bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenicity to alder of Phytophthora species from riparian ecosystems in western Oregon
Authors: Navarro S. , Sims L. , Hansen E.
Published: February 2015

Described as one of the most destructive pathogens of agricultural crops and forest trees, Phytophthora is a genus of microorganisms containing over 100 known species. Phytophthora alni has caused collar and root disease in alders throughout Europe, and a subspecies has recently been isolated in North America. Reports of canopy dieback in red alder, Alnus rubra, prompted a survey of their overall health and to determine whether P. alni was present in western Oregon riparian ecosystems. Over 1100 Phytophthora isolates were recovered, representing 20 species and 2 taxa. Phytophthora‐type cankers were observed in many trees, and their incidence was positively correlated with canopy dieback. High levels of mortality for red alder were not observed, which suggests these Phytophthora species are not aggressive pathogens. To test this hypothesis, three stem wound inoculations and one root dip were conducted on red alder seedlings using 13 Phytophthora species recovered from the riparian survey. Ten of the 13 Phytophthora species produced significant lesions in at least one pathogenicity test. Phytophthora siskiyouensis produced the largest lesions on red alder from the two stem wound inoculation tests conducted under summer conditions, while P. taxon Pgchlamydo caused the largest lesions during the winter stem wound inoculation test. Phytophthora gonapodyides, P. taxon Pgchlamydo and P. siskiyouensis have previously been found associated with necrotic alder roots and bole cankers in the field, and with the pathogenicity results reported here, we have established these species as causes of Phytophthora root disease and Phytophthora bole canker of alder in Oregon. While none of the Phytophthora species were especially aggressive towards red alder in the pathogenicity tests, they did cause localized disease symptoms. By weakening the root systems or boles of alders, the Phytophthoras could be leaving alders more susceptible to other insects and pathogens.
Platypus cylindrus, a vector of Ceratocystis platani in Platanus orientalis stands in Greece
Authors: Soulioti N. , Tsopelas P. , Woodward S.
Published: February 2015

The ambrosia beetle Platypus cylindrus was very common in stands of Platanus orientalis trees in Greece, infesting trees already infected by Ceratocystis platani. The fungus C. platani was isolated from 59% of adult beetles of P. cylindrus collected on the wing in a heavily infected stand of P. orientalis. Transmission of C. platani was demonstrated in 80% of P. orientalis seedlings challenged with P. cylindrus beetles, which were previously fed in cultures of the fungus. In most of the cases, the beetles had bored tunnels in stems, where abundant perithecia of C. platani were observed. Platypus cylindrus adults regularly visited artificially wounded P. orientalis trees in a natural stand. Although this ambrosia beetle normally infests stressed or dead trees, it appears to play a role as a vector of C. platani, especially by visiting wounded trees.
Differences in Aspergillus‐specific immune recovery between T‐cell‐replete and T‐cell‐depleted hematopoietic transplants
Authors: Perruccio Katia , Topini Fabiana , Tosti Antonella , Gazzola Maria Vittoria , Messina Chiara , Martelli Massimo F. , Caniglia Maurizio , Velardi Andrea , Cesaro Simone
Published: February 2015

Background

After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, invasive aspergillosis remains one of the most lethal infections. Susceptibility may be due to prophylaxis and treatment of graft‐vs.‐host disease in T‐cell‐replete transplants, and delayed immune rebuilding due to T‐cell depletion in haploidentical transplantation.

Methods

We monitored CD4+ T‐cell recovery and anti‐Aspergillus immune competence in pediatric recipients of T‐cell‐replete matched transplants and of prevalently adult recipients of T‐cell‐depleted matched or haploidentical transplants for hematological malignancies.

Results

Although CD4+ T‐cell counts were higher in T‐cell‐replete transplant recipients at all post‐transplant time points, Aspergillus‐specific T cells were first detected 15–18 months after T‐cell‐replete matched, 7–9 months after T‐cell‐depleted matched, and 9–12 months after haploidentical transplantation, respectively. Incidence of invasive aspergillosis was 22% with 10% mortality after T‐cell‐replete transplants, 0% after T‐cell‐depleted matched, and 7% with 4% mortality after haploidentical transplants.

Conclusions

Although T‐cell counts were significantly higher after T‐cell‐replete transplants, post‐transplant immune suppression/GvHD appeared to impair their function. Specific Aspergillus immune competence recovered faster after T‐cell‐depleted transplants, whether matched or haploidentical. T‐cell‐replete transplants were associated with a higher incidence of invasive aspergillosis and Aspergillus‐related deaths. These results showed that T‐cell depletion without post‐transplant immunosuppression is associated to a faster immune recovery than T‐cell‐replete transplantation.
Effects of biochar application on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration and crop growth in coastal saline soil
Authors: Lin X. W. , Xie Z. B. , Zheng J. Y. , Liu Q. , Bei Q. C. , Zhu J. G.
Published: February 2015

To evaluate the benefits of application of biochar to coastal saline soil for climate change mitigation, the effects on soil organic carbon (SOC), greenhouse gases (GHGs) and crop yields were investigated. Biochar was applied at 16 t ha−1 to study its effects on crop growth (Experiment I). The effects of biochar (0, 3.2, 16 and 32 t ha−1) and corn stalk (7.8 t ha−1) on SOC and GHGs were studied using 13C stable isotope technology and a static chamber method, respectively (Experiment II). Biochar increased grain mass per plant of the wheat by 27.7% and increased SOC without influencing non‐biochar SOC. On average, 92.3% of the biochar carbon and 16.8% of corn‐stalk carbon were sequestered into the soil within 1 year. The cumulative emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O were not affected significantly by biochar but cornstalk application increased N2O emissions by 17.5%. The global warming mitigation potential of the biochar treatments (−3.84 to −3.17 t CO2‐eq. ha−1 t−1 C) was greater than that of the corn stalk treatment (−0.11 t CO2‐eq ha−1 t−1 C). These results suggest that biochar application improves saline soil productivity and soil carbon sequestration without increasing GHG emissions.
Temperature‐size responses match latitudinal‐size clines in arthropods, revealing critical differences between aquatic and terrestrial species
Authors: Horne Curtis R. , Hirst Andrew. G. , Atkinson David
Published: February 2015

Two major intraspecific patterns of adult size variation are plastic temperature‐size (T‐S) responses and latitude‐size (L‐S) clines. Yet, the degree to which these co‐vary and share explanatory mechanisms has not been systematically evaluated. We present the largest quantitative comparison of these gradients to date, and find that their direction and magnitude co‐vary among 12 arthropod orders (r2 = 0.72). Body size in aquatic species generally reduces with both warming and decreasing latitude, whereas terrestrial species have much reduced and even opposite gradients. These patterns support the prediction that oxygen limitation is a major controlling factor in water, but not in air. Furthermore, voltinism explains much of the variation in T‐S and L‐S patterns in terrestrial but not aquatic species. While body size decreases with warming and with decreasing latitude in multivoltine terrestrial arthropods, size increases on average in univoltine species, consistent with predictions from size vs. season‐length trade‐offs.
Neuromyelitis optica: a positive appraisal of seronegative cases
Authors: Bernard‐Valnet R. , Liblau R. S. , Vukusic S. , Marignier R.
Published: February 2015

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. The hallmark of NMO is the presence of specific autoantibodies directed against aquaporin 4 (AQP4‐IgG). AQP4‐IgG, included in diagnostic criteria, has enlarged the clinical spectrum of NMO and serves to predict relapses. Moreover AQP4‐IgG has provided unprecedented insight in the immunopathology of NMO, representing a rationale for therapeutic intervention with relevant novel treatment strategies specific for NMO. However, some patients remain seronegative for AQP4‐IgG despite a definite diagnosis of NMO and the use of the finest methods for antibody detection. Interestingly, seronegative NMO (NMOneg) patients exhibit different demographic and disease‐related characteristics in comparison to seropositive patients. The recent association with autoantibodies specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is the main indication that disease mechanisms might differ in NMOpos and NMOneg, challenging the position of NMOneg patients in the spectrum of demyelinating diseases and therapeutic strategies to be adopted. Thus, a reappraisal of the NMOneg population is needed to improve NMO care. Here the current knowledge regarding NMOneg is reviewed and hypotheses on its pathogenesis are made including a comprehensive description of detection methods and the prevalence of AQP4‐IgG and a review of the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical characteristics of NMOneg; finally an integrated view of the general pathophysiological mechanisms underlying NMOneg is provided.
Influence of luting agent translucency on fiber post retention
Authors: Juloski Jelena , Goracci Cecilia , Tsintsadze Nino , Carrabba Michele , Vichi Alessandro , Vulicevic Zoran R. , Ferrari Marco
Published: February 2015

The aim was to assess the influence of cement translucency on the retentive strength of luted fiber posts. Twenty extracted human premolars were randomly divided into four equal groups, based on the combinations of materials to be tested. Two post types of the same size, shape, and chemical composition, but different light‐transmission properties [Translucent post (TP) and Opaque post (OP)] were selected. The two post types were luted using the etch‐and‐rinse, light‐curing adhesive in combination with two shades of the same resin cement of markedly different light‐transmitting ability [Transparent shade (TS) and Opaque shade (OS)]. Early post retention was assessed using the thin‐slice push‐out test. Post type did not significantly influence post retention; however, cement translucency emerged as a relevant factor in intraradicular cementation, with the TS achieving higher push‐out strengths. The between‐factor interaction was also statistically significant; specifically, OP‐OS yielded significantly lower retentive strengths than all the other groups. Post translucency did not influence post retention, provided that a highly translucent cement was utilized for luting.
Levetiracetam accelerates the onset of supply rate depression in synaptic vesicle trafficking
Authors: García‐Pérez Elizabeth , Mahfooz Kashif , Covita João , Zandueta Aitor , Wesseling John F.
Published: February 2015

Objective

To determine if levetiracetam (LEV) enhances the impact in excitatory presynaptic terminals of a rate‐limiting mechanism in vesicle trafficking termed supply rate depression that emerges to limit synaptic transmission during heavy, epileptiform use.

Methods

The effect of LEV was measured with electrophysiologic assays of monosynaptic connections in ex vivo hippocampal slices from wild‐type and synapsin knockout mice, and in primary cell culture neurons from wild‐type and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2a (SV2a) knockout mice.

Results

LEV enhanced the impact of supply rate depression at Schaffer collateral synapses by shortening the time course for induction. The LEV effect was selective for supply rate depression because other presynaptic vesicle trafficking mechanisms were not affected. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) was ~50 μm. The maximal effect was ~15 % and occurred at 100 μm, which is a clinically relevant concentration. An experimental protocol is established for distinguishing atypical antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that affect supply rate depression, such as LEV, from typical AEDs, such as carbamazepine, that affect upstream mechanisms. The LEV effect was abolished at synapses from knockout mice lacking SV2a and from synapses lacking synapsin 1 and 2.

Significance

The findings are consistent with the new hypothesis that LEV acts to treat epilepsy by accelerating the induction of supply rate depression at excitatory synapses during incipient epileptic activity. The absence of the effect in the knockouts confirms that presynaptic function is the target. More specifically, the absence in SV2a knockouts is consistent with previous binding studies suggesting that SV2a is the target for LEV. The absence in synapsin knockouts indicates that the phenotypic target intersects with the biochemical pathway that is altered in synapsin knockouts. The results from synapsin knockouts additionally suggest that development of functional analogs with increased potency might be possible because induction of supply rate depression is faster in synapsin knockouts compared to wild‐type synapses treated with LEV.
The corpus callosum and recovery of working memory after epilepsy surgery
Authors: Blackmon Karen , Pardoe Heath R. , Barr William B. , Ardekani Babak A. , Doyle Werner K. , Devinsky Orrin , Kuzniecky Ruben , Thesen Thomas
Published: February 2015

Objective

For patients with medically intractable focal epilepsy, the benefit of epilepsy surgery must be weighed against the risk of cognitive decline. Clinical factors such as age and presurgical cognitive level partially predict cognitive outcome; yet, little is known about the role of cross‐hemispheric white matter pathways in supporting postsurgical recovery of cognitive function. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the presurgical corpus callosum (CC) midsagittal area is associated with pre‐ to postsurgical change following epilepsy surgery.

Methods

In this observational study, we retrospectively identified 24 adult patients from an epilepsy resection series who completed preoperative high‐resolution T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, as well as pre‐ and postsurgical neuropsychological testing. The total area and seven subregional areas of the CC were measured on the midsagittal MRI slice using an automated method. Standardized indices of auditory‐verbal working memory and delayed memory were used to probe cognitive change from pre‐ to postsurgery. CC total and subregional areas were regressed on memory‐change scores, after controlling for overall brain volume, age, presurgical memory scores, and duration of epilepsy.

Results

Patients had significantly reduced CC area relative to healthy controls. We found a positive relationship between CC area and change in working memory, but not delayed memory; specifically, the larger the CC, the greater the postsurgical improvement in working memory (β = 0.523; p = 0.009). Effects were strongest in posterior CC subregions. There was no relationship between CC area and presurgical memory scores.

Significance

Findings indicate that larger CC area, measured presurgically, is related to improvement in working memory abilities following epilepsy surgery. This suggests that transcallosal pathways may play an important, yet little understood, role in postsurgical recovery of cognitive functions.
Efficacy and safety of conversion to monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate in adults with uncontrolled partial‐onset seizures: A randomized historical‐control phase III study based in North America
Authors: Sperling Michael R. , Harvey Jay , Grinnell Todd , Cheng Hailong , Blum David ,   the 045 Study Team
Published: February 2015

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as monotherapy in North American patients with partial‐onset seizures (POS).

Methods

This multicenter, randomized, double‐blind “withdrawal to monotherapy” study used historical control data as the comparator. Adults with POS medically uncontrolled by one to two antiepileptic drugs gradually converted to ESL monotherapy. Following an 8‐week baseline period, patients were randomized 2:1 to receive ESL 1,600 mg (n = 128) or 1,200 mg QD (n = 65) for 18 weeks. The primary end point was the proportion of patients meeting predefined exit criteria (signifying worsening seizure control). Treatment was considered effective if the 95% upper confidence limit (UCL) for the Kaplan‐Meier estimated exit rate was lower than the exit rate threshold calculated from the historical control (65.3%).

Results

Kaplan‐Meier estimated exit rates were: ESL 1,600 mg, 28.7% (95% CI 21.2–38.1%) and 1,200 mg, 44.4% (32.5–58.3%). The difference between doses was not significant (p = 0.07). For both doses, the 95% UCLs for the exit rate were ˂65.3%; ESL monotherapy was considered superior to the historical control. There was no statistically significant increase in the risk of study exit related to carbamazepine use. Nine (7.6%) and five patients (8.3%) remained seizure‐free during the 10‐week monotherapy period, while taking ESL 1,600 and 1,200 mg, respectively. The reductions in median standardized seizure frequency (seizures per 28 days) between baseline and the 18‐week treatment period were: ESL 1,600 mg, 42% and 1,200 mg, 31%. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in ≥10% of patients were dizziness, headache, fatigue, somnolence, nausea, and nasopharyngitis. The TEAE most frequently leading to discontinuation was hyponatremia (2.1%).

Significance

ESL was efficacious and well tolerated as monotherapy in North American patients, and led to a reduction in seizure frequency. Exit rates for ESL 1,600 and 1,200 mg QD were superior to the historical control; the difference in exit rates between doses was not statistically significant.
Burden, causes, and outcomes of people with epilepsy admitted to a rural hospital in Kenya
Authors: Kariuki Symon M. , Chengo Eddie , Ibinda Fredrick , Odhiambo Rachael , Etyang Anthony , Ngugi Anthony K. , Newton Charles R. J. C.
Published: February 2015

Objective

People with epilepsy (PWE) develop complications and comorbidities often requiring admission to hospital, which adds to the burden on the health system, particularly in low‐income countries. We determined the incidence, disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs), risk factors, and causes of admissions in PWE. We also examined the predictors of prolonged hospital stay and death using data from linked clinical and demographic surveillance system.

Methods

We studied children and adults admitted to a Kenyan rural hospital, between January 2003 and December 2011, with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Poisson regression was used to compute incidence and rate ratios, logistic regression to determine associated factors, and the DALY package of the R‐statistical software to calculate years lived with disability (YLD) and years of life lost (YLL).

Results

The overall incidence of admissions was 45.6/100,000 person‐years of observation (PYO) (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 43.0–48.7) and decreased with age (p < 0.001). The overall DALYs were 3.1/1,000 (95% CI, 1.8–4.7) PYO and comprised 55% of YLD. Factors associated with hospitalization were use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (odds ratio [OR] 5.36, 95% CI 2.64–10.90), previous admission (OR 11.65, 95% CI 2.65–51.17), acute encephalopathy (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.07–4.22), and adverse perinatal events (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.06–7.74). Important causes of admission were epilepsy‐related complications: convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) (38%), and postictal coma (12%). Age was independently associated with prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04) and mortality (OR, 1.07, 95% CI 1.04–1.10).

Significance

Epilepsy is associated with significant number of admissions to hospital, considerable duration of admission, and mortality. Improved supply of AEDs in the community, early initiation of treatment, and adherence would reduce hospitalization of PWE and thus the burden of epilepsy on the health system.
Loureirin B inhibits fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition in hypertrophic scar via TGF‐β/Smad pathway
Authors: Bai Xiaozhi , He Ting , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Yunchuan , Fan Lei , Tao Ke , Shi Jihong , Tang Chaowu , Su Linlin , Hu Dahai
Published: February 2015

The ethanolic extract of Resina Draconis (RDEE) has been reported beneficial to normal wound healing yielding more regularly arranged collagen fibres. Loureirin B, a major component in RDEE, has been supposed to be effective on the prevention and treatment of pathological scars. To investigate the therapeutic effects of loureirin B on hypertrophic scar (HS), fibroblasts from human HS and normal skin (NS) were isolated. Results showed that loureirin B dose‐dependently downregulated both mRNA and protein levels of type I collagen (ColI), type III collagen (ColIII) and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) in HS fibroblasts. Loureirin B also suppressed fibroblast proliferative activity and redistributed cell cycle, but did not affect cell apoptosis. In vivo rabbit ear scar model, loureirin B significantly improved the arrangement and deposition of collagen fibres, decreased protein levels of ColI, ColIII and α‐SMA and suppressed myofibroblast differentiation and scar proliferative activity. In NS fibroblasts, loureirin B effectively inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced upregulation of ColI, ColIII and α‐SMA levels, myofibroblast differentiation and the activation of Smad2 and Smad3. Loureirin B also affected mRNA levels of major MMPs and TIMPs in TGF‐β1‐stimulated fibroblasts. Taken together, this study demonstrates that loureirin B could downregulate the expression of fibrosis‐related molecules by regulating MMPs and TIMPs levels, inhibit scar fibroblast proliferation and suppress TGF‐β1‐induced fibrosis, during which TGF‐β1/Smad2/3 pathway is likely involved. These findings suggest that loureirin B is a potential therapeutic compound for HS treatment.
Preliminary evidence of an effect of cerebellar volume on postural sway in FMR1 premutation males
Authors: Birch R. C. , Hocking D. R. , Cornish K. M. , Menant J. C. , Georgiou‐Karistianis N. , Godler D. E. , Wen W. , Hackett A. , Rogers C. , Trollor J. N.
Published: February 2015

Recent evidence suggests that early changes in postural control may be discernible among females with premutation expansions (55–200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene at risk of developing fragile X‐associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Cerebellar dysfunction is well described in males and females with FXTAS, yet the interrelationships between cerebellar volume, CGG repeat length, FMR1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and changes in postural control remain unknown. This study examined postural sway during standing in a cohort of 22 males with the FMR1 premutation (ages 26–80) and 24 matched controls (ages 26–77). The influence of cerebellar volume, CGG repeat length and FMR1 mRNA levels on postural sway was explored using multiple linear regression. The results provide preliminary evidence that increasing CGG repeat length and decreasing cerebellar volume were associated with greater postural sway among premutation males. The relationship between CGG repeat length and postural sway was mediated by a negative association between CGG repeat size and cerebellar volume. While FMR1 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the premutation group and correlated with CGG repeat length, FMR1 mRNA levels were not significantly associated with postural sway scores. These findings show for the first time that greater postural sway among males with the FMR1 premutation may reflect CGG repeat‐mediated disruption in vulnerable cerebellar circuits implicated in postural control. However, longitudinal studies in larger samples are required to confirm whether the relationships between cerebellar volume, CGG repeat length and postural sway indicate greater risk for neurological decline.
Maternal childhood adversity and child temperament: An association moderated by child 5‐HTTLPR genotype
Authors: Bouvette‐Turcot Andrée‐Anne , Fleming A. S. , Wazana A. , Sokolowski M. B. , Gaudreau H. , Gonzalez A. , Deslauriers J. , Kennedy J. L. , Steiner M. , Meaney M. J. ,   on behalf of the MAVAN Research Team
Published: February 2015

We examined transgenerational effects of maternal childhood adversity on child temperament and a functional promoter polymorphism, 5‐HTTLPR, in the serotonin‐transporter gene (SLC6A4) as potential moderators of such maternal influences in 154 mother–child dyads, recruited into a longitudinal birth cohort study. We examined the interactive effects of maternal childhood experience using an integrated measure derived from Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Parental Bonding Index (PBI). Triallelic genotyping of 5‐HTTLPR was performed. A measure of ‘negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation’ was derived from the Early Childhood Behaviour Questionnaire at 18 and 36 months. Negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation was highly stable between 18 and 36 months and predicted psychosocial problems at 60 months. After controlling multiple demographics as well as both previous and concurrent maternal depression there was a significant interaction effect of maternal childhood adversity and offspring 5‐HTTLPR genotype on child negative emotionality/behavioural dysregulation (β = 1.03, t11,115 = 2.71, P < .01). The results suggest a transgenerational effect of maternal developmental history on emotional function in the offspring, describing a pathway that likely contributes to the familial transmission of vulnerability for psychopathology.
Vocal traits and diet explain avian sensitivities to anthropogenic noise
Authors: Francis Clinton D.
Published: February 2015

Global population growth has caused extensive human‐induced environmental change, including a near‐ubiquitous transformation of the acoustical environment due to the propagation of anthropogenic noise. Because the acoustical environment is a critical ecological dimension for countless species to obtain, interpret and respond to environmental cues, highly novel environmental acoustics have the potential to negatively impact organisms that use acoustics for a variety of functions, such as communication and predator/prey detection. Using a comparative approach with 308 populations of 183 bird species from 14 locations in Europe, North American and the Caribbean, I sought to reveal the intrinsic and extrinsic factors responsible for avian sensitivities to anthropogenic noise as measured by their habitat use in noisy versus adjacent quiet locations. Birds across all locations tended to avoid noisy areas, but trait‐specific differences emerged. Vocal frequency, diet and foraging location predicted patterns of habitat use in response to anthropogenic noise, but body size, nest placement and type, other vocal features and the type of anthropogenic noise (chronic industrial vs. intermittent urban/traffic noise) failed to explain variation in habitat use. Strongly supported models also indicated the relationship between sensitivity to noise and predictive traits had little to no phylogenetic structure. In general, traits associated with hearing were strong predictors – species with low‐frequency vocalizations, which experience greater spectral overlap with low‐frequency anthropogenic noise tend to avoid noisy areas, whereas species with higher frequency vocalizations respond less severely. Additionally, omnivorous species and those with animal‐based diets were more sensitive to noise than birds with plant‐based diets, likely because noise may interfere with the use of audition in multimodal prey detection. Collectively, these results suggest that anthropogenic noise is a powerful sensory pollutant that can filter avian communities nonrandomly by interfering with birds' abilities to receive, respond to and dispatch acoustic cues and signals.
Forest transitions in Eastern Europe and their effects on carbon budgets
Authors: Kuemmerle Tobias , Kaplan Jed O. , Prishchepov Alexander V. , Rylsky Ilya , Chaskovskyy Oleh , Tikunov Vladimir S. , Müller Daniel
Published: February 2015

Forests often rebound from deforestation following industrialization and urbanization, but for many regions our understanding of where and when forest transitions happened, and how they affected carbon budgets remains poor. One such region is Eastern Europe, where political and socio‐economic conditions changed drastically over the last three centuries, but forest trends have not yet been analyzed in detail. We present a new assessment of historical forest change in the European part of the former Soviet Union and the legacies of these changes on contemporary carbon stocks. To reconstruct forest area, we homogenized statistics at the provincial level for ad 1700–2010 to identify forest transition years and forest trends. We contrast our reconstruction with the KK11 and HYDE 3.1 land change scenarios, and use all three datasets to drive the LPJ dynamic global vegetation model to calculate carbon stock dynamics. Our results revealed that forest transitions in Eastern Europe occurred predominantly in the early 20th century, substantially later than in Western Europe. We also found marked geographic variation in forest transitions, with some areas characterized by relatively stable or continuously declining forest area. Our data suggest extensive deforestation in European Russia already prior to ad 1700, and even greater deforestation in the 18th and 19th centuries than in the KK11 and HYDE scenarios. Based on our reconstruction, cumulative carbon emissions from deforestation were greater before 1700 (60 Pg C) than thereafter (29 Pg C). Summed over our entire study area, forest transitions led to a modest uptake in carbon over recent decades, with our dataset showing the smallest effect (<5.5 Pg C) and a more heterogeneous pattern of source and sink regions. This suggests substantial sequestration potential in regrowing forests of the region, a trend that may be amplified through ongoing land abandonment, climate change, and CO2 fertilization.
Haemophilia pseudotumours in patients with inhibitors
Authors: Caviglia H. , Candela M. , Landro M. E. , Douglas Price A. L. , Neme D. , Galatro G. A.
Published: February 2015

Development of inhibitors against factor VIII (FVIII) or FIX is the most serious complication of replacement therapy in patients with haemophilia. Haemophilic pseudotumours in a patient with inhibitors can lead to devastating consequences. The aim of this study is to show our experience in the treatment of 10 pseudotumours in 7 patients with inhibitors who were treated by the same multidisciplinary team in the period between January 2000 and March 2013. Seven severe haemophilia A patients were treated at the Haemophilia Foundation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for 10 pseudotumours. Eight were bone pseudotumours and two soft tissue. All patients underwent imaging studies at baseline to assess the size and content of the lesion. The patients received Buenos Aires protocol as conservative treatment of their pseudotumours for 6 weeks, after which they were evaluated. Only one patient responded to conservative treatment. Surgery was performed on the others six patients, since their pseudotumours did not shrink to less than half their original size. Any bleeding in the musculoskeletal system must be treated promptly in order to prevent pseudotumours. When pseudotumours do appear in inhibitor patients, they can be surgically removed when patients received proper haemostatic coverage, improving the quality of life of these patients.
Primary postpartum haemorrhage in women with von Willebrand disease or carriership of haemophilia despite specialised care: a retrospective survey
Authors: Stoof S. C. M. , van Steenbergen H. W. , Zwagemaker A. , Sanders Y. V. , Cannegieter S. C. , Duvekot J. J. , Leebeek F. W. G. , Peters M. , Kruip M. J. H. A. , Eikenboom J.
Published: February 2015

Pregnant women with bleeding disorders require specialised peripartum care to prevent postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). If third trimester coagulation factor levels are <0.50 IU mL−1, prophylactic treatment is indicated and administered according to international guidelines. However, optimal dose and duration are unknown and bleeding may still occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome in women with von Willebrand disease (VWD) or haemophilia carriership treated according to current practice guidelines. From the period 2002–2011, 185 deliveries in 154 VWD women or haemophilia carriers were retrospectively included. Data on blood loss, bleeding disorder characteristics and obstetric risk factors were obtained. The outcome was primary PPH, defined as blood loss ≥500 mL within 24 h postpartum and severe PPH as blood loss ≥1000 mL. Primary PPH was observed in 62 deliveries (34%), 14 (8%) of which resulted in severe PPH. In 26 deliveries prophylactic treatment was administered due to factor levels below the 0.50 IU mL−1 cut‐off in the third trimester, 14 of which (54%) were complicated by PPH. We found an increased PPH risk in deliveries given prophylactic treatment compared with deliveries without (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2–6.3). In conclusion, PPH incidence was highest in deliveries with the lowest factor levels in the third trimester. Currently, delivery outcome in women with bleeding disorders is unsatisfactory, given the high PPH incidence despite specialised care. Future studies are required to optimise management of deliveries in this patient population.
The impact of joint range of motion limitations on health‐related quality of life in patients with haemophilia A: a prospective study
Authors: Chen C.‐M. , Huang K.‐C. , Chen C.‐C. , Huang S.‐U. , Huang C.‐E. , Chen Y.‐Y. , Hsu S.‐L.
Published: February 2015

In patients with haemophilia A, repeated occurrences of haemarthrosis and synovitis lead to limitations in range of motion (ROM) of major joints. However, the effect of limitations in joint ROM on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in these patients has not been studied previously. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ROM limitations of 10 major joints (bilateral shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles), combined with other possibly influential factors, on HRQOL in patients with haemophilia A. The ROM limitations in 13 movements and pain intensity of the 10 major joints were measured. The socio‐demographic and clinical data were recorded. Short‐Form 36 was used as the HRQOL measurement. Eighteen patients (mean age: 36.9 years) were included. Hip ROM limitations, knee ROM limitations and hip pain intensity predicted physical functioning scale (P < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.553). Shoulder ROM limitations and age predicted role limitation were due to emotional problems scale (P < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.373). Elbow ROM limitations and haemophilia severity predicted mental health scale (P = 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.320). Hip ROM limitations predicted social functioning scale (P = 0.041; adjusted R2 = 0.091). Educational level and elbow ROM limitations predicted vitality scale (P < 0.001; adjusted R2 = 0.416). The ROM limitations of hip, knee, shoulder and elbow could be predictors for HRQOL in patients with haemophilia A. Improving ROM of major joints could be an appropriate treatment strategy to enhance HRQOL in these patients.
Factors influencing illness representations and perceived adherence in haemophilic patients: a pilot study
Authors: Lamiani G. , Strada I. , Mancuso M. E. , Coppola A. , Vegni E. , Moja E. A. ,   the Pro‐Adherence Study Group
Published: February 2015

Illness representations of chronic patients are important to explain adherence and preventive behaviours. However, it is unclear if the patient's objective health status may influence illness representations and perceived adherence. This study explored if health status and socio‐demographic characteristics influence illness representations and perceived adherence in haemophilic patients. Fifty patients (25 on‐demand and 25 on prophylaxis) ageing from 13–73, completed the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire‐Revised and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Patients' cognitive illness representations were influenced by type of treatment, haemophilia severity, presence of inhibitor and co‐morbidity. Perceived chronicity was influenced by patient's age (P = 0.021). Perceived adherence was not influenced by the health status, but was affected by the relationship status (P = 0.048). Perceived adherence was predicted by perceived chronicity (β = 0.412; P = 0.003) and by emotions (β = −0.308; P = 0.023). Patient's health status seems to affect cognitive illness representations but not perceived adherence. Perceived chronicity and negative emotions, which affected perceived adherence, were not influenced by the health status. Physician–patient communication addressing perceived chronicity and emotions rather than patients' health status may influence patient's adherence. Psycho‐educational groups could be offered to promote patient's well‐being and adjustment to haemophilia, and improve adherence.
Acupuncture in the Treatment of Headache: A Traditional Explanation of an Ancient Art
Authors: Cady Roger K. , Farmer Kathleen
Published: February 2015

Background

Over the past 4000 years, acupuncture has survived the test of time. Recent scientific studies posit acupuncture is an effective intervention for back and joint pain and headache, including migraine.

Methods

The process of acupuncture is explained, including the role of Qi, the integration of Yang and Yin, the 5 elements, the 8 trigrams, and the metaphors that help the acupuncturist understand the patient, interpret symptoms, and determine acupuncture points in the meridians used to prevent or treat disease. A case study is presented from 3 perspectives: allopathic, traditional acupuncture, and Western acupuncture.

Results

Selected acupuncture studies in headache are reviewed. The safety of acupuncture is discussed as well as the challenges in conducting clinical studies of acupuncture.
Host Nonresponsiveness Does not Interfere With Vaccine‐Mediated Protection Against Gastric Helicobacter Infection
Authors: Harbour Stacey N. , Mitchell Hazel M. , Sutton Philip
Published: February 2015

Background

Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis results from the inflammation induced by chronic infection. CBA mice are nonresponsive to gastric Helicobacter infection, providing a useful model for examining host regulation of Helicobacter‐induced gastritis. We examined whether gastric Helicobacter nonresponsiveness impacts upon vaccine efficacy and whether immune‐mediated protection could occur in the absence of inflammation.

Methods

Mice were vaccinated prior to challenge with Helicobacter felis or H. pylori. Gastritis and H. felis colonization was evaluated histologically. H. pylori colonization was quantified by colony‐forming assay.

Results

Immunizations protected CBA mice against challenge with either H. felis or H. pylori. Protection against H. felis was marked by a loss of nonresponsiveness and development of an atrophic gastritis with mucus metaplasia. However, vaccine‐induced protection against H. pylori was only associated with cell infiltration into the gastric mucosa.

Conclusions

Nonresponsiveness to gastric Helicobacter infection did not interfere with vaccination‐induced protection. Vaccine‐induced protective immunity against H. pylori was linked with the induction of cellular infiltration, but importantly not atrophic gastritis.
Multiple idiopathic cervical root resorption: a case report
Authors: Wu J. , Lin L. Y. , Yang J. , Chen X. F. , Ge J. Y. , Wu J. R. , Sun W. B.
Published: February 2015

Aim

To report a severe and rare case of multiple idiopathic cervical root resorption (MICRR) in an adult female.

A healthy 27‐year‐old Chinese female, with no significant associated factors, presented with MICRR. Resorption progressed quickly and lesions varied in severity, involving 29 teeth and leading to the loss of 23 teeth over a period of only 3 years. The inner surface of the crown showed extensive areas with worm‐eaten lacunar resorption, and the resorptive lesions had abundant lysosomes throughout their cytoplasm. Further, heavy deposits of reaction products were shown in variously sized lysosomes.
A review of the surgical management of heel pressure ulcers in the 21st century
Authors: Bosanquet David C , Wright Ann M , White Richard D , Williams Ian M
Published: February 2015

Heel ulceration, most frequently the result of prolonged pressure because of patient immobility, can range from the trivial to the life threatening. Whilst the vast majority of heel pressure ulcers (PUs) are superficial and involve the skin (stages I and II) or underlying fat (stage III), between 10% and 20% will involve deeper tissues, either muscle, tendon or bone (stage IV). These stage IV heel PUs represent a major health and economic burden and can be difficult to treat. The worst outcomes are seen in those with large ulcers, compromised peripheral arterial supply, osteomyelitis and associated comorbidities. Whilst the mainstay of management of stage I‐III heel pressure ulceration centres on offloading and appropriate wound care, successful healing in stage IV PUs is often only possible with surgical intervention. Such intervention includes simple debridement, partial or total calcanectomy, arterial revascularisation in the context of coexisting peripheral vascular disease or using free tissue flaps. Amputation may be required for failed surgical intervention, or as a definitive first‐line procedure in certain high‐risk or poor prognosis patient groups. This review provides an overview of heel PUs, alongside a comprehensive literature review detailing the surgical interventions available when managing such patients.
Tuning the Color Emission of Sr2P2O7: Tb3+, Eu3+ Phosphors Based on Energy Transfer
Authors: Xu Mengjiao , Wang Luxiang , Jia Dianzeng , Zhao Hongyang
Published: February 2015

A series of color tunable Tb3+‐ and Eu3+‐activated Sr2P2O7 phosphors were synthesized by a traditional solid‐state reaction method in air atmosphere. The crystal structure, photoluminescence (PL) properties, energy transfer, thermal stability, and luminous efficiency were investigated. A series of characteristic emission of Tb3+ and Eu3+ were observed in the PL spectra and the variation in the emission intensities of the three emission peaks at around 416 nm (blue), 545 nm (green), and 593 nm (orange‐red) induced the multicolor emission evolution by tuning the Tb3+/Eu3+ content ratio. The energy‐transfer mechanism from Tb3+ to Eu3+ ion was determined to be dipole–dipole interaction, and the energy‐transfer efficiency was about 90%. The novel phosphors have excellent thermal stability in the temperature range of 77–473 K and the Commission International De L'Eclairage 1931 chromaticity coordinates of Sr2P2O7: Tb3+, Eu3+ (λex = 378 nm) move toward the ideal white light coordinates.
Facile Synthesis of Large and Thin TiS2 Sheets via a Gas/Molten Salt Interface Reaction
Authors: Tan Mingsheng , Wang Zhiyong , Peng Junjun , Jin Xianbo
Published: February 2015

Highly crystalline hexagonal titanium disulfide (TiS2) sheets were synthesized at the gas/liquid interface between TiCl4 vapor and the dissolved Na2S in equimolar NaCl–KCl melts at temperatures between 700°C and 850°C. TiS2 sheets with sizes of about 10–20 μm and thicknesses of about 50–200 nm have been collected at 700°C–750°C, and much bigger (50–100 μm in sizes) and thicker (1–5 μm in thickness) TiS2 sheets were obtained at 850°C. The mass transfer preferential growth of an interphase layer and the thermodynamically preferential enlargement of the (001) plane of the hexagonal TiS2 crystal were thought to have led the formation of large and thin TiS2 sheets in this proposed gas/liquid interface process. Due to the density difference, the ripe TiS2 sheets sank into the melt allowing the continuing preparation of TiS2 sheets. These TiS2 sheets could spontaneously assemble to TiS2 membranes or be ultrasonically exfoliated to few‐layer TiS2 sheets with thicknesses less than 5 nm. The presented approach should be potentially extendable to the synthesis of large and thin sheets of other layered metal dichalcogenides in large scale.
Facilitating Comprehension, Connection and Commitment to Environmentally Responsible Design
Authors: Boehm (née Sherman) Sarah
Published: February 2015

Given the increased awareness of the negative effects the building industry has on the environment, designs produced without considering sustainability of the planet can no longer be accepted. Although the concepts of sustainability and environmental responsibility are not new to the field of interior design, a review of the literature reveals that Environmentally Responsible Design (ERD) is not being practised with any industry‐wide consistency. This article proposes an interdisciplinary pedagogical model that promises to educate students to imbed ERD principles into the design process. The TIER Model's framework is an amalgam that harnesses insights from Humanistic Sustainability, Place‐Conscious Education, Principles of Sustainable Design, Phases of the Design Process and Traditional Ecological Knowledge to form a broader view of the environment and help synthesise and inculcate the concepts of sustainability. A descriptive case study illustrates how such a framework may be used to introduce ERD and sustainability concepts into design curricula. Findings from this research suggest the need to replicate the TIER Model's use within different team structures, courses and settings around the world. This work represents an innovative approach to fostering an individualised comprehension, connection and commitment to ERD among students of interior design.
Touched by Turner
Authors: Adams Jeff
Published: February 2015

This is a personal reflection on an encounter with the works of the nineteenth‐century painter J. M. W. Turner in London's Tate Britain exhibition ‘Late Turner: Painting Set Free’. The article discusses the deeply subjective nature of engaging with artworks, and touches upon theories that might account for the ineffable but moving experiences that sometimes occur in such situations, often unexpectedly, and analyses the associations that might prompt them – in this case the details of dogs in some of Turner's works. There is a discussion of the theoretical frameworks that may provide an insight into these deeply subjective, personal and yet significant encounters, and how they can provide a means to a richer understanding of an artwork. The article considers the conditions that might be conducive to these contemplative, affective experiences, and how they might occur in educational settings with appropriate forms of pedagogy. The article concludes by contrasting slow, idiosyncratic and subjective learning through artworks, with the dominant, data‐based and reductive trends that currently prevail in mainstream education.
Increased Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Nitric Oxide in Young Prehypertensive Women
Authors: Zhen Yang , Xiao Songhua , Ren Zi , Shen Hong‐wei , Su Huanxing , Tang Yong‐Bo , Zeng Haitao
Published: February 2015

This study investigated the effect of sex differences on circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in prehypertension and its underlying mechanism. The authors found that premenopausal women show increased number and activity of circulating EPCs when compared with men, which was similar to enhanced nitric oxide (NO) level in plasma or culture medium. There was no difference in the number and activity of circulating EPCs and NO level between normotensive and prehypertensive premenopausal women. There was also no difference seen in levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Both number and activity of circulating EPCs were correlated with the level of NO. The present study firstly demonstrated that the number and activity of circulating EPCs were preserved in prehypertensive premenopausal women, which was related to the restoration of NO production. The sex differences in EPCs in prehypertension may be involved in the mechanism underlying vascular protection in premenopausal women.