bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implicit meaning in 18‐month‐old toddlers
Authors: Delle Luche Claire , Durrant Samantha , Floccia Caroline , Plunkett Kim
Published: March 2014

A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that infants understand the meaning of spoken words from as early as 6 months. Yet little is known about their ability to do so in the absence of any visual referent, which would offer diagnostic evidence for an adult‐like, symbolic interpretation of words and their use in language mediated thought. We used the head‐turn preference procedure to examine whether infants can generate implicit meanings from word forms alone as early as 18 months of age, and whether they are sensitive to meaningful relationships between words. In one condition, toddlers were presented with lists of words taken from the same taxonomic category (e.g. animals or body parts). In a second condition, words taken from two other categories (e.g. clothes and food items) were interleaved within the same list. Listening times were found to be longer in the related‐category condition than in the mixed‐category condition, suggesting that infants extract the meaning of spoken words and are sensitive to the semantic relatedness between these words. Our results show that infants have begun to construct the rudiments of a semantic system based on taxonomic relations even before they enter a period of accelerated vocabulary growth.
Sequential acquisition of cacophony calcium currents, sodium channels and voltage‐dependent potassium currents affects spike shape and dendrite growth during postembryonic maturation of an identified Drosophila motoneuron
Authors: Ryglewski Stefanie , Kilo Lukas , Duch Carsten
Published: March 2014

During metamorphosis the CNS undergoes profound changes to accommodate the switch from larval to adult behaviors. In Drosophila and other holometabolous insects, adult neurons differentiate either from respecified larval neurons, newly born neurons, or are born embryonically but remain developmentally arrested until differentiation during pupal life. This study addresses the latter in the identified Drosophila flight motoneuron 5. In situ patch‐clamp recordings, intracellular dye fills and immunocytochemistry address the interplay between dendritic shape, excitability and ionic current development. During pupal life, changes in excitability and spike shape correspond to a stereotyped, progressive appearance of voltage‐gated ion channels. High‐voltage‐activated calcium current is the first current to appear at pupal stage P4, prior to the onset of dendrite growth. This is followed by voltage‐gated sodium as well as transient potassium channel expression, when first dendrites grow, and sodium‐dependent action potentials can be evoked by somatic current injection. Sustained potassium current appears later than transient potassium current. During the early stages of rapid dendritic growth, sodium‐dependent action potentials are broadened by a calcium component. Narrowing of spike shape coincides with sequential increases in transient and sustained potassium currents during stages when dendritic growth ceases. Targeted RNAi knockdown of pupal calcium current significantly reduces dendritic growth. These data indicate that the stereotyped sequential acquisition of different voltage‐gated ion channels affects spike shape and excitability such that activity‐dependent calcium influx serves as a partner of genetic programs during critical stages of motoneuron dendrite growth.
Interleukin 20 protein locates to distinct mononuclear cells in psoriatic skin
Authors: Bech Rikke , Otkjaer Kristian , Birkelund Svend , Vorup‐Jensen Thomas , Agger Ralf , Johansen Claus , Iversen Lars , Kragballe Knud , Rømer John
Published: March 2014

We previously demonstrated that mRNA for the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin 20 (IL‐20) is expressed in suprapapillary keratinocytes of lesional psoriatic skin (LS). Here, we describe the distribution of IL‐20 protein and the identity of the IL‐20‐positive cells in LS. We found that the main part of IL‐20 immunoreactivity is present in mononuclear cells of the dermal papillae, and that the IL‐20‐positive cells located in the papillae were langerin+, CD1a+, CD4+ and CD303+. These cells might be immature dendritic cell. In situ hybridization for IL‐20 mRNA on non‐LS, ex vivo stimulated with IL‐1β revealed a colocalization between IL‐20 mRNA and the keratinocyte marker CK14. No IL‐20 mRNA was detected in the dermal mononuclear cells. Our results suggest that IL‐20 is produced by keratinocytes, released into the epidermis and then possibly taken up by papillary mononuclear cells. Our study supports that IL‐20 is involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
Hydrodynamic habitat influences suspension feeding by unionid mussels in freshwater ecosystems
Authors: Vanden Byllaardt Julie , Ackerman Josef D.
Published: March 2014

Benthic suspension feeders play significant roles in aquatic ecosystems, but the influences of abiotic, especially hydrodynamic, factors on many of their activities remain largely unknown. This is especially true for freshwater unionid mussels, which are important inhabitants of rivers and lakes, often forming multispecies assemblages in the former.

Our goal is to determine whether and how seston flux affects the suspension feeding of freshwater unionid mussels from different hydrodynamic habitats (i.e. lentic and lotic). Fluorometric measurements of algal depletion in a recirculating flow chamber were used to determine the clearance rate (CR) of four freshwater mussel species: Elliptio complanata, Elliptio dilatata, Fusconaia flava and Strophitus undulatus.

Clearance rate varied with algal flux (J = UC, where U is velocity and C is algal concentration) for all species examined, resulting in a 41‐fold increase in CR for some species, compared with no‐flux controls. Importantly, the results from the no‐flux controls were consistent with published CR values obtained under static conditions.

Elliptio dilatata from the fastest flowing lotic system (Grand River, Ontario) cleared up to four times more algae than any other species, including its conspecifics from a slower flowing river (Ausable River, Ontario) and the species from the lentic habitat (E. complanata; Lake Opeongo, Ontario).

Differences in CRs were also found among E. dilatata, F. flava and S. undulatus from the same lotic habitat at the highest algal flux examined, indicating that species may specialise to different hydrodynamic conditions.

The impact of suspension feeding by unionid mussels has probably been underestimated, especially under lotic conditions with high seston flux. Mussels may have ecotypic responses to their hydrodynamic habitats, which affect their CR. Moreover, specialisation within a single habitat type is indicative of resource partitioning that could reduce competition in multispecies assemblages.
Parasite‐induced alterations of host behaviour in a riverine fish: the effects of glochidia on host dispersal
Authors: Horký Pavel , Douda Karel , Maciak Matúš , Závorka Libor , Slavík Ondřej
Published: March 2014

Parasitic species can affect host behaviour in various ways. Freshwater mussels of the superfamilyUnionoidea have a glochidia larva that is parasitic on fish. Our aim was to evaluate whether fish exposed to glochidia have distinct behaviour that could affect the upstream dispersal of the parasite.

Many freshwater mussels are highly endangered, and understanding the relationships with their hosts is important for their conservation. However, research on the behavioural effects of parasitism on fish host activity and/or the upstream dispersal of mussel larvae in nature has received little attention.

Specifically, we examined a fish (the chub,Squalius cephalus) that hosts the larval stage of a freshwater bivalve (Anodonta anatina) and investigated alterations in host behaviour induced by the parasite. One laboratory and two field experiments were conducted using passive integrated transponder systems and radio‐telemetry.

Infected fish were generally less active in the laboratory and, in the field, dispersed less far upstream. Moreover, radio‐telemetry revealed a habitat shift by the infected fish, which were found further from the riverbank.

We suggest that behavioural changes in the fish that are induced by glochidia do not facilitate the long‐distance dispersal of the mussel but rather cause reductions in fish activity and slight habitat shifts. Possible consequences of such behavioural alterations are discussed.
Methane and carbon dioxide emissions from inland waters in India – implications for large scale greenhouse gas balances
Authors: Panneer Selvam Balathandayuthabani , Natchimuthu Sivakiruthika , Arunachalam Lakshmanan , Bastviken David
Published: March 2014

Inland waters were recently recognized to be important sources of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere, and including inland water emissions in large scale greenhouse gas (GHG) budgets may potentially offset the estimated carbon sink in many areas. However, the lack of GHG flux measurements and well‐defined inland water areas for extrapolation, make the magnitude of the potential offset unclear. This study presents coordinated flux measurements of CH4 and CO2 in multiple lakes, ponds, rivers, open wells, reservoirs, springs, and canals in India. All these inland water types, representative of common aquatic ecosystems in India, emitted substantial amounts of CH4 and a major fraction also emitted CO2. The total CH4 flux (including ebullition and diffusion) from all the 45 systems ranged from 0.01 to 52.1 mmol m−2 d−1, with a mean of 7.8 ± 12.7 (mean ± 1 SD) mmol m−2 d−1. The mean surface water CH4 concentration was 3.8 ± 14.5 μm (range 0.03–92.1 μm). The CO2 fluxes ranged from −28.2 to 262.4 mmol m−2 d−1 and the mean flux was 51.9 ± 71.1 mmol m−2 d−1. The mean partial pressure of CO2 was 2927 ± 3269 μatm (range: 400–11 467 μatm). Conservative extrapolation to whole India, considering the specific area of the different water types studied, yielded average emissions of 2.1 Tg CH4 yr−1 and 22.0 Tg CO2 yr−1 from India's inland waters. When expressed as CO2 equivalents, this amounts to 75 Tg CO2 equivalents yr−1 (53–98 Tg CO2 equivalents yr−1; ± 1 SD), with CH4 contributing 71%. Hence, average inland water GHG emissions, which were not previously considered, correspond to 42% (30–55%) of the estimated land carbon sink of India. Thereby this study illustrates the importance of considering inland water GHG exchange in large scale assessments.
An Analysis Platform for Multiscale Hydrogeologic Modeling with Emphasis on Hybrid Multiscale Methods
Authors: Scheibe Timothy D. , Murphy Ellyn M. , Chen Xingyuan , Rice Amy K. , Carroll Kenneth C. , Palmer Bruce J. , Tartakovsky Alexandre M. , Battiato Ilenia , Wood Brian D.
Published: March 2014

One of the most significant challenges faced by hydrogeologic modelers is the disparity between the spatial and temporal scales at which fundamental flow, transport, and reaction processes can best be understood and quantified (e.g., microscopic to pore scales and seconds to days) and at which practical model predictions are needed (e.g., plume to aquifer scales and years to centuries). While the multiscale nature of hydrogeologic problems is widely recognized, technological limitations in computation and characterization restrict most practical modeling efforts to fairly coarse representations of heterogeneous properties and processes. For some modern problems, the necessary level of simplification is such that model parameters may lose physical meaning and model predictive ability is questionable for any conditions other than those to which the model was calibrated. Recently, there has been broad interest across a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines in simulation approaches that more rigorously account for the multiscale nature of systems of interest. In this article, we review a number of such approaches and propose a classification scheme for defining different types of multiscale simulation methods and those classes of problems to which they are most applicable. Our classification scheme is presented in terms of a flowchart (Multiscale Analysis Platform), and defines several different motifs of multiscale simulation. Within each motif, the member methods are reviewed and example applications are discussed. We focus attention on hybrid multiscale methods, in which two or more models with different physics described at fundamentally different scales are directly coupled within a single simulation. Very recently these methods have begun to be applied to groundwater flow and transport simulations, and we discuss these applications in the context of our classification scheme. As computational and characterization capabilities continue to improve, we envision that hybrid multiscale modeling will become more common and also a viable alternative to conventional single‐scale models in the near future.
Mechanism of Brain Tumor Headache
Authors: Taylor Lynne P.
Published: March 2014

Background

Headaches occur commonly in all patients, including those who have brain tumors. Using the search terms “headache and brain tumors,” “intracranial neoplasms and headache,” “facial pain and brain tumors,” “brain neoplasms/pathology,” and “headache/etiology,” we reviewed the literature from the past 78 years on the proposed mechanisms of brain tumor headache, beginning with the work of Penfield.

Findings

Most of what we know about the mechanisms of brain tumor associated headache come from neurosurgical observations from intra‐operative dural and blood vessel stimulation as well as intra‐operative observations and anecdotal information about resolution of headache symptoms with various tumor‐directed therapies.

Conclusion

There is an increasing overlap between the primary and secondary headaches and they may actually share a similar biological mechanism. While there can be some criticism that the experimental work with dural and arterial stimulation produced head pain and not actual headache, when considered with the clinical observations about headache type, coupled with improvement after treatment of the primary tumor, we believe that traction on these structures, coupled with increased intracranial pressure, is clearly part of the genesis of brain tumor headache and may also involve peripheral sensitization with neurogenic inflammation as well as a component of central sensitization through trigeminovascular afferents on the meninges and cranial vessels.
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome After Blood Transfusion
Authors: Dou Yi‐Hsuan , Fuh Jong‐Ling , Chen Shih‐Pin , Wang Shuu‐Jiun
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To report 2 cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) after blood transfusion for severe anemia.

Background

RCVS is presented with recurrent thunderclap headache and reversible constriction of cerebral arteries. PRES is a known complication of RCVS. Blood transfusion for severe anemia could be a cause for PRES in few cases; however, it is seldom mentioned as an etiology for RCVS.

Methods

We report a case series.

Results

We report 2 women presented with RCVS with PRES after blood transfusion for anemia, and reviewed another 4 similar cases reported in the literature. Our 2 patients were middle‐aged women, with severe chronic anemia (average hemoglobin: 1.45 g/dL), and received multiple blood transfusions (average: 3250 mL) over a period of 5‐7 days. They developed thunderclap headache and other symptoms about 1 week after the last blood transfusion. Cerebral vasoconstrictions were demonstrated by magnetic resonance angiography and transcranial color‐coded sonography. PRES was found in both of them using magnetic resonance imaging, and one of them also had cytotoxic edema on diffusion weighted image.

Conclusions

RCVS with PRES is one complication of blood transfusion in patients under chronic severe anemia (especially when hemoglobin level increased for more than 5 g/dL), particularly in Asian women with menorrhagia. Blood pressure surge and the occurrence of severe headaches or other neurological symptoms should be aggressively monitored within 10 days after the last blood transfusion.
Immigrants in Azerbaijan: Current Situation and Prospects of (Re)integration Policy
Authors: Rumyantsev Sergey
Published: March 2014

“Our identity is at once plural and partial.Sometimes we feel that we straddle two cultures;At other times, that we fall between two stools.”
Salman Rushdie

The integration problems of immigrants in the post‐Soviet Azerbaijan have not been the focus of researchers' attention. The present article fills this gap. I classify immigrants into three groups: 1) natives of Azerbaijan (re‐emigrants) and their family members; 2) ethnics from Georgia; 3) labour immigrants from different countries, who arrive to Azerbaijan to look for a job or to open their own business. I examine the social resources and practices used by immigrants to support their integration, in the absence of state integration policy. I conclude that the main resource is each immigrant's personal social capital, based on networks. These networks are transnational in their nature. Immigrants build up and integrate in this kind of transnational network, as well as in the transnational spaces of the capital of Azerbaijan (Baku), where the vast majority of them reside after they move to the country.
General medicine advanced training: lessons from the John Hunter training programme
Authors: Jackel D. , Attia J. , Pickles R.
Published: March 2014

Recent years have seen a rapid growth in the number of advanced trainees pursuing general medicine as a specialty. This reflects an awareness of the need for broader training experiences to equip future consultant physicians with the skills to manage the healthcare challenges arising from the demographic trends of ageing and increasing comorbidity. The John Hunter Hospital training programme in general medicine has several characteristics that have led to the success in producing general physicians prepared for these challenges. These include support from a core group of committed general physicians, an appropriate and sustainable funding model, flexibility with a focus on genuine training and developing awareness of a systems approach, and strong links with rural practice.
Left atrial appendage occlusion with the Watchman device in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and intolerance of all forms of anticoagulation due to hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Authors: Spina R. , Gunalingam B.
Published: March 2014

An elderly woman presented to our attention because of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular events requiring systemic anticoagulation and a concomitant, serious bleeding diathesis (the Osler‐Weber‐Rendu syndrome, or hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia). Her risk of suffering a major stroke was significant given a CHA2DS2VASc score of 6. However, she was unable to tolerate any form of anticoagulation because of torrential epistaxis and previous gastrointestinal haemorrhage on antiplatelet therapy. We proceeded with percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage with a Watchman device. Ten months post‐procedure she is well, without recurrence of neurological symptoms, and off all forms of anticoagulation. The current internationally accepted practice post‐deployment of the Watchman device mandates warfarin transition for 6 months to allow for endothelialisation of the device. However, there is no evidence in the literature to support left atrial appendage occlusion without any peri‐procedural antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy and therefore our case represents novel and important anecdotal evidence that secondary stroke prevention with left atrial appendage occlusion may be effective and safe even in patients who cannot tolerate any form of anticoagulation at all.
Incidence and Risk of Sorafenib‐Induced Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Yan , Li Shun , Zhu Yaofeng , Liang Xinyue , Meng Hui , Chen Jun , Zhang Dongqing , Guo Hu , Shi Benkang
Published: March 2014

Hypertension is one of the major side effects of sorafenib, and reported incidences vary substantially among clinical trials. A systematic review was conducted using Medline, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for all longitudinal studies to investigate the incidence and risk of hypertension events in cancer patients treated with sorafenib. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials and 39 prospective single‐arm trials involving 13,555 patients were selected for the meta‐analysis. The relative risk of all‐grade and high‐grade hypertension associated with sorafenib were 3.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05–4.60; P<.01) and 3.31 (95% CI, 2.21–4.95; P<.01), respectively. The overall incidence of sorafenib‐induced all‐grade and high‐grade hypertension were 19.1% (95% CI, 15.8%–22.4%) and 4.3% (95% CI, 3.0%–5.5%), respectively. A significantly higher incidence of hypertension was noted in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) compared with those with non‐RCC malignancies (all‐grade: 24.9% [95% CI, 19.7%–30.1%] vs 15.7% [95% CI, 12.1%–19.3%]; P<.05; high‐grade:8.6% [95% CI, 6.0%–11.2%] vs 1.8% [95% CI, 0.9%–2.6%]; P<.05). The trials with median progression‐free survival (PFS) longer than 5.3 months (mean PFS) demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of high‐grade hypertension than trials with shorter PFS (6.3% [95% CI, 4.1%–8.5%] vs 2.6% [95% CI, 1.4%–3.8%]; P<.05). Findings of the meta‐analysis indicated a significantly high risk of sorafenib‐induced hypertension. Patients with RCC have a significantly higher incidence of hypertension and the occurrence of hypertension may be associated with improved prognosis.
Sex‐Specific Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Tziomalos Konstantinos , Giampatzis Vasilios , Baltatzi Maria , Efthymiou Elias , Psianou Konstantia , Papastergiou Natalia , Magkou Dimitra , Bougatsa Vagia , Savopoulos Christos , Hatzitolios Apostolos I.
Published: March 2014

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiovascular risk factors are frequently undertreated in women. However, it is unclear whether the prevalence of additional cardiovascular risk factors and the total cardiovascular risk differ between hypertensive men and women. There are also limited data regarding rates of blood pressure control in the two sexes outside the United States. The authors aimed to compare the cardiovascular risk profile between sexes. A total of 1810 hypertensive patients (40.4% men, age 56.5±13.5 years) attending the hypertension outpatient clinic of our department were studied. Men were more frequently smokers than women and were more heavy smokers than the latter. Serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower and serum triglyceride levels were higher in men. On the other hand, abdominal obesity and chronic kidney disease were more prevalent in women. The estimated cardiovascular risk was higher in men than in women but the prevalence of established CVD did not differ between the sexes. The percentage of patients with controlled hypertension and the number of antihypertensive medications were similar in men and women. In conclusion, hypertensive men have more adverse cardiovascular risk factor profile and greater estimated cardiovascular risk than women. However, the prevalence of established CVD does not differ between sexes. These findings further reinforce current guidelines that recommend that management of hypertension and of other cardiovascular risk factors should be as aggressive in women as in men in order to prevent cardiovascular events.
Recurrence of drug‐induced reactions in DRESS patients
Authors: Picard D. , Vellar M. , Janela B. , Roussel A. , Joly P. , Musette P.
Published: March 2014

Background

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) may relapse following introduction of drugs structurally unrelated to the initial culprit drug.

Objective

To assess the frequency and characteristics of recurrent drug eruptions in patients with history of DRESS.

Methods

Patients who had developed adverse cutaneous reaction after DRESS occurrence were recruited from the regional database of Upper Normandy in France. Rate of recurrences were compared with patients with Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) patients during the same time frame.

Results

Of the 60 cases of DRESS collected, 15 (25%) with recurrences were retained for analysis. Seven patients had a single recurrence, whereas eight patients had several relapses. In the patients with pre‐existing DRESS, recurrences were incomplete, corresponding to cutaneous rash in 13 cases and associated with eosinophilia in seven cases. Internal organ involvement was observed in two cases. In contrast, a single recurrence was found out of 61 patients with TEN/SJS.

Conclusion

Incomplete recurrences with structurally unrelated culprit drugs are a frequent phenomenon in DRESS patients.
Allometric relationship between body mass and aerobic metabolism in zebrafish Danio rerio
Authors: Lucas J. , Schouman A. , Lyphout L. , Cousin X. , Lefrancois C.
Published: March 2014

The relationship between body mass (M) and metabolic rate was investigated through the assessment of active (RA) and standard (RS) metabolic rate at different life stages in zebrafish Danio rerio (5 day‐old larvae, 2 month‐old juveniles and 6 month‐old adults). Scaling exponents and constants were assessed for standard (RS = 0·273M0·965 in mgO2 g−1 h−1) and active metabolic rate (RA = 0·799M0·926 in mgO2 g−1 h−1). These data provide the basis for further experiments regarding the effects of environmental factors on aerobic metabolism throughout the life cycle of this species.
Oxygen consumption and haematology of juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum during an acute 24 h saltwater challenge
Authors: Penny F. M. , Kieffer J. D.
Published: March 2014

This study focused on the acute physiological responses to saltwater exposure in juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum. In two separate laboratory experiments, 2 year‐old A. brevirostrum were exposed to either full (32) or half‐strength (16) seawater for up to 24 h. First, oxygen consumption rates were used to estimate the metabolic costs over 24 h. Secondly, blood and muscle samples were analysed at 6, 12 and 24 h for water loss, various measures of osmoregulatory status (plasma osmolality and ions) and other standard haematological variables. Juveniles exposed to full‐strength seawater showed significant decreases in oxygen consumption rates during the 24 h exposure. Furthermore, seawater‐exposed fish had significantly increased plasma osmolality, ions (Na+ and Cl−) and a 17% decrease in total wet mass over the 24 h exposure period. To a lesser extent, increases in osmolality, ions and mass loss were observed in fish exposed to half‐strength seawater but no changes to oxygen consumption. Cortisol was also significantly increased in fish exposed to full‐strength seawater. While plasma protein was elevated following 24 h in full‐strength seawater, haemoglobin, haematocrit and plasma glucose levels did not change with increased salinity. These results imply an inability of juvenile A. brevirostrum to regulate water and ions in full‐strength seawater within 24 h. Nonetheless, no mortality occurred in any exposure, suggesting that juvenile A. brevirostrum can tolerate short periods in saline environments.
SPECULATIVE TRADING IN REITS
Authors: Blau Benjamin M. , Whitby Ryan J.
Published: March 2014

The recent extremes in the real estate economic cycle have created an ideal setting to investigate the role of speculative trading. Specifically, we focus on speculative trading in real estate investment trusts (REITs) during the recent boom and bust in real estate. Although we find a strong relation between speculative trading in REITs and the economic cycle, we do not find evidence that speculative trading is related to future returns. Our results suggest that although increased speculative trading is apparent in REITs during the boom years, the level of speculative trading in REITs does not appear to affect the quality of markets at large.
Alpacas fed calcium propionate seem to moderate their energy intake
Authors: Lund K. E. , Milton J. T. B. , Maloney S. K. , Blache D.
Published: March 2014

Alpacas have evolved digestive and metabolic adaptations that enable them to survive in environments where the available feed varies in nutritional quality. Alpacas are thought to derive glucose from the deamination of amino acids in the liver, rather than via the conversion of propionate like true ruminants. Because fibre growth is dependent on the availability of absorbed amino acids, alpacas using amino acids as a source of energy should leave less amino acids available for fibre growth. If alpacas were to obtain glucose from a source of propionate, such as calcium propionate, the dependence on amino acids would be reduced leaving more available for fibre growth. Calcium propionate was added to the ration fed to 32 alpaca wethers, and fibre production was measured to monitor important fibre attributes in response to calcium propionate. Although the diets supplemented with calcium propionate should have provided more energy than the diets without calcium propionate, the metabolisable energy intake of all animals was similar (p = 0.278). It seems that rather than sparing amino acids, the alpacas regulated their energy intake and refused to consume the additional energy offered as calcium propionate. Consequently, they produced less fibre, and the diameter of their fibre was smaller than those alpacas that were not fed calcium propionate. It seems that alpacas rely on their digestive and metabolic adaptations to efficiently obtain and conserve energy for their survival.
The Efficacy of PDE5 Inhibitors Alone or in Combination with Alpha-Blockers for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yan Huilei , Zong Huantao , Cui Yuanshan , Li Nan , Zhang Yong
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are both highly prevalent in aging men. Alpha-blockers and PDE-5 inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of LUTS/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and ED.

Aim

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors alone or in combination with alpha-blockers for the treatment of ED and LUTS.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register of Controlled Trials, and the Chinese Biological Medical Database were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that referred to the use of a combination of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers for the treatment of ED and LUTS associated with BPH. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

Main Outcome Measures

International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the maximum flow rate (Qmax), and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) domain score were used in this meta-analysis.

Results

Seven publications involving 515 patients were included in the meta-analysis. In the analysis, we found significantly improved IIEF, IPSS, and Qmax values in the combination use group compared with the use of PDE5 inhibitors alone (P = 0.04, 0.004, 0.007, respectively).

Conclusions

The combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers results in additive favorable effects in men with ED and LUTS suggestive of BPH compared with PDE5 inhibitor monotherapy. The alpha-blockers may enhance the efficacy of the PDE5 inhibitors, which is beneficial for the treatment of ED and LUTS.
Milk composition and lactation strategy of a eusocial mammal, the naked mole‐rat
Authors: Hood W. R. , Kessler D. S. , Oftedal O. T.
Published: March 2014

The reproductive female, or queen, in a eusocial colony must allocate sufficient nutrients to reproduction to maintain a high rate of reproductive output. In mammals, the energetic costs of lactation greatly exceed those of pregnancy, and thus, lactation should be exceptionally costly for a eusocial queen, such as the naked mole‐rat Heterocephalus glaber. We predicted that naked mole‐rat milk would be energy‐ and nutrient‐dense. Naked mole‐rat milk averaged 17.2% dry matter, 4.5% fat, 4.8% protein, 5.7% sugar and 1.1% ash; and per gram contained 3.0 mg calcium, 1.1 mg phosphorus, 0.44 mg magnesium and 0.54 mg potassium. Other than elevated protein and low sugar in colostrum, the composition of milk did not change over the course of lactation. Naked mole‐rats not only had the lowest energy content of milk (3.9 kJ g−1) reported for any rodent but also appeared to be an outlier from a trend for milk dry matter, fat and energy concentrations to be inversely related to body mass in rodents. The dilute nature of naked mole‐rat milk indicates that an unusually large amount of milk (equivalent to about half of body mass) must be produced daily to sustain the energy needs of an average litter (12 young). Sustaining high water throughput during lactation may be necessary to meet expected water needs of the offspring but may limit the queen to foods that are high in moisture. The concentrations of macrominerals in milk were within the range described for other rodents, except that the Ca : P ratio of milk (2.8:1) was unusually high. Given a lifespan that can exceed 30 years, large average litter size and several litters per year, the lifetime lactation output of a mole‐rat queen must be phenomenal and warrants further study.
Selection and spatial arrangement of rest sites within northern tamandua home ranges
Authors: Brown D. D. , Montgomery R. A. , Millspaugh J. J. , Jansen P. A. , Garzon‐Lopez C. X. , Kays R.
Published: March 2014

The distribution of suitable rest sites is considered to be a key determinant of spatial patterns in animal activity. However, it is not immediately evident which landscape features satisfy rest site requirements or how these sites are configured within the home range. We used Global Positioning System (GPS)/accelerometer telemetry to investigate rest site selection at the home‐range scale for northern tamanduasTamandua mexicanaonBarroColoradoIsland (BCI),Panama. We developed models specifying each tamandua as the individual experimental unit and averaged coefficients to produce population‐level estimates. Tamanduas had on average 17.8 (± 8.1) rest sites within their home range and used 1.36 (± 0.51) on any given day. These rest sites tended to be located in the core of tamandua home ranges, with active locations associated with the periphery of the home range. Rest sites were positively associated with (1) a high density ofAttalea butyraceapalm trees; (2) elevation; (3) tall vegetation. There was a slight negative relationship between the distribution of rest sites and slope, and no apparent relationship between rest site selection and relative distance to forest canopy gaps. From focal animal observations, we identified that tamandua rest sites were typically located in trees (90%), with 25% (12 of 49) occurring in palms. We contend that northern tamanduas onBCIselected vegetated arboreal rest sites because of reduced likelihood of detection from terrestrial predators in these sites. Our models identified considerable individual variation in rest site selection, which suggests that the practice of pooling individuals and fitting models at an aggregate level may be inappropriate for certain types of habitat selection research.
Trichophyton verrucosum infection in cattle farms of Umbria (Central Italy) and transmission to humans
Authors: Agnetti Francesco , Righi Cecilia , Scoccia Eleonora , Felici Andrea , Crotti Silvia , Moretta Iolanda , Moretti Annabella , Maresca Carmen , Troiani Lucas , Papini Manuela
Published: March 2014

Trichophyton verrucosum is the most common ringworm agent in cattle. Epidemiology of cattle dermatophytoses in Central Italy is not clear. Its diffusion among cattle and herdsmen was investigated in 20 Umbrian farms, Central Italy. Hairs and scales were taken from 395 animals and 31 workers. Typical ringworm was present in 71.7% of cattle under 6 months and in 11% of animals over 6 months. T. verrucosum was isolated from 98.9% of symptomatic heads and was the most prevalent dermatophyte in all herds investigated (isolated in 18 of the 20 farms). T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was found in 16 symptomatic and in eight asymptomatic young animals. Prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of both species was significantly higher in young heads (21.1% vs. 8.1%) and the age below 6 months was the only statistically significant risk factor associated with dermatophytosis. About the workers, all the 14 men with lesions were positive for T. verrucosum; copresence of T. verrucosum and Microsporum gypseum was noticed in one case. Results indicate a high diffusion of T. verrucosum among both animals and humans in Umbrian farms and confirm the dermatophyte infection as a public health problem. Periodic epidemiological surveys, treatment of sick livestock and workers, cleaning/sanitisation of herds and vaccination programmes may be useful in controlling the infection.
Plant‐derived recombinant immune complexes as self‐adjuvanting TB immunogens for mucosal boosting of BCG
Authors: Pepponi Ilaria , Diogo Gil R. , Stylianou Elena , van Dolleweerd Craig J. , Drake Pascal M. W. , Paul Matthew J. , Sibley Laura , Ma Julian K.‐C. , Reljic Rajko
Published: March 2014

Progress with protein‐based tuberculosis (TB) vaccines has been limited by poor availability of adjuvants suitable for human application. Here, we developed and tested a novel approach to molecular engineering of adjuvanticity that circumvents the need for exogenous adjuvants. Thus, we generated and expressed in transgenic tobacco plants the recombinant immune complexes (RICs) incorporating the early secreted Ag85B and the latency‐associated Acr antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, genetically fused as a single polypeptide to the heavy chain of a monoclonal antibody to Acr. The RICs were formed by virtue of the antibody binding to Acr from adjacent molecules, thus allowing self‐polymerization of the complexes. TB‐RICs were purified from the plant extracts and shown to be biologically active by demonstrating that they could bind to C1q component of the complement and also to the surface of antigen‐presenting cells. Mice immunized with BCG and then boosted with two intranasal immunizations with TB‐RICs developed antigen‐specific serum IgG antibody responses with mean end‐point titres of 1 : 8100 (Acr) and 1 : 24 300 (Ag85B) and their splenocytes responded to in vitro stimulation by producing interferon gamma. 25% of CD4+ proliferating cells simultaneously produced IFN‐γ, IL‐2 and TNF‐α, a phenotype that has been linked with protective immune responses in TB. Importantly, mucosal boosting of BCG‐immunized mice with TB‐RICs led to a reduced M. tuberculosis infection in their lungs from log10 mean = 5.69 ± 0.1 to 5.04 ± 0.2, which was statistically significant. We therefore propose that the plant‐expressed TB‐RICs represent a novel molecular platform for developing self‐adjuvanting mucosal vaccines.
Introgression of useful genes from Thinopyrum intermedium to wheat for improvement of bread‐making quality
Authors: Garg Monika , Yanaka Mikiko , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Tsujimoto Hisashi
Published: March 2014

To study the influence of genes from Thinopyrum intermedium on traits affecting the bread‐making quality of wheat, two derivatives from a putative disomic addition line in cultivar ‘Vilmorin 27’ were used in cytological, biochemical and molecular characterization. Cytological analysis suggested that one of the derivatives (Line‐1) had a terminal deletion involving the long arm of chromosome 1D (2n = 42, Del‐1DL”), and the other (Line‐2) was a conventional addition line, but also carried the same deletion on chromosome 1D (2n = 44, Thi”+Del‐1DL”). Amplification and sequencing of high‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunit (HMW‐GS) genes coded by the Th. intermedium chromosome in Line‐2 indicated the presence of one x‐type with an extra cysteine and four (rather than one) unique y‐type genes. Rheological studies of Line‐1 showed significantly lower dough strength compared to ‘Vilmorin 27’, confirming the recognized role of Glu‐1D coded HMW‐GSs. Line‐2 showed significantly higher dough strength compared to the background cultivar, indicating a significant potential of Th. intermedium for improvement of bread‐making quality in wheat.
Role of physical activity in bone health in peripubertal boys
Authors: Ivuškāns Arturs , Jürimäe Toivo , Lätt Evelin , Jürimäe Jaak , Purge Priit , Saar Meeli , Maasalu Katre , Mäestu Jarek
Published: March 2014

Background

The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to investigate the relationship of physical activity level to bone mineral parameters in 11–13‐year‐old boys.

Methods

In total, 264 boys, divided into normal weight (n = 154) and overweight (n = 110), participated in this study. Physical activity was measured via 7 day accelerometry and bone mineral parameters using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results

In overweight boys, vigorous physical activity was associated with total bone mineral density (BMD), total bone mineral content (BMC), while moderate–vigorous physical activity MVPA was associated with femoral neck BMD. In normal weight boys, however, only vigorous physical activity was associated with femoral neck BMD. When the normal weight group was divided into tertiles according to MVPA, femoral neck BMD was higher in the highest tertile compared to the lowest tertile. No other significant differences were found in bone mineral parameters according to the tertiles of MVPA.

Conclusions

In overweight peripubertal boys, physical activity is more associated with bone mineral parameters compared to normal weight subjects. In addition to vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity has a significant impact on bone mineral parameters in overweight subjects.
The Tranquil Meditator: Representing Buddhism and Buddhists in US Popular Media
Authors: Mitchell Scott A.
Published: March 2014

From Buddha statues in home decor to meditating figures in advertising, film, and television, images of Buddhism proliferate in US popular media. This paper reflects on the relative lack of sustained critical examinations of these representations while offering an approach to future studies based, in part, on Jane Iwamura's Virtual Orientalism. An iconographic approach to Buddhism in media can help the researcher identify recurring tropes and their implicit meanings across a wide range of media and point toward emerging trends in the development of Buddhism in Western cultural contexts.

Video abstract (click to view)
The evidence base for non‐CF bronchiectasis is finally evolving
Authors: Serisier David J.
Published: March 2014

See article, page 321
Mucositis not neutropenia determines bacteremia among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Herbers A.H.E. , de Haan A.F.J. , van der Velden W.J.F.M. , Donnelly J.P. , Blijlevens N.M.A.
Published: March 2014

Background

In the 1960s, it was reported that infectious complications were the main cause of fever during neutropenia that followed hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). More recently, mucositis has become recognized as an important determinant of the inflammatory response and infectious complications.

Methods

The objective of this prospective study was to determine the impact of intestinal mucositis, as measured by plasma citrulline, and neutropenia on the systemic inflammatory response (C‐reactive protein) and the occurrence of bacteremia among 2 cohorts of HSCT recipients: 1 composed of 18 patients who had been treated with a myeloablative (MA) regimen (high‐dose melphalan) and the other involving 19 patients who had received the non‐myeloablative (NMA) regimen (fludarabine and cyclophosphamide). Blood cultures were obtained for surveillance from admission onwards as well as at the onset of fever.

Results

The MA regimen induced severe intestinal mucositis manifest by citrullinemia <10 μmol/L, which was accompanied by an inflammatory response, and bacteremia affected 8 (44%) of 18 patients and coincided with the nadir of citrullinemia. By contrast, those who had been treated with the NMA regimen did not develop severe intestinal mucositis, had a moderate inflammatory response, and only 2 (11%) of the 19 patients developed bacteremia. However, both groups experienced profound neutropenia and its duration was significantly longer for those receiving the NMA regimen.

Conclusion

This study suggests that severe intestinal mucositis, i.e., citrullinemia <10 μmol/L, defines the period of risk of bacteremia better than does neutropenia, and that measuring plasma citrulline may prove useful in deciding who needs empirical antimicrobial therapy and when.
Competition between Imperata cylindrica and maize in the forest savannah transition zone of Nigeria
Authors: Chikoye D , Ekeleme F , Lum A F , Udensi U E
Published: March 2014

Imperata cylindrica is a noxious weed that infests annual and perennial crops in most tropical regions. High crop densities may offer opportunities to reduce I. cylindrica competition in small‐scale farming systems. The competitive ability of maize relative to I. cylindrica was evaluated in an addition series experiment in the forest savannah transition zone in 2006 and 2007 at Ibadan, Nigeria. Maize and I. cylindrica were planted in eight monoculture densities (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 48 and 64 plants m−2) and in a 1:1 mixture at eight total densities (2:2, 4:4, 6:6, 8:8, 10:10, 16:16, 24:24 and 32:32 maize: I. cylindrica plants m−2) as in monoculture. Non‐linear regression models were used to relate crop and weed shoot biomass to their densities and total grain yield to maize density. In maize, intraspecific competition was more than interspecific competition; in I. cylindrica, interspecific competition was higher than intraspecific. As expected, total grain yield was lower in the mixture than in maize monoculture at all total densities. Average maize grain yield in maize monoculture differed from that in mixtures by 0.77 t ha−1 in 2006 and 0.57 t ha−1 in 2007. Niche differentiation indices were <1 in 2006 and >1 in 2007, indicating that both species competed for similar resources in 2006, but not in 2007. The greater competitive ability of maize over I. cylindrica may be associated with rapid growth and canopy development observed in the field.
Comparative effectiveness of a bilayered living cellular construct and a porcine collagen wound dressing in the treatment of venous leg ulcers
Authors: Marston William A. , Sabolinski Michael L. , Parsons Nathan B. , Kirsner Robert S.
Published: March 2014

Using data from a national wound‐specific electronic medical record (WoundExpert, Net Health, Pittsburgh, PA), we compared the effectiveness of a bilayered living cellular construct (BLCC) and an acellular porcine small intestine submucosa collagen dressing (SIS) for the treatment of venous leg ulcer. Data from 1,489 patients with 1,801 refractory venous leg ulcers (as defined by failure to have >40% reduction in size in the 4 weeks prior to treatment) with surface areas between 1 and 150 cm2 in size, treated between July 2009 and July 2012 at 158 wound care facilities across the US were analyzed. Patient baseline demographics and wound characteristics were comparable between groups. Kaplan‐Meier–derived estimates of wound closure for BLCC (1,451 wounds) was significantly greater (p = 0.01, log‐rank test) by weeks 12 (31% vs. 26%), 24 (50% vs. 41%), and 36 (61% vs. 46%), respectively, compared with SIS (350 wounds). BLCC treatment reduced the median time to wound closure by 44%, achieving healing 19 weeks sooner (24 vs. 43 weeks, p = 0.01, log‐rank test). Treatment with BLCC increased the probability of healing by 29% compared with porcine SIS dressing (hazard ratio = 1.29 [95% confidence interval 1.06, 1.56], p = 0.01).