bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional richness outperforms taxonomic richness in predicting ecosystem functioning in natural phytoplankton communities
Authors: Abonyi András , Horváth Zsófia , Ptacnik Robert
Published: November 2017

Recent studies clearly support a positive biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationship in phytoplankton. As taxon richness does not quantify functional diversity, functional approaches have been developed to link community functioning to diversity. Compared to terrestrial plant communities, only a few studies have validated phytoplankton functional approaches in BEF relationships. Furthermore, the ability of functional and taxonomic richness measures in predicting ecosystem functioning of natural phytoplankton communities has not been compared yet.

Here, we analysed the BEF relationship using taxonomic and functional (trait categories and response groups sensu Reynolds) approaches in a broad‐scale phytoplankton dataset from Fennoscandia. First, we analysed how taxonomic and functional compositions were related to local environmental predictors. We then compared how taxonomic and functional richness performed in predicting resource‐use efficiency (the yield in phytoplankton biomass standardised by total phosphorus) as an ecosystem functioning measure. Finally, we tested whether the relationship between ecosystem functioning and taxonomic richness is further enhanced once each of the functional richness measure is also considered.

Among the approaches, phytoplankton functional trait categories as community matrix showed the best correspondence with the local environment. The richness of phytoplankton response groups predicted ecosystem functioning significantly better than the taxonomic and the functional trait category richness—both in the full dataset and in almost all Fennoscandian countries. On top of taxonomic richness, only the residual variation in response group richness predicted ecosystem functioning positively in the entire dataset and in all individual countries.

Applying functional approaches, reduced complexity of data should come along with reduced ecological information. We showed, however, that both functional approaches represented some functional redundancy among taxa in a meaningful way, and enhanced our ability in predicting community composition from environmental predictors. Moreover, phytoplankton response group richness sensu Reynolds summarises information on ecosystem functioning contained in the taxonomic data in a way that represents functional diversity better than the richness of functional trait categories.

Interestingly, the response group approach, which is exclusively derived from field observations rather than from quantified phytoplankton traits, outperforms taxonomic richness and trait category richness in predicting ecosystem functioning in our dataset. This may highlight that our ability to quantify phytoplankton traits is still limited. Existing phytoplankton functional approaches, however, can translate the taxonomic information into a reduced but reliable functional matrix already and predict ecosystem functioning better than taxonomic data.
Rock glaciers in crystalline catchments: Hidden permafrost‐related threats to alpine headwater lakes
Authors: Ilyashuk Boris P. , Ilyashuk Elena A. , Psenner Roland , Tessadri Richard , Koinig Karin A.
Published: November 2017

A global warming‐induced transition from glacial to periglacial processes has been identified in mountainous regions around the world. Degrading permafrost in pristine periglacial environments can produce acid rock drainage (ARD) and cause severe ecological damage in areas underlain by sulfide‐bearing bedrock. Limnological and paleolimnological approaches were used to assess and compare ARDs generated by rock glaciers, a typical landform of the mountain permafrost domain, and their effects on alpine headwater lakes with similar morphometric features and underlying bedrock geology, but characterized by different intensities of frost action in their catchments during the year. We argue that ARD and its effects on lakes are more severe in the alpine periglacial belt with mean annual air temperatures (MAAT) between −2°C and +3°C, where groundwater persists in the liquid phase for most of the year, in contrast to ARD in the periglacial belt where frost action dominates (MAAT < −2°C). The findings clearly suggest that the ambient air temperature is an important factor affecting the ARD production in alpine periglacial environments. Applying the paleoecological analysis of morphological abnormalities in chironomids through the past millennium, we tested and rejected the hypothesis that unfavorable conditions for aquatic life in the ARD‐stressed lakes are largely related to the temperature increase over recent decades, responsible for the enhanced release of ARD contaminants. Our results indicate that the ARDs generated in the catchments are of a long‐lasting nature and the frequency of chironomid morphological deformities was significantly higher during the Little Ice Age (LIA) than during pre‐ or post‐LIA periods, suggesting that lower water temperatures may increase the adverse impacts of ARD on aquatic invertebrates. This highlights that temperature‐mediated modulations of the metabolism and life cycle of aquatic organisms should be considered when reconstructing long‐term trends in the ecotoxicological state of lakes.
Biotic interchange has structured Western Hemisphere mammal communities
Authors: Fraser Danielle , Lyons S. Kathleen
Published: November 2017

Aim

Many hypotheses posit that species‐rich tropical communities are dominated by species–species interactions, apparent as competitive exclusion or character displacement, whereas species‐poor temperate communities are dominated by species–environment interactions. Recent studies demonstrate a strong influence of macroevolutionary and biogeographical factors. We simultaneously test for the effects of species interactions, climate and biotic interchange on Western Hemisphere mammal communities using a phylogenetic and functional diversity approach.

Location

Western Hemisphere.

Time period

Modern.

Major taxa studied

Mammalia.

Methods

Using Western Hemisphere mammal distributional and body mass data, we calculate body mass dispersion, phylogenetic diversity (Net Relatedness Index) and assemblage‐averaged rates of co‐occurrence (Checkerboard scores) in 100 km × 100 km grid cells under an equal area projection. We model body mass dispersion as a function of phylogenetic diversity, co‐occurrence rates and species richness, as well as mean annual temperature and precipitation. We infer rates of dispersal among the temperate and tropical zones of the Western Hemisphere using phylogenetic methods.

Results

The dispersion of northern temperate mammal body masses is higher than null communities and shows correlated change with climate, consistent with resource competition and environmental filtering. Conversely, the dispersions of tropical and southern temperate mammal body masses are lower than and not differentiable from null expectations, respectively, suggesting a limited role of species–species and species–environment interactions at the grain of our analysis. Low tropical body mass dispersion and phylogenetic evenness are best explained by the high rates of faunal mixing. High rates of dispersal might also explain the similarity in community structure between the southern temperate and tropical zones.

Main conclusions

Mammal community assembly processes differ among the temperate and tropical zones of the Western Hemisphere, and faunal mixture during dispersal events, such as the Great American Biotic Interchange (Pliocene c. 3 Ma), may have been important in structuring Western Hemisphere mammal communities.
Biodiversity and climate determine the functioning of Neotropical forests
Authors: Poorter Lourens , van der Sande Masha T. , Arets Eric J. M. M. , Ascarrunz Nataly , Enquist Brian J. , Finegan Bryan , Licona Juan Carlos , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel , Mazzei Lucas , Meave Jorge A. , Muñoz Rodrigo , Nytch Christopher J. , de Oliveira Alexandre A. , Pérez‐García Eduardo A. , Prado‐Junior Jamir , Rodríguez‐Velázques Jorge , Ruschel Ademir Roberto , Salgado‐Negret Beatriz , Schiavini Ivan , Swenson Nathan G. , Tenorio Elkin A. , Thompson Jill , Toledo Marisol , Uriarte Maria , Hout Peter van der , Zimmerman Jess K. , Peña‐Claros Marielos
Published: November 2017

Aim

Tropical forests account for a quarter of the global carbon storage and a third of the terrestrial productivity. Few studies have teased apart the relative importance of environmental factors and forest attributes for ecosystem functioning, especially for the tropics. This study aims to relate aboveground biomass (AGB) and biomass dynamics (i.e., net biomass productivity and its underlying demographic drivers: biomass recruitment, growth and mortality) to forest attributes (tree diversity, community‐mean traits and stand basal area) and environmental conditions (water availability, soil fertility and disturbance).

Location

Neotropics.

Methods

We used data from 26 sites, 201 1‐ha plots and >92,000 trees distributed across the Neotropics. We quantified for each site water availability and soil total exchangeable bases and for each plot three key community‐weighted mean functional traits that are important for biomass stocks and productivity. We used structural equation models to test the hypothesis that all drivers have independent, positive effects on biomass stocks and dynamics.

Results

Of the relationships analysed, vegetation attributes were more frequently associated significantly with biomass stocks and dynamics than environmental conditions (in 67 vs. 33% of the relationships). High climatic water availability increased biomass growth and stocks, light disturbance increased biomass growth, and soil bases had no effect. Rarefied tree species richness had consistent positive relationships with biomass stocks and dynamics, probably because of niche complementarity, but was not related to net biomass productivity. Community‐mean traits were good predictors of biomass stocks and dynamics.

Main conclusions

Water availability has a strong positive effect on biomass stocks and growth, and a future predicted increase in (atmospheric) drought might, therefore, potentially reduce carbon storage. Forest attributes, including species diversity and community‐weighted mean traits, have independent and important relationships with AGB stocks, dynamics and ecosystem functioning, not only in relatively simple temperate systems, but also in structurally complex hyper‐diverse tropical forests.
Effectiveness of educational program using printed educational material on care burden distress among staff of residential aged care facilities without medical specialists and/or registered nurses: Cluster quasi‐randomization study
Authors: Fukuda Koji , Terada Seishi , Hashimoto Mamoru , Ukai Katsuyuki , Kumagai Ryo , Suzuki Mizue , Nagaya Masahiro , Yoshida Mika , Hattori Hideyuki , Murotani Kenta , Toba Kenji
Published: November 2017

Aim

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are an important source of distress for caregivers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of educational intervention using printed educational material for reducing distress induced by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia among caregivers working at facilities without medical specialists and/or registered nurses.

Methods

A cluster quasi‐randomized, controlled comparative trial was carried out at 17 facilities in Japan. Our intervention was an educational program administered at baseline using printed educational material for the care staff. The primary outcome was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures were caregiver burnout evaluated using the Japanese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the care dependency of residents measured using the Japanese version of the Care Dependency Scale.

Results

The total Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire score decreased significantly in the intervention group (F [1355] = 6.57, P = 0.01), and the difference between the intervention and control groups was also significant (F [1355] = 4.78, P = 0.03). There were no significant changes in the Maslach Burnout Inventory or Care Dependency Scale scores in the intervention group, while the Maslach Burnout Inventory subscale (personal accomplishment) score decreased significantly in the control group.

Conclusions

Our intervention achieved a significant reduction of distress among caregivers working at care homes without medical specialists and/or registered nurses. The findings of this research show that educational intervention can make a valuable contribution to training programs for care staff. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 487–494.
Is it time to abandon care planning in mental health services? A qualitative study exploring the views of professionals, service users and carers
Authors: Brooks Helen L. , Lovell Karina , Bee Penny , Sanders Caroline , Rogers Anne
Published: November 2017

Background

It has been established that mental health‐care planning does not adequately respond to the needs of those accessing services. Understanding the reasons for this and identifying whose needs care plans serve requires an exploration of the perspectives of service users, carers and professionals within the wider organizational context.

Objective

To explore the current operationalization of care planning and perceptions of its function within mental health services from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.

Settings and participants

Participants included 21 mental health professionals, 29 service users and 4 carers from seven Mental Health Trusts in England. All participants had experience of care planning processes within secondary mental health‐care services.

Methods

Fifty‐four semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants and analysed utilizing a qualitative framework approach.

Findings

Care plans and care planning were characterized by a failure to meet the complexity of mental health needs, and care planning processes were seen to prioritize organizational agendas and risk prevention which distanced care planning from the everyday lives of service users.

Discussion and conclusions

Care planning is recognized, embedded and well established in the practices of mental health professionals and service users. However, it is considered too superficial and mainly irrelevant to users for managing mental health in their everyday lives. Those responsible for the planning and delivery of mental health services should consider ways to increase the relevance of care planning to the everyday lives of service users including separating risk from holistic needs assessment, using support aids and utilizing a peer workforce in this regard.
Indolent T‐lymphoblastic proliferation concomitant with acinic cell carcinoma mimicking T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma: case report and literature review
Authors: Yasuda Hajime , Tsutsui Miyuki , Ota Yasunori , Tanaka Masaru , Komatsu Norio
Published: November 2017

Aims

Indolent T‐lymphoblastic proliferation (iT‐LBP) is a non‐clonal benign condition showing extrathymic proliferation of T‐lymphoblasts positive for CD3, CD4, CD8, and TdT. Isolated iT‐LBP has been observed, but the majority of iT‐LBPs have been seen in conjunction with other disorders, including Castleman disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, follicular dendritic cell tumours, angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma, myasthenia gravis, and acinic cell carcinoma (ACC). The clinical course of iT‐LBP is indolent, and no therapy is usually required. A major concern is misdiagnosis as T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma, and a correct diagnosis of iT‐LBP often requires not only pathological analysis but also careful monitoring of the clinical course. The aim of this study was to broaden the knowledge of pathologists and physicians concerning this as yet not well‐recognised entity.

Methods and results

We report a case of iT‐LBP concomitant with ACC, along with a literature review of all 14 cases of iT‐LBP reported to date.

Conclusions

iT‐LBP should always be considered as a differential diagnosis of T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma, as the two disorders show extremely similar traits.
Epigenetic down‐regulation of SOX2 is an independent poor prognostic factor for hypopharyngeal cancers
Authors: Avincsal Mehmet Ozgur , Jimbo Naoe , Fujikura Kohei , Shinomiya Hirotaka , Otsuki Naoki , Morimoto Koichi , Furukawa Tatsuya , Morita Naruhiko , Maehara Ritsuko , Itoh Tomoo , Nibu Ken‐ichi , Zen Yoh
Published: November 2017

Aims

We recently reported that a small subset (7%) of oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas completely lacking SOX2 expression had unique clinicopathological features and a dismal prognosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the findings obtained in oesophageal cancers are applicable to hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (HPSCCs) or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs).

Methods and results

The study cohort consisted of consecutive patients with HPSCC (n = 130) and OPSCC (n = 65) who underwent surgery without preoperative therapy. On immunostaining, SOX2 was almost entirely negative in 10 of 130 HPSCCs (8%) and seven of 65 OPSCCs (11%). No significant differences were observed in clinicopathological features, including p16 status, between SOX2‐positive and SOX2‐negative cancers. However, patients with SOX2‐negative HPSCC had significantly worse overall and recurrence‐free survival than those with SOX2‐positive HPSCC, whereas such a prognostic relationship was not confirmed in patients with OPSCC. In a multivariate analysis, the loss of SOX2 expression appeared to be an independent poor prognostic factor for patients with HPSCC. In a sequencing analysis, no mutation was found in SOX2. As SOX2 is known to contain an extensive CpG island before the transcription start site, methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction for the SOX2 promoter was performed. Methylated alleles were found in nine of 10 SOX2‐negative HPSCCs but in none of SOX2‐positive HPSCCs.

Conclusions

Similarly to oesophageal cancers, a small subset (8%) of HPSCCs characteristically almost completely lacking SOX2 expression appeared to be aggressive neoplasms with high recurrence rates. Promoter hypermethylation was determined to be a major mechanism underlying epigenetic SOX2 silencing.
Bactericera cockerelli vitellogenin‐6 like, a vitellogenin without a direct reproductive function?
Authors: Ibanez F. , Tang X. , Tamborindeguy C.
Published: November 2017

Vitellogenin‐like proteins are members of the large lipid transfer proteins, a family of proteins involved in reproduction, lipid circulation and immune defences. In this study, we identified a new Bactericera cockerelli vitellogenin‐like (Vg‐like) transcript, and named it BcVg6‐like based on its similarity to Acyrthosiphon pisum Vg6. In silico analyses predicted different conserved domains in BcVg6‐like compared with the conventional Ba. cockerelli vitellogenin, BcVg1‐like, previously described by our research group. Phylogenetic analyses determined that BcVg6‐like clustered with Vg‐like‐B proteins and not the conventional vitellogenins involved in vitellogenesis. Also, the expression analyses showed differences in BcVg6‐like transcript expression between 7‐day‐old males and 3‐ and 7‐day‐old females. BcVg6‐like was not upregulated after exogenous application of juvenile hormone III, but its relative expression increased significantly in alimentary canals of adult females exposed to tomato plants infected by the bacterial plant pathogen ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’. Our results suggest that in Ba. cockerelli, both vitellogenin genes may have different functions: BcVg1‐like is a conventional vitellogenin that conserved its ancestral function as an egg yolk precursor whereas BcVg6‐like might have acquired a function in lipid and/or other molecule transport, and could potentially play a role in immune defence.
Missing Data: A Unified Taxonomy Guided by Conditional Independence
Authors: Doretti Marco , Geneletti Sara , Stanghellini Elena
Published: November 2017

Recent work (Seaman et al., ; Mealli & Rubin, ) attempts to clarify the not always well‐understood difference between realised and everywhere definitions of missing at random (MAR) and missing completely at random. Another branch of the literature (Mohan et al., ; Pearl & Mohan, ) exploits always‐observed covariates to give variable‐based definitions of MAR and missing completely at random. In this paper, we develop a unified taxonomy encompassing all approaches. In this taxonomy, the new concept of ‘complementary MAR’ is introduced, and its relationship with the concept of data observed at random is discussed. All relationships among these definitions are analysed and represented graphically. Conditional independence, both at the random variable and at the event level, is the formal language we adopt to connect all these definitions. Our paper covers both the univariate and the multivariate case, where attention is paid to monotone missingness and to the concept of sequential MAR. Specifically, for monotone missingness, we propose a sequential MAR definition that might be more appropriate than both everywhere and variable‐based MAR to model dropout in certain contexts.
Migratory birds in southern Brazil are a source of multiple avian influenza virus subtypes
Authors: Araujo Jansen , Petry Maria Virgínia , Fabrizio Thomas , Walker David , Ometto Tatiana , Thomazelli Luciano M. , Scherer Angelo L. , Serafini Patricia P. , Neto Isaac S. , Krauss Scott , Webster Robert G. , Webby Richard J. , Durigon Edison L.
Published: November 2017

Background

There is insufficient knowledge about the relation of avian influenza virus (AIV) to migratory birds in South America. Accordingly, we studied samples obtained over a 4‐year period (2009‐2012) from wild birds at a major wintering site in southern Brazil.

Methods

We obtained 1212 oropharyngeal/cloacal samples from wild birds at Lagoa do Peixe National Park and screened them for influenza A virus by RT‐PCR amplification of the matrix gene. Virus isolates were subjected to genomic sequencing and antigenic characterization.

Results

Forty‐eight samples of 1212 (3.96%) contained detectable influenza virus RNA. Partial viral sequences were obtained from 12 of these samples, showing the presence of H2N2 (1), H6Nx (1), H6N1 (8), H9N2 (1), and H12N5 (1) viruses. As H6 viruses predominated, we generated complete genomes from all 9 H6 viruses. Phylogenetic analyses showed that they were most similar to viruses of South American lineage. The H6N1 viruses caused no disease signs in infected ferrets and, despite genetic differences, were antigenically similar to North American isolates.

Conclusions

Lagoa do Peixe National Park is a source of multiple AIV subtypes, with the levels of influenza virus in birds being highest at the end of their wintering period in this region. H6N1 viruses were the predominant subtype identified. These viruses were more similar to viruses of South American lineage than to those of North American lineage.
Loss of tenascin X gene function impairs injury‐induced stromal angiogenesis in mouse corneas
Authors: Sumioka Takayoshi , Iwanishi Hiroki , Okada Yuka , Nidegawa Yuka , Miyajima Masayasu , Matsumoto Ken‐ichi , Saika Shizuya
Published: November 2017

To determine the contribution by tenascin X (Tnx) gene expression to corneal stromal angiogenesis, the effects were determined of its loss on this response in TNX knockout (KO) mice. In parallel, the effects of such a loss were evaluated on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) gene and protein expression in fibroblasts and macrophages in cell culture. Histological, immunohistochemical and quantitative RT‐PCR changes determined if Tnx gene ablation on angiogenic gene expression, inflammatory cell infiltration and neovascularization induced by central corneal stromal cauterization. The role was determined of Tnx function in controlling VEGF‐A or TGFβ1 gene expression by comparing their expression levels in ocular fibroblasts and macrophages obtained from wild‐type (WT) and body‐wide Tnx KO mice. Tnx was up‐regulated in cauterized cornea. In Tnx KO, macrophage invasion was attenuated, VEGF‐A and its cognate receptor mRNA expression along with neovascularization were lessened in Tnx KOs relative to the changes occurring in their WT counterpart. Loss of Tnx instead up‐regulated in vivo mRNA expression of anti‐angiogenic VEGF‐B but not VEGF‐A. On the other hand, TGFβ1 mRNA expression declined in Tnx KO cultured ocular fibroblasts. Loss of Tnx gene expression caused VEGF‐A expression to decline in macrophages. Tnx gene expression contributes to promoting TGFβ1 mRNA expression in ocular fibroblasts and VEGF‐A in macrophages, macrophage invasion, up‐regulation of VEGF‐A expression and neovascularization in an injured corneal stroma. On the other hand, it suppresses anti‐angiogenic VEGF‐B mRNA expression in vivo.
The experience of sexuality in adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Gil‐Llario M. D. , Morell‐Mengual V. , Ballester‐Arnal R. , Díaz‐Rodríguez I.
Published: November 2017

Background

People with intellectual disability have the same sexual needs as those without any disability, yet their sexuality is often restricted by reluctant attitudes and/or fears based on irrational beliefs. The aim of this study is to describe and analyse different areas of sexuality in adults with mild or moderate intellectual disability.

Method

The sample consisted of 180 men and 180 women attending occupational centres. All the participants were administered a questionnaire about sexuality adapted to their characteristics.

Results

Results show that 84.2% have had sexual relationships with another person, this percentage being higher in females and in people aged between 38 and 55 years old. Condoms are used by 41.4%. The most frequently used contraceptive methods are the pill (39.6%), transdermal patch (30.2%) and intrauterine device (6.7%). 9.4% of the women and 2.8% of the men has experienced sexual abuse.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is a need to draw up educational programmes, differentiated according to gender and adapted to their reality, which include contents related with sexual health, sexual abuse and condom use.
Ben Bernanke in Doha: The Effect of Monetary Policy on Optimal Tariffs
Authors: LECHTHALER WOLFGANG
Published: November 2017

Trade liberalization can imply slow and long adjustment processes. Taking account of these adjustment processes can change the evaluation of trade policy, especially when policymakers care more about the next couple of years than the infinite future. In this paper, I analyze the setting of tariffs in a two‐country model taking account of adjustment processes with special emphasis on the effects of nominal price rigidity and monetary policy. I show that nominal price rigidity induces policymakers with a short planning horizon to set lower tariffs because it enhances the short‐run drop in consumption following an increase in tariffs. Monetary policy that aggressively fights deviations from its inflation target implies even lower optimal tariffs.
The anatomy of the infrarenal lumbar splanchnic nerves in human cadavers: implications for retroperitoneal nerve‐sparing surgery
Authors: Beveridge Tyler S. , Fournier Dale E. , Groh Adam M.R. , Johnson Marjorie , Power Nicholas E. , Allman Brian L.
Published: November 2017

Injury to the nerves of the aortic‐ and superior hypogastric plexuses during retroperitoneal surgery often results in significant post‐operative complications, including retrograde ejaculation and/or loss of seminal emission in males. Although previous characterizations of these plexuses have done well to provide a basis for understanding the typical anatomy, additional research into the common variations of these plexuses could further optimize nerve‐sparing techniques for retroperitoneal surgery. To achieve this, the present study aimed to document the prevalence and positional variability of the infrarenal lumbar splanchnic nerves (LSNs) through gross dissection of 26 human cadavers. In almost all cases, two LSNs were observed joining each side of the aortic plexus, with 48% (left) and 33% (right) of specimens also exhibiting a third joining inferior to the left renal vein. As expected, the position of the LSNs varied greatly between specimens. That said, the vast majority (98%) of LSNs joining the aortic plexus were found to originate from the lumbar sympathetic trunk above the level of the inferior mesenteric artery. It was also found that, within specimens, adjacent LSNs often coursed in parallel. In addition to these nerves, 85% of specimens also demonstrated retroaortic LSN(s) that were angled more inferior compared with the other LSNs (P < 0.05), and exhibited a unique course between the aorta/common iliac arteries and the left common iliac vein before joining the superior hypogastric plexus below the aortic bifurcation. These findings may have significant implications for surgeons attempting nerve‐sparing procedures of the sympathetic nerves in the infrarenal retroperitoneum such as retroperitoneal lymphadenectomies. We anticipate that the collective findings of the current study will help improve such retroperitoneal nerve‐sparing surgical procedures, which may assist in preserving male ejaculatory function post‐operatively.
Serum homocysteine levels in acne patients
Authors: Jiang Hao , Li Changyi , Wei Bin , Wang Qiang , Zhong Jiang , Lu Jianqi
Published: November 2017

Objective

This study was designed to investigate serum homocysteine (HCY) levels in acne patients.

Methods

Acne patients (n = 124) and healthy volunteers (n = 70), matched in terms of both age and sex, were enrolled. Serum HCY levels for all subjects were measured by a clinical laboratory.

Results

Serum HCY levels in male and female patients with severe and moderate acne were significantly higher than in the healthy control group (P < .05). The constituent ratio of male and female acne patients with HCY above the normal range (10 mmol/L) was significantly higher than the healthy control group. The severity of acne patients was positively correlated with serum homocysteine concentration, (P < .01).

Conclusion

Hyperhomocysteinemia may be an independent risk factor for acne vulgaris. Detection of serum HCY is important for acne patients.
Predictive markers and prenatal management of isolated fetal complete atrioventricular block: A retrospective review at a single institution
Authors: Murakami Keisuke , Yamamoto Yuka , Fukunaga Hideo , Matsushita Masakazu , Hirai Chihiro , Makino Shintaro , Shimizu Toshiaki , Itakura Atsuo , Takeda Satoru
Published: November 2017

Aim

The study was conducted to determine an effective method for identifying patients at high risk of developing isolated complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) and to review the efficacy of prenatal anti‐inflammatory treatment.

Methods

Fourteen CAVB cases and 76 anti‐Ro‐positive cases without CAVB were included in the study. Anti‐Ro/La titers by double immunodiffusion and the prevalence of anti‐52 kDa/60 kDa‐Ro/48 kDa‐La by Western blotting were compared between anti‐Ro‐positive women with and without CAVB. Outcomes of anti‐Ro‐positive CAVB cases were compared based on active prenatal anti‐inflammatory treatment (plasma exchange or transplacental betamethasone). We evaluated the outcomes of five pregnancies from three women who had an affected child and underwent prophylactic plasma exchange (PEX) during subsequent pregnancy.

Results

Ten out of 14 patients with CAVB were positive for anti‐Ro. Anti‐Ro titers were significantly higher in patients with CAVB (CAVB median 64; without CAVB median 16; P < 0.01). All cases with CAVB showed high titers of anti‐Ro (≥ 32×), whereas only 42% of cases without CAVB showed high titers (≥ 32×) (P < 0.001). The survival rate at one year was 80% in anti‐Ro‐positive CAVB cases with active prenatal anti‐inflammatory treatment, but only 40% in cases that did not receive treatment. Recurrence was not observed in cases treated with prophylactic PEX.

Conclusions

An anti‐Ro level of 32× could be the threshold value for CAVB development. Prenatal anti‐inflammatory treatment in patients with CAVB and prophylactic PEX in patients who had an affected child may have the potential to improve pregnancy outcomes.
First prenatal diagnosis of a ‘pure’ 9q34.3 deletion (Kleefstra syndrome): A case report and literature review
Authors: Guterman Sarah , Hervé Bérénice , Rivière Julie , Fauvert Delphine , Clement Patrice , Vialard François
Published: November 2017

Kleefstra syndrome (KS) is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia and distinct facial features. Additional clinical features include congenital heart defects, cerebral abnormalities, urogenital defects and weight gain. The syndrome is caused by a microdeletion in chromosomal region 9q34.3 (in 85% of cases) or by a mutation in the EHMT1 gene coding for euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1. The prenatal phenotype has not yet been characterized. Herein, we sought to define this phenotype on the basis of a new case report and literature review.
What is the protective effect of metformin on rat ovary against ischemia‐reperfusion injury?
Authors: Dayangan Sayan Cemile , Karaca Gokhan , Sema Ozkan Zehra , Tulmac Ozlem B. , Ceylan Isik Aslı , Devrim Tuba , Aydin Gülcin , Yeral Ilkin
Published: November 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of metformin on the rat ovary against ischemia‐reperfusion injury.

Methods

Thirty‐seven female Wistar albino rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into five groups, as follows: sham operation group (group 1); torsion group (group 2); torsion/detorsion + saline group (group 3); torsion/detorsion + low‐dose metformin group (group 4); and torsion/detorsion + high‐dose metformin group (group 5). The right ovary from each rat was evaluated histologically using hematoxylin–eosin staining, and the left ovaries were evaluated for tissue levels of the reduced‐glutathione‐to‐oxidized‐glutathione ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), and caspase‐3 activation.

Results

The highest damage score was observed in group 3, and the lowest score was observed in group 1. The tissue caspase‐3 activity levels of groups 2, 3, and 4 were significantly higher than those of group 1. The difference between group 1 and group 5 in terms of tissue caspase‐3 activity was not significant (P = 0.4). The reduced‐glutathione‐to‐oxidized‐glutathione ratio of group 1 was significantly higher than the ratios found in groups 2, 3, and 4. The tissue MDA level of group 1 was significantly lower than the levels found in groups 2, 3, 4, and 5. The tissue MDA level of group 5 was significantly lower than the levels in groups 3 and 4.

Conclusion

From both histopathological and biochemical analyses, the results of the study demonstrated that metformin has beneficial effects when it comes to attenuating ovarian ischemia‐reperfusion injury.
Enhanced ventricular‐arterial coupling during a 2‐year physical activity programme in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective substudy of the physical activity in rheumatoid arthritis 2010 trial
Authors: Sarajlic P. , Fridén C. , Lund L. H. , Manouras A. , Venkateshvaran A. , Larsson S. C. , Nordgren B. , Opava C. H. , Lundberg I. E. , Bäck M.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To establish how guided physical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without known cardiovascular disease affected vascular and cardiac function, and how these two entities were prospectively interconnected in this patient group.

Methods

Prospective substudy of 29 participants in the Physical Activity in RA (PARA) 2010 trial. All subjects were examined at baseline, at year 1 and 2 with measures of pulse wave velocity and arterial augmentation index, as well as echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic parameters and ventricular‐arterial coupling. Muscle strength and aerobic exercise capacity were assessed at baseline and yearly. All participants performed physiotherapist‐guided aerobic and muscle strength exercise during 2 years and were reminded through SMS to report physical activity progress.

Results

This cohort of patients with RA exhibited increased vascular stiffness despite normal blood pressure. At baseline, lower muscle strength was associated with increased vascular stiffness (β = 0.68; P = 0.004), whereas lower aerobic working capacity was associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (β = 0.85; P = 0.03). There was a significant positive correlation between vascular stiffness and diastolic dysfunction at baseline (R2 = 0.64) and for the changes in those parameters observed during 2 years of guided physical activity. Finally, a significant improvement in ventricular‐arterial coupling was observed after exercise (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

These results indicate that although differentially associated with physical capacity parameters, improved vascular stiffness and improved diastolic dysfunction are interrelated, and that an optimization of the ventricular‐arterial coupling may contribute to the beneficial effects of physical activity in patients with RA.
Effect of Distal Implant Inclination on Dislodging Forces of Different Locator Attachments Used for Mandibular Overdentures: An In Vitro Study
Authors: ELsyad Moustafa Abdou , Emera Radwa Mohsen , Ashmawy Tarek Mohy
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of distal implant inclination on axial and nonaxial retentive forces of different Locator attachments used to retain mandibular overdentures.

Materials and methods

Four duplicate mandibular edentulous acrylic models received 2 implants in the canine areas with 0°, 5°, 10°, and 20° distal inclinations. Experimental overdentures were connected to the implants with Locator extra light retention (Le), Locator light retention (Ll), and Locator medium retention (Lm). For the 20° model, extended range Locator extra‐light retention (Lee) and Locator medium retention (Lem) were used. Axial and nonaxial (anterior, posterior, lateral) retentive forces were measured initially and after 540 cycles of denture insertion and removal. Three‐way mixed ANOVA was used to analyze axial and nonaxial retentive forces

Results

After wear simulation, 20° angulation showed the highest axial retention for Le and Ll while 5° showed the highest retention for Lm; 0° and 5° showed the highest anterior and posterior retention for Lm; 20° showed the highest lateral retention for Le and Ll. For all implant inclinations, Lm showed the highest axial and nonaxial retention, and Le and Lee showed the lowest retention for 10° and 20° inclined implants, respectively.

Conclusions

Axial and nonaxial retention of Locator attachments for implant‐retained overdentures are significantly affected by the degree of distal implant inclination and the type of nylon inserts. Lm is recommended to retain overdentures when implants have 5° or 10° distal inclination, and Le and Ll are recommended with 20° inclination to maintain high axial and nonaxial retention after wear.
Evaluating the nutritional value of date pits and demonstrating their application in laying hen diets
Authors: Salajegheh M. H. , Yousef Elahi M. , Salarmoini M.
Published: November 2017

This experiment was carried out to study the feeding value of ground date pits (DP) (Phoenix dactylifera L.) with and without enzyme supplementation on laying hens’ performance. Apparent metabolizable energy value of DP was determined by the total collection method using 10 adult Leghorn cockerels. After that, a total number of 144 Lohmann 50‐week‐old LSL‐Lite hens were randomly allocated into six groups consisting of four replicates of six birds, based on a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of the treatments. Six iso‐caloric and iso‐nitrogenous experimental diets including I‐corn–soya bean meal‐based control, II‐corn–soya bean meal oil‐based control and III‐ corn–soya bean meal‐based diet (180 g/kg DP) were formulated. Each of the diets was supplemented with two levels of an enzyme (0.0 and 0.07 g/kg Natozim Plus). The experiment lasted 10 weeks after 7 days of adaptation. The results revealed that there was no significant difference in feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg mass, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness and Haugh unit among the treatments. Dietary inclusion of DP significantly decreased body weight gain (BWG), egg weight and yolk colour score. On the other hand, corn–soya bean meal‐based control diet with vegetable oil significantly increased egg weight and BWG of birds in comparison with other treatments. The serum biochemical metabolites were not affected by DP and enzyme supplementation. Thus, DP can be used as alternative feedstuff in laying hen diets, up to 18% of the diet with little effect on the performance of hens, including egg weight, and also, it had an adverse effect on yolk colour. Eventually, in terms of performance, the results failed to demonstrate any positive effect of Natozim Plus on either the controls or 18% DP diets.
Sleep timing is associated with diet and physical activity levels in 9–11‐year‐old children from Dunedin, New Zealand: the PEDALS study
Authors: Harrex Harriet A. L. , Skeaff Sheila A. , Black Katherine E. , Davison Brittany K. , Haszard Jillian J. , Meredith‐Jones Kim , Quigg Robin , Saeedi Pouya , Stoner Lee , Wong Jyh E. , Skidmore Paula M. L.
Published: November 2017

It is well documented that short sleep duration is associated with excess body weight and poor food intake in children. It has been suggested that sleep timing behaviour may also be an important predictor of weight and other related behaviours, independent of sleep duration; however, there is a lack of research investigating these relationships. The present study investigated sleep timing in association with diet and physical activity levels in 439 children aged 9–11 years old from New Zealand. Sleep and physical activity data were collected using accelerometry, and food choice using a short food‐frequency questionnaire. Participants were classified into one of four sleep timing behaviour categories using the median split for sleep‐onset and ‐offset times. Differences between sleep timing groups for weekly consumption frequency of selected food groups, dietary pattern scores and minutes of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity were examined. Children in the late sleep/late wake category had a lower ‘Fruit & Vegetables’ pattern score [mean difference (95% CI): −0.3 (−0.5, −0.1)], a lower consumption frequency of fruit and vegetables [mean weekly difference (95% CI): −2.9 (−4.9, −0.9)] and a higher consumption frequency of sweetened beverages [mean weekly difference (95% CI): 1.8 (0.2, 3.3)] compared with those in the early sleep/early wake category. Additionally, children in the late sleep/late wake category accumulated fewer minutes of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity per day compared with those in the early sleep/early wake category [mean difference (95% CI): −9.4 (−15.3, −3.5)]. These findings indicate that sleep timing, even after controlling for sleep duration, was associated with both food consumption and physical activity.
Association between Five Expressed Sequence Tag–Simple Sequence Repeat Markers and Four Growth Traits in Pinctada fucata martensii
Authors: Zhan Xin , Chen Qiong , Shi Yaohua , Gu Zhifeng , Wang Aimin
Published: November 2017

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between marker polymorphism and growth traits in Pinctada fucata martensii. Five microsatellite markers (2PM206, 3PM10, 4PM34, 4PM50, and PM6) derived from expressed sequence tags were selected and were applied in a total of 339 pearl oysters. Observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity of the five microsatellite loci ranged from 0.360 to 0.681 and 0.429 to 0.672, respectively. Four loci (2PM206, 4PM34, 4PM50, and PM6) deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Four growth traits, including shell height (SH), shell length (SL), shell width, and total weight (TW) were measured in all 339 samples. After Bonferroni correction, markers 2PM206, 4PM34, and 4PM50 were correlated with all four growth traits. Marker PM6 was significantly correlated with SH, SL, and TW, and marker 3PM10 was associated with SH and SL traits (P < 0.05). These results provide useful information for marker‐assisted breeding programs in P. fucata martensii.
A window into the transcriptomic basis of genotype‐by‐genotype interactions in the legume–rhizobia mutualism
Authors: Wood Corlett W. , Stinchcombe John R.
Published: November 2017

The maintenance of genetic variation in the benefits provided by mutualists is an evolutionary puzzle (Heath & Stinchcombe, ). Over time, natural selection should favour the benefit strategy that confers the highest fitness, eroding genetic variation in partner quality. Yet abundant genetic variation in partner quality exists in many systems (Heath & Stinchcombe, ). One possible resolution to this puzzle is that the genetic identity of both a host and its partner affects the benefits each mutualist provides to the other, a pattern known as a genotype‐by‐genotype interaction (Figure ). Mounting evidence suggests that genotype‐by‐genotype interactions between partners are pervasive at the phenotypic level (Barrett, Zee, Bever, Miller, & Thrall, ; Heath, ; Hoeksema & Thompson, ). Ultimately, however, to link these phenotypic patterns to the maintenance of genetic variation in mutualisms we need to answer two questions: How much variation in mutualism phenotypes is attributable to genotype‐by‐genotype interactions, and what mutualistic functions are influenced by each partner and by the interaction between their genomes? In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Burghardt et al. (2017) use transcriptomics to address both questions in the legume–rhizobia mutualism.
Randomized, 8‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of vortioxetine in Japanese adults with major depressive disorder, followed by a 52‐week open‐label extension trial
Authors: Inoue Takeshi , Nishimura Akira , Sasai Kiyofumi , Kitagawa Tadayuki
Published: November 2017

Aim

Safety and efficacy of vortioxetine (5–20 mg/day) in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder were evaluated in two phase 3 studies consisting of a short‐term, 8‐week, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study followed by a long‐term, 52‐week, open‐label extension study.

Methods

The primary end‐point of the short‐term study was change from baseline in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score at week 8. The primary objective of the extension study was vortioxetine's long‐term safety; efficacy end‐points included change in MADRS total score, Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI)–Severity (S) score from the long‐term study baseline, and CGI–Improvement (CGI‐I) score over 52 weeks.

Results

Of the 366 randomized patients, 338 completed the short‐term study, and 119 patients continued into the extension study. Primary (analysis of covariance) and secondary (mixed model for repeated measurements) analyses in the short‐term study showed numerically greater, but not statistically significant, decreases in change in MADRS total score from baseline between the vortioxetine and placebo groups at week 8. In the long‐term study, 86.6% of patients reported at least one treatment‐emergent adverse event, with the most common being nasopharyngitis (40.3%) and nausea (21%). MADRS total score and CGI‐I and CGI‐S scores improved with continued vortioxetine treatment from baseline of the open‐label study to week 52.

Conclusion

Vortioxetine failed to meet significance versus placebo in the primary efficacy analysis at week 8 in the short‐term study. The extension trial indicated continued improvement of depressive symptoms from baseline of this study throughout the 52‐week treatment period. Vortioxetine treatment was safe and well tolerated in both studies.