bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Future climate scenarios project a decrease in the risk of fall armyworm outbreaks
Authors: RAMIREZ-CABRAL N. Y. Z. , KUMAR L. , SHABANI F.
Published: May 2017

Spodoptera frugiperda, or the fall armyworm (FAW) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an endemic and important agricultural pest in America. Several outbreaks have occurred with losses estimated at millions of dollars. Insects are affected by climate factors, and climate change may affect geographical range, growth rate, abundance, survival, mortality, number of generations per year and other characteristics. These effects are difficult to project due to the complex interactions among insects, hosts and predators. The aim of the current research is to project the impact of climate change on future suitability for the expansion and final range of FAW as well as highlight the risk of damage due to the pest under current and future conditions. The modelling was carried out using two general circulation models (GCMs), CSIRO Mk3.0 and MIROC-H, for 2050 and 2100 under the A2 Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES), using the known distribution of the species and the CliMond meteorological database. The possible number of generations was estimated to exceed five in the south-eastern USA by 2100. A unique modelling approach linking environmental suitability and number of generations was developed to project the risks of FAW damage. The results show changes in suitability and risk across America, with an increase in the northern hemisphere and decreases or extinction in the southern hemisphere, except for southern Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and northern Argentina, which indicate high future levels of risk. The current study highlights the possible extinction of a tropical pest in areas near the Equator. The two GCMs both projected increases in the low-risk category of 40% by 2050 and 23% by 2100, with the medium- and high-risk categories decreasing by >50% by 2050 and >39% by 2100, compared with the current risk. In general, agricultural pest management may become more challenging under future climate change and variation, and thus, understanding and quantifying the possible impacts of FAW under future climate conditions is essential for the future economic production of crops.
A case of severe obstructive sleep apnoea in Madelung's disease treated by lateral pharyngoplasty
Authors: Pinto V , Morselli P G , Tassone D , Piccin O
Published: May 2017

Background:

Madelung's disease is a rare disorder characterised by the presence of multiple, symmetric, non-capsulated fat masses in the face, neck and other areas of upper extremities. In some cases, severe clinical complications such as upper airway compression can occur.

Case report:

A 56-year-old man affected by Madelung's disease complained of snoring and severe daytime sleepiness. Polysomnography revealed severe obstructive sleep apnoea. An attempt to treat sleep apnoea by continuous positive airway pressure failed because of poor compliance. Functional expansion pharyngoplasty was carried out as an initial treatment. Marked improvement of neck movements and normalisation of somnographic parameters were observed at six months’ follow up.

Conclusion:

Patients with Madelung's disease should be examined carefully for potential obstructive sleep apnoea. Although continuous positive airway pressure remains the treatment of choice, specific surgery can be used in those patients who cannot tolerate continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
Effect of modern surgical treatment on the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Binar M , Akcam T M , Karakoc O , Sagkan R I , Musabak U , Gerek M
Published: May 2017

Objective:

To investigate the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokine balance – T helper 1/T helper 2 ratios – in obstructive sleep apnoea patients, before and after treatment.

Methods:

Twenty-eight patients received continuous positive airway pressure treatment and 29 patients who could not tolerate continuous positive airway pressure were scheduled for surgery. Serum levels of interleukins 2, 4 and 10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon gamma were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays before and three months after treatment.

Results:

The success rate of surgical treatment was 65.5 per cent. Mean compliance for the continuous positive airway pressure group was 40.9 per cent. The apnoea/hypopnoea index significantly decreased in both groups after treatment (p< 0.001). The interferon gamma/interleukin-4 ratio decreased following surgical treatment (p= 0.014), and the interleukin-2/interleukin-4 ratio decreased after treatment in 57 patients in the overall cohort (p= 0.032).

Conclusion:

After treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, some ratios reflecting T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokine balance favoured the T helper 2 direction, suggesting a shift to an anti-inflammatory state. Successful surgery and better continuous positive airway pressure compliance can help ameliorate inflammation in obstructive sleep apnoea patients, which may reduce associated morbidities.
The use ofEscherichia colitotal antigens as a complementary approach to address seropositivity toLeishmaniaantigens in canine leishmaniosis
Authors: LIMA CARLA , MESQUITA JOÃO RODRIGO , BRANCAL HUGO , VAHLENKAMP THOMAS , TEIXEIRA ANA RAFAELA , CARDOSO LUÍS , AMORIM CÉLIA , SANTARÉM NUNO , DA SILVA ANABELA CORDEIRO
Published: May 2017

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a major veterinary concern and a public health issue. Serological data are essential for disease management. Several antigens used in serological assays have specificity related problems preventing relevant seropositivity values establishment. Herein we report significant seropositivity level disparity in a study cohort with 384 dogs from eight countries, for antigens traditionally used in CanL – soluble promastigoteLeishmaniaantigens (SPLA) and K39 recombinant protein (rK39): 43·8 and 2·9% for SPLA and rK39, respectively. To better understand the reasons for this disparity, CanL-associated serological response was characterized using, for complement serological evaluation, a ubiquitous antigen – solubleEscherichia coliantigens (SECAs). Using cohorts of CanL dogs and dogs without clinical evidences of CanL from non-endemic regions of Portugal, the serological response of CanL animals followed specific trend of seropositivity rK39 > SPLA > SECA absent in non-diseased animals. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, these characteristic trends were converted in ratios, SPLA/SECA, rK39/SECA and rK39/SPLA, that presented high predictive for discriminating the CanL cohort that was potentiated when applied in a scoring system involving positivity to four out of five predictors (rK39, SPLA, SPLA/SECA, rK39/SECA and rK39/SPLA). In fact, this approach discriminated CanL with similar sensitivity/specificity as reference antigens, diminishing seropositivity in European cohort to 1·8%. Ultimately, non-related antigens like SECA and seropositivity ratios between antigens enable different perspectives into serological data focusing on the search of characteristic serological signatures and not simple absolute serology values contributing to comprehensive serological status characterization.
Does the Social Functioning Scale reflect real-life social functioning? An experience sampling study in patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder and healthy control individuals
Authors: Schneider M. , Reininghaus U. , van Nierop M. , Janssens M. , Myin-Germeys I. ,   GROUP Investigators
Published: May 2017

Background

The ecological validity of retrospective measures of social functioning is currently unknown in patients with schizophrenia. In the present study, patients with a diagnosis of non-affective psychosis were compared with controls on two measures of social functioning: the Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and daily-life measures collected with the Experience Sampling Methodology (ESM). The associations between both measures were examined in each group of participants to test for the ecological validity of the SFS.

Methods

A total of 126 participants with a non-affective psychotic disorder and 109 controls completed the SFS and a 6-day momentary ESM protocol assessing various aspects of social functioning. Multiple linear and multilevel regression analyses were performed to test for group differences in social functioning level and examine associations between the two assessment techniques.

Results

Lower social functioning was observed in patients compared with controls on retrospective and momentary measures. The SFS interpersonal domain (social engagement/withdrawal and interpersonal behaviour dimensions) was associated with the percentage of time spent alone and negative appraisal of social interactions. The SFS activity domain (pro-social and recreational activities dimensions) was negatively associated with time spent in leisure activities.

Conclusions

The SFS showed some degree of ecological validity at assessing broad aspects of social functioning. Low scores on the SFS social engagement/withdrawal and interpersonal behaviour dimensions captured social isolation and social avoidance in daily life, but not lack of interest in socializing. Ecological validity of the SFS activity domain was low. ESM offers a rich alternative to classical assessment techniques of social functioning.
Coastal sand dunes as biological systems
Authors: Willis A. J.
Published: May 2017

Synopsis

With the gradation of intensities of environmental factors from the strand-line to stable inland areas, coastal dunes show many ecological phenomena especially clearly. These are reviewed broadly, with some emphasis on topics on which important advances are being made. The nutrient status of dune soil and changes with time are shown with reference to several dune systems. Changes in major nutrients are given for Braunton Burrows, north Devon, where the influence of nitrogen fixation by Lotus corniculatus is illustrated. The effects of sand burial on plants are considered, and details given of the root systems of vigorous and relict marram; factors which may affect its decline in vigour are reviewed. Also discussed is the likely significance of nematodes in the decline of Hippophaë rhamnoides. Reasons for the richness of the dune flora are considered and also some autecological studies. At the physiological level, reference is made to the water relations of plants and at the biochemical level to the occurrence and possible ecological importance of stress metabolites. Life strategies, phenology, survivorship, competition and the population ecology of dune plants are reviewed and also the interaction of ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae). The population genetics of dune plants is illustrated by reference to Festuca rubra and Ammophila arenaria and of animals to Cepaea nemoralis.

The abundance and ecological relationships of the invertebrate fauna are exemplified by surveys at Spurn Point, extensive investigations on spiders and the influence of marram on arthropod communities. The ecology of the natterjack load is considered in relation to conservation and the effects of large animal grazers in relation to the diversity of vegetation.
Physics of sand movement in vegetated dune systems
Authors: Willetts B. B.
Published: May 2017

Synopsis

A strategy for predicting topographical change in dune fields is presented by way of a logic chart. The primary underlying physical requirements of the calculation are outlined. Most important are understanding of the dependency of sand transport on wind and of the wind structure on surface relief. Knowledge of the latter is still limited. Reference is also made to the role of vegetation in inhibiting transport and briefly of size re-sorting. Some evident research needs are extracted from this review.
Plant communities of the British sand dunes
Authors: Malloch A. J. C.
Published: May 2017

Synopsis

The National Vegetation Classification has details of some 2000 samples of sand dune vegetation collected nationally. Analysis of these data has resulted in the recognition of about thirteen plant communities of the sand dune system. Details of these communities are presented, elaborating on their species composition, variability, ecological relationships and distribution. As might be expected, the major direction of variation is from strandline, through the vegetation of active dunes, to the fixed dune grasslands, heath and scrub. The precise pattern is affected by the calcium status of the dune and by its geographic location. The vegetation of dune slacks is also dependent on the calcium status of the sand, as well as the amount and persistence of standing water. Superimposed on this natural pattern of variation is the use of dune systems by the grazing of domestic animals as seen on the machair of the Hebrides in particular.
Difference of Disability Between Electrophysiologic Subgroups of Essential Tremor
Authors: Akbostanci M. Cenk , Ulkatan Sedat , Yigit Aytaç , Aydin Nursel , Mutluer Nermin
Published: May 2017

Objective:

The aim of the study was to test the validity of the controversial subdivision of essential tremor (ET) patients into electrophysiological subgroups.

Methods:

We evaluated a hundred patients with ET using surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings of antagonist forearm muscles and distinguished three groups: the first group showed synchronous activity of antagonistic muscles, the second showed alternating activity of antagonist muscles; and the third group consisted of patients whose EMG recordings were not compatible with the other two groups. We compared patients with synchronous and alternating activity in terms of sex, age at onset, duration of illness, family history of tremor, symmetry and frequency of tremor, and the scores of a disability scale.

Results:

The only significant difference between the patients with synchronous and alternating activity was that the patients with synchronous activity were more disabled.

Conclusion:

This result adds to the evidence for distinct electrophysiological subgroups of ET with distinct clinical properties.
Hemorrhagic Moyamoya Disease during Pregnancy
Authors: Sun John C.L. , Yakimov Margaret , Al-Badawi Ismail , Honey Christopher R.
Published: May 2017

Background:

Intracranial hemorrhage in pregnant patients with Moyamoya disease is rare. We review the case of one such patient who presented with pre-eclampsia and a catastrophic intracerebral hemorrhage in order to highlight the associated management difficulties.

Methods:

A case of a pregnant (31 weeks) female brought to the emergency department with hypertension and a progressive decrease in her level of consciousness is presented. She rapidly developed a dilated right pupil and left extensor posturing. A CT scan of her head showed a large putamenal intracerebral hemorrhage. She was intubated, ventilated and given intravenous mannitol and magnesium sulfate. She underwent a simultaneous craniotomy and Cesarean section. Post-operatively the patient's ICP and jugular venous saturation were monitored in the intensive care unit.

Results:

The patient delivered a 1185g infant who did well. The patient's ICP was well controlled until the tenth post-operative day when she developed malignant brain edema and died.

Conclusion:

This case highlights three important points. First, simultaneous craniotomy and Cesarean section can be performed. Second, intraoperative control of bleeding Moyamoya vessels is described. Third, the difficult post-operative management of these cases is highlighted. The literature regarding Moyamoya disease and pregnancy is reviewed and some recommendations for the management of this rare but potentially deadly condition are presented.
Ogilvie's Syndrome as a Rare Complication of Lumbar Disc Surgery
Authors: Caner Hakan , Bavbek Murad , Albayrak Ahmet , Nur Altinörs Tarkan Çalisaneller
Published: May 2017

Background:

In this study we report a rare complication after lumbar surgery, Ogilvie's syndrome, that presents as acute colonic dilatation in the absence of mechanical obstruction.

Case:

A 43-year-old obese woman underwent lumbar surgery for L4-L5 lumbar disc herniation. The patient complained of persistent abdominal distention and lack of bowel sounds. Plain radiography and ultrasonography revealed massive dilatation of the colon. Nasogastric aspiration was initiated and all analgesic drugs were withdrawn. Abdominal distention gradually disappeared within three days.

Conclusions:

Only three cases of Ogilvie's syndrome following lumbar spinal surgery have been reported in the literature. In our case obesity, chronic constipation, and narcotic drugs were the most likely precipitating causes. Ogilvie's syndrome may resolve with conservative treatment, but if the cecal diameter continues to increase, colonoscopy or laparotomy may be needed to prevent perforation of colon.
Serotonin functioning and adolescents' alcohol use: A genetically informed study examining mechanisms of risk
Authors: Wang Frances L. , Chassin Laurie , Bates John E. , Dick Danielle , Lansford Jennifer E. , Pettit Gregory S. , Dodge Kenneth A.
Published: May 2017

The current study used data from two longitudinal samples to test whether self-regulation, depressive symptoms, and aggression/antisociality were mediators in the relation between a polygenic score indexing serotonin (5-HT) functioning and alcohol use in adolescence. The results from an independent genome-wide association study of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid were used to create 5-HT polygenic risk scores. Adolescents and/or parents reported on adolescents’ self-regulation (Time 1), depressive symptoms (Time 2), aggression/antisociality (Time 2), and alcohol use (Time 3). The results showed that 5-HT polygenic risk did not predict self-regulation. However, adolescents with higher levels of 5-HT polygenic risk showed greater depression and aggression/antisociality. Adolescents’ aggression/antisociality mediated the relation between 5-HT polygenic risk and later alcohol use. Deficits in self-regulation also predicted depression and aggression/antisociality, and indirectly predicted alcohol use through aggression/antisociality. Pathways to alcohol use were especially salient for males from families with low parental education in one of the two samples. The results provide insights into the longitudinal mechanisms underlying the relation between 5-HT functioning and alcohol use (i.e., earlier aggression/antisociality). There was no evidence that genetically based variation in 5-HT functioning predisposed individuals to deficits in self-regulation. Genetically based variation in 5-HT functioning and self-regulation might be separate, transdiagnostic risk factors for several types of psychopathology.
Associations between alcohol dehydrogenase genes and alcohol use across early and middle adolescence: Moderation × Preventive intervention
Authors: Cleveland H. Harrington , Schlomer Gabriel L. , Vandenbergh David J. , Wolf Pedro S. A. , Feinberg Mark E. , Greenberg Mark T. , Spoth Richard L. , Redmond Cleve
Published: May 2017

Data from the in-school sample of the PROSPER preventive intervention dissemination trial were used to investigate associations between alcohol dehydrogenase genes and alcohol use across adolescence, and whether substance misuse interventions in the 6th and 7th grades (targeting parenting, family functioning, social norms, youth decision making, and peer group affiliations) modified associations between these genes and adolescent use. Primary analyses were run on a sample of 1,885 individuals and included three steps. First, we estimated unconditional growth curve models with separate slopes for alcohol use from 6th to 9th grade and from 9th to 12th grade, as well as the intercept at Grade 9. Second, we used intervention condition and three alcohol dehydrogenase genes, 1B (ADH1B), 1C (ADH1C), and 4 (ADH4) to predict variance in slopes and intercept. Third, we examined whether genetic influences on model slopes and intercepts were moderated by intervention condition. The results indicated that the increase in alcohol use was greater in early adolescence than in middle adolescence; two of the genes, ADH1B and ADH1C, significantly predicted early adolescent slope and Grade 9 intercept, and associations between ADH1C and both early adolescent slope and intercept were significantly different across control and intervention conditions.
Population estimate and morphometry of ovarian preantral follicles from three recently recognized squirrel monkey species: a comparative study
Authors: Lopes Gerson P. , Santos Regiane R. , Almeida Débora V. , Brito Adriel B. , Queiroz Helder L. , Domingues Sheyla F. S.
Published: May 2017

We describe morphological and morphometrical characteristics of preantral ovarian follicles from three recently recognized Saimiri species: S. macrodon, S. cassiquiarensis and S. vanzolinii; the last one a threatened species. Ovaries from four adult monkeys were evaluated: one pair from a pregnant S. macrodon, two ovarian pairs from S. cassiquiarensis females (one of them pregnant), and one left ovary from a senile S. vanzolinii, applying classical histology. Follicular preantral population was quantified and morphology and morphometry of primordial, primary and secondary follicles were evaluated. Follicular preantral population varied among species, being 347,153 in the ovaries of the S. macrodon, 270,342 and 278,376 in the ovaries of both adult non-pregnant and pregnant S. cassiquiarensis females, and 28,149 in the ovary from a senile S. vanzolinii. Most follicles were at primordial or transition stages, except for the senile S. vanzolinii female, which presented the lowest percentages of primordial and transition follicles when compared with primary and secondary ones. Most preantral follicles (>70%) were morphologically normal in the ovaries from all studied S. macrodon and S. cassiquiarensis females, but the ovary of the senile S. vanzolinii female presented a significant decrease in the percentage of normal follicles (primordial: 61%, transition: 52%, primary: 54%, and secondary: 48%). In general, follicular diameter increased significantly from primordial to transition, and subsequently from primary to secondary follicles.
Flail anterior tricuspid valve leaflet in a neonate: association with maternal antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Tarca Adrian J. , Eckersley Luke , Kothari Darshan
Published: May 2017

This brief report describes a case of flail anterior tricuspid valve leaflet in a neonate associated with maternal antiphospholipid syndrome. Fetal echocardiography at 27 weeks of gestation showed competent atrioventricular valves with biventricular echogenic chordae. Fetal distress was noted at delivery, and echocardiography showed a flail anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve with severe regurgitation. Possible causation and implications of maternal antiphospholipid syndrome are discussed.
Kublai Khan in the Eyes of Marco Polo
Authors: Chang Na
Published: May 2017

This article will shed new light on the already crowded area of Marco Polo research, by examining the perspective of Polo, his direct observation of Kublai Khan and Yuan China, as revealed inThe Travels of Marco Polo.The paper analyses the sources of Polo’s perspective on the people he encountered on his travels in foreign lands. It argues that Polo’s ideas were shaped by his cultural background, personal experience and his own interests. Then it examines how the work presents Kublai Khan himself, as well as the Yuan empire’s monetary system, its waterway trade and its ethnic policy. The result of this investigation shows that Polo was an acute observer; he pointed out occasions of misrule despite his adoration of Kublai Khan.
Counterfactual History and the First World War
Authors: Van Caenegem R.C.
Published: May 2017

In the current article the author aims to answer four specific questions. (1) What would have happened if Austria and Serbia had not gone to war in July 1914, which implies an exercise in counterfactual history, and the study of the probable outcome if events had taken a different course? (2) What exactly was Austria’s war aim? (3) What precisely was Britain’s war aim? (4) What would have happened if Britain had stayed out of the continental war?
A genetic analysis of wool characteristics and lamb performance traits in Scottish Blackface sheep
Authors: Conington J. , Murphy A.
Published: May 2017

Genetic parameters were estimated for wool quality, fleece characteristics and lamb production traits for Scottish Blackface sheep reared under extensive hill conditions in the UK. In two separate studies, heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for wool quality traits measured on lambs at 5 months of age and again on the shorn fleece a year later. The wool traits included birth coat length (BCT), 10-point scores for proportion of grey and kemp fibres present in the fleece (grey, kemp), British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) recommendation (REC), greasy fleece weight (FLWT), BWMB fleece grade (FLGR), and average staple length (ASL). Genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated between lamb wool traits and lamb live weights at birth (BWT), marking (at mid lactation with an average age of 7 weeks) (MWT), weaning (at an average age of 17 weeks) (WWT) and slaughter (SLWT), average fat depth (AVFD) and average muscle depth (MD). Individual lamb carcass measurements included Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) conformation score (CONF) and fat class (FATC). Heritability estimates measured on 2524 or more live lambs were 0·69, 0·52, 0·26, 0·42 and 0·31 for BCT, ASL, grey, kemp and REC respectively. Heritability estimates for traits measured on the shorn fleece a year later for 1415 ewes were 0·37, 0·02, 0·57, 0·43, 0·46 and 0·14 for ASL, grey, kemp, REC, FLWT and FLGR respectively. Genetic correlations between FLWT in hoggets and other wool were positive and moderate to high in magnitude, ranging from 0·22 for kemp in lambs to 0·48 for grey in hoggets. Genetic correlations between REC and live-weight traits were 0·39 for MWT, 0·37 for WWT and 0·44 for SLWT. Genetic correlation between ASL and ultrasonic fat depth was 0·15 and for ASL and ultrasonic muscle depth was -0·30. The results indicate that the simple scoring systems derived to assess these traits are useful indicators of fleece quality, are highly repeatable over time and are a good gauge of likely future wool production. The results indicate that selection for heavier, leaner lambs should not compromise fleece quality, as assessed in this study.
A bio-economic model for the evaluation of breeds and mating systems in beef production enterprises
Authors: Roughsedge T. , Amer P. R. , Simm G.
Published: May 2017

A deterministic bio-economic model was developed to evaluate the effects of changes in breeds and mating systems in a beef enterprise whilst keeping management constant. The model simulates all aspects of beef production including the transition of the breed composition, the biological performance and the overall economic performance of animals within the herd, over time. Breed performance parameters are based on a synthesis of results from published beef breed comparison experiments. In order to illustrate how the model is implemented an example is given based on UK economic information. The model predicts physical and financial performance over a planning horizon of 20 years. For a hypothetical enterprise, changing from buying in surplus dairy cross heifers to a situation of self-replacing beef cows, the model demonstrated a financial advantage, due largely to a reduction in production costs.
Reproductive traits of male rabbits as affected by climatic conditions, in the subtropical environment of Egypt
Authors: Marai I. F. M. , Habeeb A. M. , Gad A. E.
Published: May 2017

The present work was planned to study the effects of mild and hot conditions on reproductive traits of male rabbits. The traits studied were libido (reaction time), semen quality characteristics (hydrogen-ion value, ejaculate volume, sperm motility, dead sperm, sperm abnormalities, acrosomal abnormalities, sperm-cell concentration and total sperm output), seminal biochemical traits (total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipid, cholestrol and creatinine), seminal enzymes (glutamic-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxalo-acetic transaminase (GOT), alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase), seminal hormones (tri-iodothyronine (T3) and cortisol), thermoregulatory parameters (respiration rate and temperatures of ear, rectum and skin), food and water consumption, blood metabolites (total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, total lipid and cholesterol), kidney function (urea-N and creatinine), liver function (serum GPT, serum GOT and alkaline and acid phosphatase) and endocrine functions (T3 and cortisol hormones).

The estimated temperature-humidity index (THI) values were 20·2 during the mild and 30·1 in the hot period, indicating absence of heat stress in the first period and exposure of rabbits to very severe heat stress in the second one.

In semen characteristics, the effects of heat stress on reaction time, semen pH, sperm motility, percentages of dead sperm, sperm abnormalities and acrosomal damage, were not significant. However, ejaculate volume, sperm-cell concentration and total sperm output were significantly lower (P < 0·01) under heat stress than under mild conditions. In seminal plasma, effects of heat stress were not significant on total protein, globulin, total lipid, cholesterol, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase. Meanwhile, seminal plasma albumin, acid phosphatase, T3 and cortisol were significantly (P < 0·01 or P < 0·05) lower, while GPT and GOT were significantly (P < 0·01) higher in heat stress than in mild conditions.

Thermoregulatory parameters (respiration rate and temperatures of ear, rectum and skin) and water consumption were significantly (P < 0·01) higher, while consumption of food was significantly (P < 0·01) lower in heat stress than in mild conditions. Blood serum globulin was not affected, while serum total proteins, albumin, glucose, total lipid, cholesterol, acid phosphatase, T3 and cortisol were significantly (P < 0·01 or P < 0·05) lower and urea-N, creatinine, GPT, GOT and alkaline phosphatase were significantly (P < 0·01 or P < 0·05) higher in heat stress than in mild conditions, within the Egyptian subtropical climate.
The effect of basal diet on lactate-producing bacteria and the susceptibility of sheep to lactic acidosis
Authors: Al Jassim R. A. M. , Gordon G. L. R. , Rowe J. B.
Published: May 2017

The influence of a diet of either pasture or hay on the development of lactic acidosis in sheep was investigated using a grain challenge approach. Twenty-four Merino wethers with a mean live weight of 36·7 (s.e.3·6) kg were used; 12 were adapted to grass pasture and 12 to hay (lucerne and oaten hay, 60: 40) for 4 weeks before being given 1 kg of crushed barley via stomach tube. Six sheep in each group were also given virginiamycin (VM; 50 mg/kg barley) with the grain to test the efficacy of this antibiotic in controlling the bacteria responsible for the development of acidosis. Changes in volatile fatty acid (VFA), pH, lactate and bacterial count in the rumen and faecal pH and dry matter (DM) were measured for a 24-h period following administration of the barley. Daily intakes of hay were measured for a 10-day period following grain engorgement. Total ruminal VFA increased (P< 0·01) over time and tended (P= 0·08) to be higher in sheep adapted to hay than in those adapted to pasture (67·5 v. 59·8 mmol/l). The molar proportions of VFA changed (P< 0·01) over time in favour of propionate in both groups. Ruminal pH was higher (P< 0·001) in pasture-adapted sheep, but declined (P< 0·001) in both groups over time following the introduction of barley. This decline in pH was associated with increases in ruminal concentration of VFA in pasture-adapted sheep and VFA and lactate in hay-adapted sheep. The addition of VM resulted in a higher (P< 0·001) proportion of propionate and a trend towards higher (P= 0·24) faecal pH and DM content. Faecal pH and DM content declined (P< 0·001) over time and was lower for the pasture-adapted sheep. The introduction of either barley alone or barley with VM from both hay and pasture diets increased (P< 0·05) the viable counts of total bacteria,Streptococcus bovisand lactic acid bacteria. Bacterial isolates were purified and identified by complete sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to determine the predominant bacteria during the overfeeding of grain. Isolates from medium selective forS. boviswere all identified as this species when VM was not given. VM had no effect on counts of viable bacteria, but inhibited the growth ofS. bovis.

This study has shown that sheep given hay are more susceptible to lactic acidosis, the signs of which can be reduced by VM.
Consequences of variation in feeding behaviour for the probability of animals starting a meal as estimated from pooled data
Authors: Yeates M. P. , Tolkamp B. J. , Kyriazakis I.
Published: May 2017

Better understanding of how animals regulate their intake may be gained by analysis of feeding behaviour. This is often recorded in terms of feeding events, e.g. visits to feeders, which can be clustered into meals. This enables calculation of the probability of animals starting a meal in relation to time since the last meal, which is thought to give insight into food intake regulation. Starting probabilities are often calculated with pooled data but recent work suggests that pooling may strongly affect conclusions.

In this study we analysed feeding behaviour of cows to investigate how previous conclusions about feeding behaviour may have been affected by pooling. Using parameters derived from experimental data, we constructed simulation models to further explore under what circumstances pooling, either across day and night or across individuals, could affect the interpretation of starting probabilities. Data were simulated to explore the consequences of pooling as either the proportion of meals occurring during the day or the individual variation in their mean number of meals per 24 h changed. Simulation allowed us to extend the analysis of the consequences of pooling for the interpretation of starting probabilities.

Analysis of experimental data, collected with 16 dairy cows, showed that they ate a mean of six meals per 24 h. Individual variation resulted in a proportional CV of the individual mean number of meals per 24 h of 0·14. Cows ate a mean proportion of 0·59 of their meals during the day. Analysis of experimental data suggested that pooling, conducted in previous studies, has probably led to a quantitative underestimation of the increase in starting probability with time since the last meal but not a qualitative misinterpretation of the direction of change in the starting probability.

Simulation studies showed that pooling had no serious consequences when the mean number of meals per 24 h, or the variation about this mean, was low. However, as the number of meals per 24 h and variation increased, pooling led to conclusions that may wholly misrepresent both magnitude and direction of the change in starting probabilities calculated separately for the individuals or for day and night. This may explain why the results of some published studies seem not to agree with biological principles of food intake regulation.
Determinants of successful vitamin A supplementation coverage among children aged 6–59 months in thirteen sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Janmohamed Amynah , Klemm Rolf DW , Doledec David
Published: May 2017

Objective

Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) for children aged 6–59 months occurs regularly in most sub-Saharan African countries. The present study aimed to explore child, household and delivery platform factors associated with VAS coverage and identify barriers to compliance in thirteen African countries.

Design

We pooled data (n ~60 000) from forty-four household coverage surveys and used bivariate and multivariable regression analyses to assess the effects of supplementation strategy, rural v. urban residence, child sex, child age, caregiver education and campaign awareness on child VAS status.

Setting/Subjects

Primary caregivers of children aged 6–59 months in thirteen countries.

Results

Door-to-door distribution resulted in higher VAS coverage than fixed-site plus outreach approaches (91 v. 63 %) and was a significant predictor of supplementation in the adjusted model (OR=19·0; 95 % CI 17·2, 21·1; P<0·001). Having been informed about the campaign was the main predictor of VAS in the door-to-door (OR=6·8; 95 % CI 5·8, 7·9; P<0·001) and fixed-site plus outreach (OR=72·5; 95 % CI 66·6, 78·8; P<0·001) groups.

Conclusions

Door-to-door provision of VAS may achieve higher coverage than fixed-site models in the African context. However, the phase-out of door-to-door polio immunization campaigns in most sub-Saharan African countries threatens the main distribution vehicle for VAS. Our findings suggest well-informed communities are key to attaining higher coverage using fixed-site delivery alternatives.
Are more environmentally sustainable diets with less meat and dairy nutritionally adequate?
Authors: Seves S Marije , Verkaik-Kloosterman Janneke , Biesbroek Sander , Temme Elisabeth HM
Published: May 2017

Objective

Our current food consumption patterns, and in particular our meat and dairy intakes, cause high environmental pressure. The present modelling study investigates the impact of diets with less or no meat and dairy foods on nutrient intakes and assesses nutritional adequacy by comparing these diets with dietary reference intakes.

Design

Environmental impact and nutrient intakes were assessed for the observed consumption pattern (reference) and two replacement scenarios. For the replacement scenarios, 30 % or 100 % of meat and dairy consumption (in grams) was replaced with plant-based alternatives and nutrient intakes, greenhouse gas emissions and land use were calculated.

Setting

The Netherlands.

Subjects

Dutch adults (n 2102) aged 19–69 years.

Results

Replacing 30 % of meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives did not substantially alter percentages below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for all studied nutrients. In the 100 % replacement scenario, SFA intake decreased on average by ~35 % and Na intake by ~8 %. Median Ca intakes were below the Adequate Intake. Estimated habitual fibre, Fe and vitamin D intakes were higher; however, non-haem Fe had lower bioavailability. For Zn, thiamin and vitamin B12, 10–31 % and for vitamin A, 60 % of adults had intakes below the EAR.

Conclusions

Diets with all meat and dairy replaced with plant-based foods lowered environmental impacts by >40 %. Estimated intakes of Zn, thiamin, vitamins A and B12, and probably Ca, were below recommendations. Replacing 30 % was beneficial for SFA, Na, fibre and vitamin D intakes, neutral for other nutrients, while reducing environmental impacts by 14 %.
Hepatic calcifications in fetal population studied by autopsies in Bogota, Colombia
Authors: Olaya-C M. , Aldana-M S. , Maya-G M. , Gil F.
Published: May 2017

Fetal hepatic calcifications can be caused by infections, chromosomal disorders, thrombotic events, ischemic hepatic necrosis and subcapsular hematomas among others events. Its features and clinical significance are still not well known. We performed an observational study to describe fetal hepatic calcifications and its association with main clinical and histopathological findings from the fetal autopsy database, between 2007 and 2014. Raw odds ratio analysis was performed. We reviewed 591 fetal autopsies: 14 cases with hepatic calcifications, 102 fetuses with chromosomal disorders; 13 with diagnosis of TORSCH (toxoplasma, rubella, syphilis, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus 1 and 2, and others) and 207 with any abnormality in the umbilical cord (UC). The relation between hepatic calcifications and chromosomal disorders in our series had significance. It is known that hepatic calcifications are common in chromosomal disorders, transplacental infections and UC abnormalities, those conditions are risk factor for hepatic calcifications formation; we suggest hepatic calcifications should alert the pathologists in order to consider these etiologies in first instance.
USP13 negatively regulates antiviral responses by deubiquitinating STING
Authors: Sun He , Zhang Qiang , Jing Ying-Ying , Zhang Man , Wang Hai-Ying , Cai Zeng , Liuyu Tianzi , Zhang Zhi-Dong , Xiong Tian-Chen , Wu Yan , Zhu Qi-Yun , Yao Jing , Shu Hong-Bing , Lin Dandan , Zhong Bo
Published: May 2017

STING (also known as MITA) is critical for host defence against viruses and the activity of STING is regulated by ubiquitination. However, the deubiquitination of STING is not fully understood. Here, we show that ubiquitin-specific protease 13 (USP13) is a STING-interacting protein that catalyses deubiquitination of STING. Knockdown or knockout of USP13 potentiates activation of IRF3 and NF-κB and expression of downstream genes after HSV-1 infection or transfection of DNA ligands. USP13 deficiency results in impaired replication of HSV-1. Consistently, USP13 deficient mice are more resistant than wild-type littermates to lethal HSV-1 infection. Mechanistically, USP13 deconjugates polyubiquitin chains from STING and prevents the recruitment of TBK1 to the signalling complex, thereby negatively regulating cellular antiviral responses. Our study thus uncovers a function of USP13 in innate antiviral immunity and provides insight into the regulation of innate immunity.
Re-exposure to nicotine-associated context from adolescence enhances alcohol intake in adulthood
Authors: Zipori Dor , Sadot-Sogrin Yossi , Goltseker Koral , Even-Chen Oren , Rahamim Nofar , Shaham Ohad , Barak Segev
Published: May 2017

Alcohol and nicotine are the two most commonly-abused substances and are often used together. Nicotine enhances alcohol-drinking behaviors in humans and in animals, and was suggested to enhance the reinforcing properties of other reinforcers. Here, we show that nicotine-associated environment, rather than nicotine itself, enhances alcohol intake in rats. Adolescent rats received repeated intermittent injections of nicotine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p., 5 injections, every 3rd day) or saline. The injection was paired with their home cage, or with the subsequent alcohol self-administration context. Rats were then trained to self-administer 20% alcohol. Nicotine given in the home cage did not alter subsequent alcohol intake. However, pairing nicotine with the operant chamber during adolescence led to a long-lasting increased alcohol self-administration in adulthood, compared to nicotine pre-treatment in other contexts. This effect persisted 3 months after nicotine cessation, in a relapse test after abstinence. Furthermore, re-exposure to the nicotine-associated context in adult rats led to a decrease in glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf) mRNA expression in the ventral tegmental area, an effect that leads to increased alcohol consumption, as we ﻿have previously reported. Our findings suggest that retrieval of nicotine-associated contextual memories from adolescence may gate alcohol intake in adulthood, with a possible involvement of GDNF.
Anti-Aging Potentials of Methylene Blue for Human Skin Longevity
Authors: Xiong Zheng-Mei , O’Donovan Mike , Sun Linlin , Choi Ji Young , Ren Margaret , Cao Kan
Published: May 2017

Oxidative stress is the major cause of skin aging that includes wrinkles, pigmentation, and weakened wound healing ability. Application of antioxidants in skin care is well accepted as an effective approach to delay the skin aging process. Methylene blue (MB), a traditional mitochondrial-targeting antioxidant, showed a potent ROS scavenging efficacy in cultured human skin fibroblasts derived from healthy donors and from patients with progeria, a genetic premature aging disease. In comparison with other widely used general and mitochondrial-targeting antioxidants, we found that MB was more effective in stimulating skin fibroblast proliferation and delaying cellular senescence. The skin irritation test, performed on an in vitro reconstructed 3D human skin model, indicated that MB was safe for long-term use, and did not cause irritation even at high concentrations. Application of MB to this 3D skin model further demonstrated that MB improved skin viability, promoted wound healing and increased skin hydration and dermis thickness. Gene expression analysis showed that MB treatment altered the expression of a subset of extracellular matrix proteins in the skin, including upregulation of elastin and collagen 2A1, two essential components for healthy skin. Altogether, our study suggests that MB has a great potential for skin care.
Comparison of ocular biometric measurements between a new swept-source optical coherence tomography and a common optical low coherence reflectometry
Authors: Gao Rongrong , Chen Hao , Savini Giacomo , Miao Yaxin , Wang Xiaorui , Yang Jing , Zhao Weiqi , Wang Qinmei , Huang Jinhai
Published: May 2017

The purpose of the current study was to compare the measurements between a new optical biometer based on swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), the OA-2000 (Tomey, Japan), and an optical biometer based on optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR), the Lenstar (Haag-Streit, Switzerland). Ninety-nine eyes of 99 healthy subjects were included. The axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), aqueous depth (AD), lens thickness (LT), keratometry (K) readings, including flat K (Kf), steep K (Ks), mean K (Km), astigmatism vectors J0, J45 at diameters of 2.5 and 3.0 mm, and white-to-white diameter (WTW) were measured three times each using both biometer in normal eyes by random sequence. Bland-Altman analysis showed good agreement between the SS-OCT and OLCR devices for AL, AD, ACD, LT, with narrow 95% LoA (−0.05 to 0.07 mm, −0.09 to 0.10 mm, −0.10 to 0.09 mm, and −0.06 to 0.22 mm, respectively), and the P values of ACD were both >0.05. The CCT, Kf, Ks, Km, J0, J45 and WTW values provided by the OA-2000 were in good agreement with the Lenstar, and statistically significant differences were detected for some of them but not clinical differences. The agreement was excellent especially for AL.
Ultrahigh-Q optomechanical crystal cavities fabricated in a CMOS foundry
Authors: Benevides Rodrigo , Santos Felipe G. S. , Luiz Gustavo O. , Wiederhecker Gustavo S. , Alegre Thiago P. Mayer
Published: May 2017

Photonic crystals use periodic structures to create frequency regions where the optical wave propagation is forbidden, which allows the creation and integration of complex optical functionalities in small footprint devices. Such strategy has also been successfully applied to confine mechanical waves and to explore their interaction with light in the so-called optomechanical cavities. Because of their challenging design, these cavities are traditionally fabricated using dedicated high-resolution electron-beam lithography tools that are inherently slow, limiting this solution to small-scale or research applications. Here we show how to overcome this problem by using a deep-UV photolithography process to fabricate optomechanical crystals in a commercial CMOS foundry. We show that a careful design of the photonic crystals can withstand the limitations of the photolithography process, producing cavities with measured intrinsic optical quality factors as high as Q
i
 = (1.21 ± 0.02) × 106. Optomechanical crystals are also created using phononic crystals to tightly confine the GHz sound waves within the optical cavity, resulting in a measured vacuum optomechanical coupling rate of g0 = 2π × (91 ± 4) kHz. Efficient sideband cooling and amplification are also demonstrated since these cavities are in the resolved sideband regime. Further improvements in the design and fabrication process suggest that commercial foundry-based optomechanical cavities could be used for quantum ground-state cooling.