bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial understory vegetation responses following different forest management intensities in Illyrian beech forests
Authors: Kermavnar Janez , Eler Klemen , Marinšek Aleksander , Kutnar Lado
Published: November 2018

Background and questions

How forest vegetation responds to disturbance continues to be a focal point, especially in the context of biodiversity conservation. To investigate the short‐term effects of forest management on understory vegetation, we asked: (a) Are there any plant indicator species associated with different felling intensities? (b) What are the differences in abundance of plant functional types along the disturbance gradient? (c) How do typical forest species respond to silvicultural treatments?

Location

Dinaric Mountains, Slovenia.

Methods

At each of three study sites in Illyrian beech forests, nine plots (4,000 m2) were established, comprising a total of 27 plots. Three different felling intensities were implemented at each site, with one third of the plots assigned to each treatment: control, 50% of the growing stock removed and 100% of the growing stock removed. In the centre of each plot, a vegetation survey of vascular plants was done before (in 2012) and two years after (in 2014) felling in a circular sampling area of 400 m2. We employed indicator species analysis, and species were grouped into functional types with respect to their traits.

Results

Understory species composition differed significantly between treatments. Forty‐seven species (out of 251) were significantly associated with the 100% felling intensity. This relatively high number of indicators was due to the post‐disturbance colonization of early‐successional, non‐forest species, coupled with the expansion of pre‐treatment resident species. Only one species was a strong indicator for the 50% felled plots, while three species showed a preference for the unfelled plots. Graminoids, tall perennial forbs, annual/biennial forbs and legumes exhibited the most prominent increase in cover at the 50% and 100% felling intensity. Ferns showed non‐significant changes, whereas woody plants exhibited a decrease in the most intensive treatment. In general, most of the typical forest species responded with increased frequency and/or abundance after felling.

Conclusions

The post‐treatment taxonomic and functional composition of plant communities exhibited the largest changes in the most intensively felled stands. Overall, in the short term, ecological conditions in canopy gaps were not modified to an extent that would be detrimental to the persistence of typical forest species.
First demonstration of the neuroepithelial cells and their chemical code in the accessory respiratory organ and the gill of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus: A preliminary study
Authors: Zaccone Giacomo , Maina John , Germanà Antonino , Montalbano Giuseppe , Capillo Gioele , Aragona Luisa , Kuciel Michał J. , Lauriano Eugenia Rita , Icardo José M.
Published: November 2018

Available studies that have examined O2 sensing in fish have indicated that oxygen‐sensitive neuroepithelial cells (NECs) are O2 sensors in the gills and initiate cardiorespiratory reflexes in aquatic vertebrates. This is the first study describing the occurrence of NECs in accessory respiratory organs in the air‐breathing catfish Clarias gariepinus. Immunocytochemical stainings with specific neuronal markers such as nNOS, VAchT, 5‐HT and TH have been shown to be very useful for location and distribution of these cells in the gill fans and suprabranchial chamber that take origin from the transformation of the gill tissue. But the response of these putative O2 chemoreceptors, their role in the respiratory reflexes and their innervation await investigation.
Sixteen years of creatinine measurements among 460 000 individuals—The Funen Laboratory Cohort (FLaC), a population‐based pharmacoepidemiological resource to study drug‐induced kidney disease
Authors: Henriksen Daniel Pilsgaard , Damkier Per , Hallas Jesper , Nybo Mads
Published: November 2018

Register‐based administrative data comprise the backbone of pharmacoepidemiological research. However, information from these registers lacks biochemical details. The aim of our study was to describe the creation, coverage and content of the Funen Laboratory Cohort (FLaC). FLaC is a database comprising all inhabitants of Funen, Denmark, who in the study period of January 2000 to December 2015 had their creatinine levels measured. Data were linked to the Danish nationwide registers with information on vital status, redeemed prescriptions, discharge diagnoses, and socio‐economic status. A total of 693 843 individuals lived on Funen during the study period, and we included 460 365 (66.4%) individuals with a creatinine measurement. In total, 7 742 124 creatinine measurements were performed during the study period. The coverage increased with increasing age, reaching 90%‐100% of all 65‐90 + year‐olds in 2015. We found that an overall coverage of individuals recorded in FLaC with at least one creatinine measured redeeming prescriptions from public pharmacies was 83% (interquartile range [IQR] 75%‐89%) compared to the entire Funen population. In total, 94.1% of all individuals with a discharge diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were covered in FLaC, but only 16.5% (n = 3136) of all individuals with a laboratory‐confirmed CKD also had a discharge diagnosis of CKD. We described the creation and content of the FLaC ‐ a haven and a valuable resource for pharmacoepidemiological research using Danish nationwide administrative registers enriched with individual‐level biochemical information in a population‐based setting.
What makes a good teacher? The relative importance of mathematics teachers’ cognitive ability, personality, knowledge, beliefs, and motivation for instructional quality
Authors: Baier Franziska , Decker Anna‐Theresia , Voss Thamar , Kleickmann Thilo , Klusmann Uta , Kunter Mareike
Published: November 2018

Background

Teachers differ substantially in their instructional performance in the classroom. Thus, researchers and policymakers are interested in how these differences can be explained and how the instruction provided by low‐performing teachers can be improved. Previous research has focused either on generic (cognitive ability and personality) or profession‐specific (professional knowledge, beliefs, and motivation for teaching) teacher characteristics as predictors of instructional quality but their relative importance has not yet been tested.

Aims

Hardly any studies have combined central generic and profession‐specific variables in ascertaining their relative importance for instructional quality. In the present study, we seek to close this research gap.

Samples

We investigated 209 German mathematics teachers and their 4,672 students attending grades 7–10 (13‐ to 16‐year‐old students).

Methods

Teacher characteristics (cognitive ability, personality, professional knowledge, beliefs about, and enthusiasm for teaching) were assessed using standardized tests and self‐report measures. Instructional quality (learning support, classroom disruptions, and cognitive activation) was rated by the students.

Results

Using structural equation modelling, we found extraversion, enthusiasm for teaching, and pedagogical/psychological knowledge to be significant predictors of learning support (R2 = .31) and conscientiousness and enthusiasm for teaching to be significant predictors of classroom discipline (R2 = .21). We did not find significant predictors for cognitive activation.

Conclusions

Our results indicate the relative significance of generic and profession‐specific teacher variables for instructional quality. Overall, a substantial amount of variance in instructional quality is explained by teacher characteristics.
A clinical prediction tool to determine the need for concurrent systematic sampling at the time of magnetic resonance imaging‐guided biopsy
Authors: Sathianathen Niranjan J. , Warlick Christopher A. , Weight Christopher J. , Ordonez Maria A. , Spilseth Benjamin , Metzger Gregory J. , Murugan Paari , Konety Badrinath R.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To develop a clinical prediction tool that characterises the risk of missing significant prostate cancer by omitting systematic biopsy in men undergoing transrectal ultrasonography/magnetic resonance imaging (TRUS/MRI)‐fusion‐guided biopsy.

Patients and methods

A consecutive sample of men undergoing TRUS/MRI‐fusion‐guided biopsy with the UroNav® system (Invivo International, Best, The Netherlands) who also underwent concurrent systematic biopsy was included. By comparing the grade of cancer diagnosed on targeted and systematic biopsy cores, we identified cases where clinically significant disease (Gleason score ≥3+4) was only found on systematic and not targeted cores. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictive factors for finding significant cancer on systematic cores only. We then used these data to develop a nomogram and evaluated its utility using decision curve analysis.

Results

Of the 398 men undergoing TRUS/MRI‐fusion‐guided biopsy in our study, there were 46 (11.6%) cases in which clinically significant cancer was missed on targeted biopsy and detected on systematic biopsy. The clinical setting, number of MRI lesions identified, and the highest Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) score of the lesions, were all found to be predictors of this. Our model had a good discriminative ability (concordance index = 0.70). The results from our decision curve analysis show that this model provides a higher net clinical benefit than either biopsying all men or omitting biopsy in all patients when the threshold probability is <30%.

Conclusion

We found that omitting concurrent systematic biopsy in men undergoing TRUS/MRI‐fusion‐guided biopsy would miss significant disease in more than one in 10 patients. We propose a prediction model with good discriminative ability that can be used to improve patient selection for performing concurrent systematic biopsy in order to minimise the number of missed significant cancers. It is important that our model is validated in external cohorts before being employed in routine clinical practice.
Variation in style of magmatism and emplacement mechanism induced by changes in basin environments and stress fields (Pannonian Basin, Central Europe)
Authors: Petrik Attila , Fodor László , Bereczki László , Klembala Zsombor , Lukács Réka , Baranyi Viktória , Beke Barbara , Harangi Szabolcs
Published: November 2018

The development of high‐resolution 3D seismic cubes has permitted recognition of variable subvolcanic features mostly located in passive continental margins. Our study area is situated in a different tectonic setting, in the extensional Pannonian Basin system (central Europe) where the lithospheric extension was associated with a wide variety of magmatic suites during the Miocene. Our primary objective is to map the buried magmatic bodies, to better understand the temporal and spatial variation in the style of magmatism and emplacement mechanism within the first order Mid‐Hungarian Fault Zone (MHFZ) along which the substantial Miocene displacement took place. The combination of seismic, borehole and log data interpretation enabled us to delineate various previously unknown subvolcanic‐volcanic features. In addition, a new approach of neural network analysis on log data was applied to detect and quantitatively characterise hydrothermal mounds that are hard to interpret solely from seismic data. The volcanic activity started in the Middle Miocene and induced the development of extrusive volcanic mounds south of the NE‐SW trending, continuous strike‐slip fault zone (Hajdú Fault Zone). In the earliest Late Miocene (11.6–9.78 Ma), the style of magmatic activity changed resulting in emplacement of intrusions and development of hydrothermal mounds. Sill emplacement occurred from south‐east to north‐west based on primary flow‐emplacement structures. The time of sill emplacement and the development of hydrothermal mounds can be bracketed by onlapped forced folds and mounds. This time coincided with the acceleration of sedimentation producing poorly consolidated, water‐saturated sediments preventing magma from flowing to the paleosurface. The change in extensional direction resulted in change in fault pattern, thus the formerly continuous basin‐bounding strike‐slip fault became segmented which could facilitate the magma flow toward the basin centre.
Tectonic and oceanographic process interactions archived in Late Cretaceous to Present deep‐marine stratigraphy on the Exmouth Plateau, offshore NW Australia
Authors: Nugraha Harya D. , Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Johnson Howard D. , Hodgson David M. , Reeve Matthew T.
Published: November 2018

Deep‐marine deposits provide a valuable archive of process interactions between sediment gravity flows, pelagic sedimentation and thermohaline bottom‐currents. Stratigraphic successions can also record plate‐scale tectonic processes (e.g. continental breakup and shortening) that impact long‐term ocean circulation patterns, including changes in climate and biodiversity. One such setting is the Exmouth Plateau, offshore NW Australia, which has been a relatively stable, fine‐grained carbonate‐dominated continental margin from the Late Cretaceous to Present. We combine extensive 2D (~40,000 km) and 3D (3,627 km2) seismic reflection data with lithologic and biostratigraphic information from wells to reconstruct the tectonic and oceanographic evolution of this margin. We identified three large‐scale seismic units (SUs): (a) SU‐1 (Late Cretaceous)—500 m‐thick, and characterised by NE‐SW‐trending, slope‐normal elongate depocentres (c. 200 km long and 70 km wide), with erosional surfaces at their bases and tops, which are interpreted as the result of contour‐parallel bottom‐currents, coeval with the onset of opening of the Southern Ocean; (b) SU‐2 (Palaeocene—Late Miocene)—800 m‐thick and characterised by: (a) very large (amplitude, c. 40 m and wavelength, c. 3 km), SW‐migrating, NW‐SE‐trending sediment waves, (b) large (4 km‐wide, 100 m‐deep), NE‐trending scours that flank the sediment waves and (c) NW‐trending, 4 km‐wide and 80 m‐deep turbidite channel, infilled by NE‐dipping reflectors, which together may reflect an intensification of NE‐flowing bottom currents during a relative sea‐level fall following the establishment of circumpolar‐ocean current around Antarctica; and (c) SU‐3 (Late Miocene—Present)—1,000 m‐thick and is dominated by large (up to 100 km3) mass‐transport complexes (MTCs) derived from the continental margin (to the east) and the Exmouth Plateau Arch (to the west), and accumulated mainly in the adjacent Kangaroo Syncline. This change in depositional style may be linked to tectonically‐induced seabed tilting and folding caused by collision and subduction along the northern margin of the Australian plate. Hence, the stratigraphic record of the Exmouth Plateau provides a rich archive of plate‐scale regional geological events occurring along the distant southern (2,000 km away) and northern (1,500 km away) margins of the Australian plate.
DEP domain containing 1 predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and regulates tumor proliferation and metastasis
Authors: Qu Di , Cui Feng , Lu Dan , Yang Yu , Xu Yuqing
Published: November 2018

DEP domain containing 1 (DEPDC1) protein is a novel oncoantigen upregulated in multiple types of cancers which present oncogenic activity and high immunogenicity. However, the function and therapeutic potential of DEPDC1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In the present study, we showed that DEPDC1 was frequently upregulated in HCC and associated with cancer diagnosis and poor prognosis for HCC patients. Moreover, DEPDC1 promotes HCC cell proliferation in vitro as well as carcinogenesis in vivo. Notably, DEPDC1 overexpression also increases the neoplasm metastasis ability of HCC cells both in vivo and in vitro. Gene set enrichment analysis results showed that DEPDC1 expression is positively correlated with K‐RAS signal pathway, pathways in cancer and WNT/β‐catenin signal pathway, all of which are closely associated with specific cancer‐related gene sets. Our study provides the basis for further investigation of the molecular mechanism by which DEPDC1 promotes the development and metastasis of HCC.
Estrogen receptor variant ER‐α36 promotes tamoxifen agonist activity in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Qu Chao , Ma Jingyun , Zhang Yejun , Han Chao , Huang Liang , Shen Liming , Li Hongyan , Wang Xiaobo , Liu Jing , Zou Wei
Published: November 2018

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly infiltrative and malignant primary brain tumor. Despite aggressive therapy, patients with GBM have a dismal prognosis with median survival of approximately 1 year. Tamoxifen (TAM), a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), has been used to treat GBM for many years. ER‐α36 is a novel variant of estrogen receptor‐alpha66 (ER‐α66) and can mediate cell proliferation through estrogen or anti‐estrogen signaling in different cancer cells. Previously, we found that ER‐α36 was highly expressed in GBM and was involved in the tamoxifen sensitivity of glioblastoma cells. However, the molecular mechanism responsible has not been well established. Here, we found that ER‐α36 is highly expressed in glioblastoma specimens. We further found that ER‐α36 knockdown increased sensitivity of glioblastoma U87 cells to TAM and decreased autophagy in these cells. However, ER‐α36 overexpression decreased TAM sensitivity and induced autophagy. We also established TAM‐resistant glioblastoma U251 cells by a long‐term culture in TAM‐containing medium and found that TAM‐resistant cells showed a six‐fold increase of ER‐α36 mRNA expression and elevated basal autophagy. ER‐α36 knockdown in these TAM‐resistant cells restored TAM sensitivity. In addition, we recapitulated the physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment in an integrated microfluidic device, and U87 cells were treated with a gradient of TAM. We found that ER‐α36 expression is consistent with autophagy protein P62 in a three‐dimensional microenvironment. In summary, these results indicate that ER‐α36 contributes to tamoxifen resistance in glioblastoma cells presumably through regulation of autophagy.
Identification of TRA‐1‐60‐positive cells as a potent refractory population in follicular lymphomas
Authors: Takata Katsuyoshi , Saito Ken , Maruyama Satoshi , Miyata‐Takata Tomoko , Iioka Hidekazu , Okuda Shujiro , Ling Yiwei , Karube Kennosuke , Miki Yukari , Maeda Yoshinobu , Yoshino Tadashi , Steidl Christian , Kondo Eisaku
Published: November 2018

Despite receiving rituximab‐combined chemotherapy, follicular lymphoma (FL) patients often suffer tumor recurrence and understand that the cause of relapse in FL would thus significantly ameliorate the tumor therapeutics. In the present study, we show that TRA‐1‐60‐expressing cells are a unique population in FL, converge to the conventional stem cell marker Oct3/4 and ALDH1‐positive population, and resist current B‐lymphoma agents. TRA‐1‐60 expression was observed in scattered lymphoma cells in FL tissues only as well as in resting B‐lymphocytes inside germinal centers. Retrospective comparison between recurrent and cognate primary tissues showed that the number of TRA‐1‐60‐positive cells from rituximab, cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R‐CHOP)‐treated FL had increased relative to primary tissue, a finding corroborated by assays on different rituximab‐treated FL cell lines, FL‐18 and DOHH2, wherein TRA‐positive cell numbers increased over 10‐fold compared to the untreated sample. Concordantly, scanty TRA‐1‐60‐positive FL‐18 cells implanted s.c. into mice evinced potent tumor‐initiating capacity in vivo, where tumors were 12‐fold larger in volume (P = 0.0021 < 0.005) and 13‐fold heavier in weight (P = 0.0015 < 0.005) compared to those xenografted from TRA‐negative cells. To explain these results, gene expression profiling and qPCR analysis indicated that TRA‐1‐60‐positive cells defined a distinct population from that of TRA‐negative cells, with upregulation of multiple drug transporters and therapeutic resistance genes. Hence, TRA‐1‐60‐expressing cells in FL are considered to be vigorously intractable against conventional therapeutic agents, which may explain its refractory recurrence.
Accuracy of scleral transillumination techniques to identify infant ciliary body for sclerostomy and intravitreal injections
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Ali Asim , Henderson Robert H. , Patel C. K. , VandenHoven Cynthia , Lam Wai‐Ching
Published: November 2018

Importance

There is variation in the literature for sclerotomy and intravitreal injection placement in young children, ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 mm from the limbus. We assess the accuracy of scleral transillumination to identify the ciliary body in infants for safe sclerotomy and intravitreal injections in young children.

Background

The study compares the perilimbal “dark band” seen on scleral transillumination (STI) with the ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and compares these measurements with the current guidelines for sclerotomy in infants.

Design

Prospective case series in a tertiary paediatric hospital.

Participants

Children aged ≤36 months undergoing general anaesthesia for eye procedures.

Methods

Scleral transillumination was performed to measure the perilimbal dark band. UBM of the ciliary body region was then performed, and correlated with transillumination findings.

Main Outcome Measures

The midpoints of STI and UBM were compared to current cadaver‐based guidelines to assess the safe point for sclerotomy.

Results

Twenty children were recruited, 36 STI and 35 UBM measurements were obtained. The posterior edge of the dark band had good correlation with the posterior border of the ciliary body. Transillumination and UBM correlated well for midpoint measurements. The midpoint of the dark band on transillumination was confirmed to be in the ciliary body by UBM in all cases.

Conclusions and Relevance

The STI technique is a useful and fast technique to demonstrate the ciliary body. The midpoint of the dark band on STI correlates well with the UBM, and has a potential use for confirming safe‐entry into the posterior segment if using current guidelines. The current cadaver‐based paediatric guidelines safely avoid retinal injury.
Diagnostic utility and pitfalls of intraoperative pulmonary imprint cytology based on final pathological diagnoses
Authors: Sugiyama Tomoko , Tajiri Takuma , Fujita Hirotaka , Hiraiwa Shinichiro , Toguchi Suguru , Nomura Nozomi , Machida Tomohisa , Nakamura Yusuke , Nakagawa Tomoki , Yamada Shunsuke , Iwazaki Masayuki , Nakamura Naoya
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study aimed to determine the reliability of imprint cytology (IC) for intraoperative diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.

Methods

We reviewed 113 cases of pulmonary lesion resection for which a scratch imprint was made intraoperatively. We divided the specimens into two groups (benign and malignant) and compared the scratch IC‐based diagnoses against the final histopathological diagnoses in each group for concordance. We also analysed those cases in which the scratch IC preparation was classified as inadequate.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of IC diagnoses among the patient cohort were 87.7% (72/82), 100% (7/7), 100% (72/72), 41.2% (7/17) and 88.8% (79/89), respectively. IC yielded some false‐negative results in terms of malignancy, although most of these imprints were of early cancer or cancer with mild cytological atypia. Five (41.6%) of 12 lesions for which the imprint was deemed inadequate were diagnosed histologically as granulomas with caseous necrosis.

Conclusion

IC‐based diagnoses of pulmonary lesions as malignant corresponded well with the final histopathological diagnoses, but IC‐based diagnoses of negative (ie, without malignant cells) were not as reliable. Thus, pathologists should recognise the limitations of IC, especially for identifying malignant lesions. Also, the possibility of latent bacterial infection in a granuloma with caseous necrosis indicates that an IC preparation deemed inadequate for diagnosis should not be ignored.
Cytological features of dyshormonogenetic goitre: A diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Mahajan Swati , Agarwal Shipra , Sharma Mehar C , Ray Ruma , Nakra Tripti , Kandasamy Devasenathipathy , Chumber Sunil
Published: November 2018

Dyshormonogenetic goitre, being rare, infrequently reaches the cytopathologist's desk. The authors describe a case of dyshormonogenetic goitre in a child, highlighting the cytological features and common differential diagnosis.
Dermatological conditions presenting to the emergency dermatological unit of a university hospital in Germany
Authors: Ansorge Claudia , Miocic Johannes M. , von Bubnoff Dagmar , Technau‐Hafsi Kristin
Published: November 2018

Background and Objectives

Recently, there have been increasing numbers of patients consulting emergency units in all medical disciplines. Our aim was to analyze the demographics, referral mode, symptoms, localization of lesions, prior treatment, diagnoses and hospitalization rate of dermatological patients.

Patient and Methods

The study was conducted as a prospective single center survey over six months in the dermatology unit of a university hospital in Germany. 1552 consultations were included with consecutive sampling.

Results

The study cohort had a mean age of 41 years and included 53 % females. Nearly half of the patients lived less than 10 kilometers from the study center. 72 % of patients referred themselves. The main symptoms were itching and occurrence of a rash; these symptoms had been present for more than a week on average. A general manifestation was present on the skin in most cases. 55 % of patients were seen by a dermatologist or a general practitioner before the consultation. Prior treatment had been received in 49 % of cases. Eight percent of patients were hospitalized. Eczema was the most common diagnosis, followed by urticaria and scabies.

Conclusions

This study confirms that a considerable number of patients present with non‐urgent diagnoses. Careful prescreening and sensitization of the population may be necessary to reverse this trend.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for complex achalasia and the POEM difficulty score
Authors: Bechara Robert , Woo Matthew , Hookey Lawrence , Chung Wiley , Grimes Kevin , Ikeda Haruo , Onimaru Manabu , Sumi Kazuya , Nakamura Jun , Hata Yoshitaka , Maruyama Shota , Gomi Kuniyo , Shimamura Yuto , Inoue Haruhiro
Published: November 2018

Background

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia is technically challenging to carry out in patients with type III, multiple prior treatments, prior myotomy, and sigmoid type. Herein, we present a series of consecutive patients with complex achalasia and introduce the POEM difficulty score (PDS).

Aim

To demonstrate the application and discuss the utility of PDS and present the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of POEM in complex achalasia patients.

Methods

Forty consecutive POEM were carried out with 28 meeting the criteria for complex achalasia. Primary outcome was clinical success (Eckardt score ≤3) at a minimum of 3 months follow‐up. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, procedural velocity and PDS.

Results

Twenty‐eight complex and 12 non‐complex POEM procedures were carried out with 100% and 92% clinical success, respectively, without any major adverse events with a median follow up of 15 months (complex) and 8 months (non‐complex). Mean velocities for non‐complex, type III, prior myotomy, ≥4 procedures and sigmoid type were as follows: 4.4 ± 1.6, 4.8 ± 1.5, 5.9 ± 2.2, 6.9 ± 2.2 and 8.2 ± 3.2 min/cm, respectively. Median PDS for non‐complex, type III, prior myotomy, ≥4 treatments and sigmoid type were 1 (0–3), 2 (0–4), 2.5 (1–6), 3 (2–6) and 3.5 (1–6), respectively. PDS was shown to correlate well with procedural velocity with a correlation coefficient of 0.772 (Spearman's P < 0.001).

Conclusions

PDS identifies the factors that contribute to challenging POEM procedures and correlates well with procedural velocity. The order of increasing difficulty of POEM in complex achalasia appears to be type III, prior myotomy, ≥4 treatments and sigmoid type.
Acute flaccid myelitis: an emerging clinical entity
Authors: Okumura Akihisa , Mori Harushi
Published: November 2018

This commentary is on the original article by Gordon‐Lipkin et al. on
pages 366–375 and the case series by Kirolos et al. on pages 376–380 of this issue.
Current practices in the management of adenovirus infection in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients in Europe: The AdVance study
Authors: González‐Vicent Marta , Verna Marta , Pochon Cécile , Chandak Aastha , Vainorius Enrikas , Brundage Tom , Mozaffari Essy , Nichols Garrett , Rao Kanchan
Published: November 2018

Objective

Adenovirus (AdV) infections are potentially life‐threatening for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HCT) recipients. The AdVance study aimed to evaluate the incidence, management, and outcomes of AdV infections in European allo‐HCT recipients.

Methods

As part of the study, physician surveys were conducted to determine current AdV screening and treatment practices at their center.

Results

All of the 28 respondents who treat pediatric patients reported routine AdV screening practices, with 93% screening all allo‐HCT recipients and others screening those with transplant‐related risk factors. Nearly all centers take a pre‐emptive approach to AdV treatment in both high‐ (89%) and low‐risk patients (75%). Among the 14 respondents who treat adult patients, 5 (36%) reported routine screening practices and few (21%) screen all allo‐HCT recipients unless risk factors are present. In adults, pre‐emptive AdV treatment is uncommon and quantitative AdV thresholds are rare. Typical treatment for all patients with symptomatic AdV infection is off‐label intravenous cidofovir.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that screening for AdV is more common in pediatric patients. Antiviral treatment is employed in both pediatric and adult patients, although adults are generally treated when AdV disease is diagnosed. The approach to AdV screening and treatment is risk‐based and consistent with clinical guidelines.
Depredation in pelagic surface longlines in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans
Authors: Muñoz‐Lechuga Rubén , Coelho Rui
Published: November 2018

Depredation has aroused great interest over the last few decades, mainly due to the expansion of distant fishing, in particular longlines. For this study, captures and depredation records were taken by scientific observers on board Portuguese commercial longline vessels in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans between 2011 and 2016. A total of 1,336 fishing sets were monitored, with a total of 86,183 fish captured, including 1,681 depredation events. The percentage of depredation tended to increase along the time series, except in the last year where a decrease was noted. Significant differences between sizes of swordfish Xiphias gladius damaged by predators were observed in the Indian Ocean but not in the Atlantic. The highest proportions of depredation were observed on tuna and small pelagic fishes in both oceans. For swordfish, the effects of spatial variables were significant on the rate of depredation events. The results provide an overview of the depredation patterns in the Portuguese pelagic longline fishery in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, which can inform and improve fisheries management and contribute to the development of effective mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of depredation on fisheries.
Unique sympatric quartet of limnetic, benthic, profundal and piscivorous brown trout populations resolved by 3D sampling and focused molecular marker selection
Authors: Verspoor Eric , Coulson Mark W. , Greer Ronald B. , Knox David
Published: November 2018

The full extent of sympatric intraspecific population diversity (SIPD) i.e. structuring into multiple genetically distinct Mendelian populations, remains uncertain for most lacustrine fish species, particularly in northern lakes. However, increasing application of molecular genetics is advancing understanding and has shown both that many known intraspecific sympatric lacustrine morphological and behavioural polymorphisms represent SIPD, and resolved the existence of phenotypically cryptic structuring.

Uncertainty remains as only a few northern lakes have been comprehensively surveyed and existing studies focus on known phenotypic polymorphisms or exploit ad hoc field sampling, marker selection and data analysis methods. Such unfocused approaches constrain resolving power and increase the likelihood of failing to detect SIPD when present.

Brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in a previously unstudied Scottish lake were collected by 3D stratified random netting. They were screened with both an arbitrary set of molecular markers and markers pre‐selected for their ability to resolve regional allopatric brown trout population structuring and data analysed by both Bayesian and non‐Bayesian approaches.

Depth clines for mitochondrial and microsatellite markers variation were observed and found to arise from different, but overlapping, depth distributions of four genetically distinct piscivorous, limnetic, shallow benthic, and profundal benthic populations. This is the highest number of ecologically and phenotypically distinct sympatric brown populations identified in any lake to date, and includes the first reported profundal benthic form.

The detection of the SIPD in Loch Laidon depended critically on the random 3D sampling and using markers preselected for their power to differentiate regional allopatric populations of trout, as well as aided by using both Bayesian and non‐Bayesian analytical approaches.

The findings support the view that the extent of ecologically and evolutionarily significant SIPD is probably underestimated in brown trout and other fish species, and probably is a significant component of the biodiversity in many northern hemisphere lakes.
Trophic coupling of the microbial and the classical food web in Lake Baikal, Siberia
Authors: Moore Marianne V. , De Stasio Bart T. , Huizenga Kristin N. , Silow Eugene A.
Published: November 2018

Pelagic copepods often couple the classical and microbial food webs by feeding on microzooplankton (e.g. ciliates) in oligotrophic aquatic systems, and this consumption can trigger trophic cascades within the microbial food web. Consumption of mixotrophic microzooplankton, which are both autotrophic and heterotrophic within the same individual, is of particular interest because of its influence on carbon transfer efficiency within aquatic food webs.

In Lake Baikal, Siberia, it is unknown how carbon from a well‐developed microbial food web present during summer stratification moves into higher trophic levels within the classical food web.

We conducted in situ experiments in August 2015 to test the hypotheses that: (a)  the lake's dominant endemic copepod (Epischura baikalensis), previously assumed to be an herbivore feeding on diatoms, connects the microbial and classical food webs by ingesting ciliates; and (b) this feeding initiates top‐down effects within the microbial food web.

Our results supported these hypotheses. E. baikalensis individuals consumed on average 101–161 ciliates per day, obtaining 96%–98% of their ingested carbon from ciliates and the remainder from small diatoms. Clearly, E. baikalensis is omnivorous, and it is probably channelling more primary production from both the microbial food web and the classical food web of Lake Baikal to higher trophic levels than any other pelagic consumer.

Most ciliates consumed were a mixotrophic oligotrich and such taxa are often abundant in summer in other oligotrophic lakes. Consumption of these mixotrophs is likely to boost substantially the transfer efficiency of biomass to higher trophic levels with potential implications for fish production, but this has seldom been investigated in oligotrophic lakes.

Feeding of E. baikalensis initiated a three‐link predatory cascade which reduced the abundance of ciliates and elevated growth rates of heterotrophic nanoflagellates but did not affect abundance or growth rates of autotrophic picoplankton. This demonstration of a potential trophic cascade in Lake Baikal indicates that investigations at larger spatial–temporal scales are needed to identify the conditions promoting or precluding trophic cascades in this lake.
The role of fine sediment characteristics and body size on the vertical movement of a freshwater amphipod
Authors: Mathers Kate L. , Hill Matthew J. , Wood Connor D. , Wood Paul J.
Published: November 2018

Sedimentation and clogging (colmation) of interstitial pore spaces with fine sediment particles is widely considered to be one of the most significant threats to lotic ecosystem functioning. This paper presents the results of a running water mesocosm study examining the effect of benthic and hyporheic fine sediment loading and particle size on the vertical movement and distribution of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex.

A gradient of fine sediment loading and different particle sizes were used to examine the ability of G. pulex from two body size classes to access and migrate vertically within subsurface sediments.

We tested three hypotheses: (a) sediment loading would modify the distribution of G. pulex by limiting vertical movement; (b) the deposition of large particles and heterogenous sediments would limit the vertical movement of individuals more than homogeneous fine‐grained sediments; and (c) large bodied individuals would be prevented from migrating vertically with increasing sediment loading and particle size/heterogeneity.

Sediment loading, particle size and heterogeneity of deposited sediment had a significant effect on the vertical movement of individuals, with heterogeneous sand (0.125–4 mm) acting as the strongest barrier to the vertical movement of individuals through the infilling and clogging of interstitial spaces followed by coarse (1–4 mm) and fine sand (0.125–4 mm).

Fine sediment loading and particle size acted as a filter on body size and limited the ability of large bodied individuals to migrate vertically to a greater extent than small bodied individuals.

This study demonstrates that the effects of fine sediment on habitat availability and faunal movement is dependent on both sedimentological characteristics and an individual's body size. The results illustrate the importance of both abiotic and biotic factors when evaluating the ecological effects of fine sediment deposition.
Susceptibility of European freshwater fish to climate change: Species profiling based on life‐history and environmental characteristics
Authors: Jarić Ivan , Lennox Robert J. , Kalinkat Gregor , Cvijanović Gorčin , Radinger Johannes
Published: November 2018

Climate change is expected to strongly affect freshwater fish communities. Combined with other anthropogenic drivers, the impacts may alter species spatio‐temporal distributions and contribute to population declines and local extinctions. To provide timely management and conservation of fishes, it is relevant to identify species that will be most impacted by climate change and those that will be resilient. Species traits are considered a promising source of information on characteristics that influence resilience to various environmental conditions and impacts. To this end, we collated life‐history traits and climatic niches of 443 European freshwater fish species and compared those identified as susceptible to climate change to those that are considered to be resilient. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in their distribution, life history, and climatic niche, with climate‐change‐susceptible species being distributed within the Mediterranean region, and being characterized by greater threat levels, lesser commercial relevance, lower vulnerability to fishing, smaller body and range size, and warmer thermal envelopes. Based on our results, we establish a list of species of highest priority for further research and monitoring regarding climate‐change susceptibility within Europe. The presented approach represents a promising tool to efficiently assess large groups of species regarding their susceptibility to climate change and other threats, and to identify research and management priorities.
Pyruvic acid/ethyl pyruvate inhibits melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells through PI3K/AKT, GSK3β, and ROS‐ERK signaling pathways
Authors: Zhou Siqi , Sakamoto Kazuichi
Published: November 2018

Melanin is the main product of human melanocytes and functions to protect skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation while conferring color to skin and hair. Tyrosinase is the rate‐limiting enzyme for melanin synthesis along with tyrosinase‐related protein (TRP)‐1 and TRP‐2. Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor regulates tyrosinase gene expression and is in turn regulated by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/AKT, and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3β signaling pathways. Pyruvic acid (PA) is an energy source for ATP synthesis in the tricarboxylic acid cycle that also acts as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger. As UV irradiation induces melanin synthesis and ROS generation, we speculated that PA or ethyl pyruvate (EP), a stable form of pyruvate, regulates melanogenesis. B16F10 melanoma cells served as a melanin synthesis model. Treatment with PA or EP suppressed melanin synthesis while increasing intracellular ROS levels, which was accompanied by increased ERK phosphorylation in the case of EP treatment. PA and EP induced GSK3β phosphorylation and activated PI3K/AKT signaling, leading to decreased melanin synthesis. These results indicate that PA and EP inhibit melanogenesis via PI3K/AKT and GSK3β signaling and targeting the ERK and GSK3β pathways, respectively. Thus, PA and EP can potentially be used for treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders.
Reconstruction of global regulatory network from signaling to cellular functions using phosphoproteomic data
Authors: Kawata Kentaro , Yugi Katsuyuki , Hatano Atsushi , Kokaji Toshiya , Tomizawa Yoko , Fujii Masashi , Uda Shinsuke , Kubota Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Masaki , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Kuroda Shinya
Published: November 2018

Cellular signaling regulates various cellular functions via protein phosphorylation. Phosphoproteomic data potentially include information for a global regulatory network from signaling to cellular functions, but a procedure to reconstruct this network using such data has yet to be established. In this paper, we provide a procedure to reconstruct a global regulatory network from signaling to cellular functions from phosphoproteomic data by integrating prior knowledge of cellular functions and inference of the kinase–substrate relationships (KSRs). We used phosphoproteomic data from insulin‐stimulated Fao hepatoma cells and identified protein phosphorylation regulated by insulin specifically over‐represented in cellular functions in the KEGG database. We inferred kinases for protein phosphorylation by KSRs, and connected the kinases in the insulin signaling layer to the phosphorylated proteins in the cellular functions, revealing that the insulin signal is selectively transmitted via the Pi3k‐Akt and Erk signaling pathways to cellular adhesions and RNA maturation, respectively. Thus, we provide a method to reconstruct global regulatory network from signaling to cellular functions based on phosphoproteomic data.
Non‐invasive liver fibrosis assessment correlates with collagen and elastic fiber quantity in patients with hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Yasui Yutaka , Abe Tokiya , Kurosaki Masayuki , Matsunaga Kotaro , Higuchi Mayu , Tamaki Nobuharu , Watakabe Keiya , Okada Mao , Wang Wan , Shimizu Takao , Takaura Kenta , Masugi Yohei , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Tsuchiya Kaoru , Takahashi Yuka , Itakura Jun , Sakurai Urara , Hashiguchi Akinori , Sakamoto Michiie , Izumi Namiki
Published: November 2018

Aim

Elastic fiber deposition is a cause of irreversibility of liver fibrosis. However, to date, its relevance to clinical features has not yet been clarified. This study aimed to clarify the correlation between non‐invasive markers of fibrosis and fiber quantity, including elastic fiber, obtained from computational analysis.

Methods

This retrospective study included 270 patients evaluated by non‐invasive liver fibrosis assessment prior to liver biopsy. Of these patients, 95 underwent magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and 244 were assessed with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin‐positive Mac‐2 binding protein (WFA+‐M2BP). Using whole‐slide imaging of Elastica van Gieson‐stained liver biopsy sections, the quantity of collagen, elastin, and total fiber (elastin + collagen) was determined.

Results

The total fiber quantity showed significant linear correlation with fibrosis stage F0–F4. Collagen fiber quantity increased from stage F0 to F4, whereas elastic fiber quantity increased significantly only from stage F2 to F3. Spearman's rank correlation test revealed that non‐invasive liver fibrosis assessment significantly correlates with each fiber quantity, including correlation between total fiber quantity and the Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) index (r = 0.361, P < 0.001), WFA+‐M2BP values (r = 0.404, P < 0.001), and liver stiffness value by MRE (r = 0.615, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed that the area under ROC for predicting higher elastic fiber (>3.6%) is 0.731 by FIB‐4 index, 0.716 by WFA+‐M2BP, and 0.822 by liver stiffness by MRE.

Conclusion

Liver fibrosis correlates with fiber quantity through non‐invasive assessment regardless of fiber type, including elastic fiber. Moreover, MRE is useful for predicting high amounts of elastic fiber.
The Nigerian health information system policy review of 2014 : the need, content, expectations and progress
Authors: Meribole Emmanuel C. , Makinde Olusesan Ayodeji , Oyemakinde Akin , Oyediran Kolawole Azeez , Atobatele Akinyemi , Fadeyibi Fadeke A. , Azeez Aderemi , Ogbokor Duke , Adebayo Olufunso , Adebayo Wura , Abatta Emmanuel , Adoghe Anthony , Adebayo Samuel Bolaji , Mahmoud Zainab , Ashefor Greg , Adebayo Samson Babatunde , Yisa Ibrahim Ozovehe , Balogun Adeleke , Chukwujekwu Ogochukwu , Dalhatu Ibrahim , Jahun Ibrahim , Bamidele Samson , Johnson Dorcas O. , Ibrahim Mukhtar , Akpan Frank , Aiyenigba Bolatito , Omaha Ogbonnaya Igwe , Terpase Aluka , Ottih Chibuzo , Adelakin Olugbemiga , Mullen Stephanie , Orobaton Nosakhare
Published: November 2018

Background

Nigeria's national health information system (HIS) data sources are grouped into institutional and population based data that traverse many government institutions. Communication and collaboration between these institutions are limited, fraught with fragmentation and challenges national HIS functionality.

Objectives

The objective of this paper was to share insights from and the implications of a recent review of Nigeria's HIS policy in 2014 that resulted in its substantial revision. We also highlight some subsequent enactments.

Review process and outcomes

In 2013, Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health launched an inter‐ministerial and multi‐departmental review of the National Health Management Information System policy of 2006. The review was guided by World Health Organization's ‘Framework and Standards for Country Health Information Systems’. The key finding was a lack of governance mechanisms in the execution of the policy, including an absent data management governance process. The review also found a multiplicity of duplicative, parallel reporting tools and platforms.

Conclusion

Recommendations for HIS Policy revisions were proposed to and implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria. The revised HIS policy now provides for a strong framework for the leadership and governance of the HIS with early results.