bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stages of life: A new metaphysics of conceptionism
Authors: Efird David , Holland Stephen
Published: January 2019

When a human being comes into existence is crucial in bioethics. Conceptionism is the view that a human being comes into existence at conception. The twinning argument is an influential objection to this view. All versions of the twinning argument rely on a metaphysics of material objects, namely, endurantism. Given this, a strategy for defending conceptionism against the twinning argument is to deny endurantism and adopt an alternative metaphysics of material objects. A version of this strategy which has been debated in this journal is to adopt perdurantism, or the ‘multiple occupancy view’, on which monozygotic twins share the zygote region as a temporal part. We present a novel version of this strategy: conceptionists can evade the twinning argument by adopting an exdurantist metaphysics of material objects. We suggest reasons for thinking that this is a plausible and, indeed, preferable way for conceptionists to avoid the twinning argument.
Unlocking data: Where is the key?
Authors: C. Sánchez María , Sarría‐Santamera Antonio
Published: January 2019

Health‐related data uses and data sharing have been in the spotlight for a while. Since the beginning of the big data era, massive data mining and its inherent possibilities have only increased the debate about what the limits are. Data governance is a relevant aspect addressed in ethics guidelines. In this context, the European project BRIDGE Health (BRidging Information and Data Generation for Evidence‐based Health policy and research) strove to achieve a comprehensive, integrated and sustainable EU health‐information system.

One of the aims of the project was to evaluate the requirements to construct a data‐linkage infrastructure for the secure management of health information. In a blueprint provided for this infrastructure, the topics ethics and the intimately related governance occupied a whole section, where the recent ethics guidelines by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and the World Medical Association (WMA) were referenced.

We explore what has changed in the latest versions of the ethics documents adopted by CIOMS and WMA regarding the management of health data and human tissues, the appropriateness of their application in new forms of research and infrastructures as the proposed in the BRIDGE Health project, and whether society should be so concerned about this topic, in the digital era of social exchange.
Expressivity in children's drawings of themselves for adult audiences with varied authority and familiarity
Authors: Burkitt Esther , Watling Dawn , Message Hannah
Published: January 2019

This study investigated whether children's expressive drawings of themselves vary as a function of audience authority and familiarity. One hundred and seventy‐five children, 85 boys and 90 girls, aged between 8 years 1 months and 9 years 2 months (M = 8 years 5 months) were allocated into seven groups: a reference group (n = 25), where no audience was specified, and six audience groups (n = 25 per group) varying by audience type (policeman vs. teacher vs. man) and familiarity (familiar vs. unfamiliar). They drew baseline then happy and sad drawings of themselves, rated affect towards drawings type, and rated perceived audience authority. Audience familiarity and authority impacted expressive drawing strategy use and this varied by gender. There was higher overall expressive strategy use for happy drawings and for girls, and influences of affect type, familiarity, and authority were found. The implications of children's perceptions of audience type on their expressive drawings are discussed.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Children vary their happy and sad expressive drawings for familiar peer and adult audiences.

They show more positive expressivity to familiar peer and adult audiences.

Children perceive authority differently depending on professional roles.

What does this study add?

Children's expressive drawings differ depending on audience familiarity and professional role.

Greater expressivity for familiar than unfamiliar audiences, with difference varying by perceived authority.

For policemen, boys showed more sad expression when unfamiliar and girls showed more happy expression when familiar.
Highlighted mechanistic aspects in the chemical biology of reactive sulfur species
Authors: Nagy Péter , Schwarz Günter , Kopriva Stanislav
Published: January 2019

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Chemical Biology of Reactive Sulfur Species. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.4/issuetoc
Reading and Spelling Development Across Languages Varying in Orthographic Consistency: Do Their Paths Cross?
Authors: Georgiou George K. , Torppa Minna , Landerl Karin , Desrochers Alain , Manolitsis George , de Jong Peter F. , Parrila Rauno
Published: January 2019

We examined the cross‐lagged relations between reading and spelling in five alphabetic orthographies varying in consistency (English, French, Dutch, German, and Greek). Nine hundred and forty‐one children were followed from Grade 1 to Grade 2 and were tested on word and pseudoword reading fluency and on spelling to dictation. Results indicated that the relations across languages were unidirectional: Earlier reading predicted subsequent spelling. However, we also found significant differences between languages in the strength of the effects of earlier reading on subsequent spelling. These findings suggest that, once children master decoding, the observed differences between languages are not related to the direction of the effects but to the strength of the effects from reading to spelling. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Abnormal composition of gut microbiota contributes to delirium‐like behaviors after abdominal surgery in mice
Authors: Zhang Jie , Bi Jiang‐Jiang , Guo Guo‐Jun , Yang Ling , Zhu Bin , Zhan Gao‐Feng , Li Shan , Huang Nian‐Nian , Hashimoto Kenji , Yang Chun , Luo Ai‐Lin
Published: January 2019

Aims

Anesthesia and surgery can cause delirium‐like symptoms postoperatively. Increasing evidence suggests that gut microbiota is a physiological regulator of the brain. Herein, we investigated whether gut microbiota plays a role in postoperative delirium (POD).

Methods

Mice were separated into non‐POD and POD phenotypes after abdominal surgery by applying hierarchical clustering analysis to behavioral tests. Fecal samples were collected, and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed to detect differences in gut microbiota composition among sham, non‐POD, and POD mice. Fecal bacteria from non‐POD and POD mice were transplanted into antibiotics‐induced pseudo‐germ‐free mice to investigate the effects on behaviors.

Results

α‐diversity and β‐diversity indicated differences in gut microbiota composition between the non‐POD and POD mice. At the phylum level, the non‐POD mice had significantly higher levels of Tenericutes, which were not detected in the POD mice. At the class level, levels of Gammaproteobacteria were higher in the POD mice, whereas the non‐POD mice had significantly higher levels of Mollicutes, which were not detected in the POD mice. A total of 20 gut bacteria differed significantly between the POD and non‐POD mice. Interestingly, the pseudo‐germ‐free mice showed abnormal behaviors prior to transplant. The pseudo‐germ‐free mice that received fecal bacteria transplants from non‐POD mice but not from POD mice showed improvements in behaviors.

Conclusions

Abnormal gut microbiota composition after abdominal surgery may contribute to the development of POD. A therapeutic strategy that targets gut microbiota could provide a novel alterative for POD treatment.
Life‐history traits and the fate of translocated populations
Authors: Ducatez Simon , Shine Rick
Published: January 2019

Attempts to identify predictors and mechanisms of invasion success have been weakened by poor data quality, mostly because monitoring does not begin immediately after introduction events. To overcome this issue, we used data from conservation translocations of threatened bird species. We analyzed information on >1200 translocation events of >150 bird species to investigate how life‐history traits affect population establishment measured based on rates of survival and reproduction. Species position along the slow–fast life‐history continuum was a key predictor of translocation success. Species with fast‐paced life histories were less likely to survive (over both short‐ and mid‐term) and more likely to breed successfully than species with slow life histories. The temporal partitioning of reproductive effort (number of clutches per year) also affected the probability of successful reproduction. Our results illustrate how conservation‐motivated reintroduction programs can provide proxies for the initial stages of the invasion process, enabling empirical tests of predictions from life‐history theory and informing management.
Filaggrin gene mutations in hand eczema patients in the Indian subcontinent: A prospective case‐control study
Authors: Handa Sanjeev , Khullar Geeti , Pal Arnab , Kamboj Parul , De Dipankar
Published: January 2019

Background

There are no Indian studies on the association between filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations and any dermatosis, including hand eczema.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of FLG mutations in Indian hand eczema patients, and examine associations between such mutations and any aetiological type of hand eczema.

Materials and Methods

A total of 163 patients and 86 controls were included. Patients were categorized into aetiological subtypes of hand eczema. FLG polymorphisms (S2889X, 2282del4, R501X, and Q2417X) were determined in patients and controls, and correlated with subtypes.

Results

The prevalences of FLG mutations were 33.7% in cases and 3.5% in controls. Mutations in S2889X constituted 96.4% of all FLG mutations. No carrier of R501X and Q2417X mutations was identified. Among 55 patients with mutations, irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) with or without atopy was found in 22 patients, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) with or without atopy was found in 12, and idiopathic hand eczema was found in 12. There was a significant association of FLG mutations with ICD with or without atopy, ACD without atopy, and idiopathic subtypes. FLG mutations were associated with more severe hand eczema.

Conclusions

S2889X mutation is commoner in patients than in controls. FLG polymorphisms are associated with specific subtypes of hand eczema and severe disease.
Does In Vitro Cytochrome P450 Downregulation Translate to In Vivo Drug‐Drug Interactions? Preclinical and Clinical Studies With 13‐cis‐Retinoic Acid
Authors: Stevison Faith , Kosaka Mika , Kenny Jane R. , Wong Susan , Hogarth Cathryn , Amory John K. , Isoherranen Nina
Published: January 2019

All‐trans‐retinoic acid (atRA) downregulates cytochrome P450 (CYP)2D6 in several model systems. The aim of this study was to determine whether all active retinoids downregulate CYP2D6 and whether in vitro downregulation translates to in vivo drug–drug interactions (DDIs). The retinoids atRA, 13cisRA, and 4‐oxo‐13cisRA all decreased CYP2D6 mRNA in human hepatocytes in a concentration‐dependent manner. The in vitro data predicted ~ 50% decrease in CYP2D6 activity in humans after dosing with 13cisRA. However, the geometric mean area under plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) ratio for dextromethorphan between treatment and control was 0.822, indicating a weak induction of dextromethorphan clearance following 13cisRA treatment. Similarly, in mice treatment with 4‐oxo‐13cisRA–induced mRNA expression of multiple mouse Cyp2d genes. In comparison, a weak induction of CYP3A4 in human hepatocytes translated to a weak in vivo induction of CYP3A4. These data suggest that in vitro CYP downregulation may not translate to in vivo DDIs, and better understanding of the mechanisms of CYP downregulation is needed.
Rare, risky, recurrent: An enigmatic cutaneous polyp
Authors: Singh Ashok , Brar Rupinder K. , Dey Biswajit , Nigam Jitendra , Deshpande Archana
Published: January 2019

Myxofibrosarcomas (MFSs) are sarcomas most commonly seen in older patients. These are tumors of deep soft tissue seen in subcutaneous tissue and deep fascia, with frequent muscle involvement. These sarcomas are notorious for recurrences and progression to a higher grade with notable metastatic potential. They are very often under‐diagnosed owing to their inherent morphological variability. A case of MFS is presented as a cutaneous, exophytic, polypoidal mass because of its rarity and importance of timely diagnosis, as under‐diagnosis may lead to inadequate clearance of tumor, recurrences, metastases and increased mortality.
Impact of examining additional deeper sections on the pathological diagnosis of endoscopically resected early gastric cancer
Authors: Kumei Shinsuke , Nakayama Toshiyuki , Watanabe Tatsuyuki , Kumamoto Keiichiro , Noguchi Hirotsugu , Shibata Michihiko , Kume Keiichiro , Yoshikawa Ichiro , Harada Masaru
Published: January 2019

Objectives

The pathological diagnosis of endoscopically resected early gastric cancer (EGC) is performed by evaluating a few representative sections from the specimen. We aimed to determine whether evaluating twice as many sections as usual by essentially cutting the original sections in half could improve the pathological diagnosis of EGC.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 85 EGC in 82 patients who had undergone endoscopic resection at our hospital from August 2008 to October 2012. EGC without indications of curative resection were excluded. We re‐examined the original paraffin blocks after shaving away approximately half their original thickness, and evaluated whether the pathological diagnoses were affected. This technique essentially doubled the number of sections examined.

Results

Ten pathological diagnoses of 68 EGC (14.7%) were changed from curative resection to non‐curative resection when we evaluated twice as many sections as in the standard method. The median tumor size was 25 mm in the changed diagnosis group versus 14.5 mm in the no change group (P = 0.03). The univariate analysis also showed that tumor size was a significant predictor of changed diagnosis (P = 0.015). Both the changed diagnosis group and no change group had no recurrence during follow up.

Conclusions

Histological evaluation of twice as many sections as usual changed the initial pathological diagnosis of EGC, although the clinical implication of an additional deeper section was controversial because there was no recurrence. Our analysis also emphasized the importance of detailed histological evaluation to confirm a radical cure in endoscopic resection, especially in the case of larger EGC.
Taurine potentiates the anticonvulsive effect of theGABAAagonist muscimol and pentobarbital in the immature mouse hippocampus
Authors: Winkler Paula , Luhmann Heiko J. , Kilb Werner
Published: January 2019

Objective

The high incidence of epileptic seizures in neonates and their frequent refractoriness to pharmacologic therapies require identification of new therapeutical options. Therefore, we investigated whether the modulatory effect of taurine on γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)Areceptors can enhance the anticonvulsive potential of theGABAAreceptor agonist muscimol and of the barbiturate pentobarbital.

Methods

We performed field potential recordings in in toto hippocampus preparations of immature (postnatal days 4‐7) C57Bl/6 mouse pups. Spontaneous epileptiform activity was induced by the continuous presence of the potassium channel blocker 4‐aminopyridine and the glycinergic antagonist strychnine in Mg2+‐free solutions.

Results

Bath application of 0.1 μmol/L muscimol increases the occurrence of recurrent epileptiform discharges, whereas they are significantly attenuated in a dose‐dependent manner by muscimol in concentrations between 0.5 and 5 μmol/L. Taurine at concentrations between 0.1 and 0.5 mmol/L induces a proconvulsive effect, but upon coapplication, it significantly augments the anticonvulsive effect of moderate muscimol doses (0.5‐1 μmol/L). In addition, the anticonvulsive effect of 100 and 200 μmol/L pentobarbital is increased significantly in the presence of 0.5 μmol/L taurine.

Significance

These observations demonstrate that taurine can indeed enhance the anticonvulsive effects of muscimol and pentobarbital, suggesting that taurine may act as a positive modulator onGABAAreceptors. Thus, interfering with the modulatory taurine binding site ofGABAAreceptors or the interstitial taurine concentration may provide new therapeutical options for anticonvulsive therapies in neonates.
Butterflies embrace maladaptation and raise fitness in colonizing novel host
Authors: Singer Michael C. , Parmesan Camille
Published: January 2019

We illustrate an evolutionary host shift driven by increased fitness on a novel host, despite maladaptation to it in six separate host‐adaptive traits. Here, local adaptation is defined as possession of traits that provide advantage in specific environmental contexts; thus individuals can have higher fitness in benign environments to which they are maladapted than in demanding environments to which they are well adapted. A population of the butterfly Euphydryas editha adapted to a long‐lived, chemically well‐defended host, Pedicularis, had traditionally been under natural selection to avoid the ephemeral, less‐defended Collinsia. The lifespan of Collinsia was so short that it senesced before larvae entered diapause. After logging killed Pedicularis in clear‐cut patches and controlled burning simultaneously extended Collinsia lifespan, insect fitness on Collinsia in clearings suddenly became higher than on Pedicularis in adjacent unlogged patches. Collinsia was rapidly colonized and preference for it evolved, but insects feeding on it retained adaptations to Pedicularis in alighting bias, two aspects of postalighting oviposition preference, dispersal bias, geotaxis, and clutch size, all acting as maladaptations to Collinsia. Nonetheless, populations boomed on Collinsia in clearings, creating sources that fed pseudosinks in unlogged patches where Pedicularis was still used. After c. 20 years, butterfly populations in clearings disappeared and the metapopulation reverted to Pedicularis‐feeding. Here we show, via experimental manipulation of oviposition by local Pedicularis‐adapted and imported Collinsia‐adapted butterflies, that the highest survival at that time would have been from eggs laid in clearings by butterflies adapted to Collinsia. Second highest were locals on Pedicularis. In third place would have been locals on Collinsia in clearings, because local females maladaptively preferred senescent plants. Collinsia had been colonized despite maladaptation and, after successional changes, abandoned because of it. However, the abandoned Collinsia could still have provided the highest fitness, given appropriate adaptation. The butterflies had tumbled down an adaptive peak.
Vacuum effects on fatigue crack growth in submicrometre‐thick freestanding copper films
Authors: Kondo Toshiyuki , Shin Akihiro , Akasaka Masaya , Hirakata Hiroyuki , Minoshima Kohji
Published: January 2019

To clarify vacuum effects on fatigue crack growth in freestanding metallic thin films, experiments were conducted on approximately 500‐nm‐thick copper films inside a field emission scanning electron microscope. Fatigue crack growth accompanied by intrusion/extrusion formation occurred in vacuum, and da/dN was smaller than in air in the middle‐ΔK region (ΔK ≈ 1.7‐3.1 MPam1/2). Conversely, in the low‐ΔK region (ΔK ≲ 1.7 MPam1/2), da/dN was larger in vacuum than in air. Further, fatigue crack growth in vacuum occurred below the fatigue threshold in air (ΔKth,air). A nonpropagating crack after reaching ΔKth,air continued to propagate in vacuum when the environment changed from air to vacuum. This indicates that fatigue crack growth resistance is smaller in vacuum than in air under the same effective driving force. The fatigue damage area near the crack paths in vacuum in the low‐ΔK region became wider, suggesting that the nucleation of fatigue damage was enhanced in vacuum.
Using fish landing sites and markets information towards quantification of the blue economy to enhance fisheries management
Authors: Aura Christopher Mulanda , Nyamweya Chrisphine S. , Njiru James M. , Odoli Cyprian , Musa Safina , Ogari Zachary , Abila Richard , Okeyo Raphael , Oketch Robert
Published: January 2019

Fisheries management uses important fish market information and information from Communication Technology (ICT) to improve fish trade by identifying inefficiencies, inequity and post‐harvest losses. The current study reports fisheries output using ICT at major landing sites and markets in Kenya and Uganda from the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Enhanced Fish Market Information Service (EFMIS) database for 2009 – 2017. Catch assessment survey data validated the use of market data in drawing conclusions. Regional Frame Survey data provided information before EFMIS, enabling comparisons of fish trade costings. The average quantity of fish traded in Kenya depended on seasons of active lake fishing, which occurs in January – March and August – October, while Uganda had an irregular pattern associated with fish trade throughout the year. The quantity of fish traded weekly depended on the average price of fish. Lower sales margins during the EFMIS project showed the merits of information sharing using ICT platforms for efficient and equitable fish trade. Such evaluation of fish market information is useful in fish trade policy formulation and for fisheries management and ecological sustainability in rural and peri‐urban communities.
Ecosystem carbon response of an Arctic peatland to simulated permafrost thaw
Authors: Voigt Carolina , Marushchak Maija E. , Mastepanov Mikhail , Lamprecht Richard E. , Christensen Torben R. , Dorodnikov Maxim , Jackowicz‐Korczyński Marcin , Lindgren Amelie , Lohila Annalea , Nykänen Hannu , Oinonen Markku , Oksanen Timo , Palonen Vesa , Treat Claire C. , Martikainen Pertti J. , Biasi Christina
Published: January 2019

Permafrost peatlands are biogeochemical hot spots in the Arctic as they store vast amounts of carbon. Permafrost thaw could release part of these long‐term immobile carbon stocks as the greenhouse gases (GHGs) carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) to the atmosphere, but how much, at which time‐span and as which gaseous carbon species is still highly uncertain. Here we assess the effect of permafrost thaw on GHG dynamics under different moisture and vegetation scenarios in a permafrost peatland. A novel experimental approach using intact plant–soil systems (mesocosms) allowed us to simulate permafrost thaw under near‐natural conditions. We monitored GHG flux dynamics via high‐resolution flow‐through gas measurements, combined with detailed monitoring of soil GHG concentration dynamics, yielding insights into GHG production and consumption potential of individual soil layers. Thawing the upper 10–15 cm of permafrost under dry conditions increased CO2 emissions to the atmosphere (without vegetation: 0.74 ± 0.49 vs. 0.84 ± 0.60 g CO2–C m−2 day−1; with vegetation: 1.20 ± 0.50 vs. 1.32 ± 0.60 g CO2–C m−2 day−1, mean ± SD, pre‐ and post‐thaw, respectively). Radiocarbon dating (14C) of respired CO2, supported by an independent curve‐fitting approach, showed a clear contribution (9%–27%) of old carbon to this enhanced post‐thaw CO2 flux. Elevated concentrations of CO2, CH4, and dissolved organic carbon at depth indicated not just pulse emissions during the thawing process, but sustained decomposition and GHG production from thawed permafrost. Oxidation of CH4 in the peat column, however, prevented CH4 release to the atmosphere. Importantly, we show here that, under dry conditions, peatlands strengthen the permafrost–carbon feedback by adding to the atmospheric CO2 burden post‐thaw. However, as long as the water table remains low, our results reveal a strong CH4 sink capacity in these types of Arctic ecosystems pre‐ and post‐thaw, with the potential to compensate part of the permafrost CO2 losses over longer timescales.
Drought and its legacy modulate the post‐fire recovery of soil functionality and microbial community structure in a Mediterranean shrubland
Authors: Hinojosa María Belén , Laudicina Vito Armando , Parra Antonio , Albert‐Belda Enrique , Moreno José Manuel
Published: January 2019

The effects of drought on soil dynamics after fire are poorly known, particularly its long‐term (i.e., years) legacy effects once rainfall returns to normal. Understanding this is particularly important for nutrient‐poor soils in semi‐arid regions affected by fire, in which rainfall is projected to decrease with climate change. Here, we studied the effects of post‐fire drought and its legacy on soil microbial community structure and functionality in aCistus‐Ericashrubland (Spain). Rainfall total and patterns were experimentally modified to produce an unburned control (natural rainfall) and four burned treatments: control (natural rainfall), historical control (long‐term average rainfall), moderate drought (percentile 8 historical rainfall, 5 months of drought per year), and severe drought (percentile 2, 7 months of drought). Soil nutrients and microbial community composition (ester‐linked fatty acid approach) and functionality (enzyme activities and C mineralization rate) were monitored during the first 4 years after fire under rainfall treatments, plus two additional ones without them (six post‐fire years). We found that the recovery of burned soils was lower under drought. Post‐fire drought increased nitrate in the short term and reduced available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, soil organic matter, enzyme activities, and carbon mineralization rate. Moreover, drought decreased soil total microbial biomass and fungi, with bacteria becoming relatively more abundant. Two years after discontinuing the drought treatments, the drought legacy was significant for available phosphorus and enzyme activities. Although microbial biomass did not show any drought legacy effect, the proportion of fungi and bacteria (mainly gram‐positive) did, being lower and higher, respectively, in former drought‐treated plots. We show that drought has an important impact on soil processes, and that some of its effects persist for at least 2 years after the drought ended. Therefore, drought and its legacy effects can be important for modeling biogeochemical processes in burned soils under future climate change.
Drainage enhances modern soil carbon contribution but reduces old soil carbon contribution to ecosystem respiration in tundra ecosystems
Authors: Kwon Min Jung , Natali Susan M. , Hicks Pries Caitlin E. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Steinhof Axel , Crummer K. Grace , Zimov Nikita , Zimov Sergey A. , Heimann Martin , Kolle Olaf , Göckede Mathias
Published: January 2019

Warming temperatures are likely to accelerate permafrost thaw in the Arctic, potentially leading to the release of old carbon previously stored in deep frozen soil layers. Deeper thaw depths in combination with geomorphological changes due to the loss of ice structures in permafrost, may modify soil water distribution, creating wetter or drier soil conditions. Previous studies revealed higher ecosystem respiration rates under drier conditions, and this study investigated the cause of the increased ecosystem respiration rates using radiocarbon signatures of respired CO2 from two drying manipulation experiments: one in moist and the other in wet tundra. We demonstrate that higher contributions of CO2 from shallow soil layers (0–15 cm; modern soil carbon) drive the increased ecosystem respiration rates, while contributions from deeper soil (below 15 cm from surface and down to the permafrost table; old soil carbon) decreased. These changes can be attributed to more aerobic conditions in shallow soil layers, but also the soil temperature increases in shallow layers but decreases in deep layers, due to the altered thermal properties of organic soils. Decreased abundance of aerenchymatous plant species following drainage in wet tundra reduced old carbon release but increased aboveground plant biomass elevated contributions of autotrophic respiration to ecosystem respiration. The results of this study suggest that drier soils following drainage may accelerate decomposition of modern soil carbon in shallow layers but slow down decomposition of old soil carbon in deep layers, which may offset some of the old soil carbon loss from thawing permafrost.
Crayfish gastroliths
Authors: Tucker Ethan A. , Tucker Maurice E.
Published: January 2019

Crayfish produce small button‐like gastroliths in their stomachs. These curious calcitic objects are increasingly common in lakes and streams in the UK and Europe as the invasive American crayfish increase their domination of freshwater environments. These stomach stones are also present in the geological record.
Comparison of liver stiffness assessment by transient elastography and shear wave elastography using six ultrasound devices
Authors: Iijima Hiroko , Tada Toshifumi , Kumada Takashi , Kobayashi Natsuko , Yoshida Masahiro , Aoki Tomoko , Nishimura Takashi , Nakano Chikage , Ishii Akio , Takashima Tomoyuki , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Nishikawa Hiroki , Ikeda Naoto , Iwata Yoshinori , Enomoto Hirayuki , Ide Yoshi‐Hiro , Hirota Seiichi , Fujimoto Jiro , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: January 2019

Aim

Transient elastography (TE) is the gold standard for measurement of liver stiffness. The usefulness of shear wave elastographies (SWE) is well accepted. However, the measurement values cannot be equivalently compared because cut‐off values for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis are different among those devices.

We aimed to clarify correlations, to generate the regression equations between TE and SWEs, and to compare the diagnostic ability of each device to diagnose liver fibrosis.

Methods

A total of 109 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent liver biopsy and same‐day evaluation of liver stiffness using six ultrasound devices were analyzed. The diagnostic ability of liver stiffness from each ultrasound device and correlations between TE and each SWE were analyzed.

Results

Liver stiffness measured by all six ultrasound devices increased significantly as liver fibrosis stage advanced (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for predicting significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis yielded area under the ROC curve (AUROC) values based on TE of 0.830 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.755–0.905) and 0.959 (95% CI, 0.924–0.995), respectively. The AUROCs for predicting significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis (F4) based on SWE from all five ultrasound devices were over 0.8 and 0.9, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation coefficients between TE values and SWE values from five ultrasound devices were all over 0.8, indicating a strong relationship.

Conclusion

Our study showed strong correlations between TE and SWEs with high correlation coefficients. The regression equations between TE and SWEs demonstrated the ability to compare the measurement values in each device equivalently.
The entrepreneurial university and academic discourses: The meta‐synthesis of Higher Education articles
Authors: Uslu Baris , Calikoglu Alper , Seggie F. Nevra , Seggie Steven H.
Published: January 2019

The innovative teaching, knowledge and technology production and societal service activities of academics are largely discussed within the entrepreneurial university discourse in Higher Education journals. Therefore, this research focuses on a meta‐synthesis of Higher Education articles to better understand the concepts of the entrepreneurial university and entrepreneurial academic. After the systematic elimination based on keywords and titles, 25 articles have been selected from the top 10 Higher Education journals in the SCImago Journal Rankings. Content analysis was performed on these articles to highlight the common operational areas in entrepreneurial universities and activities of entrepreneurial academics. The meta‐synthesis shows that, both for universities and academics, entrepreneurship is overwhelmingly characterised by the commercialisation of scholarly activities that enrich institutional income revenue as well as academics’ personal income. However, such an approach can distance universities from their mission of public good; so Higher Education administrators should create mechanisms that would allow both to take place in a balanced way.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy secondary to hepatitis C virus infection‐related T‐cell lymphopenia
Authors: Aung Ar Kar , Robinson Jessica , Hey Penelope , Lehmann Mahalia , Chow Yan , Stark Richard J. , Bosco Julian J.
Published: January 2019

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an uncommon neurological condition known to occur in the setting of T‐cell immune suppression. We report a case of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection‐related T‐cell lymphopenia manifesting as PML. HCV treatment and transient viral suppression resulted in immunological recovery with clinical stabilisation.
Inequity in access to the Argentinian pension system (1994–2017)
Authors: Geri Milva , de Santis Mariana , Moscoso Nebel
Published: January 2019

Pension coverage in Argentina is inequitably distributed between different income levels, both during working years and during retirement. The objective of the article is to study the evolution of inequity in access to the Argentinian pension system in terms of its association with the socio‐economic status of individuals during the period 1994–2017. An evaluation is offered of how variables such as sex, age, and educational attainment influence such inequity. It is concluded that, although the level of average coverage increased, inequity in access increased significantly in the years following the 1994 reform, both among the active and the inactive population. However, inequity in access among active persons did not improve substantially with the return to the pay‐as‐you‐go pension system, while it was considerably reduced among the inactive population. While the former are found to be affected to a greater extent in terms of coverage as a result of the pro‐educated bias among the active population, the latter outcome is thought to be a direct result of the transitory plan (Pension Inclusion Plan) for pension inclusion, after which inequity was to resume its upward course.
Reproductive development response to high daytime temperature in field pea
Authors: Jiang Yunfei , Davis Arthur R. , Vujanovic Vladimir , Bueckert Rosalind A.
Published: January 2019

Flowering plants are highly sensitive to heat stress during reproductive phase, which covers development from floral initiation to seed maturity. The objectives of this study were to diagnose high temperature effects on pollen production and morphology, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pollen grains and ovules in pea cultivar “CDC Golden.” This study also investigated timing and duration of heat exposure at specific developmental stages of floral buds, open flowers and early set pods on flower and pod abortion, seed development and seed yield in “CDC Golden” and a second cultivar “CDC Sage.” The experiments were conducted in growth chambers with two temperature regimes (24/18°C and 35/18°C day/night temperature for 4–14 days) during reproductive development. Heat stress reduced the number of pollen grains per anther, induced smaller pollen grains and increased ROS production in pollen grains, but it did not affect ROS accumulation in ovules and ovule number per ovary. Heat exposure when young floral buds were visible at the first reproductive node was more detrimental to flower retention, seed set, pod development and seed yield compared to heat exposure started later when flowers at the second reproductive node were fully open.
Defect dipole evolution and its impact on the ferroelectric properties of Fe‐doped KTN single crystals
Authors: Cao Xilong , Tian Hao , Hu Chengpeng , Huang Fei , Wang Yu , Sun Xiudong , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: January 2019

The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of doped potassium tantalum niobate crystals with different Fe doping amounts and the adjustability of the properties are investigated. The hysteresis loops and current density curves show that the defect dipoles have an obvious effect on domain reorientation, and the effect decreases with increasing doping amount. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties can be adjusted via the defect dipoles, and the adjustability is reduced with increasing doping amount. A change of the doping amount leads to defect dipole structure evolution in the crystals, in which the defect dipoles transform from a polar structure to a nonpolar structure, which is the reason for the transition of the domain reorientation determined by the defect dipoles. This result has proved that introducing defects is an effective way to improve and regulate perovskite properties, and the doping amount is one of the important factors controlling the defect dipoles.
Synergy of pulmonary vein isolation and catheter renal denervation in atrial fibrillation complicated with uncontrolled hypertension: Mapping the renal sympathetic nerve and pulmonary vein (the pulmonary vein isolation plus renal denervation strategy)?
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Kiuchi Marcio G. , Yin Yuehui , Liu Shaowen , Schratter Alexandra , Acou Willem‐Jan , Meyer Christian , Pürerfellner Helmut , Chun K. R. Julian , Schmidt Boris
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Disturbance of sympathetic and vagal nervous system participates in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF). Renal denervation (RDN) can modulate autonomic nervous activity and reduce blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of RDN combined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with AF and hypertension.

Methods

Clinical trials including randomized data comparing PVI plus RDN vs PVI alone were enrolled. Primary outcome was incidence of AF recurrence after procedure.

Results

A total of 387 patients, of them 252 were randomized and were enrolled. Mean age was 57 ± 10 years, 71% were male, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 57.4% ± 6.9%. Follow‐up for randomized data was 12 months. Overall comparison for primary outcome showed that PVI + RDN was associated with significantly lower AF recurrence as compared with PVI alone (35.8% vs 55.4%, P < 0.0001). This advantageous effect was consistently maintained among randomized patients (37.3% vs 61.9%, odds ratio = 0.37,
P = 0.0001), and among patients with implanted devices for detection of AF recurrence (38.9% vs 61.6%,
P = 0.007). Post‐hoc sensitivity and regression analysis demonstrated very good stability of this primary result. Pooled Kaplan‐Meier analysis further showed that PVI + RDN was associated with significantly higher freedom from AF recurrence as compared with PVI alone (log‐rank test,
P = 0.001). Besides, RDN resulted in significant BP reduction without additionally increasing the risk of adverse events.

Conclusions

RDN may provide synergetic effects with PVI to reduce the burden of AF and improve BP control in patients with AF and uncontrolled hypertension.
Itch: an under‐recognized problem in psoriasis
Authors: Elewski B. , Alexis A.F. , Lebwohl M. , Stein Gold L. , Pariser D. , Del Rosso J. , Yosipovitch G.
Published: January 2019

Psoriasis has historically been considered a nonpruritic dermatosis, in contrast with atopic dermatitis. Thus, itch has often been underappreciated and overlooked in psoriasis. However, increasing evidence over the past decade has shown that itch can be one of the most prevalent and burdensome symptoms associated with psoriasis, affecting almost every patient to some degree. Itch can involve the entire body, although it predominantly affects the legs, hands, back, body and especially the scalp. Uncontrolled itch can significantly impact all aspects of the well‐being and quality of life of the patient. While there has been some progress in trying to better understand the pathophysiology of itch in psoriasis, more research effort and interest are needed. This under‐recognition of itch in psoriasis is clearly reflected in the dearth of treatment options targeting itch despite significant advancement in treating the lesions themselves. Recently, however, clinical studies have begun to include itch as a study outcome. The resulting data have demonstrated concomitant antipruritic benefits and improved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores with mainstay treatments for psoriasis, such as topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs, phototherapies, and various systemics and biologics. This article takes a closer look at this debilitating symptom, reviewing the available epidemiology data for psoriatic itch, presenting the current understanding of psoriatic itch pathophysiology and highlighting important clinical data for various treatment options for itch. Practical considerations for increasing the recognition of itch as well as improving its management in psoriasis are also provided.
CREDIT RATINGS AND THE COST OF ISSUING SEASONED EQUITY
Authors: McBrayer Garrett A.
Published: January 2019

I examine the effects of issuer credit ratings on the costs associated with seasoned equity offerings (SEOs). The evidence from a panel of SEOs from 1990 to 2014 shows that when firms issue seasoned equity, those with issuer credit ratings pay reduced investment banking fees. I confirm these results by conducting a propensity‐score matched‐sample comparison analysis of firms that obtain new, long‐term issuer credit ratings with an unrated control group. Controlling for known determinants of SEO fees, I find that firms that obtain a new credit rating before issuing seasoned equity pay significantly reduced investment banking fees. In economic terms, underwriting fees for newly rated firms are 7.2% lower than those for similar, yet unrated firms. Finally, I examine the indirect costs of issuance and find evidence that credit‐rated firms face reduced market‐based costs to issue. Rated firms incur lower dilutionary costs to issue and have more positive abnormal returns surrounding the issue.
Teprenone improves gastric mucosal injury and dyspeptic symptoms in long‐term nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug users
Authors: Gong Yingying , Huang Xinxin , Chen Minhu , Xiong Lishou
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a major cause of gastric mucosal lesions. In China, teprenone is frequently prescribed as a mucoprotective agent, but the literature regarding their efficacy is limited. Our purpose was to address the effects of teprenone on long‐term NSAID‐associated gastric mucosal lesions.

Methods

This study examined 369 patients taking NSAIDs for at least 12 weeks. Patients without gastroduodenal ulcer and without Helicobacter pylori infection on endoscopy at baseline were randomized to receive either NSAID plus teprenone (150 mg/day) or NSAID only for 12 weeks. Lanza scores were examined using endoscopy before and after treatment, and dyspeptic symptom scores are also analyzed.

Results

A total of 158 patients were randomized to the teprenone group (n = 74) or the control group (n = 84) for 12 weeks. Seventy‐one of patients in the teprenone group and 79 of patients in the control group were analyzed finally. After treatment, the Lanza scores and dyspeptic symptom scores decreased significantly in the teprenone group while increased in the control group (P < 0.05). The changes of Lanza scores and dyspeptic symptom scores were higher in the teprenone group than in the control group (P < 0.05). For subgroup analysis, the change in Lanza scores and dyspeptic symptom scores improved significantly in the teprenone group receiving long‐term low‐dose aspirin treatment, as well as in the teprenone group receiving other NSAIDs treatment (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Teprenone may be an effective treatment choice of gastric mucosal injuries and dyspepsia symptoms in patients who used NSAIDs chronically without H. pylori infection or history of gastroduodenal ulcer.
Impact of comorbidity in DBLCL: direct and indirect effects on survival through unplanned chemotherapy dose reduction
Authors: Lamy S. , Laurent G. , Lepage B. , Grosclaude P. , Delpierre C.
Published: January 2019

Click here to view the Original article by Dr. Wästerlid et al.
High‐frequency ultrasound imaging of the anal sphincter muscles in normal subjects and patients with fecal incontinence
Authors: Ledgerwood‐Lee Melissa , Zifan Ali , Kunkel David C. , Sah Robert , Mittal Ravinder K.
Published: January 2019

Introduction

The current “gold standard” to diagnose anal sphincter morphology and disruptions utilizes low‐frequency (3‐9 MHz) ultrasound (US) imaging techniques that provide a general outline of the sphincter muscles, but not their microstructural details. High‐frequency US transducers (7‐15 MHz) have been used to study the muscle architecture (direction of muscle fascicles) in the limb muscle.

Aims

The goal of our study was to visualize the microstructural anatomy of the anal sphincters, specifically the external anal sphincter (EAS), using high‐frequency US imaging.

Methods

Studies were conducted in asymptomatic female and male subjects and patients with fecal incontinence. US images were acquired using a low‐frequency US (3‐9 MHz) and high‐frequency (7‐15 MHz) US transducer. The latter was placed intra‐anally to image the anal canal at 12, 9, 3, and 6 o'clock positions.

Results

The low‐frequency US images revealed the general outline of the anal sphincter muscles. On the other hand, high‐frequency imaging visualized muscle fascicles and connective tissue inside the external anal sphincter (EAS). In FI patients, there was loss of muscle fascicles and alteration in the echo‐intensity pattern in the region of damaged EAS suggestive of muscle fibrosis.

Conclusion

High‐frequency ultrasound imaging is a powerful tool to visualize the microstructural details of the EAS. Our studies show that damage to the EAS muscle results in the alteration of its myoarchitecture, that is, loss of muscle fascicles and increase in the muscle connective tissue.
Distribution of control in the sulfur assimilation in Arabidopsis thaliana depends on environmental conditions
Authors: Feldman‐Salit Anna , Veith Nadine , Wirtz Markus , Hell Rüdiger , Kummer Ursula
Published: January 2019

Sulfur assimilation is central to the survival of plants and has been studied under different environmental conditions. Multiple studies have been published trying to determine rate‐limiting or controlling steps in this pathway. However, the picture remains inconclusive with at least two different enzymes proposed to represent such rate‐limiting steps.

Here, we used computational modeling to gain an integrative understanding of the distribution of control in the sulfur assimilation pathway of Arabidopsis thaliana. For this purpose, we set up a new ordinary differential equation (ODE)‐based, kinetic model of sulfur assimilation encompassing all biochemical reactions directly involved in this process. We fitted the model to published experimental data and produced a model ensemble to deal with parameter uncertainties. The ensemble was validated against additional published experimental data.

We used the model ensemble to subsequently analyse the control pattern and robustly identified a set of processes that share the control in this pathway under standard conditions.

Interestingly, the pattern of control is dynamic and not static, that is it changes with changing environmental conditions. Therefore, while adenosine‐5′‐phosphosulfate reductase (APR) and sulfite reductase (SiR) share control under standard laboratory conditions, APR takes over an even more dominant role under sulfur starvation conditions.