bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ustekinumab treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Takeda Kana , Kikuchi Katsuko , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Yamasaki Kenshi , Aiba Setsuya
Published: October 2019

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a follicular occlusive inflammatory skin disease that occurs in the axilla, groin, buttocks and vulval region. Control of the intractable inflammation is a primary goal of HS treatments. Benefit of anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies against HS have been reported, and adalimumab has been approved for HS in Europe, the USA and Japan. However, the alternative therapies for anti‐TNF antibodies have not been established yet. We experienced a case of HS which developed during the infliximab treatment for Crohn’s disease (CD) and was well managed by ustekinumab (UST). We reviewed the articles relating to ustekinumab treatments for HS. Twenty‐four HS patients, 16 women and eight men, have been treated with ustekinumab. The average age was 35.7 ± 10.8 years (mean ± SD). All were of Hurley stage II or III. Ten (10/24, 41.6%) had received anti‐TNF drugs including infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept prior to UST treatment for HS. Although the initial doses varied from 45 mg s.c. to 390 mg i.v., all cases were treated with 45 or 90 mg s.c. every 8 or 12 weeks at the regular dose, by following the regimen for psoriasis or CD. HS in most of the cases started to improve after 3–5 months of UST initiation, and some achieved complete remission. To our knowledge, our case is the first Asian HS patient improved by UST. Overall, UST is useful for HS and could be an alternative treatment if HS patients do not respond to other medications including anti‐TNF drugs.
Non‐canonical localization of RubisCO under high‐light conditions in the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806
Authors: Barchewitz Tino , Guljamow Arthur , Meissner Sven , Timm Stefan , Henneberg Manja , Baumann Otto , Hagemann Martin , Dittmann Elke
Published: October 2019

The frequent production of the hepatotoxin microcystin (MC) and its impact on the lifestyle of bloom‐forming cyanobacteria are poorly understood. Here, we report that MC interferes with the assembly and the subcellular localization of RubisCO, in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806. Immunofluorescence, electron microscopic and cellular fractionation studies revealed a pronounced heterogeneity in the subcellular localization of RubisCO. At high cell density, RubisCO particles are largely separate from carboxysomes in M. aeruginosa and relocate to the cytoplasmic membrane under high‐light conditions. We hypothesize that the binding of MC to RubisCO promotes its membrane association and enables an extreme versatility of the enzyme. Steady‐state levels of the RubisCO CO2 fixation product 3‐phosphoglycerate are significantly higher in the MC‐producing wild type. We also detected noticeable amounts of the RubisCO oxygenase reaction product secreted into the medium that may support the mutual interaction of M. aeruginosa with its heterotrophic microbial community.
Bioelectricity in Malaysia: economic feasibility, environmental and deforestation implications
Authors: Szulczyk Kenneth R. , Cheema Muhammad A. , Cullen Ross , Khan Atiqur Rahman
Published: October 2019

We investigate the economic feasibility of bioelectricity production from biomass in Malaysia and its impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and storage, agricultural prices, agricultural employment and deforestation. For this purpose, we develop a partial equilibrium model that projects agricultural prices, production, imports, exports, domestic consumption and land use in 5‐year increments between 2015 and 2065. Our results show that by 2030 biomass‐generated electricity can supply 36.5 per cent of the electricity generated in Malaysia, 16 times more than the 2016 electricity supply from biomass. Increased bioelectricity production from biomass will significantly reduce GHG emissions and will help Malaysia meet its commitment in the Paris Agreement to mitigate GHG emission by 45 per cent before 2030. Our modelling shows that biomass‐generated electricity creates a derived demand for waste biomass that expands the area of oil palm plantations. The expansion lowers agricultural prices, boosts agricultural employment and leads to some deforestation as landowners clear rainforest to plant oil palm trees. Nonetheless, the deforestation does not increase GHG emissions since GHG gains from bioelectricity significantly exceed GHG losses from deforestation.
Taxonomic review and distribution of giant water bugs (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae: Lethocerinae) in the Palearctic, Oriental, and Australian regions
Authors: Sareein Nattawut , Kang Ji Hyoun , Jung Sang Woo , Phalaraksh Chitchol , Bae Yeon Jae
Published: October 2019

The aim of the present study was to analyze the morphology and COI sequences of giant water bugs (Belostomatidae: Lethocerinae) that inhabit the Palearctic, Oriental, and Australian regions (i.e., three Lethocerus and a single Kirkaldyia species). Analysis revealed that both L. patruelis and L. indicus share two light stripes on the pronotum, but L. patruelis possesses narrower stripes and L. insulanus possesses an additional longitudinal narrow dark median band, whereas K. deyrolli was characterized by not having such markings. With regards to genetic analysis, the average intraspecific genetic distances of L. patruelis and L. indicus (from Palearctic and Oriental regions are 0.3 and 0.8%, respectively), but K. deyrolli which was collected from Northeast Asia, showed much higher intraspecific genetic distance (3.7%). The genetic distance between Kirkaldyia and Lethocerus (16.4–16.8%) is similar to that found between the genera of other hemipteran taxa. This study also newly reported the extended easternmost distribution of L. patruelis up to Surat Thani Province in southern Thailand. Along with K. deyrolli, which is considered threatened in South Korea and Japan, Lethocerus species have been facing threats in Southeast Asia, where they are heavily harvested and commonly sold in local markets as food. Therefore, future conservation efforts should be directed toward Lethocerus species in tropical Southeast Asia, especially the rarely found L. patruelis.
Accounting‐Based Compensation and Debt Contracts*
Authors: Li Zhi , Wang Lingling , Wruck Karen
Published: October 2019

We examine how accounting‐based compensation plans influence a firm's contracts with its creditors. After granting long‐term accounting‐based compensation plans (LTAPs) to CEOs, firms pay lower spreads and have fewer restrictive covenants in new bank loans. Mechanisms leading to lower borrowing cost include improvements in debt repayment ability, reduced shareholder‐debtholder conflicts, and reduced risk‐taking incentives. Creditors view LTAPs as a substitute for monitoring, adjust covenant design based on LTAP features, and value plans with concave performance‐payout functions and reasonable performance targets. A firm's credit rating improves and CDS spread declines after LTAP grants, suggesting that LTAPs help reduce firms' credit risk.
Systemic GDF11 stimulates the secretion of adiponectin and induces a calorie restriction‐like phenotype in aged mice
Authors: Katsimpardi Lida , Kuperwasser Nicolas , Camus Claire , Moigneu Carine , Chiche Aurélie , Tolle Virginie , Li Han , Kokovay Erzsebet , Lledo Pierre‐Marie
Published: October 2019

Aging is a negative regulator of general homeostasis, tissue function, and regeneration. Changes in organismal energy levels and physiology, through systemic manipulations such as calorie restriction and young blood infusion, can regenerate tissue activity and increase lifespan in aged mice. However, whether these two systemic manipulations could be linked has never been investigated. Here, we report that systemic GDF11 triggers a calorie restriction‐like phenotype without affecting appetite or GDF15 levels in the blood, restores the insulin/IGF‐1 signaling pathway, and stimulates adiponectin secretion from white adipose tissue by direct action on adipocytes, while repairing neurogenesis in the aged brain. These findings suggest that GDF11 has a pleiotropic effect on an organismal level and that it could be a linking mechanism of rejuvenation between heterochronic parabiosis and calorie restriction. As such, GDF11 could be considered as an important therapeutic candidate for age‐related neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.
Exploring patient attitudes to behaviour change before surgery to reduce peri‐operative risk: preferences for short‐ vs. long‐term behaviour change
Authors: McDonald S. , Yates D. , Durrand J. W. , Kothmann E. , Sniehotta F. F. , Habgood A. , Colling K. , Hollingsworth A. , Danjoux G.
Published: October 2019

Pre‐operative intervention to improve general health and readiness for surgery is known as prehabilitation. Modification of risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, hazardous alcohol consumption and an unhealthy weight can reduce the risk of peri‐operative morbidity and improve patient outcomes. Interventions may need to target multiple risk behaviours. The acceptability to patients is unclear. We explored motivation, confidence and priority for changing health behaviours before surgery for short‐term peri‐operative health benefits in comparison with long‐term general health benefits. A total of 299 participants at three UK hospital Trusts completed a structured questionnaire. We analysed participant baseline characteristics and risk behaviour profiles using independent sample t‐tests and odds ratios. Ratings of motivation, confidence and priority were analysed using paired sample t‐tests. We identified a substantial prevalence of risk behaviours in this surgical population, and clustering of multiple behaviours in 42.1% of participants. Levels of motivation, confidence and priority for increasing physical activity, weight management and reducing alcohol consumption were higher for peri‐operative vs. longer term benefits. There was no difference for smoking cessation, and participants reported lower confidence for achieving this compared with other behaviours. Participants were also more confident than motivated in reducing their alcohol consumption pre‐operatively. Overall, confidence ratings were lower than motivation levels in both the short‐ and long‐term. This study identifies both substantial patient desire to modify behaviours for peri‐operative benefit and the need for structured pre‐operative support. These results provide objective evidence in support of a ‘pre‐operative teachable moment’, and of patients’ desire to change behaviours for health benefits in the short term.
Residual government ownership and corporate investment efficiency in privatised firms: evidence from a transition country
Authors: Vo Xuan Vinh
Published: October 2019

This paper delves into the link between residual government ownership and investment efficiency in privatised firms in a transitional economy. The study uses a data set covering firms listed on the Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange, Vietnam, over the period from 2007 to 2015. It is found that firms with higher residual government ownership are associated with lower levels of investment efficiency. The finding suggests that government ownership is less beneficial than private ownership in privatised firms. The paper has important implications for policymakers in supporting privatisation policy and in designing a framework to promote better corporate governance in privatised firms after privatisation.
Does history repeat itself? Economic development and policy convergence in Vietnam and South Korea
Authors: Turner Mark , Jang Hae‐Young , Kwon Seung‐Ho , O'Donnell Michael
Published: October 2019

With one of the world's fastest rates of economic growth since the 1990s, Vietnam could be seen as Asia's next tiger economy. This study examines whether there has been policy convergence between the older East Asian developmental state model of economic development and that adopted by Vietnam. The economic development trajectories of South Korea and Vietnam are compared to identify similarities and differences. It was found that while policy convergence is evident there is also some divergence between the two countries.
Stopping anti‐tumour necrosis factor therapy in patients with perianal Crohn’s disease
Authors: Mak Joyce Wing Yan , Tang Whitney , Yip Terry Cheuk Fung , Ran Zhi Hua , Wei Shu Chen , Ahuja Vineet , Kumar Sudheer , Leung Wai Keung , Hilmi Ida , Limsrivilai Julajak , Aniwan Satimai , Lam Belsy C. Y. , Chan Kam Hon , Ng Ka Man , Leung Chi Man , Li Michael K. K. , Lo Fu Hang , Sze Alex Shun Fung , Tsang Steven Woon Choy , Hui Aric J. , Hartono Juanda Leo , Ng Siew C.
Published: October 2019

Background

Little is known of the outcome of patients with perianal Crohn's disease after stopping anti‐tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy.

Aim

To evaluate the rate of relapse in perianal Crohn's disease (CD) after stopping anti‐TNF therapy.

Methods

Consecutive perianal CD patients treated with anti‐TNF therapy with subsequent discontinuation were retrieved from prospective inflammatory bowel disease database of institutes in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore from 1997 to June 2019. Cumulative probability of perianal CD relapse was estimated using Kaplan‐Meier method.

Results

After a median follow‐up of 89 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 65‐173 months), 44 of the 78 perianal CD patients (56.4%) relapsed after stopping anti‐TNF, defined as increased fistula drainage or recurrence of previously healed fistula, after stopping anti‐TNF therapy. Cumulative probabilities of perianal CD relapse were 50.8%, 72.6% and 78.0% at 12, 36 and 60 months, respectively. Younger age at diagnosis of CD [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.04; 95% CI 1.01‐1.09; P = .04] was associated with a higher chance of perianal CD relapse. Among those with perianal CD relapse (n = 44), retreatment with anti‐TNF induced remission in 24 of 29 patients (82.8%). Twelve (27.3%) patients required defunctioning surgery and one (2.3%) required proctectomy. Maintenance with thiopurine was not associated with a reduced likelihood of relapse [HR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.58‐2.12; P = .77]. Among the 17 patients who achieved radiological remission of perianal CD, five (35.3%) developed relapse after stopping anti‐TNF therapy after a median of 6 months.

Conclusions

More than half of the perianal CD patients developed relapse after stopping anti‐TNF therapy. Most regained response after resuming anti‐TNF. However, more than one‐fourth of the perianal CD patients with relapse required defunctioning surgery. Radiological assessment before stopping anti‐TNF is crucial in perianal CD.
A typology of agricultural production systems: Capability building trajectories of three Asian economies
Authors: Wong Chan‐Yuan , Lim Guanie
Published: October 2019

Analysing the agricultural sectors of Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore, this paper examines the capability‐building process that encourages productivity and innovation. It describes and explains the origins and subsequent evolution of three forms of agricultural production system, each generating different farming capabilities and distinct forms of competitive advantages. The paper argues that Taiwan's rice‐oriented agricultural production system stimulates both productivity and innovation, helping Taiwanese farmers raise their income level and living standards. The active deployment of state institutions and a malleable labour force, evidenced in the Malaysian palm oil industry, is effective in raising farming productivity but not the ability to innovate. Singapore's aquaculture‐oriented agricultural production system is somewhat useful in stimulating productivity and innovation. Yet the city‐state's inherent lack of space and open international trade regime have circumscribed the potential of its aquaculture industry. It now relies on the regional ethnic Chinese business networks to expand the aquaculture industry's knowledge base and its industrial commons. The principles discussed in this paper provide policy lessons, or at least some initial guidance, for other developing economies aspiring to modernise their agricultural sector.
Trends in urethral stricture management over two decades
Authors: McGeorge Stephen , Chung Amanda , Desai Devang J.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

To identify trends in the management of urethral stricture disease in Australia, assess changes in the standard of care, and examine the availability of genitourinary reconstructive surgery.

Methods

Data on eight stricture management procedures were collected online via Medicare Item Reports from the Australian Government Department of Human Services, and then matched to population data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. A survey was disseminated via the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) asking whether active members performed urethroplasty and whether this was done in a rural, regional or metropolitan setting.

Results

Over a 22‐year period, there were 140 540 endoscopic procedures and 5136 urethroplasties, with 27.4 endoscopic procedures per urethroplasty. From 1994 to 2016, the per capita number of passage of sounds and dilatation procedures decreased by 74% and 75%, respectively, with increases in use of optical urethrotomy of 70% and in single‐stage urethroplasty of 144%. Overall, the ratio of all endoscopic procedures vs urethroplasty decreased from 58.9 to 16.8. There were as few as 16 surgeons in the USANZ performing urethroplasty, with seven providing this service in regional areas. Seven had formal fellowship training.

Conclusion

There has been a clear shift from repetitive endoscopic procedures towards urethroplasty, but the former still make up the majority of interventions. This may be explained by patients not being referred for urethroplasty earlier in the course of disease and there appears to be a gap in genitourinary reconstructive expertise in regional and rural areas.
Activation of oestrogen receptor α induces a novel form of LTP at hippocampal temporoammonic‐CA1 synapses
Authors: Clements Leigh , Harvey Jenni
Published: October 2019

Background and Purpose

17β estradiol (E2) rapidly regulates excitatory synaptic transmission at the classical Schaffer collateral (SC) input to hippocampal CA1 neurons. However, the impact of E2 on excitatory synaptic transmission at the distinct temporoammonic (TA) input to CA1 neurons and the oestrogen receptors involved is less clear.

Experimental Approach

Extracellular recordings were used to monitor excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices from juvenile male (P11‐24) Sprague Dawley rats. Immunocytochemistry combined with confocal microscopy was used to monitor the surface expression of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunit, GluA1 in hippocampal neurons cultured from neonatal (P0‐3) rats.

Key Results

Here, we show that E2 induces a novel form of LTP at TA‐CA1 synapses, an effect mirrored by the ERα agonist, PPT, and blocked by an ERα antagonist. ERα‐induced LTP is NMDA receptor (NMDAR)‐dependent and involves a postsynaptic expression mechanism that requires PI 3‐kinase signalling and synaptic insertion of GluA2‐lacking AMPARs. ERα‐induced LTP has overlapping expression mechanisms with classical Hebbian LTP, as HFS‐induced LTP occluded PPT‐induced LTP and vice versa. In addition, activity‐dependent LTP was blocked by the ERα antagonist, suggesting that ERα activation is involved in NMDA‐LTP at TA‐CA1 synapses.

Conclusion and Implications

ERα induces a novel form of LTP at juvenile male hippocampal TA‐CA1 synapses. As TA‐CA1 synapses are implicated in episodic memory processes and are an early target for neurodegeneration, these findings have important implications for the role of oestrogens in CNS health and neurodegenerative disease.
Life‐Cycle Approach to Environmental Innovation: Cost Structure, Advertising, and Competition
Authors: Yenipazarli Arda , Vakharia Asoo , Bala Ram
Published: October 2019

Using life‐cycle assessment–based methods, products can be differentiated by the environmental performance/impact during their manufacturing and use life‐cycle stages. Some products are reported to have higher environmental impact during the use stage, whereas for others, the environmental impact turns out to be higher during the manufacturing stage. In this article, we focus on those products in the former category, and consider a duopoly setting where profit‐maximizing firms decide on their use‐stage environmental innovation efforts, advertising efforts to disclose information on the manufacturing‐stage environmental performance of their products, and production quantities. Use‐stage environmental innovation not only improves the environmental performance of the product in use, but also increases the value of the product to end‐consumers (e.g., through cost‐of‐use reduction). We examine two distinct cases where such innovation can be achieved through either an up‐front capital investment or an increase in variable cost of production. Manufacturing‐stage environmental performance of a product is typically not visible to end‐consumers but could be communicated through advertising efforts. Two well‐recognized advertising strategies—namely, combative advertising and constructive advertising—are analyzed as alternative information disclosure strategies. We show that when only symmetric strategies are followed by competing firms (i.e., when each firm matches its competitor's advertising approach), firms should always employ constructive advertising strategy to disclose information on the manufacturing‐stage environmental performance of their products, and this result holds regardless of the environmental innovation cost structure. When asymmetric strategies are also an option, for marginal cost‐intensive innovations, the equilibrium can be characterized by asymmetric advertising strategy choices of symmetric firms, whereas for development cost‐intensive innovations, it is always characterized by symmetric advertising strategy choices. In this context, we advance understanding on when use‐stage environmental innovation and manufacturing‐stage environmental performance disclosure decisions can be the most effective economically to competing firms and examine their corresponding environmental consequences.
Evaluating the ecological realism of plant species distribution models with ecological indicator values
Authors: Hellegers Marjon , Ozinga Wim A. , Hinsberg Arjen , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Hennekens Stephan M. , Schaminée Joop H. J. , Dengler Jürgen , Schipper Aafke M.
Published: October 2019

Species distribution models (SDMs) are routinely applied to assess current as well as future species distributions, for example to assess impacts of future environmental change on biodiversity or to underpin conservation planning. It has been repeatedly emphasized that SDMs should be evaluated based not only on their goodness of fit to the data, but also on the realism of the modeled ecological responses. However, possibilities for the latter are hampered by limited knowledge on the true responses as well as a lack of quantitative evaluation methods. Here we compared modeled niche optima obtained from European‐scale SDMs of 1476 terrestrial vascular plant species with empirical ecological indicator values indicating the preferences of plant species for key environmental conditions. For each plant species we first fitted an ensemble SDM including three modeling techniques (GLM, GAM and BRT) and extracted niche optima for climate, soil, land use and nitrogen deposition variables with a large explanatory power for the occurrence of that species. We then compared these SDM‐derived niche optima with the ecological indicator values by means of bivariate correlation analysis. We found weak to moderate correlations in the expected direction between the SDM‐derived niche optima and ecological indicator values. The strongest correlation occurred between the modeled optima for growing degree days and the ecological indicator values for temperature. Correlations were weaker for SDM‐derived niche optima with a more distal relationship to ecological indicator values (notably precipitation and soil moisture). Further, correlations were consistently highest for BRT, followed by GLM and GAM. Our method gives insight into the ecological realism of modeled niche optima and projected core habitats and can be used to improve SDMs by making a more informed selection of environmental variables and modeling techniques.
Integrating over uncertainty in spatial scale of response within multispecies occupancy models yields more accurate assessments of community composition
Authors: Frishkoff Luke Owen , Mahler D. Luke , Fortin Marie‐Josée
Published: October 2019

Species abundance and community composition are affected not only by the local environment, but also by broader landscape and regional context. Yet, determining the spatial scales at which landscapes affect species remains a persistent challenge, hindering our ability to understand how environmental gradients shape communities. This problem is amplified by rare species and imperfect species detection. Here, we present a Bayesian framework that allows uncertainty surrounding the ‘true’ spatial scale of species’ responses (i.e. changes in presence/absence) to be integrated directly into a community hierarchical model. This scale‐selecting multispecies occupancy model (ssMSOM) estimates the scale of response, and shows high accuracy and correct levels of uncertainty in parameter estimates across a broad range of simulation conditions. An ssMSOM can be run in a matter of minutes, as opposed to the many hours required to run normal multispecies occupancy models at all queried spatial scales, and then conduct model selection – a problem that up to now has prohibited scale of response from being rigorously evaluated in an occupancy framework. Alternatives to the ssMSOM, such as GLM‐based approaches frequently fail to detect the correct spatial scale and magnitude of response, and are often falsely confident by favoring the incorrect parameter estimates, especially as species’ detection probabilities deviate from perfect. We further show how trait information can be leveraged to understand how individual species’ scales of response vary within communities. Integrating spatial scale selection directly into hierarchical community models provides a means of formally testing hypotheses regarding spatial scales of response, and more accurately determining the environmental drivers that shape communities.
Long‐term demographic surveys reveal a consistent relationship between average occupancy and abundance within local populations of a butterfly metapopulation
Authors: Schulz Torsti , Vanhatalo Jarno , Saastamoinen Marjo
Published: October 2019

Species distribution models are the tool of choice for large‐scale population monitoring, environmental association studies and predictions of range shifts under future environmental conditions. Available data and familiarity of the tools rather than the underlying population dynamics often dictate the choice of specific method – especially for the case of presence–absence data. Yet, for predictive purposes, the relationship between occupancy and abundance embodied in the models should reflect the actual population dynamics of the modelled species. To understand the relationship of occupancy and abundance in a heterogeneous landscape at the scale of local populations, we built a spatio‐temporal regression model of populations of the Glanville fritillary butterflyMelitaea cinxiain a Baltic Sea archipelago. Our data comprised nineteen years of habitat surveys and snapshot data of land use in the region. We used variance partitioning to quantify relative contributions of land use, habitat quality and metapopulation covariates. The model revealed a consistent and positive, but noisy relationship between average occupancy and mean abundance in local populations. Patterns of abundance were highly variable across years, with large uncorrelated random variation and strong local population stochasticity. In contrast, the spatio‐temporal random effect, habitat quality, population connectivity and patch size explained variation in occupancy, vindicating metapopulation theory as the basis for modelling occupancy patterns in fragmented landscapes. Previous abundance was an important predictor in the occupancy model, which points to a spillover of abundance into occupancy dynamics. While occupancy models can successfully model large‐scale population structure and average occupancy, extinction probability estimates for local populations derived from occupancy‐only models are overconfident, as extinction risk is dependent on actual, not average, abundance.
Impact of duration of untreated psychosis in short‐term response to treatment and outcome in antipsychotic naïve first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Cavalcante Daniel A. , Coutinho Luccas S. , Ortiz Bruno B. , Noto Mariane N. , Cordeiro Quirino , Ota Vanessa K. , Belangeiro Sintia I. , Bressan Rodrigo A. , Gadelha Ary , Noto Cristiano
Published: October 2019

Aim

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is one of the few potentially modifiable outcome predictors in psychosis. Previous studies have associated a longer DUP with a poor prognosis, but few of them were performed in countries with low and middle level of income. This study aimed to investigate the DUP in a Brazilian sample of antipsychotic‐naïve first‐episode psychosis (AN‐FEP) patients and its association with clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in a short‐term follow‐up.

Methods

One hundred forty‐five AN‐FEP patients between 16 and 40 years were enrolled and were reassessed 10 weeks after risperidone treatment. We investigated the association between DUP and symptom severity, functionality and response to treatment, using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Clinical Global Impression—Severity Scale (CGI) and the Global Assessment of Functionality (GAF) scale. DUP was defined as the period between the onset of the first psychotic symptoms and the first effective antipsychotic treatment. For the analysis, we performed multivariate linear regressions.

Results

The DUP's median was 61 days. At baseline, we did not find any significant association between DUP and clinical characteristics. After treatment, the longer DUP predicted worse positive and negative symptom dimensions, worse total PANSS, GAF and CGI scores and poorer response to treatment.

Conclusion

Our results showed that DUP is associated with worse outcomes after short treatment, but it does not modify the baseline clinical profile of the AN‐FEP patients. Such results reinforce the need to develop early intervention strategies, reducing DUP.
No consistent effects of humans on animal genetic diversity worldwide
Authors: Millette Katie L. , Fugère Vincent , Debyser Chloé , Greiner Ariel , Chain Frédéric J. J. , Gonzalez Andrew
Published: October 2019

Human impacts on genetic diversity are poorly understood yet critical to biodiversity conservation. We used 175 247 COI sequences collected between 1980 and 2016 to assess the global effects of land use and human density on the intraspecific genetic diversity of 17 082 species of birds, fishes, insects and mammals. Human impacts on mtDNA diversity were taxon and scale‐dependent, and were generally weak or non‐significant. Spatial analyses identified weak latitudinal diversity gradients as well as negative effects of human density on insect diversity, and negative effects of intensive land use on fish diversity. The observed effects were predominantly associated with species turnover. Time series analyses found nearly an equal number of positive and negative temporal trends in diversity, resulting in no net monotonic trend in diversity over this time period. Our analyses reveal critical data and theory gaps and call for increased efforts to monitor global genetic diversity.
Fungal infection alters the selection, dispersal and drift processes structuring the amphibian skin microbiome
Authors: Wilber Mark Q. , Jani Andrea J. , Mihaljevic Joseph R. , Briggs Cheryl J.
Published: October 2019

Symbiotic microbial communities are important for host health, but the processes shaping these communities are poorly understood. Understanding how community assembly processes jointly affect microbial community composition is limited because inflexible community models rely on rejecting dispersal and drift before considering selection. We developed a flexible community assembly model based on neutral theory to ask: How do dispersal, drift and selection concurrently affect the microbiome across environmental gradients? We applied this approach to examine how a fungal pathogen affected the assembly processes structuring the amphibian skin microbiome. We found that the rejection of neutrality for the amphibian microbiome across a fungal gradient was not strictly due to selection processes, but was also a result of species‐specific changes in dispersal and drift. Our modelling framework brings the qualitative recognition that niche and neutral processes jointly structure microbiomes into quantitative focus, allowing for improved predictions of microbial community turnover across environmental gradients.
Boehmite enhances hair follicle growth via stimulation of dermal papilla cells by upregulating β‐catenin signalling
Authors: Bak Dong‐Ho , Lee Esther , Lee Byung‐chul , Choi Mi Ji , Kwon Tae‐Rin , Kim Jong‐hwan , Park Byung Cheol , Lee Keugrae , Kim Sungyup , Na Jungtae , Kim Beom Joon
Published: October 2019

Hair growth, a complex process, has long been the subject of intense research. Recent developments in material technology have revealed boehmite as a new therapeutic modality for use in wound healing and scar reduction, indicating its beneficial effects. Nonetheless, the biological bases of the beneficial effects of boehmite remain unknown. We investigated the hair growth properties of boehmite in vitro and in vivo and observed dose‐dependent proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro and hair regrowth in a mouse model. To investigate the effects of boehmite on the promotion of cell transition to the anagen phase, we evaluated hDPC viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, protein expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in vitro and assessed the anagen‐promoting effects of boehmite via gross observation and histological analysis in a mouse model. Boehmite increased hDPC viability, ALP activity, AKT/GSK3ß/ß‐catenin pathway activity, anagen‐related gene expression and VEGF secretion; moreover, it accelerated hair regrowth in a catagen‐anagen transition model via upregulation of β‐catenin signalling and follicular cell proliferation. Collectively, our results indicate that boehmite accelerates hair growth, partly via its effects on critical events in the active phase of the hair follicle cycle, including the promotion of the proliferation of hDPCs and their immediate progeny to the follicle base.
How afforestation affects the water cycle in drylands: A process‐based comparative analysis
Authors: Schwärzel Kai , Zhang Lulu , Montanarella Luca , Wang Yanhui , Sun Ge
Published: October 2019

The world's largest afforestation programs implemented by China made a great contribution to the global “greening up.” These programs have received worldwide attention due to its contribution toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. However, emerging studies have suggested that these campaigns, when not properly implemented, resulted in unintended ecological and water security concerns at the regional scale. While mounting evidence shows that afforestation causes substantial reduction in water yield at the watershed scale, process‐based studies on how forest plantations alter the partitioning of rainwater and affect water balance components in natural vegetation are still lacking at the plot scale. This lack of science‐based data prevents a comprehensive understanding of forest‐related ecosystem services such as soil conservation and water supply under climate change. The present study represents the first “Paired Plot” study of the water balance of afforestation on the Loess Plateau. We investigate the effects of forest structure and environmental factors on the full water cycle in a typical multilayer plantation forest composed of black locust, one of the most popular tree species for plantations worldwide. We measure the ecohydrological components of a black locust versus natural grassland on adjacent sites. The startling finding of this study is that, contrary to the general belief, the understory—instead of the overstory—was the main water consumer in this plantation. Moreover, there is a strict physiological regulation of forest transpiration. In contrast to grassland, annual seepage under the forest was minor in years with an average rainfall. We conclude that global long‐term greening efforts in drylands require careful ecohydrologic evaluation so that green and blue water trade‐offs are properly addressed. This is especially important for reforestation‐based watershed land management, that aims at carbon sequestration in mitigating climate change while maintaining regional water security, to be effective on a large scale.
Nitrous oxide production by ammonia oxidizers: Physiological diversity, niche differentiation and potential mitigation strategies
Authors: Prosser James I. , Hink Linda , Gubry‐Rangin Cécile , Nicol Graeme W.
Published: October 2019

Oxidation of ammonia to nitrite by bacteria and archaea is responsible for global emissions of nitrous oxide directly and indirectly through provision of nitrite and, after further oxidation, nitrate to denitrifiers. Their contributions to increasing N2O emissions are greatest in terrestrial environments, due to the dramatic and continuing increases in use of ammonia‐based fertilizers, which have been driven by requirement for increased food production, but which also provide a source of energy for ammonia oxidizers (AO), leading to an imbalance in the terrestrial nitrogen cycle. Direct N2O production by AO results from several metabolic processes, sometimes combined with abiotic reactions. Physiological characteristics, including mechanisms for N2O production, vary within and between ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) and comammox bacteria and N2O yield of AOB is higher than in the other two groups. There is also strong evidence for niche differentiation between AOA and AOB with respect to environmental conditions in natural and engineered environments. In particular, AOA are favored by low soil pH and AOA and AOB are, respectively, favored by low rates of ammonium supply, equivalent to application of slow‐release fertilizer, or high rates of supply, equivalent to addition of high concentrations of inorganic ammonium or urea. These differences between AOA and AOB provide the potential for better fertilization strategies that could both increase fertilizer use efficiency and reduce N2O emissions from agricultural soils. This article reviews research on the biochemistry, physiology and ecology of AO and discusses the consequences for AO communities subjected to different agricultural practices and the ways in which this knowledge, coupled with improved methods for characterizing communities, might lead to improved fertilizer use efficiency and mitigation of N2O emissions.
Defining CO2 and O2 syndromes of marine biomes in the Anthropocene
Authors: Klein Shannon G. , Steckbauer Alexandra , Duarte Carlos M.
Published: October 2019

Research efforts have intensified to foresee the prospects for marine biomes under climate change and anthropogenic drivers over varying temporal and spatial scales. Parallel with these efforts is the utilization of terminology, such as ‘ocean acidification’ (OA) and ‘ocean deoxygenation’ (OD), that can foster rapid comprehension of complex processes driving carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) concentrations in the global ocean and thus, are now widely used in discussions within and beyond academia. However, common usage of the terms ‘acidification’ and ‘deoxygenation’ alone are subjective and, without adequate contextualization, have the potential to mislead inferences over drivers that may ultimately shape the future state of marine ecosystems. Here we clarify the usage of the terms OA and OD as global, climate change‐driven processes and discuss the various attributes of elevated CO2 and reduced O2 syndromes common to coastal ecosystems. We support the use of the existing terms ‘coastal acidification’ and ‘coastal deoxygenation’ because they help differentiate the sometimes rapid and extreme nature of CO2 and O2 syndromes in coastal ecosystems from the global, climate change‐driven processes of OA and OD. Given the complexity and breadth of the processes involved in altering CO2 and O2 concentrations across marine ecosystems, we provide a workflow to enable contextualization and clarification of the usage of existing terms and highlight the close link between these two gases across spatial and temporal scales in the ocean. These distinctions are crucial to guide effective communication of research within the scientific community and guide policymakers responsible for intervening on the drivers to secure desirable future ocean states.
Relationship between oral environment and development of pneumonia and acute viral respiratory infection in dependent older individuals
Authors: Tashiro Haruki , Kikutani Takeshi , Tamura Fumiyo , Takahashi Noriaki , Tohara Takashi , Nawachi Kumiko , Maekawa Kenji , Kuboki Takuo
Published: October 2019

Aim

The importance of oral care has been recognized for the prevention of airway infections in older individuals who require long‐term care. The present prospective cohort study was carried out a decade ago to identify risk factors with numerous intraoral conditions as possible predictors involved in the onset of pneumonia and acute viral respiratory infection (AVRI) in older people requiring long‐term care during a 6‐month follow‐up period (including winter).

Methods

This study included 1785 older individuals residing in 31 long‐term care facilities in which dental hygienists were involved in instruction on daily oral care. Primary end‐points were development of pneumonia and AVRI during the 6‐month follow‐up period. Several factors related to each participant's general condition, oral environment, swallowing function and vaccinations (or lack thereof) were evaluated by calibrated dentists and dental hygienists before the study onset.

Results

During the 6‐month follow‐up period, 74 participants (4.1%) developed pneumonia, and 28 participants (1.6%) developed AVRI. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that poor nutritional status and the presence of dysphagia were significant risk factors for pneumonia onset. The presence of dry mouth and halitosis were significant risk factors for AVRI.

Conclusions

This prospective multicenter cohort study identified poor nutritional status and dysphagia as independent risk factors for the development of pneumonia, and dry mouth and halitosis as independent risk factors for the development of AVRI in older people who require long‐term care and who routinely receive professional oral care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1136–1140.
Correlation between frailty and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the CHIKARA study
Authors: Tada Masahiro , Yamada Yutaro , Mandai Koji , Hidaka Noriaki
Published: October 2019

Aim

Frailty is defined as the degradation of physical and cognitive function in older adults. The relationship between frailty and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is unclear. Factors related to frailty in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients were investigated in a cross‐sectional analysis.

Methods

Of 100 patients who entered the prospective, observational Correlation research of sarcopenia, skeletal muscle and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (CHIKARA) study, 95 completed a frailty check list (maximal score 25), and were classified as frail (8–25 points), pre‐frail (4–7 points) and normal (0–3 points). The relationship with disease activity was investigated in the frailty, pre‐frailty and normal groups. Relationships between clinical variables and frailty were evaluated by univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results

The prevalences of frailty, pre‐frailty and normal were 18.9%, 38.9% and 42.2%, respectively. The disease activity score 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate, matrix metalloproteinase 3 and modified health assessment questionnaire were higher in the frailty group. In remission, 66.6% were normal and 6.7% had frailty, but with moderate and high disease activity, 13.3% were normal and 46.7% had frailty. On univariate analysis, factors positively related to frailty were age, locomotive syndrome, disease activity score 28 erythrocyte sedimentation rate, matrix metalloproteinase 3, use of biological disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs or targeted synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, Steinbrocker class and modified health assessment questionnaire; and the leg muscle score and grip strength were negatively related. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 was the only independent factor on multivariate logistic analysis. In patients aged >60 years, this tendency was similar.

Conclusions

Frailty was found to be related to disease activity and physical function in rheumatoid arthritis. Control of disease activity appears important to prevent frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1220–1225.
Super‐resolution imaging reveals changes in Escherichia coli SSB localization in response to DNA damage
Authors: Zhao Tianyu , Liu Yan , Wang Zilin , He Rongyan , Xiang Zhang Jia , Xu Feng , Lei Ming , Deci Michael B. , Nguyen Juliane , Bianco Piero R.
Published: October 2019

The E. coli single‐stranded DNA‐binding protein (SSB) is essential to viability. It plays key roles in DNA metabolism where it binds to nascent single strands of DNA and to target proteins known as the SSB interactome. There are >2,000 tetramers of SSB per cell with 100–150 associated with the genome at any one time, either at DNA replication forks or at sites of repair. The remaining 1,900 tetramers could constantly diffuse throughout the cytosol or be associated with the inner membrane as observed for other DNA metabolic enzymes. To visualize SSB localization and to ascertain potential spatiotemporal changes in response to DNA damage, SSB‐GFP chimeras were visualized using a novel, super‐resolution microscope optimized for the study of prokaryotic cells. In the absence of DNA damage, SSB localizes to a small number of foci and the excess protein is associated with the inner membrane where it binds to the major phospholipids. Within five minutes following DNA damage, the vast majority of SSB disengages from the membrane and is found almost exclusively in the cell interior. Here, it is observed in a large number of foci, in discreet structures or, in diffuse form spread over the genome, thereby enabling repair events.