bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibrosis and wall thickness affect ventricular repolarization dynamics in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jalanko Mikko , Väänänen Heikki , Tarkiainen Mika , Sipola Petri , Jääskeläinen Pertti , Lauerma Kirsi , Laitinen Tiina , Laitinen Tomi , Laine Mika , Heliö Tiina , Kuusisto Johanna , Viitasalo Matti
Published: July 2018

Background

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by ventricular repolarization abnormalities and risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Our aim was to study the association between the phenotype and ventricular repolarization dynamics in HCM patients.

Methods

HCM patients with either the MYBPC3‐Q1061X or TPM1‐D175N mutation (n = 46) and control subjects without mutation and hypertrophy (n = 35) were studied with 24‐hr ambulatory ECG recordings by measuring time intervals of rate‐adapted QT (QTe), maximal QT, and T‐wave apex to wave end (TPE) intervals and the QTe/RR slope. Findings were correlated to specified echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) findings.

Results

Rate‐adapted QTe interval was progressively longer in HCM patients with decreasing heart rates compared to control subjects (p = 0.020). The degree of hypertrophy correlated with measured QTe values. HCM patients with maximal wall thickness higher than the mean (20.6 mm) had longer maximum QTe and median TPE intervals compared to control subjects and HCM patients with milder hypertrophy (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). HCM patients with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMRI had steeper QTe/RR slopes compared to HCM patients without LGE and control subjects (p = 0.044 and p = 0.001, respectively). LGE was an independent predictor of QTe/RR slope (p = 0.023, B = 0.043).

Conclusion

Dynamics of ventricular repolarization in HCM are affected by hypertrophy and fibrosis. LGE may confer an independent effect on QT dynamics which may increase the arrhythmogenic potential in HCM.
Development of a novel reference nomogram for endotracheal intubation in neonatal emergency transport setting
Authors: Bellini Carlo , Turolla Giulia , De Angelis Laura C. , Calevo Maria Grazia , Ramenghi Luca A.
Published: July 2018

Aim

Neonatal endotracheal intubation is a challenging procedure during transport. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the emergency intubation guidelines followed by our Neonatal Emergency Transport Service (NETS).

Methods

Our transport intubation guidelines follows a weight‐based nomogram for nasal intubation, and the tube position is clinically verified after intubation, while the postintubation chest X‐ray is postponed to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission. Data on postnatal age, weight and tube insertion depth were obtained from the online NETS clinical database, and the postintubation chest X‐ray images were assessed.

Results

During the study period, 161 newborn infants were nasally intubated during transport, and received a postintubation radiograph at NICU admission. A total of 130 neonates (80.7%) had the endotracheal tube (ETT) correctly positioned between T1 and T2 vertebrae, while 12 (7.5%) was at C7 vertebrae level and 19 (11.8%) at T3. No patients had ETT tip positioned at T4 vertebrae level or below. No adverse events related to intubation were observed.

Conclusion

Our intubation procedure showed a good reliability and safety in neonatal critical care transport, although chest X‐ray to confirm the tube placement is postponed to NICU arrival. Based on our results, we suggest a revised version of weight‐based nomogram for nasal intubation.
Renal swelling indicates renal damage in infants with their first urinary tract infection
Authors: Simrén Y , Valdimarsson S , Stokland E , Lagerstrand K M , Sixt R , Hansson S
Published: July 2018

Aim

We used ultrasound to evaluate renal swelling as a predictor of acute and permanent renal damage in infants with their first urinary tract infection (UTI).

Methods

The cohort at the Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, comprised 101 infants with their first UTI at a mean age of 3.9 ± 3.0 months. Acute and follow‐up ultrasounds were carried out a few days and one month after treatment started, and a 99mtechnetium dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan was carried out after one month and after a year if the first scan was abnormal.

Results

The acute ultrasounds showed that renal length and volume, calculated as standard deviation scores (SDS), were 1.39 ± 1.43 SDS and 1.30 ± 1.08 SDS. We found that 52% of the one‐month DMSA scans and 25% of the one‐year DMSA scans were abnormal. Renal length (p = 0.0026) and initial volume (p = 0.0005) on the ultrasound predicted acute renal damage at the one‐month DMSA scan and initial renal length (p = 0.030) predicted permanent renal damage at the one‐year DMSA scan.

Conclusion

Renal swelling was associated with renal damage. Although the diagnostic performance compared with the DMSA scan was weak, renal swelling may help clinicians to make decisions about further investigations and follow‐ups of infants with UTIs.
Comparison of outcomes between morphine and concomitant morphine and clonidine treatments for neonatal abstinence syndrome
Authors: Gullickson Courtney , Kuhle Stefan , Campbell‐Yeo Marsha
Published: July 2018

Aim

To examine whether adding clonidine to the morphine regimen for treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is associated with a shorter length of treatment compared with morphine alone.

Methods

Using a retrospective cohort design, infants with NAS resulting from opioid exposure delivered between 2006 and 2015 (n = 174) were identified using the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database (NSAPD). Maternal and infant characteristics were collected from the NSAPD. The database was augmented with chart review for treatment information.

Results

The incidence of NAS in the study population increased fivefold from 1.48/1000 live births in 2007 to 7.50/1000 live births in 2015. Of the 174 infants, 22 were treated with morphine and 100 were treated with morphine + clonidine. Longer length of treatment (p = 0.004) and higher peak morphine dose (p = 0.045) were observed in the combination group.

Conclusion

The increase in the incidence of NAS is consistent with recent published reports. The increase in length of treatment and peak morphine dose in the morphine + clonidine group is in marked contrast to previous work on this treatment combination. Further study on the impact of clinical characteristics such as methadone and antidepressant exposure on the association is warranted.
Combined laparoscopic and perineal approach for the management of recurrent tailgut cyst
Authors: Patel Ankur , Mandovra Pranav , Majeed Tanveer , Patankar Roy V
Published: July 2018

Tailgut cyst is an uncommon developmental anomaly arising from the embryonic hindgut in the retrorectal space. The patient frequently is asymptomatic or has vague perineal complaints that pose a diagnostic dilemma. Moreover, the patient is often misdiagnosed and therefore mismanaged. MRI is the investigation of choice for diagnosis. After the diagnosis is established, complete surgical excision is required to alleviate patient discomfort and to prevent complications such as infection, malignant transformation, and recurrence. Proper clinical examination and imaging not only establish the accurate diagnosis but also help in determining the best surgical approach for the patient (anterior abdominal, posterior sacral perineal, or combined approach). We hereby report a case of recurrent tailgut cyst managed with a combined anterior laparoscopic and perineal approach.
A Survey of Simple Geometric Primitives Detection Methods for Captured 3D Data
Authors: Kaiser Adrien , Ybanez Zepeda Jose Alonso , Boubekeur Tamy
Published: July 2018

The amount of captured 3D data is continuously increasing, with the democratization of consumer depth cameras, the development of modern multi‐view stereo capture setups and the rise of single‐view 3D capture based on machine learning. The analysis and representation of this ever growing volume of 3D data, often corrupted with acquisition noise and reconstruction artefacts, is a serious challenge at the frontier between computer graphics and computer vision. To that end, segmentation and optimization are crucial analysis components of the shape abstraction process, which can themselves be greatly simplified when performed on lightened geometric formats. In this survey, we review the algorithms which extract simple geometric primitives from raw dense 3D data. After giving an introduction to these techniques, from the acquisition modality to the underlying theoretical concepts, we propose an application‐oriented characterization, designed to help select an appropriate method based on one's application needs and compare recent approaches. We conclude by giving hints for how to evaluate these methods and a set of research challenges to be explored.
Assessing sensitivities of marine areas to stressors based on biological traits
Authors: Hewitt Judi E. , Lundquist Carolyn J. , Ellis Joanne
Published: July 2018

Analysis of the biological traits (e.g., feeding mode and size) that control how organisms interact with their environment has been used to identify environmental drivers of, or impacts on, species and to explain the importance of biodiversity loss. Biological trait analysis (BTA) could also be used within risk‐assessment frameworks or in conservation planning if one understands the groups of traits that predict the sensitivity of habitats or communities to specific human activities. Deriving sensitivities from BTA should extend sensitivity predictions to a variety of habitats, especially those in which it would be difficult to conduct experiments (e.g., due to depth or risk to human life) and to scales beyond the norm of most experiments. We used data on epibenthos, collected via video along transects at 27 sites in a relatively pristine region of the seafloor, to determine scales of natural spatial variability of derived sensitivities and the degree to which predictions of sensitivity differed among 3 stressors (extraction of species, sedimentation, and suspended sediments) or were affected by underlying community compositions. We used 3 metrics (weighted abundance, abundance of highly sensitive species, and number of highly sensitive species) to derive sensitivity to these stressors and simulated the ability of these metrics to detect a range of stressor intensities. Regardless of spatial patterns of sensitivities across the sampled area, BTA distinguished differences in sensitivity to different stressors. The BTA also successfully separated differences in community composition from differences in sensitivity to stressors. Conversely, the 3 metrics differed widely in their ability to detect simulated impacts and likely reflect underlying ecological processes, suggesting that use of multiple metrics would be informative for spatial planning and allocating conservation priorities. Our results suggest BTA could be used as a first step in strategic prioritization of protected areas and as an underlying layer for spatial planning.
The development of a protocol for diagnosing hand dermatitis from photographic images
Authors: Parsons Vaughan , Williams Hywel C. , English John , Llewellyn Joanne , Ntani Georgia , Madan Ira
Published: July 2018

Background

A hand photography protocol was needed to ascertain the presence and severity of dermatitis in a trial testing the effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention to prevent hand dermatitis in nurses.

Methods

We developed the protocol in 3 stages: (1) we established a procedure for collecting hand photographs; (2) we conducted a stepwise validation process to agree rules for diagnosing and determining the severity of hand dermatitis; and (3) we trained a research nurse to screen out “clear” cases.

Results

We developed and trained fieldworkers (n = 97) in a procedure for collecting hand photographs. Study dermatologists established interpretation rules to diagnose and determine the severity of dermatitis from photographs. Prior to the establishment of the rules, interobserver agreement between the 2 dermatologists on the presence or absence of hand dermatitis was moderate (κ = 0.5). At the final stage of the validation process, the dermatologists agreed on 88% cases from independent assessments, with consensus being reached for the remaining 12% following joint deliberation. Following training, a subgroup analysis of 250 cases screened by the nurse and characterized as “clear” found that 2 (0.8%) “positive” cases were missed.

Conclusion

We have developed a hand photography protocol that may be used in other studies or in hand dermatitis health surveillance programmes.
“Passing the Baton”: The effects of CEO succession planning on firm performance and volatility
Authors: Tao Ran , Zhao Hong
Published: July 2018

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

This paper seeks to understand the way in which CEO succession planning affects firm performance and volatility during CEO turnover. Specifically, the paper examines a succession type referred to as relay succession, in which the incoming CEO has been groomed as an heir apparent before the turnover.

Research Findings/Insights

Heirs apparent are identified by comparing all of a firm's non‐CEO top executives' promotion likelihood estimated based on a set of characteristics. Applying this heir apparent measure to a large sample of CEO turnovers from ExecuComp, the paper delivers robust evidence that firms with relay successions achieve higher post‐turnover accounting performance, higher long‐term stock returns, and lower volatility. Further, the positive effect of relay succession on performance is stronger for firms with higher human capital requirements.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

The paper provides comprehensive evidence of the important role of relay succession in smoothing CEO transitions. It also sheds new light on previous research on outside successions by showing that the difference between inside and outside successions is explained largely by the length of relay.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The paper suggests that firms should consider using relay succession to improve performance and reduce volatility during the CEO transition period. The paper's findings also support the US Securities and Exchange Commission's recent appeal for more firm disclosure on its succession planning.
Vitiligo and autoantibodies: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Che‐Wei , Huang Yu‐Chen
Published: July 2018

Many studies have reported the prevalence of autoantibodies in patients with vitiligo; however, results were inconsistent for some autoantibodies. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the prevalence of autoantibodies in vitiligo patients. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature published from inception to Dec 31, 2016 was conducted. Case‐control studies with vitiligo patients and a control group were included. The prevalence of anti‐thyroperoxidase (ATPO) antibodies, anti‐thyroglobulin (ATG) antibodies, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti‐gastric parietal cell antibodies (AGPCA), anti‐smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), anti‐mitochondrial antibodies (AMA), and anti‐adrenal antibodies in vitiligo patients were 15.1 %, 9.7 %, 12.5 %, 11.7 %, 12.6 %, 0.2 %, and 2.5 %, respectively. The prevalence of ATPO antibodies (odds ratio [OR]: 3.975; 95 %; confidence interval [CI]: 3.085–5.122), ATG antibodies (OR: 3.759; 95 % CI: 2.554–5.531), ANA (OR: 1.797, 95 % CI: 1.182–2.731), AGPCA (OR: 2.503; 95 % CI: 1.497–2.896), and anti‐adrenal antibodies (OR: 9.808, 95 % CI: 1.809–53.159) (Figure 2a–e) were significantly higher in vitiligo patients than in the control group. The routine screening of anti‐thyroid antibodies should be performed in vitiligo patients to identify those at high risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease.
Functional diversity and redundancy of freshwater fish communities across biogeographic and environmental gradients
Authors: Lamothe Karl A. , Alofs Karen M. , Jackson Donald A. , Somers Keith M.
Published: July 2018

Aim

Functional redundancy occurs when species share overlapping ecological functions and is considered an important component of ecosystem resilience. However, much of what we know about functional redundancy comes from relatively species‐rich terrestrial and marine environments. Here, we examined patterns of functional redundancy among Ontario freshwater fish communities with species richness levels ranging from 4 to 30 species across lakes of differing size, depth, productivities and thermal characteristics.

Location

Six thousand nine hundred and seventy‐seven lakes in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

We examined functional redundancy by quantifying the relationship between functional diversity and species richness in lakes across Ontario and within smaller biogeographic regions. We used null models to test whether fish communities had greater redundancy than expected from random assemblages. We then used generalized additive models (GAMs) to predict how patterns of redundancy vary across environmental variables. At last, we compared species‐level functional rarity metrics across fish thermal preference groups, body sizes and species occurrence rates.

Results

The functional diversity and species richness relationship were saturating among fish communities at the provincial scale but varied between smaller regions with differing biogeographic histories. Most communities fell within expectations from weighted null models of the functional diversity and species richness relationship. The GAMs indicated that fish communities in the largest, deepest and warmest lakes showed the greatest overall functional redundancy. No differences were observed in functional rarity measures between thermal preference groups, across body sizes or across species occurrence rates.

Main conclusions

Although lakes in this study were relatively depauperate of fish species, Ontario fish communities exhibited functional redundancy at the provincial scale, with variation regionally. North‐eastern communities showed the least saturating relationship overall as predicted by historical biogeographic patterns of freshwater fish colonization. Overall, this study provides a broad perspective of freshwater fish diversity patterns and highlights the importance of investigating redundancy from different perspectives and multiple spatial scales.
FDI, Poverty, and the Politics of Potable Water Access
Authors: Rudra Nita , Alkon Meir , Joshi Siddharth
Published: July 2018

How does foreign direct investment (FDI) affect the wellbeing of the poor? We address this question by analyzing the impacts of FDI on access to potable water. We predict that higher levels of greenfield FDI in water‐intensive sectors slow the rate of access to potable water in developing countries, with these adverse effects conditional on subnational politics. We hypothesize that this is more likely to occur in polities marked by relatively large poor and marginalized populations, where regulatory capture is more likely to occur. To test our intuition, we analyze subnational data on greenfield FDI in India, confirming that multinational investment in “thirsty” manufacturing sectors are negatively associated with improvements in potable water access. We then present a controlled comparison case study of two Indian states, Kerala and Rajasthan, highlighting the political mechanisms conditioning FDI's effects on potable water.
In‐vivo compatibility between pacemakers and dental equipment
Authors: Conde‐Mir Isabel , Miranda‐Rius Jaume , Trucco Emilce , Lahor‐Soler Eduard , Brunet‐Llobet Lluís , Domingo Rebeca , Tolosana José M. , Mont Lluís
Published: July 2018

In‐vitro studies suggest that electromagnetic interference can occur under specific conditions involving proximity between electronic dental equipment and pacemakers. At present, in‐vivo investigations to verify the effect of using electronic dental equipment in clinical conditions on patients with pacemakers are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate, in vivo, the effect of three commonly used electronic dental instruments – ultrasonic dental scaler, electric pulp tester, and electronic apex locator – on patients with different pacemaker brands and configurations. Sixty‐six consecutive non‐pacemaker‐dependent patients were enrolled during regular electrophysiology follow‐up visits. Electronic dental tools were operated while the pacemaker was interrogated, and the intracardiac electrogram and electrocardiogram were recorded. No interferences were detected in the intracardiac electrogram of any patient during the tests with dental equipment. No abnormalities in pacemaker pacing and sensing function were observed, and no differences were found with respect to the variables, pacemaker brands, pacemaker configuration, or mode of application of the dental equipment. Electromagnetic interferences affecting the surface electrocardiogram, but not the intracardiac electrogram, were found in 25 (37.9%) patients, especially while using the ultrasonic dental scaler; the intrinsic function of the pacemakers was not affected. Under real clinical conditions, none of the electronic dental instruments tested interfered with pacemaker function.
High‐throughput sequencing technologies for plant pest diagnosis: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Olmos A. , Boonham N. , Candresse T. , Gentit P. , Giovani B. , Kutnjak D. , Liefting L. , Maree H.J. , Minafra A. , Moreira A. , Nakhla M.K. , Petter F. , Ravnikar M. , Rodoni B. , Roenhorst J.W. , Rott M. , Ruiz‐García A.B. , Santala J. , Stancanelli G. , van der Vlugt R. , Varveri C. , Westenberg M. , Wetzel T. , Ziebell H. , Massart S.
Published: July 2018

High‐throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have revolutionized plant pest research and are now raising interest for plant pest diagnostics, with plant virus diagnostics at the forefront of development. However, the application of HTS in plant pest diagnostics raises important challenges that plant health regulators will have to address. Adapted infrastructures, technical guidelines and training are pivotal for further use and adoption of the HTS technologies in the phytosanitary framework.
Interferon regulatory factor 5 and nuclear factor kappa‐B exhibit cooperating but also divergent roles in the regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines important for the development of TH1 and TH17 responses
Authors: Stein Thomas , Wollschlegel Audrey , Te Helene , Weiss Jessica , Joshi Kushal , Kinzel Bernd , Billich Andreas , Guntermann Christine , Lehmann Joachim C. U.
Published: July 2018

A large body of data demonstrates that interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) are the two major transcription factors in classically activated macrophages responsible for the transcriptional control of proinflammatory genes. Although recent evidence suggests that IRF5 interacts with certain members of the nuclear factor kappa B pathway, the extent of cooperation and its implications in disease are ambiguous. Since both pathways are known for their strong contributions in TLR8 signaling we used the human monocytic cell line THP‐1.Dual, featuring gene reporters for NF‐κB and IRFs, to simultaneously study the roles of IRF5 and the NF‐κB subunit p65 in TLR8‐mediated gene reporter activities. Furthermore, we profiled from these cells the proinflammatory cytokines involved in the differentiation of TH1 and TH17 cells. After ablation of IRF5 and/or p65 we activated the resultant cells with the TLR8 agonists R848 or the psoriasis‐associated antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 complexed with ssRNA and demonstrate that IRF5 deficiency drastically impairs the secretion of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐12, IL‐23 and TNFα. In contrast, the lack of p65 impaired only IL‐6, IL‐12, and IL‐23 secretion. Furthermore, we discovered that upon TLR8 stimulation, IRF5 but not NF‐κB signaling is essential to provide a cytokine milieu supporting TH1 responses. Additionally, we demonstrate that IRF5 and NF‐κB cooperate to provide a cytokine milieu supporting TH17 responses. Therefore, the distinct role of IRF5 in the intricate signaling network downstream of TLR8 may open new treatment options interfering with but not disrupting NF‐κB signaling in human diseases.
Biomass production in plantations: Land constraints increase dependency on irrigation water
Authors: Jans Yvonne , Berndes Göran , Heinke Jens , Lucht Wolfgang , Gerten Dieter
Published: July 2018

Integrated assessment model scenarios project rising deployment of biomass‐using energy systems in climate change mitigation scenarios. But there is concern that bioenergy deployment will increase competition for land and water resources and obstruct objectives such as nature protection, the preservation of carbon‐rich ecosystems, and food security. To study the relative importance of water and land availability as biophysical constraints to bioenergy deployment at a global scale, we use a process‐detailed, spatially explicit biosphere model to simulate rain‐fed and irrigated biomass plantation supply along with the corresponding water consumption for different scenarios concerning availability of land and water resources. We find that global plantation supplies are mainly limited by land availability and only secondarily by freshwater availability. As a theoretical upper limit, if all suitable lands on Earth, besides land currently used in agriculture, were available for bioenergy plantations (“Food first” scenario), total plantation supply would be in the range 2,010–2,300 EJ/year depending on water availability and use. Excluding all currently protected areas reduces the supply by 60%. Excluding also areas where conversion to biomass plantations causes carbon emissions that might be considered unacceptably high will reduce the total plantation supply further. For example, excluding all areas where soil and vegetation carbon stocks exceed 150 tC/ha (“Carbon threshold savanna” scenario) reduces the supply to 170–290 EJ/year. With decreasing land availability, the amount of water available for irrigation becomes vitally important. In the least restrictive land availability scenario (“Food first”), up to 77% of global plantation biomass supply is obtained without additional irrigation. This share is reduced to 31% for the most restrictive “Carbon threshold savanna” scenario. The results highlight the critical—and geographically varying—importance of co‐managing land and water resources if substantial contributions of bioenergy are to be reached in mitigation portfolios.
Environmental effects of short‐rotation woody crops for bioenergy: What is and isn't known
Authors: Griffiths Natalie A. , Rau Benjamin M. , Vaché Kellie B. , Starr Gregory , Bitew Menberu M. , Aubrey Doug P. , Martin James A. , Benton Elizabeth , Jackson C. Rhett
Published: July 2018

Logging and mill residues are currently the largest sources of woody biomass for bioenergy in the United States, but short‐rotation woody crops (SRWCs) are expected to become a larger contributor to biomass production, primarily on lands marginal for food production. However, there are very few studies on the environmental effects of SRWCs, and most have been conducted at stand rather than at watershed scales. In this manuscript, we review the potential environmental effects of SRWCs relative to current forestry or agricultural practices and best management practices (BMPs) in the southeast United States and identify priorities and constraints for monitoring and modeling these effects. Plot‐scale field studies and a watershed‐scale modeling study found improved water quality with SRWCs compared to agricultural crops. Further, a recent watershed‐scale experiment suggests that conventional forestry BMPs are sufficient to protect water quality from SRWC silvicultural activities, but the duration of these studies is short with respect to travel times of groundwater transporting nitrate to streams. While the effects of SRWC production on carbon (C) and water budgets depend on both soil properties and previous land management, woody crops will typically sequester more C when compared with agricultural crops. The overall C offset by SRWCs will depend on a variety of management practices, the number of rotations, and climate. Effects of SRWCs on biodiversity, especially aquatic organisms, are not well studied, but a meta‐analysis found that bird and mammal biodiversity is lower in SRWC stands than unmanaged forests. Long‐term (i.e., over multiple rotations) water quality, water use, C dynamics, and soil quality studies are needed, as are larger‐scale (i.e., landscape scale) biodiversity studies, to evaluate the potential effects of SRWC production. Such research should couple field measurement and modeling approaches due to the temporal (i.e., multiple rotations) and spatial (i.e., heterogeneous landscape) scaling issues involved with SRWC production.
Nativity and seed dispersal mode influence species’ responses to habitat connectivity and urban environments
Authors: Lopez Bianca E. , Urban Dean , White Peter S.
Published: July 2018

Aim

Urbanization alters local environmental conditions and the ability of species to disperse between remnant habitat patches within the urban matrix. Nonetheless, despite the ongoing growth of urban areas worldwide, few studies have investigated the relative importance of dispersal and local environmental conditions for influencing species composition within urban and suburban landscapes. Here, we explore this question using spatial patterns of plant species composition.

Location

The Research Triangle area, which includes the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, in central North Carolina, USA.

Time period

2012–2014.

Major taxa studied

Vascular plants.

Methods

We sampled riparian forest plant communities along an urban‐to‐rural gradient and used redundancy analysis to identify predictors of species composition patterns for groups of species categorized by nativity and seed dispersal mode. We first compared the ability of different models of habitat connectivity (least‐cost paths that avoided urban land cover versus Euclidean and along‐stream distance) to explain spatial patterns of species composition. We then partitioned the variation in species composition explained by habitat connectivity models, local environmental conditions and measures of urbanization in the surrounding landscape.

Results

We found that several groups of native species were best explained by least‐cost path models that avoided urban development, suggesting that urbanization impedes dispersal within this landscape, particularly for short‐dispersed species. Environmental variables related to urbanization (e.g., temperature, stream incision) were important predictors of species composition for many species groups, but measures of urbanization in the surrounding landscape were more important for exotic than for native species.

Main conclusions

Our results demonstrate that urbanization influences plant species composition via its effects on both habitat connectivity and environmental conditions. However, the strength of these effects varies somewhat predictably across seed dispersal modes and between native and exotic species. These results highlight the importance of landscape‐scale planning for urban conservation.
Long non‐coding RNA FTH1P3 activates paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer through miR‐206/ABCB1
Authors: Wang Ruoming , Zhang Tengteng , Yang Zhen , Jiang Chunxia , Seng Jingjing
Published: July 2018

Emerging evidence has indicated the important function of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumour chemotherapy resistance. However, the underlying mechanism is still ambiguous. In this study, we investigate the physiopathologic role of lncRNA ferritin heavy chain 1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3) on the paclitaxel (PTX) resistance in breast cancer. Results showed that lncRNA FTH1P3 was up‐regulated in paclitaxel‐resistant breast cancer tissue and cells (MCF‐7/PTX and MDA‐MB‐231/PTX cells) compared with paclitaxel‐sensitive tissue and parental cell lines (MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231). Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments revealed that FTH1P3 silencing decreased the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of paclitaxel and induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, while FTH1P3‐enhanced expression exerted the opposite effects. In vivo, xenograft mice assay showed that FTH1P3 silencing suppressed the tumour growth of paclitaxel‐resistant breast cancer cells and ABCB1 protein expression. Bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assay validated that FTH1P3 promoted ABCB1 protein expression through targeting miR‐206, acting as a miRNA “sponge.” In summary, our results reveal the potential regulatory mechanism of FTH1P3 on breast cancer paclitaxel resistance through miR‐206/ABCB1, providing a novel insight for the breast cancer chemoresistance.
Signalling through Src family kinase isoforms is not redundant in models of thrombo‐inflammatory vascular disease
Authors: Harrison Matthew J. , Chimen Myriam , Hussain Mohammed , Iqbal Asif J. , Senis Yotis A. , Nash Gerard B. , Watson Steve P. , Rainger G. Ed
Published: July 2018

The Src family kinases (SFK) are a group of signalling molecules with important regulatory functions in inflammation and haemostasis. Leucocytes and platelets express multiple isoforms of the SFKs. Previous studies used broad‐spectrum pharmacological inhibitors, or murine models deficient in multiple SFK isoforms, to demonstrate the functional consequences of deficiencies in SFK signalling. Here, we hypothesized that individual SFK operate in a non‐redundant fashion in the thrombo‐inflammatory recruitment of monocyte during atherosclerosis. Using in vitro adhesion assays and single SFK knockout mice crossed with the ApoE−/− model of atherosclerosis, we find that SFK signalling regulates platelet‐dependent recruitment of monocytes. However, loss of a single SFK, Fgr or Lyn, reduced platelet‐mediated monocyte recruitment in vitro. This translated into a significant reduction in the burden of atherosclerotic disease in Fgr−/−/ApoE−/− or Lyn−/−/ApoE−/− animals. SFK signalling is not redundant in thrombo‐inflammatory vascular disease and individual SFK may represent targets for therapeutic intervention.
TWEAK/Fn14 mediates atrial‐derived HL‐1 myocytes hypertrophy via JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway
Authors: Hao Li , Ren Manyi , Rong Bing , Xie Fei , Lin Ming‐jie , Zhao Ya‐chao , Yue Xin , Han Wen‐qiang , Zhong Jing‐quan
Published: July 2018

Atrial myocyte hypertrophy is one of the most important substrates in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). The TWEAK/Fn14 axis is a positive regulator of cardiac hypertrophy in cardiomyopathy. This study therefore investigated the effects of Fn14 on atrial hypertrophy and underlying cellular mechanisms using HL‐1 atrial myocytes. In patients with AF, Fn14 protein levels were higher in atrial myocytes from atrial appendages, and expression of TWEAK was increased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while TWEAK serum levels were decreased. In vitro, Fn14 expression was up‐regulated in response to TWEAK treatment in HL‐1 atrial myocytes. TWEAK increased the expression of ANP and Troponin T, and Fn14 knockdown counteracted the effect. Inhibition of JAK2, STAT3 by specific siRNA attenuated TWEAK‐induced HL‐1 atrial myocytes hypertrophy. In conclusion, TWEAK/Fn14 axis mediates HL‐1 atrial myocytes hypertrophy partly through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Efficacy of autogenous tooth roots for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective controlled clinical study
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Hazar Didem , Becker Kathrin , Sader Robert , Becker Jürgen
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of autogenous tooth roots (TR) and autogenous bone blocks (AB) for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement.

Material and Methods

A total of 30 patients in need of implant therapy and lateral ridge augmentation were allocated to parallel groups receiving either (a) healthy autogenous tooth roots (e.g. retained wisdom or impacted teeth) (n = 15) or (b) cortical autogenous bone blocks harvested from the retromolar area. After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the primary endpoint was defined as the crestal ridge width (mm) (CW26) being sufficient to place an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at the respective sites.

Results

Soft tissue healing was uneventful in both groups. CW26 at V isit 6 allowed for a successful implant placement in all patients of both TR (15/15) and AB groups (15/15). Mean CW26 values amounted to 10.06 ± 1.85 mm (median: 11.0) in the TR and 9.20 ± 2.09 mm (median: 8.50) in the AB group, respectively. The difference between both groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.241).

Conclusions

TR may serve as an alternative graft to support lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two‐stage implant placement.
Periodontal treatment limits platelet activation in patients with periodontitis—a controlled‐randomized intervention trial
Authors: Laky Markus , Anscheringer Isabella , Wolschner Lukas , Heber Stefan , Haririan Hady , Schrottmaier Waltraud C. , Kral‐Pointner Julia B. , Salzmann Manuel , Volf Ivo , Moritz Andreas , Assinger Alice
Published: July 2018

Aim

Periodontitis results in platelet activation and enhanced risk for cardiovascular disease. As it is currently unknown whether periodontal treatment reverses platelet hyper‐reactivity, we aimed to investigate the role of periodontal treatment on platelet activation.

Materials and Methods

In a prospective controlled therapeutic trial, 52 patients were enrolled and randomly selected for periodontal treatment or monitored without treatment for 3 months. Patient blood was analysed by flow cytometry for platelet activation markers and by light transmission aggregometry for platelet aggregation in response to pro‐thrombotic stimuli.

Results

In this study, platelet activation in the control group aggravated over the observation period of 3 months, whereas patients that underwent periodontal treatment showed unchanged levels of platelet activation, measured by surface expression of CD62P, CD40L, generation of reactive oxygen production, activation of GPIIb/IIIa and fibrinogen binding. Moreover, platelet turnover, measured by platelet RNA content and platelet aggregation in response to collagen, differed significantly between patients that were treated and those who were untreated.

Conclusions

Subgingival debridement reduces the risk of aggravated platelet activation and therefore might potentially diminish subsequent diseases such as cardiovascular disease in periodontal patients.
First report of intersex in a lutjanid: the goldband snapper Pristipomoides multidens
Authors: Hassell Kathryn L. , Rawson Christopher A. , Gagnon Marthe M.
Published: July 2018

This is the first report of intersex in a lutjanid species, the goldband snapper Pristipomoides multidens, in which the gonads of a male fish contain multifocal oocytes scattered among testicular tissue. The incidence rate of intersex was low (<1.0%), with oocytes observed in the testes of only two of 206 male fish examined. The capacity for P. multidens to develop an intersex condition suggests that future monitoring of this species should include histological analysis of gonads.
Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin in the Oldest Adults with Atrial Fibrillation in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Chao‐Lun , Chen Ho‐Min , Liao Min‐Tsun , Lin Ting‐Tse
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness and safety of reduced‐dose dabigatran, reduced‐dose rivaroxaban, and warfarin in individuals aged 85 and older with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Taiwan National Health Insurance claims database, 2011∼2015.

Participants

Individuals with AF aged 85 and older (mean 88.6) with incident use of oral anticoagulants between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2015 (N=4,722; dabigatran 110 mg, n=1,489; rivaroxaban 15 mg/10 mg, n=1,736; warfarin, n=1,497).

Measurements

Clinical outcomes included all‐cause death, cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction, arterial embolism or thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage needing transfusion. Propensity score–matched analysis was performed, and the marginal proportional hazards model was used to estimate the relative risk of various clinical outcomes in a matched dabigatran‐warfarin cohort (n=1,180 in each group) and a rivaroxaban‐warfarin cohort (n=1,207 in each group)

Results

Mean follow‐up was 6.6 months for the overall population. Dabigatran group participants had lower risks of all‐cause death (hazard ratio (HR)=0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.45–0.77) and cardiovascular death (HR=0.45, 95% CI=0.30–0.68) than warfarin group participants. Rivaroxaban users also had lower risks of all‐cause death (HR=0.61, 95% CI=0.47–0.79) and cardiovascular death (HR=0.52, 95% CI=0.35–0.75) than warfarin users. Dabigatran users also had a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage than warfarin users (HR=0.31, 95% CI=0.10–0.97).

Conclusion

Individuals with AF aged 85 and older who used reduced‐dose dabigatran or reduced‐dose rivaroxaban had statistically significantly lower all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality than those who used warfarin. Reduced‐dose dabigatran was also associated with lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage than warfarin.
Dynamic imaging of multiphase flow through porous media using 4D cumulative reconstruction
Authors: D'EURYDICE M.N. , ARNS C.H. , ARNS J.‐Y. , ARMSTRONG R.T.
Published: July 2018

This paper introduces an original application on reconstruction strategies for X‐ray computed microtomography, enabling the observation of time‐dependent changes that occur during multiphase flow. In general, by sparsely collecting radiographs, the reconstruction of the object is compromised. Optimizations can be achieved by combining specific characteristics of the dynamics with the acquisition. Herein, the proposed method relies on short random intervals in which no drastic changes occur in the sample to acquire as many radiographs as possible that constitute a reconstructible data set. As these intervals are unpredictable, the method tries to guarantee that the collected radiograph data during these specific intervals are enough to recover useful information about the dynamics. Simulations of a percolating fluid in a digital rock are used to replicate an X‐ray computed microtomography experiment to test the proposed method. The results demonstrate the potential of the proposed strategy for imaging multiphase flow in porous media and how data collected during distinct events can be combined to enhance the reconstruction of frames of the percolation process.
Rotenone inhibits axonogenesis via an Lfc/RhoA/ROCK pathway in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Bisbal Mariano , Remedi Mónica , Quassollo Gonzalo , Cáceres Alfredo , Sanchez Mónica
Published: July 2018

Rotenone, a broad‐spectrum insecticide, piscicide and pesticide, produces a complete and selective suppression of axonogenesis in cultured hippocampal neurons. This effect is associated with an inhibition of actin dynamics through activation of Ras homology member A (RhoA) activity. However, the upstream signaling mechanisms involved in rotenone‐induced RhoA activation were unknown. We hypothesized that rotenone might inhibit axon growth by the activation of RhoA/ROCK pathway because of the changes in microtubule (MT) dynamics and the concomitant release of Lfc, a MT‐associated Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor (GEF) for RhoA. In this study, we demonstrate that rotenone decreases MT stability in morphologically unpolarized neurons. Taxol (3 nM), a drug that stabilizes MT, attenuates the inhibitory effect of rotenone (0.1 μM) on axon formation. Radiometric Forster Resonance Energy Transfer, revealed that this effect is associated with inhibition of rotenone‐induced RhoA and ROCK activation. Interestingly, silencing of Lfc, but not of the RhoA GEF ArhGEF1, prevents the inhibitory effect of rotenone on axon formation. Our results suggest that rotenone‐induced MT de‐stabilization releases Lfc from MT thereby promoting RhoA and ROCK activities and the consequent inhibition of axon growth.

Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge. For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/

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A pilot study investigating the in vitro efficacy of sucralfate against common veterinary cutaneous pathogens
Authors: Yen T. , Boord M. J. , Ghubash R. , Blondeau J. M.
Published: July 2018

Objective

To determine whether Cicalfate® (Avene), a commercially available skin cream, or its active ingredient – sucralfate – demonstrate in vitro antimicrobial effect against common veterinary cutaneous pathogens.

Materials and Methods

Prospective study assessing in vitro susceptibility of standardised and clinical strains of common veterinary cutaneous pathogens to titrated concentrations of sucralfate in either saline solution (range 0∙2 to 200 mg/mL) or in Cicalfate® restorative cream solubilised in DMSO (range 0∙002 to 1 mg/mL). Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by broth dilution in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Results

Both solutions demonstrated in vitro inhibitory effects against strains of Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. Minimum inhibitory concentration ranges for susceptible bacteria tested in Cicalfate® solution and sucralfate solution were 0∙06 to 0∙25 mg/mL and 25 to 50 mg/mL, respectively. Sucralfate solution did not demonstrate antimicrobial effects against laboratory strains of S. aureus and E. faecalis and neither solution demonstrated antimicrobial effects against the clinical strain of P. aeruginosa. For organisms inhibited by sucralfate, Cicalfate® solution inhibited growth at lower sucralfate concentrations than sucralfate solution.

Clinical Significance

The results of this pilot study suggest that Cicalfate® and sucralfate demonstrate in vitro antibacterial activity. Further in vitro and clinical studies are warranted to confirm these observations and determine their clinical utility in the treatment of superficial pyoderma.
Onosma lhokaensis (Boraginaceae), a new species from Xizang, China
Authors: He Yi , Hao Jia‐Chen , Ahmad Latif , Liu Quan‐Ru
Published: July 2018

A new species of Boraginaceae, Onosma lhokaensis, is described and illustrated from Xizang, China. The new species closely resembles O. waddellii and O. waltonii in having azure corollas, coherent anthers and glabrous filaments, but differs in having particularly bristly indumentum, observably narrow corolla, longer calyxes and anthers, and remarkable nutlets with stipitate cicatrix. An updated key to the species of Onosma known from Xizang is also provided.
A new understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of colonic motility?
Authors: Dinning P. G.
Published: July 2018

Background

In recent years, high‐resolution manometry has been used in an attempt to gain a greater insight into the physiology/pathophysiology of colonic contractile activity in healthy adults and patients with colonic motility disorders. New colonic motor patterns have been identified and characterized, however, the clinical significance of these findings remains undetermined.

Purpose

This review will assess the current literature on colonic high‐resolution manometry and determine if this procedure has advanced our understanding of colonic motility. The limitations, future directions, and the potential of this technique to assess the effects of treatment upon colonic motor patterns will also be discussed.