bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outreach training model for accredited colorectal specialists in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: feasibility and evaluation of challenges
Authors: Hamdan M. F. , Day A. , Millar J. , Carter F. J. C. , Coleman M. G. , Francis N. K.
Published: January 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and safety of an outreach model of laparoscopic colorectal training of accredited specialists in advanced laparoscopic techniques and to explore the challenges of this model from the perspective of a National Training Programme (NTP) trainer.

Method

Prospective data were collected for unselected laparoscopic colorectal training procedures performed by five laparoscopic colorectal NTP trainees supervised by a single NTP trainer with an outreach model between 2009 and 2012. The operative and postoperative outcomes were compared with standard laparoscopic colorectal training procedures performed by six senior colorectal trainees under the supervision of the same NTP trainer within the same study period. The primary outcome was 30‐day mortality. The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare continuous variables and the Chi squared or Fisher's exact tests were applied for the analysis of categorical variables. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

During the study period 179 elective laparoscopic colorectal procedures were performed. This included 54 cases performed by NTP trainees and 125 cases performed by the supervised trainees. There were no significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, pathology and procedure type between both groups. Seventy‐eight per cent of the patients operated on by the NTP trainees had had no previous abdominal surgery, compared with 50% in the supervised trainees' group (P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences in 30‐day mortality or the operative and postoperative outcome between both groups. There were, however, difficulties in training an already established consultant in his or her own hospital and these were overcome by certain adjustments to the programme.

Conclusion

Outreach laparoscopic training of colorectal surgeons is a feasible and safe model of training accredited specialists and does not compromise patient care. The challenges encountered can be overcome with optimum training and preparation.
Development of Clitoria ternatea as a biopesticide for cotton pest management: assessment of product effect on Helicoverpa spp. and their natural enemies
Authors: Mensah Robert , Leach David , Young Alison , Watts Nick , Glennie Peter
Published: January 2015

The Australian cotton industry is now dominated by transgenic (Bt) varieties, which provide a strong platform for integrated pest management (IPM) of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). New IPM‐compatible tools are required to manage the development of resistance in Helicoverpa spp. and the control of other sucking pests. A 10‐year study commenced in 2001 to identify short‐range, non‐volatile compounds on organ surfaces of plants that deter feeding or oviposition, or are toxic and do not support development of Helicoverpa spp. on cotton plants. The results of the initial study identified Clitoria ternateaL. (Fabaceae) as non‐preferred for Helicoverpa spp. oviposition and larval feeding. The study found that C. ternatea fractionalized extract mixture (fractions 2, 3, 4, and 6) caused oviposition and feeding deterrence as well as direct toxicity to Helicoverpa spp. This study has developed an oil‐based semiochemical product from C. ternatea identified in the initial study into a potential commercial product. The application of 1–2% (vol/vol) of the oil‐based formulation of the C. ternatea mixture against Helicoverpa spp. on commercial transgenic and conventional cotton crops resulted in Helicoverpa spp. oviposition and larval feeding deterrence, as well as caused direct mortality to larvae. No negative effect on beneficial insects was observed. In conclusion, the ability of the oil‐based C. ternatea mixture to control Helicoverpa spp. infestations, while conserving beneficial insect populations, suggests its potential for use in supplementing IPM programs to reduce the use of synthetic insecticides on transgenic and conventional cotton crops.
Behavioral analysis of learning and memory in Anastrepha fraterculus
Authors: Gregório Patrícia L.F. , Sant'Ana Josué , Pires Patrícia D.
Published: January 2015

We evaluate the influence of prior exposure to artificial substrate for oviposition on learning and memory in the fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Some females were previously exposed to artificial fruits made of water, agar, and blackberry [Rubus spec. (Rosaceae)] or guava [Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae)] pulp for 48 and 72 h. We also studied adult flies exposed for 72 h to essential oil of lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf, Poaceae] and adult flies from larvae exposed to the oil. Control females were naive with respect to these experimental substrates. Prior experience with blackberry‐based artificial fruits resulted in an increase in the number of punctures and deposited eggs by A. fraterculus, and memory lasted for up to 72 h. On the other hand, fly behavior was independent of exposure to guava‐based substrate. Prior exposure of 1‐ or 15‐day‐old females to artificial substrate with lemongrass oil modified innate substrate selection behavior. The scent of lemongrass oil during the larval stage modified innate oviposition responses of adult A. fraterculus. The study shows that A. fraterculus females are able to learn and retain information through chemical stimuli released by both host (blackberry and guava) and non‐host (lemongrass) species, and they can use olfactory memory obtained during the larval stage to select oviposition sites.
The circadian rhythm of flight activity of Spodoptera exigua males in response to sex pheromone
Authors: Cheng Wen‐Jie , Zheng Xia‐Lin , Wang Pan , Zhou Li‐Lin , Lei Chao‐Liang , Si Sheng‐Yun , Wang Xiao‐Ping
Published: January 2015

In many moths, male attraction to the blend of synthetic sex pheromone releasing continuously in the field shows an apparent circadian rhythm similar to that of locomotion activity. In this study, the daily rhythms of electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral responses to sex pheromone, and the daily rhythms of locomotion activity were measured in male beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The peaks of males trapped by light and sex pheromone were all during the latter part of the night in the field. However, there was no significant variation among time intervals in the EAG responses of male antennae to sex pheromone stimuli. The principal period of locomotion activity under L15:D9 (LD) continued to occur during the scotophase and the subjective scotophase in the day of constant darkness (DD1) and the second of two consecutive days of constant darkness (DD2). The majority of males contacted the sex pheromone source in a wind tunnel during the latter part of the scotophase under LD and the subjective scotophase for DD1 and DD2. There were significant associations between the rhythm of the behavioral response to sex pheromone and locomotion activity. These results suggested that the male's behavioral response to sex pheromone in the beet armyworm could be observed only until locomotion activity of the male occurred at the end of the dark period, despite sex pheromone being released continuously from synthetic pheromone‐baited traps in the field.
Development of an artificial diet and feeding system for juvenile stages of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri
Authors: Russell Calum W. , Pelz‐Stelinski Kirsten S.
Published: January 2015

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is the main vector for the plant pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Jagoueix et al. (CLas). To date, attempts to develop an artificial diet for ACP have focused solely on the adult life stage, ignoring the juvenile stages. We developed a feeding system and artificial diet that is compatible with the juvenile stages of ACP and tested growth rates when exposed to varying concentrations of sucrose and amino acids. We found a surprisingly high tolerance for high sucrose concentrations in ACP when compared to known tolerances of sucrose concentrations in other phloem‐feeding insects. This is indicative that ACP may be physiologically adapted to a broad range of sucrose concentrations and osmotic stresses. The growth rate of juvenile ACP was optimized when amino acids were in a global concentration of 150 mM, with higher concentrations not appreciably impacting growth. This finding corresponds with the optimal amino acid concentrations required in other phloem feeders, notably the pea aphid. The development of this feeding system, with the diet optimized for growth, will allow for future experiments to be undertaken into the uptake of CLas by the psyllid and into the nutritional requirements of ACP. This feeding system will also allow for physiological comparisons among the phloem‐feeding insects.
Trophic compensation reinforces resistance: herbivory absorbs the increasing effects of multiple disturbances
Authors: Ghedini Giulia , Russell Bayden D. , Connell Sean D.
Published: January 2015

Disturbance often results in small changes in community structure, but the probability of transitioning to contrasting states increases when multiple disturbances combine. Nevertheless, we have limited insights into the mechanisms that stabilise communities, particularly how perturbations can be absorbed without restructuring (i.e. resistance). Here, we expand the concept of compensatory dynamics to include countervailing mechanisms that absorb disturbances through trophic interactions. By definition, ‘compensation’ occurs if a specific disturbance stimulates a proportional countervailing response that eliminates its otherwise unchecked effect. We show that the compounding effects of disturbances from local to global scales (i.e. local canopy‐loss, eutrophication, ocean acidification) increasingly promote the expansion of weedy species, but that this response is countered by a proportional increase in grazing. Finally, we explore the relatively unrecognised role of compensatory effects, which are likely to maintain the resistance of communities to disturbance more deeply than current thinking allows.
Mortality and SUDEP in epilepsy patients treated with vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Granbichler Claudia A. , Nashef Lina , Selway Richard , Polkey Charles E.
Published: January 2015

Objective

The risk of premature death is increased in patients with intractable epilepsy. The effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on mortality remains unclear. In a previous study by Annegers et al., mortality was raised, comparable to similar intractable cohorts. Our aim was to calculate standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), identify epilepsy‐related deaths, and estimate sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) rates in patients treated with VNS for epilepsy.

Methods

All United Kingdom patients undergoing VNS between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2010 at King's College Hospital, London were flagged through the national Medical Research Information Service. Analysis was performed in relation to all deaths occurring by December 31, 2010. Deceased patients were identified from the national death register, and additional information on cause and circumstances of death sought where appropriate to allow for classification of deaths.

Results

The cohort consisted of 466 patients, with 2993.83 person‐years of follow‐up and a median observation period of 5.9 years. Twenty‐nine deaths occurred, 27 with the device active. SMR was 7.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8–10.3) for the active device; 12 deaths were considered epilepsy related, including 10 definite or probable SUDEP and one fatal near SUDEP. Definite/probable and fatal near SUDEP occurred at a rate of 3.7/1,000 person‐years. SMRs decreased from 10.5 (5.6–19.5) in the first 2 years after implantation to 5.9 (3.7–9.5) thereafter, although CIs overlapped. SUDEP rates did not alter over time.

Significance

SMRs and SUDEP rate in this study are comparable to other cohorts with intractable epilepsy, with SUDEP an important cause of death. VNS does not appear to lower the risk of premature death overall. There was a clear trend with lower SMR after 2 years of implantation, although CIs overlapped. SUDEP rates, however, did not change.
Recurrence of status epilepticus: Prognostic role and outcome predictors
Authors: Tsetsou Spyridoula , Novy Jan , Rossetti Andrea O.
Published: January 2015

Objective

Predictors of morbidity and mortality after status epilepticus (SE) have been studied extensively in hospital‐ and population‐based cohorts. However, little attention has been directed toward SE recurrence after an incident episode. We investigated clinical and demographic characteristics of patients presenting SE recurrence and its specific prognostic role.

Methods

In this observational cohort study, we screened our prospective registry of consecutive adults with SE between April 2006 and February 2014. Demographic and clinical data were compared between incident and recurrent SE episodes; risk of SE recurrence was assessed through survival analysis, and the prognostic role of SE recurrence with multivariable logistic regressions.

Results

Of the incident cohort (509 patients), 68 (13%) experienced recurrent SE. The cumulative recurrence rate over 4 years was 32%. Recurrence risk was significantly reduced after an acute SE etiology (hazard ratio [HR] 0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31–0.82; p = 0.005), and was borderline increased in women (HR 1.59, 95% CI 0.97–2.65; p = 0.06). Although recurrent SE episodes showed lower morbidity and mortality, prognosis was independently related to Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) and potentially fatal etiology, but not to SE recurrence.

Significance

This study provides class III evidence that SE recurrence involves a significant proportion of patients, and that recurrence risk is independently associated with chronic etiology and to a lesser extent with female gender. However, contrary to underlying cause and SE severity, SE recurrence per se does not independently correlate with outcome. Early identification of patients at higher risk of SE recurrence may influence their management during follow‐up.
Decreased presence of Langerhans cells is a critical determinant for Indian Post kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis
Authors: Mukherjee Shibabrata , Mukhopadhyay Debanjan , Braun Claudia , Barbhuiya Joyashree N. , Das Nilay K. , Chatterjee Uttara , von Stebut Esther , Chatterjee Mitali
Published: January 2015

Post kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is the dermal sequel of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and occurs after apparent cure or alongside with VL. It is confined to South Asia (India, Nepal and Bangladesh) and East Africa (mainly Sudan), the incidence being 5‐10% and 50‐60% respectively. In South Asia, as the transmission of VL is anthroponotic, PKDL patients are the proposed disease reservoir, thus assuming epidemiological significance, its eradication being linked to the control of leishmaniasis. In the absence of an animal model and its low incidence, factors contributing towards the immunopathogenesis of PKDL remain an open‐ended, yet pertinent question. This study delineated the lesional immunopathology in terms of granuloma formation, Langerhans cells, tissue macrophages along with mRNA expression of IL‐12p40 and IL‐10. Our study in Indian PKDL for the first time identified that the number of CD1a+/CD207+ Langerhans cells are decreased and CD68+ macrophages are increased along with the absence of an epitheloid granuloma. Importantly, this decrease in Langerhans cells was associated with decreased mRNA expression of IL‐12p40 and increased IL‐10. This was reverted with treatment allowing for elimination of parasites and disease resolution along with an increase in Langerhans cells and decrease in macrophages. Thus, in Indian PKDL, absence of a granuloma formation along with a decrease in Langerhans cells collectively caused immune inactivation essential for parasite persistence and disease sustenance.
Falling through the cracks: the fading history of a large iconic predator
Authors: Ferretti Francesco , Morey Verd Gabriel , Seret Bernard , Sulić Šprem Jadranka , Micheli Fiorenza
Published: January 2015

Human impact on the oceans predates scientific observation, which for many animal populations has captured only recent changes. Such a limited knowledge can hamper finding optimal management and conservation strategies including setting appropriate recovery targets. Sawfishes are among the most endangered marine vertebrates in the ocean. Historical human impacts have resulted in sawfish extinction in many coastal areas around the world; however, in the Mediterranean Sea, their past presence and possible extinction have been debated for decades. Recently, it was concluded that the region never hosted resident populations because of unsuitable environmental conditions. Through an extensive bibliographic and archival search and an extinction analysis, we reconstructed the history of sawfishes in the Mediterranean Sea. Between 1576 and 1959, there were 48 independent accounts of the occurrence of two sawfish species (Pristis pristis, Pristidae and Pristis pectinata, Pristidae), including 24 documented catches. Sawfishes were mainly recorded in the western Mediterranean, in areas close to large rivers with light human impact. Most of the documented individuals were juveniles, suggesting local parturition. Extinction analyses yielded variable results and were affected by the sparseness of records but suggested that both species went extinct in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1960s–1970s. Our results challenge current assumptions on sawfish ecology and biogeography, offer new options for sawfish conservation in the Atlantic and highlight the importance of historical analyses for reconstructing ecosystem baselines and setting recovery targets.
The Cocreation of Crazy Patchworks: Becoming Rhizomatic in Systemic Therapy
Authors: Sermijn Jasmina , Loots Gerrit
Published: January 2015

In the field of systemic therapy, there has been much discussion recently about the narrative self. This concept refers to the idea that the self is narratively constructed in and through the stories which someone tells about him/herself. The story is thereby not only viewed as a metaphor for selfhood: Selfhood is not compared to a story, it is a story. But what kind of story are we talking about here? If the self is a story, what does that story look like? These questions are explored in this article. Starting from the possibilities and limitations of traditional and postmodern visions on the self as a story, an alternative vision is illustrated. By considering the self as a rhizomatic story, we not only create a useful view of the way narrative selfhood is constructed within a therapy context, but we also stimulate therapists to coconstruct—together with their clients—patchworks of self‐stories. By using story fragments of our own practice, we illustrate the rhizomatic thinking and its possibilities in therapy.
Predictors of Involvement and Warmth of Custodial Fathers in Israel: Comparison with Married and Noncustodial Divorced Fathers
Authors: Finzi‐Dottan Ricky , Cohen Orna
Published: January 2015

This study compared the levels and predictors of paternal warmth and involvement of 218 custodial fathers to 222 married fathers and 105 noncustodial (NC) divorced fathers in Israel. The examined predictors were fathers' perceptions of their own fathers; their own caregiving behaviors and parental self‐efficacy; and child characteristics and coparental coordination. Results indicated that being a custodial father was associated with more involvement than being a married or NC divorced father. Regression analyses revealed that experience of care with own father predicted fathers' involvement, whereas own father control was related to lower paternal warmth. Lower avoidant caregiving and high paternal self‐efficacy predicted both paternal involvement and warmth, whereas perceiving the child as more difficult predicted lower paternal warmth. Higher levels of coparental coordination were associated with more paternal involvement, whereas low coparental coordination was associated with less involvement, primarily among NC divorced fathers. These interactions highlight the distinct paternal behavior of custodial fathers. Unlike married and NC divorced fathers, they showed more warmth, regardless of their avoidant caregiving. Results are discussed in light of the different roles played by fathers in the three groups.
Fatigue reliability study on T‐welded component considering load shedding
Authors: Liu J. , Qing Q. , Deng Y. , Wen G. , Yin H.
Published: January 2015

In this paper, a coupled reliability method for structural fatigue evaluation considering load shedding is first proposed based on probabilistic fracture mechanics in which the uncertainties of the structural parameters are taken into account. Then, the method is applied to predict the fatigue reliability of the T‐welded structure to the case of considering load shedding or not. The compared results show that by considering the load shedding, the structural fatigue reliability might be improved with less conservativeness. The influence rules of the load‐shedding coefficient on the fatigue failure probability of the T‐welded component are investigated, and some interesting results are obtained. That is, the influences of load‐shedding coefficient on the fatigue failure probability can be divided into three regions, namely the high, medium and low fatigue failure areas. The last area is the most intriguing when we try to design a T‐welded structure. The thickness of T‐welded structure along the crack propagation direction is found to be one of the important design variables for the design of fatigue reliability, in which the low‐fatigue failure zone is used as one of the reliability constraints. The basic design frame of T‐welded structure is established to constrain the fatigue failure probability within the low‐fatigue failure area.
Arctic warming: nonlinear impacts of sea‐ice and glacier melt on seabird foraging
Authors: Grémillet David , Fort Jérôme , Amélineau Françoise , Zakharova Elena , Le Bot Tangi , Sala Enric , Gavrilo Maria
Published: January 2015

Arctic climate change has profound impacts on the cryosphere, notably via shrinking sea‐ice cover and retreating glaciers, and it is essential to evaluate and forecast the ecological consequences of such changes. We studied zooplankton‐feeding little auks (Alle alle), a key sentinel species of the Arctic, at their northernmost breeding site in Franz‐Josef Land (80°N), Russian Arctic. We tested the hypothesis that little auks still benefit from pristine arctic environmental conditions in this remote area. To this end, we analysed remote sensing data on sea‐ice and coastal glacier dynamics collected in our study area across 1979–2013. Further, we recorded little auk foraging behaviour using miniature electronic tags attached to the birds in the summer of 2013, and compared it with similar data collected at three localities across the Atlantic Arctic. We also compared current and historical data on Franz‐Josef Land little auk diet, morphometrics and chick growth curves. Our analyses reveal that summer sea‐ice retreated markedly during the last decade, leaving the Franz‐Josef Land archipelago virtually sea‐ice free each summer since 2005. This had a profound impact on little auk foraging, which lost their sea‐ice‐associated prey. Concomitantly, large coastal glaciers retreated rapidly, releasing large volumes of melt water. Zooplankton is stunned by cold and osmotic shock at the boundary between glacier melt and coastal waters, creating new foraging hotspots for little auks. Birds therefore switched from foraging at distant ice‐edge localities, to highly profitable feeding at glacier melt‐water fronts within <5 km of their breeding site. Through this behavioural plasticity, little auks maintained their chick growth rates, but showed a 4% decrease in adult body mass. Our study demonstrates that arctic cryosphere changes may have antagonistic ecological consequences on coastal trophic flow. Such nonlinear responses complicate modelling exercises of current and future polar ecosystem dynamics.
Patterns of bird migration phenology in South Africa suggest northern hemisphere climate as the most consistent driver of change
Authors: Bussière Elsa M. S. , Underhill Les G. , Altwegg Res
Published: January 2015

Current knowledge of phenological shifts in Palearctic bird migration is largely based on data collected on migrants at their breeding grounds; little is known about the phenology of these birds at their nonbreeding grounds, and even less about that of intra‐African migrants. Because climate change patterns are not uniform across the globe, we can expect regional disparities in bird phenological responses. It is also likely that they vary across species, as species show differences in the strength of affinities they have with particular habitats and environments. Here, we examine the arrival and departure of nine Palearctic and seven intra‐African migratory species in the central Highveld of South Africa, where the former spend their nonbreeding season and the latter their breeding season. Using novel analytical methods based on bird atlas data, we show phenological shifts in migration of five species – red‐backed shrike, spotted flycatcher, common sandpiper, white‐winged tern (Palearctic migrants), and diederik cuckoo (intra‐African migrant) – between two atlas periods: 1987–1991 and 2007–2012. During this time period, Palearctic migrants advanced their departure from their South African nonbreeding grounds. This trend was mainly driven by waterbirds. No consistent changes were observed for intra‐African migrants. Our results suggest that the most consistent drivers of migration phenological shifts act in the northern hemisphere, probably at the breeding grounds.
Plant stomatal closure improves aphid feeding under elevated CO2
Authors: Sun Yucheng , Guo Huijuan , Yuan Liang , Wei Jianing , Zhang Wenhao , Ge Feng
Published: January 2015

Stomata help plants regulate CO2 absorption and water vapor release in response to various environmental changes, and plants decrease their stomatal apertures and enhance their water status under elevated CO2. Although the bottom‐up effect of elevated CO2 on insect performance has been extensively studied, few reports have considered how insect fitness is altered by elevated CO2‐induced changes in host plant water status. We tested the hypothesis that aphids induce stomatal closure and increase host water potential, which facilitates their passive feeding, and that this induction can be enhanced by elevated CO2. Our results showed that aphid infestation triggered the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway to decrease the stomatal apertures of Medicago truncatula, which consequently decreased leaf transpiration and helped maintain leaf water potential. These effects increased xylem‐feeding time and decreased hemolymph osmolarity, which thereby enhanced phloem‐feeding time and increased aphid abundance. Furthermore, elevated CO2 up‐regulated an ABA‐independent enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, which led to further decrease in stomatal aperture for aphid‐infested plants. Thus, the effects of elevated CO2 and aphid infestation on stomatal closure synergistically improved the water status of the host plant. The results indicate that aphid infestation enhances aphid feeding under ambient CO2 and that this enhancement is increased under elevated CO2.
Increased heat requirement for leaf flushing in temperate woody species over 1980–2012: effects of chilling, precipitation and insolation
Authors: Fu Yongshuo H. , Piao Shilong , Vitasse Yann , Zhao Hongfang , De Boeck Hans J. , Liu Qiang , Yang Hui , Weber Ulrich , Hänninen Heikki , Janssens Ivan A.
Published: January 2015

Recent studies have revealed large unexplained variation in heat requirement‐based phenology models, resulting in large uncertainty when predicting ecosystem carbon and water balance responses to climate variability. Improving our understanding of the heat requirement for spring phenology is thus urgently needed. In this study, we estimated the species‐specific heat requirement for leaf flushing of 13 temperate woody species using long‐term phenological observations from Europe and North America. The species were defined as early and late flushing species according to the mean date of leaf flushing across all sites. Partial correlation analyses were applied to determine the temporal correlations between heat requirement and chilling accumulation, precipitation and insolation sum during dormancy. We found that the heat requirement for leaf flushing increased by almost 50% over the study period 1980–2012, with an average of 30 heat units per decade. This temporal increase in heat requirement was observed in all species, but was much larger for late than for early flushing species. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the heat requirement negatively correlates with chilling accumulation. Interestingly, after removing the variation induced by chilling accumulation, a predominantly positive partial correlation exists between heat requirement and precipitation sum, and a predominantly negative correlation between heat requirement and insolation sum. This suggests that besides the well‐known effect of chilling, the heat requirement for leaf flushing is also influenced by precipitation and insolation sum during dormancy. However, we hypothesize that the observed precipitation and insolation effects might be artefacts attributable to the inappropriate use of air temperature in the heat requirement quantification. Rather than air temperature, meristem temperature is probably the prominent driver of the leaf flushing process, but these data are not available. Further experimental research is thus needed to verify whether insolation and precipitation sums directly affect the heat requirement for leaf flushing.
The Contribution of Agriculture, Forestry and other Land Use activities to Global Warming, 1990–2012
Authors: Tubiello Francesco N. , Salvatore Mirella , Ferrara Alessandro F. , House Jo , Federici Sandro , Rossi Simone , Biancalani Riccardo , Condor Golec Rocio D. , Jacobs Heather , Flammini Alessandro , Prosperi Paolo , Cardenas‐Galindo Paola , Schmidhuber Josef , Sanz Sanchez Maria J. , Srivastava Nalin , Smith Pete
Published: January 2015

We refine the information available through the IPCC AR5 with regard to recent trends in global GHG emissions from agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU), including global emission updates to 2012. Using all three available AFOLU datasets employed for analysis in the IPCC AR5, rather than just one as done in the IPCC AR5 WGIII Summary for Policy Makers, our analyses point to a down‐revision of global AFOLU shares of total anthropogenic emissions, while providing important additional information on subsectoral trends. Our findings confirm that the share of AFOLU emissions to the anthropogenic total declined over time. They indicate a decadal average of 28.7 ± 1.5% in the 1990s and 23.6 ± 2.1% in the 2000s and an annual value of 21.2 ± 1.5% in 2010. The IPCC AR5 had indicated a 24% share in 2010. In contrast to previous decades, when emissions from land use (land use, land use change and forestry, including deforestation) were significantly larger than those from agriculture (crop and livestock production), in 2010 agriculture was the larger component, contributing 11.2 ± 0.4% of total GHG emissions, compared to 10.0 ± 1.2% of the land use sector. Deforestation was responsible for only 8% of total anthropogenic emissions in 2010, compared to 12% in the 1990s. Since 2010, the last year assessed by the IPCC AR5, new FAO estimates indicate that land use emissions have remained stable, at about 4.8 Gt CO2 eq yr−1 in 2012. Emissions minus removals have also remained stable, at 3.2 Gt CO2 eq yr−1 in 2012. By contrast, agriculture emissions have continued to grow, at roughly 1% annually, and remained larger than the land use sector, reaching 5.4 Gt CO2 eq yr−1 in 2012. These results are useful to further inform the current climate policy debate on land use, suggesting that more efforts and resources should be directed to further explore options for mitigation in agriculture, much in line with the large efforts devoted to REDD+ in the past decade.
Testing the limits of resistance: a 19‐year study of Mediterranean grassland response to grazing regimes
Authors: Sternberg Marcelo , Golodets Carly , Gutman Mario , Perevolotsky Avi , Ungar Eugene D. , Kigel Jaime , Henkin Zalmen
Published: January 2015

A synthesis of a long‐term (19 years) study assessing the effects of cattle grazing on the structure and composition of a Mediterranean grassland in north‐eastern Israel is presented, with new insights into the response of the vegetation to grazing management and rainfall. We hypothesized that the plant community studied would be resistant to high grazing intensities and rainfall variability considering the combined long history of land‐use and unpredictable climatic conditions where this community evolved. Treatments included manipulations of stocking densities (moderate, heavy, and very heavy) and of grazing regimes (continuous vs. seasonal), in a factorial design. The effect of interannual rainfall variation on the expression of grazing impacts on the plant community was minor. The main effects of grazing on relative cover of plant functional groups were related to early vs. late seasonal grazing. Species diversity and equitability were remarkably stable across all grazing treatments. A reduction in tall grass cover at higher stocking densities was correlated with increased cover of less palatable groups such as annual and perennial thistles, as well as shorter and prostrate groups such as short annual grasses. This long‐term study shows that interannual fluctuations in plant functional group composition could be partly accounted for by grazing pressure and timing, but not by the measured rainfall variables. Grazing affected the dominance of tall annual grasses. However, the persistence of tall grasses and more palatable species over time, despite large differences in grazing pressure and timing, supports the idea that Mediterranean grasslands are highly resistant to prolonged grazing. Indeed, even under the most extreme grazing conditions applied, there were no signs of deterioration or collapse of the ecosystem. This high resistance to grazing intensity and interannual fluctuation in climatic conditions should favor the persistence of the plant community under forecasted increasing unpredictability due to climate change.
Multicenter prospective study to optimize the efficacy of triple therapy with telaprevir in patients with genotype 1b hepatitis C virus infection according to an algorithm based on the drug Adherence, IL‐28B Gene Allele and Viral Response Trial (AG & RGT)
Authors: Sugawara Kayoko , Koushima Youhei , Inao Mie , Nakayama Nobuaki , Nagoshi Sumiko , Yakabi Koji , Tamano Masaya , Asabe Shinichi , Nishikawa Ko , Harada Youji , Sekine Chuichi , Fukuya Yuji , Funyu Junji , Hashimoto Yoshiaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: January 2015

Aim

To optimize the therapeutic efficacy of NS3/4A protease inhibitors, a multicenter prospective study was performed according to an algorithm based on the Adherence, IL‐28B Gene Allele and Viral Response Trial (AG & RGT).

Methods

A total of 340 patients with genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) showing serum RNA levels of >5 log were enrolled. The duration of ribavirin/pegylated interferon (PEG IFN)‐α‐2b therapy was prolonged to 48 weeks in patients with unfavorable IL28B alleles showing adherence rates of less than 80% for either drug during the first 12 weeks even if RVR had been achieved, and in those in whom cEVR, but not RVR, was achieved; furthermore, to 72 weeks in those showing partial early viral response.

Results

The therapeutic outcomes were assessed in 282 patients, and the therapy was set to complete at 24 weeks in 181 patients (64%) and to prolong to 48 weeks or 72 weeks in 71 patients (25%). The former group showed a SVR rate of 84%, while the latter group showed an SVR rate of 69% with a relapse rate of 7%. The SVR rate was 33% in the 30 patients (11%) in whom the therapy had to be discontinued in less than 12 weeks. Thus, the results of intention‐to‐treat analysis revealed an overall SVR rate of 75%. Multivariate analysis identified prolongation of the duration of therapy as a significant factor associated with SVR.

Conclusion

Triple therapy yielded a high SVR rate in the AG & RGT trial via attenuation of viral relapse by prolonged ribavirin/PEG IFN‐α‐2b administration. © 2015 The Japan Society of Hepatology
Utility of real‐time shear wave elastography for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection without cirrhosis: Comparison of liver fibrosis indices
Authors: Tada Toshifumi , Kumada Takashi , Toyoda Hidenori , Ito Takanori , Sone Yasuhiro , Okuda Seiji , Tsuji Nozomi , Imayoshi Yumi , Yasuda Eisuke
Published: January 2015

Aim

To clarify the diagnostic impact of liver fibrosis except for cirrhosis identified using shear wave elastography (SWE) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, and to compare the performance in diagnosing liver fibrosis among SWE and liver fibrosis indices.

Methods

A total of 55 CHC patients who underwent liver biopsy were analyzed. The diagnostic performance for identifying significant liver fibrosis (F2–F3) for SWE, FIB‐4 index, aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI) and Forns’ index was assessed using receiver–operator curve (ROC) analysis.

Results

The median SWE elasticity value, FIB‐4 index, APRI and Forns’ index in the F0–F1 and F2–F3 groups were 6.3 kPa and 13.1 kPa; 1.52 and 4.45; 0.41 and 1.43; and 7.69 and 8.85, respectively (P < 0.001 for all four methods). Multivariate analysis showed that SWE was independently associated with the presence of significant liver fibrosis (odds ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.49–4.28; P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for SWE in diagnosing significant liver fibrosis was 0.94, indicating high diagnostic value, compared with 0.86, 0.88 and 0.83, for the FIB‐4 index, APRI and Forns’ index, respectively, which corresponds to moderate diagnostic value. The accuracy of SWE, FIB‐4 index, APRI and Forns’ index for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis was 90.9%, 76.4%, 74.5% and 67.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

SWE has excellent ability for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis in CHC even when patients with cirrhosis are excluded. The diagnostic performance of SWE is superior to that of three liver fibrosis indices.
Urinary bladder xanthoma: a multi‐institutional series of 17 cases
Authors: Yu Darryl C W , Patel Premal , Bonert Michael , Carlson Kevin , Yilmaz Asli , Paner Gladell , Magi‐Galluzzi Cristina , Lopez‐Beltran Antonio , Trpkov Kiril
Published: January 2015

Aims

To present a series of urinary bladder xanthomas and characterize their clinical features and associated pathology.

Methods and results

We retrieved the clinicopathological data of bladder xanthomas, with and without associated urothelial neoplasms. We identified six isolated bladder xanthomas and 11 arising within or adjacent to urothelial neoplasms. The biopsies showed lamina propria aggregates of foamy histiocytes, without an accompanying inflammation. Patients presented either incidentally or with microscopic haematuria or irritative symptoms. Patients with isolated xanthomas had a mean age of 65.3 years (range: 54–75 years) and an equal male to female ratio. Four of five patients with isolated xanthomas with available serum results had an abnormal lipid profile. Eleven patients had xanthomas associated with urothelial neoplasms [papilloma n = 4, papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) n = 2 and low‐grade urothelial carcinoma n = 5]. Mean patient age was 62.5 years (range: 51–69 years) and all were male. Of the six patients with metabolic abnormalities, five had hypercholesterolaemia and one had a history of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion

Bladder xanthomas are rare lesions found in older patients who present either non‐specifically or with microscopic haematuria or irritative symptoms. These lesions are often associated with underlying lipid abnormalities. A biopsy is recommended for an accurate diagnosis and to exclude neoplasia.
The effect of ultrasound waves on the efficiency of membrane clarification of pomegranate juice
Authors: Aliasghari Aghdam Morteza , Mirsaeedghazi Hossein , Aboonajmi Mohammad , Kianmehr Mohammad H.
Published: January 2015

Pomegranate juice has a turbid appearance, which poses difficulties in its concentration process. Membrane clarification can be used to clarify pomegranate juice; however, membrane fouling reduces the permeate flux, limiting its effectiveness. Ultrasound at 30 kHz was used to reduce membrane fouling. Results were compared with the data obtained for membrane clarification without ultrasonic treatment at the same temperature. Results showed that permeate flux increased with ultrasonic treatment. Evaluation of different membrane fouling characteristics showed that the total membrane resistance fell due to the reduction in irreversible fouling and cake resistance. However, ultrasound did not affect the thick caking produced in membrane processing at low feed‐flow rates. Evaluation of the physicochemical properties of pomegranate juice showed that ultrasound can decrease antioxidant activity due to the reduction in total anthocyanin content. Also, total soluble solid content and acidity of pomegranate juice changed with ultrasonic treatment.
Turbidity potentials of single long‐chain fatty acids and gelatinised starch in synthetic lautering wort
Authors: Holtz Christopher , Gastl Martina , Becker Thomas
Published: January 2015

The turbidity potentials of long‐chain fatty acids as well as gelatinised starch were investigated in synthetic lautering wort to determine their contribution to turbidity according to concentration. Synthetic wort proved to be a standardised and reproducible model solution. Concentration series of gelatinised starch and single long‐chain fatty acids as pure substances showed high correlations between concentrations and turbidity levels of turbidity 11° and turbidity 90° measurements. Gelatinised barley starch has the turbidity potential of 0.04 EBC/(mg L−1) on turbidity 11° levels. Regarding long‐chain fatty acids, saturated fatty acids showed distinctly higher turbidity potentials on turbidity 11° (≥0.32 EBC/(mg L−1) and turbidity 90° (≥0.15 EBC/(mg L−1) than unsaturated fatty acids. The turbidity potential of the saturated fatty acids corresponded with their chain lengths, with stearic acid (18:0) showing the highest turbidity potential. However, the impact on turbidity is primarily determined by concentration and not by turbidity potential.
Enhancing the antioxidant activity of immature calamondin by heat treatment
Authors: Lou Shyi‐Neng , Hsieh Hsin‐Pei , Ho Chi‐Tang , Ferng Lin‐Huei A. , Chang Yung‐Chung
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the enhancing effect of heat treatment (110 and 130 °C for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 h, and 150 °C for 1.5 h) on antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of immature calamondin (Citrus mitis Blanco). The results indicated that heat treatment could enhance the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging potency, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and total phenolic content. However, the major flavonoid, 3′,5′‐di‐C‐β‐glucopyranosylphloretin (DGPP), decreased drastically after being heated at ≥130 °C over 1.5 h. The increasing ratio of absorbance at UV420 nm coincided with the change of the antioxidant activity. Therefore, it was concluded that the browning products resulted in the increase of the antioxidant activity of immature calamondin heated at ≥130 °C over 1.5 h, while the increase of antioxidant activity at 110 and 130 °C ≤ 1.0 h heating was due to increased phenolic content.
Comparative analysis of genetically modified brown rice with conventional rice varieties for the safety assessment
Authors: Oh Seonwoo , Park Soo‐Yun , Yeo Yunsoo , Park Soon Ki , Kim Hee‐Yun
Published: January 2015

Compositional analysis of genetically modified (GM) rice (OsCK1), non‐GM comparator and reference rice as commercial rice was conducted for the safety assessment. The tolerance intervals (TI) of commercial rice were also set to illustrate compositional variability. GM rice, non‐GM rice and reference rice were compared using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) to assess the impact of genetic modification vs. environmental influence on the rice component. Seventeen components in forty‐six analysed components were significantly different between GM rice and non‐GM rice. But, the mean ranges of the seventeen components were all within those of the reference TIs. These results demonstrate that the nutrition components of GM rice (OsCK1) fell within the range of natural variability and were biologically equivalent to non‐GM rice. In addition, multivariate analysis by PCA and PLS‐DA revealed that environmental factors such as growing locations were important due to the variability of the rice metabolite profiles. These comparisons lead to the conclusion that disease‐resistant transgenic rice (OsCK1) is compositionally equivalent to and as safe and nutritious as conventional rice varieties grown commercially.
Regulation and Governance of Multinational Drug Trials in Stroke: Barriers and Possibilities
Authors: Berge Eivind , Ford Gary A. , Bath Philip M. W. , Stapf Christian , van der Worp H. Bart , Demotes Jacques , Broderick Joseph , Salman Rustam Al-Shahi , Lees Kennedy R.
Published: January 2015

Over the last 10 years, there has been stagnation in the number of multinational drug trials in stroke in Europe. One important cause of this is probably the increased burden of laws and regulations that came with the European Union Clinical Trials Directive. The main objective of research regulation and governance should be to protect research participants, their tissues, and data, but the approval systems are complex, regulation is variably interpreted and enforced, and the assessment of studies is often not proportionate to the risk of the research to participants. Such unnecessary barriers should be reduced by simplifying, centralizing, and harmonizing the application process, and by applying regulatory and governance requirements in a way that is proportionate to the potential harms to the patients. The traditional functions of a regulator (in setting, monitoring, and enforcing quality standards) could also be supplemented with an aim to actively help researchers achieve these standards, for example, by giving advice, and ultimately with an aim to facilitate and promote research, for example, by integrating research in everyday clinical practice. Research networks offer one way of integrating research and clinical practice across multiple centers, and can streamline research delivery by supporting researchers deal professionally and efficiently with the regulations and governance requirements.