bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential impacts of a future persistent El Niño or La Niña on three subspecies of Australian butterflies
Authors: Beaumont Linda J. , Duursma Daisy , Kemp Darrell J. , Wilson Peter D. , Evans Jason P.
Published: July 2016

One of the major uncertainties of 21st century climate change is the potential for shifts to the intensity and frequency of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. Although this phenomenon is known to have dramatic impacts on ecosystems regionally and globally, the biological consequences of climate change‐driven shifts in future ENSO events have been unexplored. Here, we investigate the potential impacts that a persistent El Niño, La Niña, or ‘Neutral' phase may have on species distributions. Using MaxEnt, we model the distribution of climatically suitable habitat for three northeast Australian butterfly subspecies (Doleschallia bisaltide australis, Hypolimnas alimena lamina, and Mycalesis terminus terminus) across the three ENSO phases. We find that the spatial extent and quality of habitat are lowest under conditions that would characterize a persistent El Niño (hot/dry). In contrast, suitable habitat is broadest under the warm/wet conditions associated with La Niña. Statistical analyses of the difference between pair‐wise combinations of suitability maps using Hellinger distance showed that projections for each subspecies and ENSO phase combination were significantly different from other combinations. The resilience of these, and other, butterfly (sub)species to changes in ENSO will be influenced by fluctuations in the strength of these events, availability of refugia, and life‐history characteristics. However, the population dynamics of wet‐ and dry‐season phenotypes of M. t. terminus and physiological limitations to high temperatures suggest that this subspecies, in particular, may have limited resilience should the strength and frequency of El Niño events increase.
Interleukin-2 reverses CD8+ T cell exhaustion in clinical malignant pleural effusion of lung cancer
Authors: Hu C Y , Zhang Y H , Wang T , Chen L , Gong Z H , Wan Y S , Li Q J , Li Y S , Zhu B
Published: July 2016

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a poor prognostic sign for cancer patients, whereas the functional condition of MPE CD8+ T cells is unknown. Intracavitary immunotherapy with interleukin (IL)-2 has been proven effective in controlling MPE. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, 35 lung cancer (LC) patients with MPE and 12 healthy donors were included in this study. For the IL-2 therapy experiments, after draining partial MPE, we treated 14 patients by administrating IL-2 (3 or 5 × 106 U in 50 ml saline) into the thoracic cavity. Before and after IL-2 treatment (40-48 h), the MPE and peripheral blood (PB) were obtained from the subjects. PB from healthy volunteers was collected as control. The expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), granzyme B (GzmB), interferon (IFN)-γ and the proliferation were analysed in CD8+ T cells from MPE and PB. The CD8+ T cells in the MPE of LC patients showed lowest GzmB, IFN-γ and proliferation but highest PD-1 expression, compared with that in PB of LC patients and healthy donors. IL-2 treatment reduced the expression of PD-1, increased the expression of GzmB and IFN-γ and enhanced the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in MPE. In addition, IL-2 treatment reduced carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) level in MPE. These results indicate that MPE CD8+ T cells exhibit exhaustion phenotype which can be reversed by IL-2 therapy.
Incidence of melanoma in organ transplant recipients in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Tran Mimi , Sander Megan , Ravani Pietro , Mydlarski P. Régine
Published: July 2016

Background

Many studies have documented the increased risk of non‐melanoma skin cancers in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). However, the incidence of melanoma is less well defined. To date, there have been no studies on the incidence of melanoma in Canadian OTRs. Herein, we determine the incidence and clinical features of melanoma in a cohort of OTRs in Southern Alberta, Canada.

Methods

We used the Southern Alberta Transplant database to identify kidney and liver transplant recipients between the years 2000 and 2012. This population was cross‐referenced with the Alberta Cancer Registry for a diagnosis of melanoma. The clinical features of all cases were obtained, and the standardized incidence rate was calculated.

Results

We identified 993 OTR patients, representing 5955 person‐years. Only one patient developed a melanoma post‐transplant, and this was a nodular melanoma. The age‐standardized incidence rate was 11 per 100 000 (0.6 per 5955), compared to 13.4 per 100 000 in the general Alberta population (incidence rate ratio of 1.29, with 95% confidence interval of 0.17 to 9.82).

Conclusions

This is the first Canadian study to investigate the association between organ transplantation and melanoma. Our study did not identify an increased risk of developing a de novo melanoma post‐transplant.
Neotapirissus gen. nov. of the tribe Issini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae) from Hainan Island
Authors: Meng Rui , Wang Yinglun
Published: July 2016

Neotapirissus gen. nov., in the tribe Issini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae), is described from China, and type species Neotapirissus reticularis sp. nov. (China: Hainan) is described and illustrated. The female internal reproductive organs of the new species are also described and illustrated. The new genus is compared to the superficially similar genus Tapirissus Gnezdilov. The morphological diversity of the issids distributed in Hainan Island is discussed briefly.
Identification of a novel BCL2‐specific inhibitor that binds predominantly to the BH1 domain
Authors: Iyer Divyaanka , Vartak Supriya V. , Mishra Archita , Goldsmith Gunaseelan , Kumar Sujeet , Srivastava Mrinal , Hegde Mahesh , Gopalakrishnan Vidya , Glenn Mark , Velusamy Mahesh , Choudhary Bibha , Kalakonda Nagesh , Karki Subhas S. , Surolia Avadhesha , Raghavan Sathees C.
Published: July 2016

The antiapoptotic protein BCL2 is overexpressed in several cancers and contributes to prolonged cell survival and chemoresistance, lending itself as an excellent target for cancer therapy. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of Disarib, a novel BCL2 inhibitor. Disarib showed selective cytotoxicity in BCL2 high cancer cell lines, and CLL patient primary cells, as compared to BCL2 low cell lines. BCL2 knockdown in cells rendered remarkable resistance to Disarib, while sensitivity was regained upon its ectopic expression, establishing target specificity. In silico, biochemical and biophysical studies demonstrated strong affinity of Disarib to BCL2, but not to other antiapoptotic BCL2 family members viz., BCL‐xL, BCL2A1 etc. Interestingly, biophysical studies showed that BH1 domain deletion mutant demonstrated ~ 67‐fold reduction in BCL2‐Disarib interaction, while it was only ~ 20‐fold in the case of BH3 deletion mutant, suggesting predominant involvement of the BH1 domain for Disarib binding. Thus, we report identification of a novel BCL2 inhibitor with a unique mechanism of BCL2 inhibition, as opposed to the well‐studied BH3 domain targeting.
Blocking glutamate carboxypeptidase II inhibits glutamate excitotoxicity and regulates immune responses in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Ha Danbee , Bing So Jin , Ahn Ginnae , Kim Jinhee , Cho Jinhee , Kim Areum , Herath Kalahe H. I. N. M. , Yu Hak Sun , Jo Sangmee Ahn , Cho Ik‐Hyun , Jee Youngheun
Published: July 2016

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inflammatory disease in the murine central nervous system (CNS) and recapitulates the clinical and pathological features of human multiple sclerosis (MS). Glutamate carboxipeptidase II (GCPII), an enzyme expressed exclusively on astrocytes, is known to affect the disease progression of various neurological disorders by producing glutamate. Despite several findings indicating possible link between glutamate and MS/EAE, however, the involvement of astrocyte or GCPII on glutamate excitotoxicity has not received much attention in MS/EAE. When we examined GCPII expression during EAE progression in this study, we observed significantly elevated GCPII expression in peak stage of disease localized mainly in astrocytes. Intrigued by these results, we tried a potent GCPII inhibitor, 2‐phosphonomethyl pentanedioic acid (2‐PMPA), on EAE mice and noticed markedly attenuated EAE clinical signs along with significantly inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells into CNS. Furthermore, 2‐PMPA dampened the function of Th1 cell lineage and down‐regulated mGluR1 expression in both periphery and CNS contributing to glutamate‐mediated immune regulation. Our observations identify a sequence of events triggering EAE through GCPII overexpression, which may offer a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of MS.
Microbial diversity and activity in seafloor brine lake sediments (Alaminos Canyon block 601, Gulf of Mexico)
Authors: Crespo‐Medina M. , Bowles M. W. , Samarkin V. A. , Hunter K. S. , Joye S. B.
Published: July 2016

The microbial communities thriving in deep‐sea brines are sustained largely by energy rich substrates supplied through active seepage. Geochemical, microbial activity, and microbial community composition data from different habitats at a Gulf of Mexico brine lake in Alaminos Canyon revealed habitat‐linked variability in geochemistry that in turn drove patterns in microbial community composition and activity. The bottom of the brine lake was the most geochemically extreme (highest salinity and nutrient concentrations) habitat and its microbial community exhibited the highest diversity and richness indices. The habitat at the upper halocline of the lake hosted the highest rates of sulfate reduction and methane oxidation, and the largest inventories of dissolved inorganic carbon, particulate organic carbon, and hydrogen sulfide. Statistical analyses indicated a significant positive correlation between the bacterial and archaeal diversity in the bottom brine sample and inventories. Other environmental factors with positive correlation with microbial diversity indices were DOC, H2S, and DIC concentrations. The geochemical regime of different sites within this deep seafloor extreme environment exerts a clear selective force on microbial communities and on patterns of microbial activity.
Land management: data availability and process understanding for global change studies
Authors: Erb Karl‐Heinz , Luyssaert Sebastiaan , Meyfroidt Patrick , Pongratz Julia , Don Axel , Kloster Silvia , Kuemmerle Tobias , Fetzel Tamara , Fuchs Richard , Herold Martin , Haberl Helmut , Jones Chris D. , Marín‐Spiotta Erika , McCallum Ian , Robertson Eddy , Seufert Verena , Fritz Steffen , Valade Aude , Wiltshire Andrew , Dolman Albertus J.
Published: July 2016

In the light of daunting global sustainability challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food security, improving our understanding of the complex dynamics of the Earth system is crucial. However, large knowledge gaps related to the effects of land management persist, in particular those human‐induced changes in terrestrial ecosystems that do not result in land‐cover conversions. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of ten common land management activities for their biogeochemical and biophysical impacts, the level of process understanding and data availability. Our review shows that ca. one‐tenth of the ice‐free land surface is under intense human management, half under medium and one‐fifth under extensive management. Based on our review, we cluster these ten management activities into three groups: (i) management activities for which data sets are available, and for which a good knowledge base exists (cropland harvest and irrigation); (ii) management activities for which sufficient knowledge on biogeochemical and biophysical effects exists but robust global data sets are lacking (forest harvest, tree species selection, grazing and mowing harvest, N fertilization); and (iii) land management practices with severe data gaps concomitant with an unsatisfactory level of process understanding (crop species selection, artificial wetland drainage, tillage and fire management and crop residue management, an element of crop harvest). Although we identify multiple impediments to progress, we conclude that the current status of process understanding and data availability is sufficient to advance with incorporating management in, for example, Earth system or dynamic vegetation models in order to provide a systematic assessment of their role in the Earth system. This review contributes to a strategic prioritization of research efforts across multiple disciplines, including land system research, ecological research and Earth system modelling.
Association of metabolic syndrome and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D with cognitive impairment among elderly Koreans
Authors: Lee Eun Young , Lee Su Jin , Kim Kyoung Min , Yun Young Mi , Song Bo Mi , Kim Jong Eun , Kim Hyeon Chang , Rhee Yumie , Youm Yoosik , Kim Chang Oh
Published: July 2016

Aim

Metabolic syndrome and vitamin D deficiency are prevalent in older adults, and are considered risk factors for cognitive impairment. We investigated the combined effects of MetS and serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels on cognitive function in older adults.

Methods

We studied 2940 participants aged ≥65 years from the Korean Urban Rural Elderly cohort study. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the updated Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Serum 25(OH)D levels were categorized into four groups: <25, 25–49, 50–74 and ≥75 nmol/L. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini‐Mental State Examination.

Results

Participants with cognitive impairment had higher metabolic syndrome prevalence and lower serum 25(OH)D levels than those without cognitive impairment. In univariate analysis, both metabolic syndrome and low 25(OH)D levels were associated with cognitive impairment. These associations remained unchanged after adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, season and education. In addition, participants with metabolic syndrome and low 25(OH)D had significantly increased odds for cognitive impairment (odds ratio 3.06, 95% CI 1.61–5.80) when compared with those with no metabolic syndrome and high 25(OH)D.

Conclusions

Metabolic syndrome was associated with cognitive impairment, and this risk was synergistically increased when metabolic syndrome was combined with low 25(OH)D. A focus on individuals with metabolic syndrome and low 25(OH)D might be helpful to identify older adults who are at risk of cognitive impairment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1069–1075.
Differences between older and young patients with autoimmune gastritis
Authors: Kalkan Çağdaş , Soykan Irfan
Published: July 2016

Aim

Elderly patients with autoimmune gastritis might have different symptoms than those of young patients. The aim of the present study was to compare presented symptoms and laboratory parameters associated with autoimmune gastritis in both old and young age groups.

Methods

A total of 355 patients with autoimmune gastritis were stratified into two groups: 65 years or older (n = 119, mean age 69.47 ± 5.027 years), and under 65 years (n = 236, mean age 45.79 ± 10.51 years). These two groups were then evaluated and compared by means of clinical symptoms, concurrent autoimmune diseases, serum gastrin, vitamin B12 and chromogranin A levels, and the presence of enterochromograffin‐like cell hyperplasia.

Results

Among 119 older patients, 35 had dyspeptic symptoms, and 84 patients were referred for vitamin B12 and/or iron deficiency. In the younger group (n = 236), there were more patients who had dyspeptic symptoms (36 vs 200, P < 0.001). Serum gastrin (726.68 ± 266.183 vs 214.36 ± 104.62 pg/mL, P < 0.001) and chromogranin A (301.26 ± 172.95 vs 106.59 ± 67.66 ng/mL, P < 0.001) levels were significantly higher, and the presence of enterochromograffin‐like cell hyperplasia was more frequent (113 vs 31, P < 0.001) in older patients than younger patients. Polyautoimmunity (66.3% vs 24.5%) and multiple autoimmune syndrome (17.6% vs 5.5%) were more common in older patients (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

There are differences in the clinical characteristics and the laboratory parameters between patients with autoimmune gastritis that are older and younger than 65 years‐of‐age. Elderly patients with autoimmune gastritis were investigated more commonly for vitamin B12 and/or iron deficiency. Polyautoimmunity and multiple autoimmune syndrome were more common, and serum gastrin and chromogranin A levels were significantly higher in older patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1090–1095.
Meta‐analysis: outcomes of total knee arthroplasty in the haemophilia population
Authors: Moore M. F. , Tobase P. , Allen D. D.
Published: July 2016

Introduction

People with haemophilia (PWH) experience end stage joint disease as a result of repeated hemarthrosis, commonly leading to total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Aim

The goal of this meta‐analysis is to calculate expected outcomes for range of motion (ROM), functional mobility, and complication rates in PWH following TKA.

Methods

Studies published between 1980 and 2015 were identified. Inclusion criteria: PWH having TKA, reporting Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score or Knee Society Score, knee ROM, and incidence of complications for more than 5 TKAs. Inhibitor status, haemophilia severity and HIV status were not criteria for inclusion or exclusion. Meta‐analysis was performed using mean, standard deviation, or P‐value data to create effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals for each variable.

Results

Twenty studies met inclusion criteria; ten had sufficient data for meta‐analyses. A total of 336 TKAs in 254 PWH were analysed with mean follow‐up of 6.3 years. Statistically significant ROM improvements were found with 9.72° improvement of flexion contracture (−0.73 effect size (ES) (−0.91 to −0.56)), and 15.69°increase into flexion (0.63 ES (0.34–0.91)). Knee scores showed statistically significant improvements: clinically, 37.9 point increase (3.21 ES [1.79–4.63]) and functionally, 13.50 point increase (1.50 ES [0.80–2.21]). A 31.5% complication rate was calculated with 106 reported in 336 TKAs.

Conclusions

TKA is an effective procedure for improving ROM and decreasing functional deficits resulting from haemophilic arthropathy. Knee score data shows TKA improves overall function. This study guides clinicians regarding outcome expectations post‐TKA in PWH.
Environmental factors of food literacy in Australian high schools: views of home economics teachers
Authors: Ronto Rimante , Ball Lauren , Pendergast Donna , Harris Neil
Published: July 2016

This study set out to examine environmental factors impacting on the food literacy of adolescents. It utilized data from a nation‐wide survey of home economics teachers regarding their experience of food literacy education in Australian high schools. Content analysis and the ANGELO framework were applied to analyse free‐text comments from 78 of the respondents that were collected as part of a more extensive data set. The analysis of environmental factors revealed three enablers and ten barriers that could influence food literacy education delivered by high schools in Australia. High schools are well positioned to improve adolescents’ food literacy through a comprehensive, hands‐on approach in home economics. However, many environmental barriers were reported that could influence food literacy education in Australian high schools such as: lack of teaching materials and facilities, and human resources; the perceived inadequacy of the Australian school curriculum; non‐supportive school canteens; and negative role modelling. This study points to the need to eliminate or reduce these environmental barriers impacting on the capacity for effective food literacy education in high schools to help adolescents increase their food literacy and thereby support them in making informed food choices.
Impact of icing systems with aqueous, ethanolic and ethanolic‐aqueous extracts of alga Fucus spiralis on microbial and biochemical quality of chilled hake (Merluccius merluccius)
Authors: Barros‐Velázquez Jorge , Miranda José M. , Ezquerra‐Brauer Josafat Marina , Aubourg Santiago P.
Published: July 2016

The study focuses on the impact of icing systems with aqueous (AQ batch), ethanolic (ET batch) and ethanolic‐aqueous (ET‐AQ batch) extracts of alga Fucus spiralis on the microbial and biochemical quality of chilled hake (Merluccius merluccius). After a 13‐day storage, comparison with fish kept under traditional ice proved a significant (P < 0.05) antimicrobial effect against aerobes, psychrotrophs, proteolytic and lipolytic bacteria, derived of the presence of F. spiralis ethanolic extracts in the icing medium (ET and ET‐AQ batches). Additionally, an inhibitory effect of both ethanol extracts was also obtained concerning lipid oxidation development (i.e. secondary and tertiary lipid oxidation compounds). Additionally, lipid damage assessment showed lower mean values in tertiary oxidation compound formation in hake belonging to the ET‐AQ batch throughout the whole storage period. Present research indicates that ET‐AQ ice condition can lead to a marked quality and safety enhancement as well as to profitable commercial value increases.
Shelf life extension of fresh ginseng roots using sanitiser washing, edible antimicrobial coating and modified atmosphere packaging
Authors: Jin Tony Z. , Huang Mingyang , Niemira Brendan A. , Cheng Liyang
Published: July 2016

Fresh American ginseng roots were washed with sanitiser solution (200 ppm sodium hypochlorite), surface‐coated with a coating solution consisting of 0.5% chitosan and three organic acids (lactic, levulinic and acetic acids) and then placed in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with 5% O2, 10% O2 or ambient air. Total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and moulds, weight loss and quality changes (texture, colour and appearance) of roots were monitored during storage at 4 °C. Throughout the 38‐week study, there were no significant changes in microbial loads, texture, colour and appearance of samples after sanitiser washing and coating treatments and packaged with air, 5% O2 or 10% O2. The weight loss of roots after 38 weeks was approximately 3%. The results demonstrate that the unique coating formulation (0.5% chitosan and multiple organic acids) and combination of sanitiser washing, coating treatment and MAP extend the shelf life of fresh ginseng roots to at least 38 weeks.
Improving the physical health of people with severe mental illness in a low secure forensic unit: An uncontrolled evaluation study of staff training and physical health care plans
Authors: Haddad Mark , Llewellyn‐Jones Sian , Yarnold Steve , Simpson Alan
Published: July 2016

The life expectancy of people with severe mental illnesses is substantially reduced, and monitoring and screening for physical health problems is a key part of addressing this health inequality. Inpatient admission presents a window of opportunity for this health‐care activity. The present study was conducted in a forensic mental health unit in England. A personal physical health plan incorporating clearly‐presented and easily‐understood values and targets for health status in different domains was developed. Alongside this, a brief physical education session was delivered to health‐care staff (n = 63). Printed learning materials and pedometers and paper tape measures were also provided. The impact was evaluated by a single‐group pretest post‐test design; follow‐up measures were 4 months’ post‐intervention. The feasibility and acceptability of personal health plans and associated resources were examined by free‐text questionnaire responses. Fifty‐seven staff provided measures of attitudes and knowledge before training and implementation of the physical health plans. Matched‐pairs analysis indicated a modest but statistically‐significant improvement in staff knowledge scores and attitudes to involvement in physical health care. Qualitative feedback indicated limited uptake of the care plans and perceived need for additional support for better adoption of this initiative. Inpatient admission is a key setting for assessing physical health and promoting improved management of health problems. Staff training and purpose‐designed personalized care plans hold potential to improve practice and outcomes in this area, but further support for such innovations appears necessary for their uptake in inpatient mental health settings.
Starting open source collaborative innovation: the antecedents of network formation in community source
Authors: Liu Manlu , Hull Clyde Eiríkur , Hung Yu‐Ting Caisy
Published: July 2016

Specific needs in the area of enterprise applications have led to a new type of collaborative open source innovation development across institution borders: community source. We use the Kuali community source network, a jointly managed, border‐spanning organization that supplies the institutions that created it, to describe how community source works. This study builds a theoretical basis for understanding the individual and institutional factors affecting community source network formation and the decision by organizations to join a community source network. We identify eight antecedents of decisions about forming or joining community source initiatives: motives, learning, trust, norms and monitoring, institutional similarity, external funding, hostile external environment and information technology. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Unusual cause of breast wound: postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Abtahi‐naeini Bahareh , Bagheri Fahimeh , Pourazizi Mohsen , Forozeshfard Mohammad , Saffaei Ali
Published: July 2016

Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is an unusual clinical entity, which shows rapidly progressive skin necrosis that can occur within surgical sites after any surgical procedure. Usually, it is diagnosed as wound infection at the time of presentation, but antibiotic therapy and wound debridement fail to arrest rapid ulcer enlargement. We report the case of PPG in a 21‐year‐old woman after a reduction mammoplasty surgery. In this report, we emphasise the importance of considering pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) as one of the differential diagnoses of breast ulcers after surgical procedures. Careful clinical assessment may establish an early diagnosis and prevent potential serious complications.
Comparing range evolution in two western Plethodon salamanders: glacial refugia, competition, ecological niches, and spatial sorting
Authors: Pelletier Tara A. , Carstens Bryan C.
Published: July 2016

Aim

Plethodon dunni and P. vehiculum are sister species with widely overlapping ranges, yet the distribution of P. vehiculum extends almost 400 km farther north than its sister species. We explore Pleistocene refugial structure, competition, physiological tolerances and dispersal ability as contributing factors to the range difference between these two species.

Location

The Pacific Northwest of North America, including Oregon, Washington and British Columbia – the full range of both species.

Methods

We used genetic, environmental and morphological data to test hypotheses that explain this range difference. Genetic data were used to explore range expansion dynamics and population structure. Species distributional models were used to compare current niches to mid‐Holocene and Pleistocene distributions. Morphological data were used to assess phenotypic differences between the species and test for evidence of spatial sorting.

Results

Both species underwent rapid range expansions since the Pleistocene and share similar population structure. Species distributional models are different in distribution at all times periods between species. The species are significantly different in all morphological measurements taken. Only P. vehiculum shows evidence of spatial sorting.

Main conclusions

Physiological tolerance and dispersal ability best explain the distributional difference between these species. Spatial sorting most likely plays a key role in the range expansion of P. vehiculum.
Practitioner Review: Multilingualism and neurodevelopmental disorders – an overview of recent research and discussion of clinical implications
Authors: Uljarević Mirko , Katsos Napoleon , Hudry Kristelle , Gibson Jenny L.
Published: July 2016

Background

Language and communication skills are essential aspects of child development, which are often disrupted in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Cutting edge research in psycholinguistics suggests that multilingualism has potential to influence social, linguistic and cognitive development. Thus, multilingualism has implications for clinical assessment, diagnostic formulation, intervention and support offered to families. We present a systematic review and synthesis of the effects of multilingualism for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and discuss clinical implications.

Methods

We conducted systematic searches for studies on multilingualism in neurodevelopmental disorders. Keywords for neurodevelopmental disorders were based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition categories as follows; Intellectual Disabilities, Communication Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder, Motor Disorders, Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders. We included only studies based on empirical research and published in peer‐reviewed journals.

Results

Fifty studies met inclusion criteria. Thirty‐nine studies explored multilingualism in Communication Disorders, 10 in ASD and two in Intellectual Disability. No studies on multilingualism in Specific Learning Disorder or Motor Disorders were identified. Studies which found a disadvantage for multilingual children with neurodevelopmental disorders were rare, and there appears little reason to assume that multilingualism has negative effects on various aspects of functioning across a range of conditions. In fact, when considering only those studies which have compared a multilingual group with developmental disorders to a monolingual group with similar disorders, the findings consistently show no adverse effects on language development or other aspects of functioning. In the case of ASD, a positive effect on communication and social functioning has been observed.

Conclusions

There is little evidence to support the widely held view that multilingual exposure is detrimental to the linguistic or social development of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, we also note that the available pool of studies is small and the number of methodologically high quality studies is relatively low. We discuss implications of multilingualism for clinical management of neurodevelopmental disorders, and discuss possible directions for future research.
Editorial: The search for core symptoms – will this help clinical decision‐making?
Authors: Frazier Norbury Courtenay
Published: July 2016

Diagnosis is an important component of our clinical roles, and should also lead to particular treatment pathways. The diagnostic process may be challenged by co‐occurring deficits that are neither specific nor universal to the diagnosis under consideration and may well be evident across a range of other clinical conditions. How important is it to refine our instruments so that they measure unique symptoms? Will this alter or improve intervention choices? This Editorial focuses on the extent to which fine tuning diagnostic instruments improves our decisions about treatment, in the context of articles published in this issue of JCPP.
A New Measure of Equity and Cash Flow Duration: The Duration‐Based Explanation of the Value Premium Revisited
Authors: SCHRÖDER DAVID , ESTERER FLORIAN
Published: July 2016

This article reexamines the duration‐based explanation of the value premium using novel estimates of the firms' equity and cash flow durations based on analyst forecasts. We show that the value premium can be explained by cross‐sectional differences in the shares' equity durations, but not by their cash flow durations. Different from the duration‐based explanation of the value premium that explains the value premium with cross‐sectional differences in the firm's cash flow timing, we find that short‐horizon stocks have lower (expected) returns than long‐horizon stocks. This result is consistent with an upward‐sloping equity yield curve.
The Cross‐Market Spillover of Economic Shocks through Multimarket Banks
Authors: BERROSPIDE JOSE M. , BLACK LAMONT K. , KEETON WILLIAM R.
Published: July 2016

This study investigates the mortgage lending of banks operating in multiple U.S. metropolitan areas during the housing market collapse of 2007–09. We show that multimarket banks reduced local portfolio lending in response to high overall mortgage delinquencies in their other markets, consistent with the view that local economic shocks can be transmitted to other regions through banks’ internal capital markets. This spillover was greatest when the bank lacked a branch presence and when the market was highly peripheral to the bank in terms of its total mortgage lending. These effects were not fully offset by securitization or other portfolio lenders.
On Freezing Depositor Funds at Financially Distressed Banks: An Experimental Analysis
Authors: DAVIS DOUGLAS D. , REILLY ROBERT J.
Published: July 2016

This article reports an experiment conducted to evaluate the effects of alterations in the terms of repayments to depositors following a liquidity suspension, as well as the effect of alterations in the publicity of information about withdrawal behavior on the fragility of distressed banks. Results indicate that a “tough” renegotiation stance of protecting depositors who maintain their money in the bank, can quite effectively promote stability. Information provided to depositors regarding past withdrawal behavior weakens the effectiveness of a tough renegotiation policy but reduces fragility somewhat for a more lenient rescheduling condition.
The Dietary Choices of Women Who Are Low‐Income, Pregnant, and African American
Authors: Groth Susan W. , Simpson Alison H. , Fernandez I. Diana
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Multiple factors influence the dietary choices of pregnant women that may increase the risk of excessive gestational weight gain. Several of these factors converge for African American women who are low income and reside in an urban setting. The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of how factors previously identified affect dietary decision making and determine the barriers that impede adoption of a healthy diet for this population.

Methods

Twenty‐five in‐depth semistructured interviews were conducted with African American women who were low income, pregnant, and residing in an urban setting. The participants were recruited from a university obstetric clinic in a medium‐sized urban northeastern city. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Analysis was a recursive process such that data analysis was done continually during data collection. Individual interviews were conducted until informational redundancy was reached. A directed content analysis approach was used, building from prior research and themes that emerged from focus groups with a similar population. Data were coded and grouped into meaningful clusters.

Results

The participants indicated that food cravings, taste, and appetite influenced their food choices. Limited knowledge about healthy foods, cravings for unhealthy foods, time, and finances were barriers to making healthy dietary choices. Women indicated that if healthy food tasted better, they got more rest, and their schedules were regular, it would help them make the best possible food choices.

Discussion

Women who are low income, African American, and pregnant could benefit from interventions targeting food cravings, taste, and appetite, and information about what constitutes a healthy diet. Cravings for calorie‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods were a driver of dietary choice and potentially increased the risk of excessive gestational weight gain. The complexities of cravings, taste, and appetite that converge with limited funds, tight schedules, and a knowledge deficit of important dietary information are critical to consider when providing care to pregnant women from this population.
Response to ‘Avoidance of sun exposure as a risk factor for major causes of death: a competing risk analysis of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort’
Authors: Torres A.
Published: July 2016

Click here to view the Letter to the Editor by Dr. Lindqvist et al.
Effect of in ovo injection of threonine on immunoglobulin A gene expression in the intestine of Japanese quail at hatch
Authors: Kermanshahi H. , Ghofrani Tabari D. , Khodambashi Emami N. , Daneshmand A. , Ibrahim S. A.
Published: July 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of threonine (THR) on immunoglobulin A (IgA) gene expression of Japanese quail on hatch day. A total of 540 Japanese quail eggs were assigned into nine groups of 60 each and were set in a single‐stage incubator. Treatments were as follows: non‐injected (control), two diluent levels (0.05 or 0.1 ml saline), two sites of injection (in or under the air sac) and with or without nutrients (0.5 mg/ml THR). Eggs were injected on d 11 of incubation. On hatch day, after euthanizing hatched quail chicks, the intestine was removed and the jejunum was separated. The relative mRNA expression of jejunal IgA increased (p < 0.05) by the injection of 0.05 ml THR under the air sac when compared to the control group or other treatments of injection. Compared to the control group, no differences were imputable to treatments of 0.1‐ml injections on IgA gene expression. Differences with other injected groups were not significant. It was concluded that injection of 0.05 ml saline containing 0.5 mg THR/ml under the air sac can improve jejunal IgA mRNA expression in newly hatched Japanese quail chicks.
Differences in Cigarette Use and the Tobacco Environment Among Youth Living in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas
Authors: Bernat Debra H. , Choi Kelvin
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To examine cigarette use and the tobacco‐related environment among adolescents living in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.

Methods

Data from adolescents ages 14‐17 that completed the 2012 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey were analyzed (n = 40,746). This includes a representative sample of middle and high school students throughout the state.

Results

Nonmetropolitan adolescents were more likely than metropolitan adolescents to report lifetime smoking, past 30‐day smoking, daily smoking, initiating smoking at younger ages, having smoked a greater number of cigarettes in their lifetime and in the past 30 days, friend acceptance of adult smoking, a parent offering them a cigarette, living with a smoker, and that smoking was allowed in their home. Nonmetropolitan adolescents were also more likely to have seen tobacco ads the last time they visited convenience marts, gas stations, grocery stores, and big box stores, and flavored tobacco products or ads for them. These differences persisted after controlling for demographics.

Conclusions

The present results suggest vast differences in smoking behavior among nonmetropolitan and metropolitan adolescents and that targeting social and environmental factors may be beneficial for reducing tobacco disparities among nonmetropolitan adolescents.
How to differentiate facilitation and environmentally driven co‐existence
Authors: Steinbauer Manuel J. , Beierkuhnlein Carl , Arfin Khan Mohammed A.S. , Harter David E.V. , Irl Severin D.H. , Jentsch Anke , Schweiger Andreas H. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Dengler Jürgen
Published: July 2016

Positive plant–plant interactions (i.e. facilitation) receive increasing attention as a potentially important driver of community assembly. We conducted a systematic literature review indicating broad support for positive effects of potential facilitator species. However, a large majority of the reviewed studies (83% for field studies, 57% for experiments) share a similar risk of misinterpretation as they assess facilitative effects by comparing plots inhabited by a potential facilitator with randomly placed control plots nearby (paired sampling). As the distribution of facilitator species may itself be environmentally driven, species co‐existence caused by facilitation cannot exclusively be separated from environmental effects (habitat sharing). Based on simulated plant communities and sampling protocols, we show how non‐random co‐existence can occur in the absence of facilitation. This is relevant because both the effect of spatial environmental heterogeneity and of facilitation (stress‐gradient hypothesis) are expected to increase with environmental harshness. Nevertheless, 58% of facilitation studies neither undertook measures to minimize potential biases in their sampling approaches nor did they acknowledge such limitations in the discussion. Attention to this problem has significantly decreased in recent years. We propose that facilitation studies could be improved by (1) using random sampling for association studies, (2) co‐analysing environmental factors, or (3) experimentally establishing presumed facilitators. Experimental approaches mimicking facilitative plant characteristics can help to identify facilitation mechanisms. Combining approaches and including functional traits of the involved species should further strengthen inference.
Children's responses to the interactivity of storybook apps in family shared reading events involving the iPad
Authors: Aliagas Cristina , Margallo Ana María
Published: July 2016

This paper reports on some data on the effects of screen‐based interactivity on children's engagement with storybook apps during family shared book reading that were gathered in a 2‐year, small‐scale ethnographic case study in Spain. Data analysis focuses on the complex interplay between the storybook app's interactive features and the children's responses to them. Our findings show that interactive elements increase the child's autonomy, as they tend to promote the importance of the reader, positioning him or her as a collaborator, storyteller, an author or an internal character in the fiction; something that can materialise in exciting narrative strategies that can trigger powerful responses to digital literary texts in emergent readers, including playing, creating new fictions or engaging emotionally with the story. Finally, we argue that the Reader Response models that have been used over recent decades to understand children's reading experiences with storybooks need to be revised to better understand their current experiences with interactive texts.
Adaptive evolution and segregating load contribute to the genomic landscape of divergence in two tree species connected by episodic gene flow
Authors: Christe Camille , Stölting Kai N. , Paris Margot , Fraїsse Christelle , Bierne Nicolas , Lexer Christian
Published: July 2016

Speciation often involves repeated episodes of genetic contact between divergent populations before reproductive isolation (RI) is complete. Whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) holds great promise for unravelling the genomic bases of speciation. We have studied two ecologically divergent, hybridizing species of the ‘model tree’ genusPopulus(poplars, aspens, cottonwoods),Populus albaandP. tremula, using >8.6 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) fromWGSof population pools. We used the genomic data to (i) scan these species’ genomes for regions of elevated and reduced divergence, (ii) assess key aspects of their joint demographic history based on genomewide site frequency spectra (SFS) and (iii) infer the potential roles of adaptive and deleterious coding mutations in shaping the genomic landscape of divergence. We identified numerous small, unevenly distributed genome regions without fixed polymorphisms despite high overall genomic differentiation. The jointSFSwas best explained by ancient and repeated gene flow and allowed pinpointing candidate interspecific migrant tracts. The direction of selection (DoS) differed between genes in putative migrant tracts and the remainder of the genome, thus indicating the potential roles of adaptive divergence and segregating deleterious mutations on the evolution and breakdown ofRI. Genes affected by positive selection during divergence were enriched for several functionally interesting groups, including well‐known candidate ‘speciation genes’ involved in plant innate immunity. Our results suggest that adaptive divergence affectsRIin these hybridizing species mainly through intrinsic and demographic processes. Integrating genomic with molecular data holds great promise for revealing the effects of particular genetic pathways on speciation.
Disseminated histoplasmosis and AIDS: a prospective and multicentre study to evaluate the performance of different diagnostic tests
Authors: Hoffmann E. R. , Daboit T. C. , Paskulin D. D. , Monteiro A. A. , Falci D. R. , Linhares T. , Flores J. M. , Goldani L. Z. , de Melo M. G. , Behar P. R. , Pasqualotto A. C.
Published: July 2016

The burden of histoplasmosis has been poorly documented in most of the endemic areas for the disease, including Brazil. Also, modern non‐culture‐based diagnostic tests are often non‐available in these regions. This was a prospective cohort study in HIV‐infected patients with suspected disseminated disease evaluated with different diagnostic tests. Patients were enrolled in three referral medical centres in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Among 78 evaluated patients, disseminated histoplasmosis was confirmed in eight individuals (10.3%) by the means of classical (culture/histopathology) tests. Antigen detection in the urine was found to be more sensitive: IMMY® ALPHA ELISA detected 13 positive cases (16.7%) and the in‐house ELISA test developed by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) detected 14 (17.9%). IMMY® and CDC tests provided concordant results in 96.2% of cases. This is the first study to compare the performance of the in‐house CDC ELISA test with the IMMY® commercial test for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis, and a high degree of concordance was observed. The study revealed that H. capsulatum is an important agent of disseminated disease in AIDS patients in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of making available modern diagnostic tests as well as safer antifungal agents for the treatment of histoplasmosis.
Thrombopoietin induces hematopoiesis from mouse ES cells via HIF‐1α–dependent activation of a BMP4 autoregulatory loop
Authors: Pramono Andri , Zahabi Azadeh , Morishima Tatsuya , Lan Dan , Welte Karl , Skokowa Julia
Published: July 2016

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying hematopoietic differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells may help to ascertain the conditions for the in vitro generation of hematopoietic cells. Previously, we found that patients with congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT), who develop pancytopenia early after birth, harbor mutations within the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor, c‐MPL. This knowledge, together with observations in vitro and in vivo, suggests that TPO/c‐MPL signaling promotes early hematopoiesis. However, the mechanisms underlying TPO signaling are not fully elucidated. Here, we describe a direct connection between TPO and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) signaling pathways in determining the hematopoietic fate of ES cells. Morphogen BMP4 is known to induce early hematopoietic differentiation of ES cells. Treatment of ES cells with TPO induced the autocrine production of BMP4 with concomitant upregulation of the BMP receptor BMPR1A, phosphorylation of SMAD1, 5, 8, and activation of specific BMP4 target genes; this was mediated by TPO‐dependent binding of transcription factor HIF‐1α to the BMP4 gene promoter. Treatment of ES cells with the BMP antagonist noggin substantially reduced TPO‐dependent hematopoietic differentiation of ES cells. Thus, our findings contribute to the establishment of techniques for generating hematopoietic cells from ES cells.