bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Early Progression to Bilateral Involvement in Menière's Disease a Poor Prognostic Indicator?
Authors: Lee Hyun Jin , Lee Jeon Mi , Shim Dae Bo , Jung Jinsei , Kwak Sang Hyun , Kim Sung Huhn
Published: October 2019

Objective:

To investigate differences in the clinical features of bilateral Menière's disease (BMD) with early and late bilateral involvement.

Study Design:

A retrospective case-comparison study.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Patients:

In total, 25 patients with definite BMD were enrolled. Patients with bilateral involvement with a transition interval shorter than 1 month were considered to have synchronous BMD, whereas the others had metachronous BMD.

Interventions:

We investigated differences in prognosis as defined by changes in the number of vertigo attacks after treatment, demographics, comorbidities, and inner ear function according to the transition interval from unilateral to bilateral involvement.

Main Outcome Measure:

We investigated other appropriate cut-off values in the interval from first- to second-ear involvement to predict poor prognosis.

Results:

Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a cut-off value of < 18-month interval exhibited maximum sensitivity and specificity for predicting poor prognosis. According to this value, we categorized patients into the early bilateral involvement group (EBIG, < 18 months’ interval) and the late bilateral involvement group (LBIG, ≥ 18 months’ interval). Patients with synchronous BMD and patients in the EBIG group exhibited poorer prognosis compared with patients with metachronous BMD and those in LBIG (p = 0.011 and p ≤ 0.001). Demographics, hearing threshold, vestibular deficit, and comorbidities were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05). None of the patients exhibited systemic autoimmune disease.

Conclusion:

BMD with early bilateral progression exhibited poorer prognosis compared with late bilateral progression.
Effect of daily manual toothbrushing with 0.2% chlorhexidine gel on pneumonia-associated pathogens in adults living with profound neuro-disability
Authors: Prasad Ria , Daly Blanaid , Manley Graham
Published: October 2019

Purpose. To investigate the effect of daily toothbrushing with 0.2 % chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) on the colonization of dental plaque by pathogens associated with pneumonia amongst non-ventilated adults with a neuro-disability.

Methodology. Forty-nine patients living in long-term care were recruited. Daily toothbrushing with 0.2 % CHX gel was conducted for 48 weeks. Plaque accumulation was assessed and microbiological sampling was undertaken every 6 weeks.

Results. At any one time point at least 65 % (n=32) of subjects were found to harbour respiratory pathogens. Although there were significant changes in the proportion of individuals colonized over time with Gram-negative bacilli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the changes were not sustained. By week 48 there was no significant difference from the levels that had been recorded at baseline.

Conclusions. Bacteria known to be causal in pneumonia are present and colonize the dental plaque of non-ventilated adults with a neuro-disability. Daily toothbrushing with 0.2 % CHX gel did not produce a sustained reduction in intra-oral respiratory pathogen counts after 48 weeks.
Reported CCR5-∆32 deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is explained by poor genotyping of rs62625034
Authors: Tanigawa Yosuke , Rivas Manuel A.
Published: October 2019

In the fall of 2018, news broke about a researcher from China who had used CRISPR gene editing to cause human babies to have a deletion in the CCR5 chemokine receptor, making them resistant to HIV infection. One of the numerous ethical concerns about this study is that the deletion may have other effects. Subsequently, Nature Medicine published a Brief Communications from Wei and Nielsen concluding that homozygotes for the CCR5-∆32 deletion have a survival probability to age 76 of 83.5% compared to 86.5% and 86.4% for the heterozygotes and the other homozygote, respectively, and that observed departures from Hardy Weinberg proportions also support selection operating on this allele1. In the study, Wei and Nielsen used a proxy variant, rs62625034 in their analysis. Here, we report that the reported CCR5-∆32 deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) inferred by Wei and Nielsen can be explained by poor genotyping of rs62625034, the variant used for their analysis.
Prediction of the functional impact of missense variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 with BRCA-ML
Authors: Hart Steven N. , Polley Eric C. , Shimelis Hermella , Yadav Siddhartha , Couch Fergus J.
Published: October 2019

In silico predictions of missense variants is an important consideration when interpreting variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. We trained and evaluated hundreds of machine learning algorithms based on results from validated functional assays to better predict missense variants in these genes as damaging or neutral. This new optimal “BRCA-ML” model yielded a substantially more accurate method than current algorithms for interpreting the functional impact of variants in these genes, making BRCA-ML a valuable addition to data sources for VUS classification.
Characterization of xyloglucan-specific fucosyltransferase activity in Golgi-enriched microsomal preparations from wheat seedlings
Authors: Wiemels Richard E. , Zeng Wei , Jiang Nan , Faik Ahmed
Published: October 2019

Xyloglucan (XyG) is a major hemicellulosic polymer in primary cell walls of dicotyledonous plants but represents only a minor constituent of cell walls from graminaceous monocotyledons (Poaceae). Our current information on XyG biosynthesisin vitrocomes exclusively from studies on dicotyledonous plants. While XyG has been reported in grass cell walls, there are no studies of XyG biosynthesisin vitroin grasses. In this report, we investigated XyG structure and biosynthesis in etiolated wheat seedlings and showed that their walls contain small amounts (4-14%) of XyG. Furthermore, structural analysis using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and high pH anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) revealed that wheat XyG may be of XXGGG-type. Interestingly, detergent extracts from root microsomes were able to fucosylate tamarind XyGin vitroin a similar way as fucosyltransferase activity fromArabidopsis thaliana(AtFUT1) and pea (PsFUT1). Endoglucanase digestion of the [14C]fucosylated-tamarind XyG formed by the wheat fucosyltransferase activity released radiolabeled oligosaccharides that co-eluted with authentic fucoslyated XyG oligosaccharides (XXFG and XLFG). Although wheat fucosyltransferase activity was low, it appeared to be specific to XyG and required divalent ions (Mg2+or Mn2+) for full activity. Together, these results suggest that the XyG fucosylation mechanism is conserved between monocots and dicots.
Mechanosensitive recruitment of BAF to the nuclear membrane inhibits nuclear E2F1 and Yap levels
Authors: Unnikannan C.P. , Reuveny Adriana , Grunberg Devora Tamar , Volk Talila
Published: October 2019

Mechanotransduction has been implicated as an important factor in regulating cell cycle progression; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we describe a novel mechano-sensitive component, namelybarrier to autointegration factor, (BAF), which regulates DNA endocycling inDrosophilamuscle fibers. We show that BAF negatively regulates DNA endoreplication by inhibiting of the nuclear entrance of E2F1 and Yap/Yorkie, two key components in cell cycle control. Furthermore, BAF localization at the nuclear membrane is mechanosensitive, as it was downregulated in LINC mutant larval muscles, or following nuclear deformation caused by disruption of nucleus-sarcomere connections. BAF forms a protein complex with E2F1, which is sensitive to BAF phosphorylation. Knockdown of BAF kinase VRK1/Ball disrupted localization of BAF at the nuclear membrane and resulted in increased E2F1 nuclear levels. Taken together, our results reveal a novel mechanosensitive pathway controlling BAF phosphorylation and localization at the nuclear membrane, which in turn, represses nuclear accumulation of positive cell cycle regulators.
Protocol for Community-created Public MS/MS Reference Library Within the GNPS Infrastructure
Authors: Vargas Fernando , Weldon Kelly C. , Sikora Nicole , Wang Mingxun , Zhang Zheng , Gentry Emily C. , Panitchpakdi Morgan W. , Caraballo Mauricio , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Jarmusch Alan K.
Published: October 2019

Rationale

A major hurdle in identifying chemicals in mass spectrometry experiments is the availability of MS/MS reference spectra in public databases. Currently, scientists purchase databases or use public databases such as GNPS. The MSMS-Chooser workflow empowers the creation of MS/MS reference spectra directly in the GNPS infrastructure.

Methods

An MSMS-Chooser sample template was completed with the required information and sequence tables were generated programmatically. Standards in methanol-water (1:1) solution (1 μM) were placed into wells individually. An LC-MS/MS system using data-dependent acquisition in positive and negative modes was used. Species that may be generated under typical ESI conditions are chosen. The MS/MS spectra and MSMS-Chooser sample template were subsequently uploaded to MSMS-Chooser in GNPS for automatic MS/MS spectral annotation.

Results

Data acquisition quickly and effectively collected MS/MS spectra. MSMS-Chooser was able to accurately annotate 99.2% of the manually validated MS/MS scans that were generated from the chemical standards. The output of MSMS-Chooser includes a table ready for inclusion in the GNPS library (after inspection) as well as the ability to directly launch searches via MASST. Altogether, the data acquisition, processing, and upload to GNPS took ~2 hours for our proof-of-concept results.

Conclusions

The MSMS-Chooser workflow enables the rapid data acquisition, analysis, and annotation of chemical standards, and uploads the MS/MS spectra to community-driven GNPS. MSMS-Chooser democratizes the creation of MS/MS reference spectra in GNPS which will improve annotation and strengthen the tools which use the annotation information.
Directed connectivity between primary and premotor areas underlying ankle force control in young and older adults
Authors: Spedden Meaghan Elizabeth , Beck Mikkel Malling , Christensen Mark Schram , Dietz Martin Jensen , Karabanov Anke Ninija , Geertsen Svend Sparre , Nielsen Jens Bo , Lundbye-Jensen Jesper
Published: October 2019

The control of ankle muscle force is an integral component of walking and postural control. Aging impairs the ability to produce force steadily and accurately, which can compromise functional capacity and quality of life. Here, we hypothesized that reduced force control in older adults would be associated with altered cortico-cortical communication within a network comprising the primary motor area (M1), the premotor cortex (PMC), parietal, and prefrontal regions. We examined electroencephalographic (EEG) responses from fifteen younger (20-26 yr) and fifteen older (65-73 yr) participants during a unilateral dorsiflexion force-tracing task. Dynamic Causal Modelling (DCM) and Parametric Empirical Bayes (PEB) were used to investigate how directed connectivity between contralateral M1, PMC, parietal, and prefrontal regions was related to age group and precision in force production. DCM and PEB analyses revealed that the strength of connections between PMC and M1 were related to ankle force precision and differed by age group. For young adults, bidirectional PMC-M1 coupling was negatively related to task performance: stronger backward M1-PMC and forward PMC-M1 coupling was associated with worse force precision. The older group exhibited deviations from this pattern. For the PMC to M1 coupling, there were no age-group differences in coupling strength; however, within the older group, stronger coupling was associated with better performance. For the M1 to PMC coupling, older adults followed the same pattern as young adults - with stronger coupling accompanied by worse performance - but coupling strength was lower than in the young group. Our results suggest that bidirectional M1-PMC communication is related to precision in ankle force production and that this relationship changes with aging. We argue that the observed age-related differences reflect compensatory mechanisms whereby older adults maintain performance in the face of declines in the sensorimotor system.
The use of CRISPR for variant specificity in the genetic diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency disease (PID)
Authors: Mann Tiffeney , Smith Amy , Spencer Sarah , Russell Alasdair , Thaventhiran James
Published: October 2019

The functional validation of genetic variants of uncertain significance (VUS) found in PID patients by next-generation sequencing has traditionally been carried out in model systems that are susceptible to artefact. We use CRISPR correction of primary human T lymphocytes to demonstrate that a specific variant in an IL-6R deficient patient is causative for their condition. This methodology can be adapted and used for variant assessment of the heterogeneous genetic defects that affect T lymphocytes in PID.
Cognition across the lifespan: age, gender, and sociodemographic influences
Authors: Nichols E. S. , Wild C. J. , Owen A. M. , Soddu A.
Published: October 2019

Maintaining cognitive health across the lifespan has been the focus of a multi-billion-dollar industry. In order to guide treatment and interventions, a clear understanding of the way that proficiency in different cognitive domains develops and declines across the lifespan is necessary. Additionally, there are gender differences in a range of other factors, such as anxiety and substance use, that are also known to affect cognition, although the scale of this interaction is unknown. Our objective was to assess differences in cognitive function across the lifespan in men and women in a large, representative sample. Leveraging online cognitive testing, a sample of 18,902 men and women ranging in age from 12-69 matched on socio-demographic factors were studied. Segmented regression was used to model three cognitive domains – short-term memory, verbal abilities, and reasoning. Gender differences in all three domains were minimal; however, after broadening the sample in terms of socio-demographic factors, gender differences appeared. These results suggest that cognition across the lifespan differs for men and women, but is greatly influenced by environmental factors. We discuss these findings within a framework that describes gender differences in cognition as likely guided by a complex interplay between biology and environment.
Gene-environment interactions characterized by single embryo transcriptomics
Authors: Sidik Alfire , Dixon Groves B. , Kirby Hannah G. , Eberhart Johann K.
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Gene-environment interactions are likely to underlie most human birth defects. The most common environmental contributor to birth defects is likely prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describes the full range of defects that result from prenatal alcohol exposure. Gene-ethanol interactions underlie susceptibility to FASD but we lack a mechanistic understanding of these interactions. Here, we leverage the genetic tractability of zebrafish to address this problem. We first show thatvangl2, a member of the Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) pathway that mediates convergent extension movements, strongly interacts with ethanol during late blastula and early gastrula stages. Embryos mutant or heterozygous forvangl2are sensitized to ethanol- induced midfacial hypoplasia. We performed single-embryo RNA-Seq during early embryonic stages, to assess individual variation to the transcriptional response to ethanol and determine the mechanism of thevangl2-ethanol interaction. To identify the pathway(s) that are disrupted by ethanol we used these global changes in gene expression to identify small molecules that mimic the effects of ethanol via the Library of Integrated Network- based Cellular Signatures (LINCS L1000) dataset. Surprisingly, this dataset predicted that the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) pathway inhibitor, cyclopamine, would mimic the effects of ethanol, despite the fact that ethanol did not alter the expression levels of direct targets of Shh signaling. Indeed, we found that ethanol and cyclopamine strongly interact to disrupt midfacial development. Collectively, these results suggest that the midfacial defects in ethanol-exposedvangl2mutants are due to an indirect interaction between ethanol and the Shh pathway. Vangl2 functions as part of a signaling pathway that regulates coordinated cell movements during midfacial development. Consistent with an indirect model, a critical source of Shh signaling that separates the developing eye field into bilateral eyes, allowing the expansion of the midface, becomes mispositioned in ethanol-exposedvangl2mutants. We demonstrate that ethanol also interacts with another Wnt/PCP pathway member,gpc4, and a chemical inhibitor, blebbistatin. By characterizing membrane protrusions, we demonstrate that ethanol synergistically interacts with the loss ofvangl2to disrupt cell polarity required for convergent extension movements. Collectively, our results shed light on the mechanism by which the most common teratogen can disrupt development.
Family socioeconomic status and students’ choice of STEM majors
Authors: Sovansophal Kao
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the trends of Cambodian government scholarship students’ choice of academic major; the significant association between family socioeconomic status (SES) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) majors, and the patterns of STEM major choices across demographic and geographical characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive analysis and cross-tabulation statistical tests were employed to analyze the data of 1,000 students drawn from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport scholarships database of 2018. The study employed a correlational study design.

Findings

Findings revealed that the Cambodian government scholarship students were more inclined to major in social science than science and engineering-related fields. Findings also positioned that students’ choice of STEM majors was significantly associated with family SES, gender and locality. Students from families with higher SES, male students and students from the provinces were more likely to choose STEM majors than their counterparts.

Originality/value

These findings point to some practical considerations on how to maximize low SES students’ enrollment in STEM majors at a higher education of Cambodia.
Ambidextrous intellectual capital in the haute cuisine sector
Authors: Fernández-Pérez de la Lastra Susana , Martín-Alcázar Fernando , Sánchez-Gardey Gonzalo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptualize organizational ambidexterity and intellectual capital in the haute cuisine sector, describing their interrelation. Specifically, the study draws on the dimensions of intellectual capital as a lens to understand ambidextrous capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Three research questions were addressed using a qualitative methodology. The researchers conducted ten interviews with sector experts from haute cuisine restaurants.

Findings

The paper identifies the constituents of organizational ambidexterity and intellectual capital in the haute cuisine sector. It also frames how these elements interrelate each other to allow the generation of ambidextrous capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation was conducted in only one country and a single sector.

Practical implications

The study provides guidance for haute cuisine restaurant managers to simultaneously develop innovation and efficiency in everyday activities, without having to choose between these two strategic objectives. Results show they must focus on human capital, which is one of the most important strategic resources in haute cuisine restaurants. This paper can help managers to design the organizational structures, processes and routines that allow haute cuisine restaurants to be ambidextrous.

Originality/value

The understanding of organizational ambidexterity and intellectual capital, and their integration, is critical for successful hospitality operations; however, research in this area is still limited. This integration can help haute cuisine restaurants to develop ambidextrous capabilities through their intellectual capital, establishing mechanisms to integrate individuals and group capabilities within the organizations.
The unemployment-entrepreneurship nexus: new evidence from 30 Iranian provinces
Authors: Cheratian Iman , Golpe Antonio , Goltabar Saleh , Iglesias Jesus
Published: October 2019

Purpose

During recent years, the nexus between unemployment and entrepreneurship has been examined in depth in developed and industrialised economies but rarely in developing economies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate such a relation in the case of 30 Iranian provinces from 2005Q2 to 2017Q4. Using both the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds testing and vector error correction method (VECM) Granger causality approaches, the findings show that a unidirectional short-run causal relationship from entrepreneurship to unemployment and vice versa was observed in 13 and 10 per cent of provinces, respectively. The authors also find evidence for unidirectional long-run causality in 77 per cent of provinces from unemployment to entrepreneurship, as well as 10 per cent of provinces from entrepreneurship to unemployment. Finally, the results confirm that in long-run, the “prosperity-pull” effects are considerably stronger than the “recession-push” effects in Iranian provinces.

Design/methodology/approach

The main target of this paper is to investigate the unemployment-entrepreneurship in the case of 30 Iranian provinces from 2005Q2 to 2017Q4 by using ARDL bounds testing and VECM Granger causality approaches.

Findings

The results confirm that in long-run, the “prosperity-pull” effects are considerably stronger than the “recession-push” effects in Iranian provinces. This finding reveals that the unemployment rate can be regarded as a critical instrument for hindering entrepreneurial activity by increasing the risk of business bankruptcy and pulling entrepreneurs out of self-employment. All these results must be taken into account in the construction of useful economic policies for the Iranian labour market.

Originality/value

The economic literature reveals that most empirical studies of the nexus between unemployment and entrepreneurship examined developed and industrialised economies and the analysis of such a relation for developing countries has not been considered by researchers. Thus, to fill this gap, this paper extends the current empirical literature by presenting new empirical evidence for the case of Iran, which has a developing economy.
Challenges in transitioning from new public management to new public governance in a developing country context
Authors: Waheduzzaman Wahed
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the transitional status of new public management (NPM) into new public governance (NPG) in a developing country context. Some authors, based on their research in developed countries, have claimed that NPM is dead. However, such claims have apparently ignored the transformational status of NPM in developing countries. This paper addresses that gap.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative method was used in this research. Public officials, elected representatives and local users who were responsible for public service management at local levels in Bangladesh were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires tailored to each group. The interview texts were then organised and analysed using NVivo software.

Findings

This research reveals that four public management elements comprising decentralisation, market-based services, efficiency and accountability, which are prerequisites for creating an appropriate environment for NPG, have not been established successfully in Bangladesh. This finding suggests that NPG may not be achieved without effective implementation of these elements through NPM practices. The study concludes that NPM needs to be practiced for more time in Bangladesh for the effective transformation of public management into public governance.

Research limitations/implications

Findings from this research will help public policy makers and researchers to identify barriers to and design the pathway for a smooth shift from NPM to NPG.

Practical implications

The findings of this research would help the Government of Bangladesh and international aid agencies to better understand the status of NPM and NPG in regional Bangladesh.

Social implications

The research findings may help identify barriers to enhancing participatory activities in a developing society.

Originality/value

Though NPM is an obsolete theory for developed countries, it needs to be implemented successfully in developing countries prior to the implementation of NPG.
Neuroscience in service research: an overview and discussion of its possibilities
Authors: Verhulst Nanouk , De Keyser Arne , Gustafsson Anders , Shams Poja , Van Vaerenbergh Yves
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss recent developments in neuroscientific methods and demonstrate its potential for the service field. This work is a call to action for more service researchers to adopt promising and increasingly accessible neuro-tools that allow the service field to benefit from neuroscience theories and insights.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper synthesizes key literature from a variety of domains (e.g. neuroscience, consumer neuroscience and organizational neuroscience) to provide an in-depth background to start applying neuro-tools. Specifically, this paper outlines the most important neuro-tools today and discusses their theoretical and empirical value.

Findings

To date, the use of neuro-tools in the service field is limited. This is surprising given the great potential they hold to advance service research. To stimulate the use of neuro-tools in the service area, the authors provide a roadmap to enable neuroscientific service studies and conclude with a discussion on promising areas (e.g. service experience and servicescape) ripe for neuroscientific input.

Originality/value

The paper offers service researchers a starting point to understand the potential benefits of adopting the neuroscientific method and shows their complementarity with traditional service research methods like surveys, experiments and qualitative research. In addition, this paper may also help reviewers and editors to better assess the quality of neuro-studies in service.
Community-based ecotourism for preventing overtourism and tourismophobia
Authors: Ait-Yahia Ghidouche Kamila , Ghidouche Faouzi
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the local community tourism as a solution to address overtourism and tourismophobia in unpopular and vulnerable tourist areas (rural places, wetlands, protected areas, historic sites and isolated places).

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with presidents and active members of associations that have committed to develop community-based ecotourism (CBET) in Algeria (in the desert, mountains and central rural highlands).

Findings

The results show that the interviewees have definitely adopted a participatory approach and included locals in their CBET and ecotourism projects. Unfortunately, it seems that Algerian tourists and tourism stakeholders have low ecological awareness. Therefore, a comprehensive approach should be put in place for the benefit of local residents to minimise tourismophobia and anti-tourism movement in these vulnerable areas.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this paper aims to fill the gap in the literature on overtourism in rural areas and vulnerable places. At the management level, contributions should help tourism stakeholders to understand the need to adopt regulations and standards to facilitate and secure alternative tourism forms such as CBET to prevent overtourism and tourismophobia risks.
Fighting overtourism in Lanzarote (Spain)
Authors: Carballo Rita R. , León Carmelo J. , Carballo María M.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Lanzarote, Spain, as a tourism destination, suffered a rapid tourist expansion for many years, and this has endangered its sustainability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the case of overtourism and its consequences for the local population and the environment, and to identify ways to mitigate this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a case study approach. Data obtained from tourists visiting the destination were used to examine three key aspects of tourism development, namely, the arrival of tourists to the island, the accommodation offer and the growth of the population. Social awareness with environmental values and protection of the island’s natural resources were the main engine to establish measures to mitigate overtourism.

Findings

The analysis shows rapid growth in the arrival of tourists to the island and how it affected the accommodation offer and the population. It explores the solution that the authorities of the island took to solve the problem of disorganized growth of tourism and makes reference to the importance of managing the image of a destination to contribute to tourism sustainability.

Originality/value

This research proposes practical solutions to tackle overtourism at a destination which has been used by the United Nations as an example to establish sustainable tourism development guidelines. It proposes a unique mitigation strategy which is derived from the use of natural recreation.
Long‐term dynamics of shrub facilitation shape the mixing of evergreen and deciduous oaks in Mediterranean abandoned fields
Authors: Cruz‐Alonso Verónica , Villar‐Salvador Pedro , Ruiz‐Benito Paloma , Ibáñez Inés , Rey‐Benayas José M.
Published: October 2019

Recovery of Mediterranean forests after field abandonment is a slow process, even without propagule limitations. This is mainly due to stressful conditions for seedling establishment. In this context, shrubs play a critical role in facilitating tree recruitment, but how this process unfolds after field abandonment is not entirely known. We evaluated the long‐term dynamics of facilitation by the nurse shrub Retama sphaerocarpa in the recruitment of two ecologically contrasting oaks, the evergreen Quercus ilex and the deciduous Quercus faginea.

Thirty years after field abandonment, we dated shrubs and oaks established in an old field to estimate the annual recruitment rates and investigate temporal recruitment patterns. For oaks, we differentiated recruitment at two microsites: open areas or under shrub. To assess how nurse shrubs modulated environmental stressors, we modelled oak recruitment as a function of climatic variables. For the evergreen oak, we assessed these effects within each microsite. Finally, we estimated the annual interaction index between shrubs and evergreen oak juveniles as a function of climatic conditions.

Each species showed different recruitment pulses during colonization. Recruitment rate was the highest for the shrub, followed by the evergreen oak. Oak colonization under shrubs was appreciable 20 years after field abandonment, when shrub cover reached 2.2%, and concentrated under medium and large shrubs older than 7 years. Shrubs not only accelerated evergreen oak colonization but also attenuated the fluctuations of recruitment pulses. For the evergreen oak, the interaction index indicated facilitation dominance in years with more arid summers (precipitation < 47 mm and heat waves longer than 8 days) and competition in wetter summers.

Synthesis. Oak colonization in Mediterranean abandoned fields progressed slowly, and only two decades after abandonment pioneer shrub population grew to a level in size and number that could effectively trigger facilitation and accelerate tree recruitment. The shrub nurse effect was unbalanced between oak species, only benefiting the evergreen oak, and it was more prevalent in arid years. Our study illustrates the build‐up of shrub facilitation during forest recolonization and the varying nature of this process among climatically different years and ecologically distinct species. This information provides insights for assessing and managing Mediterranean forest recovery.
Potential roles of Citrulline and watermelon extract on metabolic and inflammatory variables in diabetes mellitus, current evidence and future directions: A systematic review
Authors: Azizi Samaneh , Mahdavi Reza , Vaghef‐Mehrabany Elnaz , Maleki Vahid , Karamzad Nahid , Ebrahimi‐Mameghani Mehrangiz
Published: October 2019

Objective

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent endocrine disorder worldwide. Citrulline is an α‐amino acid, which is abundant in watermelon, and a precursor of arginine and nitric oxide. Decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide is associated with insulin resistance. The present systematic review focused on the existing evidence of citrulline and watermelon extract effects on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A systematic search of the databases PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, ProQuest and Google Scholar was conducted for relevant papers published from inception until October 2018. All clinical trials, animal and in vitro studies published in the English language that assessed the role of citrulline and watermelon extract on diabetes mellitus, were eligible. Studies providing inadequate information were excluded.

Results

Out of 1262 articles we found, only eight articles met the inclusion criteria for analysis. In three studies an increase in the synthesis of nitric oxide was reported with citrulline and watermelon extract supplementation. Four studies showed a significant reduction in blood glucose after supplementation with watermelon extract, and two studies reported a decrease in a number of inflammatory biomarkers following citrulline supplementation. Although citrulline intake caused a significant reduction in HOMA‐IR in one study, inconsistent results were revealed on the effects of citrulline and watermelon extract on insulin levels and lipid profile.

Conclusion

Citrulline and watermelon extract could improve nitric oxide synthesis, glycaemic status and inflammation in diabetes mellitus. However, further studies are required to shed light on the underlying mechanisms.
Naegleria fowleri: Sources of infection, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management; a review
Authors: Jahangeer Muhammad , Mahmood Zahed , Munir Naveed , Waraich Umm‐e‐Amara , Tahir Imtiaz Mahmood , Akram Muhammad , Ali Shah Syed Muhammad , Zulfqar Ayesha , Zainab Rida
Published: October 2019

Naegleria fowleri, a thermophilic flagellate amoeba known as a “brain‐eating” amoeba, is the aetiological agent of a perilous and devastating waterborne disease known as primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), both in humans as well as in animals. PAM is a rare but fatal disease affecting young adults all around the world, particularly in the developed world but recently reported from developing countries, with 95%–99% mortality rate. Swimmers and divers are at high risk of PAM as the warm water is the most propitious environment adapted by N. fowleri to cause this infection. Infective amoeba in the trophozoite phase enter the victim's body through the nose, crossing the cribriform plate to reach the human brain and cause severe destruction of the central nervous system (CNS). The brain damage leads to brain haemorrhage and death occurs within 3–7 days in undiagnosed cases and maltreated cases. Though the exact pathogenesis of N. fowleri is still not known, it has exhibited two primary mechanisms, contact‐independent (brain damage through different proteins) and contact‐dependent (brain damage through surface structures food cups), that predominantly contribute to the pathogen invading the host CNS. For the management of this life‐threatening infection different treatment regimens have been applied but still the survival rate is only 5% which is ascribed to its misdiagnosis, as the PAM symptoms closely resembled bacterial meningitis. The main objectives of this review article are to compile data to explore the sources and routes of N. fowleri infection, its association in causing PAM along with its pathophysiology; latest techniques used for accurate diagnosis, management options along with challenges for Pakistan to control this drastic disorder.
Nonthermal Plasma–Liquid Interactions in Food Processing: A Review
Authors: Perinban Sellam , Orsat Valérie , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: October 2019

Nonthermal processing methods are often preferred over conventional food processing methods to ensure nutritional quality. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is a new field of nonthermal processing technology and seeing increased interest for application in food preservation. In food applications of NTP, liquid interactions are the most prevalent. The NTP reactivity and product storability are altered during this interaction. The water activated by NTP (plasma‐activated water [PAW]) has gained considerable attention during recent years as a potential disinfectant in fruits and vegetable washing. However, detailed understanding of the interactions of NTP reactive species with food nutritional components in the presence of water and their stability in food is required to be explored to establish the potential of this emerging technology. Hence, the main objective of this review is to give a complete overview of existing NTP–liquid interactions. Further, their microbial inactivation mechanisms and the effects on food quality are discussed in detail. Most of the research findings have suggested the successful application of NTP and PAW for microbial inactivation and food preservation. Still, there are some research gaps identified and a complete analysis of the stability of plasma reactive species in food is still missing. By addressing these issues, along with the available research output in this field, it is possible that NTP can be successfully used as a food decontamination method in the near future.
The exploitation of marine resources at Saruq al‐Hadid: Insights into the movement of people and resources in Bronze and Iron Age south‐eastern Arabia
Authors: Roberts James , Weeks Lloyd , Fillios Melanie , Cable Charlotte , Carter Melissa , al Aali Yaaqoub Youssef , Radwan Mansour Boraik , Zein Hassan
Published: October 2019

Marine resources were an integral and consistent component of subsistence strategies employed in south‐eastern Arabia throughout late prehistory. Of particular interest is the movement of these resources from the coast to interior sites and the implications of this movement for transhumance and trade in the region during this period. Marine species were frequently identified in the faunal assemblage from the inland site of Saruq al‐Hadid, dating from the Bronze Age to Early Iron Age (c.2000–c.800 BCE). This included marine fish species, along with two cormorant species (Phalacrocorax sp.) and several fragments of dugong (Dugong dugon). Twenty‐seven families of marine shell were also identified in the remains recovered from the site. The presence of these remains at this inland site demonstrates that resources were frequently moved from the coast to the interior throughout Saruq al‐Hadid’s occupation, indicative of their enduring significance in subsistence strategies employed at the site. This paper presents the results of zooarchaeological analysis of these remains and discusses the significance of their presence at Saruq al‐Hadid, with reference to subsistence, craft production and intra‐regional exchange during the Bronze and Iron Ages.
A candidate‐SNP retrospective cohort study for fracture risk in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Tozaki T. , Kusano K. , Ishikawa Y. , Kushiro A. , Nomura M. , Kikuchi M. , Kakoi H. , Hirota K. , Miyake T. , Hill E. W. , Nagata S.
Published: October 2019

Fractures are medical conditions that compromise the athletic potential of horses and/or the safety of jockeys. Therefore, the reduction of fracture risk is an important horse and human welfare issue. The present study used molecular genetic approaches to determine the effect of genetic risk for fracture at four candidate SNPs spanning the myostatin (MSTN) gene on horse chromosome 18. Among the 3706 Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses, 1089 (29.4%) had experienced fractures in their athletic life, indicating the common occurrence of this injury in Thoroughbreds. In the case/control association study, fractures of the carpus (carpal bones and distal radius) were statistically associated with g.65809482T/C (P = 1.17 x 10‐8), g.65868604G/T (P = 2.66 x 10‐9), and g.66493737C/T (P = 6.41 x 10‐8). In the retrospective cohort study using 1710 racehorses born in 2000, the relative risk (RR) was highest for male horses at g.65868604G/T, based on the dominant allele risk model (RR = 2.251, 95% confidence interval 1.407–3.604, P = 0.00041), and for female horses at g.65868604G/T, based on the recessive allele risk model (RR = 2.313, 95% confidence interval 1.380–3.877, P = 0.00163). Considering the association of these SNPs with racing performance traits such as speed, these genotypes may affect the occurrence of carpus fractures in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses as a consequence of the non‐genetic influence of the genotype on the distance and/or intensity of racing and training. The genetic information presented here may contribute to the development of strategic training programs and racing plans for racehorses that improve their health and welfare.
Outcomes of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in adolescent and young adult Korean patients
Authors: Kim Young Ae , Ju Hee Young , Park Hyeon Jin , Lee Na Young , Lee Hyun Jeong , Lee Hyewon , Ghang Haryeom
Published: October 2019

This study used Korean national data to investigate the relationship between treatment patterns and outcomes in Korean adolescent and young‐adult (AYA) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients. Chemotherapy incorporating L‐asparaginase was considered paediatric‐inspired (PI), as opposed to adult protocols. In total, 65·3% of patients received PI therapy. Five‐year overall survival (OS) of PI‐treated patients outperformed adult protocols (63·1% vs. 40·4%; P < 0·0001); this trend was maintained within various age subgroups. Younger age, L‐asparaginase therapy, and radiotherapy corresponded with superior OS by multivariable analysis. OS tends to improve with PI protocols that include L‐asparaginase in AYA ALL, suggesting that therapy protocol is critical in the treatment performance of this group.
Maternal cognitive function during pregnancy in relation to hypo‐ and hyperthyroxinemia
Authors: Pop Victor J. , Ormindean Vlad , Mocan Andreia , Meems Margreet , Broeren Maarten , Denollet Johan K. , Wiersinga Wilmar M. , Bunevicius Adomas
Published: October 2019

Objective

To assess a possible relationship between maternal cognitive dysfunction during pregnancy and hypothyroxinemia, adjusted for major confounders.

Background

Thyroid dysfunction in general is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive dysfunction is common during pregnancy.

Design

Prospective follow‐up study from 12 to 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Participants

2082 healthy pregnant women.

Measurements

Cognitive function, depression and sleeping problems were assessed by self‐report questionnaires at 12, 22 and 32 weeks of gestation, higher scores reflecting more symptoms. FT4, TSH and TPO‐Ab were assessed at 12 weeks of gestation.

Definitions: healthy (euthyroxinemia) control group: FT4 within 10‐90th percentiles, without elevated TPO‐Ab titres and TSH within first trimester‐specific reference range (0.23‐4.0 mU/L). Hypothyroxinemia: FT4 <2.5th percentile with TSH within first trimester‐specific reference range. Poor cognitive function: a score >1 SD > mean on the cognitive function scale.

Results

A total of 54 women showed hypothyroxinemia and 1476 women had euthyroxinemia. At 12 weeks, multiple logistic regression showed that poor cognitive function was independently related to hypothyroxinemia: OR: 2.9 (95% CI: 1.6‐5.4), adjusted for depression (OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 2.7‐4.6) and sleeping problems (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.9‐3.9). TPO‐Ab + women with hypothyroxinemia had the highest levels of cognitive dysfunction. Other cut‐offs of hypothyroxinemia (<5th or <10th percentile with normal TSH) showed similar results. GLM‐ANOVA showed that throughout pregnancy women with hypothyroxinemia at 12 weeks had significantly higher cognitive dysfunction scores compared with the healthy controls: F = 12.1, P = .001.

Conclusions

Women with hypothyroxinemia during early gestation are at risk for poor cognitive function throughout gestation, adjusted for depression and sleeping problems.
Effectiveness of smoking cessation in smokers with COPD and nocturnal oxygen desaturation: Functional analysis
Authors: Pezzuto Aldo , Carico Elisabetta
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth cause of mortality and it’s frequently associated with breathing sleep disorders.

Objective

The aim of the study is to point out the benefit of smoking cessation over three months in terms of improvement of respiratory functional variables.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed evaluating the impact of smoking cessation on 145 patients with COPD and nocturnal oxygen desaturation. For this purpose, for all patients, overnight pulse oxymetry detection on room air, arterial blood sampling, plethysmography and exhaled test for carbon monoxide were performed at baseline and 3 months after the beginning. Smoking cessation was achieved by varenicline plus individual counselling.

Results

About 51% of patients quit smoking which was established by exhaledcarbon monoxide (eCO) measure (cut‐off 5 ppm). Patients who quit smoking displayed notably better results compared with patients who did not. The eCO significantly decreased by 16 ppm versus 4 (P = 0.01), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was reduced by 3 points versus 0.8 (P = 0.01) and forced expiratory in 1 second volume increased by 7% of predicted value versus 1% (P = 0.01). The walking test was improved by 102 m versus 25 in sustainers (P = 0.01). The CAT score was also improved by 10 versus 8 in sustainers (P = 0.01) and PaO2 increased by 5 mm Hg versus 0.5 (P = 0.04). The percentage of SaO2 < 90% was improved by 6.7 versus 2.1 (P = 0.04).The logistic regression analysis displayed the possible influence of CAT (P = 0.02) and modified medical research council dyspnea test (P = 0.05) on ODI value.

Conclusions

Smoking cessation notably improves pulmonary functional parameters in quitters reporting nocturnal oxygen desaturation.
Notch signaling in the mammalian respiratory system, specifically the trachea and lungs, in development, homeostasis, regeneration, and disease
Authors: Kiyokawa Hirofumi , Morimoto Mitsuru
Published: October 2019

The respiratory system has ideal tissue structure and cell types for efficient gas exchange to intake oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This complex system develops through orchestrated intercellular signaling among various cell types, such as club, ciliated, basal, neuroendocrine, AT1, AT2, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells. Notch signaling is a highly conserved cell–cell signaling pathway ideally suited for very short‐range cellular communication because Notch signals are transmitted by direct contact with an adjacent cell. Enthusiastic efforts by Notch researchers over the last two decades have led to the identification of critical roles of this signaling pathway during development, homeostasis, and regeneration of the respiratory system. The dysregulation of Notch signaling results in a wide range of respiratory diseases such as pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and lung cancer. Thus, a deep understanding of the biological functions of Notch signaling will help identify novel treatment targets in various respiratory diseases.