bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between liver cell necrosis and circulating alanine aminotransferase after ischaemia/reperfusion injuries in the rat liver
Authors: Knudsen Anders R. , Andersen Kasper J. , Hamilton‐Dutoit Stephen , Nyengaard Jens R. , Mortensen Frank V.
Published: June 2016

Circulating liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase are often used as markers of hepatocellular damage. Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an inevitable consequence of prolonged liver ischaemia. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between liver enzymes and volume of liver cell necrosis after ischaemia/reperfusion injuries, using design‐unbiased stereological methods. Forty‐seven male Wistar rats were subjected to 1 h of partial liver ischaemia, followed by either 4 or 24 h of reperfusion. Within each group, one‐third of animals were subjected to ischaemic preconditioning and one‐third to ischaemic postconditioning. At the end of reperfusion, blood and liver samples were collected for analysis. The volume of necrotic liver tissue was subsequently correlated to circulating markers of I/R injury. Correlation between histological findings and circulating markers was performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Alanine transferase peaked after 4 h of reperfusion; however, at this time‐point, only mild necrosis was observed, with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.663 (P = 0.001). After 24 h of reperfusion, alanine aminotransferase was found to be highly correlated to the degree of hepatocellular necrosis R = 0.836 (P = 0.000). Furthermore, alkaline phosphatase (R = 0.806) and α‐2‐macroglobulin (R = 0.655) levels were also correlated with the degree of necrosis. We show for the first time that there is a close correlation between the volume of hepatocellular necrosis and alanine aminotransferase levels in a model of I/R injury. This is especially apparent after 24 h of reperfusion. Similarly, increased levels of alkaline phosphatase and α‐2‐macroglobulin are correlated to the volume of liver necrosis.
Finding the right connections: Peer support within a community‐based mental health service
Authors: Gray Mel , Davies Kate , Butcher Luke
Published: June 2016

Gray M., Davies K., Butcher L. Finding the right connections: Peer support within a community‐based mental health service

This article reports on a qualitative study that examined the organisational enablers and barriers to implementing peer support work in an Australian, rural, community‐based mental health service. Interviews with 19 peer and non‐peer staff were conducted to identify attitudes towards peer support and whether there were organisational values, practices and strategies that might support the implementation of peer support. The findings revealed that peer support workers were valued for their ability to build trusting connections with clients and to accept client choice in a non‐judgemental way. However, peer support workers tended to ‘fill service gaps’ within intensive, administrative case‐management environments. These findings highlight the importance of an organisational‐wide approach to integrating peer support, where the responsibilities for adopting new ways of working fall to all staff, not just the peer support workers themselves.

Key Practitioner Message: • Practitioners placed high value on the peer support workers on their teams due to their unique personalised engagement with clients; • The roles of peer support workers were poorly understood by team members; • Organisational integration of peer support principles could improve the way all staff engage with clients to reflect a recovery orientation.
Resilience of nurses who work in community mental health workplaces in Palestine
Authors: Marie Mohammad , Hannigan Ben , Jones Aled
Published: June 2016

People in Palestine live and work in a significantly challenging environment. As a result of these challenges they have developed resilient responses which are embedded in their cultural context. ‘Sumud’, in particular, is a socio‐political concept which refers to ways of surviving in the context of occupation, chronic adversity, lack of resources and limited infrastructure. Nurses' work in Palestine is an under‐researched subject and very little is known about how nurses adjust to such challenging environments. To address this gap in the literature this study aimed to explore the resilience of community mental health nurses (CMHNs) who work in Palestine. An interpretive qualitative design was chosen. Fifteen face‐to‐face interviews were completed with participants. Thirty‐two hours of observations of the day‐to‐day working environment and workplace routines were conducted in two communities' mental health centres. Written documents relating to practical job‐related policies were also collected from various workplaces. Thematic analysis was used across all data sources resulting in four main themes, which describe the sources of resilience among CMHNs. These sources are ‘Sumud and Islamic cultures’, ‘Supportive relationships’, ‘Making use of the available resources’, and ‘Personal capacity’. The study concludes with a better understanding of resilience in nursing, which draws on wider cultural contexts and social ecological responses. The outcomes from this study will be used to develop the resilience of CMHNs in Palestine.
Conditions for the invasion of male‐haploidy in diploid populations
Authors: Kidner J. , Moritz R. F. A.
Published: June 2016

Male‐haploidy has independently evolved several times in different phylogenetic groups and has led to various extant lineages in the insects, Arachnida and Rotifera. Although the stability of male‐haploidy as an evolutionary strategy is not well understood, various theories address the invasion of male‐haploidy in diploid populations. Here two of these theories: (i) the maternal transmission hypothesis (MTH) and (ii) the deleterious mutation hypothesis (DMH), are re‐investigated with an agent‐based model to understand the role of genetic drift as a mechanism facilitating the spread of male‐haploidy. These two hypotheses are analysed separately and comparatively, and the results suggest dominance of the MTH. In addition, comparison of the stochastic results to deterministic results using the same model structure shows how genetic drift can enhance the parameter space where male‐haploidy can be expected to invade.
Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.0391 by Electrostatic Spray Increases Viability after In vitro Digestibility
Authors: Zhang Yifeng , Li Baoguo , Han Lu
Published: June 2016

This study investigated the microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.0391 (L. acidophilus) by electrostatic spray, and then it was studied in the imitative gastrointestinal environment. The L. acidophilus was encapsulated in alginate‐sodium (1.5%) and gelatin (1%) by the method of electrostatic spray. The results indicated that the mixture of alginate‐sodium and gelatin was non‐toxic to L. acidophilus. When the ratio between the core (L. acidophilus) and wall (mixture of alginate‐sodium and gelatin) was 1:2, the encapsulation efficiency (EE) was the highest for 96.3%. After the in vitro digestibility, samples had higher viability of L. acidophilus when subjected to the microencapsulation, from an initial 3.5 (control) to 6.6 log cfu/mL (microcapsules). This study demonstrated that the method of electrostatic spray was effective in preparing L. acidophilus microcapsules for a good acid resistance and enteric solubility.

Practical Application

Along with increased consumer demands on the fresh like appearance and taste of probiotics, microencapsulation as a new technology has been used for prolonging living of probiotics. This study investigated the microencapsulation of L. acidophilus KLDS 1.0391 by electrostatic spray, and then it was studied in an imitative gastrointestinal environment. Information generated from this study provided insights about the specific treatment conditions of process for prolonging living of L. acidophilus. Such information is valuable for developing industrial applications of microencapsulation processing technology in probiotics processing.
Describing the Sigmoidal Behavior of Roasted White Lupin (Lupinus albus) During Hydration
Authors: Augusto Pedro E.D. , Miano Alberto Claudio
Published: June 2016

The hydration process is an important unit operation, being one of the first steps in dry foods processing. The hydration of grains is a complex phenomenon, whose exactly mechanisms are still unknown. In special, the sigmoidal hydration behavior of grains needs further studies. In fact, the behavior of many food products is inappropriately described in the literature due to an unsuitable evaluation. The present work evaluated the hydration of roasted white lupin (Lupinus albus) by reinterpreting previously published data. The new results shows that the white lupin grains hydration clearly showed a sigmoidal behavior, which was adequately modeled. As the temperature was increased, the model kinetic parameter increased, the lag phase decreased and the equilibrium moisture did not change. The model parameters were then modeled as a function of the temperature. The obtained results highlight the sigmoidal hydration behavior of the grains, as well as the need for further studies regarding the hydration of foods.

Practical Applications

The hydration is one of the first unit operations in dry products processing, such as grains. It is a discontinuous and time‐consuming step, thus limiting the industrial process. Furthermore, the hydration is a complex phenomenon, whose exactly mechanisms are still under study. Therefore, it is important to understand the hydration kinetics of different food products, as well as appropriately modeling the process. The present work described and modeled the sigmoidal behavior of roasted white lupin (Lupinus albus) grains, a product with a complex sigmoidal behavior. Therefore, the obtained results are useful for process design and optimization.
Adsorption of Red Pigment from Schisandra chinensis Extract Liquor
Authors: Sun Yuan‐Yuan , Xiao Qing‐Gui , Tang Hai‐Yan , Zhao Xiao‐Fei , Xu Hong‐Bin , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2016

Schisandra chinensis is used as a traditional Chinese medicine and Schisandra red pigment is an important antioxidant helpful in antiaging study. In this work, the Schisandra red pigment was extracted by adsorbing the water‐soaked liquor of S. chinensis fruit with resin. The kinetics, adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics for adsorption of red pigment from S. chinensis were investigated using HPD100 resin. The pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model correlated well to the experimental data. The equilibrium data were found to follow the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The thermodynamic parameters including the changes of Gibbs free energy (ΔG), entropy (ΔS) and enthalpy (ΔH) demonstrated that the adsorption process of red pigment was spontaneous and endothermic. It was controlled by physical mechanism rather than chemical mechanism. The models of kinetics, adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics for adsorption of red pigment from S. chinensis can interpret the adsorption process. They also helped to gave guidance to the purification of red pigment of S. chinensis.

Practical Applications

Kinetics, adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics are helpful in the study of adsorption process. In this work, they were used to optimize the conditions of adsorption process and interpret the adsorption mechanism. The results provided references for the research on red pigment of Schisandra chinensis and other pigments, in addition, they were of great significance in further application of adsorption technique.
Defense Responses of Salicylic Acid in Mango Fruit Against Postharvest Anthracnose, Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and its Possible Mechanism
Authors: He Junyu , Ren Yanfang , Chen Chen , Liu Jinping , Liu Houyu , Pei Yun
Published: June 2016

The effects and mechanisms of salicylic acid (SA) on defense response to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from mango fruits were investigated by in vitro and in vivo test. In vitro experiment results showed that SA significantly reduced mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides in a concentration‐dependent manner. SA effectively controlled anthracnose decay on inoculated mango fruit, as well as natural infection. Disease incidence and lesion diameter in SA‐treated fruit were significantly lower than those of the control fruit. SA treatment increased the activities of chitinase, β‐1,3‐glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase and polyphenoloxidase, and the content of total phenolic compounds and lignin in mango fruit. Moreover, SA treatment effectively maintained fruit firmness by suppressing conversion of insoluble protopectin into water soluble pectin. And correlation analysis showed there is a higher negative correlation between fruit firmness and disease incidence. These findings suggest that the effect of SA on postharvest diseases was attributed to its direct antimicrobial activity and the elicitation of resistant responses, as well maintaining the firmness in mango fruit. Therefore, SA treatment is a promising measure for controlling postharvest anthracnose rot in mango.

Practical Applications

Induction of fruit resistance against pathogenic infection with biological or chemical elicitors has been thought to be a promising approach for controlling of postharvest diseases and reducing the use of synthetic fungicides. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is the predominant postharvest disease in mango production that causes severe postharvest losses and fruit quality deterioration. SA is a natural plant substance involved in plant defense responses to biotic stresses. The present results from in vitro and in vivo experiment suggested that SA treatment could effectively inhibit mycelial growth of C. gloeosporioides, enhance resistance of mango fruit against the pathogen and reduce anthracnose rot, as well maintain fruit firmness. Hence, SA can be applied in mango storage and preservation.
Safety and effectiveness of endobiliary radiofrequency ablation according to the different power and target temperature in a swine model
Authors: Cho Jae Hee , Lee Kwang Hyuck , Kim Joon Mee , Kim Yeon Suk , Lee Don Haeng , Jeong Seok
Published: June 2016

Background and Aim

Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (EB‐RFA) is a new endoscopic palliation and adjunctive tool. Although EB‐RFA is performed worldwide, a possibility of iatrogenic thermal injury leading to perforation or bleeding still remains. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of thermal and coagulation injury after in vivo EB‐RFA using a new catheter with a temperature sensor in a swine model.

Methods

Twelve mini pigs were divided into four groups according to power (33 mm 10 W electrode vs. 18 mm 7 W electrode) and RFA target temperature (75°C vs. 80°C). All mini pigs underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and target temperature controlled EB‐RFA for 120 s. Additional cholangiogram was taken immediately after RFA, and all pigs were sacrificed after 24 h to assess the macroscopic/microscopic RFA injury.

Results

Microscopic maximal injury depth and ablation area of EB‐RFA using a 33‐mm 10 W RFA electrode were significantly deeper and larger than those of EB‐RFA using an 18‐mm 7 W electrode (median; 2.7 vs. 2.1 mm, P = 0.004, 48.9 vs. 36.2 mm2, P = 0.016). However, there were no significant differences in microscopic ablation parameters between two different RFA target temperatures (75°C vs. 80°C). In addition, a post‐RFA cholangiogram and assessment of the resected specimen at 24 h after the RFA showed no adverse events such as perforation or bleeding.

Conclusions

EB‐RFA using a temperature controlled RFA catheter successfully ablates the bile duct wall without adverse events in a swine model.
Talking or Keeping Silent About Parental Mental Health Problems—A Grounded Theory of Parents' Decision Making and Experiences with Their Children
Authors: Nolte Lizette , Wren Bernadette
Published: June 2016

This grounded theory study explored parents' experiences of responding to their children's need for understanding parental mental health concerns. Fifteen parents with severe and enduring mental health difficulties participated in the study. The findings suggest four main social processes that influence parents' talk with their children about parental mental health issues, namely “Protecting and being protected,” “Responding to children's search for understanding,” “Prioritizing family life,” and “Relating to others.” Implications of the findings for clinical practice and future research are considered. In particular, the need for more family‐orientated services where parents experience parental mental health problems is highlighted.
Spatial Statistics for Dyadic Data: Analyzing the Relationship Landscape
Authors: Wood Nathan D. , Okhotnikov Ilya A.
Published: June 2016

Spatial statistics has a rich tradition in earth, economic, and epidemiological sciences and has potential to affect the study of couples as well. When applied to couple data, spatial statistics can model within‐ and between‐couple differences with results that are readily accessible for researchers and clinicians. This article offers a primer in using spatial statistics as a methodological tool for analyzing dyadic data. The article will introduce spatial approaches, review data structure required for spatial analysis, available software, and examples of data output.
Patient experiences of in‐hospital preparations for follow‐up care at home
Authors: Keller Gretchen , Merchant Alefia , Common Carol , Laizner Andrea M
Published: June 2016

Aims and objectives

To examine patient experiences of hospital‐based discharge preparation for referral for follow‐up home care services. To identify aspects of discharge preparation that will assist patients with their transition from hospital‐based care to home‐based follow‐up care.

Background

To improve patients’ transitions from hospital‐based care to community‐based home care, hospitals incorporate home care referral processes into discharge planning. This includes patient preparation for follow‐up home care services. While there is evidence to support that such preparation needs to be more patient‐centred to be effective, there is little knowledge of patient experiences of preparation that would guide improvements.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

The study was carried out at a supra‐regional hospital in Eastern Canada. Findings are based on thematic content analysis of 13 semi‐structured interviews of patients requiring home care after hospitalisation on a medical or surgical unit. Most interviews were held within one week of discharge.

Results

Patient experiences were associated with patient attitudes and levels of engagement in preparation. Attitudes and levels of engagement were seen as related to one another. Those who ‘didn't really think about it’, had low engagement, while those with the attitude ‘guide me’, looked for partnership. Those who had an attitude of ‘this is what I want’, had a very high level of engagement.

Conclusions

Previous experience with home care services influenced patients’ level of trust in the health care system, and ultimately shaped their attitudes towards and levels of engagement in preparation.

Relevance to clinical practice

Patient preparation for follow‐up home care can be improved by assessing their knowledge of and previous experiences with home care. Patients recognised as using a proactive approach may be highly vulnerable.
Gastroprotective effect of (-)-myrtenol against ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions: possible mechanisms
Authors: Viana Ana Flávia Seraine Custódio , da Silva Francilene Vieira , Fernandes Hélio de Barros , Oliveira Irisdalva Sousa , Braga Milena Aguiar , Nunes Paulo Iury Gomes , Viana Daniel de Araújo , de Sousa Damião Pergentino , Rao Vietla Satyanarayana , Oliveira Rita de Cássia Meneses , Almeida Santos Flávia
Published: June 2016

Objectives

(-)-Myrtenol is a natural fragrance monoterpenoid structurally related to α-pinene found in diverse plant essential oils. This study was aimed to assess the anti-ulcerogenic potential of (-)-myrtenol against ethanol-induced gastric lesions and to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s).

Methods

Gastroprotective activity of (-)-myrtenol was evaluated using the mouse model of ethanol-induced gastric damage. To elucidate the gastroprotective mechanism(s), the roles of GABA, prostaglandins, nitric oxide and KATP channels were assessed. Besides, the oxidative stress-related parameters and the mucus content in gastric tissues were analysed.

Key findings

(-)-Myrtenol at oral doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly decreased the severity of ethanol-induced gastric lesions affording gastroprotection that was accompanied by a decrease in the activity of myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde, an increase in GPx, SOD, and catalase activity in gastric tissues, and with well-maintained normal levels of nitrite/nitrate, gastric mucus and NP-SHs. Pretreatment with GABA-A receptor antagonist flumazenil, the COX inhibitor indomethacin, and NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME but not with KATP channel blocker glibenclamide significantly blocked the (-)-myrtenol gastroprotection.

Conclusion

These results provide first-time evidence for the gastroprotective effect of (-)-myrtenol that could be related to GABAA-receptor activation and antioxidant activity.
Sofosbuvir and ledipasvir improve patient‐reported outcomes in patients co‐infected with hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Younossi Z. M. , Stepanova M. , Sulkowski M. , Naggie S. , Henry L. , Hunt S.
Published: June 2016

A fixed‐dose combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) has been approved for treatment of HCV patients. We assessed the effect of LDV/SOF on patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in HIV–HCV‐co‐infected patients. Patient‐reported outcomes data from HIV–HCV‐co‐infected patients who were treated with LDV/SOF for 12 weeks were collected as a part of a clinical trial (ION‐4). Historical controls were HIV–HCV‐co‐infected patients treated with SOF and ribavirin (RBV) in PHOTON‐1. We included 335 HIV–HCV‐co‐infected patients (SVR‐12 in HCV genotype 1 was 96%) who received LDV/SOF, while 223 patients (SVR‐12 in HCV genotype 1 was 76.3%) received SOF/RBV. During treatment, patients receiving LDV/SOF showed improvement in all of their PRO scores (+6.0% in activity/energy of CLDQ‐HCV, +5.0% in fatigue score of FACIT‐F, +6.8% in physical component of SF‐36; all P < 0.0001) while those receiving SOF+RBV showed moderate decline in some of their PRO scores (−4.8% in physical functioning of SF‐36, −4.4% in fatigue score of FACIT‐F, both P < 0.001). Patients who achieved sustained virologic response with LDV/SOF also showed improvement of PROs (average +5.1%) while those treated with SOF/RBV showed less or no improvement (average +1.4%). In a multivariate analysis, in addition to depression and fatigue, receiving SOF+RBV (vs LDV/SOF) was independently associated with more PRO impairment during treatment (beta −6.1 to −12.1%, P < 0.001). Hence, HIV–HCV patients treated with LDV/SOF show significant improvement of their health‐related quality of life and other patient‐reported outcomes during treatment and after treatment cessation.
HBV/HIV coinfection is associated with poorer outcomes in hospitalized patients with HBV or HIV
Authors: Rajbhandari R. , Jun T. , Khalili H. , Chung R. T. , Ananthakrishnan A. N.
Published: June 2016

We examined the impact of HBV/HIV coinfection on outcomes in hospitalized patients compared to those with HBV or HIV monoinfection. Using the 2011 US Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we identified patients who had been hospitalized with HBV or HIV monoinfection or HBV/HIV coinfection using ICD‐9‐CM codes. We compared liver‐related admissions between the three groups. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of in‐hospital mortality, length of stay and total charges. A total of 72 584 discharges with HBV monoinfection, 133 880 discharges with HIV monoinfection and 8156 discharges with HBV/HIV coinfection were included. HBV/HIV coinfection was associated with higher mortality compared to HBV monoinfection (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30–2.15) but not when compared to HIV monoinfection (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.96–1.54). However, the presence of HBV along with cirrhosis or complications of portal hypertension was associated with three times greater in‐hospital mortality in patients with HIV compared to those without these complications (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.80–5.02). Length of stay and total hospitalization charges were greater in the HBV‐/HIV‐coinfected group compared to the HBV monoinfection group (+1.53 days, P < 0.001; $17595, P < 0.001) and the HIV monoinfection group (+0.62 days, P = 0.034; $8840, P = 0.005). In conclusion, HBV/HIV coinfection is a risk factor for in‐hospital mortality, particularly in liver‐related admissions, compared to HBV monoinfection. Overall healthcare utilization from HBV/HIV coinfection is also higher than for either infection alone and higher than the national average for all hospitalizations, thus emphasizing the healthcare burden from these illnesses.
Pharmacokinetic parameters for single‐ and multi‐dose regimens for subcutaneous administration of a high‐dose ceftiofur crystalline‐free acid to neonatal foals
Authors: Pusterla N. , Hall T. L. , Wetzlich S. E. , Monmaney G. , Collier J. R. , Hill J. A. , Tell L. A.
Published: June 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of single‐ and multi‐dose ceftiofur crystalline‐free acid (CCFA) administered subcutaneously at a dose of 13.2 mg/kg to 12 neonatal foals 1–3 days of age. Six foals received a single subcutaneous dose, while 6 additional foals received 4 doses ofCCFAat 48‐h intervals. Blood samples were collected at pre‐determined times following drug administration, and plasma concentrations of ceftiofur free acid equivalents (CFAE) were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Following single‐dose administration ofCCFA, the mean ± standard deviation maximum observed plasma concentration was 3.1 ± 0.6 μg/mL and observed time to maximal plasma concentration was 14.0 ± 4.9 h. Following multi‐dose administration ofCCFA, the mean ±standard deviation times aboveCFAEconcentrations of ≥0.5 μg/mL and ≥2.0 μg/mL were 192.95 ± 15.86 h and 78.80 ± 15.31 h, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation area under the concentration vs time curve (AUC0→∝) was 246.2 ± 30.7 h × μg/mL and 172.7 ± 27.14 h × μg/mL following single‐ and multi‐doseCCFAadministrations, respectively. Subcutaneous administration ofCCFAat 13.2 mg/kg in neonatal foals was clinically well‐ tolerated and resulted in plasma concentrations sufficient for the treatment of most bacterial pathogens associated with neonatal foal septicemia. Multi‐dose administration of four doses at dosing interval of 48 h between treatments maintains appropriate therapeutic concentrations in neonatal foals.
Disposition of the anti‐ulcer medications ranitidine, cimetidine, and omeprazole following administration of multiple doses to exercised Thoroughbred horses
Authors: Knych H. K. , Stanley S. D. , Arthur R. M. , McKemie D. S.
Published: June 2016

The use of anti‐ulcer medications, such as cimetidine, ranitidine, and omeprazole, is common in performance horses. The use of these drugs is regulated in performance horses, and as such a withdrawal time is necessary prior to competition to avoid a medication violation. To the authors' knowledge, there are no reports in the literature describing repeated oral administrations of these drugs in the horse to determine a regulatory threshold and related withdrawal time recommendations. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to describe the disposition and elimination pharmacokinetics of these anti‐ulcer medications following oral administration to provide data upon which appropriate regulatory recommendations can be established. Nine exercised Thoroughbred horses were administered 20 mg/kg BID of cimetidine or 8 mg/kg BID of ranitidine, both for seven doses or 2.28 g of omeprazole SID for four doses. Blood samples were collected, serum drug concentrations were determined, and elimination pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The serum elimination half‐life was 7.05 ± 1.02, 7.43 ± 0.851 and 3.94 ± 1.04 h for cimetidine, ranitidine, and omeprazole, respectively. Serum cimetidine and ranitidine concentrations were above the LOQ and omeprazole and omeprazole sulfide below the LOQ in all horses studied upon termination of sample collection.
Selective growth inhibition by suppression of F1Fo ATPase in canine malignant melanoma cell lines
Authors: Kuroki S. , Kobayashi M. , Tani H. , Miyamoto R. , Kurita S. , Tamura K. , Ono K. , Washizu T. , Bonkobara M.
Published: June 2016

Canine malignant melanoma (CMM) is a highly aggressive and fatal neoplasm. To identify potential therapeutic compounds and/or targets, 320 compounds were screened for their growth inhibitory activity in a CMM line (CMM‐1) using a chemical library known to target specific signaling pathways/cell growth‐related molecules. Among the compounds screened, the F1Fo ATPase inhibitor oligomycin showed potent growth inhibitory effects in CMM‐1 cells, while exhibiting less toxic effects in a non‐neoplastic control cell line (MDCK cells). The growth inhibitory effect of oligomycin A was then examined using six CMM lines and MDCK cells. Three CMM lines were highly sensitive to oligomycin A, with around 3000–20 000 times lower IC50 compared with oligomycin A‐resistant CMM lines and MDCK cells. Oligomycin A‐sensitive CMM‐1 cells exhibited much greater oligomycin A‐induced decreases in cellular ATP compared to oligomycin A‐resistant cell lines. Although the oligomycins are clinically unsuitable because of its in vivo toxicity, these findings implicate the potential of F1Fo ATPase as a therapeutic target in a subset of CMM.
Is phylogenetic diversity a good proxy for functional diversity of plant communities? A case study from urban habitats
Authors: Lososová Zdeňka , Čeplová Natálie , Chytrý Milan , Tichý Lubomír , Danihelka Jiří , Fajmon Karel , Láníková Deana , Preislerová Zdenka , Řehořek Vladimír
Published: June 2016

Question

It is often assumed, but poorly tested, that patterns of phylogenetic diversity reflect functional diversity in plant communities. Here we test whether phylogeny can be used as a proxy for functional diversity in general and specifically for diversity in plant niche preferences, dispersal strategies and competitiveness‐related traits.

Location

Central Europe, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Methods

We used a species composition data set from seven urban habitats, each sampled in 32 large cities of ten countries, and combined this with information about species phylogeny and functional traits, the latter divided into categories representing niche preferences, dispersal strategies and competitiveness.

Results

We found positive significant, yet very weak, relationships between phylogenetic diversity and overall functional diversity, and between phylogenetic diversity and diversity in both species dispersal strategies and competitiveness. The relationship between phylogenetic diversity and diversity in species niche preferences was not significant.

Conclusions

We suggest that the combination of multiple trait states that co‐exist in urban plant communities and even within the same lineages weakens the phylogeny–function relationship. Phylogenetic diversity is a weak proxy for functional diversity of urban plant communities. For some facets of functional diversity, the phylogeny–function relationship may not apply at all.
Achievements and challenges in the integration, reuse and synthesis of vegetation plot data
Authors: Wiser Susan K.
Published: June 2016

Aims

I aim to review vegetation plot data discovery, the major international efforts to integrate these data, some of the remaining barriers to data integration, reuse and synthesis and how they can be overcome, and some of the emergent issues associated with data attribution and acknowledgement for data providers, users and aggregators.

Results

Vegetation plot data from 231 databases containing over three million plot records can be discovered via the metadata catalogue of the Global Index of Vegetation‐Plot Databases (GIVD). Major efforts to integrate data at national and international scales are well underway, including the North American VegBank, the European Vegetation Archive, the Botanical Information and Ecology Network (BIEN) and sPlot. Barriers to data reuse and synthesis remain: the most important are missing or incorrect geographic coordinates (geo‐coordinates) and inconsistencies in plant names. Many scientific journals now require the data underpinning published results to be archived in a publically accessible location via a digital object identifier (DOI). Such policies may be at odds with those of vegetation plot databases and funding agencies. The linkage between the New Zealand National Vegetation Survey Databank and an institutional data repository illustrates one solution to satisfying journal requirements to make data publically available, while retaining a direct linkage to the source data archive.

Conclusions

Although further progress needs to be made in digitising, publishing and integrating vegetation plot data, many once insurmountable barriers are rapidly being overcome. Developing effective solutions to the problems posed by changing taxonomic concepts in space and time is likely the most urgent requirement. Although changing journal requirements may result in vegetation plot data being archived in some form for a specific publication, this does not provide the integration required to enable data reuse and synthesis. For vegetation scientists, a recommended best practice is to archive plot data in an established vegetation plot repository as a first step, and when required, provide versioned data or summaries to meet journal requirements in a suitable repository with a clear linkage to the vegetation plot repository. The concepts outlined in this paper have wide‐ranging implications for other types of ecological data.
An Assessment of Hatchery Cohort Growth Rates of South African Abalone, Haliotis midae, Across Four Commercial Environments
Authors: Vlok Arnold C. , Difford Gareth F. , Rhode Clint , Brink Danie
Published: June 2016

The abalone, Haliotis midae (commonly referred to as “perlemoen”), is an important aquaculture species in South Africa, accounting for the highest percentage of total aquaculture production revenue. The industry largely makes use of wild, undomesticated broodstock and thus a consortium of top producers was formed to develop a genetic improvement program to increase efficiency and sustainability of the industry. As such, the current study aimed to evaluate growth trait performance (wet weight and shell length) of four hatchery‐derived cohorts of South African abalone, across four differing production environments. No significant cohort‐by‐location effects were found for weight and length traits; however, differences were detected between respective cohorts and locations. It is concluded that a single synthetic population comprised of all hatchery cohorts under a single breeding goal is suitable for production at all test locations. Furthermore, advances in artificial reproductive technologies, genetic markers, and individual identification hold promise for genetic improvement of the species.
Health Related Quality of Life in Patients with Side‐Effects after Antimuscarinic Treatment for Overactive Bladder
Authors: KIM Aram , LEE Kyu‐Sung , JUNG Rangrhee , NA Selee , KIM Joon‐chul , KIM Hyeong Gon , CHOO Myung‐Soo
Published: June 2016

Objectives

Drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), but antimuscarinic agents possess side‐effects. These side‐effects decrease the patients' quality of life. We therefore assessed the impact of side‐effects on health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) through an analysis of EQ‐5D questionnaire.

Methods

This study was designed to investigate the patients' satisfaction by quality weight of health status as affected by the side‐effects of OAB medications. Patients who had OAB symptoms lasting longer than 3 months and have experienced side‐effects after any antimuscarinic treatments filled in the EQ‐5D questionnaire. The enrolled patients had two EQ‐5D questionnaires for two different health statuses, i.e., presence or absence of side‐effects. Quality weight was calculated using the ED‐5D health status score with Korean tariff.

Results

One hundred patients were enrolled and completed the HR‐QoL questionnaire. The most prevalent side‐effect was dry mouth (61%) and 28% patients had dry mouth and constipation concurrently. Most of the patients with side‐effects tried to endure and overcome these side‐effects (79%), but 10% desired a change in medication, and 6% stopped medication altogether. The quality weight of EQ‐5D without side‐effects was 0.863, while the quality weight with side‐effects was 0.666 (P < 0.001). The VAS score was 79 in patient without side‐effects and 57 in those with side‐effects, supporting the results of quality weight assessment.

Conclusions

Overactive bladder patients may enjoy a better quality of life if side‐effects associated with antimuscarinic therapy are fewer.
Within‐group relatedness is correlated with colony‐level social structure and reproductive sharing in a social fish
Authors: Hellmann Jennifer K. , Sovic Michael G. , Gibbs H. Lisle , Reddon Adam R. , O'Connor Constance M. , Ligocki Isaac Y. , Marsh‐Rollo Susan , Balshine Sigal , Hamilton Ian M.
Published: June 2016

In group‐living species, the degree of relatedness among group members often governs the extent of reproductive sharing, cooperation and conflict within a group. Kinship among group members can be shaped by the presence and location of neighbouring groups, as these provide dispersal or mating opportunities that can dilute kinship among current group members. Here, we assessed how within‐group relatedness varies with the density and position of neighbouring social groups in Neolamprologus pulcher, a colonial and group‐living cichlid fish. We used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) methods to generate thousands of polymorphic SNPs. Relative to microsatellite data, RADseq data provided much tighter confidence intervals around our relatedness estimates. These data allowed us to document novel patterns of relatedness in relation to colony‐level social structure. First, the density of neighbouring groups was negatively correlated with relatedness between subordinates and dominant females within a group, but no such patterns were observed between subordinates and dominant males. Second, subordinates at the colony edge were less related to dominant males in their group than subordinates in the colony centre, suggesting a shorter breeding tenure for dominant males at the colony edge. Finally, subordinates who were closely related to their same‐sex dominant were more likely to reproduce, supporting some restraint models of reproductive skew. Collectively, these results demonstrate that within‐group relatedness is influenced by the broader social context, and variation between groups in the degree of relatedness between dominants and subordinates can be explained by both patterns of reproductive sharing and the nature of the social landscape.
Microbiome evolution along divergent branches of the vertebrate tree of life: what is known and unknown
Authors: Colston Timothy J. , Jackson Colin R.
Published: June 2016

Vertebrates harbour microbes both internally and externally, and collectively, these microorganisms (the ‘microbiome’) contain genes that outnumber the host's genetic information 10‐fold. The majority of the microorganisms associated with vertebrates are found within the gut, where they influence host physiology, immunity and development. The development of next‐generation sequencing has led to a surge in effort to characterize the microbiomes of various vertebrate hosts, a necessary first step to determine the functional role these communities play in host evolution or ecology. This shift away from a culture‐based microbiological approach, limited in taxonomic breadth, has resulted in the emergence of patterns suggesting a core vertebrate microbiome dominated by members of the bacterial phyla Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Still, there is a substantial variation in the methodology used to characterize the microbiome, from differences in sample type to issues of sampling captive or wild hosts, and the majority (>90%) of studies have characterized the microbiome of mammals, which represent just 8% of described vertebrate species. Here, we review the state of microbiome studies of nonmammalian vertebrates and provide a synthesis of emerging patterns in the microbiome of those organisms. We highlight the importance of collection methods, and the need for greater taxonomic sampling of natural rather than captive hosts, a shift in approach that is needed to draw ecologically and evolutionarily relevant inferences. Finally, we recommend future directions for vertebrate microbiome research, so that attempts can be made to determine the role that microbial communities play in vertebrate biology and evolution.
Ground Motion Prediction Equation Development by Heterogeneous Bayesian Learning
Authors: Mu He‐Qing , Yuen Ka‐Veng
Published: June 2016

In ground motion prediction, the key is to develop a suitable and reliable GMPE (ground motion prediction equation) characterizing the ground motion pattern of the target seismic region. There are two critical goals encountered in GMPE development. Proposing a suitable predictive formula applicable to target seismic region has attracted much of the attention in previous studies. On the other hand, dependence between prediction–error variance and ground motion data has been observed and the study on this kind of heterogeneous relation becomes an important task yet to be explored. In this article, a novel HEteRogeneous BAyesian Learning (HERBAL) approach is proposed for achieving these two goals simultaneously. The homogeneity assumption on error in the traditional learning approach is relaxed, so the proposed approach is applicable for more general heterogeneous cases. With the generalization made on the traditional Bayesian learning by embedding the derived closed form expression for error variance parameter optimization component into the hyperparameter optimization of ARD (automatic relevance determination) prior, the proposed learning approach is capable of performing continuous model training on a prescribed predictive formula with unknown error pattern. A database of strong ground motion records in the Tangshan region of China is obtained for the analysis. It is shown that the trained optimal model class by the proposed approach is promising as that, the trained optimal model class retains model simplicity of the predictive formula with capability on both robustness enhancement ground motion prediction and precise determination of the error pattern.
Fungal phytopathogens encode functional homologues of plant rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) peptides
Authors: Thynne Elisha , Saur Isabel M. L. , Simbaqueba Jaime , Ogilvie Huw A. , Gonzalez‐Cendales Yvonne , Mead Oliver , Taranto Adam , Catanzariti Ann‐Maree , McDonald Megan C. , Schwessinger Benjamin , Jones David A. , Rathjen John P. , Solomon Peter S.
Published: June 2016

In this article, we describe the presence of genes encoding close homologues of an endogenous plant peptide, rapid alkalinization factor (RALF), within the genomes of 26 species of phytopathogenic fungi. Members of the RALF family are key growth factors in plants, and the sequence of the RALF active region is well conserved between plant and fungal proteins. RALF1‐like sequences were observed in most cases; however, RALF27‐like sequences were present in the Sphaerulina musiva and Septoria populicola genomes. These two species are pathogens of poplar and, interestingly, the closest relative to their respective RALF genes is a poplar RALF27‐like sequence. RALF peptides control cellular expansion during plant development, but were originally defined on the basis of their ability to induce rapid alkalinization in tobacco cell cultures. To test whether the fungal RALF peptides were biologically active in plants, we synthesized RALF peptides corresponding to those encoded by two sequenced genomes of the tomato pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. One of these peptides inhibited the growth of tomato seedlings and elicited responses in tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana typical of endogenous plant RALF peptides (reactive oxygen species burst, induced alkalinization and mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation). Gene expression analysis confirmed that a RALF‐encoding gene in F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici was expressed during infection on tomato. However, a subsequent reverse genetics approach revealed that the RALF peptide was not required by F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici for infection on tomato roots. This study has demonstrated the presence of functionally active RALF peptides encoded within phytopathogens that harbour an as yet undetermined role in plant–pathogen interactions.
Fusarium sacchari, a cause of mycotic keratitis among sugarcane farmers – a series of four cases from North India
Authors: Bansal Yashik , Chander Jagdish , Kaistha Neelam , Singla Nidhi , Sood Sunandan , van Diepeningen Anne D.
Published: June 2016

The two most common filamentous fungi causing mycotic keratitis are Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. Around 70 Fusarium spp. are involved in causing human infections. In this study, four cases of keratitis in sugarcane farmers in India are being reported, caused by the sugar cane pathogen Fusarium sacchari, a species of the Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. Fusarial keratitis was established by potassium hydroxide/Calcofluor white wet mounts and fungal culture of corneal scrapings on conventional media. Final identification was done by genetic sequencing at CBS‐KNAW, Utrecht, The Netherlands. The antifungal susceptibility testing was done using broth microdilution method as per CLSI document M38‐A2. Four cases of F. sacchari keratitis were identified. Three of them had trauma with sugarcane leaves, whereas one sugarcane farmer reported trauma by vegetative matter. The morphological similarities among various Fusarium species warrant use of molecular methods for identification of cryptic species. A wide distribution of sugarcane farming could be the possible explanation for emergence of F. sacchari keratitis in India.
Monopodial and sympodial branching architecture in cotton is differentially regulated by the Gossypium hirsutum SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS and SELF‐PRUNING orthologs
Authors: McGarry Roisin C. , Prewitt Sarah F. , Culpepper Samantha , Eshed Yuval , Lifschitz Eliezer , Ayre Brian G.
Published: June 2016

Domestication of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) converted it from a lanky photoperiodic perennial to a day‐neutral annual row‐crop. Residual perennial traits, however, complicate irrigation and crop management, and more determinate architectures are desired. Cotton simultaneously maintains robust monopodial indeterminate shoots and sympodial determinate shoots. We questioned if and how the FLOWERING LOCUS T/SINGLE FLOWER TRUSS (SFT)‐like and TERMINAL FLOWER1/SELF‐PRUNING (SP)‐like genes control the balance of monopodial and sympodial growth in a woody perennial with complex growth habit.

Virus‐based manipulation of GhSP and GhSFT expression enabled unprecedented functional analysis of cotton development.

GhSP maintains growth in all apices; in its absence, both monopodial and sympodial branch systems terminate precociously. GhSFT encodes a florigenic signal stimulating rapid onset of sympodial branching and flowering in side shoots of wild photoperiodic and modern day‐neutral accessions. High florigen concentrations did not alter monopodial apices, implying that once a cotton apex is SP‐determined, it cannot be reset by florigen. GhSP is also essential to establish and maintain cambial activity.

Dynamic changes in GhSFT and GhSP levels navigate meristems between monopodial and sympodial programs in a single plant. SFT and SP influenced cotton domestication and are ideal targets for further agricultural optimization.