bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prenatal particulate matter affects new asthma via airway hyperresponsiveness in schoolchildren
Authors: Yang Song‐I , Lee So‐Yeon , Kim Hyo‐Bin , Kim Hwan‐Cheol , Leem Jong‐Han , Yang Hyeon‐Jong , Kwon Hyeok , Seo Ju‐Hee , Cho Hyun‐Ju , Yoon Jisun , Lee Eun , Jung Young‐Ho , Kim Yeongho , Jung Sungsu , Kwon Ho‐Jang , Hong Soo‐Jong
Published: October 2018

Background

The most relevant time of PM10 exposure to affect airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and new development of asthma in school‐aged children is unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate the most critical time of PM10 exposure to affect AHR and new diagnosis of asthma from AHR in school‐aged children.

Methods

Elementary schoolchildren (n = 3570) have been enrolled in a nationwide prospective 4‐year follow‐up survey in Korea from 2005 to 2006. Individual annual PM10 exposure was estimated by using an ordinary kriging method from the prenatal period to 7 years of age. AHR at 7 years was defined by a methacholine PC20 ≤8 mg/mL.

Results

PM10 exposure during pregnancy and at 1 year of age showed significant effects on AHR (aOR: 1.694, 95% CI: 1.298‐2.209; and aOR: 1.750, 95% CI: 1.343‐2.282, respectively). PM10 exposure during pregnancy was associated with the risk of a new diagnosis of asthma (aOR: 2.056, 95% CI: 1.240‐3.409), with the highest risk in children with AHR at age 7 (aOR: 6.080, 95% CI: 2.150‐17.195). PM10 exposure in the second trimester was associated with the highest risk of a new diagnosis of asthma in children with AHR at age 7 (aOR: 4.136, 95% CI: 1.657‐10.326).

Conclusions

Prenatal PM10 exposure in the second trimester is associated with an increased risk of a new diagnosis of asthma in school‐aged children with AHR at 7 years. This study suggests that PM10 exposure during a specific trimester in utero may affect the onset of childhood asthma via AHR.
Longitudinal trends in renal function in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving oral antiviral treatment
Authors: Udompap Prowpanga , Kim Donghee , Ahmed Aijaz , Kim W. Ray
Published: October 2018

Background

Long term renal safety of antiviral agents against hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been debated.

Aim

To compare longitudinal trends of renal function among HBV mono‐infected patients receiving entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and adefovir (ADV) in comparison to untreated subjects.

Methods

A retrospective cohort consisting of 815 patients with chronic HBV infection was constructed. Serial estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was compared to the expected rate of age‐dependent decline in eGFR, derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. Generalised estimating equations and linear mixed‐effects models were used to compare trends in eGFR (in mL/min/1.73m2 as a “unit”).

Results

In NHANES data (n = 23 051), each year of age was associated with a 0.86 unit decrease in eGFR in subjects without hypertension and 0.96 units with hypertension. The Stanford cohort consisted of patients who received ETV (n = 207), TDF (n = 191), ADV (n = 46) or no therapy (n = 371). After a median follow‐up 4.0 (interquartile range: 1.9‐6.5) years, there was no significant difference in the expected and observed rates of eGFR decline in untreated HBV patients. Patients receiving antiviral treatment experienced steeper reduction in renal function than expected. In the multivariable model, ETV was associated with eGFR loss at 1.81 units per year (P = 0.06, compared to untreated patients). TDF‐ and ADV‐treated patients experienced significantly higher rate of eGFR loss at 2.21 and 2.63 units per year, respectively (both P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In this longitudinal cohort study, HBV patients receiving antiviral therapy, particularly TDF and ADV, experienced more rapid loss in eGFR.
The Role of Self‐Efficacy and Identity in Mediating the Effects of STEM Support Experiences
Authors: Syed Moin , Zurbriggen Eileen L. , Chemers Martin M. , Goza Barbara K. , Bearman Steve , Crosby Faye J. , Shaw Jerome M. , Hunter Lisa , Morgan Elizabeth M.
Published: October 2018

We report results from two studies testing the Mediation Model of Research Experiences, which posits that science (or engineering) self‐efficacy and identity as a scientist (or engineer) mediate the association between support programs and students’ commitment to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Study 1 included 502 matriculated and recently graduated undergraduate STEM students. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that research experience, instrumental mentoring, and involvement in a community of scientists were associated with commitment to a STEM career, mediated through science/engineering self‐efficacy and identity as a scientist/engineer. There were few interactions with ethnicity and none with gender. In Study 2, 63 undergraduate students in science/engineering support programs were surveyed with a similar instrument at the beginning and end of their programs. Pre–post analyses indicated that increases over time in community involvement were associated with increases in science/engineering self‐efficacy, and increases over time in science/engineering identity were associated with increased commitment to a STEM career. Taken together, these two studies show the importance of psychological processes such as identity and self‐efficacy in understanding the specific ways in which science/engineering support programs lead to enhanced commitment to a career in STEM among White and underrepresented minority undergraduate students.
Baseline morphometric, haematological and plasma biochemical parameters in free‐ranging eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii)
Authors: Johnson RSP , Harlow PS , Phillips CA , Hall EJS
Published: October 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine baseline reference data for morphometric measurements and haematological and plasma biochemical parameters in clinically healthy eastern water dragons (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii), accounting for the variables of season and sex. The clinical objective was to provide clinicians and researchers with baseline reference intervals (RIs) in order to assess accurately the health of a population or individual animals.

Methods

The study group comprised 39 free‐ranging eastern water dragons. To monitor seasonal changes in data two study periods were assigned: September–October 2009 (spring) and January–March 2010 (summer). The 18 males and 21 females were captured in the grounds of Taronga Zoo, Mosman (33°50′45′′ S, 151°15′20′′ E) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Basic morphometric, haematological and plasma biochemical parameters were measured. RIs were generated in accordance with the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines. Data were analysed for the effects of sex, season and sex–season interactions using restricted maximal likelihood modelling.

Results

Reference values were established in eastern water dragons for morphometric data and RIs were generated for haematological and plasma biochemical levels. The study showed seasonal variation in uric acid. Weight, total length, snout–vent length and basophil % showed significant differences according to sex. Sex–season interactions were detected for calcium, monocyte % and total protein (refractometry).

Conclusion

Multiple parameters exhibited normal physiological variation between season and sex and an interaction between the two factors. These variables need to be considered in the clinical context when interpreting results of haematological and biochemical analyses in eastern water dragons. The RIs established from this population will provide a basis for further studies in both free‐living and captive eastern water dragons, and for comparison in clinical cases.
The trajectory of patients who die from metastatic prostate cancer: a population‐based study
Authors: Collins Anna , Sundararajan Vijaya , Millar Jeremy , Burchell Jodie , Le Brian , Krishnasamy Mei , McLachlan Sue‐Anne , Hudson Peter , Mileshkin Linda , Philip Jennifer
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To describe health service use, symptom and survival characteristics in metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) in order to outline usual care practices and identify future opportunities to improve the quality of care in this patient group.

Patients and Methods

This population cohort study, conducted in Victoria, Australia, used 10 years (2000–2010) of linked hospital discharge, emergency visit, and death registration data, to track patients from their first inpatient admission with mPCa until death. Descriptive statistics on inpatient health service use, symptoms, procedures, survival, and place of death are presented.

Results

In all, 4436 patients survived a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 4 (1, 12) months from their first multiday admission with mPCa. They had a median (IQR) of 3 (1, 9) admissions, 1 (0, 2) emergency department presentation, and 35 (18, 63) days admitted to hospital. Lower urinary tract symptoms were common (50%), and 21% underwent lower urinary tract procedures, whilst 48% had blood product transfusions. In the last month of life, 3685 (83%) had at least one indicator of aggressive end‐of‐life care, including 48% with more than one acute hospital admission, and 55% staying ≥14 days. Hospital‐based palliative care was accessed by 2657 (60%), occurring a median (IQR) of 30 (11, 74) days before death. In all, 23% died in the community, whilst 77% died in hospital, of whom 55% died in an acute hospital bed.

Conclusion

Half of all decedents first admitted for a multiday stay with mPCa survived <4 months thereafter. They had a marked symptom burden, underwent multiple procedures and had multiple admissions. In all, 40% of patients did not receive any hospital‐based palliative care. Several opportunities exist to improve the timely transition to palliative care services with mPCa. These data form a benchmark against which future improvements to palliative care integration may be measured.
The Early Lake Ontario barrier beach: evidence for sea level about 12.8–12.5 cal. ka BP beneath western Lake Ontario in eastern North America
Authors: Lewis C. F. Michael , Todd Brian J.
Published: October 2018

An overstepped, concave‐eastward, barrier beach beneath Holocene mud in western Lake Ontario has been delineated by acoustic and seismic reflection profiles and piston cores, and related to Early Lake Ontario (ELO). The average ELO barrier depth below present mean lake level is 77.4 to 80.6 m, or about −6 to −2.8 m above present sea level. Trend surface analysis of Champlain Sea (Atlantic Ocean) marine limits defined the contemporaneous marine water surface, and projections of this surface pass ~25 m above the outlet sill of the Lake Ontario basin and extend to the ELO palaeo‐barrier, a unique sand and gravel deposit beneath western Lake Ontario. ELO was connected to the Champlain Sea above the isostatically rising outlet sill for up to three centuries after about 12.8 cal. ka BP, while the glacio‐isostatically depressed St. Lawrence River Valley was inundated by the Atlantic Ocean. During the period of this connection, ELO level was confluent with slowly rising sea level, and the lake constructed a transgressive beach deposit with washover surfaces. ELO remained fresh due to a high flux of meltwater inflow. The marine water level connection stabilized water level in ELO relative to its shore and facilitated shore erosion, sediment supply and barrier construction. Glacio‐isostatic uplift of the outlet sill, faster than sea‐level rise, lifted ELO above the Champlain Sea about 12.5 cal. ka. Shortly after, a hydrological deficit due mainly to a combination of diverted meltwater inflow and dry climate, well known from regional pollen studies, forced the lake into a lowstand. The lowstand stranded the barrier, which remains as evidence of sea level, the farthest inland in eastern North America north of the Gulf of Mexico at the time. The highest palaeo‐washover surface provides a sea‐level index point.
Utility of systematic TSHR gene testing in adults with hyperthyroidism lacking overt autoimmunity and diffuse uptake on thyroid scintigraphy
Authors: Patel Kashyap A. , Knight Bridget , Aziz Aftab , Babiker Tarig , Tamar Avades , Findlay Joanna , Cox Sue , Dimitropoulos Ioannis , Tysoe Carolyn , Panicker Vijay , Vaidya Bijay
Published: October 2018

Objective

Patients with hyperthyroidism lacking autoimmune features but showing diffuse uptake on thyroid scintigram can have either Graves’ disease or germline activating TSH receptor (TSHR) mutation. It is important to identify patients with activating TSHR mutation due to treatment implication, but the overlapping clinical features with Graves’ disease make it difficult to discriminate these two conditions without genetic testing. Our study aimed to assess the potential of systematic TSHR mutation screening in adults with hyperthyroidism, showing diffuse uptake on thyroid scintigraphy but absence of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) and clinical signs of autoimmunity.

Design

A cross‐sectional study of Caucasian adults with hyperthyroidism, managed at three endocrine centres in the South West, UK, from January 2006 to April 2017.

Methods

We recruited 78 adult Caucasian patients with hyperthyroidism showing diffuse uptake on 99mTc‐pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy but without TRAb and other autoimmune clinical features of Graves’ disease (such as thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy or dermopathy). Genomic DNA of these patients was analysed for variants in the TSHR gene.

Results

Genetic analysis identified 11 patients with four variants in TSHR [p.(Glu34Lys), p.(Asp36His), p.(Pro52Thr) and p.(Ile334Thr)]. None of these variants were pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guideline.

Conclusions

Activating TSHR mutations are a rare cause of nonautoimmune adult hyperthyroidism. Our study does not support the routine genetic testing in adult patients with hyperthyroidism showing diffuse uptake on scintigraphy but negative TRAb and lacking extrathyroidal manifestations of Graves’ disease.
Nickel deposition and penetration into the stratum corneum after short metallic nickel contact: An experimental study
Authors: Ahlström Malin G. , Midander Klara , Menné Torkil , Lidén Carola , Johansen Jeanne D. , Julander Anneli , Thyssen Jacob P.
Published: October 2018

Background

Knowledge about the skin deposition and penetration of nickel into the stratum corneum (SC) after short contact with metallic items is limited.

Objective

To quantify nickel skin deposition and penetration into the SC after short contact with metallic nickel.

Methods

Sixteen nickel‐allergic participants and 10 controls were exposed to 3 pure nickel discs and 1 aluminium disc on each volar forearm for 3 × 10 minutes. Before exposure, 1 forearm was irritated with 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate under 24‐hour occlusion. Immediately, as well as 24 and 72 hours after metallic disc exposure, outer SC layers were removed with adhesive tapes and the nickel content was measured.

Results

Nickel deposition and SC penetration capable of eliciting allergic nickel dermatitis were found immediately and after 24 hours. Significantly higher nickel amounts were found on normal skin and in the SC of nickel‐allergic participants than in controls both immediately and after 24 hours, and on irritated skin immediately after exposure.

Conclusions

Nickel deposition and SC penetration is considerable after nickel skin exposure of 3 × 10 minutes. Combined with the allergic responses resulting from the same exposures reported previously, this study highlights that short skin exposure to nickel‐releasing items may cause allergic nickel dermatitis.
Ecological fallacy as a novel risk factor for poor translation in neuroscience research: A systematic review and simulation study
Authors: Cragg Jacquelyn J. , Kramer John L. K. , Borisoff Jaimie F. , Patrick David M. , Ramer Matt S.
Published: October 2018

Background

Translational neuroscience is largely concerned with establishing causal links between biological processes and functional outcomes. Exciting new methods have emerged and top‐tier biomedical journals are placing increasingly high demand for experiments that link outcomes. One pitfall to making these connections is the “ecological fallacy”—establishing a relationship between outcomes based on aggregate (averaged) results (a distinct issue from correlation vs causation).

Methods

To showcase the ecological fallacy, we first used simulated data to define and demonstrate the problem. Next, we performed a systematic review to determine the prevalence of the fallacy in top‐tier biomedical journals (Science, Nature Medicine, Neuron, Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Cell). Based on our own research interests and specializations, we specifically focused on recent publications in the area of spinal cord injury and regenerative medicine.

Results

Of the articles reviewed which examined a relationship between central nervous system regeneration and a behavioural outcome, 100% (21/21) were subject to possible ecological fallacy.

Conclusions

Ecological fallacy is highly prevalent in neuroscience research and could partially account for translation failures in this field. Reporting guidelines for in vivo experiments should include subject‐level correlation analyses for the primary outcomes.
Predictors of Phytophthora diversity and community composition in natural areas across diverse Australian ecoregions
Authors: Burgess Treena I. , McDougall Keith L. , Scott Peter M. , Hardy Giles E. StJ. , Garnas Jeff
Published: October 2018

Comprehensive understanding of the patterns and drivers of microbial diversity at a landscape scale is in its infancy, despite the recent ease by which soil communities can be characterized using massively parallel amplicon sequencing. Here we report on a comprehensive analysis of the drivers of diversity distribution and composition of the ecologically and economically important Phytophthora genus from 414 soil samples collected across Australia. We assessed 22 environmental and seven categorical variables as potential predictors of Phytophthora species richness, α and β diversity, including both phylogenetically and non‐phylogenically explicit methods. In addition, we classified each species as putatively native or introduced and examined the distribution with respect to putative origin. The two most widespread species, P. multivora and P. cinnamomi, are introduced, though five of the ten most widely distributed species are putatively native. Introduced taxa comprised over 54% of Australia's Phytophthora diversity and these species are known pathogens of annual and perennial crop habitats as well as urban landscapes and forestry. Patterns of composition were most strongly predicted by bioregion (R2 = 0.29) and ecoregion (R2 = 0.26) identity; mean precipitation of warmest quarter, mean temperature of the wettest quarter and latitude were also highly significant and described approximately 21, 14 and 13% of variation in NMDS composition, respectively. We also found statistically significant evidence for phylogenetic over‐dispersion with respect to key climate variables.This study provides a strong baseline for understanding biogeographical patterns in this important genus as well the impact of key plant pathogens and invasive Phytophthora species in natural ecosystems.
Correlates of ecological dominance withinPheidoleants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Tschá Marcel K. , Pie Marcio R.
Published: October 2018

1. In any group of organisms, one can almost invariably find some species that are ecologically dominant (i.e. disproportionately more abundant and widespread), whereas others are comparatively less prevalent. Understanding of the causes of variation in ecological dominance has been elusive, particularly given that dominant and subordinate species often lack obvious features that could predict their abundance in nature.

2. In this study, physiological, behavioural, morphological, and phylogenetic information is integrated in an effort to understand the mechanisms underlying ecological dominance in ants using the hyperdiverse ant genusPheidole(Formicidae: Myrmicinae) as a model system. Field estimates of the relative abundance of 10Pheidolespecies were compared with potential correlates, which included behavioural (walking velocity), physiological (tolerance to high and low temperatures and desiccation), and morphological traits (body size and degree of dimorphism in the worker caste). A molecular phylogeny of the tested species was also generated to account for potential confounding effects of phylogenetic non‐independence.

3. DominantPheidolespecies were characterised by higher environmental tolerance with respect to temperature and humidity, as well as faster walking speeds. On the other hand, no morphological correlates of ecological dominance were detected. Interestingly, subordinate species showed no evidence of trade‐off in performance, being both more fragile to environmental challenges and slower in their walking speeds.

4. These results provide important insights into the mechanisms involved in local species coexistence inPheidole.
Interregional metabolic connectivity of 2‐deoxy‐2[18F]fluoro‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography in vagus nerve stimulation for pediatric patients with epilepsy: A retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yu Rita , Park Hae‐Jeong , Cho Hojin , Ko Ara , Pae Chongwon , Oh Maeng‐Keun , Kang Hoon‐Chul , Kim Heung Dong , Park Eun‐Kyung , Shim Kyu‐Won , Kim Dong Suk , Lee Joon Soo
Published: October 2018

Objective

With the recognition of epilepsy as a network disease that disrupts the organizing ability of resting‐state brain networks, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may control epileptic seizures through modulation of functional connectivity. We evaluated preoperative 2‐deoxy‐2[18F]fluoro‐D‐glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in VNS‐implanted pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy to analyze the metabolic connectivity of patients and its prognostic role in seizure control.

Methods

Preoperative PET data of 66 VNS pediatric patients who were followed up for a minimum of 1 year after the procedure were collected for the study. Retrospective review of the patients’ charts was performed, and five patients with inappropriate PET data or major health issues were excluded. We conducted an independent component analysis of FDG‐PET to extract spatial metabolic components and their activities, which were used to perform cross‐sectional metabolic network analysis. We divided the patients into VNS‐effective and VNS‐ineffective groups (VNS‐effective group, ≥50% seizure reduction; VNS‐ineffective group, <50% reduction) and compared metabolic connectivity differences between groups using a permutation test.

Results

Thirty‐four (55.7%) patients showed >50% seizure reduction from baseline frequency 1 year after VNS. A significant difference in metabolic connectivity evaluated by preoperative FDG‐PET was noted between groups. Relative changes in glucose metabolism were strongly connected among the areas of brainstem, cingulate gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral insula, and putamen in patients with <50% seizure control after VNS.

Significance

This study shows that seizure outcome of VNS may be influenced by metabolic connectivity, which can be obtained from preoperative PET imaging. This study of metabolic connectivity analysis may contribute in further understanding of the mechanism of VNS in intractable seizures.
Affective Scholarship: Doing Anthropology with Epistemic Affects
Authors: Stodulka Thomas , Selim Nasima , Mattes Dominik
Published: October 2018

This article discusses the potential of fieldworkers’ affects as epistemic processes. It showcases lessons from long‐term fieldwork in diverse geographical locations (Indonesia, Germany, and Tanzania) and insights from our affective inquiries into coming of age on the streets, Sufism, and antiretroviral HIV‐therapy. Inspired by ethnographic writings relating to psychological anthropology and the “affective turn,” we propose epistemic affects as a core analytical means for venturing into a nuanced understanding of the processes, situations, persons, communities, and places we study (with). The article defines epistemic affect, situates it in contemporary debates on how to make affect epistemologically productive, and offers several field episodes to illustrate how affects might open up empirically robust ways of knowing. Finally, it introduces the broader idea of affective scholarship, which advocates systematic explorations of anthropologists’ relational engagements with interlocutors, the practices they study, and the things and places they encounter. [affect, emotion, epistemology, ethnography, fieldwork, method]
2017 Richard G. Condon Prize Essay “I Will Not Die on This Street:” Thinking Things Over in Conflicted Belfast
Authors: McCoy Matthew
Published: October 2018

This article lets unfold a disquieting day in the life of an individual who resides in a predominately Irish Republican and Catholic social housing estate in east Belfast, Northern Ireland. Since the signing of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Peace Agreement, this tight‐knit working‐class community, which continues to be deeply affected by the colonial and ethnonationalist conflict dubbed “the Troubles,” has faced an unbundling of shared practices, identities, and concepts. Through ethnographic description and phenomenological interpretation, this article explores the ways in which the familiar world solicits this individual into reflecting about his sense of self amidst existential uncertainty. Through familiarity, I suggest, unseen marginal possibilities—past futures—may solicit us into concernful and engaged reflection about our existence. During an intimate and precipitating conversation with an old friend, this individual becomes solicited into an altered understanding of his way of life and his place in the community.
Generic solutions for data‐limited fishery assessments are not so simple
Authors: Dowling Natalie A. , Smith Anthony D. M. , Smith David C. , Parma Ana M. , Dichmont Catherine M. , Sainsbury Keith , Wilson Jono R. , Dougherty Dawn T. , Cope Jason M.
Published: October 2018

The majority of the world's fisheries, by number, are data‐poor/limited, and there is a growing body of literature pertaining to approaches to estimate data‐limited stock status. There are at least two drivers for assessing the status of data‐limited fisheries. The first is to try to understand and report on the global or regional status of fisheries across many stocks. The second is to attempt to assess individual data‐limited stocks, for status reporting and/or guiding management decisions. These drivers have led to attempts to find simple, generic, low‐cost solutions, including the broad application of generically parameterised models, and the blanket application of a single, or limited number of possible, analytical approach(es). It is unclear that generic methods function as intended, especially when taken out of their original design context or used without care. If the intention is to resolve individual stock status for the purposes of management, there is concern with the indiscriminate application of a single method to a suite of stocks irrespective of the particular circumstances of each. We examine why caution needs to be exercised, and provide guidance on the appropriate application of data‐limited assessment methods (DLMs). We recommend: (a) obtaining better data, (b) using care in acknowledging and interpreting uncertainties in the results ofDLMs, (c) embeddingDLMs in harvest strategies that are robust to the higher levels of uncertainty in the output ofDLMs by including precautionary management measures or buffers and (d) selecting and applyingDLMs appropriate to specific species’ and fisheries’ data and context.
Wood addition in the hatchery and river environments affects post‐release performance of overwintering brown trout
Authors: Watz Johan , Calles Olle , Carlsson Niclas , Collin Teemu , Huusko Ari , Johnsson Jörgen , Nilsson Per Anders , Norrgård Johnny , Nyqvist Daniel
Published: October 2018

Habitat structural complexity affects the behaviour and physiology of individuals, and responses to the environment can be immediate or influence performance later in life through delayed effects.

Here, we investigated how structural enrichment, both pre‐release in the hatchery rearing environment and post‐release in the wild, influenced winter growth and site fidelity of brown trout stocked into side channels of a regulated river.

Experiencing structural enrichment in the rearing environment during 3 months in autumn had no pre‐release effect on growth, but a delayed positive effect after release during the subsequent winter. Moreover, trout recaptured in wood‐treated sections of the side channels had grown more than trout recaptured in control sections. Wood enrichment in the side channels also increased overwinter site fidelity.

These results show that adding structure during a relatively short period may alter growth trajectories, and adding wood to side channels is a cost‐effective method to enhance winter habitat carrying capacity for juvenile salmonids in regulated rivers.
Nitrous oxide emissions from inland waters: Are IPCC estimates too high?
Authors: Maavara Taylor , Lauerwald Ronny , Laruelle Goulven G. , Akbarzadeh Zahra , Bouskill Nicholas J. , Van Cappellen Philippe , Regnier Pierre
Published: October 2018

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from inland waters remain a major source of uncertainty in global greenhouse gas budgets. N2O emissions are typically estimated using emission factors (EFs), defined as the proportion of the terrestrial nitrogen (N) load to a water body that is emitted as N2O to the atmosphere. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has proposed EFs of 0.25% and 0.75%, though studies have suggested that both these values are either too high or too low. In this work, we develop a mechanistic modeling approach to explicitly predict N2O production and emissions via nitrification and denitrification in rivers, reservoirs and estuaries. In particular, we introduce a water residence time dependence, which kinetically limits the extent of denitrification and nitrification in water bodies. We revise existing spatially explicit estimates of N loads to inland waters to predict both lumped watershed and half‐degree grid cell emissions and EFs worldwide, as well as the proportions of these emissions that originate from denitrification and nitrification. We estimate global inland water N2O emissions of 10.6–19.8 Gmol N year−1 (148–277 Gg N year−1), with reservoirs producing most N2O per unit area. Our results indicate that IPCC EFs are likely overestimated by up to an order of magnitude, and that achieving the magnitude of the IPCC's EFs is kinetically improbable in most river systems. Denitrification represents the major pathway of N2O production in river systems, whereas nitrification dominates production in reservoirs and estuaries.
Combining sampling techniques aids monitoring of tropical butterflies
Authors: Checa Maria F. , Donoso David A. , Rodriguez Jacqueline , Levy Elisa , Warren Andrew , Willmott Keith
Published: October 2018

We compared the performance of three common techniques for sampling butterflies in order to better understand any bias associated with each method. This information is still scarce for the Neotropics where butterfly diversity reaches a peak.

These techniques included use of hand nets, carrion traps with fermented shrimp, and fruit traps with fermented bananas. We examined which taxonomic groups were sampled by each technique and determined the intra‐annual and inter‐annual (two continuous years) differences in the collection of butterflies from each approach.

Surveys of butterflies were taken every 2 months, in dry and wet seasons, over a 2‐year period, and were carried out in two forests (one wet and one dry) in western Ecuador.

A total of 2289 butterflies of 231 species were collected. Hand‐netting collected the most species (57% and 60% of total species in the dry and the wet forest, respectively), followed by carrion traps (24% and 23%), and then fruit traps (19% and 16%). Methods differed with respect to the butterfly species they collected most frequently. Moreover, each sampling technique resulted in significant differences in species composition across seasons and years.

Because our sampling techniques differed in their performance, our study suggests that implementing all the methods together can improve estimates of species diversity and result in more accurate characterisation of butterfly communities.

While budget and logistics might constraint the utilisation of multiple techniques, minimally we recommend using both carrion and fruit baits to alleviate the bias of each bait.
Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the structure, physicochemical and functional properties of protein isolates from cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seeds
Authors: Chen Jingwang , Mu Taihua , Zhang Miao , Goffin Dorothée
Published: October 2018

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment on the structure, physicochemical and functional properties of cumin protein isolate (CPI) was investigated. More aggregates, pores, irregular conformations and bigger particle size were observed for HHP‐treated CPI. HHP resulted in an increase in α‐helix, a decrease in β‐strand and fluorescence intensity of CPI. Surface hydrophobicity (Ho) of CPI significantly increased after HHP treatment, from 343.35 for native CPI to 906.22 at 600 MPa (P < 0.05). HHP treatment at 200 MPa reduced zeta‐potential and solubility of CPI, while had little effect at 400 and 600 MPa. Emulsifying activity and stability of CPI decreased after HHP treatment, of which droplet size of emulsions significantly increased (P < 0.05). HHP‐treated CPI could form heat‐induced gelation at lower temperature (68.5 °C) and improved storage modulus (G′) comparing to native one (80.6 °C), suggesting that CPI might be potential protein resources as gelation substitute in food system.
Phytochemical compounds and biological activity in Asparagus roots: a review
Authors: Zhang Hongxia , Birch John , Pei Jinjin , Ma Zheng Feei , Bekhit Alaa El‐Din
Published: October 2018

Asparagus roots (AR) contain many bioactive compounds and their use in Chinese and Indian traditional medicines is well documented. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated AR extracts act as antidiabetic, antioxidant and hypolipidaemic and depict anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic activities and also improve cardiovascular and oral health. The physiological effects against wide range of pathologies are due to the wide range of phytochemicals found in AR including polyphenols, saponins and polysaccharides. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the functional, medical and physiological properties of AR bioactives. This review considers the roots of several asparagus species and provides up‐to‐date information on Asparagus officinalis that has not been extensively reviewed before.
Monitoring and CEO Contractual Incentive Pay
Authors: Yu Fan
Published: October 2018

This paper finds that a CEO who is better monitored tends to have smaller wealth‐performance sensitivity (WPS). The results are consistent with the optimal contracting view and are robust to different measures of WPS. The findings suggest caution in drawing conclusions when researchers use WPS as an observable outcome of monitoring to test the effectiveness of monitoring. The association of monitoring and WPS is not necessarily positive, as assumed by prior corporate governance research.
Drought and heat stress reduce yield and alter carbon rhizodeposition of different wheat genotypes
Authors: Bakhshandeh Shiva , Corneo Paola E. , Yin Liming , Dijkstra Feike A.
Published: October 2018

Drought and high temperature are major environmental stress factors threatening wheat production during grain filling stage resulting in substantial yield losses. Four wheat genotypes (Suntop, IAW2013, Scout and 249) were planted under two temperature levels (25 and 30°C) and two water levels (15% and 25% soil moisture content). Wheat yield, leaf δ13C, plant rhizodeposition, shoot biomass and root traits were examined. Low moisture (drought stress) and high temperature (heat stress) decreased the grain yield of all wheat genotypes, in particular 249, while combined drought and temperature stresses had the most pronounced negative effect on plant biomass and grain yield. Decreasing soil water availability decreased the allocation of plant‐derived C to soil organic carbon (SOC) and to microbial biomass through rhizodeposition. Leaf δ13C decreased with increased yield, suggesting that higher yielding genotypes were less water stressed and allocated less C to SOC and microbial biomass through rhizodeposition. Wheat genotypes with lower root/shoot ratios and thinner roots were more efficient at assimilating C to the grain, while genotypes with higher root/shoot ratios and thicker roots allocated more C belowground through rhizodeposition at the expense of producing higher yield. Therefore, improving these traits for enhanced C allocation to wheat grain under variable environmental conditions needs to be considered.
Mechanisms associated with tiller suppression under stagnant flooding in rice
Authors: Zhu Guanglong , Chen Yutiao , Ella Evangelina S. , Ismail Abdelbagi M.
Published: October 2018

Stagnant flooding (SF) during vegetative growth triggers stem elongation usually at the cost of tiller production in rice, reducing grain yield. To explore physiological mechanisms associated with tillering suppression under SF, three contrasting genotypes (Swarna and Swarna‐Sub1, both sensitive and IRRI154, tolerant) were evaluated under standing water depths of 0, 5, 30 and 50 cm. SF significantly suppressed tiller formation but increased plant height, root biomass, shoot elongation (ratio of plant height before and after flooding), leaf emergency and non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentration (in root–shoot junction) in all genotypes at the early stage of development. Chlorophyll concentration in the upper leaves (upper most fully expanded leaf at top) was higher than in lower leaves (lowest green leaf at base), but decreased under SF in both. SF increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at the early stage of treatment, with concomitant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) production by stems and leaves. MDA concentration in root–shoot junction increased but delayed. Tiller number correlated negatively with plant height, shoot elongation, leaf emergency, MDA concentration in leaves and root–shoot junction, root biomass, and NSC concentration in the root–shoot junction. The results suggested existence of compensatory mechanisms between tiller growth and shoot elongation in rice for resilience under SF, where energy is mainly diverted for shoot elongation to escape flooding. The SF‐tolerant genotype produced less H2O2 and maintained energy balance for higher survival and better growth under stagnant flooding.
Forecasted homogenization of high Arctic vegetation communities under climate change
Authors: Stewart Lærke , Simonsen Caroline E. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Schmidt Niels Martin , Pellissier Loïc
Published: October 2018

Aim

Climate change results in increasing temperature and modified precipitation regimes in the High Arctic. Models can help anticipate the consequences on future biotic dynamics, e.g. vegetation. In rugged terrain, forecasts should consider fine‐scale spatial variability in environmental conditions that are proximally linked to plant performance. Here, we forecasted Arctic plant community response to future climate change using high‐resolution environmental variables.

Location

Zackenberg in the High Arctic of Greenland.

Methods

Using a combination of remote‐sensing data and field measurements, we interpolated soil moisture and temperature at 1 m resolution together with spatial data on snow cover and solar radiation. We calibrated stacked species distribution models (S‐SDMs) with data from 200 vegetation plots. To explore the sensitivity of Arctic communities to climate change, we forecasted these models under simulated increases in temperature and changes (positive or negative) in snow cover and soil moisture, corresponding to more winter and/or summer precipitation and higher frequencies of summer droughts.

Results

S‐SDMs associated with high‐resolution environmental variables were able to reproduce the spatial variation in species richness and plant community structure along a mountain slope in Zackenberg. Model forecasts under climate change revealed that most species reacted to a combination of changes in soil moisture and temperature, and changes in these two variables resulted in an extensive restructuring of the distributions of species assemblages. In most scenarios, a gradual homogenization of communities was forecasted due to shrub expansion.

Main conclusions

Increasing temperatures and altered soil moisture were predicted to turn the currently highly heterogeneous tundra landscape at Zackenberg into homogenous dwarf‐shrub tundra. Such homogenization of vegetation communities may have profound ramifications for species, interaction webs, and ecosystem processes via modifications to the surface albedo, energy and water balance, as well as snow accumulation and permafrost.
Australian dryland soils are acidic and nutrient‐depleted, and have unique microbial communities compared with other drylands
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Maestre Fernando T. , Koen Terry B. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel
Published: October 2018

Aim

To compare Australian dryland soils with dryland soils globally.

Location

Australian and global drylands.

Methods

We used data from standardized surveys of soil properties (C, N, and P content and stoichiometry, and pH) and microbes (diversity, composition, and correlation networks) from Australian and global drylands, which occupy three‐quarters of the Australian land mass and are the largest biome on Earth.

Results

We found that Australian dryland soils were different, exhibiting characteristics of ancient weathered soils. They had lower pH, total and available P, and total N, and greater C:N and C:P ratios than global dryland soils. Australian soils had distinctive microbial community composition and diversity, with more Proteobacteria and fewer Basidiomycota than global dryland soils, and promoted the abundance of specific microbial phylotypes including pathogens, mycorrhizae, and saprobes.

Main conclusions

Australian dryland soils are clearly different from dryland soils elsewhere. These differences need to be considered when managing dryland soils to avoid unreasonable expectations about plant productivity and carbon stocks, or when predicting likely changes in ecosystem processes resulting from global environmental change.
Significance of plasma MACC1 levels on the prognostic stratification in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Aifen , Zhang Rui‐Li , Zhang Xia , He Xiao‐Fang , Zhang Jian‐Gang , Yan Wei‐Hua
Published: October 2018

The clinical significance of metastasis‐associated in colon cancer‐1 (MACC1) has been investigated but the relevance of peripheral MACC1 levels was rather limited. Herein, our data revealed that plasma MACC1 levels in 117 colorectal cancer patients (CRC) were dramatically higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.001), and with a strong discrimination power between the two groups (AUC = 0.960, P < 0.001). Moreover, MACC1 is an independent prognostic factor for CRC patients. When clinical parameters stratified by MACC1low and MACC1high, MACC1 levels exhibited further significant predictive value. Summary, plasma MACC1 levels could be a useful prognostic and diagnostic biomarker, and could improve the prognostic value of traditional prognosticators for colorectal cancer patients.
Healing kinetics of oral soft tissue wounds treated with recombinant epidermal growth factor: Translation from a canine model
Authors: Ben Amara Heithem , Thoma Daniel S. , Schwarz Frank , Song Hyun Young , Capetillo Joseph , Koo Ki‐Tae
Published: October 2018

Objective

To test whether or not topically administered recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) accelerates the early healing phase of oral soft tissue wounds.

Methods

One day following the creation of palatal defects (n = 6/animal), 14 dogs were allocated to one of the following five groups: spontaneous healing (SH), vehicle ointment (V), vehicle ointment + rhEGF at concentrations of 1 μg/g (EGF1), 10 μg/g (EGF10) or 50 μg/g (EGF50). Topical administration of ointments was repeated twice per day until sacrifice at days 8 and 16. Wound area was clinically monitored. Keratinocytes proliferation (Ki67‐immunolabelling), inflammatory response (IR) and areas of collagen (C) and granulation tissue (GT) were histologically measured. Kruskal–Wallis test with Dunnett correction was used for multiple group statistical comparisons.

Results

Clinically, in comparison with SH, a significantly smaller wound area was observed in groups EGF1 and EGF10 at day 8 (p < 0.05). At day 16, wound closure reached 97.8% in group EGF1 compared to 83.2% in group SH, albeit no statistically different. Histologically, at day 8, significantly more GT was observed in group EGF10 compared to all other groups (p < 0.05). At day 16, in addition to a higher Ki67‐immunolabelling, groups EGF1 and EGF10 demonstrated a significant decrease in GT and IR with more deposition of C compared to the other groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Application of rhEGF enhanced the early healing of acute oral soft tissue wounds compared to SH, predominantly at concentrations of 1 and 10 μg/g.
Assessment of cross‐protection to heterologous strains of Flavobacterium psychrophilum following vaccination with a live‐attenuated coldwater disease immersion vaccine
Authors: Ma Jie , Bruce Timothy J. , Sudheesh Ponnerassery S. , Knupp Christopher , Loch Thomas P. , Faisal Mohamed , Cain Kenneth D.
Published: October 2018

Bacterial coldwater disease, caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum, remains one of the most significant bacterial diseases of salmonids worldwide. A previously developed and reported live‐attenuated immersion vaccine (F. psychrophilum; B.17‐ILM) has been shown to confer significant protection to salmonids. To further characterize this vaccine, a series of experiments were carried out to determine the cross‐protective efficacy of this B.17‐ILM vaccine against 9 F. psychrophilum isolates (representing seven sequence types/three clonal complexes as determined by multilocus sequence typing) in comparison with a wild‐type virulent strain, CSF‐259‐93. To assess protection, 28‐day experimental challenges of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fry were conducted following immersion vaccinations with the B.17‐ILM vaccine. F. psychrophilum strains used in challenge trials were isolated from several fish species across the globe; however, all were found to be virulent in rainbow trout. The B.17‐ILM vaccine provided significant protection against all strains, with relative percent survival values ranging from 51% to 72%. All vaccinated fish developed an adaptive immune response (as measured by F. psychrophilum‐specific antibodies) that increased out to the time of challenge (8 weeks postimmunization). Previous studies have confirmed that antibody plays an important role in protection against F. psychrophilum challenge; therefore, specific antibodies to the B.17‐ILM vaccine strain appear to contribute to the cross‐protection observed to heterologous strain. The ability of such antibodies to bind to similar antigenic regions for all strains was confirmed by western blot analyses. Results presented here support the practical application of this live‐attenuated vaccine, and suggest that it will be efficacious even in aquaculture operations affected by diverse strains of F. psychrophilum.