bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Skeletal Muscle in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Loeffler Jean‐Philippe , Picchiarelli Gina , Dupuis Luc , Gonzalez De Aguilar Jose‐Luis
Published: January 2016

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal adult‐onset disease primarily characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, muscle wasting and paralysis. It is increasingly accepted that the pathological process leading to ALS is the result of multiple disease mechanisms that operate within motor neurons and other cell types both inside and outside the central nervous system. The implication of skeletal muscle has been the subject of a number of studies conducted on patients and related animal models. In this review, we describe the features of ALS muscle pathology and discuss on the contribution of muscle to the pathological process. We also give an overview of the therapeutic strategies proposed to alleviate muscle pathology or to deliver curative agents to motor neurons. ALS muscle mainly suffers from oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic disturbances. However, the way by which the disease affects different types of myofibers depends on their contractile and metabolic features. Although the implication of muscle in nourishing the degenerative process is still debated, there is compelling evidence suggesting that it may play a critical role. Detailed understanding of the muscle pathology in ALS could, therefore, lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets.
New Insights on the Mechanisms of Disease Course Variability in ALS from Mutant SOD1 Mouse Models
Authors: Nardo Giovanni , Trolese Maria Chiara , Tortarolo Massimo , Vallarola Antonio , Freschi Mattia , Pasetto Laura , Bonetto Valentina , Bendotti Caterina
Published: January 2016

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous disease in terms of progression rate and survival. This is probably one of the reasons for the failure of many clinical trials and the lack of effective therapies. Similar variability is also seen in SOD1G93A mouse models based on their genetic background. For example, when the SOD1G93A transgene is expressed in C57BL6 background the phenotype is mild with slower disease progression than in the 129Sv mice expressing the same amount of transgene but showing faster progression and shorter lifespan. This review summarizes and discusses data obtained from the analysis of these two mouse models under different aspects such as the motor phenotype, neuropathological alterations in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the motor neuron autonomous and non‐cell autonomous mechanisms with the aim of finding elements to explain the different rates of disease progression. We also discuss the identification of promising prognostic biomarkers by comparative analysis of the two ALS mouse models. This analysis might possibly suggest new strategies for effective therapeutic intervention in ALS to slow significantly or even block the course of the disease.
Non‐neuronal Cells in ALS: Role of Glial, Immune cells and Blood‐CNS Barriers
Authors: Puentes Fabiola , Malaspina Andrea , van Noort Johannes M. , Amor Sandra
Published: January 2016

Neurological dysfunction and motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is strongly associated with neuroinflammation reflected by activated microglia and astrocytes in the CNS. In ALS endogenous triggers in the CNS such as aggregated protein and misfolded proteins activate a pathogenic response by innate immune cells. However, there is also strong evidence for a neuroprotective immune response in ALS. Emerging evidence also reveals changes in the peripheral adaptive immune responses as well as alterations in the blood brain barrier that may aid traffic of lymphocytes and antibodies into the CNS. Understanding the triggers of neuroinflammation is key to controlling neuronal loss. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the roles of non‐neuronal cells as well as the innate and adaptive immune responses in ALS. Existing ALS animal models, in particular genetic rodent models, are very useful to study the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration. We also discuss the approaches used to target the pathogenic immune responses and boost the neuroprotective immune pathways as novel immunotherapies for ALS.
Daily morphine administration increases impulsivity in rats responding under a 5‐choice serial reaction time task
Authors: Maguire DR , Henson C , France CP
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose

Repeated administration of a μ opioid receptor agonist can enhance some forms of impulsivity, such as delay discounting. However, it is unclear whether repeated administration alters motor impulsivity.

Experimental Approach

We examined the effects of acute administration of morphine and amphetamine prior to and during daily morphine administration in rats responding under a five‐choice serial reaction time task. Rats (n = 5) were trained to detect a brief flash of light presented randomly in one of five response holes; responding in the target hole delivered food, whereas responding in the wrong hole or responding prior to illumination of the target stimulus (premature response) initiated a timeout. Premature responding served as an index of motor impulsivity.

Key Results

Administered acutely, morphine (0.1–10 mg·kg−1, i.p.) increased omissions and modestly, although not significantly, premature responding without affecting response accuracy; amphetamine (0.1–1.78 mg·kg−1, i.p.) increased premature responding without changing omissions or response accuracy. After 3 weeks of 10 mg·kg−1·day−1 morphine, tolerance developed to its effects on omissions whereas premature responding increased approximately fourfold, compared with baseline. Effects of amphetamine were not significantly affected by daily morphine administration.

Conclusions and Implications

These data suggest that repeated administration of morphine increased effects of morphine on motor impulsivity, although tolerance developed to other effects, such as omissions. To the extent that impulsivity is a risk factor for drug abuse, repeated administration of μ opioid receptor agonists, for recreational or therapeutic purposes, might increase impulsivity and thus the risk for drug abuse.
Effects of the imidazoline I2 receptor agonist 2‐BFI on the development of tolerance to and behavioural/physical dependence on morphine in rats
Authors: Thorn David A , Zhang Yanan , Li Jun‐Xu
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose

This study examined the effects of imidazoline I2 receptor agonists on the development of tolerance to and physical dependence on repeated morphine treatment in rats.

Experimental Approach

Two groups of rats (n = 9 per group) were trained to lever press for sucrose (10%) presentation under a fixed‐ratio 10 schedule. The rate‐suppressing effects of the opioid receptor ligands morphine and naltrexone and the I2 receptor agonist 2‐BFI were examined weekly in rats treated with either daily morphine (20 mg·kg−1, s.c.), alone or in combination with 2‐BFI (10 mg·kg−1) for 3 weeks. Changes in body weight were measured following naltrexone tests in both groups of rats. In separate experiments, the antinociceptive effects of morphine were assessed using a warm‐water tail‐withdrawal procedure in rats before and after daily treatments (7 days) with morphine (32 mg·kg−1, i.p.) alone or in combination with various doses of the I2 receptor agonists 2‐BFI, BU224 and CR4056.

Key Results

Daily treatment for 3 weeks, with morphine in combination with 2‐BFI produced significantly less tolerance to the rate‐suppressing effects of morphine and produced a decreased sensitivity to the rate‐suppressing effects of naltrexone as well as decreased naltrexone‐induced weight loss, compared with morphine‐alone group. Repeated treatment for 7 days with morphine produced antinociceptive tolerance, which was attenuated by co‐administration with 2‐BFI, BU224 or CR4056.

Conclusions and Implications

Imidazoline I2 receptor agonists attenuated the development of tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine, further supporting the therapeutic potential of combining I2 receptor agonists and opioids for pain treatment.
Tracking Nutrient Routing in Avian Consumers in a Subtropical Desert
Authors: Herrera M. L. Gerardo , Osorio M. Jazmín
Published: January 2016

The nutrients animals ingest are allocated to serve different functions. We used contrasting C stable isotope signatures of dominant vegetation types in a North American subtropical desert to decipher how avian consumers allocate nutrients to fuel oxidative metabolism and to construct tissues. We conducted C stable isotope analysis of breath and feathers collected from nectarivores (hummingbirds) and of breath, plasma, and red blood cell samples collected from frugivores, granivores, and insectivores. Based on varying nutrient characteristics of food sources, we expected that for frugivores and granivores, CAM‐derived food (RCCAM) would have similar importance for oxidative metabolism and for tissue building, that RCCAM in nectarivores and insectivores would be more important for fueling metabolism than for generating tissues, and that (although low) RCCAM in insectivores would be higher for sustaining metabolism than for building tissues. Our predictions held true for nectarivores and granivores, but RCCAM use in tissue building was lower than expected in frugivores and higher than expected in insectivores. Our examination at the trophic guild, population, and individual levels showed that in general, nutrients used to sustain oxidative metabolism and tissue construction had a uniform isotopic origin. This finding suggests that the avian community under investigation does not route different food groups to fulfill different needs. However, we found some exceptions, indicating that birds can use different food sources for different functions, irrespective of trophic guild.
Comparative Phylogeography of Two Bird Species, Tachyphonus phoenicius (Thraupidae) and Polytmus theresiae (Trochilidae), Specialized in Amazonian White‐sand Vegetation
Authors: Matos Maysa V. , Borges Sergio H. , d'Horta Fernando M. , Cornelius Cíntia , Latrubesse Edgardo , Cohn‐Haft Mario , Ribas Camila C.
Published: January 2016

White‐sand vegetation (WSV) harbors a unique avifauna within Amazonia, including species with patchy distributions. The history of these species' populations is likely related to variation in the availability and connectivity among WSV patches though time. By investigating the phylogeographic history of WSV bird species, we aim to better understand the dynamic evolution of forested and open habitats in Amazonia. Here, we perform a phylogeographic analysis of two WSV specialist bird species, a tanager, Tachyphonus phoenicius, and a hummingbird, Polytmus theresiae. We obtained and analyzed sequences of one mitochondrial and one nuclear gene region from 152 individuals. Results indicate that the two species have different histories. Tachyphonus phoenicius split from its Atlantic Forest/Cerrado sister clade at about 11 Ma and includes two divergent lineages, north and south of the Amazon River. Polytmus theresiae split from its Tepuian sister group at about 2.5 Ma and shows no genetic structure within Amazonia. Both lineages of T. phoenicius and P. theresiae show signs of recent population expansion. Although the two WSV species originated at different moments, and show distinct patterns of population structure, both seem to have expanded their population sizes recently, indicating that availability of white‐sand habitats may have been increasing historically and the connectivity among different white‐sand patches may have been higher in the recent past.
Phylogenetic Overdispersion in Lepidoptera Communities of Amazonian White‐sand Forests
Authors: Lamarre Greg P.A. , Amoretti Diego Salazar , Baraloto Christopher , Bénéluz Frédéric , Mesones Italo , Fine Paul V.A.
Published: January 2016

In the Amazon basin and the Guiana Shield, white‐sand (WS) forests are recognized as a low‐resource habitat often composed by a distinct flora with many edaphic endemic plants. Small patches of nutrient‐poor white‐sand forests can pose a series of challenges to plants and animals. For plants, these challenges have been shown to function as strong filters that in turn drive taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic plant composition. However, very little is known about animal communities in WS forest and the effect that low‐resource availability may have on higher trophic levels. Here, we investigate the diversity of both taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of three Lepidoptera families' (Nymphalidae, Saturniidae, and Sphingidae) assemblages between low‐resource (White‐Sand Forest) and two adjacent high‐resource habitats, terra firme clay and seasonally flooded forests. We found no clear effect of habitat type on taxonomic composition although butterfly and moth species abundance differed among the three contrasted habitats. The WS forest Lepidoptera community is significantly more phylogenetically overdispersed than expected by chance. We suggest that these low‐resource habitats filter the number of plant lineages which, in turn, creates a bottom‐up control structuring Lepidoptera phylogenetic structure. We recommend long‐term sampling on Lepidoptera community both at larval and adult stages that may complement this study and test hypotheses linking herbivore phylogenetic structure to plant resource availability and trophic cascade theory.
The Evolutionary History of Pagamea (Rubiaceae), a White‐sand Specialist Lineage in Tropical South America
Authors: Vicentini Alberto
Published: January 2016

The flora of the Guiana Shield contains several plant lineages that are restricted to white‐sand vegetation, some of which are widespread in tropical South America. Here, the history of diversification of one of these lineages, the genus Pagamea (Rubiaceae), is reconstructed through phylogenetic hypotheses. Data from chloroplast (rps16 and rpl20‐rps12) and nuclear (ITS) markers were incongruent, with ITS found to be more consistent with morphological criteria to delimit species. Reconstruction of the ancestral area for the genus was ambiguous, with both the western Guiana Shield and the Atlantic coastal areas containing early divergent lineages, but most speciation events appeared to have happened in the western Guiana Shield where most extant diversity is present. Dispersal events into the western Amazon and the Andes (1.5–4.5 Ma) and the eastern Guiana Shield (0.4–2.2 Ma) were followed by speciation events in these regions. Dispersal events between the Amazon and Atlantic rain forest occurred at least three times independently. However, dispersals into new areas were limited, and most regions were found to be phylogenetically clustered. Altitudinal and habitat shifts happened multiple times independently, but ecological traits were found to be phylogenetically conserved, implying that such shifts were not the cause of lineage divergence. The result that most speciation events happened in the western Guiana Shield, where white‐sand habitats predominate in both lowlands and highlands, and which has been less affected by Pleistocene climatic change, coupled with the result that ecological traits are phylogenetically conserved, suggests that the diversification of Pagamea may have been related primarily to the patchy distribution of white‐sand vegetation.
Regional and Fine Scale Variation of Holoepiphyte Community Structure in Central Amazonian White‐Sand Forests
Authors: Marí Maikel L. G. , Toledo José J. , Nascimento Henrique E. M. , Zartman Charles E.
Published: January 2016

Factors controlling holoepiphyte (plants which start and complete their life cycle on a phorophyte) distributions may be wide and variable. They are determined either by spatial processes, as evidenced by dispersal limitation and/or historical factors, environmental filters, such as microsite variation within phorophytes, and/or biotic interactions. Disentangling the importance of these classes is particularly difficult in tropical forests where phorophyte alpha‐diversity is exceptionally high. We controlled for phorophyte specificity by studying the holoepiphytic communities of an emergent tree Aldina heterophylla (Fabaceae), known for its heavy epiphyte loads and dominance in Amazonian white‐sand habitats, in order to quantify the importance of tree zone and geographic distance on holoepiphytes at fine (100 m2) and regional (2500 km2) scales. At regional scales, tree zone explained nearly two‐thirds of the main compositional gradient, accounting for more than double that of site differences. No spatial effects were observed on holoepiphyte community structure at the fine scale as treelet communities were more dissimilar than by chance alone from their neighboring emergent phorophyte. These results suggest that microsite availability, as opposed to dispersal limitation, is the most important mechanism in structuring holoepiphyte communities of this insular forest type.
Habitat Endemism in White‐sand Forests: Insights into the Mechanisms of Lineage Diversification and Community Assembly of the Neotropical Flora
Authors: Fine Paul V. A. , Baraloto Christopher
Published: January 2016

White‐sand forests represent natural laboratories of evolution over their long history throughout Amazonia and the Guiana Shield and pose significant physiological challenges to the plants and animals they host. The study of diversification in plant lineages comprising species endemic to white‐sand forest can therefore give insights into processes of evolution and community assembly in tropical forests. In this article, we synthesize recent studies of white‐sand forests to integrate patterns of plant species distribution with processes of lineage diversification and community assembly in the white‐sand flora. We contrast lineages that have radiated uniquely in these habitats (e.g.,Pagamea, Rubiaceae), with cosmopolitan lineages comprising specialists to white‐sand forests and other habitats that may have arisen via ecological speciation across habitat gradients (e.g.,Protium, Burseraceae). In both cases, similar suites of functional traits have evolved, including investment in dense, long‐lived tissues that are well‐defended structurally and chemically. White‐sand endemics, therefore, play an important role in biodiversity conservation because they represent unique combinations of functional and phylogenetic diversity. Furthermore, white‐sand endemics may respond differently than other tropical forest plant species to contemporary global changes because they comprise resilient functional types that may better withstand increased drought, temperature, and invasions of exotic pests in these regions.
Amazonian White‐Sand Forests Show Strong Floristic Links with Surrounding Oligotrophic Habitats and the Guiana Shield
Authors: García‐Villacorta Roosevelt , Dexter Kyle G. , Pennington Toby
Published: January 2016

Amazonian white‐sand forests occur on quartzitic sandy soils, are distributed as an archipelago of habitat islands across the rain forests of Amazonia and contain many endemic plant species. Surprisingly, we found that only 23 percent of plant species in western Amazon white‐sand forests are white‐sand specialists, while the remaining species (77%) also occur in other habitat types. Overall, our analyses revealed: (1) somewhat unexpected composition similarity of white‐sand forests with nearby non‐white‐sand forests; (2) phytogeographical connections among distant white‐sand forests; and (3) a large proportion of western Amazon white‐sand specialists occurring in floras of the western and central Guiana Shield region (7–43%). These results suggest that dispersal from both neighboring oligotrophic non‐white‐sand habitats and distant white‐sand forests is fundamental in shaping western Amazonian white‐sand forests’ species composition and diversity. Although endemism in Amazonian white‐sand forests may be lower than previously estimated, conservation of this unique and fragile environment should remain a priority. Such conservation will require the maintenance of regional dispersal processes that connect these archipelagos of habitat islands and other ecologically similar oligotrophic habitats across the Amazon and the Guiana Shield.
Morphological Changes of Amygdala in Turner Syndrome Patients
Authors: Li Shu‐Yu , Xie Yong‐Qi , Li Han , Li Xin‐Wei , Zhang Zhi‐Xin , Zhao Qiu‐Ling , Xie Sheng , Gong Gao‐Lang
Published: January 2016

Aims

Turner's syndrome (TS) losts one of the X chromosomes and exhibits social cognition deficits. Previous studies have reported that women with TS demonstrated structural and functional abnormalities in brain, including increased volume in amygdala. However, most studies regarded the amygdala as a whole, and the abnormalities in the specific subregions of amygdala in TS have not been studied. Here, we aimed to investigate the local morphological changes of amygdala in TS using the surface morphology analysis method.

Methods

A total of 19 adolescents with 45XO TS and 20 matched adolescents with typical development were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. The amygdalae of all participants were manually delineated. 3D surface remodeling and parameterization were performed based on the outlined boundaries of amygdalae. We extracted two surface metrics, namely direct Euclidean displacement and normal projection that were used to represent the morphology of amygdala.

Results

Statistical analysis showed significant outward deformation in the laterobasal subregion of left amygdala in patients with TS, compared with the controls using either direct Euclidean displacement or normal displacement.

Conclusions

Our findings provide novel insight into the pathological changes in the amygdala of patients with TS.
DOES EDUCATION LOAN DEBT INFLUENCE HOUSEHOLD FINANCIAL DISTRESS? AN ASSESSMENT USING THE 2007–2009 SURVEY OF CONSUMER FINANCES PANEL
Authors: Bricker Jesse , Thompson Jeffrey
Published: January 2016

Families with student loans in 2007 have higher levels of financial distress than families without such loans, and these families also transitioned to financial distress at higher rates during the early stages of the Great Recession. This correlation persists once we control for a host of other demographic, work‐status, and household balance sheet measures. Families with an average level of student loans were 3.1 percentage points more likely to be 60 days late paying bills and 3 percentage points more likely to be denied credit. Families with other types of consumer debt were no more or less likely to be financially distressed. (JEL D14, H81, I22)
Impact of different nasal masks on CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: a randomized comparative trial
Authors: Neuzeret Pierre‐Charles , Morin Laurent
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Patient interface is important for the success of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but few trials have examined the influence of mask choice on CPAP adherence.

Objectives

To compare the impact of different nasal masks on CPAP in patients with newly‐diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

OSA patients were randomized in a 2:3 ratio to receive CPAP via different first‐line nasal masks: ResMed Mirage FX® (MFX) or control mask (Fisher & Paykel Zest®, HC407® or Philips EasyLife®). Mask acceptance, CPAP compliance and Home Care Provider (HCP) interventions were compared between groups after 3 months of CPAP therapy using modified intent‐to‐treat (mITT; after exclusion of patients with mouth leaks during CPAP initiation) and on‐treatment (OT; CPAP adherent) analyses.

Results

Of 285 randomized patients, 90 requiring a full‐face mask were excluded, leaving 195 and 151 in the mITT and OT analyses, respectively. Mask acceptance rate was higher in the MFX versus control group (mITT: 79% vs 68%, P = 0.067; OT: 90% vs 76%, P = 0.022). CPAP compliance was higher (5.9 ± 1.8 vs 5.1 ± 1.6 h/night, P = 0.011) and nasal mask issue‐related HCP visits lower (3% vs 17%, P = 0.006) in the MFX group. Nasal mask failures due to mask discomfort (5% vs 1%) or unintentional leakage (5% vs 0%) were higher in control vs MFX group. Mask acceptance was significantly associated with fewer mask leaks (P = 0.002) and higher pressure therapy (P = 0.042).

Conclusions

This study highlights differences between nasal masks for CPAP delivery and shows that initial mask selection can influence adherence and healthcare utilization during CPAP.
China's Nonfinancial Corporate Debt Dynamics
Authors: Yu Yongding , Lu Ting
Published: January 2016

Since the global financial crisis broke out in 2008, China's nonfinancial corporate debt has been rising steadily and rapidly, posing serious threat to China's financial stability. China's rising corporate debt is mainly attributable to three factors: worsening capital efficiency, worsening corporate profitability and high funding costs. Based on a dynamic recursive model developed in the paper, we simulate the trajectories of China's corporate debt‐to‐GDP ratio, and find that if China fails to reverse the current trends in capital efficiency, corporate profitability and financing costs, China's nonfinancial corporate debt‐to‐GDP ratio will continue to rise without converging to a limit. Against most economists' intuition, given the current trends of changes in parameters, higher economic growth will not help China to escape the corporate debt trap. On the contrary, it will make China's corporate debt problem even worse. To avert a corporate debt crisis, China needs to speed up the structural reform and change the growth paradigm so as to enhance capital efficiency and firms' profitability, while reducing firms' financing costs.
International Trade and R&D Investment: Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms
Authors: Zhou Yixiao , Song Ligang
Published: January 2016

A current concern for China's long‐term growth prospect is whether China can become an innovative economy and achieve industrial upgrading to compensate for the gradually declining competitiveness resulting from low‐cost labor. The present study examines this issue by exploring how trade participation impacts on the R&D investment of manufacturing firms through various channels. Merging China's Annual Manufacturing Survey Dataset and the Chinese Customs Dataset allows us to study such a relationship at the individual firm level. The empirical results suggest that channels such as geographical diversification of export markets, share of imports from high‐income countries, average unit value of imports, number of intermediate goods and capital goods imports, and the trade regime are significant factors that influence firm‐level R&D investment. The study discusses the policy implications of the empirical findings in relation to industrial and trade policies that may be potentially beneficial for China's transition towards an innovative economy.
Estimating Chinese Trade Relationships with the Silk Road Countries
Authors: Cinar E. Mine , Johnson Joseph , Geusz Katherine
Published: January 2016

In this paper we discuss the extent to which countries in the former Silk Road regions are either reaching or failing to reach their trading potential with China. We estimate a gravity model of trade using a Poisson pseudo‐maximum likelihood estimator, and estimate trade potential using in‐sample, out‐of‐sample and counterfactual approaches. We compare trade potential using these three methods for Silk Road country trades with China. Next, we compare the estimated trade potential to actual trade, and find that most Silk Road countries are underperforming in their trade with China. However, trade performance against potential improved for most countries over the years 1990–2013. Our results suggest that China's former Silk Road trading partners have yet to realize the full potential benefits of China's economic growth but that the gap may be narrowing.
Resolution (and Late Recurrence) of WATCHMAN Device–Related Thrombus Following Treatment with Dabigatran
Authors: Qazi Abdul H. , Wimmer Alan P. , Huber Kenneth C. , Latus George G. , Main Michael L.
Published: January 2016

The WATCHMAN left atrial (LA) appendage closure system is an alternative therapy for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation who are intolerant to chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin. Infrequently, LA device–related thrombus (DRT) has been suspected. Optimal treatment of DRT is not known, and the efficacy of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) in this setting has not been previously described. A 69‐year‐old woman with permanent atrial fibrillation underwent WATCHMAN device placement. A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) performed 45 days following implant revealed a well‐seated device. A 1‐year follow‐up TEE revealed a 1.2 × 0.8 cm sized DRT on the LA aspect of the WATCHMAN device. She was prescribed dabigatran 150 mg po BID for 3 months and she remained on aspirin 325 mg per day. She returned approximately 4 months later (and several weeks after completing her 3‐month course of dabigatran) for a repeat TEE, which revealed complete resolution of the DRT. A TEE was performed approximately 8 months later and revealed a new DRT measuring 1 cm in diameter on the LA aspect of the device. This is the first report of successful WATCHMAN DRT treatment with a NOAC, and the first report of late DRT recurrence following treatment to resolution with an anticoagulant. This case report demonstrates that (1) WATCHMAN DRT may form late following implantation, (2) DRT resolution is possible with NOACs, specifically dabigatran, and (3) late recurrence of DRT is possible, even after treatment to initial resolution with systemic anticoagulation.
Tension Pneumohydropericardium: A Heart Under Stress
Authors: Vijay Sudarshan Kumar , Joshi Lalit Mohan
Published: January 2016

Mini‐Abstract

The pneumohydropericardium, occurring spontaneously or after pericardiocentesis, is a rare entity. We describe here an unusual case who developed massive pneumohydropericardium after repeated pericardiocentesis due to leakage of the drainage system. The patient was successfully managed with open surgical drainage.
On the Methodology of Measuring Core Inflation
Authors: Rather Sartaj Rasool , Durai S. Raja Sethu , Ramachandran M.
Published: January 2016

We propose a new methodology to construct core inflation which is, unlike other conventional methods, not based on ad hoc elimination/trimming of prices. The empirical results suggest that the proposed measure of core inflation is highly correlated with headline inflation and is noise free; hence less volatile. The underlying inflation derived from such method is found to be a powerful leading indicator of headline inflation while other conventional measures do not seem to reflect such fundamental property of core inflation.
Disruption of reproductive behavior of grapevine cicada, Cicadatra alhageos, by acoustic signals playback
Authors: Mehdipour Maedeh , Zamanian Hossein , Farazmand Hossein , Hosseini‐Gharalari Ali
Published: January 2016

The grapevine cicada, Cicadatra alhageos (Kolenati) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), is a key pest of grapevine (Vitis spp., Vitaceae) in the Middle East. The main damage is caused by nymphs that feed on root sap, and adults that oviposit on branches. As males produce sound to attract females, one of the control methods can be disruption of sexual communication. Disruptive effects of acoustic playbacks on singing males were studied. Signals (0.5–10 kHz) were broadcast to disrupt male calling behavior. Playback of acoustic signals interrupted male sexual signalling. To reduce female oviposition behavior in the field, an experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with two treatments (control vs. acoustic broadcasting) and four replications over a period of 3 years. Playback of disruption signals in the field reduced female oviposition on grapevine branches that were close to the signal source. Therefore, application of acoustic stimuli may be an effective and low‐cost control method against grapevine cicada.
Floral volatiles with colour cues from two cucurbitaceous plants causing attraction of Aulacophora foveicollis
Authors: Karmakar Amarnath , Mukherjee Abhishek , Barik Anandamay
Published: January 2016

Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an important phytophagous pest of two cucurbitaceous plants, Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng and Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi. The volatile organic compound profiles from flowers of M. cochinchinensis and S. amplexicaulis were identified and quantified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and GC‐flame ionization detector (FID) analyses. Twenty nine and 28 compounds were identified in volatiles of M. cochinchinensis and S. amplexicaulis flowers, respectively. Methyl jasmonate and 3‐octanol were the predominant volatiles of M. cochinchinensis flowers, whereas 1‐octadecanol and 1‐hexanol were most found in the headspace of S. amplexicaulis flowers. Aulacophora foveicollis were more attracted by the flower volatiles of M. cochinchinensis than by those of S. amplexicaulis in a glass Y‐tube olfactometer. A mixture of 1‐heptanol, linalool oxide, 1‐octanol, and nonanal in the proportions present in the headspace of both flower types elicited attraction in the insect. From 25 cm distance, A. foveicollis displayed a preference for artificial flowers of 6.5 cm diameter of S. amplexicaulis flower colour (white) over M. cochinchinensis flower colour (white‐yellow). Finally, a synthetic blend (0.43 μg 1‐heptanol + 1.44 μg linalool oxide + 0.14 μg 1‐octanol + 1.77 μg nonanal dissolved in 25 μl methylene chloride) attracted more beetles when applied in a white artificial flower than when applied in a white‐yellow artificial flower from 40 cm distance. This finding may be helpful in the development of traps for pest management strategies.
Barcoding, population structure, and demographic history of Prodiplosis longifila associated with the Andes
Authors: Velasco‐Cuervo Sandra M. , Espinosa Lizethe L. , Duque‐Gamboa Diana N. , Castillo‐Cárdenas Maria F. , Hernández Luis M. , Guzmán Yoan C. , Manzano Maria R. , Toro‐Perea Nelson
Published: January 2016

Prodiplosis longifila Gagné (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an insect pest that attacks various types of crops, including tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), a vegetable with substantial economic significance worldwide. Prodiplosis longifila is a widely distributed pest in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, countries characterized by the presence of significant geographic barriers like the Andes Mountains. It has been reported that geographic barriers affect the dynamics and genetic differentiation of insect populations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the diversity, genetic structure, and demographic history of P. longifila through the analysis of sequences within the mitochondrial region of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and rDNA‐ITS2 in 27 populations located in Colombia and Ecuador. Analyses were performed on populations distributed in three geographic groups separated by the presence of the Andes Mountains. A total of 11 haplotypes were identified with the COI gene and only one haplotype in the rDNA‐ITS2 was found. Analyses of population structure and demographic history revealed that there is a structure associated with the Andes, which is reflected in an uneven distribution of the haplotype frequencies between regions, but even so, gene flow between populations was detected which produces low genetic differentiation. Because P. longifila has a short‐range dispersion that determines its territorial nature, it would be expected that other factors are producing the genetic exchange between populations. We suggest that the anthropogenic effect produced by farming practices, such as the use of seedlings as seed, which may carry P. longifila larvae, cause passive dispersal of pest throughout the Andes, particularly in Colombia.
A comprehensive clinical competency‐based assessment in periodontics
Authors: Shiloah J. , Scarbecz M. , Bland P. S. , Hottel T. L.
Published: January 2016

Traditional periodontics clinical examinations in dental education frequently assess a narrow set of clinical skills and do not adequately assess the ability of students to independently manage a periodontal patient. As an alternative, the authors developed a comprehensive periodontics competency case experience (CCCE) for senior dental students and surveyed students regarding their experience with the CCCE. Students challenging the CCCE must treat a patient with moderate periodontitis and must independently decide when a state of periodontal and oral health has been achieved. Students are also required to conduct an oral presentation to periodontology faculty. Dental students who completed the CCCE had a favourable impression of the experience, compared with the traditional clinical examinations taken in the junior year. The majority of students rated all the components of the CCCE as ‘somewhat’ or ‘very helpful’. About 72.4% of students felt that being able to work independently on the examination was very helpful for learning about the clinical management of patients with periodontal disease, followed by ‘simulation of care in private practice’ (65.5%), and oral photography experience (55.2%). The greatest difficulty reported by students was finding an acceptable patient. About 62.1% of students rated ‘finding the right patient’ as very difficult. Students reported having to screen a mean of 5.9 patients (SD: 4.5) to find a qualified patient. The results of the survey will be useful in improving the examination as an assessment tool in periodontal therapy.
Epileptic encephalopathy: Use and misuse of a clinically and conceptually important concept
Authors: Howell Katherine B. , Harvey A. Simon , Archer John S.
Published: January 2016

The term epileptic encephalopathy (EE) denotes a process by which epileptic activity adversely affects brain function over and above the underlying etiology. Underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, but recent studies demonstrate that seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges can disrupt distributed neural networks that underpin cognitive functions, both temporarily and permanently. EE is just one of a number of factors that can affect development in epilepsy. The presence and relative contribution of EE to cognitive impairment is often difficult to separate from that of the underlying etiology or even effects of antiepileptic medication (AEM). This difficulty has led to the increasing use of the term EE to encapsulate “severe” epileptic syndromes, or etiologies associated with severe epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID), regardless of evidence that the epileptic process has impacted cognition. The use of the term EE in the literature to describe both the process of cognitive impairment by epileptic activity and as a category for severe epilepsy syndromes is creating confusion. We propose that use of the term EE be restricted to the central concept of a pervasive epileptic process disrupting development, and that the use of EE as a classifier be avoided. A different term is needed to encapsulate the broad and heterogenous group of patients with severe epilepsy and ID, for which the mechanisms may be unknown but are often closely related to the underlying genetic, metabolic, or structural etiology. An improved understanding of the mechanisms by which EE develops is of critical importance, potentially leading to identification of biomarkers for early detection and treatment.
Rapid assessment of the physiological impacts caused by catch‐and‐release angling on blue‐finned mahseer (Tor sp.) of the Cauvery River, India
Authors: Bower S. D. , Danylchuk A. J. , Raghavan R. , Clark‐Danylchuk S. E. , Pinder A. C. , Cooke S. J.
Published: January 2016

Forty‐nine blue‐finned mahseer (Tor sp.; mean total length 458 ± 20 mm) were angled using a range of bait/lure types, angling and air exposure times in water that averaged 27 ± 2 °C over the course of the assessment. No cases of mortality were observed, and rates of moderate and major injury were low, with 91% of mahseer hooked in the mouth. More extreme physiological disturbances (i.e. blood lactate, glucose, pH) in mahseer were associated with longer angling times. Sixteen fish (33%) exhibited at least one form of reflex impairment. Moreover, longer air exposures and angling times resulted in significant likelihood of reflex impairment. Findings suggest that blue‐finned mahseer are robust to catch‐and‐release, but that anglers should avoid unnecessarily long fight times and minimise air exposure to decrease the likelihood of sub‐lethal effects that could contribute to post‐release mortality.
Influence of abiotic factors on ichthyoplankton occurrence in stretches with and without dams in the upper Grande River basin, south‐eastern Brazil
Authors: Suzuki F. M. , Pompeu P. S.
Published: January 2016

The influence of abiotic factors on ichthyoplankton occurrence was assessed in lotic stretches with and without dams in the Grande River basin from November 2008 to March 2009. Water transparency and temperature were the main abiotic factors that influenced temporal variation of ichthyoplankton occurrence in unregulated stretches. On the other hand, the best predictors of ichthyoplankton occurrence in regulated sites were water transparency and time of day. The catch of ichthyoplankton was significantly greater at low transparency and during night‐time in areas downstream of dams, which may be attributed to either adaptive behaviour of fish species in favouring greater protection of offspring, or the greater predation rate of ichthyoplankton at higher transparencies and during daytime. Results of this study indicate an association between abiotic factors and fish reproduction, but the nature of this relationship in regulated rivers contrasts with that found in stretches without dams.
Viral life cycle of hepatitis B virus: Host factors and druggable targets
Authors: Morikawa Kenichi , Suda Goki , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: January 2016

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a globally distributed health problem. The number of carriers of HBV is estimated to exceed 240 million people worldwide. Compared with uninfected individuals, HBV carriers have an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevention of HBV infection is therefore strongly recommended, and a HBV vaccine is available. For carriers, treatment with nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors is available, but infection frequently requires chronic treatment via a lifetime of medication. Thus, curing HBV infection remains a major challenge. However, despite the development of an infectious HBV cell culture system and recent intense research, many aspects of the HBV life cycle remain poorly characterized. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of the HBV life cycle and involved host factors, as well as potential targets for therapeutic intervention against HBV. We also consider possible immunotherapeutic strategies for eliminating HBV, including the removal of cccDNA from infected hepatocytes.
High platelet counts increase metastatic risk in huge hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Xue Tong‐Chun , Ge Ning‐Ling , Xu Xin , Le Fan , Zhang Bo‐Heng , Wang Yan‐Hong
Published: January 2016

Aim

Accumulating evidence suggests platelets play critical roles in tumor metastasis. Moreover, the role of platelets in metastasis is partially correlated with inflammation. However, evidence regarding the contribution of platelets to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis is lacking. This study investigated the association between platelets and metastatic risk in HCC.

Methods

We used huge HCC (diameter over 10 cm), a tumor subgroup with a strong inflammatory background, as a model to evaluate the potential predictive role of platelets and platelet‐related biomarkers for metastasis in HCC patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization. A logistic regression model was used to analyze risk factors for metastasis.

Results

Patients with huge HCC (n = 178) were enrolled, and 24.7% (44/178) of patients had remote metastases after treatment. Univariate analyses showed high platelet counts (P = 0.012), pretreatment platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratios (pre‐PLR) of 100 or more (P = 0.018) and post‐PLR of 100 or more (P = 0.013) were potential risk factors for metastasis. Furthermore, multivariate analyses showed high platelet counts (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.074–4.443; P = 0.031) and platelet‐related biomarkers were independent risk factors for HCC metastasis. Particularly, the risk of metastasis in patients with high post‐PLR values was significantly greater than patients with low post‐PLR values. For tumor response and survival, patients with high platelet counts had faster disease progression (P = 0.002) and worse survival (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

High platelet counts increase the extrahepatic metastasis risk of huge HCC undergoing chemoembolization, which supply clinical verification of the association between high platelet counts and HCC metastasis.
Antagonism between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis mrakii and significance for mixed yeast alcoholic beverage fermentations
Authors: Li Xiao , Liu Shao‐Quan
Published: January 2016

This research was carried out to investigate the antagonism between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Williopsis saturnus var. mrakii. When glucose level was ≥12% (w/v) (potential ethanol ≥7.2% v/v), W. mrakii that was co‐inoculated with S. cerevisiae died early, while W. mrakii alone could not survive in broth with ≥8% (v/v) ethanol. Moreover, when glucose was ≥15% (w/v) (potential ethanol ≥9.0% v/v), higher inoculums of S. cerevisiae induced faster cell decline of W. mrakii; when glucose was ≤2% (w/v), there was no early cell decline of W. mrakii at any inoculum ratio, but there was inoculum ratio‐dependent growth retardation. These results indicate that ethanol was at least one of the factors causing early cell decline of W. mrakii in co‐culture with S. cerevisiae. Further, S. cerevisiae was inhibited when it was inoculated sequentially into a W. mrakii monoculture; the former yeast was also suppressed when it was inoculated into the supernatants of a W. mrakii monoculture. This suggests that S. cerevisiae was sensitive to the mycosin (killer toxin) produced by W. mrakii. These findings have implications for controlling mixed yeast alcoholic beverage fermentations.
Ethylene production, respiration and gas exchange modelling in modified atmosphere packaging for banana fruits
Authors: Mendoza Rolando , Castellanos Diego A. , García Juan C. , Vargas Julio C. , Herrera Aníbal O.
Published: January 2016

A mathematical model was developed from experimental measurements to describe the evolution of the O2, CO2 and ethylene in a modified atmosphere packaging system for Cavendish bananas. The respiration and ethylene production in the fruits were experimentally obtained from a closed system method and then represented by Michaelis–Menten equations of enzyme kinetics. The gas transfer through the packaging was described by a Fick's diffusion equation, and the temperature dependence was represented based on the Arrhenius law. The model was validated by packaging the fruit in perforated bags of polypropylene and low density polyethylene at 12 °C for a period of 8 days. With the developed model it was possible to satisfactorily describe the experimental evolution of the gas content in the headspace of the packages, obtaining coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.93 for the O2 levels, 0.90–0.91 for the CO2 levels, and 0.89–0.93 for the ethylene levels.