bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of 68Ga prostate specific membrane antigen – positron emission tomography in diagnosis and response assessment of recurrent renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Siva Shankar , Callahan Jason , Pryor David , Martin Jarad , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Hofman Michael S
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) is an emerging imaging modality in prostate cancer. However, 68Ga‐PSMA‐PET may also have diagnostic utility in the setting of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We investigate the differential role of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and PSMA‐PET/CT scanning in patients with oligometastatic RCC. In particular, we focus on the utility of PSMA‐PET for diagnostic evaluation of isolated or limited metastases planned for local surgery or radiation, as well as the potential utility of PSMA‐PET for therapeutic response assessment in patients receiving stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR).

Methods

We present a retrospective series of eight patients in which comparative imaging modalities are evaluated against PSMA‐PET scanning. FDG‐PET and PSMA‐PET scans were performed prior to definitive treatment (either surgery or SABR) of limited recurrent disease. Response assessment after SABR was performed with both PET imaging modalities at multiple time points in a subset of four patients.

Results

Prostate specific membrane antigen uptake is typically more intense than FDG in RCC. In all but two cases, one of which was papillary carcinoma, FDG‐PET and PSMA‐PET are concordant for detection of sites of disease. We demonstrate for the first time the differential kinetics of post‐treatment response using PSMA and FDG‐PET, with a more rapid metabolic response observed on FDG‐PET. Both modalities demonstrate response earlier than morphological appearances on CT or MRI imaging.

Conclusions

Our series suggests that PSMA shows early promise as a diagnostic and therapeutic response assessment tool in patients with metastatic RCC receiving definitive local therapies.
Phylogenomics using formalin‐fixed and 100+ year‐old intractable natural history specimens
Authors: Ruane Sara , Austin Christopher C.
Published: January 2017

Museum specimens provide a wealth of information to biologists, but obtaining genetic data from formalin‐fixed and fluid‐preserved specimens remains challenging. WhileDNAsequences have been recovered from such specimens, most approaches are time‐consuming and produce low data quality and quantity. Here, we use a modifiedDNAextraction protocol combined with high‐throughput sequencing to recoverDNAfrom formalin‐fixed and fluid‐preserved snakes that were collected over a century ago and for which little or no modern genetic materials exist in public collections. We successfully extractedDNAand sequenced ultraconserved elements ( = 2318 loci) from 10 fluid‐preserved snakes and included them in a phylogeny with modern samples. This phylogeny demonstrates the general use of such specimens in phylogenomic studies and provides evidence for the placement of enigmatic snakes, such as the rare and never‐before sequenced IndianXylophis stenorhynchus. Our study emphasizes the relevance of museum collections in modern research and simultaneously provides a protocol that may prove useful for specimens that have been previously intractable forDNAsequencing.
On the performance of four methods for the numerical solution of ecologically realistic size‐structured population models
Authors: Zhang Lai , Dieckmann Ulf , Brännström Åke
Published: January 2017

Size‐structured population models (SSPMs) are widely used in ecology to account for intraspecific variation in body size. Three characteristic features of size‐structured populations are the dependence of life histories on the entire size distribution, intrinsic population renewal through the birth of new individuals, and the potential accumulation of individuals with similar body sizes due to determinate or stunted growth. Because of these three features, numerical methods that work well for structurally similar transport equations may fail for SSPMs and other transport‐dominated models with high ecological realism, and thus their computational performance needs to be critically evaluated.

Here, we compare the performance of four numerical solution schemes, the fixed‐mesh upwind (FMU) method, the moving‐mesh upwind (MMU) method, the characteristic method (CM), and the Escalator Boxcar Train (EBT) method, in numerically solving three reference problems that are representative of ecological systems in the animal and plant kingdoms. The MMU method is here applied for the first time to SSPMs, whereas the three other methods have been employed by other authors.

Our results show that the EBT method performs best, except for one of the three reference problems, in which size‐asymmetric competition affects individual growth rates. For that reference problem, the FMU method performs best, closely followed by the MMU method. Surprisingly, the CM method does not perform well for any of the three reference problems.

We conclude that life‐history features should be carefully considered when choosing the numerical method for analyzing ecologically realistic size‐structured population models.
Using Sleep Interventions to Engage and Treat Heavy‐Drinking College Students: A Randomized Pilot Study
Authors: Fucito Lisa M. , DeMartini Kelly S. , Hanrahan Tess H. , Yaggi Henry Klar , Heffern Christina , Redeker Nancy S.
Published: January 2017

Background

Continued high alcohol consumption levels by college students highlight the need for more effective alcohol interventions and novel treatment engagement strategies. The purpose of this study was to investigate a behavioral sleep intervention as a means to engage heavy‐drinking college students in treatment and reduce alcohol use and alcohol‐related consequences.

Methods

Heavy‐drinking college students (N = 42) were assigned to 1 of 2 web‐based interventions comprised of 4 modules delivered over 4 weeks. The experimental intervention focused primarily on sleep and included evidence‐based sleep content (i.e., stimulus control instructions, sleep scheduling [consistent bed/rise times; ideal sleep duration for adolescents/young adults], sleep hygiene advice, relaxation training, cognitive strategies to target sleep‐disruptive beliefs), and alcohol content (i.e., normative and blood alcohol level feedback, moderate drinking guidelines, controlled drinking strategies, effects of alcohol on sleep and the body, advice to moderate drinking for improved sleep) in young adults. The control condition Healthy Behaviors provided basic advice about nutrition, exercise, sleep (i.e., good sleep hygiene only), and drinking (i.e., effects of alcohol on the body, moderate drinking guidelines, advice to moderate drinking for sleep). Participants in both conditions monitored their sleep using daily web‐based diaries and a wrist‐worn sleep tracker.

Results

Recruitment ads targeting college students with sleep concerns effectively identified heavy‐drinking students. The program generated a high number of inquiries and treatment completion rates were high. Both interventions significantly reduced typical week drinking and alcohol‐related consequences and improved sleep quality and sleep‐related impairment ratings. The control condition yielded greater reductions in total drinks in a heaviest drinking week. The effects on drinking were larger than those observed in typical brief alcohol intervention studies for college students. Greater sleep improvement tended to predict better subsequent drinking outcomes.

Conclusions

The results suggest that sleep treatment may be a promising strategy for targeting and treating heavy‐drinking college students.
The Swiss payment for milk processed into cheese:ex postandex anteanalysis
Authors: Finger Robert , Listorti Giulia , Tonini Axel
Published: January 2017

We make use of both anex postand anex anteevaluation to analyze the Swiss payment for milk processed into cheese. This payment for each kilogram of raw milk processed into cheese is issued to milk producers through dairy processors. In theex postevaluation, by applying a vector autoregressive model, we estimate the effects of reductions of the payment for prices of raw milk used to produce Emmentaler, Gruyère, and industrial cheese. Past declines in the payment have only been partially transmitted to raw milk prices. The rate of transmission is higher for milk used for the production of industrial cheese than for artisan cheeses. In theex anteimpact evaluation, we use a partial equilibrium model and develop a counterfactual scenario in which the payment is removed. The payment for milk processed into cheese is found to have effects on cheese production and exports but also has important indirect effects on other dairy products. Our findings suggest that about two‐thirds of the payment are benefiting milk producers. At the same time, the overall welfare losses resulting from the elimination of the aid are smaller than the budget allocated to this measure, suggesting a net welfare gain from elimination.
Language Shapes People's Time Perspective and Support for Future‐Oriented Policies
Authors: Pérez Efrén O. , Tavits Margit
Published: January 2017

Can the way we speak affect the way we perceive time and think about politics? Languages vary by how much they require speakers to grammatically encode temporal differences. Futureless tongues (e.g., Estonian) do not oblige speakers to distinguish between the present and future tense, whereas futured tongues do (e.g., Russian). By grammatically conflating “today” and “tomorrow,” we hypothesize that speakers of futureless tongues will view the future as temporally closer to the present, causing them to discount the future less and support future‐oriented policies more. Using an original survey experiment that randomly assigned the interview language to Estonian/Russian bilinguals, we find support for this proposition and document the absence of this language effect when a policy has no obvious time referent. We then replicate and extend our principal result through a cross‐national analysis of survey data. Our results imply that language may have significant consequences for mass opinion.
Mechanistic perspective of the oxido‐immunopathologic resolution property of kolaviron in mice influenza pneumonitis
Authors: Awogbindin Ifeoluwa O. , Olaleye David O. , Farombi Ebenezer O.
Published: January 2017

Implicated in influenza‐associated pathology are innate defence overzealousness and unabated secretion of oxidative tissue‐sensitive antimicrobial agents. At different time points, mice were pre‐treated with kolaviron (400 mg/kg), a natural antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agent, and subsequently challenged with 2 LD50 influenza A/H3N2/Perth/16/09 virus. After euthanasia at day 6, blood, lungs, liver and spleen were collected and processed for biochemical, immunohistochemical and flow cytometric assessment of redo‐inflammatory imbalance, cytokine storm indices and T helper 1 host response. Previously kolaviron was reported to delay mortality onset, improve morbidity and attenuate myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide production with minimal impact on viral clearance. This study additionally confirmed nitric oxide, but not hydrogen peroxide, as the major culprit implicated in influenza virus‐induced oxido‐pathology. Systemic effect of the sustained inflammation and nitrosative stress was more prominent in the spleen and lung than in the liver of mice infected with A/H3N2/Perth/16/09. Influential to immunopathology was heightened pulmonary expression of IL‐1β, RANTES, IL‐10, MCP‐1, NF‐κB, iNOS and COX‐2. However, kolaviron combated the influenza‐established nitrative stress, reversed the elicited cytokine storm and restored the oxidized environment to a reductive milieu. Our data also suggest that kolaviron administration early in infection may foster CD4+ response. These data indicate that kolaviron may confer disease‐dwindling properties during acute influenza infection via a system‐wide protective approach involving multiple targets especially at the early stage of the infection.
The albumin–bilirubin grade improves hepatic reserve estimation post‐sorafenib failure: implications for drug development
Authors: Pinato D. J. , Yen C. , Bettinger D. , Ramaswami R. , Arizumi T. , Ward C. , Pirisi M. , Burlone M. E. , Thimme R. , Kudo M. , Sharma R.
Published: January 2017

Background

Drug development in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited by disease heterogeneity, with hepatic reserve being a major source of variation in survival outcomes. The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grade is a validated index of liver function in patients with HCC.

Aim

To test the accuracy of the ALBI grade in predicting post‐sorafenib overall survival (PSOS) in patients who permanently discontinued treatment.

Methods

From a prospectively maintained international database of 447 consecutive referrals, we derived 386 eligible patients treated with sorafenib within Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer C stage (62%), 75% of whom were of Child class A at initiation. Clinical variables at sorafenib discontinuation were analysed for their impact on post‐sorafenib overall survival using uni‐ and multivariable analyses.

Results

Median post‐sorafenib overall survival of the 386 eligible patients was 3.4 months and median sorafenib duration was 2.9 months, with commonest causes of cessation being disease progression (68%) and toxicity (24%). At discontinuation, 92 patients (24%) progressed to terminal stage, due to worsening Child class to C in 40 (10%). Median post‐sorafenib overall survival in patients eligible for second‐line therapies (n = 294) was 17.5, 7.5 and 1.9 months according respectively to ALBI grade 1, 2 and 3 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The ALBI grade at sorafenib discontinuation identifies a subset of patients with prolonged stability of hepatic reserve and superior survival. This may allow improved patient selection for second‐line therapies in advanced HCC.
Randomised clinical trial: mucosal protection combined with acid suppression in the treatment of non‐erosive reflux disease – efficacy of Esoxx, a hyaluronic acid–chondroitin sulphate based bioadhesive formulation
Authors: Savarino V. , Pace F. , Scarpignato C. ,   the Esoxx Study Group
Published: January 2017

Background

Several studies have shown that patients with non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) are less responsive to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) than those with erosive disease as they belong to different subgroups, in whom factors other than acid can trigger symptoms.

Aim

To evaluate whether combined therapy (mucosal protection plus acid suppression) would improve symptom relief compared to PPI treatment alone.

Methods

In a multicenter, randomised, double‐blind trial, 154 patients with NERD were randomised to receive Esoxx (Alfa Wassermann, Bologna, Italy), a hyaluronic acid‐chondroitin sulphate based bioadhesive formulation, or placebo, in addition to acid suppression with standard dose PPIs for 2 weeks. Symptoms (heartburn, acid regurgitation, retrosternal pain and acid taste in the mouth) and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) were evaluated before and after treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least a 3‐point reduction in the total symptom score.

Results

At the end of treatment, the primary endpoint was reached by 52.6% of patients taking Esoxx compared to 32.1% of those given placebo (P < 0.01). The same was true also for HRQL, evaluated by means of the Short Form‐36 questionnaire, which improved with both treatments, but some items were significantly better after Esoxx plus PPI therapy.

Conclusion

The synergistic effect of Essox with PPI treatment suggests that mucosal protection added to acid suppression could improve symptoms and HRQL in NERD patients.
The combination of bortezomib with chemotherapy to treat relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia of childhood
Authors: Bertaina Alice , Vinti Luciana , Strocchio Luisa , Gaspari Stefania , Caruso Roberta , Algeri Mattia , Coletti Valentina , Gurnari Carmelo , Romano Mariateresa , Cefalo Maria Giuseppina , Girardi Katia , Trevisan Valentina , Bertaina Valentina , Merli Pietro , Locatelli Franco
Published: January 2017

Achieving complete remission (CR) in childhood relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a difficult task. Bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has in vitro activity against ALL blasts. A phase I‐II trial, reported by the Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukaemia and Lymphoma (TACL) consortium, demonstrated that bortezomib with chemotherapy has acceptable toxicity and remarkable activity in patients with relapsed ALL failing 2–3 previous regimens. We evaluated bortezomib in combination with chemotherapy in 30 and 7 children with B‐cell precursor (BCP) and T‐cell ALL, respectively. Bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2/dose) was administered intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11. Chemotherapy agents were the same as those used in the TACL trial, consisting of dexamethasone, doxorubicin, vincristine and pegylated asparaginase. Three patients (8·1%) died due to infections. Twenty‐seven patients (72·9%) achieved CR or CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp). Fourteen had minimal residual disease (MRD) lower than 0·1%. Twenty‐two of 30 BCP‐ALL patients (73·3%) and 5/7 patients (71%) with T‐cell ALL achieved CR/CRp. The 2‐year overall survival (OS) is 31·3%; CR/CRp patients with an MRD response had a remarkable 2‐year OS of 68·4%. These data confirm that the combination of bortezomib with chemotherapy is a suitable/effective option for childhood relapsed/refractory ALL.
Using patient‐reported outcome measures to improve service effectiveness for supervisors: a mixed‐methods evaluation of supervisors' attitudes and self‐efficacy after training to use outcome measures in child mental health
Authors: Fullerton Mary , Edbrooke‐Childs Julian , Law Duncan , Martin Kate , Whelan Isabelle , Wolpert Miranda
Published: January 2017

Background

Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are recommended by healthcare systems internationally, but there are a number of barriers to implementation. The aim of this research was to examine the impact of training supervisors in using PROMs on clinical practice, given the importance of leadership when changing behaviour.

Method

Data included pre–post questionnaires from 42 supervisors, interviews after training with six supervisees and nonparticipant observations of nine video‐recorded supervision sessions.

Results

After training, supervisors had more positive attitudes to administering PROMs and using feedback from PROMs and had higher levels of self‐efficacy about using PROMs in supervision.

Conclusions

Findings are in line with the growing body of evidence that training child mental health staff to use PROMs may be associated with changes in attitudes, self‐efficacy and use of PROMs.
Identification of FERM domain‐containing protein 5 as a novel target of β‐catenin/TCF7L2 complex
Authors: Zhu Chi , Yamaguchi Kiyoshi , Ohsugi Tomoyuki , Terakado Yumi , Noguchi Rei , Ikenoue Tsuneo , Furukawa Yoichi
Published: January 2017

Deregulation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in human tumorigenesis through the accumulation of β‐catenin and subsequent transactivation of TCF7L2. Although some of the consequences associated with the accumulated β‐catenin have been clarified, the comprehensive effect of activated β‐catenin/TCF7L2 transcriptional complex on tumorigenesis remains to be elucidated. To understand the precise molecular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer, we searched for genes regulated by the complex in colorectal tumors. We performed expression profile analysis of HCT116 and SW480 colon cancer cells treated with β‐catenin siRNAs, and ChIP‐sequencing using anti‐TCF7L2 antibody. Combination of these data with public microarray data of LS174 cells with a dominant‐negative form of TCF7L2 identified a total of 11 candidate genes. In this paper, we focused on FERM domain‐containing protein 5 (FRMD5), and confirmed that it is regulated by both β‐catenin and TCF7L2. An additional reporter assay disclosed that a region in intron1 transcriptionally regulated the expression of FRMD5. ChIP assay also corroborated that TCF7L2 associates with this region. These data suggested that FRMD5 is a novel direct target of the β‐catenin/TCF7L2 complex.
Genetic profile of Brazilian patients with dystrophinopathies
Authors: de Almeida P.A.D. , Machado‐Costa M.C. , Manzoli G.N. , Ferreira L.S. , Rodrigues M.C.S. , Bueno L.S.M. , Saute J.A.M. , Pinto Vairo F. , Matte U.S. , Siebert M. , Cossio S.L. , Macedo G.S. , Winckler P.B. , Becker M.M. , Magalhães L.V.B. , Gonçalves M.V.M. , Marrone C.D. , Nucci A. , França M.C.
Published: January 2017

Different types of mutations in the
DMD
gene underlie Duchenne muscular dystrophies (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophies (BMD). Large deletions and duplications are the most frequent causative genetic alterations worldwide, but little is known about DMD/BMD genetic profile in Brazil. Hence, we recruited patients with DMD and BMD from 8 neuromuscular reference centers along the country, and performed a comprehensive molecular investigation that included Multiplex Ligation‐dependent Probe Amplification and Next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses. We evaluated 199 patients from 177 unrelated families: 166 with DMD, 32 with BMD and 1 1.5 years old asymptomatic patient with persistent hiperCKemia. Overall, large deletions (58.2%) followed by nonsense mutations (12.4%) and large duplications (11.3%) were the most frequent variants in Brazilian families. Large deletions were less frequent in BMD than in DMD (44.8% vs 60.8%). We identified 19 new
DMD
variants. Nonsense mutations were significantly more frequent in patients from northeastern region than from southern/southeastern regions of Brazil (27.7% vs 8.5%, P < .05). Genetic profile of Brazilian patients with DMD/BMD is similar to previously reported cohorts, but it is not uniform across the country. This information is important to plan rational clinical care for patients in face of the new coming mutation‐specific therapies.
Deconstructing the associations between executive functioning, problematic alcohol use and intimate partner aggression: A dyadic analysis
Authors: Parrott Dominic J. , Swartout Kevin M. , Eckhardt Christopher I. , Subramani Olivia S.
Published: January 2017

Introduction and Aims

Problematic drinking and executive functioning deficits are two known risk factors for intimate partner aggression (IPA). However, executive functioning is a multifaceted construct, and it is not clear whether deficits in specific components of executive functioning are differentially associated with IPA perpetration generally and within the context of problematic alcohol use. To address this question, the present study investigated the effects of problematic drinking and components of executive functioning on physical IPA perpetration within a dyadic framework.

Design and Methods

Participants were 582 heavy drinking couples (total n = 1164) with a recent history of psychological and/or physical IPA recruited from two metropolitan cities in the USA. Multilevel models were used to examine effects within an actor–partner interdependence framework.

Results

The highest levels of physical IPA were observed among actors who reported everyday consequences of executive functioning deficits related to emotional dysregulation whose partners were problematic drinkers. However, the association between executive functioning deficits related to emotional dysregulation and IPA was stronger towards partners who were non‐problematic drinkers relative to partners who were problematic drinkers. No such effect was found for executive functioning deficits related to behavioural regulation.

Discussion and Conclusions

Results provide insight into how problematic drinking and specific executive functioning deficits interact dyadically in relation to physical IPA perpetration. [Parrott DJ, Swartout KM, Eckhardt CI, Subramani OS. Deconstructing the associations between executive functioning, problematic alcohol use and intimate partner aggression: A dyadic analysis. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:88–96]
Phase III, efficacy and safety study of ertugliflozin monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus inadequately controlled with diet and exercise alone
Authors: Terra Steven G. , Focht Kristen , Davies Melanie , Frias Juan , Derosa Giuseppe , Darekar Amanda , Golm Gregory , Johnson Jeremy , Saur Didier , Lauring Brett , Dagogo‐Jack Sam
Published: January 2017

Aims

To conduct a phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

This was a 52‐week, double‐blind, multicentre, randomized, parallel‐group study with a 26‐week, placebo‐controlled treatment period (phase A), followed by a 26‐week active‐controlled treatment period (phase B) in 461 men and women, aged ≥18 years with inadequate glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] concentration 7.0% to 10.5% [53‐91 mmol/mol], inclusive) despite diet and exercise. Results from phase A are reported in the present paper. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c from baseline to week 26.

Results

At week 26, the placebo‐adjusted least squares mean HbA1c changes from baseline were −0.99% and −1.16% for the ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg doses, respectively (
P
 < .001 for both doses). The odds of having HbA1c <7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were significantly greater in the ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg groups compared with the placebo group. Both doses of ertugliflozin significantly lowered fasting plasma glucose and 2‐hour postprandial glucose levels and body weight. The placebo‐adjusted differences in changes from baseline in systolic blood pressure were not statistically significant. A higher incidence of genital mycotic infections occurred in men and women treated with ertugliflozin compared with placebo. There was no significant difference between treatments in the proportion of participants with symptomatic hypoglycaemia or adverse events associated with urinary tract infection or hypovolaemia.

Conclusions

Ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg treatment for 26 weeks provides effective glycaemic control, reduces body weight and is generally well tolerated, when used as monotherapy.
The effect of repeated testing vs repeated practice on skills learning in undergraduate dental education
Authors: Sennhenn‐Kirchner S. , Goerlich Y. , Kirchner B. , Notbohm M. , Schiekirka S. , Simmenroth A. , Raupach T.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Recent studies in undergraduate medical education have demonstrated the advantage of repeated testing over repeated practice with regard to knowledge and skills retention. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this “testing effect” also applies to skills retention in undergraduate dental education.

Methods

In this prospective, randomised controlled trial, fourth‐year dental students at Göttingen University Medical Centre participated in a training session on surgical suturing in winter term 2014/2015. Following this, they were either assigned to two sessions of additional skills training (group A) or two sessions of skills assessment with feedback (group B). These sessions were spaced over a period of 4 weeks. Skills retention was assessed in a summative objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at the end of term, that is 6 months after the initial teaching session.

Results

A total of 32 students completed the study. With regard to suturing, OSCE performance was significantly better in group B than group A (81.9±13.1% vs 63.0±15.4%; P=0.001; Cohen's d=1.33). There was no significant OSCE performance difference in the two groups with regard to other learning objectives that were addressed in the end‐of‐term examination. Thus, the group difference was specific to suturing skills.

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate that in dental education, repeated testing produces more favourable skills retention than repeated practice. Test‐enhanced learning might be a viable concept for skills retention in undergraduate dentistry education.
Action as the Conclusion of Practical Reasoning; The Critique of a Rödlian Account
Authors: Mylonaki Evgenia
Published: January 2017

In this paper I take up the question of whether and in what sense action might be the conclusion of practical reasoning and argue against the answer provided by Sebastian Rödl's account of practical reasoning. Rödl's account aspires to steer a middle ground between the attitudinal and the neo‐Aristotelian accounts of practical reasoning, by proposing that its conclusion is at once a thought and a movement. This account is worth considering for it promises to explain both practical reasoning's practicality (that it brings about action) and its rationality (that it is subject to thought governing norms) in one move. But, I argue in this paper, a Rödlian account—an account which grants Rödl's central theses—fails to deliver on its promise. The reason is that, like others, a Rödlian also assumes that the only sense in which practical reasoning is practical is the sense in which it has a conclusion. Challenging this assumption in the right way, I finally suggest, helps us reassess the task of explaining practical reasoning in a way that goes beyond Rödlian, attitudinal and neo‐Aristotelian accounts alike.
Global biogeography of mating system variation in seed plants
Authors: Moeller David A. , Briscoe Runquist Ryan D. , Moe Annika M. , Geber Monica A. , Goodwillie Carol , Cheptou Pierre‐Olivier , Eckert Christopher G. , Elle Elizabeth , Johnston Mark O. , Kalisz Susan , Ree Richard H. , Sargent Risa D. , Vallejo‐Marin Mario , Winn Alice A.
Published: January 2017

Latitudinal gradients in biotic interactions have been suggested as causes of global patterns of biodiversity and phenotypic variation. Plant biologists have long speculated that outcrossing mating systems are more common at low than high latitudes owing to a greater predictability of plant–pollinator interactions in the tropics; however, these ideas have not previously been tested. Here, we present the first global biogeographic analysis of plant mating systems based on 624 published studies from 492 taxa. We found a weak decline in outcrossing rate towards higher latitudes and among some biomes, but no biogeographic patterns in the frequency of self‐incompatibility. Incorporating life history and growth form into biogeographic analyses reduced or eliminated the importance of latitude and biome in predicting outcrossing or self‐incompatibility. Our results suggest that biogeographic patterns in mating system are more likely a reflection of the frequency of life forms across latitudes rather than the strength of plant–pollinator interactions.
On the Uptake of Flexible Working Arrangements and the Association with Human Resource and Organizational Performance Outcomes
Authors: Berkery Elaine , Morley Michael J. , Tiernan Siobhan , Purtill Helen , Parry Emma
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to identify bundles of flexible working arrangements (FWAs) from data provided by 1,064 organizations in seven EU countries, and to relate bundle membership to demographic variables and human resource (HR) and organizational performance outcomes. Using Ward's hierarchical clustering algorithm we identified four distinct bundles of FWAs based on the uptake of twelve individual FWAs across the sample of organizations. Bundle 1 represents organizations engaging in a high level of annual hours contracts; bundle 2 represents more traditional work practices; bundle 3 represents organizations mainly offering shift‐work and bundle 4 represents organizations with a high uptake of flexi‐time. The demographic profile of organizations recorded across each of the four bundles was significantly different. Finally, significant associations were found between the bundle membership and employee turnover (p < 0.001), absenteeism (p < 0.001) and productivity (p < 0.015). The implications of these results are discussed and directions for future research are proposed.
Evolution of movement rate increases the effectiveness of marine reserves for the conservation of pelagic fishes
Authors: Mee Jonathan A. , Otto Sarah P. , Pauly Daniel
Published: January 2017

Current debates about the efficacy of no‐take marine reserves (MR) in protecting large pelagic fish such as tuna and sharks have usually not considered the evolutionary dimension of this issue, which emerges because the propensity to swim away from a given place, like any other biological trait, will probably vary in a heritable fashion among individuals. Here, based on spatially explicit simulations, we investigated whether selection to remain in MRs to avoid higher fishing mortality can lead to the evolution of more philopatric fish. Our simulations, which covered a range of life histories among tuna species (skipjack tuna vs. Atlantic bluefin tuna) and shark species (great white sharks vs. spiny dogfish), suggested that MRs were most effective at maintaining viable population sizes when movement distances were lowest. Decreased movement rate evolved following the establishment of marine reserves, and this evolution occurred more rapidly with higher fishing pressure. Evolutionary reductions in movement rate led to increases in within‐reserve population sizes over the course of the 50 years following MR establishment, although this varied among life histories, with skipjack responding fastest and great white sharks slowest. Our results suggest the evolution of decreased movement can augment the efficacy of marine reserves, especially for species, such as skipjack tuna, with relatively short generation times. Even when movement rates did not evolve substantially over 50 years (e.g., given long generation times or little heritable variation), marine reserves were an effective tool for the conservation of fish populations when mean movement rates were low or MRs were large.
The effects of dose and diet on the pharmacodynamics of esomeprazole in the horse
Authors: Sykes B. W. , Underwood C. , Mills P. C.
Published: January 2017

Background

Esomeprazole warrants further investigation as a treatment for equine gastric ulcer syndrome.

Objectives

To investigate the duration of intraday acid suppression achieved with two doses of esomeprazole under two dietary conditions.

Study design

A four way crossover design.

Methods

Six adult Thoroughbreds instrumented with percutaneous gastrotomy tubes were used. Intragastric pH was measured for continuous 23 h periods (08.00–07.00 h) for 6 consecutive days (Days 0–5). Baseline data was recorded on Day 0 and esomeprazole was administered on Days 1–5. Two doses (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg bwt/day per os once daily) and two diets (a high grain/low fibre (HG/LF) and ad libitum hay (HAY) diet) were studied. Data for the percentage of time pH was above 4 (%tpH>4) and median intraday pH was reported for two measurement points and analysed using generalised estimating equations.

Results

An inconsistent effect of both diet and dose was evident with mean %tpH>4 and mean of the median intraday pHs typically higher at the 2.0 mg/kg bwt dose and in HG/LF diet. A cumulative effect of dosing was present with the magnitude of acid suppression observed on Day 5 consistently higher than that observed on Day 1. The magnitude of acid suppression, at measurement point 1, compared favourably with previous reports on omeprazole and exceeded human therapeutic breakpoints for the 0.5 mg/kg bwt dose in the HG/LF diet and 2.0 mg/kg bwt dose in the HAY diet.

Main limitations

Instrumentation may have modified gastric function and horses were not fasted or exercised.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study suggested that both dose and diet affect the response to esomeprazole in the horse and that a cumulative effect is present over the first 5 days of treatment. Further investigation into the clinical efficacy of esomeprazole and trials directly comparing esomeprazole and omeprazole appear to be warranted.
The “Nemo Effect”: Perception and reality of Finding Nemo's impact on marine aquarium fisheries
Authors: Militz Thane A , Foale Simon
Published: January 2017

Global audiences are increasingly being exposed to digital media with fictitious storylines that draw on animal characters involuntarily entering wildlife trades. An understudied problem in wildlife trade is the potential for motion pictures to influence their audience's desire to become more acquainted, often via acquisition, with animals portrayed in the films. The 2003 Disney motion picture Finding Nemo connected audiences with a wildlife trade already commonplace: the marine aquarium trade. In this trade, fisheries supply live coral reef organisms to millions of public and private aquaria worldwide. Here, we examine the perception and reality of Finding Nemo's impact (coined the “Nemo Effect”) on the fisheries of the species complex representing the film's primary protagonist “Nemo” (Amphiprion ocellaris/percula). Import and export figures show little evidence for fan‐based purchases of wild‐caught fish immediately (within 1.5 years of release) following the film. We argue that the perceived impact on these species, driven by popular media with an emotive but scientifically uninformed approach to conserving coral reef ecosystems, can be more damaging to the cause of conservation than helpful. This perspective is intended to encourage marine aquarium trade stakeholders to consider the ecological and social repercussions of both media driven consumption and opposition to the trade. Using lessons learned from Finding Nemo, we discuss the likely impacts the sequel, Finding Dory, will have on wild populations of its protagonist “Dory” (Paracanthurus hepatus).
Regulating the balance between the kynurenine and serotonin pathways of tryptophan metabolism
Authors: Li Yang , Hu Nan , Yang Dan , Oxenkrug Gregory , Yang Qing
Published: January 2017

Tryptophan is metabolized along the kynurenine and serotonin pathways, resulting in formation of kynurenine metabolites, neuroactive serotonin and melatonin. Each pathway is critical for maintaining healthy homeostasis. However, the two pathways are extremely unequal in their ability to degrade tryptophan, and little is known about the mechanisms maintaining the balance between them. Here, we demonstrated that in PC12 cells, a change of expression of key genes of one pathway resulted in a change of expression of key genes of the other. Melatonin, the end product of the serotonin pathway, played an important role in tryptophan metabolism by affecting both key enzymes of the two pathways. Melatonin treatment induced the expression of indole‐2,3‐dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and enhanced the activity of the IDO1 promoter while decreasing the expression of arylalkylamine N‐acetyl transferase. Melatonin treatment up‐regulated the expression of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) and enhanced the binding of FoxO1 to the IDO1 promoter. FoxO1 was shown to be a new regulator for IDO1 expression. Melatonin treatment decreased the phosphorylation of FoxO1 by extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 and protein kinase B (Akt) and increased the phosphorylation of binding protein 14‐3‐3 by c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and thus the complex of FoxO1–14‐3‐3 in the cytoplasm was disassembled and FoxO1 was relocated to the nucleus to induce IDO1 expression. The JNK signaling pathway played an important role in melatonin‐induced IDO1 up‐regulation. In conclusion, this study suggests a link between melatonin, JNK, FoxO1 and IDO1 that acts as a potential balance regulator of tryptophan metabolism, and offers a new approach to treat diseases related to dysregulation of tryptophan metabolism.
SLC25A26 overexpression impairs cell function via mtDNA hypermethylation and rewiring of methyl metabolism
Authors: Menga Alessio , Palmieri Erika M. , Cianciulli Antonia , Infantino Vittoria , Mazzone Massimiliano , Scilimati Antonio , Palmieri Ferdinando , Castegna Alessandra , Iacobazzi Vito
Published: January 2017

Cancer cells down‐regulate different genes to give them a selective advantage in invasiveness and/or metastasis. The SLC25A26 gene encodes the mitochondrial carrier that catalyzes the import of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) into the mitochondrial matrix, required for mitochondrial methylation processes, and is down‐regulated in cervical cancer cells. In this study we show that SLC25A26 is down‐regulated due to gene promoter hypermethylation, as a mechanism to promote cell survival and proliferation. Furthermore, overexpression of SLC25A26 in CaSki cells increases mitochondrial SAM availability and promotes hypermethylation of mitochondrial DNA, leading to decreased expression of key respiratory complex subunits, reduction of mitochondrial ATP and release of cytochrome c. In addition, increased SAM transport into mitochondria leads to impairment of the methionine cycle with accumulation of homocysteine at the expense of glutathione, which is strongly reduced. All these events concur to arrest the cell cycle in the S phase, induce apoptosis and enhance chemosensitivity of SAM carrier‐overexpressing CaSki cells to cisplatin.
The pelagic habitat analysis module for ecosystem‐based fisheries science and management
Authors: Harrison Daniel P. , Hinton Michael G. , Kohin Suzanne , Armstrong Edward M. , Snyder Stephanie , O'Brien Frank , Kiefer Dale K.
Published: January 2017

We have developed a set of tools that operate within an aquatic geographic information system to improve the accessibility, and usability of remote‐sensed satellite and computer‐modeled oceanographic data for marine science and ecosystem‐based management. The tools form the Pelagic Habitat Analysis Module (PHAM), which can be applied as a modeling platform, an investigative aid in scientific research, or utilized as a decision support system for marine ecological management. Applications include fisheries, marine biology, physical and biological oceanography, and marine spatial management. The GIS provides a home for diverse data types and automated tools for downloading remote sensed and global circulation model data. Within the GIS environment, PHAM provides a framework for seamless interactive four‐dimensional visualization, for matching between disparate data types, for flexible statistic or mechanistic model development, and for dynamic application of user developed models for habitat, density, and probability predictions. Here we describe PHAM in the context of ecosystem‐based fisheries management, and present results from case study projects which guided development. In the first, an analysis of the purse seine fishery for tropical tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean revealed oceanographic drivers of the catch distribution and the influence of climate‐driven circulation patterns on the location of fishing grounds. To support management of the Common Thresher Shark (Alopias vulpinus) in the California Current Ecosystem, a simple empirical habitat utilization model was developed and used to dynamically predict the seasonal range expansion of common thresher shark based on oceanographic conditions.
Determinants of stream bryophyte community structure: bringing ecology into conservation
Authors: Monteiro Juliana , Vieira Cristiana
Published: January 2017

Bryophytes play an important role in headwater stream ecosystems sensitive to human pressures. The high number of bryophyte species listed as threatened in Europe suggests that further efforts to conserve fluvial bryophyte diversity are needed. Investigations of the spatial ecology of bryophyte diversity should help identifying priority areas for conservation of fluvial bryophytes and their habitats.

Seasonal temperate headwater streams were sampled at their southern edge distribution in Portugal, within and outside protected areas, at two spatial scales: stream segments and microhabitats. The environmental variables best explaining richness and diversity patterns, as well as the number of threatened species, were identified by partial least square regression. The selection of the best sites for conservation was achieved through the development of a new Index of Fluvial Bryological and Hydrogeomorphological Signature (IFBHS).

At the stream segment scale, bryophyte community structure was highly influenced by hydrogeomorphological variables, in particular by hydrological features. At the microhabitat scale, high current velocity constrained bryophyte richness and diversity. The prioritised sites identified through the application of theIFBHSexhibited exceptional bryological richness, high levels of endemism and red‐listed species, as well as unique fluvial microhabitats.

Hydrological regime was identified as a major environmental driver of bryophyte community structure in seasonal headwater streams of southern temperate Europe, and this is of particular concern given projected scenarios of climate change and human‐induced flow regime alterations. Prioritised stream segments for fluvial bryophyte and habitat conservation were not only located within protected areas, reinforcing the need to enhance the effectiveness of Natura 2000 Network and national protection areas.
Climate trends account for stalled wheat yields in Australia since 1990
Authors: Hochman Zvi , Gobbett David L. , Horan Heidi
Published: January 2017

Global food security requires that grain yields continue to increase to 2050, yet yields have stalled in many developed countries. This disturbing trend has so far been only partially explained. Here, we show that wheat yields in Australia have stalled since 1990 and investigate the extent to which climate trends account for this observation. Based on simulation of 50 sites with quality weather data, that are representative of the agro‐ecological zones and of soil types in the grain zone, we show that water‐limited yield potential declined by 27% over a 26 year period from 1990 to 2015. We attribute this decline to reduced rainfall and to rising temperatures while the positive effect of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations prevented a further 4% loss relative to 1990 yields. Closer investigation of three sites revealed the nature of the simulated response of water‐limited yield to water availability, water stress and maximum temperatures. At all three sites, maximum temperature hastened time from sowing to flowering and to maturity and reduced grain number per m2 and average weight per grain. This 27% climate‐driven decline in water‐limited yield is not fully expressed in actual national yields. This is due to an unprecedented rate of technology‐driven gains closing the gap between actual and water‐limited potential yields by 25 kg ha−1 yr−1 enabling relative yields to increase from 39% in 1990 to 55% in 2015. It remains to be seen whether technology can continue to maintain current yields, let alone increase them to those required by 2050.