bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic differentiation and regional adaptation among seed origins used for grassland restoration: lessons from a multispecies transplant experiment
Authors: Bucharova Anna , Michalski Stefan , Hermann Julia‐Maria , Heveling Karola , Durka Walter , Hölzel Norbert , Kollmann Johannes , Bossdorf Oliver
Published: March 2016

One of the key questions in ecosystem restoration is the choice of seed material for restoring plant communities. More and more scientists and practitioners are currently advocating the use of regional seed sources, based on the argument that plants are often adapted to local or regional environmental conditions, and thus, regional seed sources should provide the best restoration success. However, there is still substantial debate about this approach, partly because of a lack of solid empirical data.

We conducted a multispecies transplant experiment in which we compared the performance of eight seed origins of seven plant species frequently used in grassland restoration in four common gardens across Germany.

We found that, on average, plants of regional origins produced 10% more inflorescences and 7% more biomass than those of foreign origins. There were substantial differences among species in the strength of these effects, but in the majority of the study species fitness decreased with increasing geographical distance of seed origins or with increasing climatic differences between plant origins and experimental sites.

In addition to these effects on plant fitness, increasing geographical or climatic distances of origin were often also correlated with increasing differences in plant phenology. Since phenology is important for biotic interactions, especially with pollinators and seed predators, using foreign seed sources may have cascading effects on local ecosystems.

Synthesis and applications. Genetic differentiation is widespread in grassland species and often shows the patterns of regional adaptation. Our study thus supports the use of regional seed sources in restoration. Moreover, using non‐regional seed sources in grassland restoration may not only decrease the performance of plants, but it will likely also affect their biotic interactions.
Direction of attentional focus in biofeedback treatment for /r/ misarticulation
Authors: McAllister Byun Tara , Swartz Michelle T. , Halpin Peter F. , Szeredi Daniel , Maas Edwin
Published: March 2016

Background

Maintaining an external direction of focus during practice is reported to facilitate acquisition of non‐speech motor skills, but it is not known whether these findings also apply to treatment for speech errors. This question has particular relevance for treatment incorporating visual biofeedback, where clinician cueing can direct the learner's attention either internally (i.e., to the movements of the articulators) or externally (i.e., to the visual biofeedback display).

Aims

This study addressed two objectives. First, it aimed to use single‐subject experimental methods to collect additional evidence regarding the efficacy of visual–acoustic biofeedback treatment for children with /r/ misarticulation. Second, it compared the efficacy of this biofeedback intervention under two cueing conditions. In the external focus (EF) condition, participants’ attention was directed exclusively to the external biofeedback display. In the internal focus (IF) condition, participants viewed a biofeedback display, but they also received articulatory cues encouraging an internal direction of attentional focus.

Methods & Procedures

Nine school‐aged children were pseudo‐randomly assigned to receive either IF or EF cues during 8 weeks of visual–acoustic biofeedback intervention. Accuracy in /r/ production at the word level was probed in three to five pre‐treatment baseline sessions and in three post‐treatment maintenance sessions. Outcomes were assessed using visual inspection and calculation of effect sizes for individual treatment trajectories. In addition, a mixed logistic model was used to examine across‐subjects effects including phase (pre/post‐treatment), /r/ variant (treated/untreated), and focus cue condition (internal/external).

Outcomes & Results

Six out of nine participants showed sustained improvement on at least one treated /r/ variant; these six participants were evenly divided across EF and IF treatment groups. Regression results indicated that /r/ productions were significantly more likely to be rated accurate post‐ than pre‐treatment. Internal versus external direction of focus cues was not a significant predictor of accuracy, nor did it interact significantly with other predictors.

Conclusions

The results are consistent with previous literature reporting that visual–acoustic biofeedback can produce measurable treatment gains in children who have not responded to previous intervention. These findings are also in keeping with previous research suggesting that biofeedback may be sufficient to establish an external attentional focus, independent of verbal cues provided. The finding that explicit articulator placement cues were not necessary for progress in treatment has implications for intervention practices for speech‐sound disorders in children.
New biosynthetic pathway for pink pigments from uncultured oceanic viruses
Authors: Ledermann Benjamin , Béjà Oded , Frankenberg‐Dinkel Nicole
Published: March 2016

The pink open‐chain tetrapyrrole pigment phycoerythrobilin (PEB) is employed by marine cyanobacteria, red algae and cryptophytes as a light‐harvesting chromophore in phycobiliproteins. Genes encoding biosynthesis proteins for PEB have also been discovered in cyanophages, viruses that infect cyanobacteria, and mimic host pigment biosynthesis with the exception of PebS which combines the enzymatic activities of two host enzymes. In this study, we have identified novel members of the PEB biosynthetic enzyme families, heme oxygenases and ferredoxin‐dependent bilin reductases. Encoding genes were found in metagenomic datasets and could be traced back to bacteriophage but not cyanophage origin. While the heme oxygenase exhibited standard activity, a new bilin reductase with highest homology to the teal pigment producing enzyme PcyA revealed PEB biosynthetic activity. Although PcyX possesses PebS‐like activity both enzymes share only 9% sequence identity and likely catalyze the reaction via two independent mechanisms. Our data point towards the presence of phycobilin biosynthetic genes in phages that probably infect alphaproteobacteria and, therefore, further support a role of phycobilins outside oxygenic phototrophs.
Does Political and Economic Inequality Affect Institutional Quality?
Authors: Baryshnikova Nadezhda V. , Pham Ngoc T.A. , Wihardja Maria M.
Published: March 2016

We study how inequality, democracy and economic development affect institutions in a dynamic panel model using data for 78 countries from 1984 to 2006. We suggest a model that assumes the sluggish adjustment of institutional quality and the interplay between the key explanatory variables. We find that democracy has a non‐linear effect on government stability and military involvement in politics. This effect depends on inequality and GDP per capita. Inequality matters for law and order and has a non‐linear effect as well. However, the results for wealth effect are mixed.
Interobserver Reliability of the Total Body Score System for Quantifying Human Decomposition
Authors: Dabbs Gretchen R. , Connor Melissa , Bytheway Joan A.
Published: March 2016

Several authors have tested the accuracy of the Total Body Score (TBS) method for quantifying decomposition, but none have examined the reliability of the method as a scoring system by testing interobserver error rates. Sixteen participants used the TBS system to score 59 observation packets including photographs and written descriptions of 13 human cadavers in different stages of decomposition (postmortem interval: 2–186 days). Data analysis used a two‐way random model intraclass correlation in SPSS (v. 17.0). The TBS method showed “almost perfect” agreement between observers, with average absolute correlation coefficients of 0.990 and average consistency correlation coefficients of 0.991. While the TBS method may have sources of error, scoring reliability is not one of them. Individual component scores were examined, and the influences of education and experience levels were investigated. Overall, the trunk component scores were the least concordant. Suggestions are made to improve the reliability of the TBS method.
Military Expenditure Trends for 1960–2014 and What They Reveal
Authors: Sandler Todd , George Justin
Published: March 2016

The article uses newly available consistent military expenditure data for 1960–2014 to examine past and current global spending trends during and after the Cold War. We are particularly interested in the impact of the end of the Cold War, 9/11 and the 2008 recession on military spending worldwide. The global share of military spending of East Asia & Pacific and the Middle East & North Africa increased relative to other regions since 1985. This increase underscores the need for western allies to bolster their power projection capacities. After 1999, both China and Russia raised their real defense spending, with China's increases far exceeding that of Russia. Both countries have a long ways to go to rival US capabilities. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continues to be heavily dependent on US defense spending. The post‐1998 expansion allies assume about 2.4 per cent of the alliance's defense burden, while representing significant risks to NATO, given recent Russian actions in the Ukraine.
Nonpharmacological Correction of Hypersympatheticotonia in Patients with Chronic Coronary Insufficiency and Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Afanasiev Sergey A. , Pavliukova Elena N. , Kuzmichkina Maria A. , Rebrova Tatiana Yu. , Anfinogenova Yana , Likhomanov Konstantin S. , Karpov Rostislav S.
Published: March 2016

Background

Control of sympathetic hyperactivity is pivotal for treatment of heart failure (HF) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our earlier studies demonstrated that the auricular pulsed electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) beneficially affected condition of CAD patients with HF. The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in heart rate (HR) and the levels of heat shock proteins in peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with CAD in the course of VNS.

Methods

The study comprised 70 individuals aged 50–68 years with chronic coronary insufficiency, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and NYHA functional class (FC) III–IV HF. Main group included 63 patients who received VNS course (group 1). Control patients (n = 7) received sham therapy (group 2).

Results

According to the results of 6‐minute walk test and 24‐hour ECG monitoring, administration of VNS improved clinical condition of 58 of 63 patients, decreased HF FC, and attenuated HR. Clinical condition in sham therapy group did not change. Immunoenzyme method demonstrated that hsp70 and hsp60 contents in peripheral blood lymphocyte lysate increased by 58% and 48% (P < 0.05), respectively, in patients who initially had HR < 80 bpm. The hsp70 level significantly increased and hsp60 level remained unchanged in patients with initial HR > 80 bpm.

Conclusions

Correction of autonomous nervous status by VNS attenuated HR and improved functional state of the heart in CAD patients. Cardiotropic effect of VNS was the most pronounced in patients with preserved endogenous stress‐limiting systems associated with hsp60 and/or hsp70.
Mucus cells in koi (Cyprinus carpio) scale epidermis
Authors: DePasquale Joseph A.
Published: March 2016

Morphological and dynamic characteristics of epidermal mucus cells were examined in intact scales of Cyprinus carpio. Mucus cells were identified by alcian blue staining and live mucus cells characterized with differential interference contrast microscopy. Mucus cell pores were shown to be narrow slits or triangular‐shaped openings which are invariably situated at cell‐cell junctions. Small granules were often located at or just below the openings with larger granules positioned deeper into the cell. The large granules were observed to undergo a bubbling‐like activity, where a granule suddenly appears, enlarges and then abruptly disappears. Situated below the large granules is a dense matrix of quiescent small, tightly packed mucin granules. The findings suggest that mature epidermal mucus cells are structurally ordered with respect to secretory activity, where small numbers of initially basally located, densely packed granules rapidly expand in a location proximal to the pore and presumably prior to mucus release through the pore.
Drug‐induced Raynaud's phenomenon: beyond β‐adrenoceptor blockers
Authors: Khouri Charles , Blaise Sophie , Carpentier Patrick , Villier Céline , Cracowski Jean‐Luc , Roustit Matthieu
Published: March 2016

Aim

Drug‐induced Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) has long been associated with the use of different drugs, including cancer chemotherapy or β‐adrenoceptor blockers. However, sources report extremely variable prevalence and the level of evidence for each class is heterogeneous. Moreover, new signals are emerging from case reports and small series. Our objective was therefore to review available evidence about this adverse drug effect and to propose a mechanistic approach of drug‐induced RP.

Methods

A systematic review of English and French language articles was performed through Medline (1946–2015) and Embase (1974–2015). Further relevant papers were identified from the reference lists of retrieved articles.

Results

We identified 12 classes of drugs responsible for RP, with a variety of underlying mechanisms such as increased sympathetic activation, endothelial dysfunction, neurotoxicity or decreased red blood cell deformability. Cisplatin and bleomycin were associated with the highest risk, followed by β‐adrenoceptor blockers. Recent data suggest a possible involvement of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), through an unknown mechanism.

Conclusion

Drug‐induced RP is a probably underestimated adverse drug event, with limited available evidence regarding its prevalence. Although rare, serious complications like critical digital ischaemia have been reported. When these treatments are started in patients with a history of RP, careful monitoring must be made and, if possible, alternative therapies that do not alter peripheral blood flow should be considered.
A Prospective Investigation of Prenatal Mood and Childbirth Perceptions in an Ethnically Diverse, Low‐Income Sample
Authors: Congdon Jayme L. , Adler Nancy E. , Epel Elissa S. , Laraia Barbara A. , Bush Nicole R.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Few studies have examined prenatal mood as a means to identify women at risk for negative childbirth experiences. We explore associations between prenatal mood and birth perceptions in a socioeconomically diverse, American sample.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 136 predominantly low‐income and ethnic minority women of mixed parity. Prenatal measures of perceived stress, pregnancy‐related anxiety, and depressive symptoms were used to predict maternal perceptions of birth experiences 1 month postpartum, using the childbirth experience questionnaire (CEQ; 1).

Results

After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and mode of delivery, higher third‐trimester stress predicted worse CEQ total scores. This association was predominantly explained by two CEQ domains: own capacity (e.g., feelings of control and capability), and perceived safety. Pregnancy‐related anxiety and depressive symptoms correlated with perceived stress, though neither independently predicted birth experience. An unplanned cesarean delivery was associated with a worse CEQ total score. Vaginal delivery predicted greater perceived safety. Altogether, sociodemographic covariates, mode of delivery, and prenatal mood accounted for 35 percent of the variance in birth experience (p < 0.001).

Discussion

Our finding that prenatal stress explains a significant and likely clinically meaningful proportion of the variance in birth experience suggests that women perceive and recall their birth experiences through a lens that is partially determined by preexisting personal circumstances and emotional reserves. Since childbirth perceptions have implications for maternal and child health, patient satisfaction, and health care expenditures, these findings warrant consideration of prenatal stress screening to target intervention for women at risk for negative birth experiences.
Greater number of group identifications is associated with healthier behaviour in adolescents
Authors: Miller Kirsty , Wakefield Juliet R. H. , Sani Fabio
Published: March 2016

We investigated the relationship between group identification (with the family, school, and friendship groups) and adolescent health behaviour (smoking, binge drinking, and cannabis use). 1,111 students from 4 Scottish secondary (high) schools completed a questionnaire which included measures of group identification, group contact, health behaviours, and demographic variables. We found that identification with the family and school groups predicted reduced odds of substance use, whereas identification with the friend group predicted increased odds of substance use. Furthermore, the greater the number of social groups with which the participant strongly identified, the lower the odds that he/she participated in negative health behaviours. In contrast, merely having contact (rather than identifying strongly) with these groups increased the odds of participation in these behaviours. We suggest that group identification influences behaviour to the extent that it encourages adherence to group norms.
Risk factors and timing of venous thromboembolism after radical cystectomy in routine clinical practice: a population‐based study
Authors: Doiron R. Christopher , Booth Christopher M. , Wei Xuejiao , Siemens D. Robert
Published: March 2016

Objective

To describe the risk factors and timing of perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its association with survival for patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) in routine clinical practice.

Patients and Methods

The population‐based Ontario Cancer Registry was linked to electronic records of treatment to identify all patients who underwent RC between 1994 and 2008; VTE events were identified from hospital diagnostic codes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with perioperative VTE. A Cox proportional hazards regression model explored the associations between VTE and survival.

Results

Of the 3 879 patients included in the study, 3.6% (141 patients) were diagnosed with VTE at ≤1 month of their surgical admission date. This increased to 4.7% (181) at ≤2 months and 5.4% (211) at ≤3 months. In all, 55% of VTE events presented after hospital discharge. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with VTE included higher surgeon volume (P = 0.004) and increased length of hospital stay (LOS; P < 0.001). Lymph node yield and adjuvant chemotherapy were not associated with VTE. VTE was associated with an inferior cancer‐specific survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–1.62] and overall survival (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.49).

Conclusions

Over half of VTE events in RC patients occur after hospital discharge, with a substantial incidence up to 3 months after surgery. Limited actionable risk factors for VTE were identified other than LOS. In this population‐based cohort, VTE was associated with inferior long‐term survival.
Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21, 18 and 13 by quantitative pyrosequencing of segmental duplications
Authors: Tong H. , Jin Y. , Xu Y. , Zou B. , Ye H. , Wu H. , Kumar S. , Pitman J.L. , Zhou G. , Song Q.
Published: March 2016

Chromosomal aberration mostly occurs in chromosomes 21, 18 and 13, with an incidence approximately 1 out of 160 live births in humans, therefore making prenatal diagnosis necessary in clinics. Current methods have drawbacks such as time consuming, high cost, complicated operations and low sensitivity. In this paper, a novel method for rapid and accurate prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidy is proposed based on pyrosequencing, which quantitatively detects the peak height ratio (PHR) of different bases of segmental duplication. A direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach was undertaken, where a small volume of amniotic fluid was used as the starting material without DNA extraction. Single‐stranded DNA was prepared from PCR products and subsequently analyzed using pyrosequencing. The PHR between target and reference chromosome of 2.2 for euploid and 3:2 for a trisomy fetus were used as reference. The reference intervals and z scores were calculated for discrimination of aneuploidy. A total of 132 samples were collected, within trisomy 21 (n = 11), trisomy 18 (n = 3), trisomy 13 (n = 2), and unaffected controls (n = 116). A set of six segmental duplications were chosen for analysis. This method had consistent results with karyotyping analysis, a correct diagnosis with 100% sensitivity and 99.9% specificity.
Associations between obstructive lung disease and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea in a general population
Authors: Jonassen Trygve Müller , Eagan Tomas Mikal , Bjorvatn Bjørn , Lehmann Sverre
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To examine the prevalence of self‐reported symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in relation to asthma, respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. A secondary objective was to determine how sex impacted these relationships.

Methods

A random sample of all adults aged 47–48 and 71–73 years living in Bergen, Norway, were invited. Participants (3506, 69%) underwent spirometry testing and completed a questionnaire on sleep, respiratory symptoms and past medical history. OSA was defined by positive answers to questions on snoring, breathing cessations and daytime sleepiness. Current asthma was defined by ever having received a physician's diagnosis of asthma and current use of anti‐asthma medication. Logistic regression analyses, including interaction analyses between sex and the different explanatory variables, were used to examine associations between OSA and current asthma, pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator pulmonary function tests, smoking habits and respiratory symptoms. All models were adjusted for age, sex, waist‐hip ratio and smoking.

Results

OSA was more prevalent in the middle‐aged compared to the elderly (6.2% vs 3.6%), and in subjects reporting respiratory symptoms. 4.8% had OSA and 6.1% had current asthma. Current asthma and the lowest quartile of post‐bronchodilator FVC were significantly associated with OSA with ORs of 2.5 (1.5, 4.2) and 1.7 (1.1, 2.7), respectively. In interaction analyses, women with post‐bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7 had an increased risk of OSA [OR of 4.1 (1.7, 9.7)] compared to women with a FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.7.

Conclusions

Current asthma was associated with increased risk of OSA. Women with chronic airflow limitation, but not men, had increased risk of OSA.
Hemolymphangioma in the posterior mediastinum: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wu Jinxiang , Shangguan Hong , Zhou Shengyu , Dong Liang
Published: March 2016

Hemolymphangioma of the thorax is a very rare benign tumor. There were only three reports of this disease until 2016. Herein, we report a case of hemolymphangioma of the thorax with pleural effusion. A 57‐year‐old woman had been admitted to hospital. Computed tomography also demonstrated a heterogenous mass in the posterior mediastinum and suspected invasion to the artery. Surgery was performed. The mediastinal tumor was soft. The pathological diagnosis was a hemolymphangioma of the posterior mediastinum. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the fifth day after surgery. Major symptoms are chest tightness and short of breath due to the tumor and pleural effusion. However, we experienced a case of hemolymphangioma of the thorax with pleural effusion. This disease is a very rare entity, but should be considered when patients have mass and pleural effusion in the thorax.
Liver transplantation for hepatolithiasis: Is terminal hepatolithiasis suitable for liver transplantation?
Authors: Feng Li‐bo , Xia Dong , Yan Lv‐Nan
Published: March 2016

Hepatolithiasis, originally as oriental cholangiohepatitis, especially prevails in Asia, but globalization and intercontinental migration have also converted the endemic disease dynamics around the world. Characterized by its high incidence of ineffective treatment and recurrence, hepatolithiasis, always, poses a therapeutic challenge to global doctors. Although the improved surgical and non‐surgical techniques have evolved over the past decade, incomplete clearance and recurrence of calculi are always so common and disease‐related mortality from liver failure and concurrent cholangiocarcinoma still exists in the treatment of hepatolithiasis. In the late stage of hepatolithiasis, is it suitable for liver transplantation (LT)? Herein, we propose a comprehensive review and analysis of the LTx currently in potential use to treat hepatolithiasis. In our subjective opinion, and as is objective from the literatures so far, also given the strict indications, LT remains one of the definitive treatments for terminal hepatolithiasis.
Melatonin Pathway and Atenolol‐Related Glucose Dysregulation: Is There a Correlation?
Authors: Chang SW , Gong Y , McDonough CW , Langaee TY , Nasiri Kenari N , Beitelshees AL , Gums JG , Chapman AB , Turner ST , Johnson JA , Cooper‐DeHoff RM
Published: March 2016

Lower melatonin level, melatonin receptor gene variations, and atenolol treatment are associated with glucose dysregulation. We investigated whether atenolol‐related glucose and melatonin changes are correlated, and whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in melatonin candidate genes contribute to interindividual variation in glucose change. Hypertensive Caucasians (n = 232) from the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR) study treated with atenolol for 9 weeks were studied. Urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) was measured pre‐ and posttreatment and normalized to urinary creatinine. Pharmacogenetic effects on glucose change of 160 SNPs in 16 melatonin candidate genes were assessed with multiple linear regression. Atenolol was associated with increased glucose (1.8 ± 10.1mg/dl, P = 0.02) and decreased aMT6s (–4.5 ± 10.1 ng/mg, P < 0.0001). However, the aMT6s change was not correlated with post‐atenolol glucose change. SNP rs11649514 in PRKCB was associated with glucose change (P = 1.0×10−4). PRKCB is involved in the melatonin‐insulin regulatory pathway, and may be important in mediating clinically meaningful atenolol‐related hyperglycemia.
Mental health of children with vision impairment at 11 years of age
Authors: Harris John , Lord Chris
Published: March 2016

Aim

The purpose of the study was to compare the risk of psychiatric disturbance among sighted and vision‐impaired children aged 11 years.

Method

Scores from the parent and teacher versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were used to compare sighted children with: vision‐impaired children; vision‐impaired children with no other reported disabilities or special educational needs; and children with vision impairment and additional disabilities or special educational needs. Logistic regression was used to measure the associations between the independent variables and SDQ scores, and to test for significance of the observed differences.

Results

Both parents and teachers scored vision‐impaired children significantly higher on the SDQ compared with sighted children (p≤0.000) and a significantly higher proportion of the vision‐impaired children had SDQ scores in the abnormal range (p≤0.000). Children with vision impairment and other disabilities or special educational needs were rated as being at greatest risk of psychiatric disorder by both parents (30%) and teachers (22%).

Interpretation

Vision impairment among children as young as 11 years of age is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorder.
The Long‐run Relationship Between Stock Prices and GDP in Sweden
Authors: Österholm Pär
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we investigate the long‐run relationship between stock prices and GDP in Sweden. Using quarterly data from 1995 to 2015, our empirical analysis suggests that the two variables are cointegrated and, hence, that there exists a long‐run equilibrium relationship between them. In light of this long‐run relationship, we estimate a vector error correction model. The estimated model outperforms a simple, but highly relevant, alternative method in an out‐of‐sample forecast exercise. It also provides information as to whether Swedish stocks are correctly valued. Results indicate that stocks in Sweden might be overvalued at the end of the sample and forecasts from the model suggest that the disequilibrium will generate a modest development in the stock market over a number of quarters.
A three‐dimensional finite element analysis of the sports mouthguard
Authors: Gialain Ivan Onone , Coto Neide Pena , Driemeier Larissa , Noritomi Pedro Yoshito , Dias Reinaldo Brito e
Published: March 2016

Background/Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the compressive and tensile stresses on dentin and enamel in five different situations: no mouthguard and mouthguards from 1 mm thickness up to 4 mm thickness, using finite element analysis.

Materials and methods

A three‐dimensional geometry of an upper right central incisor was obtained from a computed tomography and transformed into a mesh separating enamel from dentin. A mouthguard was created covering the buccal surface of the enamel in different thicknesses, and a rubber ball with a velocity of 5 m s−1 was made as the impact object.

Results

The maximum principal stress and the minimal principal stress were evaluated in all situations on dentin and enamel. Both maximum and minimal stress on enamel had the greatest value on the control situation (no mouthguard), and their value decreased as the mouthguard thickness increased. The reduction ranged from 66.62% to 85.5% for compressive stress and from 9.76% to 33.37% for tensile stress on enamel. The results for dentin were similar among the situations with or without mouthguards.

Conclusion

The mouthguard had beneficial effect considering the stresses on enamel, and between the mouthguard thickness of 3 and 4 mm, there was minimum difference.
Altered expression of autophagy‐related genes might contribute to glucocorticoid resistance in precursor B‐cell‐type acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Sarang Zsolt , Gyurina Katalin , Scholtz Beáta , Kiss Csongor , Szegedi István
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process playing an important role in tumor cell's resistance to chemotherapy. Response to glucocorticoid (GC) treatment is out of the most important prognostic factors in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); however, only few data are available connecting GC response and role of autophagy. Our aim was to investigate whether altered expression of autophagy‐related genes contributes to GC‐resistant phenotype in GC‐sensitive and GC‐resistant precursor B‐cell‐type (PBC) ALL cells.

Methods

Gene expression data were obtained from public database for 26 children diagnosed with PBC ALL either sensitive or resistant to in vitro prednisolone treatment.

Results

We have identified 36 autophagy‐associated genes which were differently expressed, based on at least a twofold difference, GC‐sensitive group as compared to GC‐resistant one. Of the 36 genes, 10 were downregulated and 26 upregulated in the GC‐resistant group. The average fold change values for the decreased and increased transcripts were −4.57 and 2.67, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data imply that GC sensitivity might depend on the expression of several genes involved in regulation and execution of autophagy in a way that key autophagy inducers are downregulated while inhibitors of autophagy are upregulated in GC‐resistant cells.
Temporal dynamics of biotic and abiotic drivers of litter decomposition
Authors: García‐Palacios Pablo , Shaw E. Ashley , Wall Diana H. , Hättenschwiler Stephan
Published: March 2016

Climate, litter quality and decomposers drive litter decomposition. However, little is known about whether their relative contribution changes at different decomposition stages. To fill this gap, we evaluated the relative importance of leaf litter polyphenols, decomposer communities and soil moisture for litter C and N loss at different stages throughout the decomposition process. Although both microbial and nematode communities regulated litter C and N loss in the early decomposition stages, soil moisture and legacy effects of initial differences in litter quality played a major role in the late stages of the process. Our results provide strong evidence for substantial shifts in how biotic and abiotic factors control litter C and N dynamics during decomposition. Taking into account such temporal dynamics will increase the predictive power of decomposition models that are currently limited by a single‐pool approach applying control variables uniformly to the entire decay process.
The semiology of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures revisited: Can video alone predict the diagnosis? Preliminary data from a prospective feasibility study
Authors: Erba Giuseppe , Giussani Giorgia , Juersivich Adam , Magaudda Adriana , Chiesa Valentina , Laganà Angela , Di Rosa Gabriella , Bianchi Elisa , Langfitt John , Beghi Ettore
Published: March 2016

Objective

To investigate if, when, and to what extent visual information contained in a video‐recorded event allows experienced epileptologists to predict the diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) without the aid of electroencephalography (EEG).

Methods

Five neurologists actively practicing in epilepsy centers in Italy and the United States were asked to review 23 videos capturing representative events of 21 unselected consecutive patients admitted for long‐term video‐EEG monitoring (VEM). Four raters were blind to EEG and clinical information; one rater was not. They were requested to (1) rate the videos for quality and content; (2) choose among four diagnoses: (a) epileptic seizures (ES); (b) PNES; (c) Other nonepileptic seizures (NES; (syncope, movement disorder, migraine, etc.); (d) “Cannot Say”; and (3) explain in their own words the main reasons leading to the diagnosis of choice.

Results

All raters predicted the diagnosis correctly in 7 of 23 videos (all ES or PNES) (30.4%), whereas all raters failed in 5 of 23 cases (three Other NES, one PNES, one Cannot Say) (21.7%). The conditions that facilitate, and those that interfere with, a confident diagnosis were predictable. Degree of accuracy among raters was not uniform and was consistently better in three raters. Two among the four blind raters were as accurate as the rater who was not blinded. Interrater agreement was “moderate” (k = 0.52) for the overall group; “moderate” for ES (k = 0.53); “substantial” for PNES (k = 0.63); “fair” for Other NES (k = 0.21)—similar to the results obtained in a previous study evaluating the reliability of combined video‐EEG.

Significance

In about one third of cases, a confident diagnosis of PNES/ES can be established on clinical grounds based on video data alone. Our results benefit all affected patients, particularly those with no access to video‐EEG monitoring units.
Roads Leading to Self–Employment: Comparing Transgenerational Entrepreneurs and Self–Made Start–Ups
Authors: Blumberg Boris F. , Pfann Gerard A.
Published: March 2016

This article studies the event history of business foundation. Three theoretical concepts—human, financial, and social capital—are linked to investigate how entry into self–employment varies over time. Data from a cohort of Dutch inhabitants born in 1939/1940 who have been interviewed three times during their lives (in 1952, 1983, and 1993) allows for testing hypotheses that state clear differences between two different roads toward business ownership. Empirical results show that the baseline hazard decreases with time for transgenerational entrepreneurs with self–employed parents, but increases for self–made start–ups. Social capital is a better predictor for starting an enterprise than human capital.
Racecourse fracture management. Part 1: Incidence and principles
Authors: Wright I. M.
Published: March 2016

Equine fractures occurring during racing are an emotive subject. Attending veterinary surgeons have an obligation to be well informed and decisive; actions taken and advice given are frequently subject to public scrutiny and there are in addition important welfare, financial and litigious considerations. This paper is the first of a trilogy of reviews aimed at providing veterinary surgeons with up to date information on racecourse fracture management. It details incidence and predisposing factors, contemporary reviews on pathogenesis and discusses insurance implications. It also gives guidelines for acute evaluation and first aid management including sedation and analgesia. The second paper will describe techniques for temporary immobilisation and transport and the third will report up to date recommendations and emergency care of specific fractures.
Couples Work in Cultural Context: Te Ao Māori and Poststucturalist Practices Informing Counselor Training in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Connor Helene , Gremillion Helen , Meima Yolanda
Published: March 2016

This article outlines key themes that appear in the teaching of poststructuralist ideas and practices for couples counseling within the Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling Program at Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, New Zealand, and it explores the congruence of this pedagogical approach with Māori (indigenous) understandings of relationality, collaboration, and partnership. The diploma program's curriculum includes narrative therapy and relational language‐making. Themes explored in this article include: understanding (heterosexual) couple relationships as contextualized entities, deconstructing dominant discourses of coupledom, and the positioning of counselors/teachers as nonexpert. Taking each theme in turn, the authors, one of them Māori and two Pākehā (European), articulate points of alignment with Māori cultural concepts and practices.
On the I–II mixed mode fracture of granite using four‐point bend specimen
Authors: Wang C. , Zhu Z.M. , Liu H.J.
Published: March 2016

Four‐point bend experiments on black granite are conducted. The fracture behaviours of granite under pure mode I, pure mode II and I–II mixed mode are investigated, and the corresponding stress intensity factors KI , KII and the non‐singular term T‐stress are obtained through numerical–experimental method. The results are compared with the theoretical predictions of generalized maximum tangential stress criterion and other conventional criteria. It shows that generalized maximum tangential stress criterion fits the experimental results better for considering the effect of T‐stress. Contrasting with other loading configurations, the values of T‐stress for asymmetric four‐point bend specimens are much smaller, especially for pure mode II specimens, which provide an asymmetric deformation field where the T‐stress is approaching zero.
Ontogenetic diet shifts produce trade‐offs in elemental imbalance in bluegill sunfish
Authors: Showalter Ann M. , Vanni Michael J. , González María J.
Published: March 2016

Many species undergo substantial ontogenetic changes in elemental content that often accompany significant shifts in diet. However, it is unclear how elemental imbalance varies across ontogeny and whether these changes are caused by ontogenetic diet shifts.

Because elemental imbalance can affect individual growth rates, behaviour and nutrient cycling, understanding the role of ecological stoichiometry in consumers with ontogenetic diet shifts will enhance our ability to predict how individuals and populations influence broader ecological processes.

In a field survey, we examined ontogenetic changes in stoichiometry of the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), which undergoes an ontogenetic diet shift from zooplankton to benthic invertebrates. Specifically, we quantified the elemental composition of diets, bodies and excreta of bluegill ranging in size from larvae to small adults (10–110 mm total length). We compared imbalance between diet elemental content and individual needs before and after the diet shift.

At around 25 mm total length, bluegill diet shifted from zooplankton to benthic invertebrates. Benthic invertebrates had lower nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents than zooplankton. Elemental imbalance estimates indicated potential carbon (C) limitation in all sizes of bluegill, and the diet shift tended to reduce C imbalance relative to P. However, N:P imbalance was exacerbated by the diet shift, resulting in high ratios of N:P in excreta. Changes in per cent N and C:N ratios in bluegill were generally associated with the diet shift and can be explained by the levels of these elements in the diet. In contrast, bluegill P and calcium contents increased dramatically prior to the diet shift and are more likely a result of ontogenetic constraints, specifically skeletal development in larval fish.

Our results indicate that ontogenetic diet shifts can produce trade‐offs in imbalance between different elemental ratios, and provide stoichiometrically explicit support for previous findings that energetics (including C limitation and food availability) is an important driver of bluegill diet shifts. The patterns in elemental imbalance associated with diet shifts may alter a consumer's role in ecosystem‐level processes like nutrient cycling.
Identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for an anxiolytic‐like response to ethanol in BXD recombinant inbred strains
Authors: Putman A. H. , Wolen A. R. , Harenza J. L. , Yordanova R. K. , Webb B. T. , Chesler E. J. , Miles M. F.
Published: March 2016

Genetic differences in acute behavioral responses to ethanol contribute to the susceptibility to alcohol use disorder and the reduction of anxiety is a commonly reported motive underlying ethanol consumption among alcoholics. Therefore, we studied the genetic variance in anxiolytic‐like responses to ethanol across the BXD recombinant inbred (RI) mouse panel using the light–dark transition model of anxiety. Strain‐mean genetic mapping and a mixed‐model quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis replicated several previously published QTL for locomotor activity and identified several novel anxiety‐related loci. Significant loci included a chromosome 11 saline anxiety‐like QTL (Salanq1) and a chromosome 12 locus (Etanq1) influencing the anxiolytic‐like response to ethanol. Etanq1 was successfully validated by studies with BXD advanced intercross strains and fine‐mapped to a region comprising less than 3.5 Mb. Through integration of genome‐wide mRNA expression profiles of the mesocorticolimbic reward circuit (prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens and ventral midbrain) across the BXD RI panel, we identified high priority candidate genes within Etanq1, the strongest of which was Ninein (Nin), a Gsk3β‐interacting protein that is highly expressed in the brain.
Choice of baseline climate data impacts projected species' responses to climate change
Authors: Baker David J. , Hartley Andrew J. , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Willis Stephen G.
Published: March 2016

Climate data created from historic climate observations are integral to most assessments of potential climate change impacts, and frequently comprise the baseline period used to infer species‐climate relationships. They are often also central to downscaling coarse resolution climate simulations from General Circulation Models (GCMs) to project future climate scenarios at ecologically relevant spatial scales. Uncertainty in these baseline data can be large, particularly where weather observations are sparse and climate dynamics are complex (e.g. over mountainous or coastal regions). Yet, importantly, this uncertainty is almost universally overlooked when assessing potential responses of species to climate change. Here, we assessed the importance of historic baseline climate uncertainty for projections of species' responses to future climate change. We built species distribution models (SDMs) for 895 African bird species of conservation concern, using six different climate baselines. We projected these models to two future periods (2040–2069, 2070–2099), using downscaled climate projections, and calculated species turnover and changes in species‐specific climate suitability. We found that the choice of baseline climate data constituted an important source of uncertainty in projections of both species turnover and species‐specific climate suitability, often comparable with, or more important than, uncertainty arising from the choice of GCM. Importantly, the relative contribution of these factors to projection uncertainty varied spatially. Moreover, when projecting SDMs to sites of biodiversity importance (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas), these uncertainties altered site‐level impacts, which could affect conservation prioritization. Our results highlight that projections of species' responses to climate change are sensitive to uncertainty in the baseline climatology. We recommend that this should be considered routinely in such analyses.
Comparison of sleep disorders in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon‐based therapy and direct acting antivirals using actigraphy
Authors: Yoh Kazunori , Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Iwata Yoshinori , Kishino Kyohei , Shimono Yoshihiro , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Nakano Chikage , Takata Ryo , Nishimura Takashi , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Ishii Akio , Iijima Hiroko , Matsunaga Hisato , Nakamura Hideji , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: March 2016

This study aimed to compare the severity of sleep problems between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with interferon (IFN)‐based triple therapy (pegylated [Peg]‐IFN plus ribavirin [RBV] plus simeprevir [SMV]) and those who received IFN‐free direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

Methods

Our study included 31 patients in group A (Peg‐IFN/RBV/SMV combination therapy) and 41 patients in the group B (IFN‐free DAA therapy). We prospectively compared the effect of each antiviral treatment regimen on sleep conditions between the two groups adding actigraphy data. Five parameters detected by actigraphy (objective assessment) and scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (subjective assessment, n = 30 [group A] and 35 [group B]) were estimated. The causal effect of each therapy on sleep disturbances was evaluated at baseline and at 4 weeks after commencement of therapy.

Results

In terms of baseline characteristics, no significant differences between groups were found, except for hepatitis C virus genotype. In group A, sustained virological response 12 rate was 83.9% (26/31), whereas in group B it was 95.1% (39/41). In group A, each score of waking after sleep onset, activity index, wake episodes, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at 4 weeks significantly increased compared to those evaluated at baseline. In group B, scores of all variables except for sleep episodes at 4 weeks did not significantly change compared to those at baseline.

Conclusion

Interferon‐based triple therapy in patients with CHC may cause significant sleep disturbances. Interferon‐free DAA therapy is less likely to deteriorate sleep conditions in patients with CHC.