bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of different levels of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) on performance, intestinal Escherichia coli colonization and jejunal morphology in laying hens
Authors: Boka J. , Mahdavi A. H. , Samie A. H. , Jahanian R.
Published: August 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativa L.) on performance, intestinal Escherichia coli count and morphology of jejunal epithelial cells in laying hens. A total of 100 Leghorn laying hens (Hy‐Line W‐36) of 49 weeks old were randomly distributed among five cage replicates of five birds each. Experimental diets consisted of different levels (0%, 1%, 2% and 3% of diet) of dietary black cumin inclusion. The experimental period lasted for a total of 10 weeks, and egg quality indexes and laying hens' performance were measured as two 35‐day trial periods. At the final day, two hens per replicate were slaughtered to investigate the influence of dietary treatments on intestinal E. coli colonization and morphology of jejunal cells. Although dietary black cumin in all supplementation levels decreased (p < 0.05) the enumeration of ileal E. coli, the morphological and histological alterations in small intestine such as enhancement of villus height to crypt depth ratio, increased goblet cell numbers and proliferation of lamina propria lymphatic follicles were observed after dietary supplementation with at least 2% black cumin. Dietary treatments decreased (p < 0.05) the concentration of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and increased (p < 0.05) serum HDL concentration and relative weight of pancreas; however, the egg yolk cholesterol was not influenced by dietary treatments. In addition, dietary supplementation with black cumin improved (p < 0.05) eggshell quality and Haugh unit. The best feed conversion ratio was obtained when diets were supplemented with 2% black cumin. This improvement was due to the increase (p < 0.05) in egg mass and contemporaneous decrease (p < 0.01) in feed consumption. The present results indicated that regardless of supplementation level, dietary inclusion of black cumin decreased E. coli enumeration in ileal digesta and improved serum lipid profile and eggshell quality, whereas the best intestinal health indices and haying hens' performance were obtained by at least 2% black cumin seeds.
The Influence of Lecithin from Different Sources on Crystallization and Physical Properties of Nontrans fat
Authors: Lončarević Ivana , Pajin Biljana , Omorjan Radovan , Torbica Aleksandra , Zarić Danica , Maksimović Jovana , Švarc Gajić Jaroslava
Published: August 2013

Crystallization and physical properties of nontrans vegetable fat with the addition of soybean, sunflower and rapeseed lecithin were investigated in this paper. NMR technique was used for measuring the solid fat content of fats at different temperatures, as well as for crystallization rate under static conditions. Also, the possibility of applying Gompertz function to define kinetics of crystallization was investigated. Rheological and textural properties were determined using the rotational viscometer and texture analyzer, whereas thermal properties were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The addition of lecithin from different sources does not affect the crystallization characteristics of nontrans edible fat, whereas rheological and textural tests confirmed that the addition of lecithin in excess increases the complexity of the system. DSC measurement confirmed the presence of three fractions in fat with different melting properties. The addition of lecithin from different sources has a significant effect on energy required for melting and some effect on other thermal properties of nontrans edible fat.

Practical Applications

Soybean seeds are the main source of lecithin in confectionery industry in Serbia and elsewhere. The extensive production of sunflower and rapeseed oil opens the possibility of using lecithin from these sources as an alternative. Also, the development of functional foods dictates the use of edible fats with no undesirable trans fatty acids, obtained by fractionation and transesterification instead of common hydrogenation process. The impact of lecithin from different sources on crystallization and physical properties of pure nontrans fat is the base for this research. The lecithin obtained from sunflower and rapeseed should be further examined in different confectionery products with continuous fat phase, and should appropriate emulsifying properties are achieved, they could be used in the confectionery production as well.
Effects of land‐use changes on plant functional and taxonomic diversity along a productivity gradient in wet meadows
Authors: Janeček Š. , de Bello F. , Horník J. , Bartoš M. , Černý T. , Doležal J. , Dvorský M. , Fajmon K. , Janečková P. , Jiráská Š. , Mudrák O. , Klimešová J.
Published: August 2013

Questions

To what extent do changes in management (abandonment and fertilization) affect plant functional and taxonomic diversity in wet meadow communities? To what extent do the changes in functional and taxonomic diversity depend on site productivity?

Location

Železné hory Mts., Czech Republic.

Methods

Experimental plots were established on 21 wet meadows differing in productivity and species composition. In each meadow, in 2007, four 1 × 1 m plots were established, representing a full factorial design with abandonment and fertilization as the factors. In each plot, the number of species present was recorded in 100 subplots (0.1 × 0.1 m) in the years 2007, 2009 and 2011. Different indicators of functional diversity (functional richness, functional evenness, and Rao′s quadratic entropy) were calculated using five functional traits (SLA, LDMC, seed mass, plant height and clonality). Both abundance‐weighted and non‐weighted diversity indices were calculated. Randomization tests (conducted with PERMANOVA) were used to assess the effect of site productivity and management on both α‐ and β‐diversity components.

Results

Meadows along the productivity gradient differed in functional and taxonomic diversity. Both abandonment and fertilization decreased taxonomic diversity. Whereas fertilization decreased functional richness and Rao′s quadratic entropy, abandonment decreased functional evenness. The changes in both taxonomic and functional diversity caused by abandonment and fertilization occurred faster in more productive meadows.

Conclusions

The increased dominance of tall species with abandonment and fertilization, followed by the loss of species and the decrease in various indicators of functional diversity, suggest that increased competition for light resulted in increased trait convergence among co‐existing species. In addition, many processes occurring after abandonment and fertilization depend on meadow productivity. Results suggest that abundance‐ and non‐abundance‐weighted diversity indices give complementary insights on community structure. These results imply that changes are needed in current meadow management and conservation.
Does trait conservatism guarantee that indicators of phylogenetic community structure will reveal niche‐based assembly processes along stress gradients?
Authors: Mason Norman W.H. , Pavoine S.
Published: August 2013

Question

Is the strength of phylogenetic trait conservatism in the species pool reflected in the ability of α‐ and β‐scale phylogenetic diversity indicators to detect niche‐based assembly processes along stress gradients?

Methods

We used a simple community assembly model to explore the power of indicators of phylogenetic community structure to detect assembly processes. The model assumes that with declining stress the influence of niche complementarity on species fitness increases, while that of environmental filtering decreases. We separately incorporated two trait‐independent stochastic processes – mass and priority effects – in simulating species occurrences and abundances along a hypothetical stress gradient. We measured power for α‐ and β‐scale indices of phylogenetic diversity (PD) as the proportion of simulations yielding a significant correlation between these indices and the community position along the stress gradient. For α‐scale indices, we ran simulations where species richness was constant along the gradient, or either increased, decreased or varied randomly with declining stress. We used four models of trait evolution, differing in the degree of phylogenetic trait conservatism, to examine how variation in the influence of phylogeny on trait variation impacted the power of PD indices.

Results

None of the PD indices gave high power to detect assembly processes for either the mass effects or priority effects model, even when trait variation was strongly conserved. Those measures of α PD that gave moderate power in the priority‐effects model with strong trait conservatism were greatly affected by variation in species richness. Consequently, none of the indices examined met the necessary selection criteria. Additional analyses revealed that trait conservatism at the species pool level was poorly maintained at the meta‐community scale, with phylogenetically‐determined species composition having only moderate power to detect functionally‐determined species turnover. This lack of a strong phylogenetic signal in trait variation at the meta‐community scale is the most likely explanation for the poor ability of PD indices to detect assembly processes in our study.

Conclusion

Phylogenetic diversity indices seem to have limited ability to detect trait‐based assembly processes along ecological gradients, even when trait conservatism at the species pool level is strong. Consequently, PD is unlikely to provide a means of avoiding the tough decisions around which traits are most relevant for assembly processes. Rather, our findings emphasize the need to collect relevant functional trait data to understand the mechanisms controlling community assembly.
Correlations between phylogenetic and functional diversity: mathematical artefacts or true ecological and evolutionary processes?
Authors: Pavoine Sandrine , Gasc Amandine , Bonsall Michael B. , Mason Norman W.H.
Published: August 2013

Questions

Is phylogenetic diversity (PD) an accurate surrogate for functional diversity (FD)? How areFD:PDcorrelations affected by the diversity index used, covarying factors and/or the strength of the phylogenetic signal in ecological traits?

Location

Field study, coastal marsh plain Mekhada, Algeria, complemented by simulated data.

Methods

FDandPDindices might correlate simply because variation in species richness and evenness (referred to as co‐factors) influences bothFDandPDvalues. We partitionFDandPDindices into components influenced by species richness, evenness and species' (functional and phylogenetic) characteristics. When a simple partition was not found, comparison to null models was used to remove the effects of co‐factors. We examined correlations between tenFDandPDindices, among which several were shown to be connected using our mathematical partitioning approach and several were transformed by comparison with null models to control for effects of co‐factors. In doing this,FDvalues were calculated using simulated trait values with varying phylogenetic signal. We then selected a subset of complementaryFDandPDindices in exploring the influence of environmental variables on diversity across 75 plant assemblages in Mekhada.

Results

Altogether, mathematical partitioning and the comparison to null models successfully removed the effects of co‐factors when comparingFDandPD. For all indices affected by species richness,FD:PDcorrelations approached 1, irrespective of the trait evolution model used. In contrast, simulations showed thatFD:PDcorrelations measured with indices unaffected by co‐factors decreased when the phylogenetic signal in traits decreased. Applied to plant assemblages in Mekhada, complementary diversity indices showed that, despite significant (but moderate)FD:PDcorrelation,FDbut notPDwas significantly correlated with the main stress gradient (salinity).

Conclusions

From both our simulations and analysis of plant community diversity,PDwas a poor surrogate forFD. In Mekhada,PDwas also less correlated with environmental variables thanFD. Species richness was found to be a better surrogate forFDthanPDin identifying the ecological processes that distribute species along the salinity gradient.
Landscape‐level variability in historical disturbance in primary Picea abies mountain forests of the Eastern Carpathians, Romania
Authors: Svoboda Miroslav , Janda Pavel , Bače Radek , Fraver Shawn , Nagel Thomas A. , Rejzek Jan , Mikoláš Martin , Douda Jan , Boublík Karel , Šamonil Pavel , Čada Vojtěch , Trotsiuk Volodymyr , Teodosiu Marius , Bouriaud Olivier , Biriş Adrian I. , Sýkora Ondřej , Uzel Petr , Zelenka Jiří , Sedlák Vít , Lehejček Jiří
Published: August 2013

Questions

How have the historical frequency and severity of natural disturbances in primary Picea abies forests varied at the forest stand and landscape level during recent centuries? Is there a relationship between physiographic attributes and historical patterns of disturbance severity in this system?

Location

Primary P. abies forests of the Eastern Carpathian Mountains, Romania; a region thought to hold the largest concentration of primary P. abies forests in Europe's temperate zone.

Methods

We used dendrochronological methods applied to many plots over a large area (132 plots representing six stands in two landscapes), thereby providing information at both stand and landscape levels. Evidence of past canopy disturbance was derived from two patterns of radial growth: (1) abrupt, sustained increases in growth (releases) and (2) rapid early growth rates (gap recruitment). These methods were augmented with non‐metric multidimensional scaling to facilitate the interpretation of factors influencing past disturbance.

Results

Of the two growth pattern criteria used to assess past disturbance, gap recruitment was the most common, representing 80% of disturbance evidence overall. Disturbance severities varied over the landscape, including stand‐replacing events, as well as low‐ and intermediate‐severity disturbances. More than half of the study plots experienced extreme‐severity disturbances at the plot level, although they were not always synchronized across stands and landscapes. Plots indicating high‐severity disturbances were often spatially clustered (indicating disturbances up to 20 ha), while this tendency was less clear for low‐ and moderate‐severity disturbances. Physiographic attributes such as altitude and land form were only weakly correlated with disturbance severity. Historical documents suggest windstorms as the primary disturbance agent, while the role of bark beetles (Ips typographus) remains unclear.

Conclusions

The historical disturbance regime revealed in this multi‐scale study is characterized by considerable spatial and temporal heterogeneity, which could be seen among plots within stands, among stands within landscapes and between the two landscapes. When the disturbance regime was evaluated at these larger scales, the entire range of disturbance severity was revealed within this landscape.
Interactive Effects of Vitamin C and E Supplementation on Growth, Fatty Acid Composition, and Lipid Peroxidation of Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, Fed with Dietary Oxidized Fish Oil
Authors: Gao Jian , Koshio Shunsuke , Ishikawa Manabu , Yokoyama Saichiro , Nose Daisuke , Ren Tongjun
Published: August 2013

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the interactive effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AsA) and E (α‐tocopherol, α‐Toc) supplementation with dietary oxidized fish oil (OFO) on the growth performance, whole‐body AsA, and α‐Toc concentrations and fatty acid composition of juvenile sea cucumber. In a 9‐wk feeding trial, juveniles (average weight: 0.6 ± 0.1 g) were cultured in twenty‐four 50‐L tanks (30 juveniles per tank) in triplicate, and fed with eight test diets containing two levels of OFO (8.9 and 156.9 meq/kg) with varying levels of vitamin C (500 and 1000 mg AsA equivalents/kg diet) and E (100 and 200 mg α‐Toc equivalents/kg diet) supplementation, respectively. Body weight gain of sea cucumber was significantly reduced by dietary OFO, while mortality and whole‐body thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances value were increased significantly. Increasing dietary vitamin C and E levels significantly increased whole‐body α‐Toc and AsA concentrations, respectively. A high level of vitamin E combined with OFO led to consumption of AsA. Even with supplementation of a large dose of vitamin C and/or E in diets, growth performance could not be improved, probably due to the high levels of vitamins in the control diets.
Phenotypic and Genetic Variation in Two North American Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Stocks Cultured in a Recirculating Aquaculture System
Authors: Wolters William R. , Burr Gary S. , Palti Yniv , Vallejo Roger L.
Published: August 2013

Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, were obtained as eggs from two North American sources, an eastern (Fraser River, Canada) and a western (Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA) stock. Fish were pit tagged (eastern , western ) and stocked communally into three replicated 7‐m3 tanks at a density of 7.6 ± 1.2 kg/m3. Each tank was supplied with 2 ppt salinity water from a recirculating biological filtration system. Fish were fed a commercial diet (48%P, 20%F) from automatic feeders. Fish were harvested approximately 24 mo after hatching at a final tank density of 56.2 ± 1.3 kg/m3. Mean daily water temperature was 10.4 C with a range of 5.9–12.6 C and mean dissolved oxygen was 12.6 mg/L with a range of 9.7 (91% of saturation) to 17.8 mg/L (149% of saturation). Individual fish were evaluated for total, carcass, and fillet weight, sex, stage of sexual maturity, fillet fat, fillet color, and gonad weight. The western stock fish grew faster and were significantly larger () (P < 0.0001) than the eastern stock (). Heritabilities were low for all traits and ranged from 0.08 ± 0.06 to 0.28 ± 0.09. Genetic correlations for body size traits were highly positive and significant (0.99–1.00). Genetic correlations of fillet color and body size traits were positive, but not significant. Genetic correlations of fillet fat with body size traits were negative, but not significant. Genetic correlation of fillet fat and fillet color was positive and significant (0.55 ± 0.27). Random genetic variation was assessed from microsatellite variability on 30 fish from each stock (eastern and western) and 32 fish from a third commercial source of unknown origin for comparison. The amount of variation detected in the western stock was higher than the eastern and commercial stocks. The eastern stock was composed of an admixture of two sources, the commercial stock was composed by three different sources, and the western stock was composed by three to four source populations. Data will be used to calculate breeding values on a separate group of captive sibling adult broodfish and a line selected for carcass weight and maturity at 3 yr will be developed.
Costs of Winter Feeding of Channel‐blue (♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus) Hybrid Catfish
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Engle Carole R.
Published: August 2013

Previous research has shown that winter feeding is beneficial in preventing weight loss and maintaining catfish health. Although several studies suggest the importance of winter feeding of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, less is known about optimal winter feeding strategies for channel‐blue hybrid catfish (♀ Ictalurus punctatus × ♂ Ictalurus furcatus). Three winter feeding treatments (unfed, fed daily, and fed based on temperature‐threshold feeding) were each assigned randomly to four replicate 0.10‐ha earthen ponds. All ponds were stocked with large channel‐blue hybrid catfish (0.96 ± 0.40 kg) at the rate of 3409 kg/ha and fed using a slow‐sink 28% protein pelleted feed. The two feeding treatments showed significantly greater mean weight at harvest, gross yield, and growth rates than the unfed fish after the 113‐d winter trial. Partial budget analysis indicated that additional costs incurred from the additional feed, fuel, and labor costs over the winter in fed treatments offset the additional revenue from daily winter feeding. However, in the temperature‐threshold feeding treatment, additional costs were similar to additional revenues when 10‐yr average prices were used. Results were sensitive to feed prices and spring catfish prices with positive net benefits from winter feeding at fish prices above $1.58/kg and feed prices below $0.286/kg.
Resting Egg Production and Fatty Acid Enhancement in the Waterflea, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula, by Using Combination of Light Regime and Food
Authors: Farhadian Omidvar , Taghavi Delaram , Soofiani Nasrollah Mahboobi , Keivany Yazdan
Published: August 2013

Combined effects of different light regimes, 6L:6D and 12L:12D (hours light : hours dark, L:D) and algal foods of Scenedesmus quadricauda (S) and Chlorella vulgaris (C) on ephippia production and fatty acid (FA) profile of Ceriodaphnia quadrangula were investigated. The highest resting egg production, density, and specific growth rate were obtained with 6L:6D+S; followed by 12L:12D+S treatment. The C16:0 varied from 16.2 to 22.16 mg/g dry weight (d.w.); C18:1n−9 from 11.03 to 14.94 mg/g d.w; C18:2n−6 from 9.79 to 20.24 mg/g d.w; and C18:3n−3 from 6.98 to 16.02 mg/g d.w. The amounts of C20:4n−6 (4.36 mg/g d.w) and C20:5n−3 (3.35 mg/g d.w) at 6L:6D+S were highest compared to other treatments. The maximum saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids were obtained at 6L:6D+C while maximum polyunsaturated fatty acids observed at 6L:6D+S and 12L:12D+C. The resting egg production and FAs profile could be improved when the frequency of changes from light to dark were increased. Our findings also indicate a significant increase in the quantity of C18:3n−3 in C. quadrangula populations during resting egg formation, hence, implying that manipulation of light regime and algal food can improve performance of C. quadrangula as a live food in aquaculture industries, especially for larval feeding.
Effect of Lead on Survival, Osmoregulation, and Histological Changes of the Gills of the White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Boone, 1931
Authors: Usman Nuhman , Irawan Bambang , Soegianto Agoes
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of lead for different life stages of shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and to determine the effect of its sublethal concentrations on osmoregulatory capacity (OC) as well as the possible histological alteration in the gills of juvenile shrimp. The 24‐, 48‐, and 96‐h LC50 values for lead to L. vannamei increased progressively with increasing life stage, from nauplii < zoeae < mysis < postlarvae < juvenile. After 15‐d exposure to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, the OC values of exposed shrimp were reduced by 39, 73, and 157%, respectively compared to control animals. Compared to controls, the lead concentrations in gill tissues increased significantly by 127,500, 137,500, and 141,000% in shrimps exposed to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, respectively. After lead exposure, hemocytic congestion in efferent vessels and multiple hyperplasia were observed in gill filaments, resulting in narrowed hemolymphatic lacuna. The histopathological effects increased with increasing Pb concentration.
Pharmacokinetics of Florfenicol after Oral Administration in Yellow Catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco
Authors: Yang Qian , Xie Lingling , Wu Zhixin , Chen Xiaoxuan , Yang Yi , Liu Jiajia , Zhang Qi
Published: August 2013

The pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FF) and its metabolite, florfenicol amine (FFA), were investigated after doses of 10 mg/kg/day were administered orally per os (p.o.) on a single day or on three consecutive days in yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, raised in water temperatures of 25 C. After a single dose p.o. was administered, the apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) of FF was computed to be 2.52 L/kg. The Tmax values were in the following order: liver (1.82 h) < kidney (2.26 h) < skin (6.15 h) < muscle (6.32 h) < plasma (7.25 h). These results show that FF and FFA accumulated rapidly in the kidney and liver. The t1/2β values in plasma, muscle, skin, liver, and kidney were 9.63, 15.75, 14.44, 11.55, and 15.75 h, respectively, for FF and 21.66, 15.07, 17.33, 26.65, and 30.13 h, respectively, for FFA. After a single p.o. dose was administered on three consecutive days, the t1/2β values of FF and FFA in skin‐on muscle were 17.12 and 13.55 h, respectively. The total concentrations of FF and FFA in skin‐on muscle 1, 3, and 5 d after the last administration were 3.39, 0.5, and 0.062 µg/g, respectively.
Development of 25 Novel Microsatellite Loci and Genetic Variation Analysis in Breeding Populations of the Pearl Oyster,Pinctada fucata
Authors: Wu Shanzeng , Guan Yunyan , Huang Xiande , He Maoxian
Published: August 2013

In this study, we screened 103,050 gene sequences ofPinctada fucataand identified 1450 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) distributing in 1355 sequences, in which 97 have sufficient flanking sequences for primer design, and 25 novel microsatellite loci were stable and polymorphic withNawhich varied from 2 to 6. Six microsatellite loci were found in the open reading frame of their corresponding sequences. With the 25SSRloci, five breeding populations and a wild population, a total of 240 individuals from wild population (W), three consecutive selected populations (G1,G2,andG3), and two backcross populations (Do, Dr) (40 individuals per population) were assayed. In these populations, we detected 108 alleles of 111 bp to 362 bp. Each population had meanHoof 0.5718–0.7366 and meanHeof 0.5830–0.6954. Except theFst = 0.0697 (W vs.G3), pairwiseFstvalues ranged from 0.0131 to 0.0473, the genetic identity coefficients varied from 0.8688 to 0.9663, and genetic distance ranged from 0.0343 to 0.1307, all of these suggested that the breeding populations had genetic differentiation but at a low level generally. Besides, all the genetic index values, backcross populations (Do, Dr) were higher than correspondingG3values, indicating that backcross could make the offspring incline to the recurrent parents.
Serum cytochrome c and m30‐neoepitope of cytokeratin‐18 in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Parfieniuk‐Kowerda Anna , Lapinski Tadeusz W. , Rogalska‐Plonska Magdalena , Swiderska Magdalena , Panasiuk Anatol , Jaroszewicz Jerzy , Flisiak Robert
Published: August 2013

Background & Aims

Cytochrome c (CYC) and M30‐neoepitope of cytokeratin‐18 (M30‐CK18) are involved at different levels in apoptotic pathways. We aimed to evaluate an association between serum CYC, M30‐CK18 and disease activity as well response to therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods

Seventy CHC patients were enrolled in this study. Forty five of them completed pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Histopathological evaluation of hepatic inflammatory activity and fibrosis, as well as blood liver function tests, was performed. Serum concentrations of M30‐CK18 and CYC were measured by ELISA.

Results

Median serum concentration of M30‐CK18 was higher in CHC patients [283 U/L] vs. control [113 U/L] (P = 0.0003) and was associated with inflammatory activity and liver fibrosis (P < 0.001). Serum M30‐CK18 positively correlated with serum activity of ALT and GGT. CYC was not detected in sera of control group, whereas in CHC, 41.43% patients had detectable CYC in serum samples [0.60 ng/ml]. Detectable baseline serum CYC had been negatively associated with sustained virological response (SVR). In patients with detectable CYC, SVR rate was 20% vs. 60% in patients with undetectable CYC (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Elevated serum M30‐CK18, as an indicator of enhanced apoptosis of hepatocytes, parallels active hepatic inflammation and fibrosis but also biochemical activity in CHC; thus, it may serve as a comprehensive non‐invasive marker of disease activity. On the other hand, detection of serum CYC at baseline may be negatively associated with treatment response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin in CHC.
Metabolite profiling and pathway analysis of acute hepatitis rats by UPLC‐ESI MS combined with pattern recognition methods
Authors: Wang Xijun , Lv Haitao , Zhang Aihua , Sun Wenjun , Liu Lian , Wang Ping , Wu Zeming , Zou Dixin , Sun Hui
Published: August 2013

Background & Aims

Metabolomics is comprehensive analysis of low‐molecular‐weight endogenous metabolites in a biological sample. It could enable mapping of perturbations of early biochemical changes in diseases and hence provide an opportunity to develop predictive biomarkers that could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of diseases. The aim of this study was to elucidate the changes in endogenous metabolites and to phenotype the metabolic profiling of d‐galactosamine (GalN)‐inducing acute hepatitis in rats by UPLC‐ESI MS.

Methods

The systemic biochemical actions of GalN administration (ip, 400 mg/kg) have been investigated in male wistar rats using conventional clinical chemistry, liver histopathology and metabolomic analysis of UPLC‐ ESI MS of urine. The urine was collected predose (−24 to 0 h) and 0–24, 24–48, 48–72, 72–96 h post‐dose. Mass spectrometry of the urine was analysed visually and via conjunction with multivariate data analysis.

Results

Results demonstrated that there was a time‐dependent biochemical effect of GalN dosed on the levels of a range of low‐molecular‐weight metabolites in urine, which was correlated with developing phase of the GalN‐inducing acute hepatitis. Urinary excretion of beta‐hydroxybutanoic acid and citric acid was decreased following GalN dosing, whereas that of glycocholic acid, indole‐3‐acetic acid, sphinganine, n‐acetyl‐l‐phenylalanine, cholic acid and creatinine excretion was increased, which suggests that several key metabolic pathways such as energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism were perturbed by GalN.

Conclusion

This metabolomic investigation demonstrates that this robust non‐invasive tool offers insight into the metabolic states of diseases.
The coral assemblages of an off‐shore deep Mediterranean rocky bank (NW Sicily, Italy)
Authors: Bo Marzia , Cerrano Carlo , Canese Simonepietro , Salvati Eva , Angiolillo Michela , Santangelo Giovanni , Bavestrello Giorgio
Published: August 2013

In this study we characterized the deep assemblages dwelling at 200–250 m depth on a large shoal off Capo St. Vito Promontory (Northwestern coast of Sicily, South Tyrrhenian Sea) by means of ROV‐imaging. Two assemblages of suspension feeders, dominated by the gorgonian Callogorgia verticillata and by the black coral Leiopathes glaberrima, together with a tanatocoenosis of the colonial yellow scleractinian coral Dendrophyllia cornigera, were examined. The three main species were significatively distributed into two areas corresponding to different habitat preferences: a more elevated hardground hosting black corals and a gently sloping, silted rocky bottom hosting the other coral species. The study area is subjected to a heavy pressure from the professional fishery, resulting in the mechanical damage of numerous colonies, some of which are then overgrown by various epibionts including a parasitic bioluminescent zoanthid, new for the Mediterranean fauna, and tentatively identified as Isozoanthus primoidus. In the Mediterranean Sea, these deep off‐shore rocky banks are widely known among recreational and professional fishermen due to their rich fish fauna. However, there has been still little effort into quantifying and characterizing the extent of the impact and its consequences on the benthic communities, which may represent, as in this case, only a partial picture of their original structure and extent.
Khatyrka, a new CV3 find from the Koryak Mountains, Eastern Russia
Authors: MacPherson Glenn J. , Andronicos Christopher L. , Bindi Luca , Distler Vadim V. , Eddy Michael P. , Eiler John M. , Guan Yunbin , Hollister Lincoln S. , Kostin Alexander , Kryachko Valery , Steinhardt William M. , Yudovskaya Marina , Steinhardt Paul J.
Published: August 2013

A new meteorite find, named Khatyrka, was recovered from eastern Siberia as a result of a search for naturally occurring quasicrystals. The meteorite occurs as clastic grains within postglacial clay‐rich layers along the banks of a small stream in the Koryak Mountains, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of far eastern Russia. Some of the grains are clearly chondritic and contain Type IA porphyritic olivine chondrules enclosed in matrices that have the characteristic platy olivine texture, matrix olivine composition, and mineralogy (olivine, pentlandite, nickel‐rich iron‐nickel metal, nepheline, and calcic pyroxene [diopside‐hedenbergite solid solution]) of oxidized‐subgroup CV3 chondrites. A few grains are fine‐grained spinel‐rich calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions with mineral oxygen isotopic compositions again typical of such objects in CV3 chondrites. The chondritic and CAI grains contain small fragments of metallic copper‐aluminum‐iron alloys that include the quasicrystalline phase icosahedrite. One grain is an achondritic intergrowth of Cu‐Al metal alloys and forsteritic olivine ± diopsidic pyroxene, both of which have meteoritic (CV3‐like) oxygen isotopic compositions. Finally, some grains consist almost entirely of metallic alloys of aluminum + copper ± iron. The Cu‐Al‐Fe metal alloys and the alloy‐bearing achondrite clast are interpreted to be an accretionary component of what otherwise is a fairly normal CV3 (oxidized) chondrite. This association of CV3 chondritic grains with metallic copper‐aluminum alloys makes Khatyrka a unique meteorite, perhaps best described as a complex CV3 (ox) breccia.
Thermal modeling for a parent body of Itokawa
Authors: Wakita S. , Nakamura T. , Ikeda T. , Yurimoto H.
Published: August 2013

We modeled the possible parent bodies of Itokawa, which was heated within by the decay energy of26Al. Based on mineralogic studies of dust particles derived from Itokawa by the Hayabusa spacecraft, it appeared that they were thermally metamorphosed at a peak temperature of 800 °C, and kept at 700 °C or higher at 7.6 Myr afterCAIformation. Our numerical results show that the parent bodies of Itokawa would have been larger than 20 km in radius and accreted at a period between 1.9 and 2.2 Myr afterCAIformation, to satisfy mineralogic and isotopic evidence from dust particles.
A novel 5‐enolpyruvoylshikimate‐3‐phosphate (EPSP) synthase transgene for glyphosate resistance stimulates growth and fecundity in weedy rice (Oryza sativa) without herbicide
Authors: Wang Wei , Xia Hui , Yang Xiao , Xu Ting , Si Hong Jiang , Cai Xing Xing , Wang Feng , Su Jun , Snow Allison A. , Lu Bao‐Rong
Published: August 2013

Understanding evolutionary interactions among crops and weeds can facilitate effective weed management. For example, gene flow from crops to their wild or weedy relatives can lead to rapid evolution in recipient populations. In rice (Oryza sativa), transgenic herbicide resistance is expected to spread to conspecific weedy rice (Oryza sativa f. spontanea) via hybridization.

Here, we studied fitness effects of transgenic over‐expression of a native 5‐enolpyruvoylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (epsps) gene developed to confer glyphosate resistance in rice. Controlling for genetic background, we examined physiological traits and field performance of crop–weed hybrid lineages that segregated for the presence or absence of this novel epsps transgene.

Surprisingly, we found that transgenic F2 crop–weed hybrids produced 48–125% more seeds per plant than nontransgenic controls in monoculture‐ and mixed‐planting designs without glyphosate application. Transgenic plants also had greater EPSPS protein levels, tryptophan concentrations, photosynthetic rates, and per cent seed germination compared with nontransgenic controls.

Our findings suggest that over‐expression of a native rice epsps gene can lead to fitness advantages, even without exposure to glyphosate. We hypothesize that over‐expressed epsps may be useful to breeders and, if deployed, could result in fitness benefits in weedy relatives following transgene introgression.
On the relevance of brown adipose tissue in children
Authors: Ponrartana Skorn , Hu Houchun H. , Gilsanz Vicente
Published: August 2013

The visualization of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in pediatric patients undergoing positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) examinations is dependent on multiple physiologic and technical factors, such as age, sexual maturity, fat accumulation, disease status, medications, plasma glucose concentration, radiotracer dosage, acquisition parameters, and season and temperature during examinations. Evidence also suggests that children with metabolically active BAT have significantly greater muscle volume than those without visualized BAT, and that in both boys and girls, the amount of BAT increases during puberty. Hence, concurrent with the gains in skeletal muscle during infancy and puberty, all infants and adolescents have large amounts of BAT. New magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that discern the cytological differences between brown and white adipose tissue will likely provide the platform to reliably measure BAT in healthy subjects and determine the relevance of this tissue in humans.
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD): Gendered metaphors, blogs and online forums
Authors: Campbell Rebecca , Longhurst Robyn
Published: August 2013

In order to understand social recovery from mental illness, it is important to examine the role played by social space, including virtual space. This article examined blogs and online forums for people with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). In particular, it addressed gender differences in the metaphors used by men and women in these virtual spaces. Empirical data illustrated that, in general, women are more likely to frame their experiences of OCD as a journey, whereas men are more likely to frame them as a battle. Use of these different metaphors has potential implications for social recovery.
(Re)presenting disaster vulnerability in New Zealand school geography
Authors: Taylor Mike
Published: August 2013

This article focuses on the representation of disaster vulnerability, using the 2010 Haiti earthquake to problematise recent changes in secondary school curriculum and assessment. Drawing upon media perspectives of the Haiti earthquake, the article contrasts a traditional and relational teaching approach to the concept of disaster vulnerability. The article concludes that teachers need to draw upon a wider range of geographical paradigms in order to move students towards critical engagement with societal issues, a key aim of the social science learning area in the New Zealand Curriculum.
Oral immunotherapy and tolerance induction in childhood
Authors: Tang M. L. K. , Martino D. J.
Published: August 2013

Prevalence rates of food allergy have increased rapidly in recent decades. Of concern, rates of increase are greatest among children under 5 yrs of age and for those food allergies that persist into adulthood such as peanut or tree nut allergy and shellfish allergy. Given these trends, the overall prevalence of food allergy will compound over time as the number of children affected by food allergy soars and a greater proportion of food‐allergic children are left with persistent disease into adulthood. It is therefore vital to identify novel curative treatment approaches for food allergy. Acquisition of oral tolerance to the diverse array of ingested food antigens and intestinal microbiota is an active immunologic process that is successfully established in the majority of individuals. In subjects who develop food allergy, there is a failure or loss of oral tolerance acquisition to a limited number of food allergens. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) offers a promising approach to induce specific oral tolerance to selected food allergens and represents a potential strategy for long‐term curative treatment of food allergy. This review will summarize the current understanding of oral tolerance and clinical trials of OIT for the treatment of food allergy.
Development of food allergies in patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease treated with gastric acid suppressive medications
Authors: Trikha Anita , Baillargeon Jacques G. , Kuo Yong‐fang , Tan Alai , Pierson Karen , Sharma Gulshan , Wilkinson Gregg , Bonds Rana S.
Published: August 2013

Background

The prevalence of food allergy has steadily increased, especially in children. Reflux disease, a very common problem in children, is often treated with gastric acid suppressive (GAS) medications which may alter the processing of food allergens, thereby affecting oral mucosal tolerance.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine if use of GAS medications is associated with the occurrence of food allergies in children.

Methods

Using a large national commercial insurance database, we identified 4724 children aged 0–18 yrs who were diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and treated with GAS medications between January 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009. We then matched 4724 children with GERD not treated with GAS medications and 4724 children without GERD and not treated with GAS medications, at a 1:1 ratio, on age, gender and number of atopic risk factors. Patients were followed for 12 months.

Results

In comparison to the referent (children without GERD who received no GAS medications), children with GERD who were treated with GAS were more likely to be diagnosed with a food allergy (Hazard ratio (HR): 3.67, 95% CI 2.15–6.27), as were children with GERD diagnosis but who were not treated with GAS medications (HR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.21–3.81). A direct comparison of the two GERD cohorts showed that children with GERD who were treated with GAS had a greater risk of food allergy than those with GERD who were untreated (HR, 1.68, 95%CI, 1.15–2.46).

Conclusion

Treatment with GAS medications is associated with the occurrence of food allergy, an effect not apparently related to a diagnosis of GERD alone.
The Food hypersensitivity famiLy ImPact (FLIP) questionnaire ‐ development and first results
Authors: Mikkelsen Andrea , Borres Magnus P. , Björkelund Cecilia , Lissner Lauren , Oxelmark Lena
Published: August 2013

Background

Elimination of the offending food(s) is the usual treatment when a child suffers from food hypersensitivity. This treatment can impair everyday life in families with affected children. Instruments to assess these impairments generated from families attending primary care and in comparison to families with children without food hypersensitivity are scarce. The aim of this study is to develop and test a method to assess food hypersensitivity's impact on everyday life on affected families.

Methods

The Food hypersensitivity famiLy ImPact (FLIP) questionnaire was developed and validated on parents of children (0.5–7 years) with cow's milk protein hypersensitivity, exclusively or in combination with other food hypersensitivity, together with the Swedish Parental Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ) and in comparison to parents with children without food hypersensitivity.

Results

The validation of FLIP on 94 families indicated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach α 0.9) and good reproducibility (ICC 0.71). The FLIP showed moderate correlation with the SPSQ (r = 0.48) and proved capable of discriminating families by disease burden. Affected families experienced higher stress on their daily lives (p = 0.02) and higher impact on nutrition concerns (p < 0.0001) compared to families with children without food hypersensitivity.

Conclusions

The FLIP is a reliable, valid and sensitive instrument and could be valuable both clinically and in research. The results confirm recommendations of the need for continuous and updated dietary treatment and support for the families with young children with food hypersensitivity.
Intestinal permeability in children with food allergy on specific elimination diets
Authors: Järvinen Kirsi M. , Konstantinou George N. , Pilapil Mariecel , Arrieta Marie‐Claire , Noone Sally , Sampson Hugh A. , Meddings Jon , Nowak‐Węgrzyn Anna
Published: August 2013

Background

Children with food allergy have been shown to have increased small intestinal permeability (IP) following ingestion of the offending food as well as during elimination diets. We investigated IP in asymptomatic food allergic children during an elimination diet to identify clinical characteristics associated with altered IP.

Methods

Urinary recovery ratios of lactulose and mannitol (L/M) were determined 5 h following ingestion of 7.5 g of lactulose and 2 g of mannitol in 131 cow's milk and egg allergic children. An L/M ratio of ≥0.025 was considered abnormal based upon previously established laboratory internal references. A chart review was conducted to assess the clinical characteristics of these patients.

Results

A total of 50 (38%) of the 131 children (median 6.7, range 4.8–8.9 yr; 66.2% male) with food allergy had elevated IP while asymptomatic on strict elimination diets. Age and height negatively correlated with IP. However, in the regression model analysis, abnormal IP was associated with shorter stature independently of age. Otherwise, food allergic patients with increased IP were comparable in gender, nutritional status, age of onset of food allergy, history of reactions, atopic diseases, and family history of food allergies to those with normal IP.

Conclusions

Elevated IP was found in about one‐third of asymptomatic food allergic children on elimination diets and was associated with shorter stature. Our results suggest that increased IP may be an intrinsic trait in a subset of food allergic children. However, large, prospective studies are necessary to determine the role of impaired intestinal barrier in food allergy.
Pupillary reflex dilatation and analgesia nociception index monitoring to assess the effectiveness of regional anesthesia in children anesthetised with sevoflurane
Authors: Migeon Anne , Desgranges François‐Pierrick , Chassard Dominique , Blaise Benjamin J. , De Queiroz Mathilde , Stewart Adrienne , Cejka Jean‐Christophe , Combet Sylvie , Rhondali Ossam
Published: August 2013

Background

Pupillary diameter (PD) monitoring and Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI) (Metrodoloris, Lille, France), an online wavelet transform‐based heart rate variability index, have been used in the assessment of pain.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of pupillary reflex dilatation and ANI to provide early assessment of regional anesthesia (RA) success following skin incision in children anesthetised with sevoflurane.

Methods

A total of 58 children, eligible for RA, were included after sevoflurane induction. The sevoflurane concentration was adjusted to maintain a MAC of 1.3 in oxygen and nitrous oxide, and a RA was performed. Pupillary diameter and ANI were recorded just prior to skin incision and then every 30 s for a period of 2 min. Regional anesthesia failure was defined by an increase in heart rate ≥ 10% occurring during the first 2 mins following incision.

Results

Thirty‐nine and 19 subjects presented RA success and failure, respectively. In the RA failure group, skin incision induced both changes in PD (P < 0.01) and ANI (P < 0.05) within 1 min of incision. Areas under the receiver‐operating curves (95% confidence interval) to identify regional anesthesia failure were 0.747 (0.613–0.881) and 0.671 (0.514–0.827) for the minimal value of ANI and the maximal value of PD recorded during the 2‐min period from skin incision, respectively.

Conclusion

Both PD and ANI rapidly change after skin incision in case of RA failure. These indices may provide a useful tool alone, or in combination with heart rate changes in the assessment of RA efficacy in children anesthetised with sevoflurane.