bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autonomic effects induced by pharmacological activation and inhibition of Raphe Pallidus neurons in anaesthetized adult pigs
Authors: Zucchelli Mino , Bastianini Stefano , Ventrella Domenico , Barone Francesca , Elmi Alberto , Romagnoli Noemi , Hitrec Timna , Berteotti Chiara , Di Cristoforo Alessia , Luppi Marco , Amici Roberto , Bacci Maria L. , Cerri Matteo
Published: October 2019

The Raphe Pallidus (RPa) is a region of the brainstem that was shown to modulate the sympathetic outflow to many tissues and organs involved in thermoregulation and energy expenditure. In rodents, the pharmacological activation of RPa neurons was shown to increase the activity of the brown adipose tissue, heart rate, and expired CO2, whereas their inhibition was shown to induce cutaneous vasodilation and a state of hypothermia that, when prolonged, leads to a state resembling torpor referred to as synthetic torpor. If translatable to humans, this synthetic torpor‐inducing procedure would be advantageous in many clinical settings. A first step to explore such translatability, has been to verify whether the neurons within the RPa play the same role described for rodents in a larger mammal such as the pig. In the present study, we show that the physiological responses inducible by the pharmacological stimulation of RPa neurons are very similar to those observed in rodents. Injection of the GABAA agonist GABAzine in the RPa induced an increase in heart rate (from 99 to 174 bpm), systolic (from 87 to 170 mm Hg) and diastolic (from 51 to 98 mm Hg) arterial pressure, and end‐tidal CO2 (from 49 to 62 mm Hg). All these changes were reversed by the injection in the same area of the GABAA agonist muscimol. These results support the possibility for RPa neurons to be a key target in the research for a safe and effective procedure for the induction of synthetic torpor in humans.
Influence of pumpkin puree and guar gum on the bioactive, rheological, thermal and sensory properties of ice cream
Authors: Mehditabar Hossein , Razavi Seyed M A , Javidi Fatemeh
Published: October 2019

The effects of pumpkin puree and guar gum on the bioactive, rheological, thermal and sensory properties of ice cream were investigated. The addition of pumpkin puree increased total phenolic content, dietary fibre, and antioxidant activity. Appropriate models described shear thinning and thixotropic behaviours of all mixes. By either adding pumpkin puree or by increasing guar gum concentration, all rheological properties increased except the flow behaviour index. Adding pumpkin puree reduced the freezing point temperature, ice content, frozen water and glass transition temperature but it increased unfreezable water. Increasing guar gum concentration did not alter colour and firmness, whereas the pumpkin puree increased colour, intensity of fruit flavours and firmness.
Sorghum Grain: From Genotype, Nutrition, and Phenolic Profile to Its Health Benefits and Food Applications
Authors: Xiong Yun , Zhang Pangzhen , Warner Robyn Dorothy , Fang Zhongxiang
Published: October 2019

Globally, sorghum is one of the most important but least utilized staple crops. Sorghum grain is a rich source of nutrients and health‐beneficial phenolic compounds. The phenolic profile of sorghum is exceptionally unique and more abundant and diverse than other common cereal grains. The phenolic compounds in sorghum are mainly composed of phenolic acids, 3‐deoxyanthocyanidins, and condensed tannins. Studies have shown that sorghum phenolic compounds have potent antioxidant activity in vitro, and consumption of sorghum whole grain may improve gut health and reduce the risks of chronic diseases. Recently, sorghum grain has been used to develop functional foods and beverages, and as an ingredient incorporated into other foods. Moreover, the phenolic compounds, 3‐deoxyanthocyanidins, and condensed tannins can be isolated and used as promising natural multifunctional additives in broad food applications. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and phenolic compounds derived from sorghum and their related health effects, and demonstrate the potential for incorporation of sorghum in food systems as a functional component and food additive to improve food quality, safety, and health functions.
Using the endowment effect to explain managerial resistance towards codetermination: Implications for employment relations from the German case
Authors: Harcourt Mark , Gall Gregor , Wilkinson Adrian , Croucher Richard , Lam Helen
Published: October 2019

This article provides an innovative defence of codetermination by way of exploring two of the most significant theorised objections to it from neo‐liberal and libertarian perspectives, namely the defence of the right to manage as freely chosen by employees and employers alike, and the right to manage being the most efficient, lowest transaction cost mode of employee governance. Instead, we focus upon management preference emanating from the endowment effect, and manifested in management style and ideology, as a more credible explanation for management's support for its prerogative to manage. The endowment effect prompts both strong employer and manager objections to codetermination and weak employee willingness to seek it because humans place more value upon items currently in their possession than upon those they do not possess. We explore this argument by examining the experience of codetermination in Germany. The significance of our argument lies in identifying managerial preference as the key variable to be challenged and changed in order to pacify management opposition to codetermination through political, ideological, and institutional means.
MicroRNA‐134‐5p inhibition rescues long‐term plasticity and synaptic tagging/capture in an Aβ(1–42)‐induced model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Baby Nimmi , Alagappan Nithyakalyani , Dheen Shaikali Thameem , Sajikumar Sreedharan
Published: October 2019

Progressive memory loss is one of the most common characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has been shown to be caused by several factors including accumulation of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Synaptic plasticity and associative plasticity, the cellular basis of memory, are impaired in AD. Recent studies suggest a functional relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating plasticity changes in AD, as their differential expressions were reported in many AD brain regions. However, the specific role of these miRNAs in AD has not been elucidated. We have reported earlier that late long‐term potentiation (late LTP) and its associative mechanisms such as synaptic tagging and capture (STC) were impaired in Aβ (1–42)‐induced AD condition. This study demonstrates that expression of miR‐134‐5p, a brain‐specific miRNA is upregulated in Aβ (1–42)‐treated AD hippocampus. Interestingly, the loss of function of miR‐134‐5p restored late LTP and STC in AD. In AD brains, inhibition of miR‐134‐5p elevated the expression of plasticity‐related proteins (PRPs), cAMP‐response‐element binding protein (CREB‐1) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are otherwise downregulated in AD condition. The results provide the first evidence that the miR‐134‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation of CREB‐1 and BDNF is an important molecular mechanism underlying the plasticity deficit in AD; thus demonstrating the critical role of miR‐134‐5p as a potential therapeutic target for restoring plasticity in AD condition.
Haemorrhoid energy therapy versus rubber band ligation for the management of grade I and II haemorrhoids: a randomized trial
Authors: Filgate Rhys , Dalzell Alex , Hulme‐Moir Michael , Rajaratnam Siraj
Published: October 2019

Backgrounds

Grade I and II haemorrhoids are commonly managed in colorectal practice. Management often involves rubber band ligation. The haemorrhoid energy therapy (HET) device (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) has been developed as an alternative to rubber band ligation (RBL). This study is the first to prospectively evaluate the device versus RBL in the management of grade I and II haemorrhoids.

Methods

A single blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in the colorectal outpatient department. Patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids suitable for banding were prospectively recruited and randomized. Primary outcome was post procedural pain at 1 h as recorded on a 10‐point Likert scale. Secondary outcomes were efficacy in reduction of haemorrhoidal symptom score at 12 weeks, daily average and maximum pain scores for 14 days and complications arising from the intervention.

Results

Thirty patients were randomized (14 HET, 16 RBL). There was no significant difference between the two group's pre‐intervention symptom score and haemorrhoidal grade. The mean pain scores at 1 h in the HET group were 1.5 ± 068 (95% confidence interval), and in the RBL group 4.64 ± 1.74 (95% confidence interval) (P < 0.05). Average (0.7 versus 2.95, P < 0.05) and maximum (1.25 versus 4.4, P < 0.05) pain were lower in the HET group on day one post procedure. At 12 weeks there was no significant difference in the reduction of haemorrhoid symptom scores between the groups (HET 2.27, RBL 1.5 (P > 0.2)).

Conclusion

HET causes less pain then RBL, and is at least as effective in treating the symptoms associated with grade I and II haemorrhoids in the outpatient setting.
Genetic relationship of litter traits between farrowing and weaning in Landrace and Large White pigs
Authors: Ogawa Shinichiro , Konta Ayane , Kimata Makoto , Ishii Kazuo , Uemoto Yoshinobu , Satoh Masahiro
Published: October 2019

We estimated genetic parameters in Landrace and Large White pig populations for litter traits at farrowing (total number born, number born alive, number stillborn, total litter weight at birth (LWB), and mean litter weight at birth) and those at weaning (litter size at weaning (LSW), total litter weight at weaning (LWW), mean litter weight at weaning (MWW), and survival rate from farrowing to weaning). We analyzed 65,579 records at farrowing and 6,306 at weaning for Landrace, and 52,557 and 5,360, respectively, for Large White. Single‐trait and two‐trait repeatability animal models were exploited to estimate heritability and genetic correlation respectively. Heritability estimates of LSW were 0.09 for Landrace and 0.08 for Large White. Genetic correlations of LSW with MWW were –0.43 for Landrace and –0.24 for Large White. Genetic correlations of LSW with LWW and LWB ranged from 0.5 to 0.6. The genetic correlation of MWW with LWW was positive, but that with LWB was negligible. The results indicate that utilizing LWW or LWB could improve LSW efficiently, despite the antagonistic genetic correlation between LSW and MWW.
Assessing the effectiveness of protected areas for conserving range‐restricted rain forest butterflies in Sabah, Borneo
Authors: Scriven Sarah A. , Williams Sara H. , Ghani Mazidi A. , Agama Agnes L. , Benedick Suzan , Brodie Jedediah F. , Hamer Keith C. , McClean Colin J. , Reynolds Glen , Hill Jane K.
Published: October 2019

Rain forests on Borneo support exceptional concentrations of endemic insect biodiversity, but many of these forest‐dependent species are threatened by land‐use change. Totally protected areas (TPAs) of forest are key for conserving biodiversity, and we examined the effectiveness of the current TPA network for conserving range‐restricted butterflies in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo). We found that mean diurnal temperature range and precipitation of the wettest quarter of the year were the most important predictors of butterfly distributions (N = 77 range‐restricted species), and that species richness increased with elevation and aboveground forest carbon. On average across all species, TPAs were effective at conserving ~43% of species’ ranges, but encompassed only ~40% of areas with high species richness (i.e., containing at least 50% of our study species). The TPA network also included only 33%–40% of areas identified as high priority for conserving range‐restricted species, as determined by a systematic conservation prioritization analysis. Hence, the current TPA network is reasonably effective at conserving range‐restricted butterflies, although considerable areas of high species richness (6,565 km2) and high conservation priority (11,152–12,531 km2) are not currently protected. Sabah's remaining forests, and the range‐restricted species they support, are under continued threat from agricultural expansion and urban development, and our study highlights important areas of rain forest that require enhanced protection.

Abstract in Malay is available with online material.
Long‐term variability in artificially and naturally fluoridated water supplies in England
Authors: Moore Deborah , Goodwin Michaela , Pretty Iain A.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To understand the potential impact of exposure misclassification on water fluoridation studies in England, this paper aims to describe the long‐term variation in water fluoride concentrations in both artificially and naturally fluoridated water supplies.

Methods

Water fluoridation dose monitoring data were requested from all five English public water suppliers who artificially fluoridate their water, as well as from one water company that supplies naturally fluoridated water. Descriptive statistics were calculated, including annual means, standard deviations, minimum‐maximum and absolute and relative frequencies.

Results

Data were made available by two of the five English water companies who supply artificially fluoridated water and one water company that supplies naturally fluoridated water (40 398 individual samples). The data for fluoridated water spanned 18‐35 years, whilst the data on naturally fluoridated water spanned 14 years. The artificially fluoridated samples showed wide variation in fluoride dose control, both between different water treatment works and over time. Mean fluoride concentrations in the artificially fluoridated supplies ranged from 0.53 (SD 0.47) to 0.93 (SD 0.22) mg F/L and were within the optimal range of 0.7‐1.0 mg F/L in 27.7%‐77.8% of samples. The naturally fluoridated supplies had a higher mean fluoride concentration of 1.06 (SD 0.18) and 1.15 (SD 0.16) mg F/L than the artificially fluoridated supplies, with lower variation over time. The naturally fluoridated supplies were above the optimal range in 75.5% and 53% of samples.

Conclusions

Assumptions that populations living in areas with a water fluoridation scheme have received optimally fluoridated water (0.7‐1.0 mg F/L) are invalid. To support future research endeavours, as well as to provide ‘external control’ and facilitation of optimal dosing, it is recommended that a quarterly record of water fluoride concentrations (mean, standard deviation and minimum and maximum) are made available for every water supply in England, in a format that can be mapped against residential postcodes.
Verrucous pilar cysts infected with beta human papillomavirus
Authors: Nanes Benjamin A. , Laknezhad Soolmaz , Chamseddin Bahir , Doorbar John , Mir Adnan , Hosler Gregory A. , Wang Richard C.
Published: October 2019

Epidermoid cysts with histopathologic features of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have been previously reported and are commonly termed verrucous cysts. We report a series of eight histopathologically distinct verrucous pilar cysts, distinguished from traditional verrucous epidermoid cysts by trichilemmal keratinization, as well as two verrucous hybrid pilar‐epidermoid cysts. These lesions contain characteristic stratified epithelial linings with abrupt transitions to compact eosinophilic keratin, as well as areas of papillomatosis, coarse intracytoplasmic keratohyalin granules, and vacuolar structures suggestive of HPV‐induced cytopathic change. HPV‐24, a β genus HPV species, was identified by degenerate polymerase chain reaction in DNA extracted from two of the lesions, and the presence of β‐HPV E4 protein was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. HPV‐60, the HPV species most commonly reported in verrucous epidermoid cysts, was not detected. Verrucous pilar cysts represent histopathologically and potentially etiologically distinct lesions which may be underrecognized.
Troubled Encounters: Payments for Ecosystem Services in Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Corbera Esteve , Costedoat Sébastien , Ezzine‐de‐Blas Driss , Van Hecken Gert
Published: October 2019

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) is a well‐established conservation policy approach worldwide. Where forests are owned and managed by rural and indigenous communities, PES initiatives often aim to incentivize the joint adoption of forest protection and sustainable management practices. However, not all communities might have the will or capacity to maintain such practices over the long term. This article examines a PES programme in a rural community of Chiapas, Mexico. It shows that while a majority of the community's landowners have engaged in PES through two distinct working groups, a large share of the community forests remain outside the PES programme, and many landowners resist the extension of PES rules to non‐targeted forests. The authors argue that this incipient form of fragmented collective action on forest management results from challenged leaderships, and from PES accommodating a history of increasing individuation of the commons. This accommodation, however, has ignited social conflict, reified tenure inequalities, and failed to strengthen local institutions to enable them to legitimately deal with the contested interests that underpin the fate of community forests. This article shows the limits of PES when parachuted into a context of uneven land tenure, weak collective action and contested leaderships.
Conserving Natures? Co‐producing Payments for Ecosystem Services in Mongolian Rangelands
Authors: Upton Caroline
Published: October 2019

Despite well‐founded concerns over the proliferation of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes, critical geographers have begun to challenge the ‘milieu of apprehension’ associated with PES (Jackson and Palmer, 2014: 122). There is a growing call for more nuanced analyses of ways in which the ecosystem services paradigm and PES may, in particular circumstances, encompass and make legible diverse ways of being in/knowing nature and provide opportunities for local/indigenous actors to advance their own needs and values. Adopting a ‘radical pragmatist’ approach, the author of this article worked with Mongolian herder groups to develop a locally‐grounded manifestation of PES, with specific attention to the incorporation of diverse socio‐ecological relations, beliefs and values. The article argues that such co‐produced iterations of PES, with due attention to tripartite dimensions of environmental justice, can facilitate local stewardship, whilst eschewing enclosure of commons and crowding out of non‐market values and motives for conservation, albeit shaped and constrained by diverse manifestations of power.
Being proven wrong elicits learning in children – but only in those with higher executive function skills
Authors: Brod Garvin , Breitwieser Jasmin , Hasselhorn Marcus , Bunge Silvia A.
Published: October 2019

This study investigated whether prompting children to generate predictions about an outcome facilitates activation of prior knowledge and improves belief revision. 51 children aged 9–12 were tested on two experimental tasks in which generating a prediction was compared to closely matched control conditions, as well as on a test of executive functions (EF). In Experiment 1, we showed that children exhibited a pupillary surprise response to events that they had predicted incorrectly, hypothesized to reflect the transient release of noradrenaline in response to cognitive conflict. However, children's surprise response was not associated with better belief revision, in contrast to a previous study involving adults. Experiment 2 revealed that, while generating predictions helped children activate their prior knowledge, only those with better inhibitory control skills learned from incorrectly predicted outcomes. Together, these results suggest that good inhibitory control skills are needed for learning through cognitive conflict. Thus, generating predictions benefits learning – but only among children with sufficient EF capacities to harness surprise for revising their beliefs.
Optimal Location of Wells for Storage and Recovery of Surplus Desalinated Water in Coastal Aquifers
Authors: Triki Chefi , Zekri Slim , Al‐Maktoumi Ali , Bazargan‐Lari Mohammad R.
Published: October 2019

Storage of water in aquifers using injection wells is an efficient way for utilizing excess desalinated water in arid regions. In this investigation we estimate the benefits of optimally recharging seasonal surplus desalinated water into a strategic coastal aquifer already benefitting from natural recharge of flash‐floods water by a recharge dam. Since, usually the buyers of desalinated water commit to purchase surplus desalinated water under take‐or‐pay contracts, any attempt in utilizing the paid water is beneficial. Coastal cities are observing an increased urbanization leaving limited space for aquifer recharge infrastructure. In order to determine the optimal location of wells and maximize the use of surplus desalinated water available in winter period, a decision tool combining a numerical groundwater flow simulation model (MODFLOW) with an optimization model is developed. The results of this study show that increasing the number of wells from the existing 45 wells to 173 would allow storing 31.4 million cubic meter per year of excess desalinated water into the aquifer that can be used during later during summer months. The net benefit would reach US$55 million/year while the cost of drilling the new wells is US$5.11 million.
Exploring Groundwater Resources and Recharge Potentialities at El‐Gallaba Plain, Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Geriesh Mohamed H. , Mansour Basma M.H. , Gaber Ahmed , Mamoun Khalid
Published: October 2019

Egypt has a fast‐growing population rate of 2.5%/year; consequently, there is an increase in the water demand for living and launching different development plans. Meanwhile, there is intensive construction of several dams in the upstream Nile basin countries. Thus, it is necessary to search for new water resources to overcome the expected shortages of the Nile water supply by focusing on alternative groundwater resources. El‐Gallaba Plain area is one of the most promising areas in the western desert of Egypt attaining the priority for new reclamation projects; however, its hydrogeological setting is not well understood. The present work aims at identifying the recharge potential of the groundwater aquifers in El‐Gallaba Plain, as well as exploring the role of geologic structures as natural conduits, and evaluating the groundwater types, origin and distribution. The integration of hydrogeophysical studies (aero and land magnetic surveys, vertical electrical sounding), hydrochemical analyses and remote sensing were successfully used for assessing the groundwater development potential. The hydrogeophysical studies show a large graben bound aquifer with thickness exceeding 220 m. The hydrochemical results indicate the presence of three major water types; Na mix, NaCl, NaClHCO3 with salinities ranging between 227 and 4324 mg/L. The aquifer receives little recharge from the western fractured calcareous plateau from past pluvial periods and scarce present flashfloods. There is no indication for recent recharge from Lake Nasser to the aquifer domain. Further modeling studies are essential for establishing sustainable abstraction levels from this aquifer.
Cost of capital and valuation in the public and private sectors: Tax, risk and debt capacity
Authors: Brealey Richard A. , Cooper Ian A. , Habib Michel A.
Published: October 2019

Cost of capital and valuation differ in the private and public sectors, because taxes are a cost to the private sector but are only a transfer to the public sector. We show how to transform the after‐tax private sector cost of capital into its pre‐tax equivalent, for comparison with the public sector cost of capital. We establish the existence of a tax induced wedge between these two costs of capital. The wedge introduces a preference on the part of the private sector for assets with rapid tax depreciation, high debt capacity and low risk. We show that, in circumstances where an asset has identical public and private sector valuation in the absence of taxes, the tax induced difference in valuation is identical to the change in government tax receipts that results from having the asset owned by the private rather than the public sector. We provide some examples of distortions that result from failure to adjust for changes in tax revenues, and show how to effect such adjustment.
Optimizing the thermal assisted high‐pressure process parameters for a sugarcane based mixed beverage using response surface methodology
Authors: Suprabha Raj Anu , Chakraborty Snehasis , Rao Pavuluri Srinivasa
Published: October 2019

Effect of thermal assisted high pressure processing (THPP) on physicochemical (pH, total soluble solids [TSS], titrable acidity, color) biochemical (phenols, ascorbic acid [AA], antioxidants), and enzymatic (polyphenol oxidase [PPO] and peroxidase [POD]) attributes of the sugarcane based mixed beverage were studied within a domain of pressure (300–500 MPa), temperature (40–60°C) and time (10–20 min) following a central composite design. The THPP process parameters had negligible influence (p > .2) on pH, TSS, and titrable acidity of the beverage. The color change (ΔE* values) varied from 0.97 to 3.6. Up to 400 MPa/30°C/15 min, beverage possessed an increased AA content (17%); however, further increase in either pressure and temperature resulted in the loss of its activity by maximum of 29%. A significant degradation was obtained in the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity above 60°C irrespective of pressure and time. A substantial inactivation in PPO (79%) and POD (72%) activity was obtained in the beverage within the THPP domain.

Practical applications

Sugarcane juice is a pleasant, thirst quenching beverage with considerable nutritional qualities. The processing and marketing of the juice as a ready to serve beverage is limited by the high content of reducing sugars and browning enzymes. In order to combat this a mixed beverage based on sugarcane juice has been formulated. The addition of Indian gooseberry juice enhanced the ascorbic acid content and served as a natural antioxidant. Ginger juice improved the aroma of the juice. Formulation was optimized based on desirability indices of sensory attributes. Further high pressure processing (HPP) of the beverage was done to preserve the nutritional integrity and to ensure the shelf life. The data is helpful for designing the process parameters for HPP of sugarcane based mixed beverage.
Validity, potential clinical utility, and comparison of consumer and research‐grade activity trackers in Insomnia Disorder I: In‐lab validation against polysomnography
Authors: Kahawage Piyumi , Jumabhoy Ria , Hamill Kellie , de Zambotti Massimiliano , Drummond Sean P. A.
Published: October 2019

Consumer activity trackers claiming to measure sleep/wake patterns are ubiquitous within clinical and consumer settings. However, validation of these devices in sleep disorder populations are lacking. We examined 1 night of sleep in 42 individuals with insomnia (mean = 49.14 ± 17.54 years) using polysomnography, a wrist actigraph (Actiwatch Spectrum Pro: AWS) and a consumer activity tracker (Fitbit Alta HR: FBA). Epoch‐by‐epoch analysis and Bland−Altman methods evaluated each device against polysomnography for sleep/wake detection, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset and sleep latency. FBA sleep stage classification of light sleep (N1 + N2), deep sleep (N3) and rapid eye movement was also compared with polysomnography. Compared with polysomnography, both activity trackers displayed high accuracy (81.12% versus 82.80%, AWS and FBA respectively; ns) and sensitivity (sleep detection; 96.66% versus 96.04%, respectively; ns) but low specificity (wake detection; 39.09% versus 44.76%, respectively; p = .037). Both trackers overestimated total sleep time and sleep efficiency, and underestimated sleep latency and wake after sleep onset. FBA demonstrated sleep stage sensitivity and specificity, respectively, of 79.39% and 58.77% (light), 49.04% and 95.54% (deep), 65.97% and 91.53% (rapid eye movement). Both devices were more accurate in detecting sleep than wake, with equivalent sensitivity, but statistically different specificity. FBA provided equivalent estimates as AWS for all traditional actigraphy sleep parameters. FBA also showed high specificity when identifying N3, and rapid eye movement, though sensitivity was modest. Thus, it underestimates these sleep stages and overestimates light sleep, demonstrating more shallow sleep than actually obtained. Whether FBA could serve as a low‐cost substitute for actigraphy in insomnia requires further investigation.
Anthocyanin Fruit encodes an R2R3‐MYB transcription factor, SlAN2‐like, activating the transcription of SlMYBATV to fine‐tune anthocyanin content in tomato fruit
Authors: Yan Shuangshuang , Chen Na , Huang Zejun , Li Dongjing , Zhi Junjie , Yu Bingwei , Liu Xiaoxi , Cao Bihao , Qiu Zhengkun
Published: October 2019

Anthocyanin fruit (Aft) and atroviolacea (atv) were characterized in wild tomato and can enhance anthocyanin content in tomato fruit. However, the gene underlying the Aft locus and the mechanism by which Aft and atv act remain largely unknown.

In this study, the Aft locus was fine‐mapped to an approximately 145‐kb interval on chromosome 10, excluding SlAN2 (Solyc10g086250), SlANT1 (Solyc10g086260) and SlANT1‐like (Solyc10g086270), which have previously been suggested as candidates. Thus, the R2R3‐MYB transcription factor SlAN2‐like (Solyc10g086290) was considered the best candidate gene for Aft.

The CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated SlAN2‐like mutants show a much lower accumulation of anthocyanins associated with the downregulation of multiple anthocyanin‐related genes compared to the wild‐type tomato, indicating that SlAN2‐like is responsible for the Aft phenotype. The repressive function of SlMYBATV also was confirmed through the CRISPR/Cas9 approach. A yeast‐two‐hybrid assay revealed that SlMYBATV interacts with the bHLH protein SlJAF13. Furthermore, yeast‐one‐hybrid and dual‐luciferase transient expression assays showed that Aft directly binds to the SlMYBATV promoter and activates its expression.

The results herein provide candidate genes to enhance anthocyanin content in tomato fruit. This research also provides insight into a mechanism involving the Aft‐SlMYBATV pathway that fine‐tunes anthocyanin accumulation in tomato fruit.
The Medtronic Sprint Fidelis® lead history revisited—Extended follow‐up of passive leads
Authors: Frey Simon Martin , Sticherling Christian , Altmann David , Brenner Roman , Kühne Michael , Ammann Peter , Coslovsky Michael , Osswald Stefan , Schaer Beat
Published: October 2019

Background

Due to high failure rates, Medtronic withdrew the Sprint Fidelis lead (SFL) from the market. Passive fixation lead models exhibited better survival than active models, but most studies have limited follow‐up. Aim of this study was to give insights into passive lead survival with a follow‐up of 10 years.

Methods

In two large Swiss centers, patients with passive SFLs were identified and data from routine implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) follow‐ups were collected. Patients were censored at time of death, last device interrogation (if lost to follow‐up), time of lead revision (in non‐SFL‐related problems), or at database closure (31th December 2017). We defined lead failure as any of the following: lead fracture with inappropriate discharge; sudden increase in low‐voltage impedance to >1500 or high‐voltage impedance to >100 Ω; >300 nonphysiological short VV‐intervals.

Results

We identified 145 patients. Age at implant was 60 ± 12 years with a median follow‐up of 10.2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.0‐11.2) years. Thirty‐five percent of patients died after 5.4 ± 2.7 years. A total of 19 leads (13%) failed after 6.7 ± 3.2 years (range: 1.2‐12.0). Overt malfunction with shocks existed in four patients (3%). Cumulative lead survival was 93.1% at 6, 88.2% at 8, 83.8% at 10, and 77.6% at 11 years, respectively, with 35% of implanted leads under monitoring at 10 years. Lead survival fits best a Weibull distribution with accelerating failure rates (k = 1.95, 95% CI 1.32‐2.87, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

During very long‐term follow‐up, failure rate of the passive SFL shows an increase resulting in an impaired lead survival of 84% at 10 years.
Patients With Fibromyalgia Reporting Severe Pain but Low Impact of the Syndrome: Clinical and Pain‐Related Cognitive Features
Authors: Angarita‐Osorio Natalia , Pérez‐Aranda Adrián , Feliu‐Soler Albert , Andrés‐Rodríguez Laura , Borràs Xavier , Suso‐Ribera Carlos , Slim Mahmoud , Herrera‐Mercadal Paola , Fernández‐Vergel Rita , Blanco Mª Elena , Luciano Juan V.
Published: October 2019

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a prevalent and highly disabling chronic pain syndrome. However, differences among patients regarding how pain impacts on daily life are remarkable. The main aim of this study was to identify clinical and pain‐related cognitive variables characterizing patients reporting high adaptability despite experiencing severe chronic pain.

Methods

Two hundred and eighty‐three Spanish patients with FM with high levels of pain were classified into 2 groups: (1) those reporting low impact of the syndrome, and (2) those with moderate‐to‐high impact. Perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms along with pain catastrophizing, psychological inflexibility, and perceived control over pain were evaluated. Differences in sociodemographics, years with FM, past/current major depressive disorder comorbidity, and health‐related economic costs (ie, medications, use of medical services, lost productivity due to sick leave) were also assessed. Stepwise logistic regression analyses predicting group membership from clinical variables and pain‐related cognitive processes as predictors were performed.

Results

Lower stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, along with reduced pain catastrophism, psychological inflexibility, and perceived control over pain, were found in the low‐impact group. Significant predictors of group membership (low‐impact vs. moderate‐to‐high impact) in regression analyses were “cognitive fusion” (psychological inflexibility), “helplessness” (pain catastrophizing), and depressive symptomatology, together with pain intensity and other FM symptoms.

Conclusions

The present study provides further evidence on resilience resources in chronic pain by identifying some variables (ie, reduced depressive symptomatology, pain catastrophizing, and psychological inflexibility) differentially characterizing a profile of patients with FM who are especially able to adapt to high levels of pain.
Psychological resilience to suicidal thoughts and behaviours in people with schizophrenia diagnoses : A systematic literature review
Authors: Harris Kamelia , Haddock Gillian , Peters Sarah , Gooding Patricia
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Suicide deaths are a major concern in people with schizophrenia diagnoses. However, many people with such diagnoses do not attempt suicide, nor die by suicide, suggesting that some individuals are resilient to the impact of suicide triggers. This systematic literature review aimed to (1) appraise the evidence for psychological factors which confer resilience to suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and (2) categorize these psychological factors into broader psychological constructs which characterize resilience.

Methods

The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews. A literature search of four electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE) was conducted. A quality evaluation of the included studies was carried out by two independent researchers using a quality assessment tool.

Results

Psychological factors from 27 studies were categorized into four constructs: (1) perceived social support, (2) holding religious and spiritual beliefs, (3) identifying reasons for living, and (4) perceived positive personal skills and attributes.

Conclusions

The limited literature showed that resilience is important in understanding suicidal thoughts and behaviours in people with schizophrenia diagnoses. There is a need for prospective research that investigates moderating effects of psychological resilience in the pathways to suicidal thoughts and behaviours in people with schizophrenia diagnoses.

Practitioner points

Novel evidence for four psychological constructs which may confer resilience to suicidal thoughts and behaviours in people with schizophrenia diagnoses.

Strong evidence for the impact of perceived social support and appraisals of personal skills and attributes on the severity of suicidal experiences in people with schizophrenia diagnoses.

There was equivocal evidence for the effect of holding religious and spiritual beliefs on suicide attempts.

Clinical practice would benefit from assessing perceived personal attributes and levels of social support from significant others and health professionals.
Pattern of inheritance of a self‐fertility gene in an autotetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) population
Authors: Do Canto Javier , Studer Bruno , Frei Ursula , Lübberstedt Thomas
Published: October 2019

A mutation causing self‐fertility (SF) in perennial ryegrass was studied at the tetraploid level. The aim of this work was to determine a) whether SF remains functional in a tetraploid population and b) whether the SF mutation expresses dominance in heterozygous pollen grains. A tetraploidized plant carrying SF alleles was self‐pollinated to create a segregating F2 population. In the F2 individuals, pollen compatibility ranged between 38% and 84% showing that SF remained functional. The SF locus genotype was the main determinant of pollen compatibility explaining 78% of the variation. The observed segregation was significantly different from the expected under both SF being dominant or recessive models (P(χ2)≤0.001) and tended to be intermediate between them, indicating partial dominance or additive gene action. The frequency of the different genotypes suggested that pollen grains homozygous for the mutation have a competitive advantage over heterozygous pollen and that pollen compatibility is affected by the interaction with additional loci. The implications of our results for breeding polyploid grasses are discussed.
Acute ulceronecrotic adverse reaction to potassium hydroxide 5% solution in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum
Authors: Bresesti Ilia , Ciolfi Christian , Rotatore Giuseppe , Borisov Angel N. , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo , Brazzelli Valeria
Published: October 2019

Molluscum contagiosum is a common childhood condition, and although it is self‐limited, treatments are often prescribed. Several medications are available, but there is no consensus regarding the optimal choice in the pediatric population. We report a child who underwent potassium hydroxide 5% treatment resulting in superficial diffuse erosions caused by the inappropriate application. This underlines the importance of parent education before use of this medication with well‐known caustic properties.
Determinants of Software Vulnerability Disclosure Timing
Authors: Sen Ravi , Choobineh Joobin , Kumar Subodha
Published: October 2019

The timing of vulnerability disclosures (by vulnerability discoverers) has significant implications for software producers and users. Immediate disclosure (before a patch becomes available) could result in exploits with subsequent harm to installed systems. Therefore, it is important to understand the determinants of this timing. In this study, we investigate the impacts of (i) the perception of the vulnerability discoverer about the software producer, (ii) the type of vulnerable software, and (iii) the severity of the vulnerability, on a vulnerability discoverer's choice of disclosure timing. We collect data from three different sources and control for the vulnerability discoverer's motivations and beliefs. Our results indicate that those who perceive a software producer to be timely in its patch release, reward it by delaying the disclosure. We also find that it is more likely that the disclosure is delayed for open source software and it is less likely that the disclosure is delayed for more severe vulnerabilities. The findings of this study are relevant to software producers in their decision‐making process on resource allocation for software patches and should also help policy‐makers to devise regulations relevant to the timing of disclosures and patch releases. Furthermore, these findings could be relevant to software consumers searching for a particular software product that they would like to use. This study attempts to provide insights into an ongoing discussion in the operations management community regarding how to allocate and divide resources between software development and software maintenance.
Supplementation with exogenous coenzyme Q10 to media for in vitro maturation and embryo culture fails to promote the developmental competence of porcine embryos
Authors: Maside Carolina , Martinez Cristina A. , Cambra Josep M. , Lucas Xiomara , Martinez Emilio A. , Gil María Antonia , Rodriguez‐Martinez Heriberto , Parrilla Inmaculada , Cuello Cristina
Published: October 2019

The coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant with critical protection role against cell oxidative stress, caused by the mitochondrial dysfunction. This study evaluated the effects of CoQ10 supplementation to in vitro maturation (IVM) or embryo culture media on the maturation, fertilization and subsequent embryonic development of pig oocytes and embryos. Maturation (Experiment 1) or embryo culture (Experiment 2) media were supplemented with 0 (control), 10, 25, 50 and 100 μM CoQ10. The addition of 10–50 μM CoQ10 to the IVM medium did not affect the percentage of MII oocytes nor the fertilization or the parameters of subsequent embryonic development. Exogenous CoQ10 in the culture medium neither did affect the development to the 2–4‐cell stage nor rates of blastocyst formation. Moreover, the highest concentration of CoQ10 (100 μM) in the maturation medium negatively affected blastocyst rates. In conclusion, exogenous CoQ10 supplementation of maturation or embryo culture media failed to improve the outcomes of our in vitro embryo production system and its use as an exogenous antioxidant should not be encouraged.
Assessment of a germplasm bank for the autochthonous cattle breed Asturiana de la Montaña: Extender (Biociphos vs. BIOXCell) affected sperm quality but not field fertility
Authors: Tamargo Carolina , Hidalgo Carlos O. , Caamaño Jose Néstor , Salman Amer , Fueyo Carmen , Arija Cristina , Fernández Ángel , Merino María J. , Martínez‐Pastor Felipe
Published: October 2019

Semen banking is critical to preserving rare and autochthonous breeds. However, protocols can change with time, leaving heterogeneous semen batches. The objective of this study was to assess differences in sperm quality and field fertility. We report differences between batches frozen with the Biociphos and BIOXCell extenders in the Asturiana de la Montaña cryobank (autochthonous and endangered breed, Northern Spain). Doses from 48 bulls were analysed by CASA and flow cytometry. The 85‐days non‐return rates from AI records were used to assess the fertility of 23,853 AI. BIOXCell showed higher quality post‐thawing. Differences increased after a 5‐hr incubation at 37°C, and Biociphos yielded doses with lower resilience. Field fertility did not differ between extenders (Biociphos: 57.4% ± 1.2; BIOXCell: 56.6% ± 3.0), possibly because of AI protocols compensating for differences in quality. However, this needs to be confirmed by controlled intervention studies. In conclusion, batches frozen with Biociphos may require specific strategies for compensating for the lower sperm quality. Regular surveys and evaluation of cryobank procedures may be useful to characterizing stored batches and defining strategies to guaranteeing success in their future use.
Abortion in dairy cattle with advanced twin pregnancies: Incidence and timing
Authors: Garcia‐Ispierto Irina , López‐Gatius Fernando
Published: October 2019

This study examines incidences and timing of abortion in Holstein Friesian dairy cows with advanced twin pregnancies in north‐eastern Spain. The study population consisted of 1,194 twin pregnancies in two herds recorded from 2010 to 2015: 522 bilateral and 672 unilateral. The presence of live twins was determined by transrectal ultrasonography between 55 and 61 days post‐AI and pregnancy confirmed 60 days later. Abortion was recorded in 278 (23.3%) cows before Day 260 of pregnancy: 7 (1.3%) in bilateral and 271 (40.3%) in unilateral twin pregnancies. Using binary logistic regression procedures the following were excluded as risk factors for abortion: herd, year, heat stress (temperature‐humidity index values >72), lactation number and right versus left side for unilateral twins. Based on odds ratios, cows carrying unilateral twins were 49.9 (right unilateral twins) and 49.3 (left unilateral twins) times more likely to suffer abortion than cows with bilateral twins. The average time of abortion for unilateral twins was 173 ± 32 days and ranged from 135 to 249 days, 43% of abortions occurring between 135 and 154 days of gestation. The authors suggest prevention or reduction of unilateral twin pregnancies by follicular puncture and drainage of subordinate follicles at AI or manual rupture of the amniotic vesicle of one of the two twins at the time of pregnancy diagnosis.
Conceptualism and Concept Acquisition
Authors: McAllister Blake
Published: October 2019

Many think that the perceptual theory known as “conceptualism” cannot honour a common and intuitive constraint on concept acquisition – that we gain the initial power to deploy primitive concepts through experience. Their argument is: if experience involves the deployment of concepts, then one must possess the power to deploy those concepts prior to experience. I argue that the plausibility of this argument rests on a subtle equivocation. It is true that conceptualism requires a particular kind of power to deploy concepts prior to experience, but not the sort referenced in the intuitive constraint mentioned above. I end by proposing how the conceptualist might satisfy this constraint. I conclude that conceptualism is better situated to account for primitive concept acquisition than typically thought.