bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A biphasic calcium phosphate coating for potential drug delivery affects early osseointegration of titanium implants
Authors: Kämmerer Till A. , Palarie Victor , Schiegnitz Eik , Topalo Valentin , Schröter Andrea , Al‐Nawas Bilal , Kämmerer Peer W.
Published: June 2016

Background

Calcium phosphate (CaP) surface coatings may accelerate osseointegration and serve as a drug delivery system for mineral‐binding biomolecules. In a pilot study, the impact of a commercially available, thin CaP coating on early osseous bone remodeling was compared with a modern, subtractive‐treated rough surface (SLA‐like) in an animal trial.

Methods

In 16 rabbits, 32 endosseous implants (CaP; n = 16, SLA‐like; n = 16) were bilaterally inserted in the proximal tibia after randomization. After 2 and 4 weeks, bone‐implant contact (BIC;%) in the cortical (cBIC) and the trabecular bone (sBIC) as well as volume of bone within the screw thread with the highest amount of new‐formed bone (area;%) were analyzed.

Results

After 2 weeks, cBIC was significantly higher for CaP when compared with SLA‐like (58 ± 7% versus 40.4 ± 18%; P = 0.021). sBIC for CaP was 14.7 ± 8% and for SLA‐like 7.2 ± 7.8% (P = 0.081). For area, the mean volumes were 82.8 ± 10.8% for CaP and 73.6 ± 22% for SLA‐like (P = 0.311). After 4 weeks, cBIC was 42.9 ± 13% for the CaP and 46.5 ± 29.1% for the SLA‐like group (P = 0.775). An sBIC of 6.9 ± 9.3% was calculated for CaP and of 12.3 ± 4.8% for SLA‐like (P = 0.202). The values for area were 62.3 ± 24.1% for CaP and 50.1 ± 25.9% for SLA‐like (P = 0.379).

Conclusions

The CaP coating has putative additional advantages in the early osseoconduction phases. It seems suitable for a feasible and clinical applicable bioactivation.
Happy Now, Tired Later? Extraverted and Conscientious Behavior Are Related to Immediate Mood Gains, but to Later Fatigue
Authors: Leikas Sointu , Ilmarinen Ville‐Juhani
Published: June 2016

Objective

Experience sampling studies on Big Five–related behavior show that people display the whole spectrum of each trait in their daily behavior, and that desirable Big Five states—especially state Extraversion—are related to positive mood. However, other research lines suggest that extraverted and conscientious behavior may be mentally depleting. The present research examined this possibility by extending the time frame of the measured personality processes.

Method

A 12‐day experience sampling study (N = 48; observations = 2,328) measured Big Five states, mood, stress, and fatigue five times a day.

Results

Extraverted and conscientious behavior were concurrently related to positive mood and lower fatigue, but to higher fatigue after a 3‐hour delay. These relations were not moderated by personality traits. The relation between extraverted behavior and delayed fatigue was mediated by the number of people the person had encountered. Whether the person had a goal mediated the relation between conscientious behavior and delayed fatigue.

Conclusion

Extraverted and conscientious behavior predict mental depletion after a 3‐hour delay. The results help reconcile previous findings regarding the consequences of state Extraversion and provide novel information about the consequences of state Conscientiousness.
Polymorphism in promoter region of growth hormone receptor is associated with potential production capacity of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in pre‐pubertal Holstein heifers
Authors: Kawashima C. , Munakata M. , Matsui M. , Miyamoto A. , Kida K. , Shimizu T.
Published: June 2016

Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is one of the important factors for growth, milk production and reproductive functions and mainly released from the liver in response to growth hormone (GH) via GH receptor (GHR) in cattle. Recently, some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the bovine GHR gene. Some GHR‐SNPs were shown to be related to plasma IGF‐1 concentration in cattle. Hence, the capacity to IGF‐1 production in the liver might be affected by GHR‐SNP and associated with performance in the future. This study examined whether GHR‐SNP is associated with IGF‐1 production in the liver of pre‐pubertal heifers. In 71 Holstein calves, blood samples for genomic DNA extraction were obtained immediately after birth. To genotype the GHR‐SNPs in the promoter region, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested with restriction enzyme NsiI (cutting sites: AA, AG and GG). All heifers at 4 months of age were intramuscularly injected with 0.4 mg oestradiol benzoate. Blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein just before (0 h) and 24 h after injection. The number of AA, AG and GG at the NsiI site was 0, 17 and 54 respectively. In AG and GG, plasma GH concentrations were higher pre‐injection than 24 h post‐injection (p < 0.01). Moreover, plasma GH concentrations in AG post‐injection were higher than in GG (p < 0.05). In contrast, the GG genotype exhibited higher plasma IGF‐1 concentrations in pre‐injection than post‐injection (p < 0.01), although oestradiol did not change IGF‐1 concentration in the AG genotype. We conclude that the GG polymorphism in the promoter region of GHR is associated with a higher potential capacity of IGF‐1 production in the liver of cattle.
Lack of glucuronidation products of trans‐resveratrol in plasma and urine of cats
Authors: Burnett K. , Puschner B. , Ramsey J. J. , Lin Y. , Wei A. , Fascetti A. J.
Published: June 2016

Resveratrol has generated interest in cats due to reported health benefits. Cats have low activity of β‐glucuronidase, and we hypothesized they could not form two common resveratrol metabolites, resveratrol‐3‐O‐glucuronide and resveratrol‐4′‐O‐glucuronide. Resveratrol, 3 mg/cat/day, was given orally to intact male (n = 5) and female cats (n = 5) for 4 weeks. A control group (8 intact males) was used for comparison. Plasma and urine were collected weekly and analysed using high‐pressure liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Resveratrol and resveratrol‐3‐O‐sulphate, but no glucuronide metabolites, were detected in plasma and urine. Median (range 10–90th percentile) plasma resveratrol for control and treatment groups was 0.46 ng/ml (0.02–1.74 ng/ml) and 0.96 ng/ml (0.65–3.21 ng/ml). Median (range) plasma resveratrol‐3‐O‐sulphate for control and treatment groups was 6.32 ng/ml (2.55–10.29 ng/ml) and 11.45 ng/ml (1.47–53.29 ng/ml). Plasma resveratrol differed from control in week 4, while plasma resveratrol‐3‐O‐sulphate was different in all weeks (p < 0.05). Median (range) urine resveratrol for control and treatment groups was 0.28 ng/ml (0.05–1.59 ng/ml) and 19.98 ng/ml (8.44–87.54 ng/ml). Median (range) urine resveratrol‐3‐O‐sulphate for control and treatment groups was 26.71 ng/ml (10.50–75.58 ng/ml) and 108.69 ng/ml (11.83–231.05 ng/ml). All time points for urine resveratrol and resveratrol‐3‐O‐sulphate were significantly different from control (p < 0.05), except for weeks 1, 3 and 4 for resveratrol. The results support our hypothesis that cats are unlikely able to glucuronidate resveratrol, most likely due to a reduction in the activity of β‐glucuronidase.
Effects of different levels of sanguinarine on antioxidant indices, immunological responses, ileal microbial counts and jejunal morphology of laying hens fed diets with different levels of crude protein
Authors: Bavarsadi M. , Mahdavi A. H. , Ansari‐Mahyari S. , Jahanian E.
Published: June 2016

This study was carried out to assess the effects of different levels of sanguinarine on antioxidant indices, immunological responses, serum biochemical parameters, ileal microbial counts and jejunal morphology of laying hens fed on diets with different levels of crude protein (CP). A total of 180 laying hens were subjected into nine dietary treatments with four cages of five birds each. Experimental treatments consisted of three levels of CP (85.0, 92.5 and 100% of Hy‐Line W36 manual recommendation) and three levels of sanguinarine (0.00, 3.75 and 7.50 mg/kg) as a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of laying hens which fed during a 70‐day feeding trial. The in vitro study showed that sanguinarine exhibited sevenfold and threefold decreased antioxidant activities to inhibit 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picric hydrazyl free radical as well as ferric ion reducing rather than butylated hydroxyl toluene. Although using the decremental levels of CP caused the increase in heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.01), dietary administration of sanguinarine could suppress the serum cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentrations as well as heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.05). Additionally, decreasing CP content resulted in the decreased percentage of albumin (p < 0.05); however, it had no negative effects on humoral immunity. Nonetheless, feeding of at least 3.75 mg/kg sanguinarine led to the remarkable increases in serum gamma globulin concentration (p < 0.01) and secondary (p < 0.05) antibody titres against sheep red blood cells. Moreover, a decline in dietary CP content led to higher villi height and crypt depth (p < 0.05; p < 0.001) and consequently decreased villi height‐to‐crypt depth ratio (p < 0.001) than the optimum level (100% CP). In spite of the effects of sanguinarine on the suppression of Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts (p < 0.05), it markedly enhanced villi height‐to‐crypt depth ratio as well as lamina propria lymphatic follicles extent, simultaneously (p < 0.001). Therefore, in spite of the detrimental effects of feeding low‐CP diets on lymphocytes and serum albumin percentages, and villi height‐to‐crypt depth ratio, the administration of incremental levels of sanguinarine could improve cellular and humoral immunity, decrease ileal microbial counts and in turn improve the intestinal health indices in laying hens.
Effect of pre‐ and post‐partum supplementation with lipid‐encapsulated conjugated linoleic acid on milk yield and metabolic status in multiparous high‐producing dairy cows
Authors: Galamb E. , Faigl V. , Keresztes M. , Csillik Z. , Tröscher A. , Elek P. , Kulcsár M. , Huszenicza G. , Fébel H. , Husvéth F.
Published: June 2016

We evaluated the lactation performance, liver lipid content and plasma metabolites indicating the energy balance of dairy cows supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) pre‐ and post‐partum (PP) vs. only PP. A total of 60 cows were divided into three groups (n = 20). Daily diet of cows was supplemented with 14 g of CLA (7 g cis‐9, trans‐11 and 7 g trans‐10, cis‐12 isomers) from week 3 before the expected date of calving (group CLA1), or from the day of calving (group CLA2) until 77–91 days PP. Control cows were fed an isocaloric, isonitrogenous and isolipidic diet without CLA. Between week 3 and week 6 PP, the milk yield of cows in both CLA‐treated groups was approximately 4.5 kg higher (p < 0.05) than in control. Milk fat concentrations decreased from week 3 and were lower in both CLA groups than in control (p < 0.01). Body condition score loss was lower (p < 0.05) in the CLA1 than in the control group on week 5 PP. By week 11 PP, the body condition of both CLA1 and CLA2 groups exceeded that of control. Plasma non‐esterified fatty acid was lower in CLA1 compared to CLA2 and control during the early PP period (p < 0.05), while this difference faded away by the late PP period. Beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) increased rapidly in all groups following calving. In CLA1 group, it began to decrease sooner than in CLA2 and control. The prevalence of subclinical ketosis (BHBA > 1.2 mm) was lower in CLA1 group than in CLA2 and control (p < 0.05). Liver biopsy analyses showed that CLA1 treatment decreased (p < 0.05) the total lipid content of liver compared to control at week 5 after calving. Our results show that CLA supplementation is more efficient in alleviating body mass mobilization and decreasing the incidence of subclinical ketosis when applied as early as 3 weeks before calving than started feeding after calving.
Asterionellopsis tropicalis(Bacillariophyceae): a new tropical species found in diatom accumulations
Authors: Franco Andréa de Oliveira da Rocha , They Ng Haig , Canani Luis Gustavo de Castro , Maggioni Rodrigo , Odebrecht Clarisse
Published: June 2016

The diatomAsterionellopsis glacialissensu lato forms high‐density patches in the surf zone of some sandy beaches worldwide and was until recently considered a cosmopolitan species. With the recent description of four cryptic species, the identity of specimens found in these accumulations remains uncertain. In this study, diatom patches were sampled from two sandy beaches of the Brazilian coast: one tropical (Futuro Beach, 3° S; 38° W) and one subtropical (Cassino Beach, 32° S; 52° W). Fine structure of frustules and the sequencing of three phylogenetic markers revealed the subtropical strains to beA. guyunusaeand the tropical strains to be a new species, here described asAsterionellopsis tropicalissp. nov.A. tropicaliswas differentiated morphologically by the number of striae in 10 μm at the foot pole and head (39–44; 38–45, respectively), fromA. lenisilicea(46–55; 46–64),A. maritima (46–51; 46–60), andA. thurstonii(42–58; 55–70). The number of striae at the head region of the valvocopula (10 μm) helped to distinguishA. tropicalis(56–62) fromA. guyunusae(61–64), butA. tropicaliswas morphologically undistinguishable fromA. glacialis. The sequence divergence from other identifiedAsterionellopsisspecies was 13%–16% (Cox1), 11%–12% (5.8S +ITS2) and 2%–6% (RbcL), andA. tropicalisformed a distinct monophyletic clade with high support in all analyzed phylogenetic trees (single or multi‐locus). This work will aid in the understanding of the ecological and physiological diversity of diatom patches that are key to the trophic webs of sandy beaches.
Risk Factors for In‐Hospital Mortality in Heart Failure Patients: Does Rurality, Payer or Admission Source Matter?
Authors: Nayar Preethy , Yu Fang , Chandak Aastha , Kan Ge Lin , Lowes Brian , Apenteng Bettye A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Considering the high prevalence of heart failure and the economic burden of the disease, factors that influence in‐hospital mortality are of importance in improving outcomes of care for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of in‐hospital mortality for adult heart failure patients.

Methods

The study design is a retrospective observational study design using the 2010 Nebraska Hospital Discharge data set including 4,319 hospitalizations for 3,521 heart failure patients admitted to 79 hospitals in Nebraska. Hierarchical logistic regression models including patient‐ and hospital‐specific random intercepts were analyzed. Covariates included in the analysis were patient age in years, gender, comorbidity status, length of stay, primary payer, type and source of admission, transfers, and rurality of county of residence.

Results

Overall, 3.5% of heart failure patients died during their hospital stay. In logistic regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities, the odds of dying in hospital for heart failure patients increased with age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.04), co‐morbidity (OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.05‐1.25) and length of stay (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.05). The patient's gender, payer source, rurality of county of residence, source, and type of admission were not risk factors for in‐hospital death.

Conclusion

Increasing age, comorbidity and length of stay were risk factors for in‐hospital death for heart failure. An understanding of the risk factors for in‐hospital death is critical to improving outcomes of care for heart failure patients.
Hepatitis C virus dynamics and cellular gene expression in uPA‐SCID chimeric mice with humanized livers during intravenous silibinin monotherapy
Authors: DebRoy S. , Hiraga N. , Imamura M. , Hayes C. N. , Akamatsu S. , Canini L. , Perelson A. S. , Pohl R. T. , Persiani S. , Uprichard S. L. , Tateno C. , Dahari H. , Chayama K.
Published: June 2016

Legalon SIL (SIL) is a chemically hydrophilized version of silibinin, an extract of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds that has exhibited hepatoprotective and antiviral effectiveness against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients leading to viral clearance in combination with ribavirin. To elucidate the incompletely understood mode of action of SIL against HCV, mathematical modelling of HCV kinetics and human hepatocyte gene expression studies were performed in uPA‐SCID‐chimeric mice with humanized livers. Chronically HCV‐infected mice (n = 15) were treated for 14 days with daily intravenous SIL at 469, 265 or 61.5 mg/kg. Serum HCV and human albumin (hAlb) were measured frequently, and liver HCV RNA was analysed at days 3 and 14. Microarray analysis of human hepatocyte gene expression was performed at days 0, 3 and 14 of treatment. While hAlb remained constant, a biphasic viral decline in serum was observed consisting of a rapid 1st phase followed by a second slower phase (or plateau with the two lower SIL dosings). SIL effectiveness in blocking viral production was similar among dosing groups (median ε = 77%). However, the rate of HCV‐infected hepatocyte decline, δ, was dose‐dependent. Intracellular HCV RNA levels correlated (r = 0.66, P = 0.01) with serum HCV RNA. Pathway analysis revealed increased anti‐inflammatory and antiproliferative gene expression in human hepatocytes in SIL‐treated mice. The results suggest that SIL could lead to a continuous second‐phase viral decline, that is potentially viral clearance, in the absence of adaptive immune response along with increased anti‐inflammatory and antiproliferative gene expression in human hepatocytes.
Efficacy of Inhaled Levalbuterol Compared to Albuterol in Horses with Recurrent Airway Obstruction
Authors: Arroyo M.G. , Couëtil L.L. , Nogradi N. , Kamarudin M.M. , Ivester K.M.
Published: June 2016

Background

The (R)‐enantiomer of racemic albuterol (levalbuterol) has bronchodilatory properties whereas the (S)‐enantiomer causes adverse effects in human airways, animal models, and isolated equine bronchi. Levalbuterol is commercially available and improves pulmonary function of asthmatic patients with a longer duration of effect than albuterol.

Objective

To determine the dose at which inhaled levalbuterol produces maximal bronchodilatory effect (EDmax) and determine its duration of action in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)‐affected horses in comparison to racemic albuterol.

Animals

Nine horses with inducible and reversibleRAO.

Methods

Randomized, crossover trial. Horses were challenged with moldy hay to induce airway obstruction. Horses were treated with nebulized albuterol or levalbuterol chosen randomly. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) was measured before and for up to 3 hours after bronchodilatation challenge. Maximum change in transpulmonary pressure (DPmax) was measured to assess the dose effect and duration of action of each drug. After a 24 hours washout period, the bronchodilatation challenge was repeated with the second bronchodilator.

Results

The duration of effect was 60 minutes for albuterol and 120 minutes for levalbuterol. The dose of bronchodilatorEDmax was not significantly different between albuterol and levalbuterol (EDmax = 125.0 [125–125 μg] andEDmax = 188 [125–188 μg] respectively;P= .068). The magnitude of bronchodilatation was not significantly different between the 2 treatments (61.1 and 59.9% decrease inDPmaxfor albuterol and levalbuterol respectively;P= .86).

Conclusions and clinical importance

Levalbuterol is as effective a bronchodilator as albuterol; although levalbuterol lasts twice as long as albuterol, its duration of action is still too short to make it practical forRAOtreatment.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: cause or consequence of type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Valenti Luca , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Pajvani Utpal , Targher Giovanni
Published: June 2016

Growing epidemiological evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an early predictor of and determinant for the development of type 2 diabetes and other features of the metabolic syndrome. This finding may have important clinical implications for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes and its chronic complications. However, given the complex and bi‐directional relationships between NAFLD, insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycaemia, it is extremely difficult to distinguish whether NAFLD is a cause or a consequence of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Indeed, at the molecular level, hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic glucose production depend on differentially regulated branches of the insulin signalling pathway. Furthermore, genetic studies suggest that excess hepatic fat is associated with progressive liver disease, but does not always increase the risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Here, we will briefly review the epidemiological, pathophysiological and molecular evidence linking NAFLD to the development of type 2 diabetes. We will also discuss some recent genetic and therapeutic advances that seem to challenge a causal role of NAFLD in the pathogenesis type 2 diabetes, and propose a working hypothesis to explain this apparent conundrum. In conclusion, progressive liver disease and type 2 diabetes are divergent though inter‐related consequences of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome.
Does bariatric surgery improve adipose tissue function?
Authors: Frikke‐Schmidt H. , O'Rourke R. W. , Lumeng C. N. , Sandoval D. A. , Seeley R. J.
Published: June 2016

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment for obesity. Not only do these types of surgeries produce significant weight loss but also they improve insulin sensitivity and whole body metabolic function. The aim of this review is to explore how altered physiology of adipose tissue may contribute to the potent metabolic effects of some of these procedures. This includes specific effects on various fat depots, the function of individual adipocytes and the interaction between adipose tissue and other key metabolic tissues. Besides a dramatic loss of fat mass, bariatric surgery shifts the distribution of fat from visceral to the subcutaneous compartment favoring metabolic improvement. The sensitivity towards lipolysis controlled by insulin and catecholamines is improved, adipokine secretion is altered and local adipose inflammation as well as systemic inflammatory markers decreases. Some of these changes have been shown to be weight loss independent, and novel hypothesis for these effects includes include changes in bile acid metabolism, gut microbiota and central regulation of metabolism. In conclusion bariatric surgery is capable of improving aspects of adipose tissue function and do so in some cases in ways that are not entirely explained by the potent effect of surgery. © 2016 World Obesity
Rapid assessment of salivary MMP‐8 and periodontal disease using lateral flow immunoassay
Authors: Johnson N , Ebersole JL , Kryscio RJ , Danaher RJ , Dawson D , Al‐Sabbagh M , Miller CS
Published: June 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a novel point‐of‐care immunoflow device (POCID) for detecting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 concentrations in oral fluids in comparison with a gold standard laboratory‐based immunoassay.

Methods

Oral rinse fluid and whole expectorated saliva samples were collected from 41 participants clinically classified as periodontally healthy or diseased. Samples were analyzed for MMP‐8 by Luminex immunoassay and POCID. Photographed POCID results were assessed by optical scan and visually by two examiners. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation and receiver‐operating characteristics.

Results

MMP‐8 was readily detected by the POCID, and concentrations correlated well with Luminex for both saliva and rinse fluids (r = 0.57–0.93). Thresholds that distinguished periodontitis from health were delineated from both the optical scans and visual reads of the POCID (sensitivity: 0.7–0.9, specificity: 0.5–0.7; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Performance of this POCID for detecting MMP‐8 in oral rinse fluid or saliva was excellent. These findings help demonstrate the utility of salivary biomarkers for distinguishing periodontal disease from health using a rapid point‐of‐care approach.
High‐dose phenobarbital with intermittent short‐acting barbiturates for acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures
Authors: Uchida Takashi , Takayanagi Masaru , Kitamura Taro , Nishio Toshiyuki , Numata Yurika , Endo Wakaba , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Ohura Toshihiro
Published: June 2016

Acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS) is characterized by repetitive seizures during the acute and chronic phases and has a poor neurological outcome. Burst‐suppression coma via continuous i.v. infusion of a short‐acting barbiturate is used to terminate refractory seizures, but the severe side‐effects of short‐acting barbiturates are problematic. We report on a 9‐year‐old boy with AERRPS who was effectively treated with very‐high‐dose phenobarbital (VHDPB) combined with intermittent short‐acting barbiturates. VHDPB side‐effects were mild, especially compared with those associated with continuous i.v. infusion of short‐acting barbiturates (dosage, 40–75 mg/kg/day; maximum blood level, 290 μg/mL). Using VHDPB as the main treatment, short‐acting barbiturates were used intermittently and in small amounts. This is the first report to show that VHDPB, combined with intermittent short‐acting barbiturates, can effectively treat AERRPS. After treatment, convulsions were suppressed and daily life continued, but intellectual impairment and high‐level dysfunction remained.
Comparing longevity of Pseudacteon species of different sizes: effect of sugar feeding
Authors: Ajayi Olufemi S. , Fadamiro Henry Y.
Published: June 2016

Sugar feeding is known to enhance lifespan in many parasitoid species. Several species of phorid flies in the genus Pseudacteon (Diptera: Phoridae) have been introduced in the Southern U.S.A. for the biological control of imported fire ants of Solenopsis species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pseudacteon species are short‐lived flies and little is known about their nutritional ecology. Results from previous studies in our laboratory show that one of the introduced species, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, is capable of feeding on sugar sources with a significant increase in lifespan. However, in Pseudacteon phorid flies, the degree to which sugar feeding can enhance the lifespan of other species is not clear, nor is it known whether there is a relationship between body size and longevity. In the present study, the effect of sugar feeding on the survival of three phorid fly species of different body sizes, Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier and Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier, is investigated. For all three species, flies continuously provided with 40% or 20% sucrose solution live longer than individuals provided water only or 40% sucrose solution only on the first day of adult life. However, the degree to which sugar feeding enhanced longevity varies by species and is highest for P. obtusus. The data also indicate that longevity in Pseudacteon phorid flies is related to body size: the largest species (P. obtusus) lives significantly longer than the smaller species (P. cultellatus and P. curvatus). These results suggest that adults of all three Pseudacteon species are capable of feeding on sucrose solution and that sugar feeding can enhance their longevity. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the field performance of Pseudacteon phorid flies as biological control agents of imported fire ants.
Red Light Treatment in an Axotomy Model of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Beirne Kathy , Rozanowska Malgorzata , Votruba Marcela
Published: June 2016

Red light has been shown to provide neuroprotective effects. Axotomizing the optic nerve initiates retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration, and an early marker of this is dendritic pruning. We hypothesized that 670 nm light can delay axotomy‐induced dendritic pruning in the retinal explant. To test this hypothesis, we monitored the effects of 670 nm light (radiant exposure of 31.7 J cm−2), on RGC dendritic pruning in retinal explants from C57BL/6J mice, at 40 min, 8 h and 16 h post axotomy. For sham‐treated retinae, area under the Sholl curve, peak of the Sholl curve and dendritic length at 8 h post axotomy showed statistically significant reductions by 42.3% (P = 0.008), 29.8% (P = 0.007) and 38.4% (P = 0.038), respectively, which were further reduced after 16 h by 40.56% (P < 0.008), 33.9% (P < 0.007), 45.43% (P < 0.006), respectively. Dendritic field area was also significantly reduced after 16 h, by 44.23% (P < 0.019). Such statistically significant reductions were not seen in light‐treated RGCs at 8 or 16 h post axotomy. The results demonstrate the ability of 670 nm light to partially prevent ex vivo dendropathy in the mouse retina, suggesting that it is worth exploring as a treatment option for dendropathy‐associated neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma and Alzheimer's disease.
Gating of the two‐pore cation channel AtTPC1 in the plant vacuole is based on a single voltage‐sensing domain
Authors: Jaślan D. , Mueller T. D. , Becker D. , Schultz J. , Cuin T. A. , Marten I. , Dreyer I. , Schönknecht G. , Hedrich R.
Published: June 2016

The two‐pore cation channel TPC1 operates as a dimeric channel in animal and plant endomembranes. Each subunit consists of two homologous Shaker‐like halves, with 12 transmembrane domains in total (S1‐S6, S7‐S12). In plants, TPC1 channels reside in the vacuolar membrane, and upon voltage stimulation, give rise to the well‐known slow‐activating SV currents.

Here, we combined bioinformatics, structure modelling, site‐directed mutagenesis, and in planta patch clamp studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of voltage‐dependent channel gating in TPC1 in its native plant background.

Structure‐function analysis of the Arabidopsis TPC1 channel in planta confirmed that helix S10 operates as the major voltage‐sensing site, with Glu450 and Glu478 identified as possible ion‐pair partners for voltage‐sensing Arg537. The contribution of helix S4 to voltage sensing was found to be negligible. Several conserved negative residues on the luminal site contribute to calcium binding, stabilizing the closed channel.

During evolution of plant TPC1s from two separate Shaker‐like domains, the voltage‐sensing function in the N‐terminal Shaker‐unit (S1‐S4) vanished.
Maternal and Neonatal Markers of the Homocysteine Pathway and Fetal Growth: The Generation R Study
Authors: Bergen Nienke E. , Schalekamp‐Timmermans Sarah , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Hofman Albert , Lindemans Jan , Russcher Henk , Tiemeier Henning , Steegers‐Theunissen Régine P. M. , Steegers Eric A.P.
Published: June 2016

Background

Suboptimal dietary intake during pregnancy may have long‐term health implications in children. These effects may be mediated by fetal growth. We investigated the associations of early pregnancy and umbilical cord total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and total and active vitamin B12 concentrations with fetal growth parameters repeatedly measured in pregnancy and at birth.

Methods

This study was performed in 5890 pregnant women, participating in a population‐based prospective cohort study. Blood samples were obtained from women in early pregnancy and from the umbilical vein at delivery. Fetal size parameters were repeatedly measured by ultrasound. Information about birth anthropometrics was retrieved from medical records.

Results

High early pregnancy maternal tHcy (≥8.31 μmol/L), as compared with low maternal homocysteine (≤5.80 μmol/L), and low early pregnancy maternal folate (≤9.10 nmol/L), as compared with high maternal folate (≥25.81 nmol/L) concentrations, were associated with reduced weight growth patterns throughout pregnancy, resulting in birthweight differences of −102.3 g (95% CI −139.6, −65.0) and −113.0 g (95% CI −159.6, −66.3), respectively. Low umbilical cord folate concentrations (≤15.20 nmol/L) as compared with high umbilical cord folate concentrations (≥28.41 nmol/L) were also associated with a lower birthweight and birth length (P < 0.001). Interestingly, compared with higher umbilical cord vitamin B12, lower vitamin B12 concentrations were associated with a higher weight, length, and head circumference at birth (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Early pregnancy maternal and umbilical cord markers of the homocysteine pathway are significantly associated with fetal growth patterns. These differences arise from mid‐pregnancy onwards.
Comparing the validity of informant and self‐reports of personality using laboratory indices of emotional responding as criterion variables
Authors: Lieberman Lynne , Liu Huiting , Huggins Ashley A. , Katz Andrea C. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Shankman Stewart A.
Published: June 2016

Personality traits relate to risk for psychopathology and can inform predictions about treatment outcome. In an effort to obtain a comprehensive index of personality, informant reports of personality are sometimes obtained in addition to self‐reports of personality. However, there is limited research comparing the validity of self‐ and informant reports of personality, particularly among those with internalizing psychopathology. This is important given that informants may provide an additional (and perhaps different) perspective on individuals’ personality. The present study therefore compared how both reports of positive affectivity (PA) and negative affectivity (NA) relate to psychophysiological and subjective measures of emotional responding to positive and negative stimuli. Given that our sample (n = 117) included individuals with no history of psychopathology, as well as individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and/or panic disorder (PD), we were also able to explore whether these internalizing diagnoses moderated the association between personality reports and measures of emotional responding. Informant‐reported PA predicted physiological responses to positive stimuli (but not negative). Informant‐reported NA predicted physiological responses to negative stimuli (but not positive). Self‐reported personality did not predict physiological responding, but did predict subjectively measured emotional responding (NA for negative responding, PA for positive responding). Diagnoses of internalizing psychopathology (PD or MDD) did not moderate these associations. Results suggest self‐ and informant reports of personality may each provide valid indices of an individual's emotional response tendencies, but predict different aspects of those tendencies.
Optimal Licensing Policy under Vertical Product Differentiation
Authors: Nguyen Xuan , Sgro Pasquale , Nabin Munirul
Published: June 2016

This paper explores a vertical product differentiation model with a licensing arrangement between a multinational firm with superior technology and a domestic firm with obsolete technology. We find that a subsidy provided by the domestic country's government to the domestic firm to assist with the licensing arrangement is welfare enhancing for the domestic country. Furthermore, both the multinational firm and the domestic country are better off under royalty than under fixed fee licensing. These findings stand in contrast to earlier results in the literature.
Who Framed Climate Change? Identifying the How and Why of Iowa Corn Farmers’ Framing of Climate Change
Authors: Houser Matthew
Published: June 2016

Agricultural production systems both contribute to and are threatened by climate change. Farmers could reduce agriculture's contributions and vulnerability to climate change by adopting mitigation and adaption practices. A growing number of studies have begun to examine developed countries farmers’ beliefs related to climate change and how they affect farmers’ support for adopting these practices. To build on this work, this analysis uses qualitative data from 53 Iowa corn farmers to offer a nuanced depiction of the farmers’ perception of non‐anthropogenic climate change. Goffman's concept of framing, with contributions from more recent social movement scholarship, is used to reveal how farmers are constructing climate change as largely a result of inevitable ‘natural cycles’, the effect this has on their support for mitigation and adaptation and to explore why this particular framing resonates with them.
The Integration of ‘Bottom‐up’ Approaches to the Analysis of Race Talk for the Future of Discourse Analytic Research
Authors: Perkins Krystal M.
Published: June 2016

Current understandings of racism and race talk within discourse analytic traditions have largely focused on the discursive construction and perpetuation of dominance, prejudice, and racism within majority and privileged groups. Although minorities are often the objects of these studies, these research traditions have not extensively studied the language of race talk in minority groups. This article aims to integrate ‘bottom‐up’ approaches of minority and marginalized groups' discourses to discursive psychological and critical discourse analysis theory and research on race talk. The paper begins with a short review of the current discourse analytic frameworks utilized in the analysis of race talk. Next, the paper outlines several ‘bottom‐up’ research examples and concludes by offering several important insights. It is argued that the absence of minority discourses runs the danger of reproducing and reinforcing the very things discourse analysis aims to uncover and problematize. The main conclusion of this paper is that the insights from the ‘bottom‐up’ point to the necessity of broader theorizing around the discursive construction of race talk.
Estimation of sweat rates during cycling exercise by means of the closed chamber condenser technology
Authors: Clarys P. , Clijsen R. , Barel A. O. , Schouteden R. , van Olst B. , Aerenhouts D.
Published: June 2016

Background/aim

Knowledge of local sweating patterns is of importance in occupational and exercise physiology settings. The recently developed closed chamber condenser technology (Biox Aquaflux®) allows the measurement of evaporative skin water loss with a greater measurement capacity (up to 1325 g/h/m2) compared to traditional evaporimeters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the Biox Aquaflux® to estimate sweat production during exercise.

Methods

Fourteen healthy subjects performed a 20‐min cycle ergometer trial at respectively 55% heart rate (HRreserve and 75% HRreserve. Sweat production was estimated by measuring body weight before and after exercise, by calculating the amount of sweat collected in a patch, and by measuring the water flux (in g/h/m2) with the Biox Aquaflux® instrument.

Results

The Biox Aquaflux® instrument allowed the follow up of sweat kinetics at both intensities. Correlations between the measurement methods were all significant for the 75% HRreserve trial (with r ranging from 0.68 to 0.76) whilst for the 55% HRreserve a significant relation was detected between the patch method and the Biox Aquaflux® only (with r ranging from 0.41 to 0.79).

Conclusion

The Biox Aquaflux® instrument is a practical and direct method for the estimation of local sweat rates under field conditions.
The effect of missing KIR ligands, activating KIR genotype and haplotype on the outcome of T‐cell‐replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from HLA‐identical siblings in Thai patients
Authors: Khanuntong S. , Kuptawintu P. , Upaisilpsathaporn K. , Poolchareon A. , Bunworasate U. , Hirankarn N.
Published: June 2016

This study was a retrospective analysis of Thai patients undergoing T‐replete hematopoietic stem cell transplant from human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐identical sibling donors. We investigated 66 patients, including 40 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 12 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 14 patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) genes and HLA ligands were typed by polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific oligonucleotide probes. We analyzed the effect of the number of missing KIR ligands (Bw4, C1 and C2) on clinical outcomes. A beneficial effect of missing KIR ligand was not observed in both univariate and multivariate analysis. When we analyzed the effect of specific missing KIR ligand on clinical outcomes, there was a trend that patients with missing A11 ligand had lower relapse rate (P = 0.076). Therefore, we also conducted the analysis by including the group with missing KIR ligands of Bw4, C1, C2 and A11. Patients with two or more than two missing KIR ligands had a trend for better clinical outcome including reduced relapse (P = 055) and statistically significant in terms of reduced acute graft‐vs‐host disease (aGVHD) rate (P = 0.013). In multivariate analysis, patients with two or more than two missing KIR ligands had a statistically significant better clinical outcome in terms of reduced aGVHD rate (HR = 0.155, 95%CI = 0.040–0.605, P = 0.007). The association between clinical outcome with KIR haplotypes, centromeric B haplotype and activating KIR was not observed here. Although the sample size in this study is rather limited, these data can later be subjected to meta‐analysis to help reach the conclusion of the usefulness of this additional promising KIR genotyping in various hematopoietic stem cell transplantation types.
Late Miocene increasing exhumation rates in the eastern part of the Alps – implications from low temperature thermochronology
Authors: Wölfler Andreas , Kurz Walter , Fritz Harald , Glotzbach Christoph , Danišík Martin
Published: June 2016

A new set of apatite fission‐track and apatite (U–Th)/He data reveals a hitherto undated late Miocene exhumation pulse in the eastern part of the Eastern Alps. While distinct parts of the study area, including the Seckauer Tauern, have been at near surface conditions (<100 °C) since the Eocene, the neighbouring Niedere Tauern experienced enhanced cooling and exhumation in the middle Miocene and again at the late Miocene/Pliocene boundary. Middle Miocene exhumation is interpreted as a result of tectonic escape and convergence that operated simultaneously during lateral extrusion of the Eastern Alps. As the higher late Miocene/Pliocene exhumation rates are restricted to a single tectonic block, namely the Niedere Tauern, we infer a tectonic trigger that is probably related to a change in the external stress field that affected the Alps during this time.
Theorising suburban infrastructure: a framework for critical and comparative analysis
Authors: Addie Jean‐Paul D
Published: June 2016

Suburban infrastructure holds a position of increasing geographic, political and conceptual importance in a rapidly urbanising world. However, the analytical significance of ‘suburban infrastructure’ risks becoming bogged down as a chaotic concept amid the maelstrom of contemporary peripheral urban growth and the explosion of interest in infrastructure in critical urban studies. This paper develops an open and flexible comparative theory of suburban infrastructure. I eschew concerns with definitional bounding to focus analytical attention on the relations between ‘the suburban’ (broadly considered) and multiple hard and soft infrastructures. These relations are captured in two ‘three‐dimensional’ dialectical triads: the first unpacks the modalities of infrastructure in, for and of suburbs; the second discloses the political economic processes (suburbanisation), lived experience (suburbanism) and dynamics of mediation internalised by particular suburban infrastructures. Bringing these conceptual frames together constructs a nine‐cell matrix that: (1) functions as a heuristic device providing conceptual clarity when discussing the suburbanity of infrastructures; (2) promotes comparative analysis across diverse global suburban contexts; and (3) develops tools to foreground the dialectical relations internalised in the concrete sociospatial modalities of suburban infrastructure. The paper shows that suburban infrastructure can only ever be partially suburban as a result of its co‐constituted and over‐determined production. I conclude by suggesting how the proposed approach may be mobilised to reimagine and reclaim suburban infrastructure as a crucial context and vital mechanism underpinning a progressive polycentric suburban spatial polity.
Passive heat therapy improves endothelial function, arterial stiffness and blood pressure in sedentary humans
Authors: Brunt Vienna E. , Howard Matthew J. , Francisco Michael A. , Ely Brett R. , Minson Christopher T.
Published: June 2016

Key points

A recent 30 year prospective study showed that lifelong sauna use reduces cardiovascular‐related and all‐cause mortality; however, the specific cardiovascular adaptations that cause this chronic protection are currently unknown.

We investigated the effects of 8 weeks of repeated hot water immersion (‘heat therapy’) on various biomarkers of cardiovascular health in young, sedentary humans.

We showed that, relative to a sham group which participated in thermoneutral water immersion, heat therapy increased flow‐mediated dilatation, reduced arterial stiffness, reduced mean arterial and diastolic blood pressure, and reduced carotid intima media thickness, with changes all on par or greater than what is typically observed in sedentary subjects with exercise training.

Our results show for the first time that heat therapy has widespread and robust effects on vascular function, and as such, could be a viable treatment option for improving cardiovascular health in a variety of patient populations, particularly those with limited exercise tolerance and/or capabilities.

The majority of cardiovascular diseases are characterized by disorders of the arteries, predominantly caused by endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffening. Intermittent hot water immersion (‘heat therapy’) results in elevations in core temperature and changes in cardiovascular haemodynamics, such as cardiac output and vascular shear stress, that are similar to exercise, and thus may provide an alternative means of improving health which could be utilized by patients with low exercise tolerance and/or capabilities. We sought to comprehensively assess the effects of 8 weeks of heat therapy on biomarkers of vascular function in young, sedentary subjects. Twenty young, sedentary subjects were assigned to participate in 8 weeks (4–5 times per week) of heat therapy (n = 10; immersion in a 40.5°C bath sufficient to maintain rectal temperature ≥ 38.5°C for 60 min per session) or thermoneutral water immersion (n = 10; sham). Eight weeks of heat therapy increased flow‐mediated dilatation from 5.6 ± 0.3 to 10.9 ± 1.0% (P < 0.01) and superficial femoral dynamic arterial compliance from 0.06 ± 0.01 to 0.09 ±0.01 mm2 mmHg−1 (P = 0.03), and reduced (i.e. improved) aortic pulse wave velocity from 7.1 ± 0.3 to 6.1 ± 0.3 m s−1 (P = 0.03), carotid intima media thickness from 0.43 ± 0.01 to 0.37 ± 0.01 mm (P < 0.001), and mean arterial blood pressure from 83 ± 1 to 78 ± 2 mmHg (P = 0.02). No changes were observed in the sham group or for carotid arterial compliance, superficial femoral intima media thickness or endothelium‐independent dilatation. Heat therapy improved endothelium‐dependent dilatation, arterial stiffness, intima media thickness and blood pressure, indicating improved cardiovascular health. These data suggest heat therapy may provide a simple and effective tool for improving cardiovascular health in various populations.