bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 gene polymorphisms with markers of adiposity in European adolescents: The HELENA study
Authors: Pascual‐Gamarra Jose Miguel , Salazar‐Tortosa Diego , Martinez‐Tellez Borja , Labayen Idoia , Rupérez Azahara I. , Censi Laura , Manios Yannis , Nova Esther , Gesteiro Eva , Moreno Luis A. , Meirhaeghe Aline , Ruiz Jonatan R.
Published: January 2019

Aims

To examine the association between UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 gene polymorphisms with adiposity markers in European adolescents and to test if there were gene interactions with objectively measured physical activity and adiposity.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study that involves 1.057 European adolescents (12‐18 years old) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross‐Sectional Study. A total of 18 polymorphisms in UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 genes were genotyped. We measured weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Physical activity was objectively measured by accelerometry during 7 days.

Results

The C allele of the UCP1 rs6536991 polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of overweight (odds ratio [OR]: T/C + C/C vs T/T) = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53‐0.98; P = 0.034; false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.048). There was a significant interaction between UCP1 rs2071415 polymorphism and physical activity with waist‐to‐hip ratio (P = 0.006; FDR = 0.026). Adolescents who did not meet the physical activity recommendations (less than 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity) and carrying the C/C genotype had higher waist‐to‐hip ratio (+ 0.067; 95% CI, 0.028‐0.106; P = 0.003), while no differences across genotypes were observed in adolescents meeting the recommendations.

Conclusions

Two UCP1 polymorphisms were associated with adiposity in European adolescents. Meeting the daily physical activity recommendations may overcome the effect of the UCP1 rs2071415 polymorphism on obesity‐related traits.
The impact of the European Youth Guarantee on active labour market policies: A convergence analysis
Authors: Tosun Jale , Treib Oliver , De Francesco Fabrizio
Published: January 2019

The European Union’s (EU) Youth Guarantee aims to improve the labour market situation of young people. Rather than prescribing a uniform policy model, it acknowledges that supportive measures need to align with national, regional and local circumstances. It thus seeks to promote mutual policy learning through the open method of coordination. As an innovative measure, the EU has deployed funding programmes to support the domestic measures related to the Youth Guarantee. We therefore examined in this study whether this mix of recommendations and financial incentives has entailed a convergence of member state policies. Our analysis of policy outputs for the period 2007−2014 yields a mixed empirical picture. There is catching‐up convergence regarding policies’ sectoral coverage but increasing divergence concerning the number of adopted policy instruments. The first two years of financial incentives did not produce any effect on enhancing policy experimentation among less active member states. We offer an optimistic and a pessimistic interpretation of these findings.
Comparative analysis of thymic subpopulations during different modes of atrophy identifies the reactive oxygen species scavenger, N‐acetyl cysteine, to increase the survival of thymocytes during infection‐induced and lipopolysaccharide‐induced thymic atrophy
Authors: Majumdar Shamik , Adiga Vasista , Raghavan Abinaya , Rananaware Supriya Rajendra , Nandi Dipankar
Published: January 2019

The development of immunocompetent T cells entails a complex pathway of differentiation in the thymus. Thymic atrophy occurs with ageing and during conditions such as malnutrition, infections and cancer chemotherapy. The comparative changes in thymic subsets under different modes of thymic atrophy and the mechanisms involved are not well characterized. These aspects were investigated, using mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an inflammatory but non‐infectious stimulus, etoposide (Eto), a drug used to treat some cancers, and dexamethasone (Dex), a steroid used in some inflammatory diseases. The effects on the major subpopulations of thymocytes based on multicolour flow cytometry studies were, first, the CD4− CD8− double‐negative (DN) cells, mainly DN2–4, were reduced with infection, LPS and Eto treatment, but not with Dex. Second, the CD8+ CD3lo immature single‐positive cells (ISPs) were highly sensitive to infection, LPS and Eto, but not Dex. Third, treatment with LPS, Eto and Dex reduced all three subpopulations of CD4+ CD8+ double‐positive (DP) thymocytes, i.e. DP1, DP2 and DP3, but the DP3 subset was relatively more resistant during infection. Fourth, both CD4+ and CD8+ single‐positive (SP) thymocytes were lowered by Eto and Dex, but not during infection. Notably, LPS lowered CD4+ SP subsets, whereas the CD8+ SP subsets were relatively more resistant. Interestingly, the reactive oxygen species quencher, N‐acetyl cysteine, greatly improved the survival of thymocytes, especially DNs, ISPs and DPs, during infection and LPS treatment. The implications of these observations for the development of potential thymopoietic drugs are discussed.
Amorphous boron suboxide
Authors: Durandurdu Murat
Published: January 2019

We study the atomic structure and the electronic and mechanical properties of amorphous boron suboxide (B6O) using an ab initio molecular dynamic technique. The amorphous network is attained from the rapid solidification of the melt and found to consist of boron and oxygen‐rich regions. In the boron‐rich regions, boron atoms form mostly perfect or imperfect pentagonal pyramid‐like configurations that normally yield the construction of ideal and incomplete B12 molecules in the model. In addition to the B12 molecules, we also observe the development of a pentagonal bipyramid (B7) molecule in the noncrystalline structure. In the oxygen‐rich regions, on the other hand, boron and oxygen atoms form threefold and twofold coordinated motifs, respectively. The boron‐rich and oxygen‐rich regions indeed represent structurally the characteristic of amorphous boron and boron trioxide (B2O3). The amorphous phase possesses a small band gap energy with respect to the crystal. On the bases of the localization of the tail states, we suggest that the p‐type doping might be more convenient than the n‐type doping in amorphous B6O. Bulk modulus and Vickers hardness of the noncrystalline configuration is estimated are be 106 and 13‐18 GPa, respectively, which are noticeably less than those of the crystalline structure. Such a noticeable decrease in the mechanical properties is attributed to the presence of open structured B2O3 glassy domains in the amorphous model.
Traits that allow bats of tropical lowland origin to conquer mountains: Bat assemblages along elevational gradients in the South American Atlantic Forest
Authors: de Carvalho William Douglas , Martins Mayara A. , Esbérard Carlos E. L. , Palmeirim Jorge M.
Published: January 2019

Aim

This study aims to contribute to the identification of ecological determinants of tropical moist forest montane biodiversity, analysing changes in the structure of bat assemblages along an elevational gradient and testing the role of species traits shaping those assemblages.

Location

Mountain ranges in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Methods

We compiled a dataset with the composition of phyllostomid bat assemblages at 32 forested sites, ranging from 60 m to 1,960 m a.s.l. We quantified how abundance and diversity changed along this elevational gradient, and assessed the capacity of each species to be present and abundant at each elevation, identifying traits that may influence that capacity.

Results

Abundance and species diversity declined markedly with increasing elevation. Tolerance to low temperatures, low habitat specialization and cave roosting facilitated success at higher elevations. Owing to trait filtering, and to changes in resource availability with elevation, assemblages were progressively dominated by a smaller number of mostly generalist species as elevation increased. Higher elevations harbour only a subset of the species that are present in the lowland forest, with no mountain specialized species.

Main conclusions

High mountains harbour phyllostomid assemblages that are impoverished subsets of those at lower elevations. Phyllostomids have a tropical origin and may thus have a low potential to adapt to montane forest environments, which possibly explains the observed climatic trait filtering. Habitat filtering is also important, keeping forest specialists mostly at lowest elevations. Protected areas in the Atlantic Forest are mostly limited to mountains. While these areas are clearly important to protect biodiversity, including phyllostomid assemblages, it is now critical to protect and restore the few remnants of lower elevation Atlantic Forest where higher productivity and resource levels, increased complexity of vertical structure, and fewer climatic constraints favour the success of a wider range of phyllostomid bat species of tropical origin.
Emergence of sympatry in a radiation of subterranean amphipods
Authors: Zakšek Valerija , Delić Teo , Fišer Cene , Jalžić Branko , Trontelj Peter
Published: January 2019

Aim

We tested the hypothesis that sympatry among closely related species is possible only in the absence of interspecific competition.

Location

Dinaric Karst, Western Balkan, Europe.

Taxon

A clade of subterranean amphipods, genus Niphargus (Crustacea: Amphipoda).

Methods

Phylogenetic reconstructions; species delimitation; modelling competition using phylogeny and species distributions; reconstruction of historical dispersal.

Results

The clade comprises six species, which classify into two ecomorphs. Species of the same ecomorph are parapatric or allopatric, whereas species belonging to different ecomorphs overlap their ranges. The phylo‐spatial reconstructions suggest that the shift from allopatry to sympatry is associated with relaxation of competitive interactions. Reconstruction of species past dispersal implies that sympatry is of secondary origin.

Main conclusions

Interspecific competition presumably controls evolutionary and ecological dynamics in subterranean environments in a similar way as in more familiar surface environments.
Validity and reliability of a point‐of‐care nerve conduction device in diabetes patients
Authors: Shibata Yuka , Himeno Tatsuhito , Kamiya Taeko , Tani Hiroya , Nakayama Takayuki , Kojima Chika , Sugiura‐Roth Yukako , Naito Ena , Kondo Masaki , Tsunekawa Shin , Kato Yoshiro , Nakamura Jiro , Kamiya Hideki
Published: January 2019

Aims/Introduction

Although nerve conduction study (NCS) using a standard electromyography system (EMGS) is considered to be the gold standard in evaluating diabetic polyneuropathy, this examination requires expensive equipment and well‐trained technicians. We aimed to validate a point‐of‐care device, NC‐stat/DPNCheck™, that has been developed for widespread use of NCS in diabetic polyneuropathy.

Materials and Methods

Diabetes patients underwent two kinds of NCS: DPNCheck™ and electromyography system. Inter‐/intrarater reliability of DPNCheck™ were also determined by the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

A total of 57 patients were evaluated. The parameters of NCS between the two methods correlated well (r = 0.7734 for the sural nerve conduction velocity, r = 0.6155 for the amplitude of sural nerve action potential). The intraclass correlation coefficients were excellent (intrarater: the velocity 0.767, the amplitude 0.811; interrater: the velocity 0.974, the amplitude 0.834).

Conclusions

The point‐of‐care device has excellent reproducibility and good agreement with standard electromyography system. The device might be useful to evaluate diabetic polyneuropathy.
Skin lesions, differential diagnosis and practical approach to potential survivors of torture
Authors: Clarysse K. , Grosber M. , Ring J. , Gutermuth J. , Kivlahan C.
Published: January 2019

As the international refugee crisis has reached new proportions (BMJ, 355, 2016 and i5412), survivors of torture increasingly present in treating physicians with an array of acute or chronic skin lesions. Physicians should be aware of common presentations and likely differential diagnoses in order to avoid mislabelling or under‐recognizing torture. Survivors of torture also frequently suffer from psychological sequelae, such as post‐traumatic stress disorder, and appropriate referrals are essential in order to improve recovery trajectory. Skin sequelae are the most common physical findings of torture. Not all skin lesions seen in tortured survivors are due to perpetrator inflicted injuries, and many dermatological conditions can mimic lesions typical of torture, as can scars as a result of folk remedies or cultural practices specific to geographical regions. Medical documentation of torture includes injury and lesion description. While forensic dermatology and other forensic specialties use an injury description taxonomy, and the standard dermatologic taxonomy uses an anatomic description, they are complementary sciences for lesions inflicted by torture. This results in an opportunity for learning across disciplines in order to improve evidence documentation for survivors of torture. This article describes features of common skin lesions consistent with torture, including their clinical appearances, differential diagnoses, patterns of injury and appropriate clinical descriptions.
DNA copy number imbalances in primary cutaneous lymphomas
Authors: Gug G. , Huang Q. , Chiticariu E. , Solovan C. , Baudis M.
Published: January 2019

Background

Cutaneous lymphomas (CL) represent a clinically defined group of extranodal non‐Hodgkin lymphomas harbouring heterogeneous and incompletely delineated molecular aberrations. Over the past decades, molecular studies have identified several chromosomal aberrations, but the interpretation of individual genomic studies can be challenging.

Objective

With a comprehensive meta‐analysis, we aim to delineate genomic alterations for different types of CL and propose a more accurate classification in line with their various pathogenicity.

Methods

We searched PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge for publications from 1996 to 2016 reporting the investigation of CL for genome‐wide copy number alterations, by means of comparative genomic hybridization techniques and whole‐genome sequencing and whole‐exome sequencing. We then extracted and remapped the available copy number variation (CNV) data from these publications with the same pipeline and performed clustering and visualisation to aggregate samples of similar CNV profiles.

Results

For 449 samples from 22 publications, CNV data were accessible for sample based meta‐analysis. Our findings illustrate structural and numerical chromosomal imbalance patterns. Most frequent CNAs were linked to oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes with important roles in the course of the disease.

Conclusion

Summary profiles for genomic imbalances, generated from case‐specific data, identified complex genomic imbalances, which could discriminate between different subtypes of CL and promise a more accurate classification. The collected data presented in this study are publicly available through the ‘Progenetix’ online repository.
Drag coefficient estimates from coasting bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus
Authors: Tandler Talia , Gellman Emma , De La Cruz Dayna , Ellerby David J.
Published: January 2019

The drag coefficient bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus was estimated from coasting deceleration as (mean ± SD) 0.0154 ± 0.0070 at a Reynolds number of 41,000 ± 14,000. This was within the coasting range in other species and lower than values obtained from dead drag measurements in this species and others. Low momentum losses during coasting may allow its use during intermittent propulsion to modulate power output or maximize energy economy.
Multiple infections caused by white spot syndrome virus and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in pond‐reared Penaeus vannamei in India and multiplex PCR for their simultaneous detection
Authors: Thamizhvanan S. , Sivakumar S. , Santhosh Kumar S. , Vinoth Kumar D. , Suryakodi S. , Balaji K. , Rajkumar T. , Vimal S. , Abdul Majeed S. , Taju G. , Sahul Hameed A. S.
Published: January 2019

White leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, were collected on a monthly basis from grow‐out ponds located at Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states along the east coast of India for screening of viral and other pathogens. Totally 240 shrimp samples randomly collected from 92 farms were screened for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). The number of shrimp collected from shrimp farms ranged from 6 to 20 based on the body weight of the shrimp. All the shrimp collected from one farm were pooled together for screening for pathogens by PCR assay. Among the samples screened, 28 samples were WSSV‐positive, one positive for IHHNV and 30 samples positive for EHP. Among the positive samples, four samples were found to be positive for both WSSV and EHP, which indicated that the shrimp had multiple infections with WSSV and EHP. This is the first report on the occurrence of multiple infections caused by WSSV and EHP. Multiplex PCR (m‐PCR) protocol was standardized to detect both pathogens simultaneously in single reaction instead of carrying out separate PCR for both pathogens. Using m‐PCR assay, naturally infected shrimp samples collected from field showed two prominent bands of 615 and 510 bp for WSSV and EHP, respectively.
A metabolomic investigation into the temperature‐dependent virulence of Pseudomonas plecoglossicida from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)
Authors: Huang Lixing , Zuo Yanfei , Jiang Qingling , Su Yongquan , Qin Yingxue , Xu Xiaojin , Zhao Lingmin , Yan Qingpi
Published: January 2019

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida is associated with multiple fish diseases, and temperature is one of the most important environmental factors related to its outbreak. To elucidate the influence of temperature variation on the pathogen, the global metabolomics of P. plecoglossicida (NZBD9) were analysed at the virulent (18°C) and avirulent (12°C and 28°C) temperatures. The result showed that the levels of Phosphoric acid, Tyrosine, Spermidine and Sucrose were significantly reduced，while Itaconic acid, Glucaric acid and Isomaltose were increased in P. plecoglossicida at 18°C. These metabolic adjustments assist P. plecoglossicida to survive in adverse environments, proliferate in the host, colonize and resist host immune clearance during the initial steps of infection. The results suggested that L321_03626 and L321_18122 genes played a key role in the regulation of these metabolic adaptions and thus regulated P. plecoglossicida virulence at virulent temperature, which was proved by further gene silencing and artificial infection. The present study, for the first time, determines the P. plecoglossicida metabolomic responses to temperature variation, which is helpful to explore its pathogenic mechanism and provides reference for disease control.
Long‐term outcome and recurrence factors after percutaneous cholecystostomy as a definitive treatment for acute cholecystitis
Authors: Park Jae Keun , Yang Ju‐Il , Wi Jin Woo , Park Joo Kyung , Lee Kwang Hyuck , Lee Kyu Taek , Lee Jong Kyun
Published: January 2019

Background and Aim

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) has been frequently used as an alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis in seriously ill patients unfit for surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the recurrence rate and risk factors of recurrence.

Methods

Medical records of 102 patients who were followed up for more than 1 year after PC tube removal among 716 patients who underwent PC for acute cholecystitis treatment were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The recurrence rate of acute cholecystitis after PC tube removal was 20.6% (21/102), and the mean time to recur was 660 days. Underlying cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 3.369; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.006–11.282; P = 0.0489), PC duration shorter than 44 days (OR: 5.596; 95% CI: 1.35–23.201; P = 0.0176), and the presence of common bile duct stone in initial imaging studies (OR: 24.393; 95% CI: 2.696–220.746; P = 0.0045) were positively correlated with recurrence. Tubogram before PC tube removal did not significantly lower the recurrence. However, PC tube clamping for several days significantly lowered the recurrence (OR: 0.108; 95% CI: 0.015–0.794; P = 0.0288). Fifty‐nine (57.8%) had acalculous cholecystitis. Calculous cholecystitis was negatively correlated with recurrence (OR: 0.267; 95% CI: 0.074–0.967; P = 0.0444). Receiver operating characteristic curve of the prediction model for recurrence verified its accuracy (area under the curve: 0.8475).

Conclusion

We should try to keep PC more than 6 weeks and clamp for 1–2 weeks before removal. For those with the presence of common bile duct stones, calculous cholecystitis, and underlying malignancy, we should keep PC for longer duration and carefully observe symptoms and signs of recurrence.
The INTUIT Study: Investigating Neuroinflammation Underlying Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Authors: Berger Miles , Oyeyemi Deborah , Olurinde Mobolaji O. , Whitson Heather E. , Weinhold Kent J. , Woldorff Marty G. , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Moretti Eugene , Giattino Charles M. , Roberts Kenneth C. , Zhou Junhong , Bunning Thomas , Ferrandino Michael , Scheri Randall P. , Cooter Mary , Chan Cliburn , Cabeza Roberto , Browndyke Jeffrey N. , Murdoch David M. , Devinney Michael J. , Shaw Leslie M. , Cohen Harvey Jay , Mathew Joseph P. ,   the INTUIT Investigators
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Every year, up to 40% of the more than 16 million older Americans who undergo anesthesia/surgery develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) or delirium. Each of these distinct syndromes is associated with decreased quality of life, increased mortality, and a possible increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. One pathologic process hypothesized to underlie both delirium and POCD is neuroinflammation. The INTUIT study described here will determine the extent to which postoperative increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) levels and monocyte numbers are associated with delirium and/or POCD and their underlying brain connectivity changes.

DESIGN

Observational prospective cohort.

SETTING

Duke University Medical Center, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients 60 years of age or older (N = 200) undergoing noncardiac/nonneurologic surgery.

MEASUREMENTS

Participants will undergo cognitive testing before, 6 weeks, and 1 year after surgery. Delirium screening will be performed on postoperative days 1 to 5. Blood and CSF samples are obtained before surgery, and 24 hours, 6 weeks, and 1 year after surgery. CSF MCP‐1 levels are measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and CSF monocytes are assessed by flow cytometry. Half the patients will also undergo pre‐ and postoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. 32‐channel intraoperative electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings will be performed to identify intraoperative EEG correlates of neuroinflammation and/or postoperative cognitive resilience. Eighty patients will also undergo home sleep apnea testing to determine the relationships between sleep apnea severity, neuroinflammation, and impaired postoperative cognition. Additional assessments will help evaluate relationships between delirium, POCD, and other geriatric syndromes.

CONCLUSION

INTUIT will use a transdisciplinary approach to study the role of neuroinflammation in postoperative delirium and cognitive dysfunction and their associated functional brain connectivity changes, and it may identify novel targets for treating and/or preventing delirium and POCD and their sequelae. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:794–798, 2019.
The power of affect: A three‐wave panel study on reciprocal relationships between work events and affect at work
Authors: Casper Anne , Tremmel Stephanie , Sonnentag Sabine
Published: January 2019

In this study, we investigate lagged reciprocal relationships between positive and negative interpersonal and task‐related work events and employees’ positive and negative affect at work. We conducted a three‐wave panel study with time lags of 3 months and collected data from 1,039 young employees (at Time 1). Path modelling showed that positive affect at work predicted an increase in positive interpersonal and task‐related work events, and negative affect at work predicted an increase in negative interpersonal and task‐related work events. Work events did not consistently predict increases in affect at work. Our results suggest that employees’ affect is not only a consequence of work events but may also shape the work events that employees experience over time.

Practitioner points

Employees’ affect predicts an increase in positive and negative work events over time.

Positive affect is associated with an increase in positive events whereas negative affect is associated with an increase in negative events.

Organizations should be aware of the important role employees’ affect may play for the work events they experience.

Organizations should foster employees’ positive affect and help employees downregulate negative affect.
Mortality and hospital readmissions in the first year of life after intra‐uterine and neonatal blood product transfusions: A population data linkage study
Authors: Randall Deborah A , Bowen Jennifer R , Patterson Jillian A , Irving David O , Hirani Rena , Ford Jane B
Published: January 2019

Aim

Blood product transfusions are a potentially life‐saving therapy for fetal and neonatal anaemia, but there is limited population‐based research on outcomes. We aimed to describe mortality, readmission and average hospital stay in the first year of life for infants with or without intra‐uterine or neonatal blood product transfusions.

Methods

Linked birth, hospital and deaths data from New South Wales, Australia (January 2002–June 2014) were used to identify singleton infants (≥23 weeks' gestation, surviving to 29 days; n = 1 089 750) with intra‐uterine or neonatal transfusion or no transfusion. Rates of mortality and readmission in the first year (29–365 days) and days in hospital were calculated.

Results

Overall, 68 (0.06/1000) infants had experienced intra‐uterine transfusion and 4332 (3.98/1000) neonatal transfusion. Transfusion was more common among those born at earlier gestational ages requiring invasive ventilation. Mortality, readmissions and average days in hospital were higher among transfused than non‐transfused infants. Over half of infants with intra‐uterine and neonatal transfusion had ≥1 readmission in the first 29–365 days (55.9 and 51.8%, respectively), and around a quarter had ≥2 (20.6 and 28.5%, respectively) compared with 15.3% with ≥1 and 3.5% with ≥2 in the non‐transfused group.

Conclusion

Infants with a history of blood product transfusion, particularly those needing a neonatal transfusion, had higher mortality and more frequent contact with the hospital system in the first year of life than those infants with no history of transfusion.
Semi‐synthetic diet versus diet using natural ingredients—Comparative study in female Golden Syrian hamsters
Authors: Mohammed Shujauddin , Hemalatha Rajkumar , Qadri Syed Shah Yousuf Hussain , Annapurna Vure Venkata
Published: January 2019

Semi‐synthetic diets (SSD) are recommended and are widely used to carry out experiments in rodents. However, in our experiments planned to carry out generation studies in female Golden Syrian hamsters using semi‐synthetic diets, it was observed that the hamsters did not conceive as a result of decreased food intake. In this paper, we present the effects of both semi‐synthetic diets and natural source diets (NSD) on food intake, body weight and reproductive performance of this species. Four‐week‐old female hamsters were equally divided into 3 groups and initially acclimatized for 2 weeks on natural chow diet (NCD). Thereafter, they were fed either control diet, high fat diet (HFD) or low protein diet (LPD) based on semi‐synthetic/natural source ingredients until 12 weeks. Daily food intake and weekly body weights were monitored. Hamsters were kept for mating for about 2 weeks from 10th week onwards, during which the pregnancy confirmation test was done using standard vaginal smear examination. In all the groups fed SSD, the food intake was very poor, hamsters lost body weight and did not conceive, thus preventing us from carrying out further experiments. Hamsters fed NCD/NSD ingested more than twice as much as hamsters fed SSD (7–8 g/day/hamster against 3 g/day/hamster on average respectively). Based on the results of the current research, we conclude that the routinely used semi‐synthetic diet is not suitable for carrying out studies in female hamsters. We suggest that scientists must also consider the unusual biological characteristics of a given species besides other biological factors. It is therefore critical to select appropriate biological models and diets that provide optimal sensitivity and specificity to accomplish the research objectives.
Effects of dietary supplementation with epidermal growth factor on nutrient digestibility, intestinal development and expression of nutrient transporters in early‐weaned piglets
Authors: Wang Lixia , Zhu Fan , Yang Huansheng , Li Jianzhong , Li Yali , Ding Xueqin , Xiong Xia , Yin Yulong
Published: January 2019

The abnormalities in intestinal morphology and digestive function during weaning are associated with the loss of milk‐borne growth factors. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been shown to stimulate the growth of animals. This study was to determine the effect of dietary EGF on nutrient digestibility, intestinal development and the expression of genes encoding nutrient transporters in weaned piglets. Forty‐two piglets were weaned at 21 days and assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + 200 µg/kg EGF or (3) basal diet + 400 µg/kg EGF. Each treatment consisted of 14 replicates, and seven piglets from each treatment were sampled on day 7 and 14. The EGF supplementation significantly elevated (p < 0.05) the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, but tended to decrease sucrase activity (p < 0.10) than the control group. At day 7 post‐weaning, animals receiving EGF diets showed a tendency (p < 0.10) towards greater ileal villus height (VH), jejunal crypt depth (CD) and duodenal VH:CD when compared with the control group. Moreover, the mRNA levels of glucose transporter 2 (Slc2a2), neutral amino acid transporter (Slc6a19) and calbindin D9k (S100G) tended to be higher (p < 0.10) for EGF groups than the control group. By day 14, EGF supplementation markedly enhanced (p < 0.05) the VH, CD and VH:CD in the jejunum compared to the control group. This addition also up‐regulated (p < 0.05) the mRNA level and the protein abundance of peptide transporter 1 than the control group. These findings demonstrated that dietary EGF beneficially enhanced nutrient digestibility, improved intestinal development and increased the mRNA expression of nutrient transporters in weaned piglets.
Maternal HMB treatment affects bone and hyaline cartilage development in their weaned piglets via the leptin/osteoprotegerin system
Authors: Tomaszewska Ewa , Muszyński Siemowit , Dobrowolski Piotr , Wiącek Dariusz , Tomczyk‐Warunek Agnieszka , Świetlicka Izabela , Pierzynowski Stefan G.
Published: January 2019

It has been demonstrated in animal studies that prenatal administration of β‐hydroxy‐β‐methylbutyrate (HMB, metabolite of leucine) influences general growth and mechanical endurance of long bones in newborn offspring in sex‐dependent manner. The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of HMB treatment of pregnant sows on bone development in offspring at weaning. From 70th day until the 90th day of gestation, sows received either a basal diet (n = 12) or the same diet supplemented with HMB (n = 12) at the dose of 0.2 g/kg of body weight/day. Femora obtained from six males and females in each group weaned at the age of 35 days were examined. Maternal HMB treatment significantly enhanced body weight and changed bone morphology increasing femur mechanical strength in both sexes. Maternal HMB supplementation also elevated bone micro‐ and macroelement concentrations and enhanced content of proteoglycans in articular cartilage. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that maternal HMB supplementation in the mid‐gestation period significantly accelerated bone development in both sexes by upregulation of a multifactorial system including leptin and osteoprotegerin. However, the sex (irrespective of the HMB treatment) was the factor which influenced the collagen structure in cartilages and trabecular bone, as demonstrated both by the Picrosirius red staining and performed analysis of thermal stability of collagenous tissues. The structural differences in collagen between males and females were presumably related to a different collagen maturity. No studies conducted so far provided a detailed morphological analysis of bone, articular cartilage, growth plate and the activities of the somatotropic and pituitary–gonadal axes, as well as leptin/osteoprotegerin system in weaned offspring prenatally treated with HMB. This study showed also the relationship between the maternal HMB treatment and bone osteometric and mechanical traits, hormones, and growth and bone turnover markers such as leptin, osteoprotegerin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1.
Experimentally induced rhythmic jaw muscle activities during non‐rapid eye movement sleep in freely moving guinea pigs
Authors: Yamada Ken‐ichi , Higashiyama Makoto , Toyoda Hiroki , Masuda Yuji , Kogo Mikihiko , Yoshida Atsushi , Kato Takafumi
Published: January 2019

Rhythmic jaw muscle activities frequently occur during non‐rapid eye movement sleep in patients with sleep bruxism. The present study aimed to investigate the response characteristics of the masticatory rhythm generation during non‐rapid eye movement sleep in animals. Eleven guinea pigs were surgically prepared for polygraphic recordings by electromyography, electrooculography, electroencephalography and electrocardiography with the implantation of a stimulating electrode. Repetitive electrical microstimulations at three intensities were applied to the corticobulbar tract under freely moving conditions. The rhythmic electro‐myographic responses of the digastric and masseter muscles were scored and analysed. Changes in cortical electro‐encephalographic power and heart rate in association with these stimulations were quantified. Microstimulations to the corticobulbar tract induced rhythmic jaw muscle activities in digastric muscles, occasionally with masseter activities during wakefulness and non‐rapid eye movement sleep. The response rate of rhythmic jaw muscle activities was significantly lower (p < 0.01) and the response latency was significantly longer (p < 0.01) during non‐rapid eye movement sleep than during wakefulness. At higher stimulus intensities, the response rate increased and response latency decreased. The mean burst intervals of the digastric and masseter muscles were similar regardless of vigilance states and stimulus intensities. Induced rhythmic jaw muscle activities during non‐rapid eye movement sleep were followed by a transient decrease in delta power and increases in beta power and heart rate. During non‐rapid eye movement sleep, the masticatory motor system is able to generate rhythmic outputs to the jaw muscles in response to facilitatory inputs although the responsiveness was decreased from wakefulness.
Hospital breastfeeding support and exclusive breastfeeding by maternal prepregnancy body mass index
Authors: Kair Laura R. , Nickel Nathan C. , Jones Krista , Kornfeind Katelin , Sipsma Heather L.
Published: January 2019

Overweight and obese mothers in the United States have disproportionately lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding than mothers of normal weight. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Ten Steps), a series of evidence‐based practices designed to support breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity, demonstrate effectiveness at the population level. It is unknown, however, whether they are consistently provided to women across all maternal body mass index (BMI) categories. We sought to determine whether pre‐pregnancy BMI is associated with the implementation and effectiveness of the Ten Steps. We used data from Listening to Mothers III, a cross‐sectional survey administered to a sample of mothers who delivered in U.S. hospitals between July 2011 and June 2012. Measures of the Ten Steps were based on maternal self‐report on Listening to Mothers III. Our analytic sample was limited to mothers of term infants intending to breastfeed (N = 1,506, weighted). We conducted chi‐square testing and constructed weighted multivariable logistic regression models to account for potential confounders. Results suggest that two practices (i.e., holding their babies skin‐to‐skin for the first time and being encouraged to breastfeed on demand) were more strongly associated with exclusive breastfeeding among mothers with obesity than other mothers. Additionally, mothers with obesity reported holding babies skin‐to‐skin significantly less often than other mothers. Thus, interventions aimed at helping mothers with obesity to hold their babies skin‐to‐skin in the first hour and teaching them to breastfeed on demand have the potential to decrease the breastfeeding disparities in this population.
An integrated infant and young child feeding and small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplementation programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo is associated with improvements in breastfeeding and handwashing behaviours but not dietary diversity
Authors: Locks Lindsey M. , Nanama Simeon , Addo O. Yaw , Albert Bope , Sandalinas Fanny , Nanema Ambroise , Whitehead Ralph D. , Garg Aashima , Kupka Roland , Jefferds Maria Elena , Tripp Katie
Published: January 2019

Integrating small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements (SQ‐LNS) into infant and young child feeding (IYCF) programmes can increase consumption of essential nutrients among children in vulnerable populations; however, few studies have assessed the impact of integrated IYCF–SQ‐LNS programmes on IYCF practices. A 2‐year, enhanced IYCF intervention targeting pregnant women and infants (0–12 months) was implemented in a health zone in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The enhanced IYCF intervention included community‐ and facility‐based counselling for mothers on handwashing, SQ‐LNS, and IYCF practices, plus monthly SQ‐LNS distributions for children 6–12 months; a control zone received the national IYCF programme (facility‐based IYCF counselling with no SQ‐LNS distributions). Cross‐sectional preintervention and postintervention surveys (n = 650 and 638 in intervention and control areas at baseline; n = 654 and 653 in each area at endline, respectively) were conducted in mothers of children 6–18 months representative of both zones. Difference in differences (DiD) analyses used mixed linear regression models. There were significantly greater increases in the proportion of mothers in the intervention (vs. control) zone who reported: initiating breastfeeding within 1 hr of birth (Adj. DiD [95% CI]: +56.4% [49.3, 63.4], P < 0.001), waiting until 6 months to introduce water (+66.9% [60.6, 73.2], P < 0.001) and complementary foods (+56.4% [49.3, 63.4], P < 0.001), feeding the minimum meal frequency the previous day (+9.2% [2.7, 15.7], P = 0.005); feeding the child in a separate bowl (+9.7% [2.2, 17.2], P = 0.01); awareness of anaemia (+16.9% [10.4, 23.3], P < 0.001); owning soap (+14.9% [8.3, 21.5], P < 0.001); and washing hands after defecating and before cooking and feeding the child the previous day (+10.5% [5.8, 15.2], +12.5% [9.3, 15.6] and +15.0% [11.2, 18.8], respectively, P < 0.001 for all). The enhanced IYCF intervention in the DRC was associated with an improvement in several important IYCF practices but was not associated with a change in dietary diversity (minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet remained below 10% in both zones without significant differences between zones). The provision of fortified complementary foods, such as SQ‐LNS, may be an important source of micronutrients and macronutrients for young children in areas with high rates of poverty and limited access to diverse foods. Future research should verify the potential of integrated IYCF–SQ‐LNS to improve IYCF practices, and ultimately children's nutritional status.
Conservation genomics in the fight to help the recovery of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis
Authors: Chattopadhyay Balaji , Garg Kritika M. , Soo Yun Jing , Low Gabriel W. , Frechette Jackson L. , Rheindt Frank E.
Published: January 2019

Endangered species are often characterized by low genetic diversity and it is imperative for conservation efforts to incorporate the knowledge obtained from genetic studies for effective management. However, despite the promise of technological advances in sequencing, application of genome‐wide data to endangered populations remains uncommon. In the present study we pursued a holistic conservation‐genomic approach to inform a field‐based management programme of a Critically Endangered species, the Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis. Using thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms from throughout the genome, we revealed signals of introgression from two other crocodile species within our sample of both wild and captive‐bred Siamese crocodiles from Cambodia. Our genetic screening of the Siamese crocodiles resulted in the subsequent re‐introduction of 12 individuals into the wild as well as the selection of four individuals for captive breeding programmes. Comparison of intraspecific genetic diversity revealed an alarmingly low contemporary effective population size in the wild (<50) with evidence of a recent bottleneck around Tonle Sap Lake. We also projected a probable future extinction in the wild (within fewer than five generations) in this population in the absence of re‐introduction efforts. However, an increase in the number of potential breeders through re‐introductions, including the one resulting from this project, could counter this trend. Our results have been implemented in ongoing re‐introduction and captive breeding programmes, with major implications for the conservation management of Siamese crocodiles, and provide a blueprint for the rescue effort of other “terminally ill” populations of critically endangered species.
Effects of deliberate reflection on students’ engagement in learning and learning outcomes
Authors: Ribeiro Ligia Maria Cayres , Mamede Silvia , de Brito Eliza Maria , Moura Alexandre Sampaio , de Faria Rosa Malena Delbone , Schmidt Henk G
Published: January 2019

Context

Reflection in practice is assumed to enhance interest in knowing more about a topic, increasing engagement in learning and learning outcomes. However, this claim lacks empirical evidence, particularly in medical education. The authors investigated the effects of deliberate reflection upon clinical cases on medical students’ engagement in a learning activity and learning outcomes.

Methods

A three‐task (diagnostic task; learning activity; test) experiment was conducted in August 2017. Seventy‐two fourth‐year students from UNIFENAS‐BH Medical School, Brazil, diagnosed two clinical cases with jaundice as the chief complaint, either by following a deliberate reflection procedure or making differential diagnosis. Subsequently, all participants received the same study material on the diagnosis of jaundice. Finally, they took a recall test on the study material. Outcome measurements were study time and test scores.

Results

There was a significant effect of experimental condition on students’ engagement in the learning activity and on learning outcomes. Students who deliberately reflected upon the cases invested more time in studying the material than those who made a differential diagnosis (respectively, mean = 254.97, standard deviation = 115.45 versus mean = 194.96, standard deviation = 111.68; p = 0.02; d = 0.53). Deliberate reflection was also related to higher scores in the test relative to differential diagnosis (respectively, mean = 22.08, standard deviation = 14.94 versus mean = 15.75, standard deviation = 9.24; p = 0.03; d = 0.51). Medium effect sizes (Cohen's d) were observed in both measurements.

Conclusions

Relative to making differential diagnosis, deliberate reflection while diagnosing cases fostered medical students’ engagement in learning and increased learning outcomes. Teachers can employ this relatively easy procedure, possibly both with simulated and real scenarios, to motivate their students and help them expand their knowledge, an important requirement for their professional development.
A pilot, layerwise, ex vivo evaluation of the antifungal efficacy of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer vs other topical antifungal nail formulations in healthy toenails
Authors: Ghannoum Mahmoud , Long Lisa , Kunze Gernot , Sarkany Marlis , Osman‐Ponchet Hanan
Published: January 2019

Background

Studies investigating the penetration of amorolfine through the nail have shown the highest concentration in the uppermost layer and measurable antifungal activity even in the lower layers of the nail.

Objectives

This pilot, ex vivo study compared the penetration of antifungal concentrations of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer in different layers of healthy, human cadaver toenails with that of terbinafine 10% nail solution, ciclopirox 8% nail lacquer and naftifine 1% nail solution. Moreover, the effect of nail filing prior to application on the penetration of amorolfine 5% was assessed.

Methods

Unfiled (n = 3) and filed (n = 3) nails were used for each antimycotic agent and amorolfine 5% nail lacquer, respectively. Twenty‐four hours after topical application, the nails were sliced (10 μm), solubilised and added to agar plates seeded with Trichophyton rubrum. Zones of growth inhibition were measured.

Results

Only amorolfine penetrated the nails at sufficient concentrations to inhibit growth of T rubrum at different nail depths. In contrast, the comparators did not show antifungal efficacy. Nail filing resulted in larger zones of inhibition for amorolfine compared with those of intact nails.

Conclusions

Unlike its comparators, a single application of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer resulted in antifungal efficacy within the nail plate. Nail filing increased the antifungal efficacy of amorolfine 5% nail lacquer.
Toward a topography of national trauma: mapping the past onto the future of American nationalism
Authors: Grant Susan‐Mary
Published: January 2019

Since the inception of the United States, many of those who have spoken for and to the nation have struggled to define and defend a coherent American nationalism. This article proposes that one of the reasons for this lies in the fault lines inherent in the invented traditions that underpin American, as many other nationalisms. Determined by warfare and by the desire for land, and frequently defined in racial terms, they have undermined more than they have stabilized the nationalist structures they seek to support through what they have excluded from the national imaginary. In common with other settler nations, in fact arguably with most Western nations, America's nationalist narratives struggle to serve as cohesive foundation myths. They represent the lasting legacies of national trauma derived from the nation's violent colonial past and the severing of the imperial bond in the eighteenth century, chattel slavery, and the civil war it caused, and westward expansion and the imperative toward hemispheric control. Through the mapping of a topography of national trauma predicated on these national traditions and located within the tensions arising from warfare, land, and race, scholars can better comprehend the still frequently acrimonious debates over American nationalism that persist today.