bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of perineural dexmedetomidine on the pharmacodynamic profile of femoral nerve block: a dose‐finding randomised, controlled, double‐blind study
Authors: Abdulatif M. , Fawzy M. , Nassar H. , Hasanin A. , Ollaek M. , Mohamed H.
Published: September 2016

This randomised, controlled, double‐blind study investigated the effects of different doses of perineural dexmedetomidine on the pharmacodynamic profile of femoral nerve block in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Ultrasound‐guided femoral nerve block was performed before general anaesthesia using 25 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% combined with normal saline in the control group, and 25 μg, 50 μg or 75 μg of dexmedetomidine in three treatment groups (n = 15 for each group). All patients received a standard general anaesthetic and multimodal postoperative analgesic regimen. The use of the 50 μg and 75 μg dose levels of dexmedetomidine was associated with reduction of the onset time, extension of the duration of block, prolonged time to the first postoperative request for rescue analgesia, and reduced postoperative morphine requirements. The times to first request for postoperative analgesia were mean (SD) 10.8 (1.6) h in the control group and 11.0 (7.1), 21.8 (3.0) and 28.6 (10.0) in the 25 μg, 50 μg and 75 μg treatment groups, respectively. These times were significantly longer in the 50 μg and 75 μg treatment groups compared with the 25 μg (p < 0.0001) and control group (p < 0.0001). The total 24‐h postoperative morphine consumption was 7.6 (5.1) mg in the control group, and 6.5 (3.5), 3.9 (3.4), 1.8 (2.6) in the 25 μg, 50 μg and 75 μg treatment groups, respectively. Postoperative morphine consumption was significantly higher in the control group compared with the 50 μg (p = 0.045) and the 75 μg (p = 0.001) treatment groups. The best analgesic profile was achieved at the 75 μg dose, but this was associated with increased risk of hypotension.
Receptor‐interacting Protein 140 represses Sirtuin 3 to facilitate hypertrophy, mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolic dysfunction in cardiomyocytes
Authors: You J. , Yue Z. , Chen S. , Chen Y. , Lu X. , Zhang X. , Shen P. , Li J. , Han Q. , Li Z. , Liu P.
Published: September 2016

Aim

The transcriptional cofactor receptor‐interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is known as a deleterious regulator of cardiac mitochondrial function and energy metabolic homeostasis. This study revealed that RIP140 repressed Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a mitochondrial deacetylase that plays an important role in regulating cardiac function.

Methods

RIP140 was overexpressed by adenovirus infection or was knocked down by RNA interference in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes.

Results

RIP140 overexpression repressed, while RIP140 silencing elevated the expression and activity of SIRT3. Ad‐RIP140 enhanced the expressions of the cardiac hypertrophic markers and increased cardiomyocyte surface area, whereas SIRT3 overexpression prevented the effect of Ad‐RIP140. Additionally, SIRT3 overexpression reversed Ad‐RIP140‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolic dysfunction, such as increase in oxidative stress, decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, as well as downregulation of mitochondrial DNA‐encoded genes and genes related to mitochondrial genome replication and transcription, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation. In contrast, SIRT3 silencing exacerbated RIP140‐induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the repression of SIRT3 by RIP140 was dependent on estrogen‐related receptor‐α (ERRα). The involvement of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α) was ruled out of SIRT3 suppression by RIP140. RIP140 and PGC‐1α might act as functional antagonists on the regulation of SIRT3.

Conclusion

This study indicates that suppression of SIRT3 by RIP140 facilitates the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, mitochondrial dysfunction and energy metabolic dysfunction. Strategies targeting inhibition of RIP140 and upregulation of SIRT3 might improve cardiac energy metabolism and suggest therapeutic potential for heart diseases.
Translating QT interval prolongation from conscious dogs to humans
Authors: Dubois Vincent F. S. , Smania Giovanni , Yu Huixin , Graf Ramona , Chain Anne S. Y. , Danhof Meindert , Della Pasqua Oscar ,   on behalf of the Cardiovascular Safety Project Team,   TI Pharma PKPD Platform
Published: September 2016

Aim

In spite of screening procedures in early drug development, uncertainty remains about the propensity of new chemical entities (NCEs) to prolong the QT/QTc interval. The evaluation of proarrhythmic activity using a comprehensive in vitro proarrhythmia assay does not fully account for pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) differences in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the correlation between drug‐specific parameters describing QT interval prolongation in dogs and in humans.

Methods

Using estimates of the drug‐specific parameter, data on the slopes of the PKPD relationships of nine compounds with varying QT‐prolonging effects (cisapride, sotalol, moxifloxacin, carabersat, GSK945237, SB237376 and GSK618334, and two anonymized NCEs) were analysed. Mean slope estimates varied between −0.98 ms μM–1 and 6.1 ms μM–1 in dogs and −10 ms μM–1 and 90 ms μM–1 in humans, indicating a wide range of effects on the QT interval. Linear regression techniques were then applied to characterize the correlation between the parameter estimates across species.

Results

For compounds without a mixed ion channel block, a correlation was observed between the drug‐specific parameter in dogs and humans (y = −1.709 + 11.6x; R2 = 0.989). These results show that per unit concentration, the drug effect on the QT interval in humans is 11.6‐fold larger than in dogs.

Conclusions

Together with information about the expected therapeutic exposure, the evidence of a correlation between the compound‐specific parameter in dogs and in humans represents an opportunity for translating preclinical safety data before progression into the clinic. Whereas further investigation is required to establish the generalizability of our findings, this approach can be used with clinical trial simulations to predict the probability of QT prolongation in humans.
The impact of serious adverse drug reactions: a population‐based study of a decade of hospital admissions in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Walter Scott R. , Day Richard O. , Gallego Blanca , Westbrook Johanna I.
Published: September 2016

Aims

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have major impacts on patients and the hospital system. Methods identifying ADRs from selected International Classification of Diseases–10th revision (ICD‐10) diagnosis and external cause codes can be applied to population‐level hospital admissions data, enabling the study of rare, yet serious ADRs. The present study aimed to use ICD10‐based methods to identify four types of serious idiosyncratic ADRs in Australia, and to assess changes in incidence and their impact on length of stay (LOS), readmission and in‐hospital mortality.

Methods

The study used a census of hospital admission data from New South Wales between July 2000 and June 2012. Changes in incidence rates over time relative to a control group were estimated using log‐linear regression. To assess impacts on LOS, readmission and mortality, each ADR case was matched with five controls, and cases were compared with controls via generalized linear models appropriate to each outcome.

Results

The incidence of three ADR types showed a significant increase over time relative to controls, while the fourth type showed no evidence of change. All ADR types were significantly associated with an increase in LOS of between 22% and 328%. Significant increases in risk of readmission or death were only observed for some ADR types.

Conclusions

Reducing the incidence of idiosyncratic ADRs is challenging. ICD10‐based methods support population‐level analyses that can provide important insights into the effects and changes in ADRs over time. This, combined with strategies related to both patient care and drug monitoring pre‐ and post‐commercial release, provides ways forward.
Increased chemotaxis and activity of circulatory myeloid progenitor cells may contribute to enhanced osteoclastogenesis and bone loss in the C57BL/6 mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Ikić Matijašević M , Flegar D , Kovačić N , Katavić V , Kelava T , Šućur A , Ivčević S , Cvija H , Lazić Mosler E , Kalajzić I , Marušić A , Grčević D
Published: September 2016

Our study aimed to determine the functional activity of different osteoclast progenitor (OCP) subpopulations and signals important for their migration to bone lesions, causing local and systemic bone resorption during the course of collagen-induced arthritis in C57BL/6 mice. Arthritis was induced with chicken type II collagen (CII), and assessed by clinical scoring and detection of anti-CII antibodies. We observed decreased trabecular bone volume of axial and appendicular skeleton by histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography as well as decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption rate in arthritic mice in vivo. In the affected joints, bone loss was accompanied with severe osteitis and bone marrow hypercellularity, coinciding with the areas of active osteoclasts and bone erosions. Flow cytometry analysis showed increased frequency of putative OCP cells (CD3–B220–NK1.1–CD11b–/loCD117+CD115+ for bone marrow and CD3–B220–NK1.1–CD11b+CD115+Gr-1+ for peripheral haematopoietic tissues), which exhibited enhanced differentiation potential in vitro. Moreover, the total CD11b+ population was expanded in arthritic mice as well as CD11b+F4/80+ macrophage, CD11b+NK1.1+ natural killer cell and CD11b+CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cell populations in both bone marrow and peripheral blood. In addition, arthritic mice had increased expression of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, CC chemokine ligand-2 (Ccl2) and Ccl5, with increased migration and differentiation of circulatory OCPs in response to CCL2 and, particularly, CCL5 signals. Our study characterized the frequency and functional properties of OCPs under inflammatory conditions associated with arthritis, which may help to clarify crucial molecular signals provided by immune cells to mediate systemically enhanced osteoresorption.
Role of proneurotensin as marker of paediatric coeliac disease
Authors: Montén C , Torinsson Naluai Å , Agardh D
Published: September 2016

Neurotensin (NT) is a gut hormone functioning proinflammatory through nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin (IL)−8 secretion or anti-inflammatory through epidermal growth factor receptors. NT mRNA is down-regulated in duodenal biopsies of children with untreated coeliac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if plasma pro-NT levels correlated with the degree of intestinal mucosal damage and tissue transglutaminase autoantibody (tTGA) levels in children with coeliac disease. Fasting plasma samples from 96 children with coeliac disease and 89 non-coeliac disease controls were analysed for NT precursor fragment pro-NT 1–117 by a chemiluminometric immunoassay. Pro-NT levels were compared with NT mRNA from duodenal biopsies, assessed previously with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Illumina core exome arrays were used for human leucocyte antigen (HLA) typing and the Marsh criteria applied to score mucosal damage. Tissue TGA was measured by radio binding assay. A general linear model compared pro-NT levels with diagnosis of coeliac disease, Marsh score and HLA DQ haplotype. Spearman's rank test was used to compare pro-NT levels with tTGA, age and duodenal NT mRNA levels, respectively. Plasma pro-NT levels were elevated in children with coeliac disease (median 23 pmol/l higher, P = 0·003) and in those with severe intestinal mucosal damage (median 24 pmol/l higher for ≥ Marsh 3b versus not, P = 0·0004). Pro-NT levels correlated further with tTGA (r2 = 0·22, P = 0·002), but not with duodenal NTS mRNA levels (r2 = −0·12, P = 0·14). Pro-NT was not associated with any of the HLA risk-haplotypes. Elevated peripheral pro-NT levels reflect more severe forms of active coeliac disease, indicating a potential role of NT in intestinal inflammation.
Expression of type III interferons (IFNλs) and their receptor in Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Apostolou E , Kapsogeorgou E K , Konsta O D , Giotakis I , Saridaki M I , Andreakos E , Tzioufas A G
Published: September 2016

Type III interferons (IFNs) or IFN-λs (IFN-λ1/IL29, IFN-λ2/interleukin (IL)−28A and IFN-λ3/IL-28B) consist of a recently identified group of IFNs, implicated initially in several human diseases, including cancer and autoimmunity. In this study, we sought to investigate the expression of type III IFNs and their common receptor IFN-λR1/IL-28Ra in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Type III IFN expression was examined in minor salivary gland tissues (MSG), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), sera and resting or Toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulated salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) from SS patients and sicca-complaining controls. All type III IFN family members were detected in ductal and acinar epithelia of MSGs from both SS patients and sicca controls. IFN-λ2/IL-28A and IFN-λ3/IL-28B were also expressed in infiltrating mononuclear cells. In SS patients with intermediate MSG lesions, the epithelial expression of IFN-λ2/IL-28A was more intense compared to sicca controls (P < 0·05). The receptor IFN-λR1/IL-28Ra was detected in all types of cells except fibroblasts, and was exceptionally strong in plasmatocytoid dendritic cells, indicating that they are susceptible to type III IFN-mediated regulation. In the periphery, only IFN-λ1/IL-29 was detected in the sera and was elevated significantly in SS patients with intermediate MSG inflammatory lesions compared to sicca controls (P = 0·0053). None of the type III IFNs was expressed constitutively in resting SGECs; they were all induced readily by TLR-3 stimulation, suggesting that the in-situ epithelial expression can be attributed to local microenvironment. Type III IFNs are expressed in MSGs in a similar pattern to type I IFNs and their expression is probably subjected to micro-environmental regulation, suggesting that they are implicated in the inflammatory processes occurring in the affected exocrine glands.
Efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of a novel human immune globulin subcutaneous, 20%: a Phase 2/3 study in Europe in patients with primary immunodeficiencies
Authors: Borte M , Kriván G , Derfalvi B , Maródi L , Harrer T , Jolles S , Bourgeois C , Engl W , Leibl H , McCoy B , Gelmont D , Yel L
Published: September 2016

A highly concentrated (20%) immunoglobulin (Ig)G preparation for subcutaneous administration (IGSC 20%), would offer a new option for antibody replacement therapy in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD). The efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IGSC 20% were evaluated in a prospective trial in Europe in 49 patients with PIDD aged 2–67 years. Over a median of 358 days, patients received 2349 IGSC 20% infusions at monthly doses equivalent to those administered for previous intravenous or subcutaneous IgG treatment. The rate of validated acute bacterial infections (VASBIs) was significantly lower than 1 per year (0·022/patient-year, P < 0·0001); the rate of all infections was 4·38/patient-year. Median trough IgG concentrations were ≥ 8 g/l. There was no serious adverse event (AE) deemed related to IGSC 20% treatment; related non-serious AEs occurred at a rate of 0·101 event/infusion. The incidence of local related AEs was 0·069 event/infusion (0·036 event/infusion, when excluding a 13-year-old patient who reported 79 of 162 total related local AEs). The incidence of related systemic AEs was 0·032 event/infusion. Most related AEs were mild, none were severe. For 64·6% of patients and in 94·8% of IGSC 20% infusions, no local related AE occurred. The median infusion duration was 0·95 (range = 0·3-4·1) h using mainly one to two administration sites [median = 2 sites (range = 1–5)]. Almost all infusions (99·8%) were administered without interruption/stopping or rate reduction. These results demonstrate that IGSC 20% provides an effective and well-tolerated therapy for patients previously on intravenous or subcutaneous treatment, without the need for dose adjustment.
Values of radiological examinations for the diagnosis and prognosis of invasive bronchial‐pulmonary aspergillosis in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
Authors: Huang Linna , He Hangyong , Ding Yi , Jin Jingjing , Zhan Qingyuan
Published: September 2016

Introduction

The important role of radiological examinations of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with neutropenia has been well studied; however, little is known about IPA in critically ill chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Objectives

To evaluate the value of radiological examinations in the diagnosis and prognosis of invasive bronchial‐pulmonary aspergillosis (IBPA) in critically ill COPD patients.

Methods

We included 61 critically ill COPD patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) in a retrospective, single‐center cohort study.

Results

All of the patients were classified as IBPA group (n = 21) or non‐IBPA group (n = 40). The chest computed tomography (CT) image analysis showed that the IBPA group had the highest percent of patchiness (76.2%), followed by multiple nodules (33.3%), angio‐invasive patterns (including halo sign, wedge consolidation and air‐crescent sign/cavity with a relatively low percent of 19%, 19% and 28.5%, respectively), and the multiple nodules that were distributed along the airway provided the most specific image, with the highest specificity of 92.5%. Compared to the survivors in the IBPA group, non‐surviving patients had a higher percent of large consolidation (0% vs. 45.5%,P = .035). When the new effusions appeared on a chest x‐ray (CXR), the creatinine (140.4 μmol/L vs. 64.0 μmol/L,P = .010) and PaO2/FiO2(188 mm Hg vs. 222 mm Hg,P = .034) rate deteriorated.

Conclusions

Multiple nodules that were distributed along with broncho‐vascular bundles were relatively common and specific in critically ill COPD patients with IBPA. Deteriorated CXR combined with specific laboratory examinations, even when appropriate antibiotics were used, could indicate a diagnosis of IBPA. Large consolidations might be considered as poor prognostic indicators.
Isolated diffusing capacity reduction is a common clinical presentation in deployed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with deployment‐related environmental exposures
Authors: Falvo Michael J. , Helmer Drew A. , Klein Jacquelyn C. , Osinubi Omowunmi Y. , Ndirangu Duncan , Patrick‐DeLuca Lydia A. , Sotolongo Anays M.
Published: September 2016

Following deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan (“post‐9/11”), a spectrum of respiratory conditions has been reported; however, there are few published reports of objective physiologic data or later experience of symptoms and function. To better understand the post‐deployment clinical presentation, we conducted a retrospective review of pulmonary function testing in 143 veterans referred to our tertiary care clinic for post‐deployment health concerns. More than 75% of our sample had normal lung volumes and spirometry on pulmonary function testing; however, an isolated reduction in lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) was observed in 30% of our sample of post‐9/11 veterans. An isolated reduction in DLCO is a rare pattern in primary‐care seeking dyspneic patients, but is commonly associated with underlying pulmonary disease. Post‐9/11 veterans with respiratory complaints and an isolated reduction in DLCO should undergo further evaluation.
A case report of acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia with pneumothorax and avian exposure history
Authors: Chiu Kam Yu , Li Jian Guo , Gu Ying Ying
Published: September 2016

Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is an uncommon variant of acute lung injury. Here, we report a patient with AFOP and a previously unreported condition, pneumothorax. After our experience with this case, we suggest that exposure to birds may be associated with AFOP; pneumothorax can develop in patients with AFOP; and glucocorticoids are very effective for treating AFOP.
Sola Scriptura: Strengths and Challenges
Authors: Jacobson Diane
Published: September 2016

When Luther's notion of sola Scriptura is nuanced and properly understood, it is engaging and true in its assertions. However, in today's world, the use of the expression sola Scriptura may be more problematic than helpful. This point is argued for three reasons: Lutheran relationships with Catholics; the rise of American fundamentalism; and the parallel rise of “nones,” that largely young group of agnostics (sometimes atheists) not affiliated with any organized religion. By considering these issues, we can see how the notion still has relevance for theology and for the broader church, and how this notion helps us to preach, teach, and live the gospel in this time and place.
“These Things Took Place as Examples for Us”: On the Theological and Ecumenical Significance of the Lutheran Sola Scriptura
Authors: Alfsvåg Knut
Published: September 2016

The principle of sola Scriptura does not suggest a reading of the Bible in a room void of context, but points to the fact that the unity of church, canon, and confession defines the identity of the Christian church. The Lutheran Reformation was an attempt to retrieve this perspective at a time when it had become obscure. This retrieval corresponds to certain tendencies on the contemporary scene; it remains to be seen, however, how far convincing answers in this way can be provided for today's burning issues.
Prima Scriptura: Saving Sola Scriptura from Itself
Authors: Hinlicky Paul R.
Published: September 2016

Taking bearings from Walter Altmann's attempt to retrieve a proper understanding of sola Scriptura, this essay argues that the Latin ablative, “by way of the Scripture alone,” presupposes a nominative solus Christus whom the Spirit proclaims in turn “by way of the Scripture alone”—a dialectic of Word and Spirit, a virtuous circle. It clarifies this proper understanding of sola Scriptura over against modern biblicism, crude and sophisticated, by teasing out its implications for dogmatics as a critical discipline.
The “Enemies of God” in Luther's Final Sermons: Jews, Papists, and the Problem of Blindness to Scripture
Authors: Evener Vincent
Published: September 2016

Martin Luther's attack on the supposed “enemies of God” in his final sermons was part of the reformer's concerted effort to announce his last will and testament for evangelical Christianity. Chiefly, the article defines what made Jews and “papists” distinct from other enemies in Luther's view. Jews and papists both had possessed Scripture since ancient times; yet they remained unreceptive—for reasons Luther struggled to explain—to the Word therein.
The Emotional Christ: Bonaventure and Deep Incarnation1
Authors: Gregersen Niels Henrik
Published: September 2016

This article has the twofold aim of bringing the Christology of St. Bonaventure into dialogue with contemporary attempts to formulate an informational worldview, and with the recent theological proposal of deep incarnation. It is argued that even though Bonaventure is a pre‐modern theologian, he anticipates central aspects of a contemporary informational worldview based on differential information, structural information, and semantic information. Moreover, the article explores Bonaventure's unique combination of a “high” exemplarist Christology with a “low” Franciscan view of the humility of Christ. While Bonaventure shares seminal concerns of deep incarnation, his strong view of divine perfection prohibits him from assuming that the divinity of Christ embraces the full gamut of human emotions and anxieties related to the future.
Crossing Streams in the Dark: Religious Pluralism and Theological Education
Authors: Payne Richard K.
Published: September 2016

Examining a presentation made to the Pacific Coast Theological Society in 1939, this essay identifies some of the enduring issues for theological and religious education created by the reality of religious pluralism. Addressing religious pluralism is a dialectic process moving between the two poles of disorienting otherness and analogies based on the already familiar. Both moments are necessary, and neither is final. Education in a religiously plural world requires enabling students to live in a state of uncertainty.
Saved by Trauma: A Psychoanalytical Reading of the Atonement
Authors: Alwyn Lau W. W.
Published: September 2016

This work offers a Lacanian account of the work of Christ on the cross. It proffers a Holy Saturday theology in which God has to embrace suffering and death in its entirety in order to end the stranglehold of the world's system of sacrifice; the divine took on death as a constitutive factor. A reading of the atonement is constructed in which a diabolical system is shattered from within by the actions of a unique victim; it also relates the vicarious element of the atonement to the psychoanalytical concept of transference. Ultimately, this article hopes to contribute to the ongoing interaction between psychoanalysis and theology. Naturally it also hopes to influence the debate over which discursive “model” of the atonement is most helpful.
Fixed left ventricular outflow tract obstruction mimicking hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: pitfalls in diagnosis
Authors: Ayoub Chadi , Brieger David , Chard Richard , Yiannikas John
Published: September 2016

We present a case series that highlights the diagnostic challenges with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). Fixed structural lesions causing LVOTO with secondary LVH may mimic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Management of these two entities is critically different. Misdiagnosis and failure to recognize fixed left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) lesions may result in morbidity as a result of inappropriate therapy and delay of definitive surgical treatment. It is thus necessary to identify the correct type and level of obstruction in the LVOT by careful correlation of clinical examination, Doppler evaluation, and advanced imaging findings.
A new comprehensive 12‐segment approach to right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy individuals
Authors: Rimbaş Roxana C. , Mihăilă Sorina , Enescu Oana A. , Vinereanu Dragoş
Published: September 2016

Background

2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) was proved to be accurate for the assessment of the RV function. However, normal values for RV strain refer mostly to 3‐ or 6‐segment models, excluding the contribution of other RV walls to RV function. We analyze RV function by 2DSTE in a normal population, using parasternal two‐(2C) and apical four‐chamber (4C) RV views, and creating a new 12‐segment model for a potential better definition of RV function.

Methods

We prospectively evaluated 100 normals using 2DE and STE. We assessed the RV systolic function from regional strain (basal, mid, and apical), and at the level of each wall: lateral (LS), septal (SS), inferior (IS), and anterior (AS), and also global strain for 4C (4CGS), and 2C (2CGS). Global systolic strain rate (SRs) was measured from 2C and 4C views. Diastolic function was assessed from early (SRe) and late global strain rate (SRl), for both views.

Results

A total of 70 healthy individuals (48±15 years, 34 men) were suitable for concomitant 4C and 2CRV analysis. Feasibility of the STE analysis was 87.8%. We found significantly lower SS by comparison with LS, AS, and IS (P<.001). All S/SR parameters (GS, SRs, and SRe) were higher in 2C view than in 4C view (P<.001). All systolic S/SR parameters did not change with age. The early diastolic SR decreased, while the late diastolic SR increased with age.

Conclusion

Our 12‐segment RV strain model is feasible. Moreover, 2DSTE analysis using 2C and 4C views of the RV does not provide similar information. Rather, they offer complementary data. This might be of particularly clinical interest in diseases with regional RV dysfunction.
Differential diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy: usefulness of multimodality imaging and tissue characterization with cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Izgi Cemil , Vassiliou Vassilis , Baksi A. John , Prasad Sanjay K.
Published: September 2016

Differential diagnosis of asymmetrical left ventricular hypertrophy may be challenging, particularly in patients with history of hypertension. A middle‐aged man underwent an echocardiographic examination during workup for hypertension, which unexpectedly showed significant asymmetrical septal hypertrophy and raised suspicion for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance confirmed the asymmetrical hypertrophy. No myocardial late gadolinium contrast enhancement was seen. However, precontrast T1 mapping revealed a low native myocardial T1 value. This was highly suggestive of Anderson‐Fabry disease, which was subsequently proved with very low alpha galactosidase enzyme levels and mutation analysis. The case illustrates clinical usefulness of multimodality imaging and the novel tissue characterization techniques for assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Recent climate hiatus revealed dual control by temperature and drought on the stem growth of Mediterranean Quercus ilex
Authors: Lempereur Morine , Limousin Jean‐Marc , Guibal Frédéric , Ourcival Jean‐Marc , Rambal Serge , Ruffault Julien , Mouillot Florent
Published: September 2016

A better understanding of stem growth phenology and its climate drivers would improve projections of the impact of climate change on forest productivity. Under a Mediterranean climate, tree growth is primarily limited by soil water availability during summer, but cold temperatures in winter also prevent tree growth in evergreen forests. In the widespread Mediterranean evergreen tree species Quercus ilex, the duration of stem growth has been shown to predict annual stem increment, and to be limited by winter temperatures on the one hand, and by the summer drought onset on the other hand. We tested how these climatic controls of Q. ilex growth varied with recent climate change by correlating a 40‐year tree ring record and a 30‐year annual diameter inventory against winter temperature, spring precipitation, and simulated growth duration. Our results showed that growth duration was the best predictor of annual tree growth. We predicted that recent climate changes have resulted in earlier growth onset (−10 days) due to winter warming and earlier growth cessation (−26 days) due to earlier drought onset. These climatic trends partly offset one another, as we observed no significant trend of change in tree growth between 1968 and 2008. A moving‐window correlation analysis revealed that in the past, Q. ilex growth was only correlated with water availability, but that since the 2000s, growth suddenly became correlated with winter temperature in addition to spring drought. This change in the climate–growth correlations matches the start of the recent atmospheric warming pause also known as the ‘climate hiatus’. The duration of growth of Q. ilex is thus shortened because winter warming has stopped compensating for increasing drought in the last decade. Decoupled trends in precipitation and temperature, a neglected aspect of climate change, might reduce forest productivity through phenological constraints and have more consequences than climate warming alone.
Do the energy fluxes and surface conductance of boreal coniferous forests in Europe scale with leaf area?
Authors: Launiainen Samuli , Katul Gabriel G. , Kolari Pasi , Lindroth Anders , Lohila Annalea , Aurela Mika , Varlagin Andrej , Grelle Achim , Vesala Timo
Published: September 2016

Earth observing systems are now routinely used to infer leaf area index (LAI) given its significance in spatial aggregation of land surface fluxes. Whether LAI is an appropriate scaling parameter for daytime growing season energy budget, surface conductance (Gs), water‐ and light‐use efficiency and surface–atmosphere coupling of European boreal coniferous forests was explored using eddy‐covariance (EC) energy and CO2 fluxes. The observed scaling relations were then explained using a biophysical multilayer soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer model as well as by a bulk Gs representation. The LAI variations significantly alter radiation regime, within‐canopy microclimate, sink/source distributions of CO2, H2O and heat, and forest floor fluxes. The contribution of forest floor to ecosystem‐scale energy exchange is shown to decrease asymptotically with increased LAI, as expected. Compared with other energy budget components, dry‐canopy evapotranspiration (ET) was reasonably ‘conservative’ over the studied LAI range 0.5–7.0 m2 m−2. Both ET and Gs experienced a minimum in the LAI range 1–2 m2 m−2 caused by opposing nonproportional response of stomatally controlled transpiration and ‘free’ forest floor evaporation to changes in canopy density. The young forests had strongest coupling with the atmosphere while stomatal control of energy partitioning was strongest in relatively sparse (LAI ~2 m2 m−2) pine stands growing on mineral soils. The data analysis and model results suggest that LAI may be an effective scaling parameter for net radiation and its partitioning but only in sparse stands (LAI <3 m2 m−2). This finding emphasizes the significance of stand‐replacing disturbances on the controls of surface energy exchange. In denser forests, any LAI dependency varies with physiological traits such as light‐saturated water‐use efficiency. The results suggest that incorporating species traits and site conditions are necessary when LAI is used in upscaling energy exchanges of boreal coniferous forests.
Unexpected release of phosphate and organic carbon to streams linked to declining nitrogen depositions
Authors: Musolff Andreas , Selle Benny , Büttner Olaf , Opitz Michael , Tittel Jörg
Published: September 2016

Reductions in emissions have successfully led to a regional decline in atmospheric nitrogen depositions over the past 20 years. By analyzing long‐term data from 110 mountainous streams draining into German drinking water reservoirs, nitrate concentrations indeed declined in the majority of catchments. Furthermore, our meta‐analysis indicates that the declining nitrate levels are linked to the release of dissolved iron to streams likely due to a reductive dissolution of iron(III) minerals in riparian wetland soils. This dissolution process mobilized adsorbed compounds, such as phosphate, dissolved organic carbon and arsenic, resulting in concentration increases in the streams and higher inputs to receiving drinking water reservoirs. Reductive mobilization was most significant in catchments with stream nitrate concentrations <6 mg L−1. Here, nitrate, as a competing electron acceptor, was too low in concentration to inhibit microbial iron(III) reduction. Consequently, observed trends were strongest in forested catchments, where nitrate concentrations were unaffected by agricultural and urban sources and which were therefore sensitive to reductions of atmospheric nitrogen depositions. We conclude that there is strong evidence that the decline in nitrogen deposition toward pre‐industrial conditions lowers the redox buffer in riparian soils, destabilizing formerly fixed problematic compounds, and results in serious implications for water quality.
Increasing nest predation will be insufficient to maintain polar bear body condition in the face of sea ice loss
Authors: Dey Cody J. , Richardson Evan , McGeachy David , Iverson Samuel A. , Gilchrist Hugh G. , Semeniuk Christina A. D.
Published: September 2016

Climate change can influence interspecific interactions by differentially affecting species‐specific phenology. In seasonal ice environments, there is evidence that polar bear predation of Arctic bird eggs is increasing because of earlier sea ice breakup, which forces polar bears into nearshore terrestrial environments where Arctic birds are nesting. Because polar bears can consume a large number of nests before becoming satiated, and because they can swim between island colonies, they could have dramatic influences on seabird and sea duck reproductive success. However, it is unclear whether nest foraging can provide an energetic benefit to polar bear populations, especially given the capacity of bird populations to redistribute in response to increasing predation pressure. In this study, we develop a spatially explicit agent‐based model of the predator–prey relationship between polar bears and common eiders, a common and culturally important bird species for northern peoples. Our model is composed of two types of agents (polar bear agents and common eider hen agents) whose movements and decision heuristics are based on species‐specific bioenergetic and behavioral ecological principles, and are influenced by historical and extrapolated sea ice conditions. Our model reproduces empirical findings that polar bear predation of bird nests is increasing and predicts an accelerating relationship between advancing ice breakup dates and the number of nests depredated. Despite increases in nest predation, our model predicts that polar bear body condition during the ice‐free period will continue to decline. Finally, our model predicts that common eider nests will become more dispersed and will move closer to the mainland in response to increasing predation, possibly increasing their exposure to land‐based predators and influencing the livelihood of local people that collect eider eggs and down. These results show that predator–prey interactions can have nonlinear responses to changes in climate and provides important predictions of ecological change in Arctic ecosystems.
Biochar stimulates the decomposition of simple organic matter and suppresses the decomposition of complex organic matter in a sandy loam soil
Authors: Cheng Hongguang , Hill Paul W. , Bastami Mohd Saufi , Jones Davey L.
Published: September 2016

Incorporating crop residues and biochar has received increasing attention as tools to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and promote soil carbon (C) sequestration. However, direct comparisons between biochar, torrefied biomass, and straw on both labile and recalcitrant soil organic matter (SOM) remain poorly understood. In this study, we explored the impact of biochars produced at different temperatures and torrefied biomass on the simple C substrates (glucose, amino acids), plant residues (Lolium perenne L.), and native SOM breakdown in soil using a 14C labeling approach. Torrefied biomass and biochars produced from wheat straw at four contrasting pyrolysis temperatures (250, 350, 450, and 550 °C) were incorporated into a sandy loam soil and their impact on C turnover compared to an unamended soil or one amended with unprocessed straw. Biochar, torrefied biomass, and straw application induced a shift in the soil microbial community size, activity, and structure with the greatest effects in the straw‐amended soil. In addition, they also resulted in changes in microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) leading to more substrate C being partitioned into catabolic processes. While overall the biochar, torrefied biomass, and straw addition increased soil respiration, it reduced the turnover rate of the simple C substrates, plant residues, and native SOM and had no appreciable effect on the turnover rate of the microbial biomass. The negative SOM priming was positively correlated with biochar production temperature. We therefore ascribe the increase in soil CO2 efflux to biochar‐derived C rather than that originating from SOM. In conclusion, the SOM priming magnitude is strongly influenced by both the soil organic C quality and the biochar properties. In comparison with straw, biochar has the greatest potential to promote soil C storage. However, straw and torrefied biomass may have other cobenefits which may make them more suitable as a CO2 abatement strategy.
A realistic meteorological assessment of perennial biofuel crop deployment: a Southern Great Plains perspective
Authors: Wagner Melissa , Wang Meng , Miguez‐Macho Gonzalo , Miller Jesse , VanLoocke Andy , Bagley Justin E. , Bernacchi Carl J. , Georgescu Matei
Published: September 2016

Utility of perennial bioenergy crops (e.g., switchgrass and miscanthus) offers unique opportunities to transition toward a more sustainable energy pathway due to their reduced carbon footprint, averted competition with food crops, and ability to grow on abandoned and degraded farmlands. Studies that have examined biogeophysical impacts of these crops noted a positive feedback between near‐surface cooling and enhanced evapotranspiration (ET), but also potential unintended consequences of soil moisture and groundwater depletion. To better understand hydrometeorological effects of perennial bioenergy crop expansion, this study conducted high‐resolution (2‐km grid spacing) simulations with a state‐of‐the‐art atmospheric model (Weather Research and Forecasting system) dynamically coupled to a land surface model. We applied the modeling system over the Southern Plains of the United States during a normal precipitation year (2007) and a drought year (2011). By focusing the deployment of bioenergy cropping systems on marginal and abandoned farmland areas (to reduce the potential conflict with food systems), the research presented here is the first realistic examination of hydrometeorological impacts associated with perennial bioenergy crop expansion. Our results illustrate that the deployment of perennial bioenergy crops leads to widespread cooling (1–2 °C) that is largely driven by an enhanced reflection of shortwave radiation and, secondarily, due to an enhancedET. Bioenergy crop deployment was shown to reduce the impacts of drought through simultaneous moistening and cooling of the near‐surface environment. However, simulated impacts on near‐surface cooling andETwere reduced during the drought relative to a normal precipitation year, revealing differential effects based on background environmental conditions. This study serves as a key step toward the assessment of hydroclimatic sustainability associated with perennial bioenergy crop expansion under diverse hydrometeorological conditions by highlighting the driving mechanisms and processes associated with this energy pathway.
Redox proteomic evaluation of oxidative modification and recovery in a 3D reconstituted human skin tissue model exposed to UVB
Authors: Dyer J. M. , Haines S. R. , Thomas A. , Wang W. , Walls R. J. , Clerens S. , Harland D. P.
Published: September 2016

Objective

Exposure to UV in humans resulting in sunburn triggers a complex series of events that are a mix of immediate and delayed damage mediation and healing. While studies on the effects of UV exposure on DNA damage and repair have been reported, changes in the oxidative modification of skin proteins are poorly understood at the molecular level, despite the important role played by structural proteins in skin tissue, and the effect of the integrity of these proteins on skin appearance and health. Proteomic molecular mapping of oxidation was here applied to try to enhance understanding of skin damage and recovery from oxidative damage and UVB exposure.

Methods

A redox proteomic‐based approach was applied to evaluating skin protein modification when exposed to varying doses of UVB after initial oxidative stress, via tracking changes in protein oxidation during the healing process in vitro using a full‐thickness reconstituted human skin tissue model. Bioassays and structural evaluation confirmed that our cultured skin tissues underwent a normal physiological response to UVB exposure.

Results

A set of potential skin marker peptides was generated, for use in tracking skin protein oxidative modification. Exposure to UVB after thermal oxidative stress was found to result in higher levels of skin protein oxidation than a non‐irradiated control for up to seven days after exposure. Recovery of the skin proteins from oxidative stress, as assessed by the overall protein oxidation levels, was found to be impaired by UVB exposure. Oxidative modification was largely observed in skin structural proteins.

Conclusion

Exposure of skin proteins to UVB exacerbates oxidative damage to structural skin proteins, with higher exposure levels leading to increasingly impaired recovery from this damage. This has potential implications for the functional performance of the proteins and inter‐related skin health and cosmetic appearance.
The rational design of biomimetic skin barrier lipid formulations using biophysical methods
Authors: Bulsara P. A. , Varlashkin P. , Dickens J. , Moore D. J. , Rawlings A. V. , Clarke M. J.
Published: September 2016

Objective

The focus of this communication was to study phospholipid‐structured emulsions whose phase behaviour is modified with monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles. Ideally, these systems would mimic key physical and structural attributes observed in human stratum corneum (SC) so that they better alleviate xerotic skin conditions.

Methods

Phosphatidylcholine‐structured emulsions were prepared, and their phase behaviour modified with monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles. The effect of molecular volume, acyl chain length and head‐group interactions was studied using a combination of physical methods. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) was used as a primary test to assess occlusive character. Changes in the vibrational modes observed in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and bilayer spacing measured by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were then applied to elucidate the lateral and lamellar microstructural characteristics in the systems.

Results

Water vapour transmission rate demonstrated that as the phosphatidylcholine acyl chain length increased from C14, to C18, to C22, there was a corresponding increase in occlusive character. The addition of monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles such as behenic acid, behenyl alcohol or cetostearyl alcohol to a base formulation incorporating dipalmitoyl and distearoylphosphatidylcholine (C18) was seen to further increase barrier characteristics of the emulsions. FTIR methods used to probe lipid‐chain conformational ordering demonstrated that as phosphatidylcholine acyl chain lengths increased, there was a corresponding improvement in acyl chain ordering, with an increase in thermal transition temperatures. The addition of a monoalkyl fatty amphiphile resulted in conformational order and thermal transition temperature improvements trending towards those observed in stratum corneum. FTIR also demonstrated that systems containing behenic acid or behenyl alcohol exhibited features associated with orthorhombic character. X‐ray diffraction data showed that addition of monoalkyl fatty amphiphile also resulted in thicker lamellar structures than when those agents are not present.

Conclusion

The generalized approach described herein is shown to mechanistically describe the occlusive character of phospholipid‐structured formulations in the presence of long‐chain fatty acids or alcohols and that they exhibit characteristics mimicking those found in human SC lipids.