bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracting Snow Cover Time Series Data from Open Access Web Mapping Tile Services
Authors: Kadlec Jiří , Miller A. Woodruff , Ames Daniel P.
Published: February 2016

The probability of the presence of snow cover at a given location over time is a critical input to hydrologic simulation models in snowpack‐driven watersheds. While a number of open access web mapping tile services exist for viewing images of current and historical snow cover over large regions, no equally accessible tools exist for extracting numerical time series data of snow cover probability defined at particular point locations. This article presents the design, development, and testing of a new open source script and web application for snow cover probability time series extraction from map images. The script is deployed as a web app using the Tethys framework making it accessible to novice users through a user interface. A WaterML web‐API gives access to third‐party applications for automation and embedding in modeling tools. The full design of the script is presented such that it can serve as a model for similar or extended tools that may be developed by others. A set of use case experiments is presented demonstrating the full functionality of the script and its limitations, and an example application for ground validation of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer snow cover dataset is discussed.
Management of Large Wood in Streams: An Overview and Proposed Framework for Hazard Evaluation
Authors: Wohl Ellen , Bledsoe Brian P. , Fausch Kurt D. , Kramer Natalie , Bestgen Kevin R. , Gooseff Michael N.
Published: February 2016

Instream and floodplain wood can provide many benefits to river ecosystems, but can also create hazards for inhabitants, infrastructure, property, and recreational users in the river corridor. We propose a decision process for managing large wood, and particularly for assessing the relative benefits and hazards associated with individual wood pieces and with accumulations of wood. This process can be applied at varying levels of effort, from a relatively cursory visual assessment to more detailed numerical modeling. Decisions to retain, remove, or modify wood in a channel or on a floodplain are highly dependent on the specific context: the same piece of wood that might require removal in a highly urbanized setting may provide sufficient benefits to justify retention in a natural area or lower‐risk urban setting. The proposed decision process outlined here can be used by individuals with diverse technical backgrounds and in a range of urban to natural river reaches so that opportunities for wood retention or enhancement are increased.
Chronic Alcohol Consumption in Rats Leads to Desynchrony in Diurnal Rhythms and Molecular Clocks
Authors: Guo Rong , Simasko Steve M. , Jansen Heiko T.
Published: February 2016

Background

Circadian rhythms are essential for adapting to the environment. Chronic alcohol consumption often leads to sleep and circadian disruptions, which may impair the life quality of individuals with alcohol use disorders and contribute to the morbidity associated with alcoholism.

Methods

We used a pair‐feeding liquid diet alcohol exposure protocol (6 weeks duration) in PER1::LUC transgenic rats to examine the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on: (i) diurnal rhythms of core body temperature and locomotor activity, (ii) plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentrations, and (iii) rhythms of ex vivo Period1 (Per1) expression in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), pituitary, and adrenal glands. We followed multiple circadian outputs not only to examine individual components, but also to assess the relative phase relationships among rhythms.

Results

We found that chronic alcohol consumption: (i) reduced 24‐hour body temperature and locomotor activity counts in the dark period, (ii) advanced the acrophase of diurnal rhythms of body temperature and locomotor activity, (iii) abolished the phase difference between temperature and activity rhythms, (iv) blunted and advanced the diurnal CORT rhythm, and (v) advanced Per1 expression in the adrenal and pituitary glands but not in the SCN. We found that chronic alcohol altered the phase relationships among diurnal rhythms and between the central (SCN) and peripheral (adrenal and pituitary) molecular clocks.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that desynchrony among internal rhythms is an important and overlooked aspect of alcohol‐induced circadian disruptions. The misalignment of phases among rhythms may compromise normal physiological functions and put individuals with chronic alcohol use at greater risk for developing other physical and mental health issues. How this desynchrony occurs and the extent to which it participates in alcohol‐related pathologies requires further investigation.
The Polish Version of the Yale‐Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, Modified to Reflect Obsessions and Compulsions Related to Heavy Drinking (YBOCS‐hd‐PL)
Authors: Nowakowska‐Domagała Katarzyna , Chodkiewicz Jan , Ziółkowski Marcin , Czarnecki Damian , Gąsior Krzysztof , Juczyński Artur , Biedrzycka Agata
Published: February 2016

Background

The aim of the research work was to present the process of adapting the Polish version of the YBOCS‐hd by Modell and colleagues (Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1992;16:266) to Polish conditions and to characterize the psychometric validation of the measure (e.g., validity, internal structure, and reliability). The scale is a self‐assessment method consisting of 10 statements designed for measuring the severity of obsessive and compulsive craving‐related thoughts and behaviors in alcohol‐dependent or alcohol‐abusing patients.

Methods

The study was carried out in a group of 550 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome, 510 of whom (396 males and 114 females) were included in the final analysis. The patients were interviewed during the third week of therapy by the Polish version of the Yale‐Brown Compulsive Scale Modified to Reflect Obsessions and Compulsions Related to Heavy Drinking (YBOCS‐hd‐PL), the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), Short Alcohol Dependence Data Questionnaire (SADD), and the “compulsive” subscale of SCL‐90.

Results

The YBOCS‐hd‐PL is characterized by good psychometric properties. Factor analysis identified 2 factors corresponding to the structure of the original version. Its internal consistency, assessed on the basis of Cronbach's alpha, is satisfactory: 0.84 for YBOCS‐hd‐PL (overall), 0.75 for factor 1 (obsessive thoughts), and 0.79 for factor 2 (compulsive behaviors). The discriminant power of the questions ranged from 0.46 to 0.68 (p < 0.001). For the adapted YBOCS‐hd‐PL, significant correlations were found between its scores and the PACS and the “compulsive” subscale of the SCL‐90 scale. The obtained results indicate the Polish version of the YBOCS‐hd (YBOCS‐hd‐PL) proved to be a reliable and valid instrument.

Conclusions

In view of its very good psychometric properties, the Polish version of the YBOCS‐hd can be recommended as an instrument for assessment of alcohol craving and its obsessive and compulsive aspects in individuals with alcohol use disorders.
Gender‐Specific Effects of Mood on Alcohol‐Seeking Behaviors: Preliminary Findings Using Intravenous Alcohol Self‐Administration
Authors: Cyders Melissa A. , VanderVeen J. Davis , Plawecki Martin , Millward James B. , Hays James , Kareken David A. , O'Connor Sean
Published: February 2016

Background

Although negative mood has long been implicated in differences in alcohol seeking by men and women, little research has used precise, well‐controlled laboratory experiments to examine how negative mood affects alcohol‐seeking behaviors.

Methods

A total of 34 (19 women) community‐dwelling, alcohol‐using adults aged 21 to 32 (mean age = 24.86, SD = 3.40, 74.3% Caucasian; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] = 10.1, SD = 3.4) completed 2 counterbalanced intravenous alcohol self‐administration sessions: one under negative mood and one under neutral mood. Fourteen individuals (9 women; mean age = 25.00, SD = 2.77) participated in an alcohol “liking” experiment (i.e., free access [FA] drinking) and 20 individuals (10 women; mean age = 24.77, SD = 3.73) participated in an alcohol “wanting” experiment, in which gaining access to alcohol required progressively effortful work. There was no significant difference between men and women on the AUDIT, t(32) = −0.38, p = 0.71.

Results

Priming with negative mood induction caused a significant decrease in self‐reported mood (mean change = −1.85, t(32) = −6.81, p < 0.001), as intended. In FA, negative mood was associated with a significantly increased peak breath alcohol concentration (BrAC; F = 9.41, p = 0.01), with a trend toward a greater effect in men than in women (F = 2.67, p = 0.13). Negative mood also had a significant effect on peak BrAC achieved in the progressive work paradigm (F = 5.28, p = 0.04), with a significantly stronger effect in men (F = 5.35, p = 0.03) than women; men also trended toward more consistent work for alcohol across both neutral and negative sessions.

Conclusions

These preliminary findings demonstrate a gender‐specific response on how mood affects alcohol seeking and suggest gender‐specific interventions to prevent mood‐based alcohol consumption.
Neonatal Ethanol Exposure Impairs Trace Fear Conditioning and Alters NMDA Receptor Subunit Expression in Adult Male and Female Rats
Authors: Goodfellow Molly J. , Abdulla Khalid A. , Lindquist Derick H.
Published: February 2016

Background

Ethanol (EtOH) exposure in neonate rats during a period comparable to the human third trimester, postnatal days (PD) 4 to 9, leads to persistent deficits in forebrain‐dependent cognitive function—modeling the dysfunction seen in individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. EtOH‐exposed adult rats are impaired in auditory trace fear conditioning (TFC), a form of Pavlovian conditioning in which a neutral conditioned stimulus (CS; tone) is followed by an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; footshock), with both stimuli separated in time by a stimulus‐free “trace” interval (TI). TFC acquisition depends on N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation in the dorsal hippocampus (DH), ventral hippocampus (VH), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

Methods

Male and female rat pups were sham‐intubated (SI) or intragastrically intubated with EtOH (5E; 5 g/kg/d) over PD 4 to 9 and, as adults, submitted to TFC with a 15‐second tone CS and 30‐second TI. Whole‐cell tissue lysates from the DH, VH, and mPFC of TFC rats and DH synaptic/extrasynaptic membrane fractions from experimentally naïve animals were analyzed via Western blot for NMDAR subunit (GluN1, GluN2A, GluN2B) expression.

Results

Freezing behavior during CS‐alone test trials was significantly reduced in both male and female 5E rats, relative to same‐sex controls. Western blot results based on DH tissue samples revealed a greater proportion of GluN2A to GluN2B subunits in 5E rats, relative to SI rats, and significantly reduced synaptic GluN2B and PSD‐95 expression.

Conclusions

EtOH‐induced changes in DH NMDAR subunit expression—particularly synaptic GluN2B, which is critical for TFC—are proposed to weaken long‐term memory consolidation and, during behavioral testing, diminish CS‐evoked freezing behavior.
The Influence of Extrinsic Reinforcement on Children with Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Graham Diana M. , Glass Leila , Mattson Sarah N.
Published: February 2016

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure affects inhibitory control and other aspects of attention and executive function. However, the efficacy of extrinsic reinforcement on these behaviors has not been tested.

Methods

Alcohol‐exposed children (AE; n = 34), children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n = 23), and controls (CON; n = 31) completed a flanker task with 4 reward conditions (no reward, reward, reward+occasional response cost, equal probability of reward+response cost). Inhibitory control was tested in the no reward conditions using a 3(group) × 2(flanker type) ANCOVA. Response to reinforcement was tested using 3(group) × 4(reward condition) × 4(flanker type) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Response time (RT) and accuracy were tested independently.

Results

Groups did not differ on demographic variables. The flanker task was successful in taxing interference control, an aspect of executive attention (i.e., responses to incongruent stimuli were slower than to congruent stimuli) and the AE group demonstrated impaired executive control over the other groups. Overall, the AE group had significantly slower RTs compared to the CON and ADHD groups, which did not differ. However, reinforcement improved RT in all groups. While occasional response cost had the greatest benefit in the CON group, the type of reinforcement did not differentially affect the AE and ADHD groups. Accuracy across reward conditions did not differ by group, but was dependent on flanker type and reward condition.

Conclusions

Alcohol‐exposed children, but not children with ADHD, had impaired interference control in comparison with controls, supporting a differential neurobehavioral profile in these 2 groups. Both clinical groups were equally affected by introduction of reinforcement, although the type of reinforcement did not differentially affect performance as it did in the control group, suggesting that reward or response cost could be used interchangeably to result in the same benefit.
Hospital Stay and Engagement in Outpatient Follow‐Up After Alcohol Emergency Detox: A 1‐Year Comparison Study
Authors: Azuar Julien , Questel Frank , Hispard Eric , Scott Jan , Vorspan Florence , Bellivier Frank
Published: February 2016

Background

Inpatient alcohol detoxifications are only proposed after motivational outpatient encounters because detoxification directly from the emergency department (ED) is believed to be associated with early dropout and poor adherence to outpatient follow‐up. The aim of this prospective follow‐up study was to test the feasibility of unscheduled (UP) alcohol detoxification directly from the ED and to compare the 1‐year follow‐up of these patients to that of scheduled (SP) patients.

Methods

A quasi‐naturalistic prospective follow‐up study of 120 patients: 60 consecutively admitted patients referred directly by the ED for alcohol detoxification (UP) were compared to 60 consecutively admitted patients who had undergone the usual preparation for an inpatient detoxification program (SP). The length of hospitalization (in days) and attendance to postdischarge outpatient visits during the first year was compared.

Results

UP patients were older, less frequently employed, and had more somatic comorbidities compared with SP patients. The UP length of stay was significantly longer (20 ± 16 vs. 14 ± 6, p = 0.04). No difference in their postdischarge attendance was observed; the number of patients attending 1 session (57% UP vs. 65% SP, p = 0.227) and 5 sessions (22% UP vs. 32% SP, p = 0.151) and the mean number of postdischarge visits attended were comparable between the UP and SP groups (2.7 ± 6 vs. 4.5 ± 6; Mann–Whitney U = 1,517, p = 0.124).

Conclusions

We did not find that UP patients who had been admitted for alcohol detoxification had a significantly higher dropout rate or lower postdischarge addiction treatment attendance. Because they may have several advantages, detoxification programs directly linked with EDs should be further evaluated.
Effect of pregnancy on insulin requirements differs between type 1 and type 2 diabetes: A cohort study of 222 pregnancies
Authors: Padmanabhan Suja , Jiang Shan , Mclean Mark , Cheung N. Wah
Published: February 2016

Background

Knowledge about expected insulin requirements during pregnancy, in women with pre‐existing diabetes may assist clinicians to effectively respond to gestation‐specific changes in glycemic pattern. Few studies have examined differences between type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Aims

To compare patterns of insulin requirements in pregnancy for women with pre‐existing T1DM and T2DM.

Material and Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 222 pregnancies was conducted in women with pre‐existing diabetes, (67 with T1DM, 155 with T2DM). Total daily insulin dose (TID) at the end of each trimester, recorded as units and units per kilogram (median, 25th–75th percentile) as well as percentage increase in insulin dose per trimester were compared.

Results

Women with T1DM had higher insulin requirements in the first two trimesters than those with T2DM (0.69 (0.58–0.85) vs 0.36 (0.0–0.7) units/kg in first trimester; 0.80 (0.62–0.95) vs 0.61 (0.27–0.95) units/kg, P < 0.005) in second trimester), but requirements in late pregnancy were similar (0.97 (0.69–1.29) vs 0.95 (0.53–1.32) units/kg, P = 0.54). Women with T2DM needed much greater increases in insulin per trimester compared to T1DM (P < 0.001). Women with T1DM had a net fall in insulin requirements (3.7% in the first trimester and 4.1% in the late third trimester) while those with T2DM did not.

Conclusions

This is the largest comparison study of insulin requirements in women with pre‐existing diabetes, highlighting important trimester‐specific differences between T1DM and T2DM to guide insulin titration during pregnancy. Our findings suggest a differential effect of pregnancy‐mediated insulin resistance by type of diabetes.
Early detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus and screening for retinopathy are associated with reduced prevalence and severity of retinopathy
Authors: Olafsdottir Eydis , Andersson Dan K. G. , Dedorsson Inger , Svärdsudd Kurt , Jansson Stefan P. O. , Stefánsson Einar
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To explore whether the prevalence and severity of retinopathy differ in diabetes cohorts diagnosed through screening as compared with conventional health care.

Methods

A total of 257 diabetes patients, 151 detected through screening and 106 through conventional clinical care, were included. Retinopathy was evaluated by fundus photography. The modified Airlie House adaptation of the Early Treatment Retinopathy Study protocol was used to grade the photographs. Averages of clinically collected fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure and body mass index values were compiled from diabetes diagnosis until the eye examination. Blood chemistry, smoking habits and peripheral neuropathy were assessed at the time of the eye examination.

Results

Among the screening‐detected patients, 22% had retinopathy as compared to 51% among those clinically detected (p < 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, patients with retinopathy were more likely to have increased average FBG (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19–1.70 per mmol/l) and peripheral neuropathy (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.40–5.43), but less likely to have screening‐detected diabetes (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17–0.57). Similar results were found using increasing severity grade of retinopathy as outcome. The cumulative retinopathy prevalence for the screening‐detected diabetes cohort as compared with the clinically diagnosed cohort was significantly lower from 10 years’ follow‐up and onwards (p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

Among patients with screening‐detected diabetes, the prevalence of retinopathy and increasing severity of retinopathy were significantly lower than among those who had their diabetes diagnosed through conventional care, even when other risk factors for retinopathy such as duration, hyperglycaemia and blood pressure were considered. Early detection of diabetes reduces prediagnostic time spent with hyperglycaemia. In combination with early and regular screening for retinopathy, more effective prevention against retinopathy can be provided.
Morphology of the digestive tract of the Whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) (Perciformes: Sciaenidae)
Authors: Andrade Isabel M. , Guimarães Juliana P. , Rotundo Matheus M. , Mari Renata B.
Published: February 2016

Studies have shown the feeding diversity of teleostean fish, which is conditioned by environmental characteristics or the biology of the different species. Analysis on the morphology of the digestive system (DS) of fish made it possible for researchers to know the food regimen of several species at different stages of life. On the other hand, it is known that food habits may lead to morphological changes in the DS the same way that different food habits may be imposed by morphological limitations of this system. Among the species of greater commercial importance in Brazil, Micropogonias furnieri is highly representative of fish in south‐eastern Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse the morphology of the DS of M. furnieri. Results on the morphology of the DS observed in this study were similar to the patterns determined for the morphology of teleostean fish. In this study, it was observed that the DS of the Whitemouth croaker is directly related with the shape of the peritoneal cavity; these fish showed oesophagus, stomach, pyloric caeca and intestines. The pyloric caeca showed morphological adaptations in relation to sexual maturation, with well‐developed caeca found in sexually mature animals.
Inflammation: maladies, models, mechanisms and molecules
Authors: Stewart AG , Beart PM
Published: February 2016

The continued focus of attention on the diversity of mechanisms underpinning inflammation has improved our understanding of the potential to target specific pathways in the inflammatory network to achieve meaningful therapeutic gains. In this themed issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology our scope was deliberately broad, ranging across both acute and chronic disease in various organs. Pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms receive attention as does the phenotype of macrophages. Whilst the manifestations of neuro‐inflammation are less obvious than those in peripheral tissues, central innate and adaptive immunity in brain and the M1/M2 phenotypes of microglia are topics of special interest. The contributions to the inflammatory milieu of cytokines, chemokines and associated signalling cascades are considered. Overall, the coverage herein advances the basic science underpinning our understanding of inflammation and emphasizes its importance in different pathologies.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Inflammation: maladies, models, mechanisms and molecules. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2016.173.issue-4
Pre‐transplant phospholipase A2 receptor autoantibody concentration is associated with clinically significant recurrence of membranous nephropathy post‐kidney transplantation
Authors: Gupta Gaurav , Fattah Hasan , Ayalon Rivka , Kidd Jason , Gehr Todd , Quintana Luis F. , Kimball Pamela , Sadruddin Salima , Massey H. Davis , Kumar Dhiren , King Anne L. , Beck Laurence H.
Published: February 2016

Previous studies that have assessed the association of pre‐transplant antiphospholipase A2 receptor autoantibody (PLA2R‐Ab) concentration with a recurrence of membranous nephropathy (rMN) post‐kidney transplant have yielded variable results. We tested 16 consecutive transplant patients with a history of iMN for pre‐transplant PLA2R‐Ab. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay titers (Euroimmun, NJ, USA) >14 RU/mL were considered positive. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed after combining data from Quintana et al. (n = 21; Transplantation February 2015) to determine a PLA2R‐Ab concentration which could predict rMN. Six of 16 (37%) patients had biopsy‐proven rMN at a median of 3.2 yr post‐transplant. Of these, five of six (83%) had a positive PLA2R‐Ab pre‐transplant with a median of 82 RU/mL (range = 31–1500). The only patient who had rMN with negative PLA2R‐Ab was later diagnosed with B‐cell lymphoma. One hundred percent (n = 10) of patients with no evidence of rMN (median follow‐up = five yr) had negative pre‐transplant PLA2R‐Ab. In a combined ROC analysis (n = 37), a pre‐transplant PLA2R‐Ab > 29 RU/mL predicted rMN with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 92%. Pre‐transplant PLA2R‐Ab could be a useful tool for the prediction of rMN. Patients with rMN in the absence of PLA2R‐Ab should be screened for occult malignancy and/or alternate antigens.
Exercise and physical activity recommendations for people with cerebral palsy
Authors: Verschuren Olaf , Peterson Mark D , Balemans Astrid C J , Hurvitz Edward A
Published: February 2016

Physical activity and its promotion, as well as the avoidance of sedentary behaviour, play important roles in health promotion and prevention of lifestyle‐related diseases. Guidelines for young people and adults with typical development are available from the World Health Organisation and American College of Sports Medicine. However, detailed recommendations for physical activity and sedentary behaviour have not been established for children, adolescents, and adults with cerebral palsy (CP). This paper presents the first CP‐specific physical activity and exercise recommendations. The recommendations are based on (1) a comprehensive review and analysis of the literature, (2) expert opinion, and (3) extensive clinical experience. The evidence supporting these recommendations is based on randomized controlled trials and observational studies involving children, adolescents, and adults with CP, and buttressed by the previous guidelines for the general population. These recommendations may be used to guide healthcare providers on exercise and daily physical activity prescription for individuals with CP.
Relationships among taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic ant diversity across the biogeographic regions of Europe
Authors: Arnan Xavier , Cerdá Xim , Retana Javier
Published: February 2016

Understanding how different biodiversity components are related across different environmental conditions is a major goal in macroecology and conservation biogeography. We investigated correlations among alpha and beta taxonomic (TD), phylogenetic (PD), and functional diversity (FD) in ant communities in the five biogeographic regions most representative of western Europe; we also examined the degree of niche conservatism. We combined data from 349 ant communities composed of 154 total species, which were characterized by 10 functional traits and by phylogenetic relatedness. We computed TD, PD, and FD using the Rao quadratic entropy index, which allows each biodiversity component to be partitioned into α and β diversity within the same mathematical framework. We ran generalized least squares and multiple matrix regressions with randomization to investigate relationships among the diversity components. We used Pagel's λ test to explore niche conservatism in each biogeographic region. At the alpha scale, TD was consistently, positively related to PD and FD, although the strength and scatter of this relationship changed among the biogeographic regions. Meanwhile, PD and FD consistently matched up across regions. Accordingly, we found similar degrees of niche conservatism across regions. Nonetheless, these alpha‐scale relationships had low coefficients of determination. At the beta scale, the three diversity components were highly correlated across all regions (especially TD and FD, as well as PD and FD). Our results imply that the different diversity components, and especially PD and FD, are consistently related across biogeographic regions and analytical scale. However, the alpha‐scale relationships were quite weak, suggesting environmental factors might influence the degree of association among diversity components at the alpha level. In conclusion, conservation programs should seek to preserve functional and phylogenetic diversity in addition to species richness, and this approach should be applied universally, regardless of the biogeographic locations of the sites to be protected.
Scale‐dependent occupancy patterns in reptiles across topographically different landscapes
Authors: Michael Damian R. , Ikin Karen , Crane Mason , Okada Sachiko , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: February 2016

Understanding what factors influence species occupancy in human‐modified landscapes is a central theme in ecology. We examined scale‐dependent habitat relationships and site occupancy in reptiles across three topographically different study areas in south‐eastern Australia. We collected presence–absence data on reptiles from 443 sites associated with three long‐term biodiversity monitoring programs, on four to seven occasions, between 2001 and 2013. We characterised sites by the following four variable domains: 1) field design, 2) topography, 3) local‐scale vegetation attributes and 4) landscape‐scale vegetation cover. We constructed occupancy models for 14 species and used an information‐theoretic approach to compare multiple alternative hypotheses to explain occupancy within and between study areas. We modelled detection probability and used the model with the lowest AIC in subsequent analyses. We then modelled occupancy probability against all subsets of the variable groups (field design, topography, local‐ and landscape‐scale vegetation), as well as a model that held occupancy constant (null model). We found that local‐scale vegetation attributes were important for explaining site occupancy in 12/19 possible models, although, in several cases model fit was improved by the addition of topographic variables or native vegetation cover in the surrounding landscape. Occupancy models for widespread species were broadly congruent across study areas. We demonstrate that topographic variables are important for explaining reptile occupancy in hilly landscapes, and local‐ and landscape‐scale variables are important for explaining reptile occupancy in flat or gently undulating landscapes. Management actions that improve habitat complexity at a site‐level, and encompass entire topographic gradients, will have greater benefit to woodland reptiles than simply increasing vegetation cover in the surrounding landscape.
Legacy effects of grassland management on soil carbon to depth
Authors: Ward Susan E. , Smart Simon M. , Quirk Helen , Tallowin Jerry R. B. , Mortimer Simon R. , Shiel Robert S. , Wilby Andrew , Bardgett Richard D.
Published: February 2016

The importance of managing land to optimize carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation is widely recognized, with grasslands being identified as having the potential to sequester additional carbon. However, most soil carbon inventories only consider surface soils, and most large‐scale surveys group ecosystems into broad habitats without considering management intensity. Consequently, little is known about the quantity of deep soil carbon and its sensitivity to management. From a nationwide survey of grassland soils to 1 m depth, we show that carbon in grassland soils is vulnerable to management and that these management effects can be detected to considerable depth down the soil profile, albeit at decreasing significance with depth. Carbon concentrations in soil decreased as management intensity increased, but greatest soil carbon stocks (accounting for bulk density differences), were at intermediate levels of management. Our study also highlights the considerable amounts of carbon in subsurface soil below 30 cm, which is missed by standard carbon inventories. We estimate grassland soil carbon in Great Britain to be 2097 Tg C to a depth of 1 m, with ~60% of this carbon being below 30 cm. Total stocks of soil carbon (t ha−1) to 1 m depth were 10.7% greater at intermediate relative to intensive management, which equates to 10.1 t ha−1in surface soils (0–30 cm), and 13.7 t ha−1in soils from 30 to 100 cm depth. Our findings highlight the existence of substantial carbon stocks at depth in grassland soils that are sensitive to management. This is of high relevance globally, given the extent of land cover and large stocks of carbon held in temperate managed grasslands. Our findings have implications for the future management of grasslands for carbon storage and climate mitigation, and for global carbon models which do not currently account for changes in soil carbon to depth with management.
Cluster Headache as the Index Event in MS: A Case Report
Authors: Pelikan Jonathan Benjamin , McCombe Jennifer A. , Kotylak Trevor , Becker Werner J.
Published: February 2016

We report a 42‐year‐old woman who presented with cluster headache (CH) in association with other neurological symptoms as the index event of new onset multiple sclerosis (MS). Her initial symptoms were left‐sided headache with ipsilateral lacrimation and nasal congestion associated with ipsilateral facial numbness. A subsequent similar headache attack was also associated with ipsilateral arm ataxia and gait ataxia. She had many additional short headache attacks without focal neurological symptoms. Her cluster‐like headache attacks have not recurred since intiation of dimethyl fumarate.

 Our patient illustrates that cluster‐like headache attacks can occur as a first symptom of MS, in our patient in association with other neurological symptoms. A striking finding in our patient was a large demyelinating lesion in the brachium pontis ipsilateral to the headaches, although additional supratentorial demyelinating lesions were also present. Although CH associated with MS is rare, our patient and the two other reported patients with MS and CH with similar ipsilateral brachium pontis lesions suggest that the lesions in this location may have played a role in the generation of the cluster‐like attacks.
Indomethacin Responsive Headaches: Exhaustive Systematic Review With Pooled Analysis and Critical Appraisal of 81 Published Clinical Studies
Authors: Bordini Emilia C. , Bordini Carlos A. , Woldeamanuel Yohannes W. , Rapoport Alan M.
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The relationship between indomethacin (IMC) and headache treatment has long intrigued clinicians and clinical researchers in Headache Medicine. Why is it efficacious in many types of headache disorders when other medications are not, and what is the mechanism behind its efficacy? IMC and headache related topics that have been explored in detail in the literature include IMC‐responsive headache disorders (“traditional”), pharmacology of IMC, symptomatic headaches responsive to IMC, “novel” headache conditions that respond, cluster headache and IMC, IMC provoking headache, the issue about” absolute” and “non‐absolute” effect of IMC on headache disorders, and the morphing trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs).

Data source

A PubMed/MEDLINE search was used for Clinical Studies Categories and Systematic Reviews on the PubMed Clinical Queries. The search details were “indomethacin” AND “headache” spanning all previous years until February 1, 2015. Methods were in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines.

Review methods

Articles were excluded if IMC had not been used to treat headache disorders in adults, if the article concerned IMC‐responsive headaches but made no reference to the use of IMC, and articles not addressing the above mentioned topics.

Results and conclusions

The “velocity” of publications on IMC and headache seems to be decreasing, particularly on the use of IMC for the treatment of TACs. The science behind the understanding of the putative mechanisms of IMC's action on headache has moved forward, but the answer to why it works better than other nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs has been elusive. There are case reports of other rare headache disorders that may be responsive to IMC. The dosages of IMC used as a tool for detecting IMC responsive disorders vary according to different centers of investigation. In many circumstances, headache disorders similar to “primary” IMC‐responsive disorders are actually symptomatic disorders. Cluster headache as an IMC‐resistant headache disorder may not be as absolute as once thought. Sometimes, IMC has been found to provoke headache; differentiating IMC‐provoked headache from IMC‐resistant headache can make headache diagnosis and management difficult. As for the “absolute” responsiveness of IMC, it is possible that using higher dosages leads to higher sensitivity, probably at the expense of decreased specificity. There are many reports about the occurrence of two or more IMC‐responsive disorders (latu sensu) in the same patient, which may be coincidental.
Association of coronary artery calcification with liver fibrosis in Japanese patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Ishiba Hiroshi , Sumida Yoshio , Kataoka Seita , Kuroda Masaaki , Akabame Satoshi , Tomiyasu Kiichiro , Tanaka Muhei , Arai Masahiro , Taketani Hiroyoshi , Seko Yuya , Okajima Akira , Hara Tasuku , Umemura Atsushi , Nishikawa Taichiro , Yamaguchi Kanji , Moriguchi Michihisa , Mitsuyoshi Hironori , Yasui Kohichiroh , Itoh Yoshito
Published: February 2016

Aims

Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death among patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but their relationship remains unclear. This study examined the association between coronary atherosclerosis and liver fibrosis, represented by the coronary artery calcification (CAC) score and non‐invasive fibrosis markers, respectively.

Methods

Among 698 patients with chest pain or electrocardiographic abnormalities who underwent coronary computed tomography (CT) between April 2006 and March 2010, those with known liver disorders or history of emergency coronary angioplasty were excluded, leaving 366 patients for this study. Diagnosis of NAFLD was based on abdominal CT and history of alcohol consumption. Subjects with CAC of 100 AU or more were categorized into the high‐risk group for cardiovascular events. Patient records were examined for clinical parameters including CAC score and non‐invasive fibrosis marker FIB‐4 index.

Results

Ninety‐four patients (25.7%) had NAFLD. In this group, univariate analysis identified old age, high diastolic blood pressure, high liver to spleen ratio and high FIB‐4 index as risk factors for cardiovascular events and multivariate analysis identified age of 66 years or older and FIB‐4 index of 2.09 or more as the significant risk factors. For the observation period until August 2014, the cumulative proportion of PCI performance was significantly higher in patients with FIB‐4 of 2.09 or more than those with FIB‐4 of less than 2.09.

Conclusion

The progression of arteriosclerosis and that of liver fibrosis may be associated in NAFLD patients. The FIB‐4 index can be easily determined and thus can be a useful marker for predicting cardiovascular events in NAFLD patients.
The effectiveness of a dentifrice without sodium lauryl sulphate on dental plaque and gingivitis – a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Sälzer S , Rosema NAM , Hennequin‐Hoenderdos NL , Slot DE , Timmer C , Dörfer CE , Van der Weijden GA
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect on dental plaque and gingivitis of a dentifrice without sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) compared to two SLS‐containing dentifrices.

Material and methods

For this double‐blind, parallel study, 90 volunteers having moderate gingival inflammation (≥40%) were randomly divided among three groups: one group using non‐SLS dentifrice containing enzymes, colostrum and low concentrations of zinc and two control groups each using different SLS‐containing dentifrices. Dental plaque scores (Turesky modification of Quigley & Hein) and gingivitis scores (Bleeding On Marginal Probing) were assessed at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks.

Results

Eighty‐nine participants provided evaluable data. A slight decrease in gingivitis scores was observed for all groups over 4 weeks, which was statistically significant for the non‐SLS group. Mean values for dental plaque scores did not show major differences over 4 weeks. For both parameters, no significant differences between groups could be observed at any time point. Patient appreciation was in favour of the SLS groups especially regarding the foaming effect.

Conclusion

No significant differences could be observed with respect to the effect on plaque and gingivitis between SLS‐containing and SLS‐free dentifrice containing enzymes, colostrum and low concentration zinc. Patients enjoyed the duration of taste and the ‘foaming effect’ of SLS‐containing dentifrices better.
Increased expression of phosphorylated forms of heat‐shock protein‐27 and p38MAPK in macrophage‐rich regions of fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions in the rabbit
Authors: Shafi Shahida , Codrington Rosalind , Gidden Lewis Michael , Ferns Gordon Ashley Anthony
Published: February 2016

We aimed to assess the expression and distribution of Hsp27, pHsp27 (Ser82), p38MAPK and p‐p38MAPK in fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions and the myocardium of hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed a high‐cholesterol diet for 18 weeks, maintaining serum cholesterol at approximately 20 mmol/l over this period. Aortic arch and myocardial tissues were analysed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence. Plasma Hsp27 levels were measured by ELISA. There was a significant increase in the expression of monomeric and dimeric forms of Hsp27, together with pHsp27 (Ser82), p38MAPK and p‐p38MAPK in the fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions (P < 0.01; P < 0.05; P < 0.001; and P < 0.001, respectively) and the myocardial tissues (P < 0.001) from the cholesterol‐fed rabbits compared with equivalent tissues from controls when the plasma concentration was low. Immunohistochemical analysis of the fibro‐fatty lesions showed marked increases in Hsp27 and pHsp27 (Ser82) immunoreactivity. Double immunostaining showed intense expression of pHsp27 and p‐p38MAPK in regions that were rich in macrophages, suggesting a close association with these inflammatory cells, whereas, in regions rich in smooth muscle cells, only p‐p38MAPK was found to be strongly expressed. An increased expression of pHsp27 (Ser82) was spatially associated with increased p‐p38MAPK within fibro‐fatty atherosclerotic lesions and was colocalized to regions rich in macrophages. The initial increase in plasma Hsp27 levels may reflect the increase in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in the early phases of disease. The falling concentrations subsequently may be coincident with the development of the advanced atherosclerotic lesions.
Directed selection of influenza virus produces antigenic variants that match circulating human virus isolates and escape from vaccine‐mediated immune protection
Authors: DeDiego Marta L. , Anderson Christopher S. , Yang Hongmei , Holden‐Wiltse Jeanne , Fitzgerald Theresa , Treanor John. J. , Topham David J.
Published: February 2016

Influenza vaccination does not provide 100% protection from infection, partly due to antigenic drift of the haemagglutinin (HA) protein. Low serum antibody titres increase the risk of infection. To determine whether there were additional correlates of risk, we examined the relationship between human serum immunity and antigenic variation in seasonal H3N2 influenza viruses. Seasonal H3N2 vaccine strains grown in the presence of heterogeneous human or mono‐specific ferret antisera selected variants with mutations in the HA antigenic sites. Surprisingly, circulating strains infecting human subjects in the same seasons displayed mutations in the same positions, although only in one case did the change correspond to the same amino acid. Serum antibody titres were lower against both the in vitro selected and clinical isolates compared with the vaccine strains, suggesting that the mutations are relevant to vaccine failure. Antibody titres were also significantly lower in sera from infected subjects than in non‐infected subjects, suggesting relatively poor responses to vaccination in the infected subjects. Collectively, the data suggest that risk from influenza infection is a result of poor response to vaccination, as well as encounter with drifted seasonal influenza virus antigenic variants. The results also show that directed selection under human immune pressure could reveal antigenic variants relevant to real‐world drifted viruses, helping in annual vaccine re‐formulation.
Relationship Between Maternal Sensitivity During Early Interaction and Maternal Ability in Perceiving Infants' Body and Face
Authors: Montirosso Rosario , Casini Erica , Borgatti Renato , Urgesi Cosimo
Published: February 2016

Maternal sensitivity has been considered an indicator of mother‐infant quality interaction, however little is known about the perception processes associated to this parental behavior style. Here we aimed to explore the relationship between maternal sensitivity during a face‐to‐face interaction with their infants and maternal ability in perceiving infants' body and face. Thirty‐six 6 month‐old infants and their mothers were videotaped during a mother‐infant interaction to identify those with high and low sensitivity. Then, mothers were tested using an inversion effect paradigm requiring the visual discrimination of upright and inverted pictures of whole bodies and faces of their own and unfamiliar infants; this allowed estimation of their configural perceptual processing abilities. Results showed that high‐sensitivity mothers showed reduced body configural processing for others' infants as compared to configural processing of their own infant, whereas low‐sensitivity mothers were engaged in comparable body configural processing independently from infant identity. Infants' face configural processing did not distinguish between high‐ and low‐sensitivity mothers. Our findings suggest that high‐sensitivity mothers have refined their use of configural processing of body postures to be selective for their own infants, suggesting that this visuo‐perceptual strategy makes much more efficient the mothers' ability in detecting, discriminating and recognizing own infant's cues.
Effects of pressure ulcer classification system education programme on knowledge and visual differential diagnostic ability of pressure ulcer classification and incontinence‐associated dermatitis for clinical nurses in Korea
Authors: Lee Yun Jin , Kim Jung Yoon ,   Korean Association of Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses
Published: February 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pressure ulcer classification system education on clinical nurses' knowledge and visual differential diagnostic ability of pressure ulcer (PU) classification and incontinence‐associated dermatitis (IAD). One group pre and post‐test was used. A convenience sample of 407 nurses, participating in PU classification education programme of continuing education, were enrolled. The education programme was composed of a 50‐minute lecture on PU classification and case‐studies. The PU Classification system and IAD knowledge test (PUCS‐KT) and visual differential diagnostic ability tool (VDDAT), consisting of 21 photographs including clinical information were used. Paired t‐test was performed using SPSS/WIN 20.0. The overall mean difference of PUCS‐KT (t = −11·437, P<0·001) and VDDAT (t = −21·113, P<0·001) was significantly increased after PU classification education. Overall understanding of six PU classification and IAD after education programme was increased, but lacked visual differential diagnostic ability regarding Stage III PU, suspected deep tissue injury (SDTI), and Unstageable. Continuous differentiated education based on clinical practice is needed to improve knowledge and visual differential diagnostic ability for PU classification, and comparison experiment study is required to examine effects of education programmes.