bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suboptimal dietary intake is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Hart Kathryn , Barr Suzanne , Reeves Sue , Sharp Kay , Jeanes Yvonne
Published: July 2015

Aim

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder in women and confers a substantial health burden. It is important to explore modifiable extrinsic factors that contribute to disease risk. The aim of the present study was to compare the dietary intake, physical activity and physiological characteristics of women with PCOS with those of controls to identify lifestyle behaviours associated with known cardiometabolic risk factors.

Methods

A seven‐day food and activity diary was completed and anthropometric and biomarkers of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease risk were measured in 38 women with PCOS, and 30 controls, matched for age and body mass index.

Results

Similar energy intakes and activity levels were observed between groups. Percentage energy intakes from total, saturated and monounsaturated fats were significantly higher (P = 0.008, P = 0.012 and P = 0.003, respectively) and % energy from carbohydrate was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in participants with PCOS compared with controls (P < 0.001). Insulin levels, two hours after a glucose challenge, were significantly higher in PCOS participants compared with controls (P = 0.029). Increased dietary glycaemic index appeared to be associated with a more negative biochemical profile in women with PCOS compared to controls, being significantly associated with an increased waist circumference and LDL‐cholesterol and decreased HDL‐cholesterol.

Conclusions

The present study has identified suboptimal dietary patterns in women with PCOS, and highlighted dietary factors associated with cardiometabolic risk factors that warrant monitoring in both lean and obese women with PCOS.
Influence of Tricuspid Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve Orientation Regarding the Flow Field Inside the Left Ventricle: In Vitro Hydrodynamic Characterization Based on 2D PIV Measurements
Authors: Bazan Ovandir , Ortiz Jayme P. , Fukumasu Newton K. , Pacifico Antonio L. , Yanagihara Jurandir I.
Published: July 2015

The flow patterns of a prosthetic heart valve in the aortic or mitral position can change according to its type and orientation. This work describes the use of 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV) applied to the in vitro flow fields characterization inside the upper part of a left ventricular model at various heart rates and as a function of two orientations of stented tricuspid mitral bioprostheses. In the ventricular model, each mitral bioprosthesis (27 and 31 mm diameter) was installed in two orientations, rotated by 180°, while the aortic bileaflet mechanical valve (27 mm diameter) remained in a fixed orientation. The results (N = 50) showed changes in the intraventricular flow fields according to the mitral bioprostheses positioning. Also, changes in the aortic upstream velocity profiles were noticed as a function of mitral orientations.
Real‐Time Visualization of Platelet Interaction With Micro Structured Surfaces
Authors: Gester Kathrin , Birtel Stephan , Clauser Johanna , Steinseifer Ulrich , Sonntag Simon Johannes
Published: July 2015

Improving the hemocompatibility of artificial implants by micro structuring their surfaces has shown promising results, but the mechanisms which lead to this improvement are not yet understood. Therefore, we built a test setup for real‐time visualization of platelet interaction with a plain and two micro structured surfaces. The micro structures, defined by the distance of the plain surface area between the structures, were chosen to be 3 and 30 μm, representing a positive and a negative effect on the hemocompatibility. The main part of the test setup was a flow chamber containing films of low density polyethylene (LDPE) with the differently structured surfaces. For different wall shear stresses, no considerable differences were observed in the platelet‐surface interaction for all surface types. Whereas, major differences in flow behavior were observed when comparing the surfaces to each other. The platelets “rolled” along the smooth surface, being in constant contact with the surface material. Although the platelets “rolled” over the surface with small structures as well, they were only in contact with the tips of the structure and therefore had less surface contact with the foreign material. The increased distance and height of the structures of the last surface led to a trapping of platelets between the structures. This resulted in a longer contact time with the foreign material as well as a larger contact area, which both increase the risk of platelet activation, adhesion, and finally clotting. Our results showed the mechanisms which lead to these effects and thus revealed why micro structuring of surfaces impacts the hemocompatibility. Furthermore, we established a test setup which can be used for future investigations on the platelet‐structure interactions.
A J‐Shaped Association Between Serum Uric Acid Level and Allograft Outcomes After Living Donor Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Oh Il Hwan , Kim Jeong Eun , Lee Chang Hwa , Kim Gheun‐Ho , Park Joon‐Sung
Published: July 2015

Hyperuricemia following kidney transplantation (KT) may contribute to a decline in allograft renal function, but be affected by KT‐related confounding factors. Some studies have even suggested that a reduction in serum uric acid (UA) is associated with poor patient outcomes. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the impact of serum UA on allograft outcomes in 281 KT recipients. KT recipients were divided into five groups according to serum UA level (mg/dL): Group I (n = 46), ≤ 5; Group II (n = 62), >5 and ≤6; Group III (n = 70), >6 and ≤7; Group IV (n = 53), >7 and ≤8; Group V (n = 50), >8. Regression analysis showed that serum UA level was significantly associated with future allograft function. In a Kaplan–Meier analysis, the dialysis‐free survival of Group II recipients was better than that of the other groups (Group I, 140 ± 5 months; Group II, 208 ± 7 months; Group III, 148 ± 4 months; Group IV, 185 ± 12 months; Group V, 164 ± 11 months; P = 0.0164). In Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for estimated glomerular filtration rate, the relative risk of allograft loss still tended to be elevated in Group I (HR=3.417, 95% CI 1.138–10.258) and Group V (HR=2.793, 95% CI 1.108–7.041), using Group II as the reference. Our results suggest that there is a J‐shaped association between serum UA levels and allograft outcomes in living donor KT recipients.
Newborn manikin study shows that physicians often fail to detect correct lung compliance when using a self‐inflating bag
Authors: Boldingh Anne Marthe , Solevåg Anne Lee , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Klingenberg Claus , Nakstad Britt
Published: July 2015

Aim

Recognising changes in lung compliance can help clinicians to adjust initial inflations during resuscitation at birth. We examined whether physicians sensed low and normal compliance with a self‐inflating bag before and after an educational intervention that used a manikin connected to a newborn lung simulator.

Methods

We asked 43 physicians with neonatal duties to perform two low compliance ventilation attempts and two normal‐compliance ventilation attempts in a randomised order at baseline and after the educational intervention, with 34 taking part in a retest three months later.

Results

The physicians correctly recognised low and normal compliance in 71% and 66% of the ventilations at baseline, 80% and 66% of the ventilations after the intervention and 74% and 81% at retest. Correct recognition of normal compliance improved from baseline to retest (p = 0.04). Ventilations in low‐ vs normal‐compliance settings resulted in lower tidal volumes (4.4 vs 23.0 mL, p < 0.001), lower ventilation rates (42 vs 51, p < 0.001) and higher peak inflating pressure (35.2 vs 31.4 cmH2O, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Around one in four physicians failed to recognise correct compliance levels when using a self‐inflating bag and showed limited improvement after an educational intervention. Ventilations in a low‐compliance setting resulted in suboptimal ventilation.
Electrical stimulation therapy of the lower oesophageal sphincter for refractory gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease – interim results of an international multicentre trial
Authors: Kappelle W. F. W. , Bredenoord A. J. , Conchillo J. M. , Ruurda J. P. , Bouvy N. D. , van Berge Henegouwen M. I. , Chiu P. W. , Booth M. , Hani A. , Reddy D. N. , Bogte A. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Wu J. C. , Escalona A. , Valdovinos M. A. , Torres‐Villalobos G. , Siersema P. D.
Published: July 2015

Background

A previous single‐centre study showed that lower oesophageal sphincter electrical stimulation therapy (LES‐EST) in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients improves reflux symptoms and decreases oesophageal acid exposure.

Aim

To evaluate safety and efficacy of LES‐EST in GERD patients with incomplete response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in a prospective, international, multicentre, open‐label study.

Methods

GERD patients, partially responsive to PPIs, received LES‐EST. GERD health‐related quality of life (GERD‐HRQL), daily symptom diaries, quality of life scores, oesophageal acid exposure, and LES resting and residual pressure were measured before and after initiation of LES‐EST. Stimulation sessions were optimised based on residual symptoms and oesophageal acid exposure.

Results

Forty‐four patients were enrolled and 6‐month data from 41 patients are available. Hiatal repair was performed in 16 patients. One device‐related, one procedure‐related and one unrelated severe adverse event were reported. GERD‐HRQL improved from 31.0 (IQR 26.2–36.8) off‐PPI and 16.5 (IQR 9.0–22.8) on‐PPI to 4 (IQR 1–8) at 3‐month and 5 (IQR 3–9) at 6‐month follow‐up (P < 0.0001 vs. on‐ and off‐PPI). Oesophageal acid exposure (pH < 4.0) improved from 10.0% (IQR 7.5–12.9) to 3.8% (IQR 1.9–12.3) at 3 months (P = 0.0027) and 4.4% (IQR 2.2–7.2) at 6 months (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

These interim results show an acceptable safety record of LES‐EST to date, combined with good short‐term efficacy in GERD patients who are partially responsive to PPI therapy. A remarkable reduction in regurgitation symptoms, without the risk of intervention‐requiring dysphagia may prove to be an advantage compared with other anti‐reflux procedures. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01574339.
Austerity, welfare reform and the English health divide
Authors: Bambra Clare , Garthwaite Kayleigh
Published: July 2015

In this commentary we argue that spatial inequalities in health will increase in England as a result of the entwined policies of austerity and welfare reform. We describe the health divide and outline the actual and potential effects of austerity and welfare reform on it by drawing on current data and previous international research. Drawing on our involvement in the 2014 Due North: Independent Inquiry into Health Equity North, we suggest alternative policies that could reduce the divide, or at the least, stop it from widening further. We conclude by outlining ways in which geographers can engage with this prescient issue.
Cytoskeletal and mitochondrial properties of bovine oocytes obtained by Ovum Pick‐Up: the effects of follicle stimulation and in vitro maturation
Authors: Somfai Tamás , Matoba Satoko , Inaba Yasushi , Nakai Michiko , Imai Kei , Nagai Takashi , Geshi Masaya
Published: July 2015

Follicle stimulation by follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) is known to improve developmental competence of bovine oocytes obtained by Ovum Pick‐Up (OPU); however, the exact factors in oocytes affected by this treatment have remained unclear. We compared in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes obtained at the immature stage from cows by OPU either without or with stimulation with FSH (non‐stimulated and stimulated OPU, respectively) to those obtained by superstimulation and in vivo maturation in terms of cytoskeleton morphology, mitochondrial distribution, intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and H2O2 levels at the metaphase‐II stage and intracellular Ca2+ levels after in vitro fertilization (IVF). Confocal microscopy after immunostaining revealed reduced size of the meiotic spindle, associated with increased tendencies of microfilament degradation and insufficient mitochondrial re‐distribution in non‐stimulated OPU‐derived IVM oocytes compared with those collected by stimulated OPU, which in turn resembled in vivo matured oocytes. However, there was no difference in mitochondrial functions between oocytes obtained by stimulated or non‐stimulated OPU in terms of ATP content, cytoplasmic H2O2 levels, base Ca2+ levels and the frequencies and amplitudes of Ca2+ oscillations after IVF. Larger size of metaphase spindles in oocytes obtained by stimulated OPU may reflect and potentially contribute to their high developmental competence.
Genetic analysis of fat‐to‐protein ratio, milk yield and somatic cell score of Holstein cows in Japan in the first three lactations by using a random regression model
Authors: Nishiura Akiko , Sasaki Osamu , Aihara Mitsuo , Takeda Hisato , Satoh Masahiro
Published: July 2015

We estimated the genetic parameters of fat‐to‐protein ratio (FPR) and the genetic correlations between FPR and milk yield or somatic cell score in the first three lactations in dairy cows. Data included 3 079 517 test‐day records of 201 138 Holstein cows in Japan from 2006 to 2011. Genetic parameters were estimated with a multiple‐trait random regression model in which the records within and between parities were treated as separate traits. The phenotypic values of FPR increased soon after parturition and peaked at 10 to 20 days in milk, then decreased slowly in mid‐ and late lactation. Heritability estimates for FPR yielded moderate values. Genetic correlations of FPR among parities were low in early lactation. Genetic correlations between FPR and milk yield were positive and low in early lactation, but only in the first lactation. Genetic correlations between FPR and somatic cell score were positive in early lactation and decreased to become negative in mid‐ to late lactation. By using these results for genetic evaluation it should be possible to improve energy balance in dairy cows.
Bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone, with or without cyclophosphamide, for patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma: 5‐year follow‐up
Authors: Ludwig Heinz , Greil Richard , Masszi Tamas , Spicka Ivan , Shpilberg Ofer , Hajek Roman , Dmoszynska Anna , Paiva Bruno , Vidriales María‐Belén , Esteves Graca , Stoppa Anne Marie , Robinson Don , Chaturvedi Shalini , Ataman Ozlem , Enny Christopher , Feng Huaibao , van de Velde Helgi , Viterbo Luisa
Published: July 2015

This follow‐up extension of a randomised phase II study assessed differences in long‐term outcomes between bortezomib‐thalidomide‐dexamethasone (VTD) and VTD‐cyclophosphamide (VTDC) induction therapy in multiple myeloma. Newly diagnosed patients (n = 98) were randomised 1:1 to intravenous bortezomib (1·3 mg/m2; days 1, 4, 8, 11), thalidomide (100 mg; days 1–21), and dexamethasone (40 mg; days 1–4, 9–12), with/without cyclophosphamide (400 mg/m2; days 1, 8), for four 21‐day cycles before stem‐cell mobilisation/transplantation. After a median follow‐up of 64·8 months, median time‐to‐next therapy was 51·8 and 47·9 months with VTD and VTDC, respectively. Type of subsequent therapy was similar in both arms. After adjusting for asymmetric censoring, median time to progression was not significantly different between VTD and VTDC [35·7 vs. 34·5 months; Hazard ratio (HR) 1·26, 95% confidence interval: 0·76–2·09; P = 0·370]. Five‐year survival was 69·1% and 65·3% with VTD and VTDC, respectively. When analysed by minimal residual disease (MRD) status, overall survival was longer in MRD‐negative versus MRD‐positive patients with bone marrow‐confirmed complete response (HR 3·66, P = 0·0318). VTD induction followed by transplantation provides long‐term disease control and, consistent with the primary analysis, there is no additional benefit from adding cyclophosphamide. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00531453).
Flexibility in Bilingual Infants' Word Learning
Authors: Graf Estes Katharine , Hay Jessica F.
Published: July 2015

The present experiments tested bilingual infants' developmental narrowing for the interpretation of sounds that form words. These studies addressed how language specialization proceeds when the environment provides varied and divergent input. Experiment 1 (N = 32) demonstrated that bilingual 14‐ and 19‐month‐olds learned a pair of object labels consisting of the same syllable produced with distinct pitch contours (rising and falling). Infants' native languages did not use pitch contour to differentiate words. In Experiment 2 (N = 16), 22‐month‐old bilinguals failed to learn the labels. These results conflict with the developmental trajectory of monolinguals, who fail to learn pitch contour contrasts as labels at 17–19 months (Hay, Graf Estes, Wang, & Saffran, 2015). Bilingual infants exhibited a prolonged period of flexibility in their interpretation of potential word forms.
High‐resolution microarray analysis unravels complex Xq28 aberrations in patients and carriers affected by X‐linked blue cone monochromacy
Authors: Yatsenko S.A. , Bakos H.A. , Vitullo K. , Kedrov M. , Kishore A. , Jennings B.J. , Surti U. , Wood‐Trageser M.A. , Cercone S. , Yatsenko A.N. , Rajkovic A. , Iannaccone A.
Published: July 2015

The human X chromosome contains ∼1600 genes, about 15% of which have been associated with a specific genetic condition, mainly affecting males. Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is an X‐linked condition caused by a loss‐of‐function of both the OPN1LW and OPN1MW opsin genes. The cone opsin gene cluster is composed of 2–9 paralogs with 99.8% sequence homology and is susceptible to deletions, duplications, and mutations. Current diagnostic tests employ polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based technologies; however, alterations remain undetermined in 10% of patients. Furthermore, carrier testing in females is limited or unavailable. High‐resolution X chromosome‐targeted CGH microarray was applied to test for rearrangements in males with BCM and female carriers from three unrelated families. Pathogenic alterations were revealed in all probands, characterized by sequencing of the breakpoint junctions and quantitative real‐time PCR. In two families, we identified a novel founder mutation that consisted of a complex 3‐kb deletion that embraced the cis‐regulatory locus control region and insertion of an additional aberrant OPN1MW gene. The application of high‐resolution X‐chromosome microarray in clinical diagnosis brings significant advantages in detection of small aberrations that are beyond the resolution of clinically available aCGH analysis and which can improve molecular diagnosis of the known conditions and unravel previously unrecognized X‐linked diseases.
Resolving future fire management conflicts using multicriteria decision making
Authors: Driscoll Don A. , Bode Michael , Bradstock Ross A. , Keith David A. , Penman Trent D. , Price Owen F.
Published: July 2015

Management strategies to reduce the risks to human life and property from wildfire commonly involve burning native vegetation. However, planned burning can conflict with other societal objectives such as human health and biodiversity conservation. These conflicts are likely to intensify as fire regimes change under future climates and as growing human populations encroach farther into fire‐prone ecosystems. Decisions about managing fire risks are therefore complex and warrant more sophisticated approaches than are typically used. We applied a multicriteria decision making approach (MCDA) with the potential to improve fire management outcomes to the case of a highly populated, biodiverse, and flammable wildland–urban interface. We considered the effects of 22 planned burning options on 8 objectives: house protection, maximizing water quality, minimizing carbon emissions and impacts on human health, and minimizing declines of 5 distinct species types. The MCDA identified a small number of management options (burning forest adjacent to houses) that performed well for most objectives, but not for one species type (arboreal mammal) or for water quality. Although MCDA made the conflict between objectives explicit, resolution of the problem depended on the weighting assigned to each objective. Additive weighting of criteria traded off the arboreal mammal and water quality objectives for other objectives. Multiplicative weighting identified scenarios that avoided poor outcomes for any objective, which is important for avoiding potentially irreversible biodiversity losses. To distinguish reliably among management options, future work should focus on reducing uncertainty in outcomes across a range of objectives. Considering management actions that have more predictable outcomes than landscape fuel management will be important. We found that, where data were adequate, an MCDA can support decision making in the complex and often conflicted area of fire management.
Synthesis of some symmetrically substituted stilbene‐triazine derivatives containing tetramethylenepiperidine fragments and their application to make self‐whitening polyacrylonitrile
Authors: Miladinova Polya
Published: July 2015

This study reports the synthesis of nine new fluorescent stilbene‐triazine whitening agents containing a tetramethylpiperidine fragment. These products were isolated and characterised by spectroscopic techniques, i.e. infrared, ultraviolet, and fluorescent spectra, and confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The photostability of the new compounds and two optical brighteners containing an unsaturated group without a stabiliser fragment was studied. It was found that the compounds containing tetramethylpiperidine have better photostability. The possibility of the copolymerisation of the unsaturated compounds with acrylonitrile was investigated, and self‐whitening polymers with an intense blue fluorescence were obtained. It was established that 85–86% of the fluorophores are chemically bound to the polymer chain.
Navigating Disruptive Innovation in Undergraduate Business Education
Authors: Behara Ravi S. , Davis Mark M.
Published: July 2015

The undergraduate business education landscape is dramatically changing and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Many of the changes are being driven by increasing costs, advances in technology, rapid globalization, and an increasingly diverse workforce and customer base, and are occurring simultaneously in both the business world and higher education. This is especially true for undergraduate business education in which alternative models to the traditional four‐year curriculum continue to emerge. Using Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation as a framework, we develop a set of recommendations to help undergraduate business education navigate the disruptions it faces by adopting a “pragmatic liberal” approach. This approach offers a direct contrast to the decades of limited success that business schools have had integrating liberal education and business education.
DECISION TIME, CONSIDERATION TIME, AND STATUS QUO BIAS
Authors: Geng Sen
Published: July 2015

Economists increasingly appreciate the value of studying the time taken to make decisions in order to provide insights into decision makers' choices. This article shows that studying how time is allocated among individual options is also valuable in helping researchers to understand the impact default options have on decision makers' attention allocation, as approximated by how the time is allocated. The study of this impact generates new insights into the well‐known choice phenomenon of status quo bias, which typically refers to decision makers' tendency to stick to a default option. By designing a series of novel experiments, I find that this bias arises even when the choice is among prizes of fixed monetary value expressed in arithmetic form. I also find asymmetric attention (i.e., more time devoted to default options) and strikingly asymmetric choice errors; specifically, decision makers fail to select an alternative better than the default 28% of the time, while they incorrectly select an alternative worse than the default only 11% of the time; and provide evidence supporting a causal relationship between asymmetric attention and asymmetric errors. (JEL D03, D12, D83)
Modeling spatial expansion of invasive alien species: relative contributions of environmental and anthropogenic factors to the spreading of the harlequin ladybird in France
Authors: Veran Sophie , Piry Sylvain , Ternois Vincent , Meynard Christine N. , Facon Benoit , Estoup Arnaud
Published: July 2015

Species distribution models (SDM) have often been used to predict the potential ranges of introduced species and prioritize management strategies. However, this approach assumes equilibrium between occurrences and environmental gradients, an assumption which is violated during the invasion process, where many suitable sites are empty because the species has not yet reached them. Here we considered the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis as a case study to show the benefits of using a dynamic colonization–extinction model that does not assume equilibrium. We used a multi‐year occupancy model incorporating environmental, anthropogenic and neighborhood effects, to identify factors that explained spreading variation of this species in France from 2004, when only a few occupied sites were detected, to 2011. We found that anthropogenic factors (urbanization, agriculture, vineyards, and presence/absence of highways) explained more variation in the diffusion process than environmental factors (winter and summer temperatures, wind‐speed, and rainfall). The surface of urbanization was the major anthropogenic factor increasing the probability of colonization. The average summer temperature was the main environmental factor affecting colonization, with a negative effect when high or low. The neighborhood effect revealed that colonization was mostly influenced by contributions coming from a radius of 24 km around the focal cell. The contribution of neighborhood decreases over time, suggesting that H. axyridis is reaching its equilibrium in France. This is confirmed by the small discrepancy observed between the performance of our approach and a SDM approach when predicting a single year occupancy pattern at the end of the study period. Our approach has the advantage of explicitly modelling the state of the biological system during the spatial expansion and identifying colonization constraints. This allows managers to explore the effect of different actions on the system at key moments of the invasion process, hence providing a powerful approach to prioritize management strategies.
Meta‐analysis of anthropogenic habitat disturbance effects on animal‐mediated seed dispersal
Authors: Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Candia Alina B. , Malebrán Javiera , Salazar Daniela A. , González‐Browne Catalina , Medel Rodrigo
Published: July 2015

Anthropogenic habitat disturbance is a strong biodiversity change driver that compromises not only the species persistence but also the ecological interactions in which they are involved. Even though seed dispersal is a key interaction involved in the recruitment of many tree species and in consequence critical for biodiversity maintenance, studies assessing the effect of different anthropogenic disturbance drivers on this interaction have not been performed under a meta‐analytical framework. We assessed the way habitat fragmentation and degradation processes affect species diversity (abundance and species richness) and interaction rates (i.e., fruit removal and visitation rates) of different groups of seed‐disperser species at a global scale. We obtained 163 case studies from 37 articles. Results indicate that habitat degradation had a negative effect on seed‐disperser animal diversity, whereas habitat fragmentation had a negative effect on interaction rates. Birds and insects were more sensitive in terms of their diversity, whereas mammals showed a negative effect on interaction rates. Regarding habitat, both fragmentation and degradation had a negative effect on seed‐disperser animal diversity only in temperate habitats, and negative effects on interaction rates in tropical and temperate habitats. Our results indicate that the impact of human disturbance on seed‐disperser species and interactions is not homogeneous. On the contrary, the magnitude of effects seems to be dependent on the type of disturbance, taxonomic group under assessment, and geographical region where the human impact occurs.
Extending spatial modelling of climate change responses beyond the realized niche: estimating, and accommodating, physiological limits and adaptive evolution
Authors: Catullo Renee A. , Ferrier Simon , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: July 2015

Aim

Spatial models of the impacts of climate change generally assume that species are restricted to their realized niche, and will persist only if that niche remains accessible through time. However, species often have physiological limits beyond the range of environmental conditions experienced in their present realized niche, and these limits may also be extended further through evolution in response to the selection pressure provided by climate change. Our aim was to develop a general framework for incorporating key parameters relating to physiological limits and adaptive evolution into models of the impact of climate change.

Location

Global.

Methods

Four types of parameter are defined in our framework: the realized limit, the current physiological limit, the evolutionary physiological limit and the rate of adaptive evolution. These parameters can be estimated or predicted using a variety of information sources, and can be applied to a diverse range of modelling approaches.

Results

We illustrate the utility of this approach by describing how parameters can be measured directly for model species, and by exploring how minimal information on phylogeny and distribution might enable parameter estimation for less well‐studied species. We outline a general strategy for deriving these parameters from ongoing research, involving a cascading hierarchy of information ranging from direct observations of traits closely linked to the parameters of interest (e.g. from physiological or evolutionary experimentation) through to more distal indicators (e.g. ecological traits such as niche position or range size).

Main conclusions

The incorporation of adaptive capacity into spatial modelling of biological responses to climate change is now eminently achievable. Significant sources of data are available that can be used as predictors or indicators of physiological limits and the capacity for adaptive evolution in non‐model organisms. These data offer a common currency for addressing one of the most important limitations of current efforts to model the impacts of climate change on biological distributions.
Clinicopathological and genetic heterogeneity of the head and neck solitary fibrous tumours: a comparative histological, immunohistochemical and molecular study of 36 cases
Authors: Kao Yu‐Chien , Lin Po‐Chun , Yen Shao‐Lun , Huang Shih‐Chiang , Tsai Jen‐Wei , Li Chien‐Feng , Tai Hui‐Chun , Lan Jui , Chuang I‐Chieh , Yu Shih‐Chen , Huang Hsuan‐Ying
Published: July 2015

Aims

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) harbours recurrent inv12(q13q13)‐derived NAB2–STAT6 fusions, resulting in STAT6 nuclear expression. SFTs affecting the head and neck are rare, for which we reported their clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features.

Methods and results

With 19 cases assessable for NAB2–STAT6 fusions, 36 head and neck SFTs (18 males; 18 females) diagnosed between 13 and 79 years (median, 47 years) of age were analysed for clinicopathological features and STAT6 immunoexpression. These SFTs, ranging from 5 to 80 mm (median, 25 mm), affected the oral cavity/pharynx (12), orbit (11), sinonasal structures (seven), and somatic soft tissues or skull (six). Histologically, 20 SFTs were conventional, six were giant‐cell angiofibroma‐like, one was fat‐forming, four were cellular/atypical, and five were malignant (two developing metastases). STAT6 distinctively decorated the tumoral nuclei in 35 (97.2%) SFTs, but not in 29 site‐relevant histological mimics categorized into 12 entities. Sixteen (84.2%) SFTs showed NAB2–STAT6 fusions with highly heterogeneous exon compositions, including NAB2ex6–STAT6ex17 in four cases, NAB2ex4–STAT6ex2 in three cases, NAB2ex2–STAT6ex2, NAB2ex4–STAT6ex4, NAB2ex6–STAT6ex16 and NAB2ex6–STAT6ex18 in two cases each, and NAB2ex3–STAT6ex19 in one case.

Conclusions

Nuclear STAT6 immunoexpression is sensitive and specific for distinguishing SFT from mimics. However, considerable heterogeneity exists in the head and neck SFTs regarding the locations, histological patterns, and NAB2–STAT6 fusion variants.
Barriers to positive policy change that aims to increase access to medicines through reclassification: the case of oseltamivir in New Zealand
Authors: Shaw John P , Gauld Natalie , Kelly Fiona
Published: July 2015

Objectives

This study aims to identify and explore emergent barriers to consumers accessing oseltamivir without prescription following policy change introduced in New Zealand to increase access via community pharmacies.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 community pharmacists immediately following the first season of oseltamivir availability without prescription in October 2007. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using a framework approach to identify themes.

Key findings

Non-prescription sales of oseltamivir were slow during this period. Participants acknowledged that they may have missed opportunities to recommend oseltamivir and attributed this to a range of reasons. Pharmacy-related barriers identified included limited pharmacist confidence, concerns about efficacy and safety of the product, location of the product in the pharmacy, affordability and the role of support staff. Many pharmacists adopted a ‘risk-benefit analysis’ that balanced symptom severity with perceived value for money. Consumer barriers included cost, limited awareness of availability and limited ability to correctly self-diagnose and manage influenza.

Conclusions

Complexity in the factors that influenced pharmacist motivation to supply oseltamivir without prescription highlighted the potential for positive policy change to be hindered by multiple barriers. Greater understanding of such barriers is important for effective transition of medicines from prescription to non-prescription availability to achieve increased consumer access through reclassification. Concerns that pharmacists are influenced by commercial priorities when medicines are newly reclassified were not substantiated in this study.
Identification and functional analysis of a Masculinizer orthologue in Trilocha varians (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)
Authors: Lee J. , Kiuchi T. , Kawamoto M. , Shimada T. , Katsuma S.
Published: July 2015

We recently showed that the Masculinizer gene (Masc) plays a primary role in sex determination in the lepidopteran model insect Bombyx mori. However, it remains unknown whether this Masc protein‐dependent sex determination system is conserved amongst lepidopteran insects or within the family Bombycidae. Here we cloned and characterized a Masc homologue (TvMasc) in Trilocha varians (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), a species closely related to B. mori. To elucidate the role of TvMasc in the sex determination cascade of T. varians, TvMasc expression was knocked down in early embryos by the injection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that targeted TvMasc mRNAs. Both female‐ and male‐type splice variants of Tvdsx, a doublesex (dsx) homologue in T. varians were observed in control siRNA‐injected embryos. By contrast, only female‐type splice variants were observed in TvMasc siRNA‐injected embryos. These results indicate that the TvMasc protein directly or indirectly regulates the splicing patterns of Tvdsx. Furthermore, we found that male‐type splice variants of B. mori dsx (Bmdsx) were produced in TvMasc‐overexpressing BmN4 cells. The mRNA level of B. mori Imp, a gene whose product induces male‐specific Bmdsx splicing also increased. These results suggest that Masc genes play similar roles in the sex‐determination cascade in Bombycidae.
Amoxicillin diminishes the thickness of the enamel matrix that is deposited during the secretory stage in rats
Authors: de Souza Juliana Feltrin , Gramasco Marina , Jeremias Fabiano , Santos‐Pinto Lourdes , Giovanini Allan Fernando , Cerri Paulo Sérgio , Cordeiro Rita de Cássia Loiola
Published: July 2015

Background

The use of amoxicillin during early childhood has been associated with molar incisor hypomineralization.

Aim

The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of amoxicillin interferes with enamel development, during secretion and early mineralization stages.

Design

Fifteen pregnant rats were randomly assigned to three groups that received physiological solution (sham group), 100 mg/kg/day amoxicillin (A100G), and 500 mg/kg/day amoxicillin (A500G). After birth, the pups in each group received the same treatment until post‐natal day 7 or 12. The upper first molars were analyzed histomorphometrical and immunostaining with amelogenin on day 7, and MMP‐20 on day 12 was performed using a semiquantitative method (H‐score).

Results

At 7 days, several vacuolar structures were observed in the ameloblasts in the A100G and A500G groups. A significant reduction of the enamel thickness (P < 0.001) was found in amoxicillin‐treated rats compared with the sham group. Significant differences were not observed in enamel thickness (P > 0.05) between the groups of 12‐day‐old rats. Moreover, significant differences were not observed in the number of amelogenin‐ and MMP‐20‐immunolabeled ameloblasts (P > 0.05) between groups.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that amoxicillin interferes with the initial stages of amelogenesis by causing structural changes in the ameloblasts and a reduction of the enamel matrix.
Stochastic effects in adaptive reconstruction of body damage: implied the creativity of natural selection
Authors: Xiao Bo , Cui Li‐Qiang , Chen Tian‐Ming , Lian Bin
Published: July 2015

After an injury occurs, mechanical/biochemical loads on muscles influence the composition and structure of recovering muscles; this effect likely occurs in other tissues, cells and biological molecules as well owing to the similarity, interassociation and interaction among biochemical reactions and molecules. The ‘damage and reconstruction’ model provides an explanation for how an ideal cytoarchitecture is created by reducing components not suitable for bearing loads; in this model, adaptive changes are induced by promoting the stochasticity of biochemical reactions. Biochemical and mechanical loads can direct the stochasticity of biochemical reactions, which can in turn induce cellular changes. Thus, mechanical and biochemical loads, under natural selection pressure, modify the direction of cell‐ and tissue‐level changes and guide the formation of new structures and traits, thereby influencing microevolution. In summary, the ‘damage and reconstruction’ model accounts for the role of natural selection in the formation of new organisms, helps explain punctuated equilibrium, and illustrates how macroevolution arises from microevolution.
Case of disseminated pyomyositis in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Tanabe Akihito , Kaneto Hideaki , Kamei Shinji , Hirata Yurie , Hisano Yuki , Sanada Junpei , Irie Shintaro , Kinoshita Tomoe , Tatsumi Fuminori , Shimoda Masashi , Kohara Kenji , Mune Tomoatsu , Kaku Kohei
Published: July 2015

Primary pyomyositis is a pyogenic and uncommon infection of skeletal muscle, which is mainly observed in tropical areas and/or human immunodeficiency virus patients. In non‐human immunodeficiency virus infected patients, the most common cause is diabetes mellitus. Because of its rarity, the accurate diagnosis is often challenging. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative bacteria. According to the severity, pyomyositis is divided into three stages, and the late stage is occasionally lethal. The present case was compatible with the most advanced stage. Therefore, it was very difficult to save her life without precise and timely diagnosis. Furthermore, in the invasive stage, surgical drainage and broad‐spectrum antibiotics should be given for a long enough period. Here, we report a case of a Japanese woman who developed disseminated abscesses under poorly controlled diabetic conditions accompanied by ketoacidosis, but was successfully treated without any sequelae.
Alcohol and cardiovascular diseases: where do we stand today?
Authors: Klatsky A. L.
Published: July 2015

For centuries, multiple medical risks of heavy alcohol drinking have been evident with simultaneous awareness of a less harmful or sensible drinking limit. The increased risks of heavy drinking, defined as three or more standard‐sized drinks per day, are both cardiovascular (CV) and non‐CV. The CV risks include the following: (i) alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM), (ii) systemic hypertension, (iii) atrial arrhythmias, (iv) haemorrhagic stroke and, probably, ischaemic stroke. By contrast, modern epidemiological studies have shown lower morbidity and mortality amongst light–moderate drinkers, due mostly to a reduced risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), with contributions from ischaemic stroke and heart failure (HF). A low level of alcohol drinking has no clear relation to increased risk of any CV condition, except for haemorrhagic stroke. There is good evidence that supports the existence of mechanisms by which alcohol might protect against CAD, but the mechanisms for other alcohol–CV associations remain unclear. Interrelationships amongst the CV conditions affect the individual alcohol–disease relationships; for example, lower CAD risk in light–moderate drinkers is to a large extent responsible for the reduced HF risk. International comparison data plus the presence of proposed beneficial nonalcohol components in wine (particularly in red wine) suggest that this beverage type might afford extra CAD protection. However, the effect of beverage choice is confounded by a healthier drinking pattern and more favourable risk traits in wine drinkers. Debate persists about methodological and public health issues related to the epidemiology of alcohol‐related CV disease.
Species‐specific responses to island connectivity cycles: refined models for testing phylogeographic concordance across a Mediterranean Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex
Authors: Papadopoulou Anna , Knowles L. Lacey
Published: July 2015

The contribution of Pleistocene sea level changes to diversification patterns in archipelagos around the world, and specifically whether the repeated cycles of island connectivity and isolation acted as a ‘species pump’ is debated. The debate has been perpetuated in part because of the type of evidence used to evaluate the species‐pump hypothesis. Specifically, existing tests of the ‘Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex’ (PAIC) model of diversification interpret the lack of concordant divergence times among multiple codistributed taxa as a rejection of the PAIC model. However, the null expectation of concordance disregards taxon‐specific ecological traits and geographic characteristics that may affect population persistence and gene flow among islands. Here, we study the factors affecting population divergence in thirteen flightless darkling beetle species (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) across the PAIC system of the Cycladic plateau in the Aegean archipelago. Based on isolation‐by‐resistance analyses, hierarchical amova and the degree of genealogical sorting on individual islands, we identify a major effect of bathymetry and habitat stability on the levels of genetic divergence across the PAIC, with island size and body size playing a secondary role as well. We subsequently use bathymetric maps and habitat association to generate predictions about the set of islands and group of taxa expected to show phylogeographic concordance. We test these predictions using hierarchical approximate Bayesian computation and show how our interpretations regarding the role of PAICs as drivers of divergence change when relying on a null expectation of concordance compared to a refined model that takes geography and ecological traits into account.
A cross‐system meta‐analysis reveals coupled predation effects on prey biomass and diversity
Authors: Katano Izumi , Doi Hideyuki , Eriksson Britas Klemens , Hillebrand Helmut
Published: July 2015

Predator diversity and abundance are under strong human pressure in all types of ecosystems. Whereas predator potentially control standing biomass and species interactions in food webs, their effects on prey biomass and especially prey biodiversity have not yet been systematically quantified. Here, we test the effects of predation in a cross‐system meta‐analysis of prey diversity and biomass responses to local manipulation of predator presence. We found 291 predator removal experiments from 87 studies assessing both diversity and biomass responses. Across ecosystem types, predator presence significantly decreased both biomass and diversity of prey across ecosystems. Predation effects were highly similar between ecosystem types, whereas previous studies had shown that herbivory or decomposition effects differed fundamentally between terrestrial and aquatic systems based on different stoichiometry of plant material. Such stoichiometric differences between systems are unlikely for carnivorous predators, where effect sizes on species richness strongly correlated to effect sizes on biomass. However, the negative predation effect on prey biomass was ameliorated significantly with increasing prey richness and increasing species richness of the manipulated predator assemblage. Moreover, with increasing richness of the predator assemblage present, the overall negative effects of predation on prey richness switched to positive effects. Our meta‐analysis revealed strong general relationships between predator diversity, prey diversity and the interaction strength between trophic levels in terms of biomass. This study indicates that anthropogenic changes in predator abundance and diversity will potentially have strong effects on trophic interactions across ecosystems.

Synthesis

The past centuries we have experienced a dramatic loss of top–predator abundance and diversity in most types
of ecosystems. To understand the direct consequences of predator loss on a global scale, we quantitatively summarized experiments testing predation effects on prey communities in a cross‐system meta‐analysis. Across ecosystem types, predator presence significantly decreased both biomass and diversity of prey, and predation effects were highly similar. However, with increasing predator richness, the overall negative effects of predation on prey richness switched to positive ones. Anthropogenic changes in predator communities will potentially have strong effects on prey diversity, biomass, and trophic interactions across ecosystems.