bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptation of global land use and management intensity to changes in climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide
Authors: Alexander Peter , Rabin Sam , Anthoni Peter , Henry Roslyn , Pugh Thomas A. M. , Rounsevell Mark D. A. , Arneth Almut
Published: February 2018

Land use contributes to environmental change, but is also influenced by such changes. Climate and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels’ changes alter agricultural crop productivity, plant water requirements and irrigation water availability. The global food system needs to respond and adapt to these changes, for example, by altering agricultural practices, including the crop types or intensity of management, or shifting cultivated areas within and between countries. As impacts and associated adaptation responses are spatially specific, understanding the land use adaptation to environmental changes requires crop productivity representations that capture spatial variations. The impact of variation in management practices, including fertiliser and irrigation rates, also needs to be considered. To date, models of global land use have selected agricultural expansion or intensification levels using relatively aggregate spatial representations, typically at a regional level, that are not able to characterise the details of these spatially differentiated responses. Here, we show results from a novel global modelling approach using more detailed biophysically derived yield responses to inputs with greater spatial specificity than previously possible. The approach couples a dynamic global vegetative model (LPJ‐GUESS) with a new land use and food system model (PLUMv2), with results benchmarked against historical land use change from 1970. Land use outcomes to 2100 were explored, suggesting that increased intensity of climate forcing reduces the inputs required for food production, due to the fertilisation and enhanced water use efficiency effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, but requiring substantial shifts in the global and local patterns of production. The results suggest that adaptation in the global agriculture and food system has substantial capacity to diminish the negative impacts and gain greater benefits from positive outcomes of climate change. Consequently, agricultural expansion and intensification may be lower than found in previous studies where spatial details and processes consideration were more constrained.
Climate change accelerates local disease extinction rates in a long‐term wild host–pathogen association
Authors: Zhan Jiasui , Ericson Lars , Burdon Jeremy J.
Published: February 2018

Pathogens are a significant component of all plant communities. In recent years, the potential for existing and emerging pathogens of agricultural crops to cause increased yield losses as a consequence of changing climatic patterns has raised considerable concern. In contrast, the response of naturally occurring, endemic pathogens to a warming climate has received little attention. Here, we report on the impact of a signature variable of global climate change – increasing temperature – on the long‐term epidemiology of a natural host–pathogen association involving the rust pathogen Triphragmium ulmariae and its host plant Filipendula ulmaria. In a host–pathogen metapopulation involving approximately 230 host populations growing on an archipelago of islands in the Gulf of Bothnia we assessed changes in host population size and pathogen epidemiological measures over a 25‐year period. We show how the incidence of disease and its severity declines over that period and most importantly demonstrate a positive association between a long‐term trend of increasing extinction rates in individual pathogen populations of the metapopulation and increasing temperature. Our results are highly suggestive that changing climatic patterns, particularly mean monthly growing season (April‐November) temperature, are markedly influencing the epidemiology of plant disease in this host–pathogen association. Given the important role plant pathogens have in shaping the structure of communities, changes in the epidemiology of pathogens have potentially far‐reaching impacts on ecological and evolutionary processes. For these reasons, it is essential to increase understanding of pathogen epidemiology, its response to warming, and to invoke these responses in forecasts for the future.
Niche packing and expansion account for species richness–productivity relationships in global bird assemblages
Authors: Pellissier Vincent , Barnagaud Jean‐Yves , Kissling W. Daniel , Şekercioğlu Çağan , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: February 2018

Aim

Niche theory proposes that increases in species richness along an environmental gradient are associated with a packing of species inside the niche space or an expansion of the niche space. We test whether and under what conditions an increase in bird species richness along a gradient of resource availability is associated with an expansion or packing of the niche as measured based on traits related to resource use.

Location

Global.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Birds.

Methods

We measured birds' realized niche space as the standardized departure between observed total trait range and its null expectation (functional richness: SES.FRic) in 12,188 cells worldwide. We first correlated both species richness and this measurement along the global net primary productivity (NPP) gradient using linear regressions. Second, we investigated the non‐stationarity of the species richness–NPP relationship with Lee's bivariate correlation, a measure of the spatial association of two variables. We then assessed the number of cells exhibiting a significant positive species richness–NPP association and a significant negative or positive SES.FRic. Third, we assessed whether species of species‐rich assemblages occur within or outside the niche space of species‐poor assemblages.

Results

At a global scale, we found that species richness and SES.FRic increased with NPP. We also showed that cells with a significant positive association between species richness and NPP exhibited niche packing (1,699 assemblages out of 12,188) more than niche expansion (five assemblages). Niche packing was associated with complex biomes such as tropical rain forests. Finally, by showing that species in species‐rich assemblages predominantly occur within the niche space of species‐poor assemblages, we showed that the increase in SES.FRic with NPP contributed little to the increase in species richness.

Main conclusion

Although niche volume increases with species richness along an NPP gradient, we confirmed that niche packing is the pattern most associated with the species richness–NPP relationship at a global scale.
Islamist Women's Agency and Relational Autonomy
Authors: Herr Ranjoo Seodu
Published: February 2018

Mainstream conceptions of autonomy have been surreptitiously gender‐specific and masculinist. Feminist philosophers have reclaimed autonomy as a feminist value, while retaining its core ideal as self‐government, by reconceptualizing it as “relational autonomy.” This article examines whether feminist theories of relational autonomy can adequately illuminate the agency of Islamist women who defend their nonliberal religious values and practices and assiduously attempt to enact them in their daily lives. I focus on two notable feminist theories of relational autonomy advanced by Marina Oshana and Andrea Westlund and apply them to the case of Women's Mosque Movement participants in Egypt. I argue that feminist conceptions of relational autonomy, centered around the ideal of self‐government, cannot elucidate the agency of Women's Mosque Movement participants whose normative ideal involves perfecting their moral capacity.
Natality or Birth? Arendt and Cavarero on the Human Condition of Being Born
Authors: Söderbäck Fanny
Published: February 2018

This essay offers a critical analysis of Hannah Arendt's notion of natality through the lens of Adriana Cavarero's feminist philosophy of birth. First, I argue that the strength of Arendtian natality is its rootedness in an ontology of uniqueness, and a commitment to human plurality and relationality. Next, I trace with Cavarero three critical concerns regarding Arendtian natality, namely that it is curiously abstract; problematically disembodied and sexually neutral; and dependent on a model of vulnerability that assumes equality rather than asymmetry. This last issue is further developed in the final section of the essay, where I examine the idea that birth, for Cavarero, becomes the very concept by which we can distinguish and normatively differentiate acts of care and love from acts of wounding and violence. Upholding the normative distinction here depends on a conceptual distinction between vulnerability and helplessness. To maintain the ethical potential of the scene of birth, I argue that we have to insist on the very characteristics Cavarero attributes to it—ones, as this essay aims to show, that are ultimately missing in the Arendtian account thereof.
The phylogenetic position of the extinct Cuban Macaw Ara tricolor based on complete mitochondrial genome sequences
Authors: Johansson Ulf S. , Ericson Per G. P. , Blom Mozes P. K. , Irestedt Martin
Published: February 2018

The Cuban Macaw Ara tricolor was a species of macaw native to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud in the Caribbean that became extinct in the 1860s. Morphologically, it was similar to, but distinctively smaller than, the large red macaws – Scarlet Macaw Ara macao and Red‐and‐green Macaw Ara chloropterus. A close affinity with the Scarlet Macaw has been suggested based on plumage similarities. In this study we use complete mitochondrial genome sequences to examine the phylogenetic position of the Cuban Macaw. Our results do not indicate a sister‐species relationship with the Scarlet Macaw but place the Cuban Macaw as sister to the two red species and the two large green macaws, the Military Macaw Ara militaris and the Great Green Macaw Ara ambiguus. Divergence estimates suggests that the Cuban Macaw separated from this group approximately 4 million years ago.
Spatial, road geometric and biotic factors associated with Barn Owl mortality along an interstate highway
Authors: Arnold Erin M. , Hanser Steven E. , Regan Tempe , Thompson Jeremy , Lowe Melinda , Kociolek Angela , Belthoff James R.
Published: February 2018

Highway programmes typically focus on reducing vehicle collisions with large mammals because of economic or safety reasons, while overlooking the millions of birds that die annually from traffic. We studied wildlife–vehicle collisions along an interstate highway in southern Idaho, USA, with among the highest reported rates of American Barn Owl Tyto furcata road mortality. Carcass data from systematic and ad hoc surveys conducted in 2004–2006 and 2013–2015 were used to explore the extent to which spatial, road geometric and biotic factors explained Barn Owl–vehicle collisions. Barn Owls outnumbered all other identified vertebrate species of roadkill and represented > 25% of individuals and 73.6% of road‐killed birds. At a 1‐km highway segment scale, the number of dead Barn Owls decreased with increasing numbers of human structures, cumulative length of secondary roads near the highway and width of the highway median. The number of dead Barn Owls increased with higher commercial average annual daily traffic (CAADT), small mammal abundance index and grass rather than shrubs in the roadside verge. The small mammal abundance index was also greater in roadsides with grass vs. mixed shrubs, suggesting that Barn Owls may be attracted to grassy portions of the highway with more abundant small mammals for hunting prey. When assessed at a 3‐km highway segment scale, the number of dead Barn Owls again increased, with higher CAADT as well as with greater numbers of dairy farms. At a 5‐km scale, the number of dead Barn Owls increased with a greater percentage of cropland near the highway. Although human conversion of the environment from natural shrub‐steppe to irrigated agriculture in this region of Idaho has probably enhanced habitat for Barns Owls, it simultaneously has increased risk for owl–vehicle collisions where an interstate highway traverses the altered landscape. We review some approaches for highway mitigation and suggest that reducing wildlife–vehicle collisions involving Barn Owls may contribute to the persistence of this species.
LABOR SUPPLY FACTORS AND ECONOMIC FLUCTUATIONS
Authors: Foroni Claudia , Furlanetto Francesco , Lepetit Antoine
Published: February 2018

We propose a new Vector Autoregressive identification scheme that enables us to disentangle labor supply shocks from wage bargaining shocks. Identification is achieved by imposing sign restrictions on the responses of the unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate to the two shocks. According to our analysis on United States data over the period 1985–2014, labor supply shocks and wage bargaining shocks are important drivers of output and unemployment both in the short run and in the long run. These results suggest that identification strategies used in estimated new Keynesian models to disentangle labor market shocks may be misguided.
Two cases of seborrheic keratosis of the external ear canal: involvement of PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes
Authors: De Loof Marie , Van Dorpe Jo , Van Der Meulen Joni , Lefever Steve , Dhooge Ingeborg
Published: February 2018

Background

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) of the outer ear canal is rarely described in literature. Etiological risk factors involved in SK such as exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) and ultraviolet (UV) light are established but must still be confirmed. In recent years, new insights into the pathogenesis of SKs occurred in the area of molecular pathogenesis. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene and p110α subunit of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PIK3CA) oncogene mutations are known to be involved.

Methods

We describe two cases of SK of the outer ear canal. We conducted a review of literature and examined the role of etiological risk factors involved in our cases. The lesions were primarily treated with surgical resection. Postoperatively, in both patients, the lesions recurred after a considerably long disease‐free interval. We tested both FGFR3 and PIK3CA genes for mutations, in the primary and recurrent lesions.

Results

We did not find any mutations in both genes in all samples.

Conclusion

Additional research is needed to further establish possible etiological risk factors and to clarify the involvement of PIK3CA and FGFR3 genes in the pathogenesis of seborrheic keratosis of the outer ear canal. These cases underscore the need for meticulous diagnosis, treatment, and sufficient long‐term follow‐up.
Effects of microencapsulated glucose oxidase on wheat flour dough properties and Chinese steamed bread quality
Authors: Zhang Tianliang , Cui Qun , Zhang Fengxiang , Zhang Lili , Wang Xia
Published: February 2018

This study was to investigate the effects of microencapsulated glucose oxidase (MGO), in comparison with free glucose oxidase (GO), on wheat flour dough properties and Chinese steamed bread (CSB) quality. Effects on wet gluten (WG) content, farinograms and extensograms properties, dynamic rheological properties, microscopic structure, texture profile and sensory evaluation scores were studied. The results demonstrated that MGO catalysed the oxidation of dough at a much slower speed and exerted relatively great advantages in many aspects such as WG content, extensibility, G′ (Elastic modulus), G″ (viscous modulus), tan δ (equal to G′/G″), microstructure and texture properties and sensory evaluation scores of CSB, compared with free GO. The results suggested that slow oxidation of MGO was superior to free GO based on the improvements of wheat flour dough properties and subsequent CSB quality.
Characterization of genetic predisposition and autoantibody profile in atypical haemolytic–uraemic syndrome
Authors: Gurjar Bahadur Singh , Manikanta Sriharsha Tholu , Bhasym Angika , Prabhu Savit , Puraswani Mamta , Khandelwal Priyanka , Saini Himanshi , Saini Savita , Verma Anita Kamra , Chatterjee Priyadarshini , Guchhait Prasenjit , Bal Vineeta , George Anna , Rath Satyajit , Sahu Arvind , Sharma Amita , Hari Pankaj , Sinha Aditi , Bagga Arvind
Published: February 2018

We previously reported that Indian paediatric patients with atypical haemolytic–uraemic syndrome (aHUS) showed high frequencies of anti‐complement factor H (FH) autoantibodies that are correlated with homozygous deletion of the genes for FH‐related proteins 1 and 3 (FHR1 and FHR3) (FHR1/3–/–). We now report that Indian paediatric aHUS patients without anti‐FH autoantibodies also showed modestly higher frequencies of the FHR1/3–/– genotype. Further, when we characterized epitope specificities and binding avidities of anti‐FH autoantibodies in aHUS patients, most anti‐FH autoantibodies were directed towards the FH cell‐surface anchoring polyanionic binding site‐containing C‐terminal short conservative regions (SCRs) 17–20 with higher binding avidities than for native FH. FH SCR17–20‐binding anti‐FH autoantibodies also bound the other cell‐surface anchoring polyanionic binding site‐containing region FH SCR5–8, at lower binding avidities. Anti‐FH autoantibody avidities correlated with antibody titres. These anti‐FH autoantibody characteristics did not differ between aHUS patients with or without the FHR1/3–/– genotype. Our data suggest a complex matrix of interactions between FHR1‐FHR3 deletion, immunomodulation and anti‐FH autoantibodies in the aetiopathogenesis of aHUS.
Living with schizophrenia in rural communities in north‐east Thailand
Authors: Rujkorakarn Darunee , Buatee Supatra , Jundeekrayom Surada , Mills Andrew C.
Published: February 2018

In the rural villages of Thailand, rich social support networks exist that bond the community members to help each other. This study explored the barriers and facilitators of living with schizophrenia in Thai villages. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using semi‐structured interviews with individuals with schizophrenia, family members, and significant others. Content analysis of transcripts involved examining the data, recording observations, data reduction, and coding themes. Four main themes emerged from the narratives: (i) keep doing day‐to‐day activities as a way of life; (ii) support sustains day‐to‐day living; (iii) controlling medication side effects maintains daily living; and (iv) managing self maintains daily living. Self‐regulation and social support are keys to moving from dependence to a normative life goal in rural communities. The patterns of living in the rural communities provide a strong social network as people with schizophrenia learn to lead successful lives. Using supportive families and community members as resources is an alternative and effective way of providing supportive care.
An overview of health challenges faced by nurses
Authors: Bavier Anne
Published: February 2018

Nurses play a critically important role in health care delivery as caregivers, patient advocates, managers of care, and decision‐makers, who use critical thinking‐skills in order to come up with the best outcomes for patients, as well as helping the patients’ families through tough health challenges. Their varying roles as dependable counselors, comforters, confidants, and great listeners are a big part of the reason why nurses are so vital in the health care system. Indeed, polls conducted by the Gallup Organization consistently list nursing as one of the nation's most trusted professions. However, many nurses pay a huge price for their service. Indeed, research shows that, on average, nurses are less healthy than the general public. They are more likely to be overweight, have higher levels of stress, and get less sleep. The heavy lifting required on the job makes nurses seven times more susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries like back pain, an ailment that afflicts large numbers of Americans.
Bismuth niobate thin films for dielectric energy storage applications
Authors: Wang Dixiong , Clark Michael B. , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan
Published: February 2018

Low‐temperature processed bismuth niobate (BNO) thin films were explored in this work as a potential candidate for high‐energy density capacitors. The BNO samples were fabricated by the chemical solution deposition method followed by a series of ultraviolet (UV) exposure and heat treatments. A UV treatment prior to the final pyrolysis step was found to be useful in eliminating bound carbon. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) demonstrated that the residual carbon could be effectively removed at 350°C after UV exposure. Following a heat treatment at 450°C, the energy storage density of the BNO thin film reached 39 J/cm3 with an efficiency of 72%. Furthermore, 350°C and 375°C treated BNO samples showed high‐temperature stability such that the efficiencies of the films remained above 97% up to 150°C at 10 kHz under 1 MV/cm applied field.
Reducing bias in the dairy cattle single‐step genomic evaluation by ignoring bulls without progeny
Authors: Koivula M. , Strandén I. , Aamand G.P. , Mäntysaari E.A.
Published: February 2018

The number of genotyped animals has increased rapidly creating computational challenges for genomic evaluation. In animal model BLUP, candidate animals without progeny and phenotype do not contribute information to the evaluation and can be discarded. In theory, genotyped candidate animal without progeny can bring information into single‐step BLUP (ssGBLUP) and affect the estimation of other breeding values. We studied the effect of including or excluding genomic information of culled bull calves on genomic breeding values (GEBV) from ssGBLUP. In particular, GEBVs of genotyped bulls with daughters and GEBVs of young bulls selected into AI to be progeny tested (test bulls) were studied. The ssGBLUP evaluation was computed using Nordic test day (TD) model and TD data for the Nordic Red Dairy Cattle. The results indicate that genomic information of culled bull calves does not affect the GEBVs of progeny tested reference animals, but if genotypes of the culled bulls are used in the TD ssGBLUP, the genetic trend in the test bulls is considerably higher compared to the situation when genomic information of the culled bull calves is excluded. It seems that by discarding genomic information of culled bull calves without progeny, upward bias of GEBVs of test bulls is reduced.
Maternal depression impacts child psychopathology across the first decade of life: Oxytocin and synchrony as markers of resilience
Authors: Priel Avital , Djalovski Amir , Zagoory‐Sharon Orna , Feldman Ruth
Published: February 2018

Background

While maternal depression is known to carry long‐term negative consequences for offspring, very few studies followed children longitudinally to address markers of resilience in the context of maternal depression. We focused on oxytocin (OT) and mother–child synchrony – the biological and behavioral arms of the neurobiology of affiliation – as correlates of resilience among children of depressed mothers.

Method

A community birth‐cohort was recruited on the second postbirth day and repeatedly assessed for maternal depression across the first year. At 6 and 10 years, mothers and children underwent psychiatric diagnosis, mother–child interactions were coded for maternal sensitivity, child social engagement, and mother–child synchrony, children's OT assayed, and externalizing and internalizing problems reported.

Results

Exposure to maternal depression markedly increased child propensity to develop Axis‐I disorder at 6 and 10 years. Child OT showed main effects for both maternal depression and child psychiatric disorder at 6 and 10 years, with maternal or child psychopathology attenuating OT response. In contrast, maternal depression decreased synchrony at 6 years but by 10 years synchrony showed only child disorder effect, highlighting the shift from direct to indirect effects as children grow older. Path analysis linking maternal depression to child externalizing and internalizing problems at 10 years controlling for 6‐year variables indicated that depression linked with decreased maternal sensitivity and child OT, which predicted reduced child engagement and synchrony, leading to higher externalizing and internalizing problems. OT and synchrony mediated the effects of maternal depression on child behavior problems and an alternative model without these resilience components provided less adequate fit.

Conclusions

Maternal depression continues to play a role in children's development beyond infancy. The mediating effects of OT and synchronous, mutually regulated interactions underscore the role of plasticity in resilience. Results emphasize the need to follow children of depressed mothers across middle childhood and construct interventions that bolster age‐appropriate synchrony.
Pelvis morphology suggests that early Mesozoic birds were too heavy to contact incubate their eggs
Authors: Charles Deeming D. , Mayr Gerald
Published: February 2018

Numerous new fossils have driven an interest in reproduction of early birds, but direct evidence remains elusive. No Mesozoic avian eggs can be unambiguously assigned to a species, which hampers our understanding of the evolution of contact incubation, which is a defining feature of extant birds. Compared to living species, eggs of Mesozoic birds are relatively small, but whether the eggs of Mesozoic birds could actually have borne the weight of a breeding adult has not yet been investigated. We estimated maximal egg breadth for a range of Mesozoic avian taxa from the width of the pelvic canal defined by the pubic symphysis. Known elongation ratios of Mesozoic bird eggs allowed us to predict egg mass and hence the load mass an egg could endure before cracking. These values were compared to the predicted body masses of the adult birds based on skeletal remains. Based on 21 fossil species, we show that for nonornithothoracine birds body mass was 187% of the load mass of the eggs. For Enantiornithes, body mass was 127% greater than the egg load mass, but some early Cretaceous ornithuromorphs were 179% heavier than their eggs could support. Our indirect approach provides the best evidence yet that early birds could not have sat on their eggs without running the risk of causing damage. We suggest that contact incubation evolved comparatively late in birds.
Transforming clinical practice guidelines and clinical pathways into fast‐and‐frugal decision trees to improve clinical care strategies
Authors: Djulbegovic Benjamin , Hozo Iztok , Dale William
Published: February 2018

Background

Contemporary delivery of health care is inappropriate in many ways, largely due to suboptimal Q5 decision‐making. A typical approach to improve practitioners' decision‐making is to develop evidence‐based clinical practice guidelines (CPG) by guidelines panels, who are instructed to use their judgments to derive practice recommendations. However, mechanisms for the formulation of guideline judgments remains a “black‐box” operation—a process with defined inputs and outputs but without sufficient knowledge of its internal workings.

Methods

Increased explicitness and transparency in the process can be achieved by implementing CPG as clinical pathways (CPs) (also known as clinical algorithms or flow‐charts). However, clinical recommendations thus derived are typically ad hoc and developed by experts in a theory‐free environment. As any recommendation can be right (true positive or negative), or wrong (false positive or negative), the lack of theoretical structure precludes the quantitative assessment of the management strategies recommended by CPGs/CPs.

Results

To realize the full potential of CPGs/CPs, they need to be placed on more solid theoretical grounds. We believe this potential can be best realized by converting CPGs/CPs within the heuristic theory of decision‐making, often implemented as fast‐and‐frugal (FFT) decision trees. This is possible because FFT heuristic strategy of decision‐making can be linked to signal detection theory, evidence accumulation theory, and a threshold model of decision‐making, which, in turn, allows quantitative analysis of the accuracy of clinical management strategies.

Conclusions

Fast‐and‐frugal provides a simple and transparent, yet solid and robust, methodological framework connecting decision science to clinical care, a sorely needed missing link between CPGs/CPs and patient outcomes. We therefore advocate that all guidelines panels express their recommendations as CPs, which in turn should be converted into FFTs to guide clinical care.
Plant genetics enters the nano age?
Authors: Joldersma Dirk , Liu Zhongchi
Published: February 2018

Plant transformation has for many years relied on agrobacterium infection or biolistic particle delivery. However, these two methods are limited to model plant systems or a small number of crop species. This commentary highlights recent developments in the nanoparticle‐mediated transformation that have the potential to revolutionize how plants are transformed.
Walking performance in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome: the role of obesity and sleep problems
Authors: Chen C.‐C. (J. J.) , Ringenbach S. D. R.
Published: February 2018

Background

High prevalence of obesity and features of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are major health issues in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), and both may also affect adversely on their daily activities. Further, lower levels of physical work capacity (PWC) have been reported in this population compared to their peers with intellectual disabilities. However, no study examines the relationships between obesity and sleep problems with PWC in individuals with DS. Thus, this study investigated the influence of body mass index (BMI) and different types of sleep problems on PWC in adolescents and young adults with DS (14–31 years).

Methods

The incremental treadmill walking trial was used to assess PWC.

Results

The negative associations were indicated between BMI and walking steps (p = .03) as well as features with OSA and walking steps (p = .04). Thus, BMI and OSA were included in the regression analysis to estimate the walking steps achieved during walking trials. In addition, Bland‐Altman plots demonstrated no overestimation and underestimation of variability in the difference between actual and estimated walking steps developed by using BMI and OSA.

Conclusions

Obesity and sleep problem are potentially detrimental to walking performance (i.e., fewer walking steps) in individuals with DS. Thus, individuals with DS may adopt a slow walk speed due to the increased balance deficits and physical fatigue that result from obesity and sleep fragmentation, respectively. Exercise interventions, which have the potential to reduce obesity and OSA, are recommended to improve the accomplishment of PWC in individuals with DS.
The effect of increased NaCl intake on rat brain endogenous μ‐opioid receptor signalling
Authors: Dadam F. , Zádor F. , Caeiro X. , Szűcs E. , Erdei A. I. , Samavati R. , Gáspár R. , Borsodi A. , Vivas L.
Published: February 2018

Numerous studies demonstrate the significant role of central β‐endorphin and its receptor, the μ‐opioid receptor (MOR), in sodium intake regulation. The present study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between chronic high‐NaCl intake and brain endogenous MOR functioning. We examined whether short‐term (4 days) obligatory salt intake (2% NaCl solution) in rats induces changes in MOR mRNA expression, G‐protein activity and MOR binding capacity in brain regions involved in salt intake regulation. Plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations after sodium overload and the initial and final body weight of the animals were also examined. After 4 days of obligatory hypertonic sodium chloride intake, there was clearly no difference in MOR mRNA expression and G‐protein activity in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO). In the brainstem, MOR binding capacity also remained unaltered, although the maximal efficacy of MOR G‐protein significantly increased. Finally, no significant alterations were observed in plasma osmolality and electrolyte concentrations. Interestingly, animals that received sodium gained significantly less weight than control animals. In conclusion, we found no significant alterations in the MnPO and brainstem in the number of available cell surface MORs or de novo syntheses of MOR after hypertonic sodium intake. The increased MOR G‐protein activity following acute sodium overconsumption may participate in the maintenance of normal blood pressure levels and/or in enhancing sodium taste aversion and sodium overload‐induced anorexia.
Expression and activity profiling of the steroidogenic enzymes of glucocorticoid biosynthesis and the fdx1 co‐factors in zebrafish
Authors: Weger M. , Diotel N. , Weger B. D. , Beil T. , Zaucker A. , Eachus H. L. , Oakes J. A. , do Rego J. L. , Storbeck K.‐H. , Gut P. , Strähle U. , Rastegar S. , Müller F. , Krone N.
Published: February 2018

The spatial and temporal expression of steroidogenic genes in zebrafish has not been fully characterised. Because zebrafish are increasingly employed in endocrine and stress research, a better characterisation of steroidogenic pathways is required to target specific steps in the biosynthetic pathways. In the present study, we have systematically defined the temporal and spatial expression of steroidogenic enzymes involved in glucocorticoid biosynthesis (cyp21a2, cyp11c1, cyp11a1, cyp11a2, cyp17a1, cyp17a2, hsd3b1, hsd3b2), as well as the mitochondrial electron‐providing ferredoxin co‐factors (fdx1, fdx1b), during zebrafish development. Our studies showed an early expression of all these genes during embryogenesis. In larvae, expression of cyp11a2, cyp11c1, cyp17a2, cyp21a2, hsd3b1 and fdx1b can be detected in the interrenal gland, which is the zebrafish counterpart of the mammalian adrenal gland, whereas the fdx1 transcript is mainly found in the digestive system. Gene expression studies using quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR and whole‐mount in situ hybridisation in the adult zebrafish brain revealed a wide expression of these genes throughout the encephalon, including neurogenic regions. Using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we were able to demonstrate the presence of the glucocorticoid cortisol in the adult zebrafish brain. Moreover, we demonstrate de novo biosynthesis of cortisol and the neurosteroid tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone in the adult zebrafish brain from radiolabelled pregnenolone. Taken together, the present study comprises a comprehensive characterisation of the steroidogenic genes and the fdx co‐factors facilitating glucocorticoid biosynthesis in zebrafish. Furthermore, we provide additional evidence of de novo neurosteroid biosynthesising in the brain of adult zebrafish facilitated by enzymes involved in glucocorticoid biosynthesis. Our study provides a valuable source for establishing the zebrafish as a translational model with respect to understanding the roles of the genes for glucocorticoid biosynthesis and fdx co‐factors during embryonic development and stress, as well as in brain homeostasis and function.
Quantitative axial myology in two constricting snakes:Lampropeltis holbrookiandPantherophis obsoletus
Authors: Penning David A.
Published: February 2018

A snake's body represents an extreme degree of elongation with immense muscle complexity. Snakes have approximately 25 different muscles on each side of the body at each vertebra. These muscles serially repeat, overlap, interconnect, and rarely insert parallel to the vertebral column. The angled muscles mean that simple measurements of anatomical cross‐sectional area (ACSA, perpendicular to the long‐axis of the body) serve only as proxies for the primary determinant of muscle force, physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA, area perpendicular to the muscle fibers). Here, I describe and quantify the musculature of two intraguild constrictors: kingsnakes (Lampropeltis holbrooki) and ratsnakes (Pantherophis obsoletus) whose predation performance varies considerably. Kingsnakes can produce significantly higher constriction pressures compared with ratsnakes of similar size. In both snakes, I provide qualitative descriptions, detail previously undescribed complexity, identify a new lateral muscle, and provide some of the first quantitative measures of individual muscle and whole‐bodyPCSA. Furthermore, I compare measurements ofACSAwith measurements ofPCSA. There was no significant difference inPCSAof muscles between kingsnakes and ratsnakes. There is, however, a strong relationship betweenACSAandPCSAmeasurements. I could not identify a significant difference in musculature between kingsnakes and ratsnakes that explains their different levels of constriction performance. Unmeasured components of muscle function, such as endurance and force production, might account for differences in performance between two species with similar muscle structure.
Developmental outcomes of Japanese children born through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in toddlerhood
Authors: Aoki Sayaka , Hashimoto Keiji , Ogawa Kohei , Horikawa Reiko , Sago Haruhiko
Published: February 2018

Aim

This study aimed to investigate developmental outcomes of Japanese babies born through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) at ages 2 and 3.

Methods

The data were gathered from 1085 children in a hospital‐based cohort study conducted in Japan. The children's level of development was assessed through a parent‐rated questionnaire, the Kinder Infant Development Scale, which consists of nine developmental domains. We compared the development of children born through ART and those born naturally by conducting analyses of covariance. For the analyses, the effect of maternal age, family income, parental education and multiple birth were controlled for.

Results

At 24 months, no significant difference was found between children born through ART and those born naturally in development in any domain. At 36 months, a significant difference was found in development of Receptive language (F (1, 845) = 6.148, P = 0.013), Expressive language (F (1, 845) = 4.060, P = 0.044) and Language concept (F (1, 845) = 6.968, P = 0.008). For these domains, children born through ART had a significantly higher developmental age compared to children born naturally.

Conclusion

At age 2, no significant difference was found between the children born through ART and those born naturally in nine developmental domains, although at age 3, the children born through ART showed significantly better language development than the children born naturally.
The Role of High‐Frequency MRI Monitoring in the Detection of Brain Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Uher Tomas , Krasensky Jan , Sobisek Lukas , Seidl Zdenek , Bergsland Niels , Dwyer Michael G. , Kubala Havrdova Eva , Zivadinov Robert , Horakova Dana , Vaneckova Manuela
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A relatively high intraindividual variability of longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain volume loss (BVL) measurements over time renders challenging its application to individual multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Objective of this study was to investigate if high‐frequency brain MRI monitoring affects identification of pathological BVL in an individual patient.

METHODS

One hundred fifty‐seven relapsing‐remitting MS patients had seven MRI scans over 12 months follow‐up. All 1,585 MRI scans were performed on the same 1.5T scanner using an identical scanning protocol. Volumetric analysis was performed by ScanView and SIENA software. Linear regression analysis was used for estimation of annualized BVL, with a cutoff greater than .4% defined as pathological. We compared proportions of patients with pathological BVL obtained by analysis of different number of MRI time‐points.

RESULTS

An analysis of seven MRI scans (months 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12) showed pathological BVL in 105 (65%) of patients. When three MRI scans were included (months 0, 6, and 12), we found 10 (6.4%) false negative and 9 (5.7%) false positive results compared with the analysis of seven MRI scans, used as a reference for assessment of pathological BVL. Analysis of two MRI time‐points (months 0 and 12) showed 10 (6.4%) false negative and 13 (8.3%) false positive results compared with analysis of seven MRI time‐points. Change in the accuracy of pathological BVL between results obtained by analysis of seven and two time‐points was 14.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

High‐frequency MRI monitoring may have a considerable effect on improving the precision of precisely identifying pathological BVL in individual patients. However, limitations in translation to clinical practice remain.
The Effects of Fresh Detox Juices on Color Stability and Roughness of Resin‐Based Composites
Authors: Yikilgan İhsan , Akgul Sinem , Hazar Ahmet , Kedıcı Alp Cemile , Baglar Serdar , Bala Oya
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of three fresh detox juices, including an orange, green, and red beverage, on the color stability and surface roughness of three anterior esthetic resin‐based composites (RBCs).

Materials and Methods

Disk‐shaped specimens were prepared with three different esthetic RBCs (Amaris, G‐aenial Anterior, Clearfil Majesty ES‐2) according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Forty specimens were prepared for each RBC, and all specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37°C for 24 hours. The initial color values and surface roughness measurements of the specimens were taken using a spectrophotometer and a profilometer. The specimens were then divided into 4 subgroups (n = 10). All specimens except the control specimens were immersed in their designated fresh detox juices (green, red, or orange) for 10 minutes twice a day. Color and surface roughness measurements were taken on day 15 and day 30, and the results were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test. The association between color change and surface roughness was evaluated by Spearman's Rank Correlation analysis.

Results

Color changes and surface roughness increased upon exposure to fresh detox juices for 15 and 30 days for all of the RBCs. All of the G‐aenial and Amaris groups displayed color changes above the threshold of acceptability, whereas Clearfil Majesty ES‐2 displayed a color change above the threshold of acceptability only after exposure to the red beverage for 30 days (ΔE > 3.7). With regard to surface roughness, Clearfil Majesty ES‐2 outperformed the other RBCs (p < 0.001). According to Spearman's Rank Correlation analysis, there was no correlation between color change and surface roughness (p > 0.001).

Conclusions

Exposure to the fresh detox juices used in this study led to similar color changes in the RBCs used in this study.
Modelling the effects of temperature and wetness on the polycyclic phase of Stemphylium vesicarium, the pathogen causing purple spot on asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)
Authors: Bohlen‐Janssen Henrik , Racca Paolo , Hau Bernhard , Wichura Alexandra
Published: February 2018

The polycyclic phase of Stemphylium vesicarium is the key factor for the forecast and integrated control of purple spot on asparagus. The annual dynamics of airborne conidia were determined under field conditions by conidia traps. From 2013 to 2015, conidia became airborne at the earliest at mid‐July, but the number trapped was considerably enhanced only after mid‐August, early September. The cumulative percentage of trapped conidia was best described using a logistic function depending on the daily temperature sum (base 0°C) accumulated only on days with >0.2 mm of rainfall (R2 = .81). The germination of conidia was modelled by a generalized beta‐modified Chapman Richards function, and the germ tube length was modelled by a generalized beta‐power function. Conidia germinated in a wide temperature range, with an optimum at 23.3°C, whereas germ tube length had a narrow nearly optimum temperature range around 28.7°C, which indicates that infection by conidia is more restricted by germ tube growth than by germination. The effect of temperature on the number of lesions produced by two strains on green asparagus spears had the narrowest optimum range (optimum at 21.9°C) of all parts of the polycyclic phase. In plant tissue, the spread of the fungus depends on the mycelium growth. The mycelium growth of the four strains, which was modelled with data from a petri dish experiment, had an optimum temperature at 24.7°C.
Transposon insertion upstream of a putative sodium/sulphate symporter is associated with hypervirulence in the soft rot bacterium, Pectobacterium carotovorum
Authors: Kersey Caleb M. , Heintzman Darren , Dumenyo C. Korsi
Published: February 2018

Pathogenesis by Pectobacterium carotovorum and the other soft rot bacteria results mostly from the synthesis and secretion of a plethora of exoproteins including plant cell wall‐degrading enzymes and type III effectors. A mini‐Tn5 transposon mutant of P. carotovorum (KD200) was isolated that is highly increased in activity and transcript levels of extracellular cell wall‐degradative enzymes, pectate lyase, polygalacturonase, cellulase and protease. Accordingly, the mutant was more virulent as it macerated more host tissue than its parent. KD200 mutant harbours a Tn5 insertion directly upstream of nssAEcc71, a putative sodium/sulphate symporter gene and member of a family of divalent anion sodium symporters (DASS). The findings reported here suggest that DASS proteins may be involved in soft rot pathogenesis.
Molecular detection and characterization of a stolbur phytoplasma associated with Narcissus tazetta phyllody in Iran
Authors: Gholami Javad , Ranjbar Reza , Bahar Masoud , Choupannejad Roya , Saed Moucheshi Sirvan
Published: February 2018

During field surveys in 2015, a phytoplasma‐associated disease was identified in Narcissus tazetta plants in Behbahan, Iran. The characteristic symptoms were phyllody and virescence. The presence of phytoplasma in symptomatic plants was confirmed using PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA, tuf, secY and vmp1 genes. Based on the blastn results, the sequences of 16S rRNA, tuf, secY and vmp1 genes shared, respectively, 99%, 100%, 99% and 99% sequence identity with phytoplasma strains in 16SrXII‐A subgroup. RFLP and phylogenetic analyses using the sequences of 16S rRNA, tuf and secY genes confirmed the assortment of studied strains to 16SrXII‐A phytoplasma subgroup. Sequence comparison of these four genes revealed that all the sequences of 28 strains studied were identical. To the best of our knowledge, the association of “Candidatus Phytoplasma solani” with N. tazetta was demonstrated for the first time in the world.
Concurrent renal amyloidosis and thymoma resulting in a fatal ventricular thrombus in a dog
Authors: Loewen Jennifer M. , Cianciolo Rachel E. , Zhang Liwen , Yaeger Michael , Ward Jessica L. , Smith Jodi D. , LeVine Dana N.
Published: February 2018

Thymoma‐associated nephropathies have been reported in people but not in dogs. In this report, we describe a dog with thymoma and concurrent renal amyloidosis. A 7‐year‐old castrated male Weimaraner was presented for progressive anorexia, lethargy, and tachypnea. The dog was diagnosed with azotemia, marked proteinuria, and a thymoma that was surgically removed. Postoperatively, the dog developed a large left ventricular thrombus and was euthanized. Necropsy confirmed the presence of a left ventricular thrombus and histopathology revealed renal amyloidosis. We speculate that the renal amyloidosis occurred secondary to the thymoma, with amyloidosis in turn leading to nephrotic syndrome, hypercoagulability, and ventricular thrombosis. This case illustrates the potential for thymoma‐associated nephropathies to occur in dogs and that dogs suspected to have thymoma should have a urinalysis and urine protein creatinine ratio performed as part of the pre‐surgical database.