bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stay tuned: active amplification tunes tree-cricket ears to track temperature-dependent song frequency
Authors: Mhatre Natasha , Pollack Gerald , Mason Andrew
Published: April 2016

Tree cricket males produce tonal songs, used for mate-attraction and male-male interactions. Active mechanics tunes hearing to conspecific song frequency. However, tree cricket song frequency increases with temperature, presenting a problem for tuned listeners. We show that the actively amplified frequency increases with temperature, thus shifting mechanical and neuronal auditory tuning to maintain a match with conspecific song frequency. Active auditory processes are known from several taxa, but their adaptive function has rarely been demonstrated. We show that tree crickets harness active processes to ensure that auditory tuning remains matched to conspecific song frequency, despite changing environmental conditions and signal characteristics. Adaptive tuning allows tree crickets to selectively detect potential mates or rivals over large distances and is likely to bestow a strong selective advantage by reducing mate-finding effort and facilitating intermale interactions.
On the origins and evolution of trans-splicing of bursicon in mosquitos
Authors: Roy Scott William
Published: April 2016

Broad transcriptomic sequencing of eukaryotes has revealed the ubiquity of splicing of nuclear genes. While the vast majority of splicing events join segments of the same RNA transcript, various studies have found a few intriguing cases of trans-splicing of introns, in which splicing events within protein coding regions join segments of different RNA transcripts. The most structurally intricate case known involves the bursicon gene in mosquitos, in which an internal exon is encoded at a distinct locus, requiring multiple trans-splicing events form the mature mRNA. This arrangement is known to be ancestral to mosquitos, however the exact timing of the origin of trans-splicing and the history of the bursicon gene within mosquitos is unknown. Taking advantage of the recent availability of genomes from variousAnophelesmosquitos and from relatives of mosquitos, I determinedtransversuscisencoding of bursicon across Culicomorpha. I conclude that trans-splicing emerged in the last common ancestor of mosquitos, and that trans-splicing has been retained in all 19 studiedAnophelesspecies. The retention of trans-splicing could indicate functional importance of this arrangement, or could alternatively reflect the rarity of mutations giving rise to viable allelic alternatives.
MicroRNA858 Is a Potential Regulator of Phenylpropanoid Pathway and Plant Development
Authors: Sharma Deepika , Tiwari Manish , Pandey Ashutosh , Bhatia Chitra , Sharma Ashish , Trivedi Prabodh Kumar
Published: April 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, noncoding small RNAs that function as critical regulators of gene expression. In plants, miRNAs have shown their potential as regulators of growth, development, signal transduction, and stress tolerance. Although the miRNA-mediated regulation of several processes is known, the involvement of miRNAs in regulating secondary plant product biosynthesis is poorly understood. In this study, we functionally characterized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) miR858a, which putatively targets R2R3-MYB transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Overexpression of miR858a in Arabidopsis led to the down-regulation of several MYB transcription factors regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. In contrast to the robust growth and early flowering of miR858OX plants, reduction of plant growth and delayed flowering were observed in Arabidopsis transgenic lines expressing an artificial miRNA target mimic (MIM858). Genome-wide expression analysis using transgenic lines suggested that miR858a targets a number of regulatory factors that modulate the expression of downstream genes involved in plant development and hormonal and stress responses. Furthermore, higher expression of MYBs in MIM858 lines leads to redirection of the metabolic flux towards the synthesis of flavonoids at the cost of lignin synthesis. Altogether, our study has established the potential role of light-regulated miR858a in flavonoid biosynthesis and plant growth and development.
Velocity‐saturation relation in partially saturated rocks: Modelling the effect of injection rate changes
Authors: Liu Jiawei , Müller Tobias M. , Qi Qiaomu , Lebedev Maxim , Sun Weitao
Published: April 2016

The relationship between P‐wave velocity and fluid saturation in a porous medium is of importance for reservoir rock characterization. Forced imbibition experiments in the laboratory reveal rather complicated velocity–saturation relations, including rollover‐like patterns induced by injection rate changes. Poroelasticity theory‐based patchy saturation models using a constant fluid patch size are not able to describe these velocity–saturation relations. Therefore, we incorporate a saturation‐dependent patch size function into two models for patchy saturation. This recipe allows us to model observed velocity–saturation relations obtained for different and variable injection rates. The results reveal an increase in patch size with fluid saturation and show a reduction in the patch size for decreasing injection rate. This indicates that there can exist a distinct relation between patch size and injection rate. We assess the relative importance of capillarity on velocity–saturation relations and find that capillarity stiffening impairs the impact of patch size changes. Capillarity stiffening appears to be a plausible explanation when a decrease in the injection rate is expected to boost the importance of capillarity.
Wind exposure and light exposure, more than elevation‐related temperature, limit tree line seedling abundance on three continents
Authors: McIntire Eliot J. B. , Piper Frida I. , Fajardo Alex
Published: April 2016

The transition from seedlings into trees at alpine tree lines is a temperature‐limited process that ultimately sets the tree line elevation at a global scale. As such, tree lines may be key bioassays of global warming effects on species distributions. For global warming to promote upward tree line migration, as predicted, seedlings must be available. We examined, for the first time at a global scale, elevational patterns and drivers of seedling availability at tree lines.

Working at 10 sites across five mountain regions (dry Andes, humid Andes, Patagonian Andes, Swiss Alps and US Rocky Mountains) with different tree line forms (abrupt and diffuse) and dominated by different tree species (broadleaves and conifers), we answered the following question: How is seedling abundance affected by elevation (as a coarse grain surrogate of temperature), light exposure (openness immediately above plots) or wind exposure (an index for openness in the horizontal direction), or combinations thereof and what is the relative importance of each factor?

We tested five biological hypotheses to determine the relative strength of these tree line drivers on variable‐size sampling plots of seedling abundance (S) (n = 1056). Specifically, we tested likely combinations of temperature limitation (T), light as a resource (light, L) and as a radiation stress (via high light at low temperature, R), wind exposure as a tree line stressor (W) and tree line form (a coarse scale test: abrupt vs. diffuse, D).

We found strong, moderate and weak negative effects of our estimates of wind exposure, radiation stress and elevation‐related temperature on seedling abundance, respectively. We also found a positive effect, at tree line, for site‐level tree line diffuseness. Two distinct facilitation mechanisms likely improved seedling abundance at tree line elevation: wind blockage by neighbourhood trees (the sheltering effect) and partial shading by overhead trees.

Synthesis. Seedling abundance at alpine tree lines is limited by multiple simultaneous factors with the temperature decrease with elevation playing a relatively minor role. We therefore note that if the temperature threshold limiting the conversion from seedlings to adult trees is relaxed because of global warming, upward tree line migration will depend on the availability of shelter sites for seedlings.
Party on wheels: mobile party spaces in the Norwegian high school graduation celebration
Authors: Fjær Eivind Grip , Pedersen Willy , Sandberg Sveinung
Published: April 2016

Research on partying and nightlife often emphasizes commercial control while overlooking participants’ creativity and agency. Due to their age, appearance and transgressive partying, participants in the Norwegian high school graduation celebration have limited access to bars and pubs in the ordinary night‐time economy. To create alternative party spaces under their own control they utilize the spatial opportunities offered by automobility. Groups of students get together many years in advance and buy old buses which they refurbish to become rolling nightclubs that enable them to ‘transcend space’ through partying while on the move. These mobile party spaces provide a material and symbolic centre of communion and a tight space for physical assembly that enhances the production of intense positive emotions. In a cat‐and‐mouse game with the police, the buses provide a sense of nomadic autonomy, and enable participants to drink heavily for days on end. The study examines how youth may creatively zone their own party spaces within the context of automobility and how these mobile spaces again shape the partying that goes on within them. While this party practice opens up for autonomy, creativity and social transgressions reminiscent of liminal phases or carnivals, at a deeper level participants clearly reproduce class‐based differences and exaggerate conventional practices and symbols.
Editorial Comment: Law and Negotiation in Conflict: Theory, Policy and Practice
Authors: Turner Catherine
Published: April 2016

The relationship between law and negotiation is increasingly at the forefront of the international agenda. International organisations whose role includes the mediation of peace, such as the Mediation Support Unit of the United Nations, and the European Union, are seeking to understand the relationship between mediation, law and justice in conflict and post conflict societies. While such organisations acknowledge that international law places normative constraints on the practice of peace making, they also recognise that key principles of mediation, such as consent, inclusivity and local ownership, are crucial to the success of negotiated peace processes (United Nations, ). These questions have risen to the top of international policy agendas, but there is little academic scrutiny of how the relationship between law and negotiation itself it to be negotiated (Kastner, ). Research to date has focused on discrete aspects of the relationship between law and negotiation, such as the role of human rights in peace agreements (Bell, ), or in setting transitional justice priorities (Bell ; Wierda, ). It has not addressed the overarching question of the relationship between law and negotiation that underpins these divisive issues. Binding norms as well as normative expectations serve to shape the mediation process. Yet while law can play a key role in providing guidance for peacemakers, and in providing legitimacy for peace agreements, it can also come into conflict with the political task of negotiation.
Systematic review with network meta‐analysis: comparative effectiveness and safety of strategies for preventing NSAID‐associated gastrointestinal toxicity
Authors: Yuan J. Q. , Tsoi K. K. F. , Yang M. , Wang J. Y. , Threapleton D. E. , Yang Z. Y. , Zou B. , Mao C. , Tang J. L. , Chan F. K. L.
Published: April 2016

Background

Many strategies are used to prevent nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐associated gastrointestinal toxicity, but the comparative effectiveness remains unclear.

Aim

To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of clinical strategies for preventing gastrointestinal toxicity induced by NSAIDs.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library (from their inception to May 2015) were searched for randomised controlled trials comparing the risk of gastrointestinal adverse events in patients taking nonselective NSAIDs, selective cyclooxygenase(COX)‐2 inhibitors or nonselective NSAIDs/COX‐2 inhibitors plus gastroprotective agents [proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine‐2 receptor antagonists, misoprostol]. Both pairwise meta‐analysis and Bayesian network meta‐analysis were performed.

Results

Analyses were based on 82 trials including 125 053 participants. Network meta‐analysis demonstrated that selective COX‐2 inhibitors + PPIs [Risk ratio (RR), 95% Credible Interval (CrI): ulcer complications 0.07, 0.02–0.18], selective COX‐2 inhibitors (RR, 95% CrI: ulcer complications 0.25, 0.15– 0.38; symptomatic ulcer 0.12, 0.04–0.30), nonselective NSAIDs + PPIs (RR, 95% CrI: ulcer complications 0.28, 0.18–0.41; symptomatic ulcer 0.11, 0.04–0.23), nonselective NSAIDs + misoprostol (RR, 95% CrI: ulcer complications 0.47, 0.24–0.81; symptomatic ulcer 0.41, 0.13–1.00) were associated with significantly lower risk of clinical gastrointestinal events compared with nonselective NSAIDs. For all effectiveness endpoints, selective COX‐2 inhibitors + PPIs was associated with the lowest absolute event probability and the highest rank, followed by selective COX‐2 inhibitors and thirdly by nonselective NSAIDs + PPIs.

Conclusion

The combination of selective COX‐2 inhibitors plus PPIs provides the best gastrointestinal protection, followed by selective COX‐2 inhibitors, and thirdly by nonselective NSAIDs plus PPIs.
Controversial issues in the early identification of atypical language development in young children
Authors: Luinge Margreet R
Published: April 2016

This commentary is on the original article by Guarini et al. on pages 949–956 of this issue.
Sex‐specific dispersal by a parasitoid wasp in the field
Authors: Asplen Mark K. , Chacón Jeremy M. , Heimpel George E.
Published: April 2016

Although parasitoid wasps are important regulators of herbivorous insect populations, very little is known regarding their movement under field conditions. Here, we examined the vertical and cardinal directionality of dispersal by Binodoxys communis (Gahan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), an exotic Asian parasitoid released as a biological control agent of the soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae), in North American soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae). The patterns are consistent with time‐dependent, sex‐specific dispersal strategies; whereas males show flight that is devoid of vertical or cardinal directionality, females consistently move at or above soybean canopy height toward the east and north. Male capture rates also appear to be more correlated with local conditions than those of females. These results suggest that females actively cross the flight boundary layer (the space above which insect flight is largely wind‐driven as opposed to self‐directed) and follow air currents away from soybean fields, whereas males engage in more localized movement. The data also suggest differing response potentials of the sexes to changing local resource conditions (host availability, female availability, host plant cultivar). We discuss the implications for sex‐specific movement on the basic biology of introduced parasitoid species, and their applied role as potential agents in importation biological control programs.
EXPLAINING THE SPREAD OF TEMPORARY JOBS AND ITS IMPACT ON LABOR TURNOVER
Authors: Cahuc Pierre , Charlot Olivier , Malherbet Franck
Published: April 2016

This article provides a simple model that explains the choice between permanent and temporary jobs. This model, which incorporates important features of actual employment protection legislations neglected by the economic literature so far, reproduces the main stylized facts about entries into permanent and temporary jobs observed in Continental European countries. We find that job protection has very small effects on total employment but induces large substitution of temporary jobs for permanent jobs, which significantly reduces aggregate production.
MODELING THE EVOLUTION OF EXPECTATIONS AND UNCERTAINTY IN GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM
Authors: Bianchi Francesco , Melosi Leonardo
Published: April 2016

We develop methods to solve general equilibrium models in which forward‐looking agents are subject to waves of pessimism, optimism, and uncertainty that turn out to critically affect macroeconomic outcomes. Agents in the model are fully rational and conduct Bayesian learning, and they know that they do not know. Therefore, agents take into account that their beliefs will evolve according to what they will observe. This framework accommodates both gradual and abrupt changes in beliefs and allows for an analytical characterization of uncertainty. We use a prototypical Real Business Cycle model to illustrate the methods.
Wolbachia from Drosophila incompta: just a hitchhiker shared by Drosophila in the New and Old World?
Authors: Wallau G. L. , da Rosa M. T. , De Ré F. C. , Loreto E. L. S.
Published: April 2016

Wolbachia are intracellular endosymbionts that infect arthropods and filarial nematodes, occasionally causing a wide variety of modifications in host biology, such as male‐killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), amongst others. This study assembled draft genomes for Wolbachia infecting Drosophila incompta, a species that uses flowers as exclusive breeding and feeding sites, in two distinct Brazilian populations. The absence of four genes involved in CI from this genome, together with literature reports of low frequencies of infected flies in wild populations that contain high mitogenome polymorphism, suggests that this bacterium does not induce CI in D. incompta. Phylogenomic analysis placed Wolbachia infecting D. incompta as closely related to the wMel strain which received such name since it was originally detected in Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, phylogenetic analysis using the Wolbachia surface protein gene and five genes used for multilocus sequence typing of Wolbachia found infecting Drosophila and other arthropod species of Old and New World displayed a complex evolutionary scenario involving recent horizontal transfer bursts in all major clades of Wolbachia pipens belonging to the supergroup A in both geographical regions.
General practitioners' attitudes towards electronic prescribing and the use of the national prescription centre
Authors: Kivekäs Eija , Enlund Hannes , Borycki Elizabeth , Saranto Kaija
Published: April 2016

Rationale, aims and objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess general practitioners' (GP) experience of an electronic prescription (e‐prescription) system and the use of a national prescription centre.

Methods

A web‐based survey with 29 structured questions and 8 open‐ended questions was used. The technology acceptance model was used to explain first users' use of e‐prescribing technology. GPs (n = 269) in two different primary health care organizations, which implemented the e‐prescribing module as the first of its kind in Finland.

Results

Of the 269 GPs, 69 (26%) completed the survey. E‐prescribing had influenced GP work and their management of patients' medication positively. Electronic health records and e‐prescribing increased GPs' flexibility at work. There was a notable improvement in the management of prescription of narcotics with the introduction of e‐prescribing. Issues with the e‐prescribing system software delayed data processing and produced negative experience as users were forced to browse through too many pages to write a prescription.

Conclusions

E‐prescribing has improved GP's patient medication management, meeting Finland's national objectives. E‐prescriptions not only reinforce the process of writing, transmitting and checking the authenticity of prescriptions but also make it mandatory for all key prescription information to be present for transmission. The perceived usefulness of e‐prescribing by GPs could lead to more widespread adoption of the technology. Making e‐prescribing more user friendly requires reforming work processes, which in turn would enhance the effectiveness of GP work.
The proportion of minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder in a community‐based early intervention programme
Authors: Rose V. , Trembath D. , Keen D. , Paynter J.
Published: April 2016

Background

Estimates of the proportion of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are minimally verbal vary from 25%to 35%. However, there is a lack of consensus in defining minimally verbal and few detailed reports of communication outcomes for these children following intervention. The aim of this study was to explore how minimally verbal children have been defined and to document the proportion of minimally verbal children in a group of children with ASD receiving a community based early intervention programme.

Method

A longitudinal cohort design was used to examine the proportion of children who met criteria for minimally verbal in 246 children with ASD when they entered and exited an early intervention programme.

Results

Overall, 26.3% of the children in this study exited the programme using ‘fewer than five spontaneous and functional words’ and 36.4% exited not using ‘two word phrases’ as indicated by direct assessment. However, our findings were mixed depending on measures and definitions used, with parent report indicating that as many as 29.4% of children were not ‘naming at least three objects’ consistently, and 43.3% not using ‘phrases with a noun and verb’ consistently at exit. More than half of the children who entered the programme with minimal speech exited the programme with a similar language profile. A small percentage of children (1.2%–4.7%) regressed in their language level over time.

Conclusions

Despite advances in early intervention, and access to services at a younger age, around a quarter of individuals with ASD in this study exited early intervention with significant communication needs. Our findings are considered in relation to the literature and clinical implications, and future research directions are discussed.
Assessment of cognition and language in the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: usefulness of the Bayley Scales of infant and toddler development, third edition
Authors: Torras‐Mañá M. , Gómez‐Morales A. , González‐Gimeno I. , Fornieles‐Deu A. , Brun‐Gasca C.
Published: April 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to test the usefulness of the Cognitive and Language scales Bayley‐III in the early assessment of cognitive and language functions in the context of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis. This paper focuses on the application of the Bayley‐III and studies the predictive value of the test result in children with ASD with different levels of verbal ability.

Method

A sample of 135 children (121 boys, 14 girls) with a confirmed ASD diagnosis at age 4 years were assessed with the Bayley‐III before 42 months of age (m = 36.49, s = 4.46) and later with other rating scales of different psychological and psycholinguistic functions as part of a longitudinal study [McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) (n = 48, 90% boys), Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K‐ABC) (n = 38, 87% boys) or Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) (n = 44, 89% boys)]. Age assessment in months: MSCA (m = 48.80, s = 3.33), K‐ABC (m = 51.80, s = 7.17) and ITPA (m = 54.48, s = 3.34).

Results

Lower scores on the cognitive and language Bayley‐III scales before 3.5 years of age predicted lower cognitive and oral language levels at 4 years of age. A significant correlation was found between the Cognitive Bayley‐III Scale and the General Cognitive MSCA Scale, and with the Compound K‐ABC Mental Processing. An association between the nonverbal cognitive level and oral language level acquired at 4 years of age was found.

Conclusions

The Bayley‐III is a useful instrument in cognitive and language assessment of ASD.
Satisfaction With a Family‐Focused Intervention for Mild Cognitive Impairment Dyads
Authors: Lu Yvonne Yueh‐Feng , Ellis Jennifer , Yang Ziyi , Weaver Michael T. , Bakas Tamilyn , Austrom Mary Guerriero , Haase Joan E.
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This article describes satisfaction that persons with mild cognitive impairment (PwMCI) and their caregivers had with the Daily Enhancement of Meaningful Activity (DEMA) intervention.

Methods

This randomized controlled pilot study compared satisfaction (usefulness, ease of use, and acceptability) with DEMA (n = 17 dyads) to an information support (IS) control group (n = 19 dyads). Six biweekly sessions (two in person and four by telephone) were delivered by trained nurses. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent‐sample t tests, and content analysis.

Findings

PwMCI receiving DEMA rated their satisfaction significantly higher (p = .033) than did the control group; there was no difference in satisfaction between caregivers across groups. Qualitative interview data supported the usefulness, ease of use, and acceptability of DEMA for both PwMCI and caregivers.

Conclusions

Results documented PwMCI's satisfaction with DEMA as implemented by nurses to support PwMCI–caregiver dyads’ engagement in meaningful activity. DEMA may need revision to increase satisfaction for caregivers.

Clinical Relevance

The DEMA intervention was evaluated as useful, easy to use, and acceptable to PwMCI and their caregivers based on positive mean ratings. The study findings provide preliminary support of DEMA as a means to improve quality of life by helping to support patient and caregiver engagement in meaningful activities and problem solving.
Active Travel to School: Findings From the Survey of US Health Behavior in School‐Aged Children, 2009‐2010
Authors: Yang Yong , Ivey Stephanie S. , Levy Marian C. , Royne Marla B. , Klesges Lisa M.
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Whereas children's active travel to school (ATS) has confirmed benefits, only a few large national surveys of ATS exist.

METHODS

Using data from the Health Behavior in School‐aged Children (HBSC) 2009‐2010 US survey, we conducted a logistic regression model to estimate the odds ratios of ATS and a linear regression model to estimate the adjusted mean differences of the percentage of ATS within a school.

RESULTS

Overall, 21.4% of children engaged in at least one way of active travel to or from school. ATS was less common for trips to school than from school. Greater distance to school was a major barrier preventing children from ATS. Children living in large cities were more likely to engage in ATS, and schools located in a large city had higher proportions of ATS rate. Children having lower family satisfaction, or engaging in a greater number of physically active days during the past week were all more likely to engage in ATS.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ATS is low among US children, significant variation exists. HBSC is a promising data source for an ATS study. As the first study to explore the variation of ATS at school level, this research contributes uniquely to current knowledge.
The isoflavone daidzein directly affects porcine ovarian cell functions and modifies the effect of follicle‐stimulating hormone
Authors: Sirotkin A. V. , Alexa R. , Kádasi A. , Štochmaľová A. , Morovič M. , Laurinčik J. , Harrath A. H. , Grossmann R.
Published: April 2016

The key biological active molecule of soya is the isoflavone daidzein, which possesses phytoestrogenic activity. The direct effect of soya and daidzein on ovarian cell functions is not known. This study examined the effect of daidzein on basic porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions and the response to follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH). We studied the effects of daidzein (0, 1, 10 and 100 μm), FSH (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 IU/ml) and combinations of FSH (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 IU/ml) + daidzein (50 μm) on proliferation, apoptosis and hormone release from cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells and ovarian follicles. The expression of a proliferation‐related peptide (PCNA) and an apoptosis‐related peptide (Bax) was analysed using immunocytochemistry. The release of progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) was detected using EIA. Leptin output was analysed using RIA. Daidzein administration increased granulosa cell proliferation, apoptosis and T and leptin release but inhibited P4 output. Daidzein also increased T release and decreased P4 release from cultured ovarian follicles. Follicle‐stimulating hormone stimulated granulosa cell proliferation, apoptosis and P4, T and leptin release. The addition of daidzein promoted FSH‐stimulated apoptosis (but not proliferation) but suppressed FSH‐stimulated P4, T and leptin release. Our observations of FSH action confirm previous data on the stimulatory effect of FSH on ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis and demonstrate for the first time the involvement of FSH in the upregulation of ovarian leptin release. Our observations of daidzein effects demonstrated for the first time that this soya isoflavone affected basic ovarian cell functions (proliferation, apoptosis and hormones release) and modified the effects of FSH. Daidzein promoted FSH action on ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis and suppressed, and even inverted, FSH action on hormone release. The direct action of daidzein on basic ovarian cell functions and the ability of these cells to respond to FSH indicate the potential influence of soya‐containing diets on female reproductive processes via direct action on the ovary.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): a preliminary assessment
Authors: Salvadori M. , Vercelli C. , De Vito V. , Dezzutto D. , Bergagna S. , Re G. , Giorgi M.
Published: April 2016

Enrofloxacin (E) is commonly used in veterinary medicine. It is necessary to perform pharmacokinetic/dynamic studies to minimize the selection of resistant mutants of bacteria and extend the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. Eight healthy adult Pogona vitticeps were assigned into two groups of equal size and treated with a single intramuscular injection of E at 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were withdrawn at different scheduled times for each group, and rectal swabs were collected. E and ciprofloxacin (active metabolite) blood concentrations were quantified by an HPLC validated method, while the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test. The pharmacokinetic profiles of E gave similar pharmacokinetic parameters irrespective of the collection time schedule. Bacteria isolation showed the presence of both E. coli, Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica and subspecies 3a, Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. The majority of isolated colonies were sensitive to E, but the treatment did not reduce the number of bacteria in faeces. Results suggest that E is able to reach blood concentrations high enough to kill susceptible bacteria (MIC < 0.9 μg/mL), but at the same time does not significantly affect intestinal bacteria.
The clinical course of alcoholic cirrhosis: development of comorbid diseases. A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Jepsen Peter , Lash Timothy L. , Vilstrup Hendrik
Published: April 2016

Background & Aims

We aimed to determine associations between alcoholic cirrhosis and incidence of comorbidity, and to describe the clinical course of alcoholic cirrhosis in terms of comorbidity development. The comorbid diseases we studied were acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, epilepsy, diabetes and cancer.

Methods

This was a registry‐based nationwide historical cohort study. We included 10 650 Danish citizens diagnosed with alcoholic cirrhosis at age 45–69 years in 1994–2014 and 43 150 age‐ and gender‐matched persons. None of them had the comorbid diseases we studied at inclusion. We compared rates and cumulative risks of comorbidity development between patients and controls.

Results

Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis had a higher rate of comorbidity (hazard ratio for any comorbidity = 3.74, 95% CI 3.56–3.94), including all the non‐cancer comorbidities (hazard ratio for any non‐cancer comorbidity = 4.33, 95% CI 4.06–4.62) except acute myocardial infarction. They also had a higher rate of developing cancer (hazard ratio = 2.94, 95% CI 2.70–3.19). Still, relatively few patients actually lived to experience development of non‐cancer (10‐year risk: 21.4% vs. 13.2% for controls) or cancer comorbidity (10‐year risk: 10.9% vs. 10.0%) because they died before they developed any comorbid disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma and oropharyngeal cancer were the only two comorbidities that were much more likely to develop in patients than in controls.

Conclusions

Alcoholic cirrhosis promotes development of several comorbid diseases, but only few patients with alcoholic cirrhosis live long enough to actually develop them.
Trophic status of the largest freshwater lakes in the world
Authors: Izmailova Anna V. , Rumyantsev Vladislav A.
Published: April 2016

The problem of lake eutrophication has been a relevant challenge for more than a century. Eutrophication has presently affected not only small‐sized and middle‐sized lakes, but most of the largest lakes in the world as well. The most rapid eutrophication has occurred for shallow water bodies in both tropical and temperate latitudinal zones. These processes are intensified by consistently high temperatures in tropical lakes, which contribute to accelerated biological processes. The eutrophication processes in deep lakes that contain large water volumes have mostly local impacts and primarily affect the shallow water zones. The dynamics of trophic status changes for the largest lakes in the world are discussed in this study, considering changes in the total water volumes characterizing different trophic categories that occurred during the period from 1950 to 2010. As the largest lakes are the most important reserves of surface fresh water on our planet, it is very important to have an understanding of the quality changes taking place in regard to this important water resource.
Limited differences among habitats in deep‐sea macro‐infaunal communities off New Zealand: implications for their vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbance
Authors: Leduc Daniel , Rowden Ashley A. , Clark Malcolm R. , Bowden David A. , Thurber Andrew R.
Published: April 2016

The spread of human activities into the deep sea may pose a high risk to benthic communities and affect ecosystem integrity. The deep sea is characterized by physical and biological heterogeneity and different habitat types are likely to differ in their vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts. However, across‐habitat comparisons are rare, and no comprehensive ecological risk assessment has yet been developed. To address this gap in our knowledge, we compared macro‐infaunal community structure in four habitats (slope, canyons, seamounts and methane seeps) at depths between 700 and 1500 m in the Hikurangi Margin and Bay of Plenty regions off New Zealand. The most striking contrast in community structure was between the two study regions, due to an order of magnitude difference in macro‐infaunal abundance that we believe was caused by differences in surface productivity and food availability at the sea bed. We found differences in structural and functional attributes of macro‐infaunal communities among some habitats in the Hikurangi Margin (slope, canyon and seep), but not in the Bay of Plenty. We posit that differences between canyon and slope communities on the Hikurangi Margin are due to enhanced food availability inside canyons compared with adjacent slope habitats. Seep communities were characterized by elevated abundance of both symbiont‐bearing and heterotrophic taxa, and were the most distinct, and variable, among the habitats that we considered on the Hikurangi Margin. Communities of seamounts were not distinct from slope or canyon communities on the Hikurangi Margin, probably reflecting similar environmental conditions in these habitats. The communities of deep‐sea canyon and seep habitats on the Hikurangi Margin were sufficiently dissimilar from each other and from slope habitats to warrant separate management consideration. By contrast, the low dissimilarity between communities of canyon and slope habitats in the Bay of Plenty suggests that habitat‐based management is not required in this region, for macro‐infauna at least. Although the two study regions share similar species pools, populations of the Hikurangi Margin region may be less vulnerable than the sparser populations of the Bay of Plenty due to the higher availability of potential colonizers and faster population growth. Thus regions, and habitats in some regions, should be subject to separate ecological risk assessment to help identify the key risks and consequences of human activities, and to inform options for reducing or mitigating impacts.
Does physiological acclimation to climate warming stabilize the ratio of canopy respiration to photosynthesis?
Authors: Drake John E. , Tjoelker Mark G. , Aspinwall Michael J. , Reich Peter B. , Barton Craig V. M. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Duursma Remko A.
Published: April 2016

Given the contrasting short‐term temperature dependences of gross primary production (GPP) and autotrophic respiration, the fraction of GPP respired by trees is predicted to increase with warming, providing a positive feedback to climate change. However, physiological acclimation may dampen or eliminate this response.

We measured the fluxes of aboveground respiration (Ra), GPP and their ratio (Ra/GPP) in large, field‐grown Eucalyptus tereticornis trees exposed to ambient or warmed air temperatures (+3°C). We report continuous measurements of whole‐canopy CO2 exchange, direct temperature response curves of leaf and canopy respiration, leaf and branch wood respiration, and diurnal photosynthetic measurements.

Warming reduced photosynthesis, whereas physiological acclimation prevented a coincident increase in Ra. Ambient and warmed trees had a common nonlinear relationship between the fraction of GPP that was respired above ground (Ra/GPP) and the mean daily temperature. Thus, warming significantly increased Ra/GPP by moving plants to higher positions on the shared Ra/GPP vs daily temperature relationship, but this effect was modest and only notable during hot conditions.

Despite the physiological acclimation of autotrophic respiration to warming, increases in temperature and the frequency of heat waves may modestly increase tree Ra/GPP, contributing to a positive feedback between climate warming and atmospheric CO2 accumulation.
Impact of end‐stage renal disease on psychological status and quality of life
Authors: Kilicoglu Ali Guven , Bahali Kayhan , Canpolat Nur , Bilgic Ayhan , Mutlu Caner , Yalçın Özhan , Pehlivan Gulseren , Sever Lale
Published: April 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to assess depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL) in a cohort of children and adolescents with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), to compare these findings with healthy controls, and to evaluate the association between these psychological symptoms, QOL, and clinical variables related to ESRD.

Methods

Thirty‐two children and adolescents 8–18 years of age were enrolled in the study. The sociodemographic data were evaluated. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the psychological status and QOL of the patients and healthy controls.

Results

There was a significant difference in mean depression score, which was significantly higher for the ESRD patients. Mean state anxiety score was significantly lower for ESRD patients than for controls. Regarding QOL score, there were significant differences between the ESRD patients and control groups for both child‐rated and parent‐rated QOL scores, which were significantly lower for ESRD patients. Trait anxiety was a negative predictor of all subscales of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.

Conclusions

End‐stage renal disease was related to significant morbidity and poorer QOL. The assessment and enhancement of QOL and comorbid psychiatric disorders in ESRD should be a part of disease management.
Rauvolfia serpentina N‐methyltransferases involved in ajmaline and Nβ‐methylajmaline biosynthesis belong to a gene family derived from γ‐tocopherol C‐methyltransferase
Authors: Cázares‐Flores Paulo , Levac Dylan , De Luca Vincenzo
Published: April 2016

Ajmaline biosynthesis in Rauvolfia serpentina has been one of the most studied monoterpenoid indole alkaloid (MIA) pathways within the plant family Apocynaceae. Detailed molecular and biochemical information on most of the steps involved in the pathway has been generated over the last 30 years. Here we report the identification, molecular cloning and functional expression in Escherichia coli of two R. serpentinacDNAs that are part of a recently discovered γ‐tocopherol‐like N‐methyltransferase (γ‐TLMT) family and are involved in indole and side‐chain N‐methylation of ajmaline. Recombinant proteins showed remarkable substrate specificity for molecules with an ajmalan‐type backbone and strict regiospecific N‐methylation. Furthermore, N‐methyltransferase gene transcripts and enzyme activity were enriched in R. serpentina roots which correlated with accumulation of ajmaline alkaloid. This study elucidates the final step in the ajmaline biosynthetic pathway and describes the enzyme responsible for the formation of Nβ‐methylajmaline, an unusual charged MIA found in R. serpentina.
Different flowering response to various fruit loads in apple cultivars correlates with degree of transcript reaccumulation of a TFL1‐encoding gene
Authors: Haberman Amnon , Ackerman Michal , Crane Omer , Kelner Jean‐Jacques , Costes Evelyne , Samach Alon
Published: April 2016

In many perennial fruit trees, flowering in the year following a year with heavy fruit load can be quite limited. This biennial cycle of fruiting, termed alternate bearing, was described 170 years ago in apple (Malus domestica). Apple inflorescences are mainly found on short branches (spurs). Bourse shoots (BS) develop from the leaf axils of the spur. BS apices may terminate ~100 days after flowering, with formation of next year's inflorescences. We sought to determine how developing fruit on the spur prevents the adjacent BS apex from forming an inflorescence. The presence of adjacent fruit correlated with reaccumulation of transcript encoding a potential flowering inhibitor, MdTFL1‐2, in BS apices prior to inflorescence initiation. BS apices without adjacent fruit that did not flower due to late fruitlet removal, neighbouring fruit on the tree, or leaf removal, also reaccumulated the MdTFL1‐2 transcript. Fruit load and gibberellin (GA) application had similar effects on the expression of MdTFL1‐2 and genes involved in GA biosynthesis and metabolism. Some apple cultivars are less prone to alternate bearing. We show that the response of a BS apex to different numbers of adjacent fruit differs among cultivars in both MdTFL1‐2 accumulation and return flowering. These results provide a working model for the further study of alternate bearing, and help clarify the need for cultivar‐specific approaches to reach stable fruit production.
Antibacterial effect of N‐acetylcysteine on common canine otitis externa isolates
Authors: May Elizabeth R. , Conklin Katherine A. , Bemis David A.
Published: April 2016

Background

N‐Acetylcysteine (NAC) has the potential to be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of otitis externa due to its antimicrobial and mucolytic properties, as well as its ability to disrupt bacterial biofilm.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine the antibacterial activity of NAC against common bacterial isolates associated with canine otitis externa.

Animals

Twenty two isolates from canine clinical cases of otitis externa were identified and tested, including five Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, six Pseudomonas aeruginosa, five Corynebacterium spp. and six β‐haemolytic Streptococcus spp. isolates.

Methods

Each isolate was grown on blood agar for 24 h and transferred to Mueller Hinton Broth (MHB) to achieve a final concentration of 5 × 105 CFU/mL. NAC was diluted in MHB to a starting concentration of 160 mg/mL and serial two‐fold microdilution assays were performed in triplicate with negative controls for all isolates tested. Concentrations of NAC tested ranged from 0.125 to 80 mg/mL. A 50 μL volume of bacterial suspension was used to inoculate each well.

Results

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NAC for all isolates tested ranged from 5 to 20 mg/mL.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

N‐Acetylcysteine inhibits clinically relevant and drug resistant bacteria in vitro, and has potential for use as a novel agent for treatment of otitis externa.
Serotonin in the solitary tract nucleus shortens the laryngeal chemoreflex in anaesthetized neonatal rats
Authors: Donnelly William T. , Bartlett Donald , Leiter J. C.
Published: April 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Failure to terminate apnoea and arouse is likely to contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Serotonin is deficient in the brainstems of babies who died of SIDS. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that serotonin in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) would shorten reflex apnoea.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Serotonin microinjected into the NTS shortened the apnoea and respiratory inhibition associated with the laryngeal chemoreflex. Moreover, this effect was achieved through a 5‐HT3receptor. This is a new insight that is likely to be relevant to the pathogenesis of SIDS.

The laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR), an airway‐protective reflex that causes apnoea and bradycardia, has long been suspected as an initiating event in the sudden infant death syndrome. Serotonin (5‐HT) and 5‐HT receptors may be deficient in the brainstems of babies who die of sudden infant death syndrome, and 5‐HT seems to be important in terminating apnoeas directly or in causing arousals or as part of the process of autoresuscitation. We hypothesized that 5‐HT in the brainstem would limit the duration of the LCR. We studied anaesthetized rat pups between 7 and 21 days of age and made microinjections into the cisterna magna or into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). Focal, bilateral microinjections of 5‐HT into the caudal NTS significantly shortened the LCR. The 5‐HT1areceptor antagonist, WAY 100635, did not affect the LCR consistently, nor did a 5‐HT2receptor antagonist, ketanserin, alter the duration of the LCR. The 5‐HT3specific agonist, 1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐biguanide, microinjected bilaterally into the caudal NTS significantly shortened the LCR. Thus, endogenous 5‐HT released within the NTS may curtail the respiratory depression that is part of the LCR, and serotonergic shortening of the LCR may be attributed to activation of 5‐HT3receptors within the NTS. 5‐HT3receptors are expressed presynaptically on C fibre afferents of the superior laryngeal nerve, and serotonergic shortening of the LCR may be mediated presynaptically by enhanced activation of inhibitory interneurons within the NTS.