bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loss to follow-up after food impaction among patients with and without eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Chang Joy W , Olson Samuel , Kim Ju Young , Dolan Russell , Greenson Joel , Sanders Georgiana , Rubenstein Joel H
Published: June 2019

Symptoms of esophageal dysfunction such as food impaction are consistent with, but not diagnostic for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) without obtaining histology. We conducted a retrospective study to characterize patients with food impaction at a tertiary center. We hypothesized that many patients with food impaction may be lost to follow-up and that many have features suggestive of EoE. Adult patients presenting to the emergency department with esophageal food impaction were identified from an endoscopic database. Electronic medical records were manually abstracted. We examined associations between demographics, comorbid conditions, and follow-up with biopsy findings. Of 220 patients who presented to the emergency department for food impaction, 74.1% were men. Adequate follow-up was not documented in 120 (54.5%). Those lost to follow-up did not differ significantly by gender, age at symptom onset, or distance from hospital compared to those with follow-up. Esophageal biopsies were obtained in 158 (71.8%), and those with ≥15 eos/HPF were more likely to be lost to follow-up than those with <15 eos/HPF (52.8% vs. 34.8%, P < 0.05). Of those never biopsied, 79.0% were lost to follow-up and had intermediate proportions of males, food allergy, and asthma when compared to those with and without eosinophilic inflammation. Patients with food impaction commonly have EoE but are often lost to follow-up. Among those never biopsied, demographic and clinical features suggest that many may have undiagnosed EoE. Strategies for increasing use of biopsies in patients with food impaction and improving follow-up are needed to diagnose and manage EoE.
Air embolization of a left ventricular assist device in a child: an unusual case of a tension pneumothorax resulting in a fatal complication
Authors: Jaworski Radoslaw , Kansy Andrzej , Maruszewski Bohdan
Published: June 2019

Our goal was to describe a fatal air embolization that probably occurred through an inflow cannula implantation site as a result of a tension pneumothorax in a child with a left ventricular assist device. This is the first case that highlights the possibility of a left ventricular assist device air embolism in a child with a pneumothorax, especially a tension pneumothorax. The risk of air embolism increases with positive pressure in the pleural and pericardial cavities.
Cognitive Rehabilitation and Exposure/Sorting Therapy for Late-Life Hoarding: Effects on Neuropsychological Performance
Authors: Ayers Catherine R , Davidson Eliza J , Dozier Mary E , Twamley Elizabeth W
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Hoarding disorder (HD) is characterized by urges to save items, difficulty discarding possessions, and excessive clutter and has been associated with executive functioning deficits. A randomized controlled trial comparing Cognitive Rehabilitation and Exposure/Sorting Therapy (CREST) with a care management control condition demonstrated the efficacy of CREST in reducing hoarding symptoms in older adults. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether CREST may also lead to improved executive functioning.

Method

All participants were administered a neurocognitive battery at baseline and posttreatment. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were used to evaluate change in global neuropsychological functioning as well as change in individual executive functioning variables.

Results

There was no significant group by time interaction for the Global Deficit score; however, there were significant group by time interactions on two of the executive functioning variables examined, such that participants in the CREST condition demonstrated significant improvement in cognitive flexibility and inhibition over time compared with the participants in the care management condition.

Discussion

Our initial findings support the notion that CREST may be able to improve task switching, an important component of executive functioning, in older adults with HD.
Guidelines for defining the use of electricity in marine electrotrawling
Authors: Soetaert Maarten , Boute Pim G , Beaumont William R C
Published: June 2019

Electricity can be used to facilitate fish and invertebrate capture in both marine and freshwater environments. In freshwaters, electrofishing is largely used for research or management purposes. In marine environments electrofishing is principally used in the form of electrotrawling for the commercial capture of fishes and benthic invertebrates, in particular common sole (Solea solea L.), brown shrimp (Crangon crangon L.), and razor clams (Ensis spp.). The terminology and definitions used to describe the electrical stimulus characteristics and experimental set-ups have, so far, been diverse and incomplete, hampering constructive discussion and comparison of electrofishing studies. This paper aims to (i) harmonize existing terminology, abbreviations, and symbols, (ii) offer best practice recommendations for publishing results, and (iii) provide a concise and comprehensible reference work for people unfamiliar with this topic. By incorporating common practice in marine electric pulse trawling terminology and related freshwater electrofishing studies, based on existing terms where possible, we provide a framework for future studies. The suggested guideline is recommended by the ICES Working Group on Electrical Trawling as a constructive approach to improved communication standards in electrofishing and electrical pulse stimulation research and publications.
Multiple-criteria cash-management policies with particular liquidity terms
Authors: Salas-Molina Francisco , Pla-Santamaria David , Garcia-Bernabeu Ana , Mayor-Vitoria Fernando
Published: June 2019

Eliciting policies for cash management systems with multiple assets is by no means straightforward. Both the particular relationship between alternative assets and time delays from control decisions to availability of cash introduce additional difficulties. Here we propose a cash management model to derive short-term finance policies when considering multiple assets with different expected returns and particular liquidity terms for each alternative asset. In order to deal with the inherent uncertainty about the near future introduced by cash flows, we use forecasts as a key input to the model. We express uncertainty as lack of predictive accuracy and we derive a deterministic equivalent problem that depends on forecasting errors and preferences of cash managers. Since the assessment of the quality of forecasts is recommended, we describe a method to evaluate the impact of predictive accuracy in cash management policies. We illustrate this method through several numerical examples.
Associations between residual feed intake and apparent nutrient digestibility, in vitro methane-producing activity, and volatile fatty acid concentrations in growing beef cattle1
Authors: Johnson Jocelyn R , Carstens Gordon E , Krueger Wimberly K , Lancaster Phillip A , Brown Erin G , Tedeschi Luis O , Anderson Robin C , Johnson Kristen A , Brosh Arieh
Published: June 2019

The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between residual feed intake (RFI) and DM and nutrient digestibility, in vitro methane production, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in growing beef cattle. Residual feed intake was measured in growing Santa Gertrudis steers (Study 1; n = 57; initial BW = 291.1 ± 33.8 kg) and Brangus heifers (Study 2; n = 468; initial BW = 271.4 ± 26.1 kg) fed a high-roughage-based diet (ME = 2.1 Mcal/kg DM) for 70 d in a Calan-gate feeding barn. Animals were ranked by RFI based on performance and feed intake measured from day 0 to 70 (Study 1) or day 56 (Study 2) of the trial, and 20 animals with the lowest and highest RFI were identified for subsequent collections of fecal and feed refusal samples for DM and nutrient digestibility analysis. In Study 2, rumen fluid and feces were collected for in vitro methane-producing activity (MPA) and VFA analysis in trials 2, 3, and 4. Residual feed intake classification did not affect BW or BW gain (P > 0.05), but low-RFI steers and heifers both consumed 19% less (P < 0.01) DMI compared with high-RFI animals. Steers with low RFI tended (P < 0.1) to have higher DM digestibility (DMD) compared with high-RFI steers (70.3 vs. 66.5 ± 1.6% DM). Heifers with low RFI had 4% higher DMD (76.3 vs. 73.3 ± 1.0% DM) and 4 to 5% higher (P < 0.01) CP, NDF, and ADF digestibility compared with heifers with high RFI. Low-RFI heifers emitted 14% less (P < 0.01) methane (% GE intake; GEI) calculated according to Blaxter and Clapperton (1965) as modified by Wilkerson et al. (1995), and tended (P = 0.09) to have a higher rumen acetate:propionate ratio than heifers with high RFI (GEI = 5.58 vs. 6.51 ± 0.08%; A:P ratio = 5.02 vs. 4.82 ± 0.14%). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that apparent nutrient digestibilities (DMD and NDF digestibility) for Study 1 and Study 2 accounted for an additional 8 and 6%, respectively, of the variation in intake unaccounted for by ADG and mid-test BW0.75. When DMD, NDF digestibility, and total ruminal VFA were added to the base model for Study 2, trials 2, 3, and 4, the R2 increased from 0.33 to 0.47, explaining an additional 15% of the variation in DMI unrelated to growth and body size. On the basis of the results of these studies, differences in observed phenotypic RFI in growing beef animals may be a result of inter-animal variation in apparent nutrient digestibility and ruminal VFA concentrations.
GOVERNING CHINA’S ADMINISTRATIVE MONOPOLIES UNDER THE ANTI-MONOPOLY LAW: A TEN-YEAR REVIEW (2008–2018) AND BEYOND
Authors: Zhang Zhanjiang , Wu Baiding
Published: June 2019

An important focus of China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (AML) is “administrative monopolies”—government-imposed restraints on competition. Since adopting the AML in 2008, China gradually has strengthened its efforts to curb administrative monopolies. Despite notable reforms such as the creation of the Fair Competition Review System (FCRS), government restrictions remain a major obstacle to competition in China’s economy. The 2008 legislation narrowly defined what constitutes improper government intervention, adopted a permissive standard for determining when public restraints were legitimate, and relied heavily on internal administrative controls to correct infringements. This paper draws upon experience in China and abroad to enhance the ability of China’s competition authorities to challenge administrative monopolies. Suggested upgrades include augmenting the robustness of FCRS, introducing new tools to improve competition advocacy, bolstering the ability of competition authorities to initiate or join litigation to attack administrative monopolies, and narrowing the range of justifications that can immunize public restraints.
CHETAH: a selective, hierarchical cell type identification method for single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: de Kanter Jurrian K , Lijnzaad Philip , Candelli Tito , Margaritis Thanasis , Holstege Frank C P
Published: June 2019

Cell type identification is essential for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) studies, currently transforming the life sciences. CHETAH (CHaracterization of cEll Types Aided by Hierarchical classification) is an accurate cell type identification algorithm that is rapid and selective, including the possibility of intermediate or unassigned categories. Evidence for assignment is based on a classification tree of previously available scRNA-seq reference data and includes a confidence score based on the variance in gene expression per cell type. For cell types represented in the reference data, CHETAH’s accuracy is as good as existing methods. Its specificity is superior when cells of an unknown type are encountered, such as malignant cells in tumor samples which it pinpoints as intermediate or unassigned. Although designed for tumor samples in particular, the use of unassigned and intermediate types is also valuable in other exploratory studies. This is exemplified in pancreas datasets where CHETAH highlights cell populations not well represented in the reference dataset, including cells with profiles that lie on a continuum between that of acinar and ductal cell types. Having the possibility of unassigned and intermediate cell types is pivotal for preventing misclassification and can yield important biological information for previously unexplored tissues.
Multiomics Investigation Reveals Benzalkonium Chloride Disinfectants Alter Sterol and Lipid Homeostasis in the Mouse Neonatal Brain
Authors: Herron Josi M , Hines Kelly M , Tomita Hideaki , Seguin Ryan P , Cui Julia Yue , Xu Libin
Published: June 2019

Lipids are critical for neurodevelopment; therefore, disruption of lipid homeostasis by environmental chemicals is expected to have detrimental effects on this process. Previously, we demonstrated that the benzalkonium chlorides (BACs), a class of commonly used disinfectants, alter cholesterol biosynthesis and lipid homeostasis in neuronal cell cultures in a manner dependent on their alkyl chain length. However, the ability of BACs to reach the neonatal brain and alter sterol and lipid homeostasis during neurodevelopment in vivo has not been characterized. Therefore, the goal of this study was to use targeted and untargeted mass spectrometry and transcriptomics to investigate the effect of BACs on sterol and lipid homeostasis and to predict the mechanism of toxicity of BACs on neurodevelopmental processes. After maternal dietary exposure to 120 mg BAC/kg body weight/day, we quantified BAC levels in the mouse neonatal brain, demonstrating for the first time that BACs can cross the blood-placental barrier and enter the developing brain. Transcriptomic analysis of neonatal brains using RNA sequencing revealed alterations in canonical pathways related to cholesterol biosynthesis, liver X receptor-retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) signaling, and glutamate receptor signaling. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed decreases in total sterol levels and downregulation of triglycerides and diglycerides, which were consistent with the upregulation of genes involved in sterol biosynthesis and uptake as well as inhibition of LXR signaling. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that BACs target sterol and lipid homeostasis and provide new insights for the possible mechanisms of action of BACs as developmental neurotoxicants.
Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil Application on the Skin of Preterm Newborns: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Konar Mithun Chandra , Islam Kamirul , Roy Atanu , Ghosh Taraknath
Published: June 2019

Background

Preterm constitutes a major part of neonatal mortality, particularly in India. Due to dermal immaturity, preterm neonates are susceptible to various complications like infection, hypothermia, etc. Emollient application is a traditional practice in our subcontinent.

Aims

To find out the efficacy of coconut oil application for skin maturity, prevention of sepsis, hypothermia and apnea, its effect on long-term neurodevelopment and adverse effect of it, if any.

Material and methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Burdwan Medical College from March 2014 to August 2018. Preterm born in the study period was divided into Group A (received virgin coconut oil application) and Group B (received body massage without any application). Neonatal skin condition was assessed on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day of life. Neurodevelopmental status was assessed on 3rd, 6th and 12th months.

Results

A total of 2294 preterm were included in the study. Groups A and B consisted of 1146 and 1148 preterm infants, consecutively. Mean gestational age of the study population was 31.9 ± 3.4 weeks and 50.4% were male. Mean weight loss in first few days was less in group A but mean weight gain per day was higher in group B. Lesser incidences of hypothermia and apnea, and better skin maturity and neurodevelopmental outcome were noted in group A. No significant adverse effect was noted with coconut oil application.

Conclusion

Use of coconut oil helps in dermal maturity and better neurodevelopmental outcome. Further studies are warranted for universal recommendation.
Sensory nutrition: The role of taste in the reviews of commercial food products
Authors: Reed Danielle. R. , Mainland Joel D. , Arayata Charles J.
Published: June 2019

Many factors play a role in choosing what to eat or drink. Here we explored the role of sensation to explain these differences, drawing on consumer reviews for commercially available food products sold through an online retailer. We analyzed 393,568 unique food product reviews from Amazon customers with a total of 256,043 reviewers rating 67,553 products. Taste-associated words were mentioned more than words associated with cost, food texture, customer service, nutrition, smell, or those referring to the trigeminal senses, e.g., spicy. We computed the overall number of reviews that mentioned taste qualities: the wordtastewas mentioned in over 30% of the reviews (N= 142,768), followed bysweet(10.7%, N=42,315),bitter(2.9%, N=11,424),sour(2.1%, N=8,252), andsalty(1.4%, N=5,688). We identified 38 phrases used to describe the evaluation of sweetness, finding that ‘too sweet’ was used in nearly 0.8% of the reviews and oversweetness was mentioned over 25 times more often than under-sweetness. We then focused on ‘polarizing’ products, those that elicited a wide difference of opinion (as measured by the ranges of the product ratings). Using the products that had more than 50 reviews, we identified the top 10 most polarizing foods (i.e., those with the largest standard deviation in ratings) and provide representative comments about the polarized taste experience of consumers. Overall, these results support the primacy of taste in real-world food ratings and individualized taste experience, such as whether a product is ‘too sweet’. Analysis of consumer review data sets can provide information about purchasing decisions and customer sensory responses to particular commercially available products and represents a promising methodology for the emerging field of sensory nutrition.
Determinants of Severe Acute Malnutrition among Children age 6-59 Months Old in Two Public Hospitals, North West Ethiopia: a Case Control Study
Authors: Nebro Adonia Damtew , Asres Degnet Teferi , Prasad Reddy PCJ
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Globally sever acute malnutrition affects 16.4 million under five children and more than one quarter of those children live in Africa. In Ethiopia, about 3% of children are severely wasted and continues to be persistent over the past 15 years. To implement an effective intervention, it is essential to identify predictors predispose to it. This study therefore, aimed to identify determinants of severe acute malnutrition among under five children in selected public health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

Institution based; age matched case control study was conducted on 104 cases and 208 controls. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using conditional logistic regression to identify predictors. Variables having P-value ≤ 0.2 during binary analysis were entered into multivariate analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

Children from households of large family size(AOR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.06 – 6.9), having monthly income less than 1500 birr (AOR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.7-15.3), which are food insecure (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI:1.17-7.28)), which didn’t receive any nutrition information (AOR= 3.47,95% CI: 1.14 - 7.10), didn’t practice exclusive breastfeeding (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.18 - 6.10), and practice infrequent hand washing (AOR= 7.6 95% CI:2.44-23.6) as well as children who had history of diarrhea two weeks prior to the survey (AOR 3.2, 95%CI:1.4-7.2) were more likely to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Conclusion

Family size, monthly income, food security status, exclusive breastfeeding practice, access to information on child feeding, hand washing practice and history of diarrhea were identified to be predictors of severe acute malnutrition. Due emphasis should be given to promoting family planning, improve household livelihoods and food security, strength awareness creation on exclusive breastfeeding and frequent hand washing practices as well as prevention of diarrhea.
Chemotherapy but not the tumor draining lymph nodes determine the immunotherapy response in secondary tumors
Authors: Zhao Xianda , Kassaye Beminet , Wangmo Dechen , Lou Emil , Subramanian Subbaya
Published: June 2019

Immunotherapies are used as adjuvant therapies for cancers. However, knowledge of how traditional cancer treatments affect immunotherapies is limited. Using mouse models, we demonstrate that tumor-draining lymph nodes (TdLNs) are critical for tumor antigen-specific T-cell response. However, removing TdLNs concurrently with established primary tumors did not affect the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response on localized secondary tumor due to immunotolerance in TdLNs and distribution of antigen-specific T cells in peripheral lymphatic organs. Notably, treatment response improved with sequential administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and ICB compared to concurrent administration of ICB with 5-FU. Immune profiling revealed that using 5-FU as induction treatment increased tumor visibility to immune cells, decreased immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment, and limited chemotherapy-induced T-cell depletion. We show that the effect of traditional cytotoxic treatment, not TdLNs, influences immunotherapy response in localized secondary tumors. We postulate essential considerations for successful immunotherapy strategies in clinical conditions.

Graphic abstract

The effects of tumor-draining lymph nodes (TdLNs) resection and a combination of cytotoxic chemotherapy on immune checkpoint blockade therapies are evaluated in this study. TdLNs resection was adverse in eliciting an antitumor immune response in early-stage tumors, but not in late-stage tumors. Further, sequential treatments with cytotoxic chemotherapy and immunotherapy showed better tumor control compared to concurrent combinatorial treatments.
Molecular basis of calmodulin-dependent calcineurin activation
Authors: Sun Bin , Vaughan Darin , Tikunova Svetlana , Creamer Trevor , Davis Jonathan , Kekenes-Huskey Peter
Published: June 2019

Calcineurin (CaN) is a calcium-dependent phosphatase involved in numerous signaling pathways. Its activation by Ca2+ is in part driven by binding of calmodulin (CaM) to a CaM-recognition motif within the phosphatase's regulatory domain (RD); however, secondary interactions between CaM and the CaN regulatory domain may be necessary to fully activate CaN (Biochemistry 52.(2013), 8643-8651). Specifically, it has been shown that the CaN regulatory domain folds upon CaM binding and that there is a region C-terminal to the canonical CaM-binding region, the 'distal helix', that assumes an alpha helix fold and contributes to activation (Biochemistry 52.(2013), 8643-8651). We hypothesized in Dunlap et al (Biochemistry 52.(2013), 8643-8651) that this putative alpha helical distal helix is capable of binding CaM in a region distinct from the canonical CaM binding region (CaMBR) site, whereby CaN is activated. To test this hypothesis, we utilized molecular simulations including replica-exchange molecular dynamics, protein-protein docking and computational mutagenesis to model distal helix conformations. From these simulations we have isolated a potential binding site on CaM (site D) that facilitates moderate affinity inter-protein interactions that may attenuate CaN auto-inhibition. Further, molecular simulations of the distal helix A454E mutation demonstrated weakened distal helix/CaM interactions that were previously shown to impair CaN activity. K30E and G40D mutations of CaM at site D presented similar decreases in binding affinity predicted by simulations. The prediction was correlated with a phosphatase assay in which these two mutants show reduced CaN activity. This study therefore provides a potential structural basis for the role of secondary CaM/CaN interactions in mediating CaN activation.
Resource depletion: where is an intervention most effective?
Authors: de Laat Patrick
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Where does one need to intervene in to be most effective? The purpose of this study is to rank areas of the resource system, according to how much of a change can be expected from interventions in an area, in relation to the problem of depleting resources.

Design/methodology/approach

Principles of structured analysis are used to model how society uses resources. From this model, nine intervention areas are defined. These intervention areas are ranked in terms of effectiveness, through the use of the analytic hierarchy process.

Findings

To be most effective, one must prioritize intervention areas as follows: material inputs to the operation phase; process inputs to the operation phase; products’ longevity; process inputs to the manufacturing phase; and material inputs to the manufacturing phase.

Practical implications

Most decisions are not made on the basis of rigorous analysis but by using heuristics (rules of thumb). The results of this study are expressed as rules of thumb. They can help decision makers prioritize what is most important, but without imposing new ways of working.

Originality/value

In the construction domain, heuristics that generalize the impact of actions (content), instead of intervention areas (context), currently seem to prevail. The heuristics of this study generalize the impact of intervention areas. Therefore, they provide an extra perspective for many decision makers. This extra perspective can help reduce mistakes that are typically made by oversimplifying matters.
Healthy but smaller herds: Predators reduce pathogen transmission in an amphibian assemblage
Authors: Gallagher Samantha J. , Tornabene Brian J. , DeBlieux Turner S. , Pochini Katherine M. , Chislock Michael F. , Compton Zachary A. , Eiler Lexington K. , Verble Kelton M. , Hoverman Jason T.
Published: June 2019

Predators and pathogens are fundamental components of ecological communities that have the potential to influence each other via their interactions with victims and to initiate density‐ and trait‐mediated effects, including trophic cascades. Despite this, experimental tests of the healthy herds hypothesis, wherein predators influence pathogen transmission, are rare. Moreover, no studies have separated effects mediated by density vs. traits. Using a semi‐natural mesocosm experiment, we investigated the interactive effects of predatory dragonfly larvae (caged or lethal [free‐ranging]) and a viral pathogen, ranavirus, on larval amphibians (grey treefrogs and northern leopard frogs).

We determined the influence of predators on ranavirus transmission and the relative importance of density‐ and trait‐mediated effects on observed patterns. Lethal predators reduced ranavirus infection prevalence by 57%–83% compared to no‐predator and caged‐predator treatments. The healthy herds effect was more strongly associated with reductions in tadpole density than behavioural responses to predators.

We also assessed whether ranavirus altered the responses of tadpoles to predators. In the absence of virus, tadpoles reduced activity levels and developed deeper tails in the presence of predators. However, there was no evidence that virus presence or infection altered responses to predators.

Finally, we compared the magnitude of trophic cascades initiated by individual and combined natural enemies. Lethal predators initiated a trophic cascade by reducing tadpole density, but caged predators and ranavirus did not. The absence of a virus‐induced trophic cascade is ostensibly the consequence of limited virus‐induced mortality and the ability of infected individuals to continue interacting within the community.

Our results provide support for the healthy herds hypothesis in amphibian communities. We uniquely demonstrate that density‐mediated effects of predators outweigh trait‐mediated effects in driving this pattern. Moreover, this study was one of the first to directly compare trophic cascades caused by predators and pathogens. Our results underscore the importance of examining the interactions between predators and pathogens in ecology.
Applying the N‐mixture model approach to estimate mosquito population absolute abundance from monitoring data
Authors: Manica Mattia , Caputo Beniamino , Screti Alessia , Filipponi Federico , Rosà Roberto , Solimini Angelo , della Torre Alessandra , Blangiardo Marta
Published: June 2019

Estimating population abundance is a key objective of surveillance programmes, particularly for vector species of public health interest. For mosquitos, which are vectors of human pathogens, established methods to measure absolute population abundance such as mark‐release‐recapture are difficult to implement and usually spatially limited. Typically, regional monitoring schemes assess species relative abundance (counting captured individuals) to prioritize control efforts and study species distribution. However, assessing absolute abundance is crucial when the focus is on pathogen transmission by contacts between vectors and hosts. Here, we applied the N‐mixture model approach to estimate mosquito abundance from standard monitoring data.

We extended the N‐mixture model approach in a Bayesian framework by considering a beta‐binomial distribution for the detection process. We ran a simulation study to explore model performance under a low detection probability, a time‐varying population and different sets of independent variables.

When informative priors were used and the model was well specified, estimates by N‐mixture model well correlated (>0.9) with synthetic data and had a mean absolute deviation of about 20%. Correlation decreased and biased increased with uninformative priors or model misspecification.

When fed with field monitoring data to estimate the absolute abundance of the mosquito arbovirus vector Aedes albopictus within the metropolitan city of Rome (Italy), the N‐mixture model showed higher population size in residential neighbourhoods than in large green areas and revealed that traps located adjacent to vegetated sites have a higher probability of capturing mosquitoes.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that, if supported by a good knowledge of the target species biology and by informative priors (e.g. from previous studies of capture rates), the N‐mixture model represents a valuable tool to exploit field monitoring data to estimate absolute abundance of disease vectors and to assess vector‐related health risk on a wide spatial and temporal scale. For mosquitoes specifically, it is also valuable to invest in increased efficiency of trapping devices to improve estimates of absolute abundance from the models.
Adaptation of glycocalyx, nitric oxide synthase expression and vascular cell apoptosis in conduit arteries of tail‐suspended rats
Authors: Kang Hongyan , Wu Chenglin , Qu Yuxin , Gao Menghan , Zhang Weichen , Sun Anqiang , Deng Xiaoyan
Published: June 2019

The importance of vascular cell glycocalyx in mechanotransduction has been demonstrated by many studies. The simulated microgravity induced a region‐dependent adaptation of arterial glycocalyx including its thickness, coverage, and gene expression in conduit arteries of tail‐suspended rats has been reported in our previous studies. Herein, we extended this line of research by quantifying the mRNA levels of three nitric oxide synthase (NOSI, NOSII, and NOSIII) and evaluating the apoptotic rates of endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the common carotid artery, abdominal aorta, and femoral artery of 3 week tail‐suspended rats. Results indicated that the tail suspension of rats induced about 0.36, 0.22, and 0.33 fold down‐regulation of NOSI, NOSII, and NOSIII in the abdominal aorta, while 3.21, and 3.48 fold up‐regulation of NOSII and NOSIII in the carotid artery and no significant effects on three NOS isoforms in the femoral artery. Moreover, the apoptosis of ECs and SMCs were significantly inhibited in both carotid artery and abdominal aorta, while enhanced in the femoral artery of the tail‐suspended rats. A linear positive correlation exists between the normalized coverage of the glycocalyx and the normalized NOSI and NOSIII mRNA levels. These results indicated that the redistribution of haemodynamics in the conduit arteries of 3 week tail‐suspended rats regulated the glycocalyx, NOS expression, and vascular cell apoptosis in a region‐dependent manner, contributing to the final vascular remodelling under simulated microgravity condition.
Ant assemblage structure on cocoa trees in smallholder farms in the Centre Region of Cameroon
Authors: Zéphirin Tadu , Régis Babin , Desirée Chantal Aléné , Yede  , Edith Blandine Messop‐Youbi , Dekoninck Wouter , Champlain Djiéto‐Lordon
Published: June 2019

We investigated the ant community structure in cocoa farms in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Ants were collected on the cocoa trees during the years 2006 and 2007 using chemical knock‐down. We tested the hypothesis of the existence of deterministic factor in the structuration of ant mosaic using C‐Score; we assessed the relationship between the numerical dominant and subdominant ant species using Spearman correlation test and discussed on the influence of vegetation structure and farm management on the ant community structure. A total of 53 ant species belonging to 20 genera and five subfamilies were identified from a set of 51,525 workers collected. C‐score analysis supported the hypothesis that ant community were structured by competition. Negative relationships were found between dominant ant species. Farming practices which were mainly pruning, chemical treatment and habitat structure appeared to influence the ecological status and distribution of dominant ant species.
Bioacoustic monitoring of animal vocal behavior for conservation
Authors: Teixeira Daniella , Maron Martine , van Rensburg Berndt J.
Published: June 2019

The popularity of bioacoustics for threatened species monitoring has surged. Large volumes of acoustic data can be collected autonomously and remotely with minimal human effort. The approach is commonly used to detect cryptic species and, more recently, to estimate abundance or density. However, the potential for conservation‐relevant information to be derived from acoustic signatures associated with particular behavior is less well‐exploited. Animal vocal behavior can reveal important information about critical life history events. In this study, we argue that the overlap of the disciplines of bioacoustics, vocal communication, and conservation behavior—thus, “acoustic conservation behavior”—has much to offer threatened species monitoring. In particular, vocalizations can serve as indicators of behavioral states and contexts that provide insight into populations as it relates to their conservation. We explore the information available from monitoring species' vocalizations that relate to reproduction and recruitment, alarm and defense, and social behavior, and how this information could translate into potential conservation benefits. While there are still challenges to processing acoustic data, we conclude that acoustic conservation behavior may improve threatened species monitoring where vocalizations reveal behaviors that are informative for management and decision‐making.
POLITICAL OPPORTUNISM AND COUNTERCYCLICAL FISCAL POLICY IN ELECTION‐YEAR RECESSIONS
Authors: Bohn Frank , Veiga Francisco José
Published: June 2019

Political budget cycles (PBCs) have been well documented in the literature, albeit not for all circumstances. Similarly, there is clear evidence on the positive effect of economic growth on electoral success. However, no work has been done on the impact of economic growth on the magnitude of PBCs. The theoretical model argues that a government has an incentive to increase fiscal manipulations when a recession is expected to hit and curtail reelection chances; this amounts to countercyclical policy for opportunistic rather than Keynesian motives. Very robust evidence for this behavior is found in Portuguese municipalities; in election years, budget deficits go up even more and significantly so, when a recession is expected. (JEL D72, E62, H62)
Activation of calcium signaling in human gingival fibroblasts by recombinant Porphyromonas gingivalis RgpB protein
Authors: Li Shenglai , Zhang Diya , Lu Kexin , Wu Yanmin , Sheng Lieping , Tang Qi
Published: June 2019

Arginine‐specific cysteine proteinases, such as Arg‐gingipain B (RgpB), mediate inflammation by activating protease‐activated receptors (PARs). Arg‐gingipain B is produced by Porphyromonas gingivalis, and is implicated in the causation of periodontal disease. The purpose of the present study was to observe the influence of recombinant RgpB protein (rRgpB) on PAR activation by monitoring intracellular Ca2+ ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) and inositol‐1,4,5‐triphosphate (IP3) levels in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Our findings showed that rRgpB could cause a transient increase in [Ca2+]i. This increase in [Ca2+]i was completely suppressed by vorapaxar, a PAR‐1 antagonist. Recombinant Arg‐gingipain B increased the concentration of IP3, reaching a maximum at 60 s after treatment; this was completely inhibited by vorapaxar. We therefore conclude that rRgpB‐induced calcium signaling in HGFs is mainly caused by PAR‐1 activation. This suggests that PAR‐1 activation plays a significant role in chronic inflammatory periodontal disease induced by P. gingivalis RgpB.
Non‐strangulating intestinal infarction in horses in the UK: A review of 15 cases
Authors: Spanton J. A. , Mair T. S. , Sherlock C. E. , Fews D.
Published: June 2019

The clinicopathological features of 15 horses diagnosed with non‐strangulating intestinal infarction (NSII) based on identification of focal areas of intestinal necrosis without mesenteric strangulation were reviewed. The mean age at presentation was 16.3 years, median 13 years, and there was no age, sex, or breed predilection. The major presenting clinical signs included: acute colic ≤ 24 h duration in nine horses; diarrhoea, depression, and inappetence in four horses; and low‐grade chronic or recurrent colic, depression, and inappetence in two horses. One horse presented with both acute colic and diarrhoea. Predisposing diseases included colitis or typhlocolitis in five horses and an initial strangulating small intestinal obstruction in three horses, but in seven horses no underlying or predisposing disease was identified. Four cases were managed medically and 11/15 were managed surgically. The most useful diagnostic test was exploratory celiotomy and the only successful treatment was complete resection of the necrotic intestine. Prognosis for survival was poor with a survival rate of only 1/15 (7%). Among the 15 horses, both single and multiple NSII lesions were seen, and they occurred in both the small intestine and large intestines. There was no evidence of Strongylus vulgaris infestation in any of the affected horses.
The theory of island biogeography and soundscapes: Species diversity and the organization of acoustic communities
Authors: Robert Aloïs , Lengagne Thierry , Melo Martim , Gardette Vanessa , Julien Sacha , Covas Rita , Gomez Doris , Doutrelant Claire
Published: June 2019

Aim

On islands, species richness is reduced and interspecific competition relaxed in relation to the mainland, allowing species to use broader ecological niches. These factors are known to affect diet and morphology, but can also affect communication and acoustic signalling in particular. However, no study has ever compared insular and continental soundscapes to determine to which extent islands present reduced acoustic richness (number of co‐vocalizing species) and fewer constraints for vocalizing species.

Location

São Tomé Island, Mount Cameroon, Madeira Island, Southern France.

Taxon

Birds.

Methods

We compared two pairs of insular and continental soundscapes: one in a temperate zone, the other in the tropics. We recorded sounds produced in similar types of primary forests and measured acoustic richness and ambient noise profiles. We then assessed acoustic niche organization by computing, for each community, species turnover, temporal and frequency overlaps, and acoustic avoidance.

Results

We found fewer species co‐vocalizing on islands compared to mainland and in temperate compared to tropical region. Ambient noise was louder in the tropics and occupied a wider frequency range, especially on the mainland, thereby revealing a reduction in available acoustic space for tropical mainland birds. In this more crowded and noisy soundscape, species presented a higher acoustic turnover, overlapped less in time and in frequency with each other and acoustically avoided each other more when compared to the three other communities.

Main conclusions

Soundscapes differed and imposed fewer constraints on vocalizing species along the species diversity gradient from tropical mainland to temperate island. Acoustic niche partitioning increased with species richness and was associated with increased levels of acoustic interference. Results set a scene for an effect of relaxed competition on song evolution on islands, especially in the tropics.
Detecting outliers in species distribution data: Some caveats and clarifications on a virtual species study
Authors: Meynard Christine N. , Kaplan David M. , Leroy Boris
Published: June 2019

Liu et al. (2018) used a virtual species approach to test the effects of outliers on species distribution models. In their simulations, they applied a threshold value over the simulated suitabilities to generate the species distributions, suggesting that using a probabilistic simulation approach would have been more complex and yield the same results. Here, we argue that using a probabilistic approach is not necessarily more complex and may significantly change results. Although the threshold approach may be justified under limited circumstances, the probabilistic approach has multiple advantages. First, it is in line with ecological theory, which largely assumes non‐threshold responses. Second, it is more general, as it includes the threshold as a limiting case. Third, it allows a better separation of the relevant intervening factors that influence model performance. Therefore, we argue that the probabilistic simulation approach should be used as a general standard in virtual species studies.
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for detection of bacteremia during dental extraction
Authors: Azad Azita , Modaresi Farzan , Zahed Maryam , Zarei Mahshid , Ranjbaran Alireza , Jahrom Zahra Kargar
Published: June 2019

Aim

Incidence of transient bacteremia following dental extractions ranges 30%‐70% among adults and 58%‐100% in children. This study aims to assess the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in detection of transient bacteremia during dental extraction.

Methods

Twenty volunteers for dental extraction entered the study. Blood samples were taken at baseline and 30 seconds and 15 minutes after extraction. Five types of bacteria were selected, namely Streptococcus mutans, S. salivarius, S. sanguinis, Enterococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus. Blood samples were evaluated by microbial culture and multiplex PCR.

Results

Blood culture showed rates of 0%, 80% and 25% for bacteremia before, during and after dental extraction, respectively. A significant difference was observed between baseline and during extraction. Using PCR, bacteremia was deemed 20%, 100% and 30% before, during and after extraction, respectively, and a significant difference was witnessed between the baseline and during extraction. The highest incidence was at the 30‐second mark after extraction, and the most prevalent type of bacteria was S. mutans.

Conclusions

Multiplex PCR can be used to determine bacterial diversity with high accuracy during occurrence of bacteremia. Therefore, in cases where positive blood cultures only indicate the presence of one species, we recommend the use of this method to detect more diverse bacteria types.
Imaging techniques for observing laminar geometry in the feather shaft cortex
Authors: LAURENT CHRISTIAN , AHMED SHARIF , BOARDMAN RICHARD , COOK RICHARD , DYKE GARETH , PALMER COLIN , SCHNEIDER PHILIPP , DE KAT ROELAND
Published: June 2019

Bird feather shafts are light, stiff and strong, but the fine details of how their structure, mechanics and function relate to one another remains poorly understood. The missing piece in our understanding may be the various fibrous layers that make up the shaft's cortex. Detailed imaging techniques are needed to enable us to capture, analyse and quantify these layers before we can begin to unravel the relationship between their structure, mechanics and function.

We show that Serial‐Block‐Face scanning electron microscopy, scanning confocal polarised microscopy and synchrotron‐based computed tomography are three suitable techniques to investigate layer thickness and fibre orientation in the feather cortex. These techniques and other are discussed in terms of their ability to resolve the fibrous laminar structure of the feather cortex, on sample preparation, and on throughput. Annotated images are presented for each and less suitable techniques are presented in the Supplementary Material.

Lay Description

Bird feathers have a light, stiff and strong central shaft. However, the fine details of how their structure, mechanics and function relate to one another remains poorly understood. The missing piece in our understanding may have to do with how fibrous layers within the shaft vary in thickness and alignment. Detailed imaging techniques are needed so that we can quantify some of this variation before we can revisit some long‐unanswered questions about the feather shaft's structure, mechanics and function.

We investigate a number of microscopy techniques and show that three techniques are suitable for the sort of investigation that is required. These techniques and others are discussed in terms of their ability to resolve the layers’ thickness and alignment, on sample preparation, and on the sample sizes they are able to process. Annotated images are presented and discussed for each of the three techniques and unsuitable techniques receive the same examination in the Supplementary Material.