bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ageing, sex, and cardioprotection
Authors: Ruiz‐Meana Marisol , Boengler Kerstin , Garcia‐Dorado David , Hausenloy Derek J. , Kaambre Tuuli , Kararigas Georgios , Perrino Cinzia , Schulz Rainer , Ytrehus Kirsti
Published: December 2019

Translation of cardioprotective interventions aimed at reducing myocardial injury during ischaemia–reperfusion from experimental studies to clinical practice is an important yet unmet need in cardiovascular medicine. One particular challenge facing translation is the existence of demographic and clinical factors that influence the pathophysiology of ischaemia–reperfusion injury of the heart and the effects of treatments aimed at preventing it. Among these factors, age and sex are prominent and have a recognised role in the susceptibility and outcome of ischaemic heart disease. Remarkably, some of the most powerful cardioprotective strategies proven to be effective in young animals become ineffective during ageing. This article reviews the mechanisms and implications of the modulatory effects of ageing and sex on myocardial ischaemia–reperfusion injury and their potential effects on cardioprotective interventions.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.23/issuetoc
Mutation spectrum and genotype‐phenotype correlation of inherited retinal dystrophy in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Zhen‐Ji , Lin Keng‐Hung , Lee Shi‐Huang , Shen Ren‐Juan , Feng Zhuo‐Kun , Wang Xiao‐Fang , Huang Xiu‐Feng , Huang Zhi‐Qin , Jin Zi‐Bing
Published: December 2019

Background

Inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) is a group of irreversible retinal degenerative disorders with significant genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity, which cause difficulty in making a precise clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, the mutation spectrum of IRD in Taiwan remains unknown. Therefore, our study focused on investigating the spectrum of mutations among Taiwanese families with IRD using targeted exome sequencing (TES) technology.

Methods

We recruited a total of 60 unrelated Taiwanese families with IRD; most of them were retinitis pigmentosa. We employed TES to investigate 284 candidate genes. Bioinformatics analysis, Sanger sequencing‐based co‐segregation testing, and computational assessment were performed to validate each mutation and its pathogenicity. The genotype‐phenotype correlation was analysed in all patients with mutations defined in the guidelines provided by the American College of Medical Genetics.

Results

We successfully identified genetic causes in 32 families (detection rate of 53.3%). Among them, 16 had a sporadic inheritance (16/36, 44.4%); eight had an autosomal recessive inheritance (8/14, 57.1%); four had an autosomal dominant inheritance (4/5, 80%); four had an X‐linked inheritance (4/5, 80%). Among 38 pathological mutations in 19 known genes, 20 mutations are reported here for the first time. Novel mutation spectrum and genotype‐phenotype correlations were revealed as well.

Conclusion

Here we achieved a detection rate of 53.3% and elucidated the mutation spectrum in Taiwanese families with IRD for the first time. The results indicated that CYP4V2 and USH2A might be the most common pathogenic genes in IRD patients in Taiwan.
Outcomes of kidney transplantation using deceased donors with history of diabetes
Authors: Khan Faiza N. , Truong Luan D. , Nguyen Duc T. , Graviss Edward A. , Bhatti Muhammad I. , Frost Adaani E. , Osama Gaber A. , Suki Wadi N.
Published: December 2019

Deceased diabetic kidneys are increasingly utilized in transplantation. The relationship of donor's history of diabetes to clinical and histological outcomes was examined. Forty‐nine diabetic deceased donor kidneys (D‐DM) were transplanted into 26 normal (R‐N/D‐DM) and 23 diabetic recipients (R‐DM/D‐DM) and compared to 211 diabetic recipients of normal kidneys(R‐DM/D‐N) and 466 normal recipients of normal kidneys (R‐N/D‐N). Patient survival at 5 years was 89.7% in R‐N/D‐N, 96.2% in R‐N/D‐DM, 80.1% in R‐DM/D‐N, and a 71.6% in R‐DM/D‐DM (P = .008). Death‐censored graft survival at 5 years was 86.3% in R‐N/D‐N, 87.4% in R‐N/D‐DM, 93.5% in R‐DM/D‐N, and 87.5% in R‐DM/D‐DM (P = .24). Multivariable regression analysis showed that compared to non‐diabetic recipients, diabetic recipients had a 2‐ to 3‐fold increased risk of mortality. In this cohort, there was no impact on death‐censored graft survival of diabetic donor status. Only 6 of 26 post‐perfusion biopsies showed evidence of diabetic nephropathy (<IIa), and on repeat biopsies 70% showed no evidence of progression. Survival of recipients of diabetic donor kidneys appears dependent on the diabetic status of the recipient with the worst survival being in diabetic recipients of a diabetic donor kidney. In this cohort, donor kidneys had paucity of structural diabetic lesions and most did not show progression.
Evaluating the left ventricular hemodynamic phenomena of DDD septum pacemaker implants using vector flow mapping
Authors: Meng Qingguo , Wang Sijia , Yan Sijing , Xu Yun , Wu Zhixia , Zhou Jie , Guo Zhiyu , Yin Lixue , Deng Yan , Feng Tianhang
Published: December 2019

Purpose

We set out to undertake a preliminary assessment of the left ventricular hemodynamic status with right ventricular double‐chamber pacing by energy loss (EL), wall shear stress (WSS), and circulation intensity (CIR) of vector flow mapping (VFM). We also planned to evaluate the value of VFM technology by measuring cardiac function after pacemaker implantation.

Method

Data from 58 patients living with right ventricular double‐chamber (right ventricular septal) pacemakers as well as 58 healthy volunteers matched in age and gender were collected. The EL, numbers of vortex cycles (n), area (A), CIR, and WSS of the left ventricle with different phases of the same cardiac cycle were obtained.

Results

The EL of the left ventricle was significantly higher in the pacemaker group than the control group at partial section of atrial contraction (AC), isovolumetric contraction (IVC), and rapid ejection (RE) (P < 0.05). The WSS of the left ventricle was significantly lower in the pacemaker group than the control group at part of the section in the rapid filling (RF), the AC, IVC, and RE phase (P < 0.05).

Discussion

EL in the left ventricular was significantly increased, while related WSS was significantly decreased in patients with right ventricular double‐chamber pacing. Our exploration of the state of the flow field in the left ventricular cavity revealed that the implantation of the right ventricular double‐chamber pacemaker led to an abnormal left ventricular hemodynamic state, reducing the left ventricular systolic efficiency.
FGF23 and the PTH response to paricalcitol in chronic kidney disease
Authors: D'Arrigo Graziella , Pizzini Patrizia , Cutrupi Sebastiano , Tripepi Rocco , Tripepi Giovanni , Mallamaci Francesca , Zoccali Carmine
Published: December 2019

Background

The parathyroid glands are endowed both with receptors responsive to FGF23 and to 1,25 vitamin D. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation, besides lowering PTH, also raises serum FGF23. FGF23 has been implicated in parathyroid resistance to VDR activation but the issue has never been investigated in predialysis CKD patients.

Methods

In the Paricalcitol and Endothelial Functio in Chronic Kidney Disease (PENNY) study (NCT01680198), a 12‐week randomized trial in stage G3‐4 CKD patients (placebo n = 44 and paricalcitol n = 44), we measured PTH and the active form of FGF23 with no missing value across the trial.

Results

At baseline, serum FGF23 and PTH were inter‐related (r = .54, P < .01). Paricalcitol reduced serum PTH (−75.1 pg/mL, 95% CI: −90.4 to −59.8; P < .001) and increased FGF23 (+107 pg/mL, 95% CI: 44‐170 pg/mL, P = .001). Changes in the Ca × P product in response to paricalcitol were closely related to simultaneous FGF23 changes in an analysis adjusted for changes in serum calcium and phosphate (P < .001). Of note, baseline FGF23, appropriately adjusted for baseline PTH, was unrelated with the PTH response to paricalcitol (r = −.06, P = .72). Placebo did not change neither PTH nor FGF23.

Conclusion

Serum FGF23 and PTH are inter‐related and changes in the Ca × P product induced by paricalcitol per se correlate with the FGF23 response to this drug. Independently of serum FGF23, the parathyroid glands of patients with moderate to severe CKD maintain an intact ability to respond to VDR activation.
Habitat fragmentation and species diversity in competitive communities
Authors: Rybicki Joel , Abrego Nerea , Ovaskainen Otso
Published: December 2019

Habitat loss is one of the key drivers of the ongoing decline of biodiversity. However, ecologists still argue about how fragmentation of habitat (independent of habitat loss) affects species richness. The recently proposed habitat amount hypothesis posits that species richness only depends on the total amount of habitat in a local landscape. In contrast, empirical studies report contrasting patterns: some find positive and others negative effects of fragmentationper seon species richness. To explain this apparent disparity, we devise a stochastic, spatially explicit model of competitive species communities in heterogeneous habitats. The model shows that habitat loss and fragmentation have complex effects on species diversity in competitive communities. When the total amount of habitat is large, fragmentationper setends to increase species diversity, but if the total amount of habitat is small, the situation is reversed: fragmentationper sedecreases species diversity.
Should I plant or should I sow? Restoration outcomes compared across seven riparian revegetation projects
Authors: Greet Joe , Ede Fiona , Robertson Dan , McKendrick Scott
Published: December 2019

To revegetate native plant communities, it is often cheaper to direct seed than to plant nursery‐grown stock. However, the outcomes of direct seeding can be quite variable, and it is unclear whether direct seeding or planting is more likely to facilitate the restoration of diverse plant communities. To address this question, we compared the outcomes of each method across several recent riparian revegetation projects where both direct seeding and tube‐stock planting were used. We surveyed riparian revegetation projects at seven sites within the greater Melbourne area that had been revegetated between 1 and 4 years previously. Sites were all on land previously used for agriculture or degraded public land and ranged in environmental and climatic conditions. Woody plant density, establishment of target species, species richness, species diversity (evenness) and plant heights were assessed. Direct seeding tended to result in higher plant densities and similar species richness, but lower rates of species establishment and diversity compared with planting. A median of 67% of target species established via direct seeding compared with 100% for planting, with direct seeded areas often dominated by one or two species. In general, overall revegetation outcomes were often driven by climatic and site factors, rather than revegetation method. We suggest that to achieve good restoration outcomes from revegetation in riparian areas, a bet‐hedging or combined approach using both sowing and planting may be the best strategy.
Targeting proline in (phospho)proteomics
Authors: van der Laarse Saar A. M. , van Gelder Charlotte A. G. H. , Bern Marshall , Akeroyd Michiel , Olsthoorn Maurien M. A. , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: December 2019

Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics experiments typically start with the digestion of proteins using trypsin, chosen because of its high specificity, availability, and ease of use. It has become apparent that the sole use of trypsin may impose certain limits on our ability to grasp the full proteome, missing out particular sites of post‐translational modifications, protein segments, or even subsets of proteins. To tackle this problem, alternative proteases have been introduced and shown to lead to an increase in the detectable (phospho)proteome. Here, we argue that there may be further room for improvement and explore the protease EndoPro. For optimal peptide identification rates, we explored multiple peptide fragmentation techniques (HCD, ETD, and EThcD) and employed Byonic as search algorithm. We obtain peptide IDs for about 40% of the MS2 spectra (66% for trypsin). EndoPro cleaves with high specificity at the C‐terminal site of Pro and Ala residues and displays activity in a broad pH range, where we focused on its performance at pH = 2 and 5.5. The proteome coverage of EndoPro at these two pH values is rather distinct, and also complementary to the coverage obtained with trypsin. As about 40% of mammalian protein phosphorylations are proline‐directed, we also explored the performance of EndoPro in phosphoproteomics. EndoPro extends the coverable phosphoproteome substantially, whereby both the, at pH = 2 and 5.5, acquired phosphoproteomes are complementary to each other and to the phosphoproteome obtained using trypsin. Hence, EndoPro is a powerful tool to exploit in (phospho)proteomics applications.
Identification of mycobacteria species by molecular methods
Authors: Kunduracılar Hakan
Published: December 2019

In this study, mycobacteria, which were previously identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), and mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) with cord factor and the p‐nitro‐alpha‐acetyl‐amino‐beta‐hydroxypropiophenone (NAP) test were reanalysed using the polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis method in order to confirm the identification, and at the same time, species accepted as MOTT were identified. Although the results of the NAP test were obtained within 3‐5 days, the PCR‐RFLP results were obtained in 1 day. Ten species identified as MTC with the NAP test and cord factor were confirmed with the PCR‐RFLP method. Fourteen species accepted as MOTT were identified as Mycobacterium species with the evaluation of the bands observed after the restriction of PCR product with the PCR‐RFLP method. These were as follows: three species Mycobacterium intracellulare type I, two species Mycobacterium phlei, two species Mycobacterium kansasii, one species Mycobacterium fortuitum type I, one species Mycobacterium gordonae type I, one species Mycobacterium abscessus type I, one species Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, one species Mycobacterium szulgai type I, one species Mycobacterium avium type II, and one species Mycobacterium terrae. Hence, the results of both the cord factor and the NAP test were confirmed with the molecular method, and at the same time, mycobacteria species identification was made by determining the fastest, easiest, and the most accurate result‐giving method. Because PCR‐RFLP is a very rapid method that provides exact identification of mycobacteria species, it can be performed in routine procedures.
Highly IR transparent ZnS ceramics sintered by vacuum hot press using hydrothermally produced ZnS nanopowders
Authors: Choi Boo‐Hyun , Kim Dae‐Su , Lee Ku‐Tak , Kim Bum‐Joo , Kang Jeong‐Su , Nahm Sahn
Published: December 2019

Hydrothermally synthesized ZnS nanopowders comprising small and large particles were used to synthesize ZnS ceramics. Small particles (200 nm) existed in the gaps between the large particles (0.7 μm) and assisted the densification of the ZnS ceramics. ZnS ceramics sintered at low temperatures (<1000°C) exhibited small grains with large grain‐boundary areas that provided diffusion paths for carbon ions from the graphite mold, resulting in carbonate absorption bands. ZnS ceramics sintered at high temperatures (≥1000°C) for a long time (≥2.0 hours) exhibited a dense microstructure with very large grains (>500 μm). The ZnS liquid phase, which was formed at approximately 980°C, assisted the densification and grain growth of the ZnS ceramics. A 3.0‐mm‐thick ZnS ceramic sintered at 1000°C for 16 hours showed a high Knoop hardness (321 kgf/mm2) and a high transmittance of 71% in the wavelength range 6.0‐12 μm without carbonate absorption bands.
Oxidative stress‐induced angiogenesis is mediated by miR‐205‐5p
Authors: Oltra Maria , Vidal‐Gil Lorena , Maisto Rosa , Sancho‐Pelluz Javier , Barcia Jorge M.
Published: December 2019

miR‐205‐5p is known to be involved in VEGF‐related angiogenesis and seems to regulate associated cell signalling pathways, such as cell migration, proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, several studies have focused on the potential role of miR‐205‐5p as an anti‐angiogenic factor. Vascular proliferation is observed in diabetic retinopathy and the ‘wet’ form of age‐related macular degeneration. Today, the most common treatments against these eye‐related diseases are anti‐VEGF therapies. In addition, both AMD and DR are typically associated with oxidative stress; hence, the use of antioxidant agents is accepted as a co‐adjuvant therapy for these patients. According to previous data, ARPE‐19 cells release pro‐angiogenic factors when exposed to oxidative insult, leading to angiogenesis. Matching these data, results reported here, indicate that miR‐205‐5p is modulated by oxidative stress and regulates VEGFA‐angiogenesis. Hence, miR‐205‐5p is proposed as a candidate against eye‐related proliferative diseases.
Perceived and actual posttraumatic growth in religiousness and spirituality following disasters
Authors: Davis Edward B. , Van Tongeren Daryl R. , McElroy‐Heltzel Stacey E. , Davis Don E. , Rice Kenneth G. , Hook Joshua N. , Aten Jamie D. , Park Crystal L. , Shannonhouse Laura , Lemke Austin W.
Published: December 2019

Objective

Religious/spiritual (R/S) growth is a core domain of posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, research on R/S growth following disasters has over‐relied on retrospective self‐reports of growth. We therefore examined longitudinal change in religiousness/spirituality following two disasters.

Method

Religious survivors of Hurricanes Harvey (Study 1) and Irma (Study 2) completed measures of perceived R/S PTG, general religiousness/spirituality (“current standing”‐R/S PTG), and subfacets of religiousness/spirituality (spiritual fortitude, religious motivations, and benevolent theodicies). In Study 1, 451 participants responded at 1‐month and 2‐month postdisaster. In Study 2, participants responded within 5‐days predisaster and at 1‐month (N = 1,144) and 6‐months postdisaster (N = 684).

Results

In both studies, perceived R/S PTG was weakly related to longitudinal increases in general religiousness/spirituality and in most of its subfacets, but reliable growth in any R/S outcome was rare. Additionally, Study 2 revealed evidence that actual change in psychological well‐being is associated with actual (but not perceived) R/S PTG, but disaster survivors tend to exhibit declines in their religiousness/spirituality, spiritual fortitude, and religious motivations.

Conclusions

Results suggest disaster survivors are only modestly accurate in perceiving how much positive R/S change they experience following a disaster. We discuss implications for clinical practice, scientific research, and empirical and conceptual work on PTG more broadly.
Total triterpenes from the fruits of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai protects against indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury: involvement of TFF1-mediated EGF/EGFR and apoptotic pathways
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Xu Haiyan , He Haibo , Li Xiaomei , Feng Minlu , He Yumin , Jiang Weijie , Wang Junzhi , Xu Daoxiang , Zou Kun
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Our previous studies indicated that the triterpenes from the fruits of Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (TCS) owned effectively therapeutic effects on gastric ulcer patients and animals, but its mechanisms have not been fully understood. The current study was to further investigate its protective effect on indomethacin (IND)-damaged RGM-1 cells and rats, as well as its mechanisms involved.

Methods

The gastroprotection of TCS was evaluated with IND-induced gastric lesions model in RGM-1 cells and rats. In vitro, the proliferation, migration, mitochondrial viability and apoptosis were assessed. In vivo, ulcer index, ulcer inhibition rate, gastric juice acidity, gastric wall mucus (GWM) and histopathology of gastric mucosa were detected. The gastroprotective effects of TCS through the TFF1-mediated EGF/EGFR and apoptotic pathways were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot assays.

Key findings

The results demonstrated that TCS had gastroprotective function, which was related to the amelioration in promoting IND-damaged RGM-1 cell proliferation and migration, hoisting gastric juice acidity and GWM, improving ulcer index and ulcer inhibition rate, attenuating the haemorrhage, oedema, epithelial cell loss and inflammatory cell infiltration of gastric mucosa, upregulating PCNA, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl mRNA and TFF1, EGF, p-EGFR, p-Src, pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9 protein expressions, mitochondrial viability, mitochondrial cytochrome c concentration and p-EGFR/EGFR, p-Src/Src, Bcl-2/Bax, Bcl-xl/Bad ratioes, downregulating Bax, Bad, Apaf-1 mRNA and cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved PARP-1 protein expressions and cytosol cytochrome c concentration.

Conclusions

Our present study demonstrated that TCS’s gastroprotective effect was closely connected with boosting TFF1 expression, activating TFF1-mediated EGF/EGFR pathway, thus restraining mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, which provided new insights into interpreting its underlying mechanism and promised to act as a candidate drug to treat gastric mucosal injury.
Short-chain fatty acids oppositely altered expressions and functions of intestinal cytochrome P4503A and P-glycoprotein and affected pharmacokinetics of verapamil following oral administration to rats
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Xie Qiushi , Kong Weimin , Wang Zhongjian , Wang Shuting , Zhao Kaijing , Chen Yang , Liu Xiaodong , Liu Li
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To investigate effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) on expressions and functions of intestinal cytochrome P4503A (Cyp3a) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). To develop a semi-physiologically based pharmacokinetic (semi-PBPK) model for assessing their contributions.

Methods

Verapamil pharmacokinetics was investigated following oral administration to rats receiving water containing 150 mm SCFAs for 3 weeks. Cyp3a activities in intestinal and liver mircosomes were assessed by norverapamil formation. In-situ single-pass perfusion was used to evaluate intestinal transport of verapamil and P-gp function. Functions and expressions of Cyp3a and P-gp were measured in mouse primary enterocytes following 48-h exposure to SCFAs. Contributions of intestinal P-gp and Cyp3a to verapamil pharmacokinetics were assessed using a semi-PBPK model.

Key findings

Short-chain fatty acids significantly increased oral plasma exposures of verapamil and norverapamil. SCFAs upregulated Cyp3a activity and expression, but downregulated P-gp function and expression in rat intestine, which were repeated in mouse primary enterocytes. PBPK simulation demonstrated contribution of intestinal Cyp3a to oral plasma verapamil exposure was minor, and the increased oral plasma verapamil exposure was mainly attributed to downregulation of intestinal P-gp.

Conclusions

Short-chain fatty acids oppositely regulated functions and expressions of intestinal Cyp3a and P-gp. The downregulation of P-gp mainly contributed to the increased oral plasma verapamil exposure by SCFAs.
Whole pearl millet feeding does not impair performance and nutrient digestibility in 28‐day‐old broiler chickens
Authors: Adeleye Oluwafunmilayo Oluwanifemi , Ogunwole Olugbenga Adeniran , Olumide Martha Dupe , Ojediran Tawakalt Temitope
Published: December 2019

The effects of varying inclusion levels of whole grain millet in millet–soya bean‐based diets on growth performance, gizzard development, digesta characteristics and nutrient digestion in broiler chicken were investigated. Starter (0–14 days) and grower (15–28 days) broiler chicken diets containing pearl millet at 500 and 540 g/kg diet, respectively, were formulated. The diets comprised of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of millet incorporated as whole grain. One‐day‐old unsexed Arbor Acres Plus chicks (n = 540) were allotted to the experimental diets in a completely randomized design with the diets and water provided ad libitum for 28 days. Each treatment was replicated seven times, and each replicate had 12 chicks. Results showed that daily live weight gain and feed conversion ratio of chickens on the whole millet grain diets compared favourably with chicken on the control in both starter and grower phases, while feed intake reduced quadratically (p < .05) with increased whole grain millet levels in the starter phase. Morphological and structural characteristics of the gizzard and small intestine and intestinal digesta pH and viscosity were also unaffected (p > .05) by whole grain millet inclusion levels. However, the weight of intact millet grain in gizzard increased linearly (p < .001) with whole grain millet inclusion in the diets. Dietary whole grain millet inclusion also consistently lowered (p < .05) jejunal and ileal maltase and sucrase activities, but did not influence (p > .05) pancreatic amylase activity. Ileal crude protein and starch digestibility increased, while ileal energy digestibility decreased significantly (p < .05) with whole grain millet inclusion. Whole grain millet inclusion in broiler starter and grower diets up to 500–540 g/kg did not negatively impact on broiler chicken performance.
Effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaves on the performance, ileal microbiota and antioxidative status of broiler chickens
Authors: Abu Hafsa Salma H. , Ibrahim Salam A. , Eid Yahya Z. , Hassan Ayman A.
Published: December 2019

In this study, we investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) supplements on the performance, ileal microbiota carcass traits and biochemical and antioxidant parameters of broiler chickens. MOL was added to starter, grower and finisher diets at four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0%). A total of 320 one‐day‐old mixed‐sex Cobb‐500 broiler chicks were divided equally into four treatment groups, with 5 replicates of 16 chicks each until 42 days of age. Compared to the control group, chicks fed 0.5% and 1% MOL exhibited a higher final body weight (FBW), greater weight gain (BWG), and better average daily gain (ADG). Feed intake (FI) gradually decreased as the inclusion rate of MOL in the broilers' diet increased to 5%. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and performance index (PI) were observed in broilers that were fed the MOL diet. The percentage of abdominal fat in broilers decreased significantly in response to dietary supplementation with MOL. The haematological profile in the MOL group revealed a lower WBC count and lymphocyte percentage but higher heterophil and H/L ratio without affecting haemoglobin and RBC count. The inclusion of MOL increased total serum protein, Ca and P levels but decreased glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST and ALT concentrations. Moreover, dietary MOL increased the activities of GSH, CAT and SOD, GPx and GST while decreasing the TBARS level. The pH value decreased in the ileum of broilers fed the 1% and 5% MOL diet compared to the other treatments. Decreased ileal counts of E. coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus spp. were observed whereas the total ileal Lactobacillus spp. count increased in broilers fed the MOL diet. In conclusion, the MOL supplement can enhance growth performance and antioxidant status, alter ileal microbiota and protect against enteropathogens with no deleterious effects on the broiler chickens.
Species richness and phylogenetic diversity of different growth forms of angiosperms across a biodiversity hotspot in the horn of Africa
Authors: Zhou Ya‐Dong , Boru Biyansa Hirpo , Wang Sheng‐Wei , Wang Qing‐Feng
Published: December 2019

Woody and herbaceous plants are differentially influenced by the environment, with non‐random association with the evolutionary history of these taxa and their traits. In general, woody plants may have climate‐dominated niches, whereas herbaceous plants may have edaphic and microhabitat‐dominated niches. Here, we explored and mapped how the patterns of species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and structures of total, woody, and herbaceous plants vary across the geographical regions and with respect to 12 environmental variables across Ethiopia and Eritrea, in the horn of Africa. Our result showed that both richness and phylogenetic diversity had almost the same tendency in total woody and herbaceous plants, in which they showed positive relationships with annual precipitation, precipitation annual range of climate, all the three variables of topography, and total nitrogen and total extractable phosphorus of soil, and negative relations with mean annual temperature. Compared with the total and herbaceous plants, the environmental variables explained greater variance both in the standardized effect size phylogenetic diversity and net relatedness index for woody plants. Our results highlight that, on the large spatial scales, the environmental filtering process has played a greater role in structuring species into local communities for woody plants than for herbaceous plants.
Executive Particularism and Ministerial Selection in India
Authors: Ladwig Walter C.
Published: December 2019

Why do political parties in parliamentary systems undertake actions, such as joining a coalition government, that will entail significant costs for their members in subsequent elections? Recent research points to the incentive structures faced by differentially positioned members of a parliamentary party: unlike backbenchers, MPs who hold a ministerial portfolio can use the prerequisites of executive office to shield themselves from the costs of governance. This article tests the theory of executive particularism by examining the electoral fortunes of government ministers in India. Sitting government ministers are found to outperform other candidates; however, tests of causality fail to demonstrate that holding a ministerial portfolio causes this electoral benefit. Instead, it appears that a candidate’s electoral performance enhances the likelihood of being granted a ministerial portfolio in the first place. This finding raises questions about the generalizability of claims that party elites can use ministerial office to shield themselves from the costs of governing.
Autophagy‐related protein PfATG18 participates in food vacuole dynamics and autophagy‐like pathway in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Agrawal Palak , Manjithaya Ravi , Surolia Namita
Published: December 2019

Plasmodium falciparum has a limited repertoire of autophagy‐related genes (ATGs), and the functions of various proteins of the autophagy‐like pathway are not fully established in this protozoan parasite. Studies suggest that some of the autophagy proteins are crucial for parasite growth. PfATG18, for example, is essential for parasite replication and has a noncanonical role in apicoplast biogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate the conserved functions of PfATG18 in food vacuole (FV) dynamics and autophagy. Intriguingly, the P. falciparum FV is found to undergo fission and fusion and PfATG18 gets enriched at the interfaces of the newly generated multilobed FV during the process. In addition, expression of PfATG18 is induced upon starvation, both at the mRNA and protein level indicating its participation in the autophagy‐like pathway, which is independent of its role in apicoplast biogenesis. The study also shows that PfATG18 is transported to the FV via the haemoglobin trafficking pathway. Overall, this study establishes the conserved functions of Atg18 in this important apicomplexan.
Aging and Alzheimer's disease pathology
Authors: Sengoku Renpei
Published: December 2019

The number of people with dementia worldwide is predicted to increase to 131.5 million by 2050. When studying dementia, understanding the basis of the neuropathological background is very important. Taking Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology as an example, we know that the accumulation of abnormal structures such as senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles is a hallmark. Macroscopic atrophy affects the entorhinal area and hippocampus, amygdala, and associative regions of the neocortex. Braak advocates the spread of tau deposits from the entorhinal to associative regions of the neocortex as the disease progresses. If the AD has only tau pathology, the degree and distribution of tau deposition may be associated with clinical symptoms. However, AD is also accompanied by amyloid‐β deposition and even atrophy. Although it is possible to make a neuropathological diagnosis of AD from the spread of amyloid and tau depositions, neuropathological abnormal protein accumulation cannot explain all clinical symptoms of AD. There is an ambiguity between clinical symptoms and neuropathological findings. It is important to understand neuropathological findings while understanding that this ambiguity exists. So, for the reader's help, first we briefly explain the changes in the brain with age, and then describe AD as a typical disease of dementia; finally we will describe the diseases that mimic AD for neurologists who are not experts in neuropathology.
Variation for heterodimerization and nuclear localization among known and novel oil palm SHELL alleles
Authors: Singh Rajinder , Low Eng‐Ti Leslie , Ooi Leslie Cheng‐Li , Ong‐Abdullah Meilina , Ting Ngoot‐Chin , Nookiah Rajanaidu , Ithnin Maizura , Marjuni Marhalil , Mustaffa Suzana , Yaakub Zulkifli , Amiruddin Mohd Din , Manaf Mohamad Arif Abdul , Chan Kuang‐Lim , Halim Mohd Amin Ab , Sanusi Nik Shazana Nik Mohd , Lakey Nathan , Sachdeva Mohit , Bacher Blaire , Garner Peggy A. , MacDonald Jill D. , Smith Steven W. , Wischmeyer Corey , Budiman Muhammad A. , Beil Melissa , Stroff Clayton , Reed Jerry , Van Brunt Andrew , Berg Howard , Ordway Jared M. , Sambanthamurthi Ravigadevi
Published: December 2019

Oil palm breeding involves crossing dura and pisifera palms to produce tenera progeny with greatly improved oil yield. Oil yield is controlled by variant alleles of a type II MADS‐box gene, SHELL, that impact the presence and thickness of the endocarp, or shell, surrounding the fruit kernel.

We identified six novel SHELL alleles in noncommercial African germplasm populations from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board. These populations provide extensive diversity to harness genetic, mechanistic and phenotypic variation associated with oil yield in a globally critical crop. We investigated phenotypes in heteroallelic combinations, as well as SHELL heterodimerization and subcellular localization by yeast two‐hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation and gene expression analyses.

Four novel SHELL alleles were associated with fruit form phenotype. Candidate heterodimerization partners were identified, and interactions with EgSEP3 and subcellular localization were SHELL allele‐specific.

Our findings reveal allele‐specific mechanisms by which variant SHELL alleles impact yield, as well as speculative insights into the potential role of SHELL in single‐gene oil yield heterosis. Future field trials for combinability and introgression may further optimize yield and improve sustainability.
Fertility‐related interplay between fungal guilds underlies plant richness–productivity relationships in natural grasslands
Authors: Chen Wenqing , Wang Jianyu , Meng Zexin , Xu Ran , Chen Jun , Zhang Yingjun , Hu Tianming
Published: December 2019

The plant richness–productivity relationship is a central subject in ecology, yet the mechanisms behind this pattern remain debated. Soil fungi are closely associated with the dynamics of plant communities, however empirical evidence on how fungal communities integrate into the richness–productivity relationships of natural environments is lacking.

We used Illumina high‐throughput sequencing to identify rhizosphere fungal communities across a natural plant richness gradient at two sites with different fertility conditions, and related the subsequent information to plant richness and productivity to elucidate the role of fungal guilds in integrating the linkages of both plant components.

Saprotrophs, mycorrhizal fungi and potential plant pathogens interacted differently between the sites, with saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungal abundances being positively correlated at the high‐nutrient site and abundances of mycorrhizal fungi and potential plant pathogens being negatively correlated at the low‐nutrient site. The synergistic associations between these fungal guilds with plant richness and productivity operated in concert to promote positive richness–productivity relationships.

Our findings provide empirical evidence for the importance of soil fungal guilds in integrating the linkages of plant richness and productivity, and suggest that future work incorporating soil fungal communities into richness–productivity relationships would advance our mechanistic understanding of their linkages.
Host‐specific competitiveness to form nodules in Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar viciae
Authors: Boivin Stéphane , Ait Lahmidi Nassima , Sherlock David , Bonhomme Maxime , Dijon Doriane , Heulin‐Gotty Karine , Le‐Queré Antoine , Pervent Marjorie , Tauzin Marc , Carlsson Georg , Jensen Erik , Journet Etienne‐Pascal , Lopez‐Bellido Raphael , Seidenglanz Marek , Marinkovic Jelena , Colella Stefano , Brunel Brigitte , Young Peter , Lepetit Marc
Published: December 2019

Fabeae legumes such as pea and faba bean form symbiotic nodules with a large diversity of soil Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar viciae (Rlv) bacteria. However, bacteria competitive to form root nodules (CFN) are generally not the most efficient to fix dinitrogen, resulting in a decrease in legume crop yields. Here, we investigate differential selection by host plants on the diversity of Rlv.

A large collection of Rlv was collected by nodule trapping with pea and faba bean from soils at five European sites. Representative genomes were sequenced. In parallel, diversity and abundance of Rlv were estimated directly in these soils using metabarcoding. The CFN of isolates was measured with both legume hosts. Pea/faba bean CFN were associated to Rlv genomic regions.

Variations of bacterial pea and/or faba bean CFN explained the differential abundance of Rlv genotypes in pea and faba bean nodules. No evidence was found for genetic association between CFN and variations in the core genome, but variations in specific regions of the nod locus, as well as in other plasmid loci, were associated with differences in CFN.

These findings shed light on the genetic control of CFN in Rlv and emphasise the importance of host plants in controlling Rhizobium diversity.
Preventing frailty in older people: An exploration of primary care professionals' experiences
Authors: Obbia Paola , Graham Clair , Duffy F. J. Raymond , Gobbens Robbert J. J.
Published: December 2019

Background

An increasing number of the ageing population worldwide is at risk of becoming frail and incapacitated. This has the potential to impact not only on the well‐being of individuals but also on the sustainability of healthcare systems.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of frailty from the perspective of primary care professionals, including nurses, who work directly with older people within the community.

Methods

A qualitative approach with a descriptive phenomenological methodology was used, which focused on exploration of primary care professionals' current experiences of early detection and prevention of the onset of frailty. Four multi‐professional focus groups were held with a total of thirty‐three primary care professionals who worked with older people as part of their daily role. Participants included district nurses, general practitioners, home care workers, physiotherapists and social workers.

Results

Professional views encompassed typical patterns of ageing, loneliness, presence of comorbidity, disability and end of life, with social conditions prevalent in most frailty they encountered. Three main themes emerged: the psychosocial nature of frailty, late detection of frailty and barriers to the feasibility of prevention. Physical frailty was considered a constituent part of ageing, which recognised the presence of a skills gap related to the detection of the early signs of frailty. Present health and social care systems are not designed to prevent frailty, and the competencies required by health and social care professionals are not usually included as part of their training curricula. This may hinder opportunities to intervene to prevent associated decline in ability of older adults.

Conclusions

To enhance the early assessment of frailty and the planning of preventive multi‐factorial interventions in primary care and community settings, training and effective detection strategies should be incorporated into the role and daily care activities of primary care professionals.

Implications for practice

Using a multidimensional assessment instrument can help primary care professionals to identify older people who are frail or may become frail. In order to be able to carry out this properly strong inter‐professional collaboration is needed. In addition, interventions aimed at preventing frailty or adverse outcomes of frailty should be tailor‐made and thus should meet the needs and wishes of an older person.
Capturing the Benefits of Worker Specialization: Effects of Managerial and Organizational Task Experience
Authors: Madiedo Juan Pablo , Chandrasekaran Aravind , Salvador Fabrizio
Published: December 2019

Learning by doing is a fundamental driver of productivity among knowledge workers. As workers accumulate experience working on certain types of tasks (i.e., they become specialized), they also develop proficiency in executing these tasks. However, previous research suggests that organizations may struggle to leverage the knowledge workers accrue through specialization because specialized workers tend to lose interest and reduce effort during task execution. This study investigates how organizations can improve specialized workers’ performance by mitigating the dysfunctional effects of specialization. In particular, we study how other sources of task experiences from the worker's immediate manager as well as the organization itself help manage the relationship between worker specialization and performance. We do so by analyzing a proprietary dataset that comprises of 39,162 software service tasks that 310 employees in a Fortune 100 organization executed under the supervision of 92 managers. Results suggest that the manager role experience (i.e., the manager's experience supervising workers) is instrumental in mitigating the potential negative effect of worker specialization on performance, measured as task execution time. Such influence, however, is contingent on cases in which organizational task experience (i.e., the organization's experience in executing tasks of the same substantive content as the focal task) is limited. Taken together, our research contributes to multiple streams of research and unearths important insights on how multiple sources of experience beyond the workers themselves can help capture the elusive benefits of worker specialization.
Effects of longleaf pine planting density and other factors on stand structure and associated wildlife habitat
Authors: Wheeler Evan A. , Gulsby William D. , Kush John S. , Gitzen Robert A.
Published: December 2019

The primary objective of many longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) restoration programs is to enhance or restore habitat for wildlife dependent on herbaceous plant communities. Because herbaceous cover is inversely related to canopy cover, restoration programs often place restrictions on longleaf pine planting density. However, the influence of planting density on understory plant communities has been inadequately evaluated. Therefore, we initiated a study to examine the relative influences of planting density and other factors on overall understory composition and forage availability for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in nine longleaf pine stands throughout the Coastal Plain of Alabama during 2017–2018. We found that coverage of herbaceous plants decreased 3.5%, coverage of woody plants decreased 2.4%, and coverage of northern bobwhite forage plants decreased 1.9% for each 1 m2/ha increase in longleaf pine basal area. However, planting density was not a significant predictor of current basal area, nor coverage of any functional group of plants we examined, likely because current longleaf pine density averaged only 46% (range = 30–64%) of seedling planting density. We did not detect an effect of prescribed fire on stand condition or understory plant communities, likely due to variability in fire timing and frequency. Our findings related to planting density were likely a function of low longleaf pine survival, which is not uncommon. Because of this and the inherent variability in growth rates for young longleaf pine stands, restoration programs should consider placing greater emphasis on post‐planting monitoring and management than planting density.
Attempted use of an uncommon bay scallop color morph for tracking the contribution of restoration efforts to population recovery
Authors: Tettelbach Stephen T. , Furman Bradley T. , Hughes Scott W. T. , Carroll John M. , Peterson Bradley J. , Havelin Jason , Tettelbach Christian R. H. , Patricio R. Michael
Published: December 2019

In our ongoing bay scallop restoration efforts in eastern Long Island, NY, United States, we have planted millions of hatchery‐reared juveniles to serve as broodstock when they mature. These plantings have driven the resurgence of larval recruitment, benthic population sizes, and commercial fishery landings over a 12‐year period. In this article, we detail an attempt to track the contribution of our restoration efforts to population rebuilding using planted “skunks,” an uncommon color morph, by looking for increased skunk frequencies in subsequent wild cohorts. Although we saw higher skunk frequencies among large juveniles in natural populations in the first 3 years after extensive skunk plantings, supporting use of uncommon color morphs as a passive tracer, this conclusion was not supported when examined over a 12‐year period, as no strong correlations were seen between skunk frequencies at different life stages (adult broodstock, small and large F1 juveniles, F1 adults) for respective cohorts. Potential reasons for poor correlation between skunk frequencies and restoration efforts include lower than expected production of skunk offspring, dilution of out‐planted contribution to growing natural populations, interannual variability in skunk frequencies that may have obscured the expected skunk signal, and/or differentially higher mortality of skunks at postset and larger juvenile stages. In the latter case, skunks experienced higher overwinter mortality, most likely due to predation, in 9 of 11 years. This led us to suspend skunk plantings after 3 years. Nevertheless, commercial fishermen perceived skunks to be “our” scallops, helping raise the profile of and support for our restoration efforts.