bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I am trying to practice good teaching”: Reconceptualizing eportfolios for professional development in vocational higher education
Authors: Winberg Christine , Pallitt Nicola
Published: March 2016

Teaching portfolios have become increasingly important to university teachers. Portfolio requirements for the appointment or promotion of academic staff recognize that the assessment of teaching practice requires more depth and detail than a candidate's academic CV generally affords. The focus of this study is the electronic teaching portfolios, developed for purposes of promotion, in a vocational higher education context. Data were obtained from candidates' eportfolios, from precourse and end‐of‐course surveys, as well as from eportfolio assessors' formative and summative feedback. The analysis of the data reveals tensions arising from portfolio building in the particular context of vocational higher education. The nature of the vocational field impacts not only on teaching and learning practice, but on how academic staff choose to present their practice in an eportfolio. The paper argues that the constraints and enablements of context, including the disciplinary context, as well as the possibilities and limitations of agency, will strongly influence the purposes of eportfolio development and the extent to which university teachers can exercise agency in the creation of an eportfolio in a “high stakes” context. The findings can help university appointments and promotions committees, as well as educational developers, to better understand these enablements and constraints in order to inform policy and implementation.
A phase II, single‐arm, multicentre study of coltuximab ravtansine (SAR3419) and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Coiffier Bertrand , Thieblemont Catherine , de Guibert Sophie , Dupuis Jehan , Ribrag Vincent , Bouabdallah Réda , Morschhauser Franck , Navarro Robert , Le Gouill Steven , Haioun Corinne , Houot Roch , Casasnovas Olivier , Holte Harald , Lamy Thierry , Broussais Florence , Payrard Sandrine , Hatteville Laurence , Tilly Hervé
Published: March 2016

In this phase II, multicentre, single‐arm study, 52 patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) received the anti‐CD19 antibody–drug conjugate coltuximab ravtansine (55 mg/m2) and rituximab (375 mg/m2) weekly for 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by International Working Group Criteria. The primary objective was to reject the null hypothesis of an ORR of ≤40%. Among 45 evaluable patients, the ORR was 31·1% (80% confidence interval [CI]: 22·0–41·6%) and the primary objective was not met. The ORR appeared higher in patients with relapsed disease (58·3% [80% CI: 36·2–78·1%]) versus those refractory to their last (42·9% [80% CI: 17·0–72·1%]) or first‐line therapy (15·4% [80% CI: 6·9–28·4%]). Median progression‐free survival, overall survival and duration of response were 3·9 [80% CI: 3·22–3·98], 9·0 [80% CI: 6·47–13·67] and 8·6 (range: 0–18) months, respectively. The pharmacokinetics of both drugs were unaffected by co‐administration. Common adverse events included gastrointestinal disorders (52%) and asthenia (25%). No patients discontinued due to adverse events. In conclusion, coltuximab ravtansine with rituximab was well tolerated and yielded clinical responses in a subset of patients with relapsed/refractory DLBCL.
Slope‐to‐basin stratigraphic evolution of the northwestern Great Bahama Bank (Bahamas) during the Neogene to Quaternary: interactions between downslope and bottom currents deposits
Authors: Principaud Mélanie , Ponte Jean‐Pierre , Mulder Thierry , Gillet Hervé , Robin Cécile , Borgomano Jean
Published: March 2016

Multichannel high‐resolution seismic data along the northwestern margin of the Great Bahama Bank (GBB), Bahamas, detail the internal geometry and depositional history of a Neogene‐Quaternary carbonate slope‐to‐basin area. The stratigraphic architecture through this period evolves from (i) a mud‐dominated slope apron during the Miocene, (ii) a debris‐dominated base‐of‐slope apron during the Late Pliocene and then (iii) return to a slope apron with very short prograding clinoformal aprons during the Pleistocene. This geometric evolution was broadly constrained by the development of the Santaren Drift by bottom current since the Langhian. The drift expands along the northwesternGBBslope, forming a continuous correlative massive feature that shows successive phases of growth and retreat and influenced the downslope sediments distribution. Indeed, Late Pliocene deposits are confined into the moat, forming a strike‐continuous coarse debrites belt along the mid‐slope, preventing their free expansion into the basin. The occurrence of basinal drift that operated since 15 Ma showed a significant upslope growth around 3.6 Ma and is interpreted as resulting from the closure of the Central American Seaway which also coincides with a global oceanographic re‐organization and climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere.
The effect of the Canada‐US Free Trade Agreement on Canadian multilateral trade liberalization
Authors: Mai Joseph , Stoyanov Andrey
Published: March 2016

In this paper show that the Canada‐US Free Trade Agreement (CUSFTA) tariff preferences have triggered a decline in Canadian external tariffs, explaining a two percentage point reduction in the average tariff between 1989 and 1998. Next, we found that industries that generate the least export rent to the US firms experienced deeper tariff cuts in Canada; this result provides evidence of cooperation in trade policies between the US and Canada. Finally, we estimate the effect of the CUSFTA on the intensity of industrial lobbying for trade policy in Canada and find no relationship between preferential trade liberalization and lobbying activity.
Chinese export competition, declining exports and adjustments at the industry and regional level in Europe
Authors: Flückiger Matthias , Ludwig Markus
Published: March 2016

We analyze how a set of 22 European countries was affected by increased Chinese export competition between 1995 and 2008. Employing product‐group level data, we observe a reduction in the export volumes of European countries due to increased Chinese export competition. This deceleration in the export sector induces changes within the manufacturing industries, especially a decline in employment. When using more aggregated, regional‐level data, our analysis shows that the industry sector as a whole declines, resulting in an increased unemployment rate. The importance of Chinese export competition for Europe is attributable to its high export intensity.
The evolving patterns of global production of multi‐product firms
Authors: He Huanlang , Yu Zhihao
Published: March 2016

We extend the framework of Antràs and Helpman (2004) to investigate how multi‐product firms choose different production structures for producing various products and derive four equilibrium patterns of global production. We show that the evolving patterns of inward foreign direct investment and outward processing trade observed in China can be explained by the rapid increase in labour productivity relative to wages. The model predicts that, as labour productivity increases, outsourcing activities will eventually exhibit an inverse U‐shape. We also find that technology spillover increases outsourcing but reduces FDI; the increase in labour productivity, however, could raise both FDI and outsourcing activities.
Spheres of decision‐making in small and isolated municipalities: The Thompson‐Nicola Regional District
Authors: Rahman Hafizur , Seldon Zena
Published: March 2016

While there is extensive American literature that examines the interface between elected officials and administrators in cities and municipalities, there is virtually nothing written about Canada, particularly for small and isolated cities and villages. Based on a survey consisting of twenty‐one operational questions conducted in the Thompson‐Nicola Regional District (TNRD) of British Columbia, the study fills that void. We found varying degrees of shared decision‐making between the two parties, but the respondents also reported incursions from their counterparties in a number of areas.
What do patients expect from treatment with Dental Implants? Perceptions, expectations and misconceptions: a multicenter study
Authors: Yao Jie , Li Ming , Tang Hua , Wang Peng‐Lai , Zhao Yu‐Xiao , McGrath Colman , Mattheos Nikos
Published: March 2016

Objective

While research in terms of patient‐centered care in implant therapy is growing, few studies have investigated patients' initial perceptions prior to consultation with the implant dentist. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to capture patients' initial information level, perceptions, as well as expectations from the implant therapy.

Method

A 34‐item questionnaire was developed to investigate patients' preoperative information, perceptions and expectations from treatment with Dental Implants. The study was conducted in three locations (Hong Kong, SiChuan and JiangSu) during 2014–2015 with 277 patients.

Results

The main information source about implant therapy was the dentist or hygienist for less than half of the patients (n = 113, 42%). About 62.8% of participants considered that they were in general informed about implants, but only 17.7% felt confident with the information they had. More than 30% of the sample appeared to maintain dangerous misperceptions about Dental Implants: “Dental Implants require less care than natural teeth”; “Treatment with Dental Implants is appropriate for all patients with missing teeth”; “Dental Implants last longer than natural teeth”; and “Treatments with Dental Implants have no risks or complications.” Patients were divided when asked whether “Dental Implants are as functional as natural teeth” (agreement frequency = 52.7%). Expectations from treatment outcome were commonly high, while there was a significant correlation between the overall mean of perception scores and outcome expectation scores (r = 0.32, P < 0.001). Overall, younger subjects (<45 years) and those with higher education level (bachelor and postgraduate) tended to present more realistic perceptions and lower outcome expectations.

Conclusion

The majority of patients in this study presented relatively realistic perceptions. However, an alarming portion of the sample presented with inaccurate perceptions and unrealistic expectations, which the dental team would need to diagnose and correct prior to initiating implant treatment.
Histomorphometric evaluation of a dual acid‐etched vs. a chemically modified hydrophilic dual acid‐etched implant surface. An experimental study in dogs
Authors: de Jesus Rainde Naiara Rezende , Stavropoulos Andreas , Oliveira Maiolino Thomaz Fonseca , Soares Priscilla Barbosa Ferreira , Moura Camilla Christian Gomes , Zanetta‐Barbosa Darceny
Published: March 2016

Objective

The aim of this preclinicalin vivostudy was to compare histologically and histomorphometrically osseointegration of dual acid‐etched vs. hydrophilic implants.

Material and methods

Two pairs of implants (Neodent, Curitiba, Brazil), with same macrogeometry but different surface technology (i) dual acid‐etched surface (SAE) treatment with hydrochloric and sulfuric acid followed by microwave treatment and insertion in isotonic saline solution to increase hydrophilicity (SAE‐HD) (test,n = 12); (ii) dualSAE(control,n = 12) were installed bilaterally in the proximal tibia of six beagle dogs. Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation was performed after 2 and 4 weeksin vivo, on non‐decalcified sections. Percentages of bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone density (BD) were estimated and tested for significant differences with the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test for paired samples (P < 0.05).

Results

In general, new bone formation along and in contact with the implant surface could be observed irrespective of the experimental group and observation period. Most of the bone was woven but small quantities of lamellar bone, mainly in close proximity to the cortex could also be observed.BICat 2 weeks was 19.57 ± 13.57 and 20.33 ± 7.99 (P = 0.75), and at 4 weeks was 42.80 ± 14.48 and 40.25 ± 9.45 (P = 0.65) forSAE‐HDandSAEimplants respectively.BDat 2 weeks was 24.85 ± 16.31 and 25.66 ± 8.59 (P = 0.35) and at 4 weeks 44.13 ± 6.46 and 40.13 ± 6.46 (P = 0.25) forSAE‐HDandSAEimplants respectively.

Conclusion

Bone‐to‐implant contact andBDincreased with time in bothSAE‐HDandSAEimplants. No significant differences were observed between the two different implant surfaces for any of the evaluated parameters and at any observation time‐point.
Treatment satisfaction with different weight loss methods among respondents with obesity
Authors: Gupta S. , Wang Z.
Published: March 2016

Satisfaction with weight loss (WL) methods has been correlated with the effectiveness, long‐term compliance and commitment to weight management. This study explored treatment satisfaction associated with different WL methods among patients with obesity. Cross‐sectional data were analysed from the 2012 US National Health and Wellness Survey. Respondents with obesity were categorized as having a WL procedure (e.g., gastric bypass and gastric banding) or using a prescription medication for WL (Sur/Rx), vs. using self‐modification WL techniques (e.g., diet, exercise and WL supplements). Overall satisfaction with current WL methods was assessed among the obese and the overweight/obese with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Of the 22 927 respondents with obesity, 58.4% took no current action to lose weight, 2.3% were identified as Sur/Rx and 39.3% were identified as self‐modification. The Sur/Rx group reported being very/extremely satisfied more frequently than the self‐modification group (39.3% vs. 20.2%, P < 0.001). Similarly, respondents with T2DM that were overweight/obese reported higher satisfaction in the Sur/Rx vs. the self‐modification group (46.6% vs. 22.7%, P < 0.001). Satisfaction with WL methods was greater for the Sur/Rx vs. the self‐modification group. Data suggest the importance of including bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy as an integral part in comprehensive WL management.
Determinants of stoma reversal in rectal cancer patients who had an anterior resection between 2009 and 2012 in the English National Health Service
Authors: Kuryba A. J. , Scott N. A. , Hill J. , van der Meulen J. H. , Walker K.
Published: March 2016

Aim

The rate of ileostomy reversal was estimated in patients undergoing an elective anterior resection for rectal cancer and factors associated with reversal were identified.

Method

The records of 4879 rectal patients who had an ileostomy created during anterior resection between 2009 and 2012 were identified in the National Bowel Cancer Audit database and linked to administrative records of the Hospital Episode Statistics. Patients were followed from surgery. Multivariable proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the impact of patient and cancer characteristics on ileostomy reversal with death as the competing risk.

Results

Within 18 months from anterior resection, 3536 (72.5%) patients had undergone ileostomy reversal. The reversal rate was lower in the following circumstances: older patients [hazard ratio (HR) 0.90; 95% CI 0.84–0.96, aged 80 vs 70 years], male gender (HR 0.90; 0.84–0.97), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade (HR 0.64; 0.56–0.74, ASA 3+ vs 1), more advanced cancer (HR 0.77; 0.69–0.87, T3 vs T1), socioeconomic deprivation (HR 0.83; 0.74–0.93, most vs least deprived quintile), comorbidity (HR 0.92; 0.84–1.00, one vs no comorbidity) and open surgical procedure (HR 0.90; 0.84–0.97, open vs laparoscopic).

Conclusion

Overall, two‐thirds of ileostomies were reversed within 18 months. Reversal rates were linked to patient and cancer characteristics (age, sex, fitness and stage), mode of surgical access and socioeconomic deprivation. Observed lower reversal rates in patients from poorer backgrounds may indicate inequity in access.
The reliability of a single protocol to determine endothelial, microvascular and autonomic functions in adolescents
Authors: Bond Bert , Williams Craig A. , Barker Alan R.
Published: March 2016

Background

Impairments in macrovascular, microvascular and autonomic function are present in asymptomatic youths with clustered cardiovascular disease risk factors. This study determines the within‐day reliability and between‐day reliability of a single protocol to non‐invasively assess these outcomes in adolescents.

Methods

Forty 12‐ to 15‐year‐old adolescents (20 boys) visited the laboratory in a fasted state on two occasions, approximately 1 week apart. One hour after a standardized cereal breakfast, macrovascular function was determined via flow‐mediated dilation (FMD). Heart rate variability (root mean square of successive R‐R intervals; RMSSD) was determined from the ECG‐gated ultrasound images acquired during the FMD protocol prior to cuff occlusion. Microvascular function was simultaneously quantified as the peak (PRH) and total (TRH) hyperaemic response to occlusion in the cutaneous circulation of the forearm via laser Doppler imaging. To address within‐day reliability, a subset of twenty adolescents (10 boys) repeated these measures 90 min afterwards on one occasion.

Results

The within‐day typical error and between‐day typical error expressed as a coefficient of variation of these outcomes are as follows: ratio‐scaled FMD, 5·1% and 10·6%; allometrically scaled FMD, 4·4% and 9·4%; PRH, 11% and 13·3%; TRH, 29·9% and 23·1%; and RMSSD, 17·6% and 17·6%. The within‐ and between‐day test–retest correlation coefficients for these outcomes were all significant (r > 0·54 for all).

Conclusion

Macrovascular, microvascular and autonomic functions can be simultaneously and non‐invasively determined in adolescents using a single protocol with an appropriate degree of reproducibility. Determining these outcomes may provide greater understanding of the progression of cardiovascular disease and aid early intervention.
Integrating phylogeography and species distribution models: cryptic distributional responses to past climate change in an endemic rodent from the central Chile hotspot
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Tapia Pablo , Palma R. Eduardo
Published: March 2016

Aim

Biodiversity losses under the species level may have been severely underestimated in future global climate change scenarios. Therefore, it is important to characterize the diversity units at this level, as well as to understand their ecological responses to climatic forcings. We have chosen an endemic rodent from a highly endangered ecogeographic area as a model to look for distributional responses below the species level: Phyllotis darwini.

Location

The central Chile biodiversity hotspot: This area harbours a high number of endemic species, and it is known to have experienced vegetational displacements between two mountain systems during and after the Last Glacial Maximum.

Methods

We have characterized cryptic lineages inside P. darwini in a classic phylogeographic approach; those intraspecific lineages were considered as relevant units to construct distribution models at Last Glacial Maximum and at present, as border climatic conditions. Differences in distribution between border conditions for each lineage were interpreted as distributional responses to post‐glacial climate change.

Results

The species is composed of two major phylogroups: one of them has a broad distribution not only across the valley but also in mountain ranges, whereas the other displays a disjunct distribution across both mountain ranges and always above 1500 m. The lineage distribution model under LGM climatic conditions suggests that both lineages were codistributed in the southern portion of P. darwini's current geographic range, mainly at the valley and at the coast.

Main conclusions

Present distribution of lineages in P. darwini is the consequence of a cryptic distributional response to climate change after LGM: post‐glacial northward colonization, with strict altitudinal segregation of both phylogroups.
Using individual tracking data to validate the predictions of species distribution models
Authors: Pinto Cecilia , Thorburn James A. , Neat Francis , Wright Peter J. , Wright Serena , Scott Beth E. , Cornulier Thomas , Travis Justin M. J.
Published: March 2016

Aim

Estimating environmental suitability from species distribution data is crucial in defining spatial conservation measures. To this end, species distribution models (SDMs) are commonly applied, but seldom validated by completely independent data. Here, we use data on individual tracks derived from electronic tags as an alternative means of validating SDM outputs.

Location

West coast of Scotland, NE Atlantic.

Methods

We used a binomial generalized additive model (GAM) to predict the environmental suitability for flapper skate (Dipturus cf. intermedia) in Scottish waters. The GAM modelled relative habitat usage as a function of environmental variables using presence–absence data obtained from scientific trawl surveys. Additional data obtained from electronic tags attached to six individual flapper skates were used to estimate individual tracks using a tidal‐based geolocation model. Concordance between individual tracks and GAM‐predicted maps of relative habitat usage (RHU) was tested by comparing predicted RHU between estimated tracks and randomly generated tracks.

Results

Environmental suitability for the flapper skate was driven by depth and distance from the coast in the SDM. We found high spatial concordance between the estimated tracks of the six tagged individuals and regions of high RHU predicted by the SDM.

Main conclusions

Integrating outputs from an independent data source allowed us to validate predictions from a species distribution model (SDM). The integration of individual‐ and population‐level data sources increases confidence in the outputs being used to define spatial conservation measures. The information on flapper skate distribution provided by this study provides a useful framework for considering spatial conservation measures for this species.
Inhibition of phosphorylated Ser473‐Akt from translocating into the nucleus contributes to 2‐cell arrest and defective zygotic genome activation in mouse preimplantation embryogenesis
Authors: Chen Junming , Lian Xiuli , Du Juan , Xu Songhua , Wei Jianen , Pang Lili , Song Chanchan , He Lin , Wang Shie
Published: March 2016

Phosphorylated Ser473‐Akt (p‐Ser473‐Akt) is extensively studied as a correlate for the activity of Akt, which plays an important role in mouse oogenesis and preimplantation embryogenesis. However, little progress has been made about its effect on the mouse zygotic genome activation (ZGA) of 2‐cell stage in mouse preimplantation embryos. In this study, we confirmed its localization in the pronuclei of 1‐cell embryos and found that p‐Ser473‐Akt acquired prominent nucleus localization in 2‐cell embryos physiologically. Akt specific inhibitors API‐2 and MK2206 could inhibit the development of mouse preimplantation embryos in vitro, and induce 2‐cell arrest at certain concentrations. 2‐cell embryos exposed to 2.0 μmol/L API‐2 or 30 μmol/L MK2206 displayed attenuated immunofluorescence intensity of p‐Ser473‐Akt in the nucleus. Simultaneously, qRT‐PCR results revealed that 2.0 μmol/L API‐2 treatment significantly downregulated the mRNA pattern of MuERV‐L and eIF‐1A, two marker genes of ZGA, suggesting a defect in ZGA compared with that of control group. Collectively, our work demonstrated the nuclear localization of p‐Ser473‐Akt during major ZGA, and Akt specific inhibitors API‐2 and MK2206 which led to 2‐cell arrest inhibited p‐Ser473‐Akt from translocating into the nucleus of 2‐cell embryos with defective ZGA as well, implying p‐Ser473‐Akt may be a potential player in the major ZGA of 2‐cell mouse embryos.
Small bees overheat in sunlit flowers: do they make cooling flights?
Authors: CORBET SARAH A. , HUANG SHUANG‐QUAN
Published: March 2016

1. Although thermoregulation by large bees in cool climates has been well studied, less is known about the very different thermoregulatory strategies of small bees, especially those subjected to heat stress.

2. Studies were carried out on small (< 20 mg fresh weight), dark‐coloured, solitary bees (mostly halictids and hylaeine colletids) experiencing an extreme radiative heat load, enhanced by the high‐altitude location and by reflection of incident radiation by the high‐albedo petals of the flowers of Potentilla lancinata.

3. When foraging in the flowers, such bees experienced peak operative temperatures exceeding 44 °C. In these conditions, males largely stopped foraging but females continued, usually limiting their flower visits to a few seconds and making frequent short flights. These flights would cool the bees down, because bees suspended in air were cooler than bees in sunlit flowers, and convective cooling during flight would further enhance the cooling effect of departure from the flower.

4. As far as is known, cooling flights in small bees have not been proposed before, providing a new avenue for exploration of bee thermoregulatory strategies.
Relationships between body size and secondary sexual characters, and sperm characters in male Dolly Varden char (Salvelinus malma)
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiaki , Hirohashi Noritaka , Fujiwara Eiji , Suzuki Tatsuya , Maruta Hatsuna , Omiya Hirotake , Kitanishi Shigeru
Published: March 2016

In Salmonidae, subordinate males are exposed to higher risks of sperm competition than dominant males and thus are expected to improve the sperm characteristics (sperm concentrations, sperm velocity and sperm longevity). In this study, we investigated the relationships between body size and secondary sexual characters (breeding colour, hump height and snout length), and sperm characteristics of one‐year‐old (newly matured) Dolly Varden char. Small males displayed higher sperm concentrations than large males. Moreover, males with dull breeding colours, but not with lesser snout length and hump height, displayed an increased sperm velocity compared to males with bright colours, suggesting a trade‐off between sperm quantity and the investment in breeding colour. In addition, sperm longevity decreased as sperm swimming velocity increased. These findings indicate that small males with dull breeding colours improve the quantity and quality of their sperm to a great extent to enhance their chances of reproductive success.
Does dental undergraduate education and postgraduate training enable intention to provide inhalation sedation in primary dental care? A path analytical exploration
Authors: Yuan S. , J Carson S. , Rooksby M. , McKerrow J. , Lush C. , Humphris G. , Freeman R.
Published: March 2016

Aim

To examine how quality standards of dental undergraduate education, postgraduate training and qualifications together with confidence and barriers could be utilised to predict intention to provide inhalation sedation.

Methods

All 202 dentists working within primary dental care in NHS Highland were invited to participate. The measures in the questionnaire survey included demographic information, undergraduate education and postgraduate qualifications, current provision and access to sedation service, attitudes towards confidence, barriers and intention to provide inhalation sedation. A path analytical approach was employed to investigate the fit of collected data to the proposed mediational model.

Results

One hundred and nine dentists who completed the entire questionnaire participated (response rate of 54%). Seventy‐six per cent of dentists reported receiving lectures in conscious sedation during their undergraduate education. Statistically significantly more Public Dental Service dentists compared with General Dental Service (GDS) dentists had postgraduate qualification and Continuing Professional Development training experience in conscious sedation. Only twenty‐four per cent of the participants stated that they provided inhalation sedation to their patients. The findings indicated that PDS dentists had higher attitudinal scores towards inhalation sedation than GDS practitioners. The proposed model showed an excellent level of fit. A multigroup comparison test confirmed that the level of association between confidence in providing inhalation sedation and intention varied by group (GDS vs. PDS respondents). Public Dental Service respondents who showed extensive postgraduate training experience in inhalation sedation were more confident and likely to provide this service.

Conclusion

The quality standards of dental undergraduate education, postgraduate qualifications and training together with improved confidence predicted primary care dentists’ intention to provide inhalation sedation.
Immunostimulating and Gram‐negative‐specific antibacterial cyclotides from the butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)
Authors: Nguyen Kim Ngan T. , Nguyen Giang Kien Truc , Nguyen Phuong Quoc Thuc , Ang Koon Hwee , Dedon Peter C. , Tam James P.
Published: March 2016

Cyclotides are plant‐derived, cyclic miniproteins with three interlocking disulfide bonds that have attracted great interests because of their excellent stability and potential as peptide therapeutics. In this study, we characterize the cyclotides of the medicinal plant Clitoria ternatea (butterfly pea) and investigate their biological activities. Using a combined proteomic and transcriptomic method, we identified 41 novel cyclotide sequences, which we named cliotides, making C. ternatea one of the richest cyclotide‐producing plants to date. Selected members of the cationic cliotides display potent antibacterial activity specifically against Gram‐negative bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.5 μm. Remarkably, they also possess prominent immunostimulating activity. At a concentration of 1 μm, cationic cliotides are capable of augmenting the secretion of various cytokines and chemokines in human monocytes at both resting and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated states. Chemokines such as macrophage inflammatory proteins 1α and 1β, interferon γ‐induced protein 10, interleukin 8 and tumor necrosis factor α were among the most upregulated with up to 129‐fold increase in secretion level. These findings suggest cyclotides can serve as potential candidates for novel immunomodulating therapeutics.

Database

The protein sequences reported in this paper (cT13–cT21) are available in the UniProt Knowledgebase under the accession numbers C0HJS0, C0HJS1, C0HJS2, C0HJS3, C0HJS4, C0HJS5, C0HJS6, C0HJS7 and C0HJS8, respectively. The transcriptome data in this paper are available at the Sequence Read Archive database (NCBI) under accession number SRR1613316. The protein precursors reported in this paper (ctc13, ctc15, ctc17–ctc19, ctc21–ctc53) are available at GenBank under the accession numbers KT732712, KT732713, KT732714, KT732715, KT732716, KT732717, KT732718, KT732719, KT732720, KT732721, KT732722, KT732723, KT732724, KT732725, KT732726, KT732727, KT732728, KT732729, KT732730, KT732731, KT732732, KT732733, KT732734, KT732735, KT732736, KT732737, KT732738, KT732739, KT732740, KT732741, KT732742, KT732743, KT732744, KT732745, KT732746, KT732747, KT732748 and KT732749, respectively.
Global patterns and drivers of species and trait composition in diatoms
Authors: Soininen Janne , Jamoneau Aurélien , Rosebery Juliette , Passy Sophia I.
Published: March 2016

Aim

To examine species and trait composition in stream diatoms along environmental, climatic and spatial gradients and to ascertain if the use of different levels of biological organization is beneficial for investigating global environmental changes and the role of history in structuring communities.

Location

Global cover with datasets from the Antilles, France, Finland, New Zealand, La Réunion and the United States.

Methods

We related diatom species composition, guild composition, total richness and richness across guilds to environmental, climatic and spatial variables. We used non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) with environmental variable fitting, redundancy analysis (RDA) with variation partitioning, analysis of similarities and linear mixed models as statistical tools.

Results

Species composition differed significantly among the study regions, while the differences in guild composition were less pronounced. US and French streams shared a large number of species, whereas islands shared only a few species with continents. For species composition, all predictors showed significant relationships with diatoms but pH, longitude, annual temperature and precipitation had the strongest impact. Variation partitioning revealed that the local environment outperformed climatic and spatial variables. For guild composition, there was a substantial overlap across regions in NMDS. The results from RDA demonstrated, however, that guild composition was better explained than species composition, especially by environmental variables. Both species and guild richness were significantly correlated with most predictors. Notably, species richness scaled positively with latitude.

Main conclusions

Diatom species and guild composition varied substantially in response to local environment and climatic and spatial variables indicating both environmental and historical effects. Species composition discriminated the geographical regions better, while guild composition detected the environmental gradients better. This emphasizes the need to examine different levels of organization to gain a deeper understanding of the roles of environment versus history in structuring communities. These findings suggest that diatom species distributions are under strong microevolutionary constraints. Conversely, guild distributions are less dependent on historic factors and are driven primarily by the environment, which makes them better suited for research on global environmental change.
Health and happiness among community‐dwelling older adults in Domkhar valley, Ladakh, India
Authors: Sakamoto Ryota , Okumiya Kiyohito , Norboo Tsering , Tsering Norboo , Wada Taizo , Fujisawa Michiko , Imai Hissei , Nose Mitsuhiro , Ishimoto Yasuko , Kimura Yumi , Fukutomi Eriko , Chen Wenling , Matsubayashi Kozo
Published: March 2016

Aim

The aim of the present study was to show the status of objective geriatric functions and subjective quality of life in Ladakh, India, compared with Japanese controls.

Methods

We analyzed data of 117 people aged 60 years or older in Domkhar, and age‐ and sex‐specific Japanese controls. Variables measured included blood pressure, hemoglobin, timed up & go test, basic activities of daily living, Geriatric Depression Scale and the Visual Analog Scale for subjective quality of life.

Results

People in Domkhar were more likely to have difficulties in basic activities of daily living compared with Japanese controls. However, they were significantly more likely to maintain social roles. The Visual Analog Scale scores in subjective friendship, economic satisfaction and happiness were higher in Domkhar compared with Japanese controls. Living alone (OR 9.92, 95% CI 2.13–46.26), high Geriatric Depression Scale score (6 or more; OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.65–43.35) and timed up & go test (17 s or more; OR 21.00, 95% CI 1.69–260.87) were significantly associated with a low score of subjective happiness (less than 50). Residence in Domkhar (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04–0.77) was a significant factor for low prevalence of a low score of subjective happiness by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

Subjective quality of life among older adults in Domkhar was higher than Japanese controls despite a higher rate of difficulty in basic activities of daily living. We have to consider prevention, treatment, and care of not only diseases and disabilities, but also loneliness for the older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 480–486.
Prediagnostic Helicobacter pylori Antibodies and Colorectal Cancer Risk in an Elderly, Caucasian Population
Authors: Blase Jennifer L. , Campbell Peter T. , Gapstur Susan M. , Pawlita Michael , Michel Angelika , Waterboer Tim , Teras Lauren R.
Published: March 2016

Background

Study results on overall seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori and colorectal cancer risk have been inconsistent. However, one study found positive associations with antibodies to specific H. pylori proteins. To follow up on those findings, we assessed associations of 15 H. pylori specific proteins with colorectal cancer incidence in the prospective Cancer Prevention Study‐II Nutrition Cohort.

Materials and Methods

Participants in this nested case–control study included 392 cases and 774 controls who were predominantly elderly (median age at blood draw: 71 years) and Caucasian (98%). Seroreactivity against 15 H. pylori proteins was assessed by fluorescent bead‐based multiplex serology and associations with colorectal cancer were estimated using conditional logistic regression.

Results

Helicobacter pylori serostatus was not associated with colorectal cancer incidence (odds ratio (OR), 1.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.91–1.50). Among individual antigens, GroEl serostatus was associated with colorectal cancer risk (OR, 1.32, 95% CI: 1.03–1.70), whereas CagM was associated with colon cancer risk only (OR, 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.80). No dose–response relationships were observed for any of the antigens, including GroEl and CagM.

Conclusions

The results of our study do not support an association between H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer risk in this elderly, mostly Caucasian population.
Changing densities of generalist species underlie apparent homogenization of UK bird communities
Authors: Sullivan Martin J. P. , Newson Stuart E. , Pearce‐Higgins James W.
Published: March 2016

Generalist species are becoming increasingly dominant in European bird communities. This has been taken as evidence of biotic homogenization, whereby generalist ‘winners’ systematically replace specialist ‘losers’. We test this pattern by relating changes in the average specialization of UK bird communities to changes in the density of species with different degrees of habitat specialization. Although we find the expected decline in community specialization, this was driven by a combination of a strong increase in the density of the most generalist quartile of species and declines in the density of moderately generalist species. Contrary to expectation, specialist species increased slightly over the 18‐year study period but had little effect on the overall trend in community specialization. Our results indicate that the apparent homogenization of UK bird communities is not driven by the replacement of specialists by generalists, but instead by the changing fortunes of generalist species.
Temperate migrants and resident bird species in Afro‐tropical savannahs show similar levels of ecological generalism
Authors: Ivande Sam T. , Cresswell Will
Published: March 2016

The specificity of an animal's habitat requirements will determine its ability to deal with anthropogenic climate and habitat change. Migratory birds are thought to be particularly vulnerable to such change, but theory predicts that they should be largely generalists. This prediction was tested with the aim of assessing whether migratory Palaearctic‐breeding birds wintering in the savannah biome of Africa are more or less generalist in their habitat use compared with taxonomically and ecologically similar Afro‐tropical resident species. The degree of specialization of these species groups to certain habitat characteristics was assessed and compared by calculating the relative occurrence of the species along habitat gradients, where wide occurrence indicates generalism and narrow occurrence indicates specialism. Palaearctic migrants as a group could not clearly be distinguished as generalists relative to Afro‐tropical residents with respect to habitat attributes. The only indication of greater flexibility in Palaearctic migrants was a significant tendency to use habitats over a wider latitudinal range. The results suggest that migrants are generalists, but not necessarily more generalist than taxonomically similar resident species that also occur over a wide range of habitat types within the savannah biome. The availability of specific habitat requirements on the wintering grounds in Africa is therefore unlikely to be a primary limiting factor for many Afro‐Palaearctic migratory bird species.
Identifying key habitats for the conservation of Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata using radiotracking
Authors: Real Joan , Bosch Rafel , Tintó Albert , Hernández‐Matías Antonio
Published: March 2016

Identifying the priority habitats of endangered species is crucial to implementing effective conservation actions. We characterize the key habitats used by Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata, an umbrella and flagship species that is endangered in Mediterranean countries. We radiotracked 17 breeding individuals (10 males and seven females) in Catalonia (NE Iberian Peninsula) and used compositional analysis to determine the key habitats in home‐ranges of both sexes. The main habitats identified within the home‐range area were scrubland, coniferous forests, cropland, sclerophyllous forests, rock outcrops and urban areas, with little difference in habitat use between the sexes. Bonelli's Eagles preferred rocky habitats as breeding areas and scrubland as foraging areas, as these hold the highest abundance of their main prey, Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and Red‐legged Partridges Alectoris rufa. Habitat selection varied seasonally in foraging areas: scrubland was the most preferred habitat type during the breeding season, whereas rocky areas were preferred during the non‐breeding season (although scrubland was also highly selected). Urban areas were avoided both as breeding and as foraging areas. Home‐range size was inversely correlated with the proportion of scrubland, suggesting that this is a key habitat for Bonelli's Eagle. To conserve this species effectively, policies that ensure the preservation of the cliffs used as breeding sites, as well as suitable management of the scrubland used for foraging, should be implemented in the areas inhabited by this species. The promotion of traditional land uses and management techniques that will enhance open areas in Mediterranean landscapes should in the future play an essential role in the conservation of Bonelli's Eagle in Mediterranean habitats.
Microneedle‐mediated intradermal delivery of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate
Authors: Puri A. , Nguyen H. X. , Banga A. K.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) is the physiologically most active and abundant flavanol, accounting for 50–80% of green tea catechins. It is an anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and skin photoprotective agent. However, light sensitivity and low permeability of EGCG across the stratum corneum due to its high molecular weight as well as strong binding to the lipid bilayers in the skin make it difficult to be used as a key ingredient in cosmetic products. This study aimed to formulate a photostable hydrogel of EGCG with good rheological properties for dermal application and investigate the effect of skin microporation using maltose microneedles on its permeation through dermatomed porcine skin.

Methods

Effect of l‐glutathione on photodegradation of EGCG was investigated by exposing samples to ultraviolet irradiation for 1 h using a solar simulator. Hydrogels with varying concentrations of Carbopol 980 (0.5–2% w/v) as an gelling agent were prepared, and their rheological properties were evaluated using a rheometer. Skin microporation was confirmed by assessing the skin resistance, transepidermal water loss and calcein imaging of the microchannels created by the microneedles. Permeation of EGCG from aqueous solution as well as the rheologically optimized hydrogel through the dermatomed porcine skin (untreated and microneedle treated) was evaluated using static vertical Franz diffusion cells.

Results

l‐glutathione acting as a co‐antioxidant and photostabilizer significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the degradation of EGCG from 21.53 ± 2.78% to 1.0 ± 0.68% after 1 h of ultraviolet irradiation. Rotational and oscillatory rheological tests indicated that the hydrogel containing 1.5% Carbopol 980 is acceptable for topical application in terms of flow behaviour, elasticity, spreadability, structural stability and thixotropy. Microneedle‐treated skin showed significant enhancement (P < 0.05) in the delivery of EGCG to viable epidermis and dermis from the aqueous solution (38.67 ± 2.96 μg cm−2) as well as hydrogel (24.60 ± 2.62 μg cm−2) in comparison with the untreated skin (24.16 ± 2.11 and 15.62 ± 0.24 μg cm−2 for aqueous solution and hydrogel, respectively).

Conclusion

Addition of glutathione in EGCG formulations significantly reduces its photodegradation. Skin microporation with maltose microneedles facilitates the penetration of EGCG across the stratum corneum into the deeper skin layers – viable epidermis and dermis.
Comparison of two preventive interventions on dental caries among children in Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Authors: Tarvonen P‐L , Sipilä K , Yang GS , Kim JK , Lamidi M‐L , Suominen AL
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The aim was to compare the change in dental caries status in two different intervention groups of the Children's Oral Health Promotion Programme (COHPP).

Methods

A longitudinal study among 500 children who had participated into the COHPP for 6 years was conducted in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Children in Group I received intensified school‐based intervention and were clinically examined at the age of 7 years in 2007 (n = 250), 10 years in 2010 (n = 250) and 13 years in 2013 (n = 242). Children in Group II (n = 250) joined the programme at the age of 4 years in kindergarten in 2007, were provided with early preschool‐based intervention and were clinically examined at the age of 7 years in 2010 and 10 years in 2013.

Results

Both the prevalence and the mean number of dt + DT decreased significantly in both groups during the follow‐up. This was due to decrease in the number of dt, whereas the number of DT remained relatively constant. Poisson regression showed that the association between the group status and the change in the number of dt + DT was statistically significant when adjusted for gender but disappeared when the school was included in the analysis.

Conclusions

The decrease in dental caries may be partly due to the exfoliation of deciduous teeth and dental treatment received. However, the study gave some reference emphasizing the early starting of the prevention.