bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reporting of critical information in studies of pharmacists in HIV care
Authors: Cocohoba Jennifer , Dong Betty J , Johnson Mallory O , Saberi Parya
Published: January 2014

Objective

To evaluate manuscripts documenting HIV pharmacist interventions and assess adequacy of reporting as defined by CONSORT and STROBE criteria.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, BIOSIS Previews, and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception – 1 June 2011. Studies were included if pharmacists performed an intervention to improve HIV patient care, and the study evaluated the intervention's impact. Qualitative studies, non-English language reports, abstracts and studies where the pharmacist did not intervene were excluded. Manuscripts were independently evaluated by two reviewers for the presence, absence or lack of applicability of STROBE (observational studies) or CONSORT (randomized studies) criteria, for presence or absence of description of pharmacist's duties, CD4+ cell count, HIV viral load and adherence measurement. Reviewers met to discuss the rationale behind their evaluation; a third arbiter was consulted when reviewers could not agree on a particular criterion.

Key findings

Twenty-two manuscripts met inclusion criteria. Observational studies of HIV pharmacists (n = 19) included 56% of applicable STROBE criteria. Randomized studies of HIV pharmacists (n = 3) adhered more closely to CONSORT reporting guidelines (average 80% of applicable criteria). Manuscripts published after 2004 more consistently evaluated pharmacist impact on HIV outcomes such as CD4+ and viral load.

Conclusions

Thorough reporting increases the reader's ability to critically evaluate manuscripts of HIV pharmacist services. Increasing pharmacist awareness of manuscript guidelines such as CONSORT and STROBE may improve clarity of reporting in studies of HIV pharmacist interventions and clinical programmes.
Human kallistatin administration reduces organ injury and improves survival in a mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis
Authors: Li Pengfei , Bledsoe Grant , Yang Zhi‐Rong , Fan Hongkuan , Chao Lee , Chao Julie
Published: January 2014

Kallistatin, a plasma protein, has been shown to exert multi‐factorial functions including inhibition of inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in animal models and cultured cells. Kallistatin levels are reduced in patients with sepsis and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced septic mice. Moreover, transgenic mice expressing kallistatin are more resistant to LPS‐induced mortality. Here, we investigated the effects of human kallistatin on organ injury and survival in a mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis. In this study, mice were injected intravenously with recombinant kallistatin (KS3, 3 mg/kg; or KS10, 10 mg/kg body weight) and then rendered septic by caecal ligation and puncture 30 min later. Kallistatin administration resulted in a > 10‐fold reduction of peritoneal bacterial counts, and significantly decreased serum tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 and high mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) levels. Kallistatin also inhibited HMGB1 and toll‐like receptor‐4 gene expression in the lung and kidney. Administration of kallistatin attenuated renal damage and decreased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, but increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide levels in the kidney. In cultured endothelial cells, human kallistatin via its heparin‐binding site inhibited HMGB1‐induced nuclear factor‐κB activation and inflammatory gene expression. Moreover, kallistatin significantly reduced apoptosis and caspase‐3 activity in the spleen. Furthermore, kallistatin treatment markedly improved the survival of septic mice by 23% (KS3) and 41% (KS10). These results indicate that kallistatin is a unique protecting agent in sepsis‐induced organ damage and mortality by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, as well as enhancing bacterial clearance in a mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis.
Epidemiology of human adenovirus and molecular characterization of human adenovirus 55 in China, 2009–2012
Authors: Lu Qing‐Bin , Tong Yi‐Gang , Wo Ying , Wang Hong‐Yu , Liu En‐Mei , Gray Gregory C. , Liu Wei , Cao Wu‐Chun
Published: January 2014

Background

Human adenovirus 55 (HAdV‐55) has caused recent outbreaks of acute respiratory disease (ARD) among adults and military trainees. The active surveillance for HAdV infections was sparse in China, and current knowledge on the HAdV‐type distributions and its molecular evolution is lacking.

Objectives

To acquire better understanding on the prevalence and molecular evolution of HAdV‐55 strains in China, for an informed strategy for disease control and prevention.

Population/Methods

Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from hospitalized children with ARTI in Chongqing during 2009–2012. The genotype of HAdV isolates were determined by sequencing the partial hexon and fiber genes. Whole genome sequences of HAdV‐55 were obtained for molecular evolution analysis.

Results

About 191 (8·55%) HAdV were detected in 2234 children, including 92 (48·2%) with HAdV‐7, 72 (37·7%) with HAdV‐3, 6 (3·1%) with HAdV‐55, 5 (2·6%) with HAdV‐5, 4 (2·1%) with HAdV‐1, 1 (0·5%) with HAdV‐2, and 11(5·8%) with untyped HAdV. Four of these children developed pneumonia, two of whom were diagnosed with severe pneumonia and/or encephalopathy. HAdV‐55 isolates clustered with HAdV‐11 sequences based on the hexon gene and clustered with HAdV‐14 sequences based on the fiber gene and the whole genome. The overall evolutionary rates of hexon gene, fiber gene, and whole genome of HAdV‐55 were estimated at 6·2 × 10−5 s/s/y, 8·0 × 10−5 s/s/y, and 1·7 × 10−5 s/s/y, respectively.

Conclusions

This study suggested HAdV‐55 as an emerging infectious disease pathogen has conserved genetic structure and is closely related to each other. Further molecular investigation based on HAdV‐55 of wider origin might facilitate understanding its diversity, dissemination, and transmission in China.
Multicriteria decision making under uncertainty: a visual approach
Authors: Eiselt H.A. , Marianov Vladimir
Published: January 2014

Decision problems at the strategic level tend to have multiple criteria and outcomes that are uncertain. Many of the current decision‐making tools are too simplistic to incorporate the important features. This paper considers a multicriteria decision‐making scenario in which the outcomes of the decisions, evaluated on different criteria, are uncertain. The main contribution of this paper is the presentation of a tool that enables decision makers to visualize the expected payoff and likelihood that the payoff of a decision does not fall short of a preset target value. Furthermore, it presents decision makers with a tool that shows the tradeoff between expected payoff and downside risk. A variety of solution techniques are suggested that build upon this visualization.
Antioxidant status in relation to age, condition, reproductive performance and pollution in three passerine species
Authors: Berglund Åsa M. M. , Rainio Miia J. , Kanerva Mirella , Nikinmaa Mikko , Eeva Tapio
Published: January 2014

Oxidative stress has been suggested as a mediator in life‐history trade‐off. By spending more resources on for example reproduction an organism might sacrifice its antioxidant defence. So far, most conclusions on trade‐offs between life‐history traits and oxidative stress have been drawn from laboratory studies using a few model species and there is a need for studies conducted in natural settings. We investigated associations between markers for antioxidant status (antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant levels), body condition, age and reproduction in three species of wild‐living passerines. The impact from an anthropogenic stressor (metal pollution) was also assessed. The three bird species showed interspecific variation in their SOD and CAT activities, indicating different pathways to eliminate radicals. The age of females affected both antioxidant status and the breeding performance, indicating the importance of age as a factor in life‐history studies. Old birds had lower levels of antioxidants/antioxidant enzyme activities and they produced larger broods/more successful broods, though the latter might be confounded by surviving females having increased fitness. Metal exposure had a negative impact on breeding, and improved breeding outcome was also associated with increased antioxidant defence, but metal exposure was not directly related to the oxidative status of birds, emphasizing that additional stressors might independently affect the same traits. Our results highlight that caution has to be taken when generalizing and extrapolating results to even closely related species. The results support the idea that there is a cost of reproduction, in terms of increased resources spent on antioxidant defence, though this should be confirmed with experimental studies.
Insights into life history theory: a brood size manipulation on a southern hemisphere species,Tachycineta leucorrhoa, reveals a fast pace of life
Authors: Bulit Florencia , Barrionuevo Melina , Massoni Viviana
Published: January 2014

Life history traits exhibit substantial geographical variation associated with the pace of life. Species with a slow pace are expected to invest more in their future/residual reproductive value and are more common at tropical latitudes, whereas species from high latitudes, with a faster pace, are expected to prioritize the current reproductive effort. Most evidence supporting this pattern comes from studies conducted in tropical and north temperate species; very little is known about patterns in southern South American species. Here, we describe the life history of a southern swallowTachycineta leucorrhoaand use an experimental approach to test their breeding strategy over four breeding seasons. We manipulated brood size for 105 nests of white‐rumped swallows to measure whether costs of reproduction were borne by adults or nestlings as alternative selection strategies towards maintaining residual or current reproductive value. Adults increased their feeding effort in enlarged broods, at least enough to maintain nestlings’ development/growth. In addition, adults decreased the number of visits to the nest (without having a negative effect on nestlings) in reduced broods. We did not detect differences in fledging success among treatments, suggesting there were no differences in nestlings’ survival. However, enlarged broods more frequently incurred in complete nest failure, suggesting only some adults were able to cope with increased costs of reproduction. We conclude this species is characterized by a fast pace of life similar to their northern congeners and less like its tropical ones. This is one of the first studies to use an experimental approach to test a life history hypothesis of pace of life using data from a southern South American species. We encourage researches to include southern species when evaluating latitudinal variations as we still do not have enough evidence to assume all southern subtropical species are indeed similar to tropical ones.
Avian claw morphometry and growth determine the temporal pattern of archived stable isotopes
Authors: Hahn Steffen , Dimitrov Dimitar , Rehse Saskia , Yohannes Elizabeth , Jenni Lukas
Published: January 2014

Detailed knowledge about claw formation and growth rate is a prerequisite for the interpretation of avian claw stable isotopes, as is commonly done with feather stable isotopes to e.g. infer habitat use, dietary specialisations, and spatial occurrence. In this study, we provide basic information about claw formation and empirical evidence about the time scale of archiving isotopic information to develop a reliable assessment of archived isotopic pattern in claws of passerines. Avian claws grow conically from the tip of the bone of the phalanx. The length of the tip of an avian claw, suitable for stable isotope analysis, is about 42 ± 6.8% (SD) of total linear claw length and can also be estimated from the body mass of a given species. Claw growth rate in adult songbirds typically ranged between 0.03 and 0.05 mm d−1, but differed between front and back toes, and varied seasonally. From the claw growth rate, the archiving period of a given claw length can be estimated. In long‐distance migrant species, δ13C of claws matched δ13C of feathers grown during the same period (wintering or breeding period). In Palaearctic‐African migrants sampled in the breeding season, δ13C of the distal half of the claw tip reflected the African wintering site, while the proximal half reflected a blend of African and European δ13C signatures, as expected. Hence there is empirical evidence that entire claw tips mirror the isotopic environments over longer periods (up to months), and over weeks when parts can be analysed. However any part of a claw contains a blend of material formed at different times due to the claw's conical (i.e. longitudinal and lateral) growth. Avian claws provide a complementary isotope archive for investigations, but its applicability may vary according to the ecology of the study species.
Arm Position During Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: A Review of the Evidence and Clinical Guidelines
Authors: Byrd James B. , Brook Robert D.
Published: January 2014

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) offers advantages over clinic blood pressure measurement. Supporting the arm at the level of the right atrium has long been standard in clinic blood pressure measurement. In contrast, there is no consensus regarding arm position in the guidelines addressing ABPM. Research studies have used a variety of arm positions during ABPM. Discussed in this review are the merits of ABPM and a review of the several arm positions recommended in ABPM guidelines, suggested by cuff manufacturers, and used in research studies. To address this lack of standardization, a rationale for a clinically reasonable arm position during ABPM is offered. Specifically, the authors recommend advising the patient to keep the arm still and relaxed straight down at the side of the body when the cuff is going to inflate, when safe to do so.
Confronting Uncertainty in Life Cycle Assessment Used for Decision Support
Authors: Herrmann Ivan T. , Hauschild Michael Z. , Sohn Michael D. , McKone Thomas E.
Published: January 2014

The aim of this article is to help confront uncertainty in life cycle assessments (LCAs) used for decision support. LCAs offer a quantitative approach to assess environmental effects of products, technologies, and services and are conducted by an LCA practitioner or analyst (AN) to support the decision maker (DM) in making the best possible choice for the environment. At present, some DMs do not trust the LCA to be a reliable decision‐support tool—often because DMs consider the uncertainty of an LCA to be too large. The standard evaluation of uncertainty in LCAs is an ex‐post approach that can be described as a variance simulation based on individual data points used in an LCA.

This article develops and proposes a taxonomy for LCAs based on extensive research in the LCA, management, and economic literature. This taxonomy can be used ex ante to support planning and communication between an AN and DM regarding which type of LCA study to employ for the decision context at hand. This taxonomy enables the derivation of an LCA classification matrix to clearly identify and communicate the type of a given LCA. By relating the LCA classification matrix to statistical principles, we can also rank the different types of LCA on an expected inherent uncertainty scale that can be used to confront and address potential uncertainty. However, this article does not attempt to offer a quantitative approach for assessing uncertainty in LCAs used for decision support.
The stories of ‘snake children’: killing and abuse of children with developmental disabilities in West Africa
Authors: Bayat Mojdeh
Published: January 2014

Background

Killing and abuse of children with disabilities are covert phenomena, occurring in some developing regions, such as in some African countries. Similar to the practice of ritual killing of spirit children in Ghana, the phenomenon of the snake child in Cote d'Ivoire (known as Ivory Coast), is the ritual abandonment or killing of children with intellectual disability (ID).

Method

This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation into understanding this phenomenon. Three major questions were of interest: (1) Who are the snake children? (2) How are these children viewed and treated? (3) What are ways of changing negative attitudes towards children with developmental disabilities?

Results

The practices of killing, abandonment and abuse of children with disabilities take place in Cote d'Ivoire today, although the extent is not known.

Conclusion

Killing and abuse of children with ID are explained within the context of indigenous African religions, animism and folk culture. The concept of disability ‘otherness’ and inferiority is also explored as a framework for reflection and ethical debate.
Beyond Labor: The Role of Natural and Synthetic Oxytocin in the Transition to Motherhood
Authors: Bell Aleeca F. , Erickson Elise N. , Carter C. Sue
Published: January 2014

Emerging research raises questions that synthetic oxytocin during childbirth may alter the endogenous oxytocin system and influence maternal stress, mood, and behavior. Endogenous oxytocin is a key component in the transition to motherhood, affecting molecular pathways that buffer stress reactivity, support positive mood, and regulate healthy mothering behaviors (including lactation). Synthetic oxytocin is widely used throughout labor and postpartum care in modern birth. Yet research on the implications beyond labor of maternal exposure to perinatal synthetic oxytocin is rare. In this article, we review oxytocin‐related biologic pathways and behaviors associated with the transition to motherhood and evidence supporting the need for further research on potential effects of intrapartum oxytocin beyond labor. We include a primer on oxytocin at the molecular level.
Predominant role of plasma membrane monoamine transporters in monoamine transport in 1321N1, a human astrocytoma‐derived cell line
Authors: Naganuma Fumito , Yoshikawa Takeo , Nakamura Tadaho , Iida Tomomitsu , Harada Ryuichi , Mohsen Attayeb S. , Miura Yamato , Yanai Kazuhiko
Published: January 2014

Monoamine neurotransmitters should be immediately removed from the synaptic cleft to avoid excessive neuronal activity. Recent studies have shown that astrocytes and neurons are involved in monoamine removal. However, the mechanism of monoamine transport by astrocytes is not entirely clear. We aimed to elucidate the transporters responsible for monoamine transport in 1321N1, a human astrocytoma‐derived cell line. First, we confirmed that 1321N1 cells transported dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Kinetics analysis suggested the involvement of low‐affinity monoamine transporters, such as organic cation transporter (OCT) 2 and 3 and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT). Monoamine transport in 1321N1 cells was not Na+/Cl− dependent but was inhibited by decynium‐22, an inhibitor of low‐affinity monoamine transporters, which supported the importance of low‐affinity transporters. RT‐PCR assays revealed that 1321N1 cells expressed OCT3 and PMAT but no other neurotransmitter transporters. Another human astrocytoma‐derived cell line, U251MG, and primary human astrocytes also exhibited the same gene expression pattern. Gene‐knockdown assays revealed that 1321N1 and primary human astrocytes could transport monoamines predominantly through PMAT and partly through OCT3. These results might indicate that PMAT and OCT3 in human astrocytes are involved in monoamine clearance.

image

Monoamine neurotransmitters should be immediately removed from the synaptic cleft to avoid excessive neuronal activity. Recent studies have shown that astrocytes and neurons are involved in monoamine removal. We aimed to elucidate the transporters responsible for monoamine transport by astrocytes in 1321N1, a human astrocytoma‐derived cell line. Kinetics analysis suggested the involvement of low‐affinity monoamine transporters, e.g., organic cation transporter (OCT) 2 and 3 and plasma membrane monoamine transporter (PMAT). Our results indicate that PMAT and OCT3 in human astrocytes are involved in monoamine clearance.
Directionality of the associations between psychological empowerment and behavioural involvement: A longitudinal autoregressive cross‐lagged analysis
Authors: Boudrias Jean‐Sébastien , Morin Alexandre J. S. , Lajoie Denis
Published: January 2014

Many cross‐sectional studies have suggested that psychological empowerment (PE) – a higher‐order motivational construct – is related to employees' in‐role and extra‐role behavioural involvement (BI). The objective of this study was to assess the directionality of the longitudinal relationships between PE and employees' BI. Based on theories, three alternative causal directions are examined: two unidirectional models (PE → BI, BI → PE) and one reciprocal model including effects in both directions. A total of 818 health care workers completed self‐report questionnaires at three time points, equally spaced by a 1‐year lag. The results from autoregressive cross‐lagged fully latent structural equation models showed that on the construct level, PE significantly predicts subsequent BI, while the reverse causality was not supported. However, the exploration of relationships at the dimension level of PE suggests the existence of reverse and reciprocal relationship between some PE and BI dimensions. Consistent with previous longitudinal studies, levels of PE especially, but also BI, appeared to be very stable over time. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Practitioner points

Psychological empowerment – as a global motivational state where all dimensions are present (meaning, competence, self‐determination, and impact) – appears to be a useful lever for lasting and pervasive effects on behavioural involvement. Organizational interventions could therefore prioritize the development of these critical cognitions to empower employees to subsequently perform in‐role and extra‐role behaviours.

Encouraging behavioural involvement at the organizational level (e.g., asking an individual to participate and voice on organization issues) could alternatively be the best strategy to increase subsequent level of three PE cognitions (e.g., competence, self‐determination, and impact).

The stability of the psychological empowerment and behavioural involvement constructs could indicate the importance of appropriate selection and work environment sustaining employees' empowerment.
A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF NUTRITIONAL AND INFLAMMATORY STATUS IN PATIENTS ON DIALYSIS
Authors: Markaki Anastasia , Gkouskou Kalliopi , Ganotakis Emmanouel , Margioris Andrew , Daphnis Eugene
Published: January 2014

Objective

Several anthropometric, laboratory and bioelectrical impedance parameters of nutritional status and inflammation are often used as prognostic indices in patients on dialysis. Their longitudinal assessment is necessary for the estimation of their true prognostic value. We aim to estimate this prognostic value in better‐nourished dialysis patients, which are commonly under‐represented in pertinent studies.

Methods

The design is a prospective case series. Pertinent parameters were studied three times during a 20‐month period in 47 haemodialysis (HD) and 27 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with a low malnutrition‐inflammation score (MIS). Mortality rate was assessed three years after the initial evaluation. Correlation coefficients were calculated between mortality rate, the studied parameters and their alteration.

Results

Serum albumin of less than 40 g/l was strongly correlated with mortality risk. The alteration of studied parameters during a short period of time does not allow for long‐term prediction of mortality risk.

Conclusion

Serum albumin had the strongest predictive value of all the pertinent parameters in the study. Thus, better conjugate clinical and laboratory measurements should be developed for patients on PD, as well as for those with a relatively low MIS.
Examining the Relationship Between Uterine Fibroids and Dyspareunia Among Premenopausal Women in the United States
Authors: Moshesh Malana , Olshan Andrew F. , Saldana Tina , Baird Donna
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Despite estimates of a high prevalence of deep dyspareunia (DD) among women in the United States, risk factors for this important area of sexual dysfunction have been largely understudied.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between uterine fibroids and the prevalence of DD.

Methods

We used data from the Uterine Fibroid Study (enrollment 1996–1999 in a U.S. metropolitan area). Participating women were ages 35–49 and were randomly selected from the membership rolls of a prepaid health plan. Women were asked to provide detailed health information including a symptom questionnaire with questions about DD and to have a study ultrasound to screen for fibroids ≥0.5 cm in diameter. The analysis included 827 women, after restriction to participants who were premenopausal with an intact uterus, sexually active, completed the symptom questionnaire, and had fibroid status adequately assessed. Logistic regression was conducted to estimate the adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR) for the association of DD with presence of fibroids after adjusting for age, ethnicity, education, depression, physical activity, parity, and pelvic pathology.

Main Outcome Measure

Our main outcome measures were the presence and severity of DD.

Results

The presence of fibroids was significantly associated with DD (aPOR = 1.7 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 2.5). The aPOR was stronger for severe DD, DD that interfered with normal activity “some” or “a lot” (aPOR = 3.1 95% CI 1.2, 8.2). However, there was not a significant dose response relationship between fibroid burden (measured by uterine volume) and DD. Fundal fibroids were more strongly associated with DD than other fibroids. Additional factors associated with significantly elevated odds of DD were parity, depression, younger age, and pelvic pathology.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that fibroids are associated with DD. The association may not be causal but may reflect shared etiology and/or pathologic pathways.
Disrupted rapid eye movement sleep predicts poor declarative memory performance in post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Lipinska Malgorzata , Timol Ridwana , Kaminer Debra , Thomas Kevin G. F.
Published: January 2014

Successful memory consolidation during sleep depends on healthy slow‐wave and rapid eye movement sleep, and on successful transition across sleep stages. In post‐traumatic stress disorder, sleep is disrupted and memory is impaired, but relations between these two variables in the psychiatric condition remain unexplored. We examined whether disrupted sleep, and consequent disrupted memory consolidation, is a mechanism underlying declarative memory deficits in post‐traumatic stress disorder. We recruited three matched groups of participants: post‐traumatic stress disorder (n = 16); trauma‐exposed non‐post‐traumatic stress disorder (n = 15); and healthy control (n = 14). They completed memory tasks before and after 8 h of sleep. We measured sleep variables using sleep‐adapted electroencephalography. Post‐traumatic stress disorder‐diagnosed participants experienced significantly less sleep efficiency and rapid eye movement sleep percentage, and experienced more awakenings and wake percentage in the second half of the night than did participants in the other two groups. After sleep, post‐traumatic stress disorder‐diagnosed participants retained significantly less information on a declarative memory task than controls. Rapid eye movement percentage, wake percentage and sleep efficiency correlated with retention of information over the night. Furthermore, lower rapid eye movement percentage predicted poorer retention in post‐traumatic stress disorder‐diagnosed individuals. Our results suggest that declarative memory consolidation is disrupted during sleep in post‐traumatic stress disorder. These data are consistent with theories suggesting that sleep benefits memory consolidation via predictable neurobiological mechanisms, and that rapid eye movement disruption is more than a symptom of post‐traumatic stress disorder.
Vegetation change and eco‐evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Eriksson Ove
Published: January 2014

Question

Eco‐evolutionary dynamics is a concept encapsulating a feedback between ecology and evolution, acting on short ecological time‐scales. Recent studies suggest that such dynamics have been generally over‐looked. The objective of this paper is to examine how eco‐evolutionary dynamics may contribute to vegetation science.

Location

Global.

Methods

In this paper I discuss eco‐evolutionary dynamics in the context of vegetation science, with a focus on effects derived from human‐mediated niche construction, manifested as new habitats, non‐native species, and changing connectivity and spatial configuration of habitats.

Results and Conclusions

I suggest that eco‐evolutionary dynamics have the potential to influence plant community composition and assembly, and thus that eco‐evolutionary dynamics should become focus of studies in vegetation science.
Algal epibiosis on Megabalanus tintinnabulum and its role in segregation of the Balanus amphitrite population
Authors: Eswaran Ranjith , Khandeparker Lidita
Published: January 2014

Ulva sp. and Gracilaria sp. were found colonizing shell surfaces of an acorn barnacle, Megabalanus tintinnabulum. However, this association was not noticed in the case of Balanus amphitrite, which was a co‐inhabitant. Such a difference in intergeneric interactions with the algae was examined in laboratory experiments. For this, the influence that extracts of algae, extracts of algae‐associated bacteria and natural leachants from M. tintinnabulum exerted on cyprid metamorphosis of B. amphitrite was examined. Extracts of algae and associated bacteria showed no effect on the metamorphosis of B. amphitrite. This may be attributed to absence of cue‐specific sugars in the exopolysaccharides and culture supernatants of bacteria. On the other hand, natural leachants of M. tintinnabulum, which showed the presence of N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine, a known algal spore attractant, also inhibited metamorphosis of B. amphitrite. Thus, hosting specific epibionts could have important roles in the segregation of barnacle population.
Macrobenthic composition of the southeast continental shelf of India
Authors: Manokaran Seerangan , Khan Syed Ajmal , Lyla Parameswari S.
Published: January 2014

Macrobenthic faunal composition was studied at six different depth ranges (30–50, 51–75, 76–100, 101–150, 151–175 and >176 m) in five transects (off Karaikkal, Parangipettai, Cuddalore‐SIPCOT, Cheyyur and Chennai) in the continental shelf of southeast coast of India. Eleven diverse taxa were found, comprising 113 species of polychaetes, 14 species of bivalves, 10 species of amphipods and ‘others’ (five tanaids, five crabs, four isopods, three echinoderms, two shrimps, two cnidarians, two fishes and one cephalochordate). Polychaetes were the dominant taxa, constituting 88.5% of the total abundance and 30.7% of the total biomass. The number of species (seven per 0.2 m2 at >176 m depth range in Chennai to 46 per 0.2 m2 at 30–50 m in Cheyyur), abundance (216 per 0.2 m2 at >176 m in Karaikkal to 353 per 0.2 m2 at 30–50 m in Cheyyur) and biomass (0.09 g per 0.2 m2 at 151–175 m in Karaikkal and 4.6 g per 0.2 m2 at 30–50 m in Cheyyur) of macrobenthos decreased with increase in depth. DO decreased gradually from 30 m depth; beyond 150 m, the decrease was pronounced due to the presence of the oxygen minimum zone. Using the distance based linear model (DISTLM), it was found that the environmental variables explained about 73.3% of the total variability in macrofaunal distribution. The heavy metals cobalt and mercury, as well as water pressure (proxy for depth), showed a significant relationship with macrofauna, explaining respectively 9, 7.3 and 7% of the total variability. The contribution of other variables was smaller.
Exploring Pluralism in Oral Health Care: Dom Informal Dentists in Northern Lebanon
Authors: Bochi Giovanni
Published: January 2014

This article describes a pluralistic regime of oral health provision in a rural part of northern Lebanon, where dental care came from two main sources: professionally trained dentists and “informal” Dom dentists with Syrian nationality. Relying on a combination of interviews and ethnography, I offer a multivocal view of oral health services that incorporates data from patients and formal and informal providers. I argue that informal dentistry constituted an interstitial and translocal mode of dental care. In the northern Lebanese Biqa Valley, close to the Syrian border, the local articulation of neoliberal health governance created opportunities for heterodox practices in oral health. The organization of informality was predicated on the presence of the open border between Syria and Lebanon, which favored patterns of flexible cross‐border mobility. In this context, informal dentistry was not alternative, but supplementary and lateral in relation to official forms of oral health provision.
Variation inDNAmethylation transmissibility, genetic heterogeneity and fecundity‐related traits in natural populations of the perennial herbHelleborus foetidus
Authors: Herrera Carlos M. , Medrano Mónica , Bazaga Pilar
Published: January 2014

Inferences about the role of epigenetics in plant ecology and evolution are mostly based on studies of cultivated or model plants conducted in artificial environments. Insights from natural populations, however, are essential to evaluate the possible consequences of epigenetic processes in biologically realistic scenarios with genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous populations. Here, we explore associations across individuals betweenDNAmethylation transmissibility (proportion of methylation‐sensitive loci whose methylation status persists unchanged after male gametogenesis), genetic characteristics (assessed withAFLPmarkers), seed size variability (within‐plant seed mass variance), and realized maternal fecundity (number of recently recruited seedlings), in three populations of the perennial herbHelleborus foetidusalong a natural ecological gradient in southeasternSpain. Plants (sporophytes) differed in the fidelity with whichDNAmethylation was transmitted to descendant pollen (gametophytes). This variation in methylation transmissibility was associated with genetic differences. FourAFLPloci were significantly associated with transmissibility and accounted collectively for ~40% of its sample‐wide variance. Within‐plant variance in seed mass was inversely related to individual transmissibility. The number of seedlings recruited by individual plants was significantly associated with transmissibility. The sign of the relationship varied between populations, which points to environment‐specific, divergent phenotypic selection on epigenetic transmissibility. Results support the view that epigenetic transmissibility is itself a phenotypic trait whose evolution may be driven by natural selection, and suggest that in natural populations epigenetic and genetic variation are two intertwined, rather than independent, evolutionary factors.
A recent local sweep at the PHYA locus in the Northern European Spiterstulen population of Arabidopsis lyrata
Authors: Toivainen Tuomas , Pyhäjärvi Tanja , Niittyvuopio Anne , Savolainen Outi
Published: January 2014

Northern and central European Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea populations are locally adapted to prevailing climatic conditions through differences in timing of life history events. The timing of flowering and, in perennials, the timing of growth cessation influence fitness. Phytochrome A may have an important role in regulating these life history traits as it perceives changes in daylength. We asked whether PHYA has contributed to local adaptation to the northern conditions in A. l. petraea. To search for signals of directional selection at the PHYA locus, we resequenced PHYA and 9 short fragments around PHYA from a 57‐kb region from a German (Plech) and a Norwegian (Spiterstulen) population and compared patterns of differentiation and diversity to a set of 19 reference loci around the genome. First, we found that the populations were highly differentiated: there were three nonsynonymous fixed differences at the PHYA locus, which was in stark contrast with the total four fixed differences in the 19 reference loci. Compatible with a sweep hypothesis, variation was almost completely removed from the 9.4‐kb region around PHYA in the northern Spiterstulen population. The overall level of linkage disequilibrium (LD) was higher in Spiterstulen, but there was no LD across the PHYA locus in the population, which is also a known consequence of a selective sweep. The sweep has likely occurred after the last glacial maximum, which suggests that it has contributed to adaptation to the northern conditions.
Shear Stress Regulated Gene Expression and Angiogenesis in Vascular Endothelium
Authors: Wragg Joseph W. , Durant Sarah , McGettrick Helen M. , Sample Klarke M. , Egginton Stuart , Bicknell Roy
Published: January 2014

The behavior of vascular EC is greatly altered in sites of pathological angiogenesis, such as a developing tumor or atherosclerotic plaque. Until recently it was thought that this was largely due to abnormal chemical signaling, i.e., endothelial cell chemo transduction, at these sites. However, we now demonstrate that the shear stress intensity encountered by EC can have a profound impact on their gene expression and behavior. We review the growing body of evidence suggesting that mechanotransduction, too, is a major regulator of pathological angiogenesis. This fits with the evolving story of physiological angiogenesis, where a combination of metabolic and mechanical signaling is emerging as the probable mechanism by which tight feedback regulation of angiogenesis is achieved in vivo.
Evaluation of 11 terrestrial carbon–nitrogen cycle models against observations from two temperate Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment studies
Authors: Zaehle Sönke , Medlyn Belinda E. , De Kauwe Martin G. , Walker Anthony P. , Dietze Michael C. , Hickler Thomas , Luo Yiqi , Wang Ying‐Ping , El‐Masri Bassil , Thornton Peter , Jain Atul , Wang Shusen , Warlind David , Weng Ensheng , Parton William , Iversen Colleen M. , Gallet‐Budynek Anne , McCarthy Heather , Finzi Adrien , Hanson Paul J. , Prentice I. Colin , Oren Ram , Norby Richard J.
Published: January 2014

We analysed the responses of 11 ecosystem models to elevated atmospheric [CO2] (eCO2) at two temperate forest ecosystems (Duke and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiments) to test alternative representations of carbon (C)–nitrogen (N) cycle processes.

We decomposed the model responses into component processes affecting the response to eCO2 and confronted these with observations from the FACE experiments.

Most of the models reproduced the observed initial enhancement of net primary production (NPP) at both sites, but none was able to simulate both the sustained 10‐yr enhancement at Duke and the declining response at ORNL: models generally showed signs of progressive N limitation as a result of lower than observed plant N uptake. Nonetheless, many models showed qualitative agreement with observed component processes. The results suggest that improved representation of above‐ground–below‐ground interactions and better constraints on plant stoichiometry are important for a predictive understanding of eCO2 effects. Improved accuracy of soil organic matter inventories is pivotal to reduce uncertainty in the observed C–N budgets.

The two FACE experiments are insufficient to fully constrain terrestrial responses to eCO2, given the complexity of factors leading to the observed diverging trends, and the consequential inability of the models to explain these trends. Nevertheless, the ecosystem models were able to capture important features of the experiments, lending some support to their projections.
Survival in Octogenarians Undergoing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Compared to the General Population
Authors: RICKARD JOHN , CHENG ALAN , SPRAGG DAVID , GREEN ARIEL , LEFF BRUCE , TANG WILSON , CANTILLON DANIEL , BARANOWSKI BRYAN , WILKOFF BRUCE L. , TCHOU PATRICK
Published: January 2014

Background

Many patients eligible for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are over 80 years of age. Survival in this population and how it compares to the general octogenarian population has not been established.

Methods

We extracted clinical data on a cohort of 800 consecutive patients undergoing the new implantation of a CRT device between April 15, 2004 and August 6, 2007. Patients over age 80, with class III‐IV New York Heart Association heart failure symptoms on optimal medical therapy undergoing initial CRT implantation, were included in the final cohort. Using the United States Social Security Period Life Table for 2006, fractional survival for octogenarians in the general population was calculated and matched to our cohort based on age and gender. A comparison was then made between octogenarians undergoing CRT compared to the general population.

Results

A total of 95 octogenarians who met inclusion criteria were identified, of whom 86.3% received a biventricular defibrillator and the remainder a biventricular pacemaker. Over a mean follow‐up of 3.6 ± 1.5 years, there were 47 deaths (47.4%). The mean survival time was 4.1 years (95% CI 3.7–4.5), and survival at 2 years was 78.9%. Compared to the general octogenarian population, octogenarians receiving CRT had only modestly worse survival over the duration of follow‐up with the survival curves diverging at 2 years of follow‐up (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Octogenarians with advanced heart failure have a reasonable mean survival time following CRT. All‐cause mortality in this patient population is only modestly worse compared to the general octogenarian population. Therefore, in octogenarians deemed to be reasonable candidates, CRT should not be withheld based on age alone.
Pregnancy and helminth infections
Authors: Mpairwe H. , Tweyongyere R. , Elliott A.
Published: January 2014

It has been proposed that helminth infection may be particularly detrimental during pregnancy, through adverse effects on maternal anaemia and on birth outcomes, and that anthelminthic treatment during pregnancy will therefore be particularly beneficial. However, the few treatment trials that have been conducted have given, but little support to this notion and further trials in settings of nutritional stress are needed. It has also been proposed that prenatal exposure to helminth infection has an important effect on the development of the foetal immune response. There is evidence that this may impact, long‐term, upon responses to helminth and nonhelminth antigens, and to allergens. Exposure to helminths in utero may also have nonspecific effects that may modify the offspring's susceptibility to diseases mediated by inflammation, including metabolic disorders. The mechanisms of such effects are not known, but they deserve to be explored as current epidemiological findings suggest the possibility of primary prevention for inflammatory conditions such as allergy, through intervention during pregnancy.
Identification of Apoptotic Bodies in Equine Semen
Authors: Caselles AB , Miro‐Moran A , Morillo Rodriguez A , Gallardo Bolaños JM , Ortega‐Ferrusola C , Salido GM , Peña FJ , Tapia JA , Aparicio IM
Published: January 2014

Contents

Apoptosis in the testis is required to ensure an efficient spermatogenesis. However, sometimes, defective germ cells that are marked for elimination during this process escape elimination in the testes, giving rise to ejaculates with increased percentages of abnormal and apoptotic spermatozoa and a high percentage of apoptotic bodies. Apoptosis markers in the ejaculate have been associated with low fertility, either in animals or humans. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate whether fresh equine semen contains apoptotic bodies [initially named Merocyanine 540 (M540) bodies] and to study the relationship between the quantity of these bodies and cell concentration, the volume of ejaculate, viability and motility. Moreover, we also studied whether the presence apoptotic bodies in fresh semen was related to the resistance of the stallion spermatozoa to being incubated at 37°C or being frozen and thawed. Fresh equine semen was stained with fluorescent dyes such as M540 and Annexin‐V. Active Caspase 3 was studied in fresh semen through Western blotting and immunofluorescence with a specific antibody. Sperm kinematics was assessed in fresh, incubated and thawed samples using computer‐assisted semen analysis, and viability was evaluated with the LIVE/DEAD Sperm Viability Kit. Overall, our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of apoptotic bodies in equine semen. The quantity of apoptotic bodies was highly variable among stallions and was positively correlated with Caspase 3 activity in fresh samples and negatively correlated with the viability and motility of stallion spermatozoa after the cryopreservation process.
Effect of Sericin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation on the Maturation, Fertilization and Development of Porcine Oocytes
Authors: Do LTK , Namula Z , Luu VV , Sato Y , Taniguchi M , Isobe T , Kikuchi K , Otoi T
Published: January 2014

Contents

This study aimed to examine the effects of sericin supplementation during in vitro oocyte maturation on the nuclear maturation, fertilization and development of porcine oocytes. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with 0 (control), 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 or 5.0% sericin and were then subjected to in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. More COCs matured with 1.0% sericin underwent germinal vesicle breakdown and reached metaphase II compared with the control COCs matured without sericin (p < 0.01). The proportions of oocytes with DNA‐fragmented nuclei did not differ between the groups, regardless of the sericin level. The total fertilization rate of oocytes matured with 1.0% sericin was higher (p < 0.05) than that of oocytes matured with 0.1%, 2.5% and 5.0% sericin. Supplementation with more than 1.0% sericin decreased the DNA fragmentation index of the blastocysts compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, the supplementation of the maturation medium with sericin had no beneficial effects on the cleavage, development to the blastocyst stage and the total cell number of the embryos. Our findings indicate that supplementation with 1.0% sericin during maturation culture may improve the nuclear maturation and the quality of the embryos but does not affect blastocyst formation.