bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disrupted nitric oxide signaling due to GUCY1A3 mutations increases risk for moyamoya disease, achalasia and hypertension
Authors: Wallace S. , Guo D.‐C. , Regalado E. , Mellor‐Crummey L. , Bamshad M. , Nickerson D.A. , Dauser R. , Hanchard N. , Marom R. , Martin E. , Berka V. , Sharina I. , Ganesan V. , Saunders D. , Morris S.A. , Milewicz D.M.
Published: January 2016

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a progressive vasculopathy characterized by occlusion of the terminal portion of the internal carotid arteries and its branches, and the formation of compensatory moyamoya collateral vessels. Homozygous mutations in GUCY1A3 have been reported as a cause of MMD and achalasia. Probands (n = 96) from unrelated families underwent sequencing of GUCY1A3. Functional studies were performed to confirm the pathogenicity of identified GUCY1A3 variants. Two affected individuals from the unrelated families were found to have compound heterozygous mutations in GUCY1A3. MM041 was diagnosed with achalasia at 4 years of age, hypertension and MMD at 18 years of age. MM149 was diagnosed with MMD and hypertension at the age of 20 months. Both individuals carry one allele that is predicted to lead to haploinsufficiency and a second allele that is predicted to produce a mutated protein. Biochemical studies of one of these alleles, GUCY1A3 Cys517Tyr, showed that the mutant protein (a subunit of soluble guanylate cyclase) has a significantly blunted signaling response with exposure to nitric oxide (NO). GUCY1A3 missense and haploinsufficiency mutations disrupt NO signaling leading to MMD and hypertension, with or without achalasia.
Recurrent copy number variations as risk factors for autism spectrum disorders: analysis of the clinical implications
Authors: Oikonomakis V. , Kosma K. , Mitrakos A. , Sofocleous C. , Pervanidou P. , Syrmou A. , Pampanos A. , Psoni S. , Fryssira H. , Kanavakis E. , Kitsiou‐Tzeli S. , Tzetis M.
Published: January 2016

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) is currently considered a first‐tier diagnostic assay for the investigation of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental delay and intellectual disability of unknown etiology. High‐resolution arrays were utilized for the identification of copy number variations (CNVs) in 195 ASD patients of Greek origin (126 males, 69 females). CMA resulted in the detection of 65 CNVs, excluding the known polymorphic copy number polymorphisms also found in the Database of Genomic Variants, for 51/195 patients (26.1%). Parental DNA testing in 20/51 patients revealed that 17 CNVs were de novo, 6 paternal and 3 of maternal origin. The majority of the 65 CNVs were deletions (66.1%), of which 5 on the X‐chromosome while the duplications, of which 7 on the X‐chromosome, were rarer (22/65, 33.8%). Fifty‐one CNVs from a total of 65, reported for our cohort of ASD patients, were of diagnostic significance and well described in the literature while 14 CNVs (8 losses, 6 gains) were characterized as variants of unknown significance and need further investigation. Among the 51 patients, 39 carried one CNV, 10 carried two CNVs and 2 carried three CNVs. The use of CMA, its clinical validity and utility was assessed.
Relevance of truncating titin mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Akinrinade O. , Alastalo T.‐P. , Koskenvuo J.W.
Published: January 2016

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a genetically heterogeneous cardiac disease characterized by left ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction, is caused majorly by truncations of titin (TTN), especially in A‐band region. Clinical interpretation of TTN‐truncating variants (TTNtv) has been challenged by the existing inaccurate variant assessment strategies and uncertainty in the true frequency of TTNtv across the general population. We aggregated TTNtv identified in 1788 DCM patients and compared the variants with those reported in over 60,000 Exome Aggregation Consortium reference population. We implemented our current variant assessment strategy that prioritizes TTNtv affecting all transcripts of the gene, and observed a decline in the prevalence of TTNtv in DCM. Despite this decline, TTNtv are more prevalent in DCM patients compared with reference population (p = 4.1 × 10−295). Moreover, our extended analyses confirmed the enrichment of TTNtv not only in the A‐band but also in the I/A‐band junction of TTN. We estimated the probability of pathogenicity of TTNtv affecting all transcripts of TTN, identified in unselected DCM patients to be 97.8% (likelihood ratio (LR) = 42.2). We emphasize that identifying a TTNtv, especially in the A‐band region, has a higher risk of being disease‐causing than previously anticipated, and recommend prioritizing TTNtv affecting at least five transcripts of the gene.
Long‐term outcomes of dental implants placed in elderly patients: a retrospective clinical and radiographic analysis
Authors: Park Jung‐Chul , Baek Won‐Sun , Choi Seong‐Ho , Cho Kyoo‐Sung , Jung Ui‐Won
Published: January 2016

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the clinical and the radiographic outcomes of dental implants placed in elderly people older than 65 years.

Materials and methods

In total, 902 implants in 346 patients (age: 65–89 years) were followed up for 2–17 years following the implant surgery. The survival rate of these implants was recorded and analyzed. Changes in marginal bone levels were also analyzed in serial radiographs, and Cox regression analysis for implant loss was performed.

Results

The survival rates were 95.39% and 99.98% in the implant‐ and patient‐based analyses, respectively (involving a total of 29 implant failures), and the marginal bone loss at the implants was 0.17 ± 0.71 mm (mean ± SD). The number of failures was greatest in patients aged 65–69 years. The Cox regression with shared frailty analysis showed that implant loss was significantly greater in those aged 65–69 years than in those aged 70–74 years (P < 0.05), and it varied between specific implant systems.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this retrospective study, it was concluded that implant therapy can be successfully provided to elderly patients and that age alone does not seem to affect the implant survival rate.
Brain Region‐Specific Histopathological Effects of Varying Trajectories of Controlled Cortical Impact Injury Model of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Pabón Mibel M. , Acosta Sandra , Guedes Vivian A. , Tajiri Naoki , Kaneko Yuji , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: January 2016

Aims

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the head is impacted by an external force causing either a closed or penetrating head injury through a direct or accelerating impact. In laboratory research, most of the TBI animal models focus on a specific region to cause brain injury, but traumatic injuries in patients do not always impact the same brain regions. The aim of this study was to examine the histopathological effects of different angles of mechanical injury by manipulating the trajectory of the controlled cortical impact injury (CCI) model in adult Sprague‐Dawley rats.

Methods

The CCI model was manipulated as follows: conventional targeting of the frontal cortex, farthest right angle targeting the frontal cortex, closest right angle targeting the frontal cortex, olfactory bulb injury, and cerebellar injury. Three days after TBI, brains were harvested to analyze cortical and hippocampal cell loss, neuroinflammatory response, and neurogenesis via immunohistochemistry.

Results

Results revealed cell death in the M1 region of the cortex across all groups, and in the CA3 area from olfactory bulb injury group. This observed cell death involved upregulation of inflammation as evidenced by rampant MHCII overexpression in cortex, but largely spared Ki‐67/nestin neurogenesis in the hippocampus during this acute phase of TBI.

Conclusion

These results indicate a trajectory‐dependent injury characterized by exacerbation of inflammation and different levels of impaired cell proliferation and neurogenesis. Such multiple brain areas showing varying levels of cell death after region‐specific CCI model may closely mimic the clinical manifestations of TBI.
Upper limbs total occlusion pressure assessment: Doppler ultrasound reproducibility and determination of predictive variables
Authors: Bezerra de Morais André T. , Santos Cerqueira Mikhail , Moreira Sales Rafael , Rocha Taciano , Galvão de Moura Filho Alberto
Published: January 2016

Total occlusion pressure (TOP) is an important variable to ischaemic exercise training because the optimal pressure of flow restriction (OPR), applied during this exercise modality, is derived from it. Despite the common use of Doppler ultrasound (DU) to determine the TOP, the reproducibility of this assessment was not evaluated yet. Given this, the objective was to evaluate the reproducibility of DU for the measurement of TOP in upper limbs and determine the predictive variables. Thirteen male volunteers attended three times to the laboratory. On the 1st day, we assessed arm circumference (AC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic (DBP), and brachial artery TOP. On 2nd and 3rd days, only TOP was assessed. We found a coefficient of variation of 5·6% and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0·795 for the DU. In the analysis of TOP predictive variables, the Spearman coefficients (R) were 0·813 (SBP), 0·786 (DBP) and 0·388 (AC). Therefore, these results support that DU has good reproducibility for the TOP and that SBP and DBP should be considered to the determination of TOP in upper limbs.
Physiological and pathological impact of exosomes of adipose tissue
Authors: Zhang Yan , Yu Mei , Tian Weidong
Published: January 2016

Exosomes are nanovesicles that have emerged as a new intercellular communication system for transporting proteins and RNAs; recent studies have shown that they play a role in many physiological and pathological processes such as immune regulation, cell differentiation, infection and cancer. By transferring proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs, exosomes act as information vehicles that alter the behavior of recipient cells. Compared to direct cell‐cell contact or secreted factors, exosomes can affect recipient cells in more efficient ways. In whole adipose tissues, it has been shown that exosomes exist in supernatants of adipocytes and adipose stromal cells (ADSCs). Adipocyte exosomes are linked to lipid metabolism and obesity‐related insulin resistance and exosomes secreted by ADSCs are involved in angiogenesis, immunomodulation and tumor development. This review introduces characteristics of exosomes in adipose tissue, summarizes their functions in different physiological and pathological processes and provides the further insight into potential application of exosomes to disease diagnosis and treatment.
Changes in four plasma adipokines before and after sleep in OSAS patients
Authors: Xu Ting , Lin Yong , Sun Siqing , Zhang Qiang
Published: January 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether plasma levels of four adipokines (chemerin, macrophage migratory inhibitory factor [MIF], visceral adipose tissue‐derived serine protease inhibitor [vaspin] and chemokine CXCL5) are associated with the presence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients.

Methods

A total of 58 male patients with OSAS and 16 healthy male subjects were enrolled in this study.

Results

Four plasma adipokines (chemerin, MIF, vaspin and chemokine CXCL5) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in severe OSAS patients than in the control group after polysomnography. Plasma levels of these four adipokines were higher (P < 0.05) after sleep than before sleep. These levels were also associated with anthropometric measurements for BMI, neck circumference, body fat percentage, sleep parameters including the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and minimum SaO2%. Multiple regression analyses showed that BMI, AHI and mean SaO2% were major factors affecting the four plasma adipokine levels in OSAS patients.

Conclusions

Plasma chemerin, MIF, vaspin and chemokine CXCL5 levels were severely elevated with OSAS, and were also connected with obesity.
China and Natural Resource Curse in Developing Countries: Empirical Evidence from a Cross‐country Study
Authors: Su Fubing , Wei Guoxue , Tao Ran
Published: January 2016

China's rising demand for natural resources and its growing presence in many poor and resource‐rich countries have been criticized for promoting neo‐colonialism in the 21st century. Using panel data for 135 developing countries from 1995 to 2007, the present paper empirically evaluates the validity of such claims. Our findings do not support the resource curse thesis in the areas of industrialization and economic growth. Moreover, the effect of resources is conditional on the initial quality of political institutions in a country.
Are China's Farms Growing?
Authors: Ji Xianqing , Rozelle Scott , Huang Jikun , Zhang Linxiu , Zhang Tonglong
Published: January 2016

China's agricultural sector faces challenges because most farms are still small scale. China's policy is to encourage the consolidation of farms and promote farms that are larger in scale. A question that arises is: Are China's farms growing? The goal of the present paper is to determine whether large farms in China have emerged or if farms remain small. To meet this goal, we systematically document the trends in the operational sizes of China's farms and measure the determinants of changes in farm size. Using a nationally representative dataset, the study shows that in 2013 China's farming sector was still mostly characterized by small‐scale farms. However, at the same time, there is an emerging class of middle‐sized and larger‐sized farms. Most large farms are being run by households but there is a set of large farms that are company/cooperative‐run. Today, farmers on larger farms are younger and better educated than the average farmer.
Profile of associated impairments at age 5 years in Australia by cerebral palsy subtype and Gross Motor Function Classification System level for birth years 1996 to 2005
Authors: Delacy Michael J , Reid Susan M ,   the Australian cerebral palsy register group
Published: January 2016

Aim

To describe the distribution of impairments among persons with cerebral palsy (CP) in a large Australian cohort.

Method

Records of persons on the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register (ACPR) (n=3466) born from 1996 to 2005 were reviewed to extract year of birth, sex,CPsubtype, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and impairments in vision, hearing, speech, intellect, and epilepsy. The distributions ofGMFCSlevels andCPsubtype were plotted, and the proportions of each level of impairment were tabulated and presented as stacked graphs within theGMFCSandCPsubtype distributions.

Results

The proportions of persons withCPwith each associated impairment increased with increasingGMFCSlevel. Compared with other spasticCPsubtypes, individuals with spastic quadriplegia had higher frequencies of all associated impairments. Other than epilepsy, which was most prevalent in persons with spastic quadriplegia (53%), all impairments were most frequent in non‐spasticCPsubtypes. Hearing impairment was recorded for 21% of persons with dyskinesia whereas the hypotonic subtype had the highest prevalence of visual impairment (57%), intellectual impairment (90%), and speech impairment (95%).

Interpretation

Distributions of associated impairments across allGMFCSlevels andCPsubtypes in a large cohort are presented in formats suitable for clinical use and discussion with families.
Is phylogeography helpful for invasive species risk assessment? The case study of the bark beetle genus Dendroctonus
Authors: Godefroid Martin , Rasplus Jean‐Yves , Rossi Jean‐Pierre
Published: January 2016

Despite evidence that conspecific lineages may display different climatic tolerances, most invasion risk assessment tools are calibrated without considering phylogeographic information. This study aims to investigate the existence of intraspecific niche divergence within a group of insect pests and to explore how the inclusion of phylogeographic information into species distribution models may alter the estimation of the potential distribution of a species. We studied North American bark beetles belonging to the genus Dendroctonus, a group of pests of conifers that are listed as quarantine species in numerous countries. Most Dendroctonus species exhibit strong genetic divergence that appears to be geographically structured and shaped by historical events and biotic factors. We modeled all lineage distributions within five species, using MaxEnt and Boosted Regression Trees, and compared the results with the models fitted at the species scale. Multivariate analysis and niche similarity and equivalency tests were additionally performed to investigate the existence and magnitude of climatic niche divergence between conspecific lineages. We also tested the ability of lineage‐based models to predict the region invaded by D. valens in China. Conspecific lineages showed a climatic niche more similar than expected by chance, but displayed different climatic envelopes in their native range and, consequently, different estimates of potential distributions. We also observed that classical models calibrated using the entire range of the species could potentially under‐ or overestimate the potential range of the species when compared to a global prediction built by aggregating lineage‐based projections. This study showed that the invasive phylogeographic lineage of D. valens has invaded regions characterized by climatic conditions highly similar to those encountered in its native range suggesting that preadaptations to environment might have played a role in this invasion. This study highlights how our perception of the invasion risk of pests may be altered when integrating phylogeographic information.
South Africa in the Australian mirror: per capita real GDP in the Cape Colony, Natal, Victoria, and New South Wales, 1861–1909
Authors: Magee Gary B. , Greyling Lorraine , Verhoef Grietjie
Published: January 2016

This article compares the real GDP per capita of the Cape Colony and Natal between 1861 and 1909 with that of Australia's two most developed colonies, Victoria and New South Wales. Estimates of European and non‐European GDP per capita for both South African colonies are also provided. Together, this information allows for the first time an evaluation of the growth performance of these important parts of the South African economy in the colonial era. The article concludes that South African performance in this period was stronger than often assumed and that by the beginning of the twentieth century European South Africans, now more fully integrated into a British World economy, operated at a level of GDP per capita that matched and in some places may have exceeded that of Australians. Non‐European South Africans, however, did not share in these same advances.
Attitudes of the first cohort of student groups trained together at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy towards dental interprofessional education
Authors: Colonio Salazar F. B. , Andiappan M. , Radford D. R. , Gallagher J. E.
Published: January 2016

Objective

This study explored, and compared, the attitudes of student groups trained at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy (UPDA) in 2010/2011 towards dental interprofessional education (IPE).

Methods

The study population consisted of fifth‐year student dentists (n = 80) from King's College London Dental Institute, second‐ and third‐year dental hygiene and therapy (n = 38) and first‐year dental nursing (n = 14) students from UPDA. A 19‐item, validated and dentally modified questionnaire, ‘Readiness for Inter‐Professional Learning Scale (RIPLS)’, was administered. RIPLS contains three subscales: teamwork and collaboration, professional identity and roles and responsibilities. Mean () and standard deviation (SD) of the scores were calculated, following reversal of negative items. All the analyses were carried out using SPSS version 20 and STATA version 11.

Results

An overall response rate of 71% (n = 94) was achieved. In reference to teamwork and collaboration, all groups strongly indicated that IPE can contribute to learning teamwork skills ( = 24.98, SD = 3.5) and improving relationships with team members ( = 12.93, SD = 1.63); however, the scores did not differ between the groups (P = 0.09 and P = 0.16, respectively). Concerning professional identity, student dentists had significantly higher preference for a discipline‐based approach (P = 0.002); were more likely to agree that ‘it is not necessary for undergraduate dental and dental care professional students to learn together’ (P = 0.01); and perceived that ‘clinical problem‐solving skills can only be learnt effectively with other students from their own discipline’ (P = 0.02) than dental hygiene and therapy students. In relation to roles and responsibilities, participants demonstrated a strong sense of their own professional role. Student dentists reported that they had ‘to gain more knowledge and skills’ than dental hygiene and therapy (P = 0.01) and dental nursing (P = 0.01) students. Dental hygiene and therapy students were less likely than student dentists to agree that ‘the role of dental nurses and hygienists was to mainly provide support for dentists’ (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that IPE was perceived as beneficial in relation to teamwork; however, the study raises issues regarding professional identity and roles. Educators should consider differing perceptions of professional roles and identities when planning and delivering interprofessional programmes.
Differential effects of forward and backward masks on the relationship between perception and action
Authors: Deplancke A. , Madelain L. , Coello Y.
Published: January 2016

A recent series of experiments has shown that the effects of near‐threshold stimuli on perceptual and motor responses are highly dependent on experimental conditions. In particular, motor influences of near‐threshold distractors were observed when using low‐contrast unmasked stimuli and high‐contrast masked stimuli although only the latter affected motor responses in the absence of stimulus awareness. These results are compatible with neurophysiological models of visual masking, suggesting that early neural responses to a visual stimulus can be decomposed in feedforward activations to–and feedback activations from–higher visual areas, correlating respectively with the actual presence of the stimulus and its conscious perception. We tested the compatibility between these neurophysiological models and the behavioural data obtained in near‐threshold experiments. We recorded fast reaching movements directed to a highly visible target followed by a report of the presence of a near‐threshold distractor presented either at low contrast without mask or at high contrast with a backward or forward mask. Analysis of hand trajectories revealed that deviations toward the distractor were observed in the no‐mask condition when the distractor was present and reported, and when it was present but not reported in the backward and forward mask conditions, although the effect was weaker in the latter condition. These data reveal that the presence or absence of perception–action dissociations in behavioural studies are well accounted for by neurophysiological models of visual masking and that behavioural effects of near‐threshold distractors cannot result merely from on a dichotomic visual system for perception and action.
The ghosts of selection past reduces the probability of plastic rescue but increases the likelihood of evolutionary rescue to novel stressors in experimental populations of wild yeast
Authors: Samani Pedram , Bell Graham
Published: January 2016

Persistence by adaptation is called evolutionary rescue. Evolutionary rescue is more likely in populations that have been previously exposed to lower doses of the same stressor. Environmental fluctuations might also reduce the possibility of rescue, but little is known about the effect of evolutionary history on the likelihood of rescue. In this study, we hypothesised that the ubiquitous operation of generalised stress responses in many organisms increases the likelihood of rescue after exposure to other stressors. We tested this hypothesis with experimental populations that had been exposed to long‐term starvation and were then selected on different, unrelated stressors. We found that prior adaptation to starvation imposes contrary effects on the plastic and evolutionary responses of populations to subsequent stressors. When first exposed to new stressors, such populations become extinct more often. If they survive the initial exposure to the new stressors, however, they are more likely to undergo evolutionary rescue.
7TMRIin focal epilepsy with unrevealing conventional field strength imaging
Authors: De Ciantis Alessio , Barba Carmen , Tassi Laura , Cosottini Mirco , Tosetti Michela , Costagli Mauro , Bramerio Manuela , Bartolini Emanuele , Biagi Laura , Cossu Massimo , Pelliccia Veronica , Symms Mark R. , Guerrini Renzo
Published: January 2016

Objective

To assess the diagnostic yield of 7T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting and characterizing structural lesions in patients with intractable focal epilepsy and unrevealing conventional (1.5 or 3T)MRI.

Methods

We conducted an observational clinical imaging study on 21 patients (17 adults and 4 children) with intractable focal epilepsy, exhibiting clinical and electroencephalographic features consistent with a single seizure‐onset zone (SOZ) and unrevealing conventionalMRI. Patients were enrolled at two tertiary epilepsy surgery centers and imaged at 7T, including whole brain (three‐dimensional [3D] T1‐weighted [T1W] fast‐spoiled gradient echo (FSPGR), 3D susceptibility‐weighted angiography [SWAN], 3D fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery [FLAIR]) and targeted imaging (2D T2*‐weighted dual‐echo gradient‐recalled echo [GRE] and 2D gray–white matter tissue border enhancement [TBE] fast spin echo inversion recovery [FSE‐IR]). MRI studies at 1.5 or 3T deemed unrevealing at the referral center were reviewed by three experts in epilepsy imaging. Reviewers were provided information regarding the suspected localization of theSOZ. The same team subsequently reviewed 7T images. Agreement in imaging interpretation was reached through consensus‐based discussions based on visual identification of structural abnormalities and their likely correlation with clinical and electrographic data.

Results

7TMRIrevealed structural lesions in 6 (29%) of 21 patients. The diagnostic gain in detection was obtained usingGREandFLAIRimages. Four of the six patients with abnormal 7T underwent epilepsy surgery. Histopathology revealed focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in all. In the remaining 15 patients (71%), 7TMRIremained unrevealing; 4 of the patients underwent epilepsy surgery and histopathologic evaluation revealed gliosis.

Significance

7TMRIimproves detection of epileptogenicFCDthat is not visible at conventional field strengths. A dedicated protocol including whole brainFLAIRandGREimages at 7T targeted at the suspectedSOZincreases the diagnostic yield.
Elastic–plastic constraint parameter A for test specimens with thickness variation
Authors: Nikishkov G. P. , Matvienko Yu. G.
Published: January 2016

Three‐dimensional elastic–plastic problems for a power‐law hardening material are solved using the finite element method. Distributions of the J‐integral in terms of the normalized elastic–plastic stress intensity factor and constraint parameter A along the crack front for varying the strain hardening exponent, specimen thickness and crack length are determined for edge cracked plate, centre cracked plate, three‐point bend and compact tension specimens. The second parameter A in three‐term elastic–plastic asymptotic expansion of the crack tip stress field is a measure of stress field deviation from the Hutchinson‐Rice‐Rosengren field and can be considered as a constraint parameter in elastic–plastic fracture. The loading levels cover conditions from small‐scale to large‐scale yielding. Results of finite element analyses show that the constraint parameter A significantly decreases when specimen thickness changes from 0.1 to 0.5 of the specimen width. Then, it has more or less stable value. Among four specimens, the highest constraint is demonstrated by the compact tension specimen that has the constraint parameter A lower than its small‐scale yielding value.
Catch‐and‐release and angler utility: evidence from an Atlantic salmon recreational fishery
Authors: Olaussen J. O.
Published: January 2016

Catch‐and‐release (C&R) is often regarded as a win–win management tool in recreational fisheries. As long as release mortality is low, C&R may ensure both sustainable fish stocks and a large recreational fishing sector. Hence, apparently both the targeted fish populations and the recreational anglers are better off. However, this depends on fish welfare assumptions as well as angler preferences. While fish welfare is widely studied, angler preferences with respect to C&R are less well understood. This study presents the results from a postal survey studying angler preferences in a Norwegian recreational Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fishery (n = 244). The results suggest that introducing mandatory C&R regimes may reduce the angler utility by up to 80% in this fishery, and hence advocates caution and suggests surveys should be undertaken before C&R introduction. This study also finds that anglers who report concern about fish population status are more likely to be in favour of C&R.
DSC of human hair: a tool for claim support or incorrect data analysis?
Authors: Popescu C. , Gummer C.
Published: January 2016

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data are increasingly used to substantiate product claims of hair repair. Decreasing peak temperatures may indicate structural changes and chemical damage. Increasing the DSC, wet peak temperature is, therefore, often considered as proof of hair repair. A detailed understanding of the technique and hair structure indicates that this may not be a sound approach. Surveying the rich literature on the use of dynamic thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for the analyses of human hair and the effect of cosmetic treatments, we underline some of the problems of hair structure and data interpretation. To overcome some of the difficulties of data interpretation, we advise that DSC acquired data should be supported by other techniques when used for claim substantiation. In this way, one can provide meaningful interpretation of the hair science and robust data for product claims support.
Effects of fruit juice concentrate production on individual anthocyanin species in elderberry
Authors: Szalóki‐Dorkó Lilla , Stéger‐Máté Mónika , Abrankó László
Published: January 2016

Elderberry concentrate is widely used for food colouring. Its production includes several processing steps, which influence pigment composition, thus affecting the quality of final product. In this study, qualitative and quantitative changes in anthocyanin components were followed during the production of elderberry juice concentrate using Haschberg and Samocco varieties. Juice concentration resulted in more than five‐fold concentration increase in anthocyanins; however, clarification, filtration and evaporation steps caused slight but continuous decrease in anthocyanins relative to the dry matter of the product. Pectolytic enzymatic treatment was found to be one of the most critical processing steps that affects anthocyanin yield during production, and this effect on yield can be variety‐dependent. Additionally, two condensed dimeric anthocyanin species generated after heat treatment are reported for the first time to be present in elderberry juice concentrate. Our results suggest that cyanidin‐based anthocyanin conjugates with more complex saccharide moieties are more robust during production.
Separation of prescribing and dispensing in Malaysia: the history and challenges
Authors: Tiong John Jeh Lung , Mai Chun Wai , Gan Pou Wee , Johnson James , Mak Vivienne Sook Li
Published: January 2016

This article serves as an update to the work by Shafie et al. (2012) which previously reviewed the benefits of policies separating prescribing and dispensing in various countries to advocate its implementation in Malaysia. This article seeks to strengthen the argument by highlighting not only the weaknesses of the Malaysian health care system from the historical, professional and economic viewpoints but also the shortcomings of both medical and pharmacy professions in the absence of separation of dispensing. It also provides a detailed insight into the ongoing initiatives taken to consolidate the role of pharmacists in the health care system in the advent of separation of dispensing. Under the two tier system in Malaysia at present, the separation of prescribing and dispensing is implemented only in government hospitals. The absence of this separation in the private practices has led to possible profit-oriented medical and pharmacy practices which hinder safe and cost-effective delivery of health services. The call for separation of dispensing has gained traction over the years despite various hurdles ranging from the formidable resistance from the medical fraternity to the public's scepticism towards the new policy. With historical testament and present evidence pointing towards the merits of a system in which doctors prescribe and pharmacists dispense, the implementation of this health care model is justified.
Expression and characterization of a recombinant i‐type lysozyme from the harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis
Authors: Beckert A. , Wiesner J. , Schmidtberg H. , Lehmann R. , Baumann A. , Vogel H. , Vilcinskas A.
Published: January 2016

Lysozymes are enzymes that destroy bacterial cell walls by hydrolysing the polysaccharide component of peptidoglycan. In insects, there are two classes of lysozymes, the c‐type with muramidase activity and the i‐type whose prototypical members from annelids and molluscs possess both muramidase and isopeptidase activities. Many insect genes encoding c‐type and i‐type lysozymes have been identified during genome and transcriptome analyses, but only c‐type lysozymes have been functionally characterized at the protein level. Here we produced one of five i‐type lysozymes represented in the immunity‐related transcriptome of the invasive harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis as recombinant protein. This was the only one containing the serine and histidine residues that are thought to be required for isopeptidase activity. This i‐type lysozyme was recombinantly expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, but the purified protein was inactive in both muramidase and isopeptidase assays. Transcription and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that this i‐type lysozyme is produced in the fat body but is not inducible by immune challenge. These data suggest that i‐type lysozymes in insects may have acquired novel and as yet undetermined functions in the course of evolution.
Mucosal‐associated invariant T cells in autoimmunity, immune‐mediated diseases and airways disease
Authors: Hinks Timothy S. C.
Published: January 2016

Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a novel class of innate‐like T cells, expressing a semi‐invariant T‐cell receptor (TCR) and able to recognize small molecules presented on the non‐polymorphic MHC‐related protein 1. Their intrinsic effector‐memory phenotype, enabling secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and their relative abundance in humans imply a significant potential to contribute to autoimmune processes. However, as MAIT cells were unknown until recently and specific immunological tools were unavailable, little is known of their roles in disease. Here I review observations from clinical studies and animal models of autoimmune and immune‐mediated diseases including the roles of MAIT cells in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and airways diseases. MAIT cell deficiencies are frequently observed in peripheral blood, and at sites of disease such as the airways in asthma. However, MAIT cells have a specific sensitivity to suppression by therapeutic corticosteroids that may confound many of these observations, as may the tendency of the surface marker CD161 to activation‐induced down‐regulation. Nonetheless, the dependence on bacteria for the development of MAIT cells suggests a potentially important protective role linking the influences of early life microbial exposures and subsequent development of autoimmunity. Conversely, MAIT cells could contribute to chronic inflammation either through TCR‐independent activation, or potentially by TCR recognition of as yet undiscovered ligands. Future research will be greatly facilitated by the immunological tools that are now available, including murine genetic models and human and murine specific tetramers.
Treating substance abuse and mental health issues as ‘mutually‐exclusive’ entities: Best practice or an outmoded approach to intervention?
Authors: Webber Adrian , Clark Jane , Kelly David
Published: January 2016

Addressing the psychological distress of individuals experiencing substance use disorders has too often been relegated to the ‘too hard basket’, leaving those affected with little choice but to receive treatments aimed solely at addressing their drug and alcohol issues. Conversely, individuals receiving support for psychological issues are often underdiagnosed with regards to any comorbid substance misuse problems. In fact, to date, no definitive treatment model exists that gives equal focus to the treatment of both psychological well‐being and substance‐related addictions. This is not to suggest, however, that existing treatment programmes for substance misuse are not impacting positively on clients’ mental health, rather that further research is needed in order to determine what it is that is supporting such improvements. The aim of this study, therefore, was to address this imbalance by examining the correlation between substance dependence and psychological well‐being. Using a descriptive correlation design, the Severity of Dependence and Kessler 10 scales were administered to 37 inpatient and outpatient clients at a rural drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, at intake and 2 months into treatment. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired‐samples t‐tests. Positive correlative factors of improvement between substance dependence and psychological well‐being were found for both groups. In light of these findings, the authors recommend that future research be undertaken to investigate the causal factors for this correlation.
The other side of ranking schemes: generating weights for specified outcomes
Authors: Bougnol Marie‐Laure , Dulá Jose H.
Published: January 2016

This paper treats the problem of how to determine weights in a ranking, which will cause a selected entity to attain the highest possible position. We establish that there are two types of entities in a ranking scheme: those which can be ranked as number one and those which cannot. These two types of entities can be identified using the “ranking hull” of the data; a polyhedral set that envelops the data. Only entities with data points on the boundary of this hull can attain the number one position. There are no weights that will make an entity whose data point is in the interior of the hull to ever attain the number one position. We deal with these two types of entities separately. In the first case, we propose an approach for finding a set of weights that, under special conditions, will result in a selected entity achieving the top of the ranking without ties and without ignoring any of the attributes. For the second category of entities, we devise a procedure to guarantee that these entities will attain their highest possible position in the ranking. The first case will require using interior point methods to solve a linear program (LP). The second case involves a binary mixed integer formulation. These two mathematical programs were tested on data from a well‐known university ranking.
Super SBI Dynamic Network DEA approach to measuring efficiency in the provision of public services
Authors: Moreno Plácido , Lozano Sebastián
Published: January 2016

The current financial crisis has had a significant impact on European governments’ finances and has led to a series of government interventions to control the public debt and deficit. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to identify inefficiencies in the management of public finance, such as overspending, unreasonable debt, and excessive taxes, while maintaining the same level of social welfare. Thus, we propose a two‐stage network data envelopment analysis (DEA) structure that accounts for both allocation of the public budget and transformation of government expenditures into services to the people and the economy. Financial assets, debt, and employment have been included as carryover activities over successive periods of time. Finally, a super‐efficiency approach allows discriminating between the efficient European governments. We have applied the proposed approach to the period from fiscal years 2008 to 2012. Results show that not only high‐deficit countries, but also major countries such as Germany and France have performed poorly. The slack‐based measure of inefficiency (SBI) metrics, whose directional vector components are defined as the yearly national GDP, point out the feasible reductions in taxes and debt issuances, along with feasible targets for government expenditure.
Tuning of shortening speed in coleoid cephalopod muscle: no evidence for tissue‐specific muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms
Authors: Shaffer Justin F. , Kier William M.
Published: January 2016

The contractile protein myosin II is ubiquitous in muscle. It is widely accepted that animals express tissue‐specific myosin isoforms that differ in amino acid sequence and ATPase activity in order to tune muscle contractile velocities. Recent studies, however, suggested that the squid Doryteuthis pealeii might be an exception; members of this species do not express muscle‐specific myosin isoforms, but instead alter sarcomeric ultrastructure to adjust contractile velocities. We investigated whether this alternative mechanism of tuning muscle contractile velocity is found in other coleoid cephalopods. We analyzed myosin heavy chain transcript sequences and expression profiles from muscular tissues of a cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, and an octopus, Octopus bimaculoides, to determine if these cephalopods express tissue‐specific myosin heavy chain isoforms. We identified transcripts of four and six different myosin heavy chain isoforms in S. officinalis and O. bimaculoides muscular tissues, respectively. Transcripts of all isoforms were expressed in all muscular tissues studied, and thus S. officinalis and O. bimaculoides do not appear to express tissue‐specific muscle myosin isoforms. We also examined the sarcomeric ultrastructure in the transverse muscle fibers of the arms of O. bimaculoides and the arms and tentacles of S. officinalis using transmission electron microscopy and found that the fast contracting fibers of the prey capture tentacles of S. officinalis have shorter thick filaments than those found in the slower transverse muscle fibers of the arms of both species. It thus appears that coleoid cephalopods, including the cuttlefish and octopus, may use ultrastructural modifications rather than tissue‐specific myosin isoforms to adjust contractile velocities.
Thermal Poling of Soda‐Lime Silica Glass with Nonblocking Electrodes—Part 1: Effects of Sodium Ion Migration and Water Ingress on Glass Surface Structure
Authors: Luo Jiawei , He Hongtu , Podraza Nikolas J. , Qian Linmao , Pantano Carlo G. , Kim Seong H.
Published: January 2016

It is generally well known that not only the sodium itself, but also the non‐bridging oxygen (NBO) sites associated with sodium ions are largely responsible for the surface reactivity of soda‐lime‐silica (SLS) glass. Thermal poling can modify the distribution of sodium in the subsurface region. In this work, a commercial SLS float glass was thermally poled using nonblocking electrodes in air. The Na+−depleted anode surface and the Na+−gradient cathode surface were characterized using a variety of methods to find the compositional, structural and morphological effects of thermal poling. Of particular significance is the use of nondestructive vibrational spectroscopy methods, which can lead to new and improved understanding of water interactions with sodium and its sites in the glass. It was found that during thermal poling, the Na+−depleted glass network on the anode side undergoes condensation reactions of NBO sites accompanied by the increase in concentrations of silanol (SiOH) groups and molecular water species. In contrast, silanol and water species do not increase and the silicate network change is negligible in the Na+−gradient cathode side. Vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy analysis revealed the difference in distributions of hydrous species in the Na+−depleted and Na+−gradient surfaces. The structural information of the thermally‐poled surfaces provides critical insights needed to understand the mechanical and mechanochemical properties of the Na+−concentration modified SLS glass surfaces reported in the Part 2 companion paper.
The Occupation Behavior of Y2O3 and Its Effect on the Microstructure and Electric Properties in X7R Dielectrics
Authors: Zhang Jin , Hou Yudong , Zheng Mupeng , Jia Wenxu , Zhu Mankang , Yan Hui
Published: January 2016

The occupation behavior of Y2O3 in nonreducible BaTiO3‐based ceramics was investigated thoroughly. Based on XRD, SEM, TEM‐EDS, and complex impedance analysis, it is ensured that there exists two turning points of Y2O3, 0.50 mol% and 1.00 mol%, and the latter is the solubility limit. Below 0.50 mol%, the introduced Y3+ ions precede to enter the A sites of the perovskite lattice, causing an observed enhancement in dielectric constant and energy storage density accompanied by an increase in grain size. Once the addition exceeds 0.50 mol%, the Y3+ ions will turn to occupy B sites to substitute for Ti4+ ions, leading to the significant reduction in dielectric constant and energy storage density. Above the solubility limit of 1.00 mol%, the excess Y3+ ions would segregate at grain boundary and even induce the formation of Y2Ti2O7 phase, resulting in an abrupt enhancement of grain‐boundary resistance. Doped with 0.75–1.50 mol% Y2O3, all nonreducible specimens meet X7R requirement.
Ionic Conductivity in Sodium–Alkaline Earth–Aluminosilicate Glasses
Authors: Amma Shin‐ichi , Lanagan Michael T. , Kim Seong H. , Pantano Carlo G.
Published: January 2016

The effect of alkaline‐earth ions on Na transport in aluminosilicate glasses was studied by measuring ionic conductivity for a systematic compositional series of Na2O–RO–Al2O3–SiO2 glasses (R=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba). The Na transport in aluminosilicate glass could be affected by compositional changes in aluminum coordination and nonbridging oxygen as well as physical properties such as dielectric constant, shear modulus, and ionic packing factor. Through careful experimental designs and measurements, the main determinants among these parameters were identified. 27Al MAS‐NMR indicated that all aluminum species contained in these glasses are four‐coordinated. The activation energy for ion conductivity decreased with increasing aluminum content and decreasing ionic radii of the alkaline‐earth ion in the region where [Al] < [Na]. When the aluminum content exceeded the sodium content ([Al] > [Na]), the composition dependence of the activation energy depended on the specific alkaline earth. These results are explained based on variations in free volume and dielectric constant caused by structural changes around the AlO4 charge compensation sites. These structure changes occur in response to the smaller size and higher field strength of the alkaline‐earth ions, and are most prevalent in the compositions which require bridging of two AlO4 sites by the alkaline‐earth ion for charge compensation.