forty-nine fetuses with PSIVS (n = 11) or PAIVS (n = 38) were identified prenatally. Nineteen (38.8%) fetuses had additional ventriculocoronary connections (VCCs) and 21 (42.9%) fetuses had right ventricular hypoplasia. Four (8.2%) pregnancies were terminated, 2 (4.1%) ended in intrauterine fetal death, 4 (8.2%) in neonatal death, and 5 (10.2%) children died in infancy or childhood, including one case with compassionate care. Thirty-four of 44 (77.3%) fetuses with the intention-to-treat were alive at latest follow-up, 25 (73.5%) with BV, and 9 (26.5%) with UV circulation. Most significant predictive markers of UV circulation were Vmax of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) <2 m/s, right ventricle/left ventricle length ratio ≤0.6, and presence of VCC. A scoring system including these 3 markers had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity predicting an UV outcome if more than one of these criteria was fulfilled. All 25 liveborn infants that were suitable for BV repair survived, whereas only 9 out of 14 candidates for UV repair survived. None of the 14 fetuses with predicted UV outcome would have met the inclusion criteria for fetal intervention, as 10 of them had VCC and the remaining 4 had absent TR or Vmax <2 m/s. Conclusion: The prognosis of prenatally diagnosed PSAIVS is good if BV circulation can be achieved, while postnatal mortality in UV circulation is high within the first 4 months of life. Postnatal outcome can be predicted prenatally with high accuracy using a simple scoring system. This information is mandatory for parental counseling and may be useful in selecting fetuses for intrauterine valvuloplasty.
Outcomes for Patients after Resection of Pulmonary Metastases from Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: 18 Years of Experience
Authors: Procházková Kristýna , Vodička Josef , Fichtl Jakub , Krákorová Gabriela , Šebek Jakub , Roušarová Milena , Hošek Petr , Brookman May Sabine D. , Hes Ondřej , Hora Milan , Třeška Vladislav
Published: August 2019

Introduction: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common kidney tumor. If feasible, metastasectomy is preferably indicated in metastatic disease. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of patients after pulmonary metastasectomy (PM). Methods: PM for ccRCC was performed in 35 patients in the period of January 2001–2019. Clinical characteristics, type of surgery, histopathology results, and follow-up data were recorded. Progression-free survival (PFS) after PM and overall survival (OS) were defined as outcome endpoints. Results: A total of 77 PMs were performed in 35 patients after nephrectomy for ccRCC. The mean size of pulmonary metastasis was 19.0 mm (4–90). With a median follow-up after PM of 79.2 months, the 3- and 5-year OS rates were 63.5 and 44.9%, respectively. The only statistically significant prognostic factor affecting both PFS (p = 0.019) and OS (p = 0.015) was the dimension of pulmonary metastases. Conclusions: The prognosis of metastatic ccRCC is generally poor, particularly in cases of larger size of metastasis. PM might improve the individual prognosis of patients with lung metastasis even in cases with higher number of metastases, bilaterality, synchronous metastasis, or a short progression-free interval after nephrectomy.
Mulheres no Brasil dos anos 1970
Authors: Capuchinho Nadiesda Carolina Dimambro
Published: August 2019

Este artigo aborda o contexto brasileiro dos anos 1970, marcados pela ditadura militar e pelo nascimento de um movimento feminista com cores locais. Investigou-se a realidade de uma parcela diminuta de brasileiras que escolheu engajar-se na militância de esquerda e na resistência, mas também se lançou olhar sobre as mídias de ampla circulação em diálogo com a maioria das mulheres: as telenovelas, as fotonovelas e as revistas. A partir disso, o objeto de estudo é a existência feminina em toda sua pluralidade, porém marcada por padrões de beleza e de comportamento que moldam os corpos.
O Silenciamento Histórico das Mulheres da Amazônia Brasileira
Authors: Chaves Fabiana Nogueira , César Maria Rita De Assis
Published: August 2019

Este trabalho analisa aspectos históricos da Amazônia Brasileira, relatando características colonizadoras que levaram a uma maior desigualdade de gênero na região e a altos índices de violência contra a mulher. Busca-se expor especificidades do sistema de ocupação predatória da região e destacar o silenciamento da mulher amazônica como política de Estado. Assim, este trabalho procura produzir um texto crítico sobre o processo de saque da Amazônia, apontando a perpetuação de estereótipos que até hoje sustentam o silenciamento e a violência contra a mulher.
As Mulheres e o parto midiatizado
Authors: Pavan Maria Angela , Saraiva Camila Rabelo Coutinho
Published: August 2019

As ferramentas de busca na internet são uma das primeiras fontes de informação sobre qualquer assunto atualmente. O parto enquanto prática social reflete a realidade midiatizada. Neste artigo, é feita uma análise dos principais resultados de termos de pesquisa utilizados no Google Search que evidenciam o parto como um assunto que ganhou destaque no cotidiano da população e da mídia. Com uma breve análise do discurso de notícias em sites sobre o parto de Ivete Sangalo, Kate Middleton e Eliana, é possível verificar como o assunto vem sendo tratado pela mídia, demonstrando como a própria sociedade encara o tema. Para realizar este artigo, utilizamos as bases teóricas de Patrick Charaudeau, Eni Orlandi e Maria Immacolata Vassallo de Lopes.
O processo de conquista do território dos Akwẽ-Xerente no estado do Tocantins
Authors: Lima Layanna Giordana Bernardo
Published: August 2019

Este texto é uma parte da pesquisa de doutorado em Geografia Humana, cujo objetivo é estudar as transformações sociais, econômicas e ambientais vivenciadas no território dos Akwẽ-Xerente. Assim, será apresentada a história de contato e conquista do território dos Akwẽ-Xerente, no centro-oeste do estado do Tocantins, marcada por grandes conflitos com fazendeiros, grileiros e posseiros. Para as análises e entendimento desses conflitos, foram utilizados como referenciais teóricos os estudos de Chaim (1983), Gallois (2004), Ribeiro (1996), Apolinário (2006), De Paula (2000), Oliveira-Reis (2001), Martins (2012), dentre outros. Atualmente, os Akwẽ-Xerente têm como grande desafio a permanência da organização política e da língua entre os jovens indígenas e a sobrevivência econômica e social dentro e fora do seu território. Essa problemática foi construída, principalmente, nas interferências das políticas públicas federais e suas alterações nas relações com o Estado e na cultura de massa capitalista invadindo o cotidiano dos Akwẽ-Xerente.
The identification of pika and hare through tricho-taxonomy (Mammalia: Lagomorpha)
Authors: Kamalakannan Manokaran , Chandra Kailash , De Joy Krishna , Venkatraman Chinnadurai
Published: August 2019

The macroscopic and microscopic characters of dorsal guard hairs of Indian lagomorphs (four species of pikas and three species of hare) are described; the cuticular and medullary characters are similar between the species studied.  The cuticular and medullary characters, however, are dissimilar between the family Ochotonidae and Leporidae.  The cross-section of hair of the species had shown two identical shapes between the family Ochotonidae and Leporidae.  The cross-section was observed as an oval shape in all the four ochotonid species, whereas there was a dumb-bell shape in all three leporid species.  The hair of the Indian lagomorphs can easily be differentiated up to the family level on the basis of their unique cuticula, medulla and cross-section of the dorsal guard hair.  The high-resolution microphotographs and key characteristics of hair that are presented here can be used as an appropriate reference for family-level identification of Indian lagomorphs.
Diversity and temporal variation of the bird community in paddy fields of Kadhiramangalam, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Jayasimhan Chaithra Shree , Padmanabhan Pramod
Published: August 2019

Paddy, a major food crop of India, provides a variety of habitats in a short period of time and supports diverse organisms.  Paddy fields also harbour many birds with varying species composition across the different cultivation phases of paddy.  This study, conducted in the paddy fields of Kadhiramangalam, Tamil Nadu, India, recorded the bird community composition there during the various cultivation phases of paddy.  The bird community data was analysed and a total of 87 bird species were recorded from the study area belonging to 41 families and 13 orders.  The growth phase (PS 3) is the most diverse phase.  The bird composition showed a significant variation across the paddy cultivation phases with overall average dissimilarity of 71.41%.  The patterns shown by graphs of bird species composition across the paddy cultivation phases is based on guild, habitat usage and order overlap and elucidates that the change in bird community composition temporally can be attributed to the niche variability across the paddy cultivation phases.  The major species contributing to these changes observed are Black-headed Munia, Baya Weaver, Common Sandpiper, Barn Swallow, Common Myna, and Black Drongo in this region.
Multivariate analysis of elements from the microhabitats of selected plateaus in the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Aphale Priti Vinayak , Meshram Dhananjay Chintaman , Mahajan Dnyaneshwar Maruti , Kulkarni Prasad Anil , Kulkarni Shraddha Prasad
Published: August 2019

The Western Ghats represents a small part of the Deccan Traps continental flood basalt province that erupted about 65 million years ago.  It is an area of outstanding scenic beauty and has attracted the attention of geologists, naturalists and geomorphologists for over a century.  One of the unique habitats in the Western Ghats are the rocky plateaus.  Previous studies have covered plant species composition, geological and geomorphological status of the rocky plateaus.  An analytical study of microhabitats and associated therophytes of four rocky plateau sites was conducted.  The study sites were Durgawadi Plateau, Naneghat Plateau which are basalt outcrops and Zenda plateau and Amba Plateau, which are laterite outcrops on the escarpment of the northern Western Ghats.  The results revealed a correlation between basalt and lateritic rock outcrops as well as ephemeral plant elements.  All four outcrops are similar in their nutrient status but the microhabitats of these plateaus are extremely different from each other.
The soft-release of captive-born Kaiser’s Mountain Newt Neurergus kaiseri (Amphibia: Caudata) into a highland stream, western Iran
Authors: Salehi Tayebe , Akmali Vahid , Sharifi Mozafar
Published: August 2019

Captive breeding and reintroduction programs are important conservation tools and are used for increasing the number of plant and animal species worldwide.  The endemic Kaiser’s Mountain Newt Neurergus kaiseri is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is amended to Appendix I of the Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES).  In the present study, in order to learn about the survival ability of captive-born newts of N. kaiseri, we conducted a trial translocation of 15 two-year-old captive-born N. kaiseri into the highland stream in Sartakht Village, western Iran.  The survival rate of these newts were determined in two stages, involving early acclimatization in mesh bags and direct release in a highland brook.  In 12 surveys to the translocation site, a total of 86 individuals were identified during spring and summer.  The average survival rate during the acclimatizing phase was 98 ± 0.04 %, while an average survival rate of 12 ± 0.04 % was obtained when the newts were released in the brook.  Applying an average diurnal detection probability obtained for the Yellow Spotted Mountain Newt Neurergus derjugini, the overall survival rate in September when newts began the autumn withdrawal was 13%.  These findings demonstrate that captive-born N. kaiseri released into the wild in controlled conditions can survive during spring and summer and provide information for future reintroduction plan of this species.
Range extension of the Gooty Tarantula Poecilotheria metallica (Araneae: Theraphosidae) in the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Raman Kothandapani , Vimalraj Sivangnanaboopathidoss , Krishnakumar Bawa Mothilal , Balachandran Natesan , Tomar Abhishek
Published: August 2019

This paper is based on the observations from Tamil Nadu. The presence of this critically endangered Theraphosidae, P. metallica has been recorded for the first time outside of its known distribution, wherefore, expanding its range to further south from its type locality. The present sighting extends its distribution ranges along the Eastern Ghats by approximately 370 Km to further south from its type locality (Pocock 1899).
Improvement of Lipoprotein Profile and Metabolic Endotoxemia by a Lifestyle Intervention That Modifies the Gut Microbiota in Subjects With Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Guevara‐Cruz Martha , Flores‐López Adriana G. , Aguilar‐López Miriam , Sánchez‐Tapia Mónica , Medina‐Vera Isabel , Díaz Daniel , Tovar Armando R. , Torres Nimbe
Published: August 2019

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a serious health problem over the world; thus, the aim of the present work was to develop a lifestyle intervention to decrease the dysbiosis of gut microbiota and reduce the biochemical abnormalities of MetS.

Methods and Results

The prevalence of MetS was evaluated in 1065 subjects of Mexico City, Mexico, and the gut microbiota in a subsample. Subjects with MetS were selected for a pragmatic study based on a lifestyle intervention with a low‐saturated‐fat diet, reduced‐energy intake, with functional foods and physical activity, and a second group was selected for a randomized control‐placebo study to assess the gut microbiota after the dietary intervention. Prevalence of MetS was 53%, and the higher the body mass index, the higher the gut microbiota dysbiosis. The higher the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance, the lower the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. The pragmatic study revealed that after 15 days on a low‐saturated‐fat diet, there was a 24% reduction in serum triglycerides; and after a 75‐day lifestyle intervention, MetS was reduced by 44.8%, with a reduction in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, small low‐density lipoprotein particles, glucose intolerance, lipopolysaccharide, and branched‐chain amino acid. The randomized control‐placebo study showed that after the lifestyle intervention, there was a decrease in the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota associated with a reduction in the
Prevotella/ Bacteroides
ratio and an increase in the abundance of
Akkermansia muciniphila
and
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
.

Conclusions

A lifestyle intervention significantly decreased MetS components, small low‐density lipoprotein particle concentration, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and metabolic endotoxemia, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03611140.
Metabolic Response to Stress by the Immature Right Ventricle Exposed to Chronic Pressure Overload
Authors: Kajimoto Masaki , Nuri Muhammad , Isern Nancy G. , Robillard‐Frayne Isabelle , Des Rosiers Christine , Portman Michael A.
Published: August 2019

Background

The right ventricle exposed to chronic pressure overload exhibits hypertrophy and decompensates when exposed to stress. We hypothesize that impaired ability to increase myocardial oxidative flux through pyruvate dehydrogenase leads to hypertrophied right ventricular (
RV
) dysfunction when exposed to hemodynamic stress, and pyruvate dehydrogenase stimulation can improve
RV
function.

Methods and Results

Infant male Yorkshire piglets (13.5±0.6 kg weight, n=19) were used to assess substrate fractional contribution to the citric acid cycle after sustained pulmonary artery banding (
PAB
). Carbon 13–labeled glucose, lactate, and leucine, oxidative substrate tracers for the citric acid cycle, were infused into the right coronary artery on 7 to 10 days after
PAB
.
RV
systolic pressure,
RV
free wall thickness, and individual cardiomyocyte cell size after
PAB
were significantly elevated compared with the sham group. Both fractional glucose and lactate oxidations in the
PAB
group were >2‐fold higher than in the sham group. Pigs with overdrive atrial pacing (≈80% increase in heart rate) stress after
PAB
showed only a 22% increase in rate‐pressure product from baseline before atrial pacing and limited carbohydrate oxidation rate in the right ventricle. Intracoronary infusion of dichloroacetate, a pyruvate dehydrogenase agonist, produced higher rate‐pressure product (59% increase) in response to increased workload by atrial pacing in association with a marked increase in lactate oxidation.

Conclusions

The immature hypertrophied right ventricle shows limited ability to increase carbohydrate oxidation in response to tachycardia stress leading to energy supply/utilization imbalance and decreased systolic function. Enhanced pyruvate dehydrogenase activation by dichloroacetate increases energy supply and preserves hypertrophied
RV
contractile function during hemodynamic stress.
Role of TLR4 (Toll-Like Receptor 4) in N1/N2 Neutrophil Programming After Stroke
Authors: García-Culebras Alicia , Durán-Laforet Violeta , Peña-Martínez Carolina , Moraga Ana , Ballesteros Ivan , Cuartero Maria I. , de la Parra Juan , Palma-Tortosa Sara , Hidalgo Andres , Corbí Angel L. , Moro Maria A. , Lizasoain Ignacio
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose—

After stroke, the population of infiltrated neutrophils in the brain is heterogeneous, including a population of alternative neutrophils (N2) that express M2 phenotype markers. We explored the role of TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4) on neutrophil infiltration and polarization in this setting.

Methods—

Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occlusion in TLR4-KO and WT (wild type) mice. Infarct size was measured by Nissl staining and magnetic resonance imaging. Leukocyte infiltration was quantified 48 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. To elucidate mechanisms underlying TLR4-mediated N2 phenotype, a cDNA microarray analysis was performed in neutrophils isolated from blood 48 hours after stroke in WT and TLR4-KO mice.

Results—

As demonstrated previously, TLR4-deficient mice presented lesser infarct volumes than WT mice. TLR4-deficient mice showed higher density of infiltrated neutrophils 48 hours after stroke compared with WT mice, concomitantly to neuroprotection. Furthermore, cytometric and stereological analyses revealed an increased number of N2 neutrophils (YM1
+
cells) into the ischemic core in TLR4-deficient mice, suggesting a protective effect of this neutrophil subset that was corroborated by depleting peripheral neutrophils or using mice with TLR4 genetically ablated in the myeloid lineage. Finally, cDNA microarray analysis in neutrophils, confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, showed that TLR4 modulates several pathways associated with ischemia-induced inflammation, migration of neutrophils into the parenchyma, and their functional priming, which might explain the opposite effect on outcome of the different neutrophil subsets.

Conclusions—

TLR4 deficiency increased the levels of alternative neutrophils (N2)—an effect associated with neuroprotection after stroke—supporting that modulation of neutrophil polarization is a major target of TLR4 and highlighting the crucial role of TLR4 at the peripheral level after stroke.

Visual Overview—

An online
visual overview
is available for this article.
Paving the Way to Open Data
Authors: Wu Yan , Moylan Elizabeth , Inman Hope , Graf Chris
Published: August 2019

It is easy to argue that open data are critical to enabling faster and more effective research discovery. In this article, we describe the approach we have taken at Wiley to support open data and to start enabling more data to be FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) with the implementation of four data policies: “Encourages”, “Expects”, “Mandates” and “Mandates and Peer Reviews Data”. We describe the rationale for these policies and levels of adoption so far. In the coming months we plan to measure and monitor the implementation of these policies via the publication of data availability statements and data citations. With this information, we'll be able to celebrate adoption of data-sharing practices by the research communities we work with and serve, and we hope to showcase researchers from those communities leading in open research.
Synchronization lag in post stroke: relation to motor function and structural connectivity
Authors: Wang Xin , Seguin Caio , Zalesky Andrew , Wong Wan-wa , Chu Winnie Chiu-wing , Tong Raymond Kai-yu
Published: August 2019

Stroke is characterized by delays in the resting-state hemodynamic response, resulting in synchronization lag in neural activity between brain regions. However, the structural basis of this lag remains unclear. In this study, we used resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to characterize synchronization lag profiles between homotopic regions in 15 individuals (14 males, 1 female) with brain lesions consequent to stroke as well as a group of healthy comparison individuals. We tested whether the network communication efficiency of each individual’s structural brain network (connectome) could explain interindividual and interregional variation in synchronization lag profiles. To this end, connectomes were mapped using diffusion MRI data, and communication measures were evaluated under two schemes: shortest paths and navigation. We found that interindividual variation in synchronization lags was inversely associated with communication efficiency under both schemes. Interregional variation in lag was related to navigation efficiency and navigation distance, reflecting its dependence on both distance and structural constraints. Moreover, severity of motor deficits significantly correlated with average synchronization lag in stroke. Our results provide a structural basis for the delay of information transfer between homotopic regions inferred from rs-fMRI and provide insight into the clinical significance of structural-functional relationships in stroke individuals.
Iṣbahānī’s Invitation to Madness: Introduction to the Majnūn Laylā Story
Authors: Beck Kirsten
Published: August 2019

Abū al-Faraj al-Iṣbahānī’s (d. 971) Kitāb al-Aghānī chapter on Majnūn Laylā (“Akhbār Majnūn Banī ʿĀmir wa nasabuh”) confronts its audience with unresolving divergent knowledge about Majnūn. We are left not only wondering about his name, his origin, and his mental state, but also his being—does he even exist? This paper examines the potential impact of Iṣbahānī’s selection and presentation of akhbār in this Aghānī chapter, making a case for a literary approach to Iṣbahānī’s text fitting with the medieval concept of adab. It asserts that the line of questions we are compelled to ask about Majnūn implicates us in his madness and the madness of the text, which disrupts and complicates that which appears most essential to his story.
Intersection of historical museum collections and modern systematics: a relict population of the Arctic nudibranch Dendronotus velifer G.O. Sars, 1878 in a Swedish fjord
Authors: Lundin Kennet , Korshunova Tatyana , Malmberg Klas , Martynov Alexander
Published: August 2019

Based on morphological, bathymetric and molecular data comparing recently collected Arctic and North Atlantic specimens with morphological and bathymetrical data on historical museum specimens, a unique relict population of the deep-water mollusc Dendronotus velifer G.O. Sars, 1878 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) is shown to have existed in the deepest section of the Swedish Gullmar Fjord (the only true silled fjord in Sweden) at least until the middle of the 20th century. This population is more than 1500 km away from the nearest point in the species’ distributional range in the Arctic Ocean today. Using an integrative approach incorporating the data mentioned above, including genetic distances, from recently collected specimens taken from the Arctic Ocean, D. velifer is validated and its species status is restored, for the first time in more than a century after being regarded as a junior synonym of D. robustus. The bathymetric data for historical and recently collected specimens of D. velifer demonstrate significant differences compared to the shallow-water species D. robustus. The findings support the necessity of a stronger protection for the unique marine habitats of the Gullmar Fjord.
Consumer-oriented exploitation and conservation of genetic resources of pumpkins and squash, Cucurbita
Authors: Paris Harry S.
Published: August 2019

Pumpkins and squash, Cucurbita species, are valued horticultural products almost everywhere. They have been cultivated and subjected to consumer-oriented selection for thousands of years. Under this consumer orientation, they have been improved culinarily and diversified into the wonderful array of fruit sizes, shapes, and colors that are seen today. Besides their value as food items, pumpkins and squash are associated by people with abundance, warmth, sexuality, and life itself. My current objective is to provide a succinct perspective on the process of consumer-oriented exploitation of pumpkin and squash genetic resources. I briefly review the etymology, taxonomy and gross morphology of Cucurbita plants. A view is presented of how gathering, nurturing, domestication and cultivation of Cucurbita, species-specific and consumer-driven, maintained some of the parallels among species but also magnified the phenotypic differences among them. At greater length are considered the differences in resource allocation required for the preferential consumer-driven production of mature versus young fruits. Environmental effects, abiotic and biotic, are briefly mentioned, as are some of the potential benefits of biotechnology, genetic engineering, mapping, genomics, and gene editing as cognates for breeding. Finally, I consider the processes and needs for collection, maintenance, characterization, and availability of Cucurbita genetic resources and the dangers imposed by under-informed administrators in academia and cavalier governmental regulatory statutes toward future consumer-oriented improvement of pumpkins and squash.
A new short brown unpatterned moray eel Gymnothorax andamanensis (Muraenidae: Muraeninae) from Andaman waters, India
Authors: MOHAPATRA ANIL , KIRUBA-SANKAR R. , PRAVEENRAJ J. , MOHANTY SWARUP RANJAN
Published: August 2019

Gymnothorax andamanensis sp. nov., a new short brown moray eel, is described here on the basis of two specimens collected from Port Mout, Port Blair, South Andaman (11.659327°N; 92.696148°E), caught using baited hand-lines in a sandy habitat at a depth of less than 2 m. The species is characterized in having the dorsal-fin origin before the gill opening, pre-anal length 2.1–2.2, jaw pores with black rim, two branchial pores, predorsal vertebrae 3, preanal vertebrae 57 and total vertebrae 135–136, teeth smooth, three large fang-like median intermaxillary teeth, biserial maxillary and uniserial vomerine teeth, and dentary teeth biserial with two teeth in each side in the second row of the dentary. The new species is compared with all 10 short brown unpatterned moray eels known from the world and two from Indian waters.
The tadpole of Ameerega boehmei in southeastern Bolivia
Authors: FRENCH CONNOR M. , BURKETTE CARMEN , REICHLE STEFFEN , BROWN JASON L.
Published: August 2019

To date, half (16 of 32) of the species of Ameerega have had their tadpoles described: A. altamazonica, A. bassleri, A. bilinguis, A. braccata, A. cainarachi, A. flavopicta, A. hahneli, A. macero, A. parvula, A. petersi, A. picta, A. rubriventris, A shihuemoy. A. silverstonei, A. smaragdina, and A. trivittata (Lescure, 1976; Silverstone, 1976; Duellman, 1978; Myers & Daly, 1979; Rodriguez & Myers, 1993; Haddad & Martins, 1994; Lötters et al., 1997; Duellman, 2005; Costa et al., 2006; Twomey & Brown, 2008; Brown & Twomey, 2009; Poelman et al., 2010; Schulze et al., 2015). Ameerega boehmei is a putative member of a clade containing Ameerega braccata, A. flavopicta, A. berohoka, A. munduruku, all of which inhabit various parts of the ‘dry diagonal’ between the Amazon and Atlantic rainforests (Prado & Gibbs, 1993). Adult frogs in this group are morphologically similar, generally dark-bodied with yellow dorsolateral stripes, orange flash marks and some also possessing bright-yellow dorsal spots. Despite considerable research on their breeding behavior, acoustics and systematics (Lötters et al., 2009; Forti et al., 2013), the tadpole of Ameerega boehmei, the southern-most and western-most distributed species in this tentative group, has not been described.