bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vancomycin‐resistant enterococci with vanA and vanB genes in Australian gulls
Authors: Oravcova Veronika , Svec Pavel , Literak Ivan
Published: May 2017

This study is revealing the possible dissemination of vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) from humans into the wildlife. We studied silver gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) in Australia as potential carriers and reservoirs of VRE with acquired vancomycin resistance. In New South Wales (Australia), we have found two multi‐resistant isolates belonging to Enterococcus faecium (sequence type 341, vanB genotype) and Enterococcus dispar (vanA genotype). Based on our knowledge, this is the first report of VRE in Australian wildlife.
A Fool's Errand? The Next Secretary‐General and United Nations Reform
Authors: Ponzio Richard , Bluman Schroeder Michael
Published: May 2017

How can the incoming Secretary‐General António Guterres promote and lead change? The view in many policy circles is that the UN urgently needs comprehensive change, and the next Secretary‐General is expected to capitalize on the honeymoon to initiate a transformation. We argue that initiating transformational change is counterproductive for the next Secretary‐General. A better strategy is to implement modest changes that accumulate over multiple rounds and to influence and empower the leadership of so‐called ‘smart coalitions’ of state and non‐state actors seeking to enact ambitious changes to intergovernmental structures and global norms. Specifically, we propose a change leadership strategy for the next Secretary‐General based on five guiding principles and including illustrative reforms that suggest how the next Secretary‐General might put each principle into practice.
‘Sustainability as Maritime Security: A Small Island Developing State Perspective?’
Authors: Malcolm James A.
Published: May 2017

The article begins the process of outlining the way in which maritime security challenges are publicly articulated by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in order to better understand the backdrop against which security policy and practice emerge. To do this the article discusses the results of an initial, exploratory content analysis of UN SIDS conference documents framed by the central research question, ‘In the SIDS’ public conceptualisation of sustainable development, how are maritime security threats articulated?’ The article argues that for SIDS their conceptualisation of maritime security is inextricably wrapped up in concerns about sustainable development, with concern about challenges such as illegal fishing being pinpointed as threats to food security. The article calls for more research on the extent to which SIDS’ conceptualisation of maritime security differs regionally; highlights a vulnerability straitjacket SIDS may find themselves wearing; and suggests that SIDS consider the development of holistic sustainable blue growth strategies to bring multiple stakeholders together to enhance human wellbeing. To conclude, the article argues that ultimately efforts to pursue enhanced maritime security by SIDS will be determined by how they chart a path between emphasising their own vulnerability and the opportunities associated with their maritime domain.
Accuracy of Point‐of‐care Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Matthew Fields J. , Davis Joshua , Alsup Carl , Bates Amanda , Au Arthur , Adhikari Srikar , Farrell Isaac
Published: May 2017

Background

The use of ultrasonography (US) to diagnose appendicitis is well established. More recently, point‐of‐care ultrasonography (POCUS) has also been studied for the diagnosis of appendicitis, which may also prove a valuable diagnostic tool. The purpose of this study was through systematic review and meta‐analysis to identify the test characteristics of POCUS, specifically US performed by a nonradiologist physician, in accurately diagnosing acute appendicitis in patients of any age.

Methods

We conducted a thorough and systematic literature search of English language articles published on point‐of‐care, physician‐performed transabdominal US used for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis from 1980 to May, 2015 using OVID MEDLINE In‐Process & Other Non‐indexed Citations and Scopus. Studies were selected and subsequently independently abstracted by two trained reviewers. A random‐effects pooled analysis was used to construct a hierarchical summary receiver operator characteristic curve, and a meta‐regression was performed. Quality of studies was assessed using the QUADAS‐2 tool.

Results

Our search yielded 5,792 unique studies and we included 21 of these in our final review. Prevalence of disease in this study was 29.8%, (range = 6.4%–75.4%). The sensitivity and specificity for POCUS in diagnosing appendicitis were 91% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 83%–96%) and 97% (95% CI = 91%–99%), respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 91 and 94%, respectively. Studies performed by emergency physicians had slightly lower test characteristics (sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 92%). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 99%, 95% CI = 99%–100%) and the quality of the reported studies was moderate, mostly due to unclear reporting of blinding of physicians and timing of scanning and patient enrollment. Several of the studies were performed by a single operator, and the education and training of the operators were variably reported.

Conclusion

Point‐of‐care US has relatively high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing acute appendicitis, although the data presented are limited by the quality of the original studies and large CIs. In the hands of an experienced operator, POCUS is an appropriate initial imaging modality for diagnosing appendicitis. Based on our results, it is premature to utilize POCUS as a stand‐alone test or to rule out appendicitis.
Utilization pattern and survival outcomes of adjuvant therapies in high‐grade nonretroperitoneal abdominal soft tissue sarcoma: A population‐based study
Authors: Green William Ross , Chokshi Ravi , Jabbour Salma K. , DeLaney Thomas F. , Mahmoud Omar
Published: May 2017

Background

Nonretroperitoneal abdominal soft tissue sarcoma (NRA‐STS) is a rare disease with limited data supporting its management. Our study aimed to reveal the utilization patterns of adjuvant therapy and its potential survival benefits using the National Cancer Data Base.

Materials

The analysis included patients with resected high‐grade NRA‐STS. Chi‐square analysis was used to evaluate distribution of patient and tumor‐related factors within treatment groups. The Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards model were utilized to evaluate overall survival according to treatment approach. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the impact of these factors on patients’ outcome. Matched propensity score analysis was implemented to control for imbalance of confounding variables.

Results

At median follow‐up of 49 months, 5‐year overall survival improved from 46% without adjuvant radiation therapy to 52% (P = 0.009) with radiotherapy delivery with a 30% reduction in hazard of death (95% confidence interval = 0.58–0.84). On multivariate analysis, age <50, tumor <8 cm, negative margins and radiotherapy delivery were significant predictors of improved survival. Chemotherapy was not associated with significant survival improvement (Hazard Ratios [HR]: 0.89, P = 0.28).

Conclusion

Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with improved survival in high‐grade NRA‐STS. Chemotherapy was not associated with a survival improvement; however, further studies are needed to refine treatment strategies.
Resource selection, utilization and seasons influence spatial distribution of ungulates in the western Serengeti National Park
Authors: Bukombe John , Kittle Andrew , Senzota Ramadhan , Mduma Simon , Fryxell John , Sinclair Anthony R.E.
Published: May 2017

Understanding herbivore selection and utilization of vegetation types is fundamental to conservation of multispecies communities. We tested three hypotheses for how ungulate species select their habitats and how this changes with season: first, resources are distributed as a mosaic of patches so that ungulates are also distributed patchily; this distribution reflects habitat selection, which changes with season, the different ungulates behaving differently. Second, resources become scarcer in the dry season relative to those in the wet season. If interspecific competition prevails, then all species should show a contraction of habitats chosen. Third, if predation is limiting, competition will be minimal, and hence, habitat selection by herbivores will not differ between seasons. We used frequencies of occurrence in four common vegetation types in western Serengeti National Park to determine selection coefficients and utilization patterns and Chi‐square analysis to test the hypotheses. The results showed that selection changes differently in each species, agreeing with the first hypothesis. Herbivores did not all become more selective, as predicted by the competition hypothesis, nor did selection remain the same across seasons, as predicted by the predation hypothesis. These results can be useful in constructing habitat suitability maps for ungulate species with special conservation needs.
The height of the cricothyroid membrane on computed tomography scans in trauma patients
Authors: Nutbeam T. , Clarke R. , Luff T. , Enki D. , Gay D.
Published: May 2017

Emergency cricothyrotomy is a common feature in all difficult airway algorithms. It is the final step following a ‘can't intubate, can't oxygenate’ scenario. It is rarely performed and has a significant failure rate. There is variation in the reported size of the cricothyroid membrane, especially across population groups. Procedural failure may result from attempting to pass a device with too large an external diameter through the cricothyroid membrane. We aimed to determine the maximum height of the cricothyroid membrane in a UK trauma population. Electronic callipers were used to measure the maximum height of the cricothyroid membrane on 482 reformatted trauma computed tomography scans, 377 (78.2%) of which were in male patients. The mean (SD) height of the cricothyroid membrane, as independently measured by two radiologists, was 7.89 (2.21) mm and 7.88 (2.22) mm in male patients, and 6.00 (1.76) mm and 5.92 (1.71) mm in female patients. The presence of concurrent tracheal intubation or cervical spine immobilisation was found not to have a significant effect on cricothyroid membrane height. The cricothyroid membrane height in the study population was much smaller than that previously reported. Practitioners encountering patients who may require an emergency surgical airway should be aware of these data. Rescue airway equipment with variety of external diameters should be immediately available.
Review article: maximising quality of life while aspiring for quantity of life in end‐stage liver disease
Authors: Bhanji R. A. , Carey E. J. , Watt K. D.
Published: May 2017

Background

With recent advances in the management of chronic liver disease and its complications, the long‐term survival in cirrhosis has improved. Therefore, the number of individuals who will spend a significant proportion of their life with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) may continue to rise. Thus, more attention to quality of life (QOL) and its integration with traditional clinical endpoints is needed.

Aims

Recently, there have been many studies looking at treatment outcomes and their impact on the QOL in patients with ESLD. The aim of this review was to summarise and compare the insights gained from these intervention studies and to make concise recommendations to further promote and improve QOL in this patient population.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science. Search terms “Quality of life” “Cirrhosis” and “end‐stage liver disease” were used as MeSH terms or searched in the title of the article.

Results

These studies uniformly show significant improvement in health‐related QOL (HRQOL) with management of malnutrition, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. Thus, early recognition and management of these complications are keys to better serve our patients. Early involvement of palliative care also leads to improved quality of end‐of‐life care.

Conclusions

Complications of cirrhosis including malnutrition, encephalopathy, ascites and variceal bleeding lead to a decrease in HRQOL. Assessment of HRQOL has an important implication for the patient. The findings of this review illuminate the importance of using consistent tools to accurately assess QOL in patients with ESLD.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: risk factors for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease suggest a shared altered metabolic and cardiovascular profile between lean and obese patients
Authors: Sookoian S. , Pirola C. J.
Published: May 2017

Background

The pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with the co‐occurrence of multiple pathological conditions characterising the metabolic syndrome (MetS), obesity in particular. However, NAFLD also develops in lean subjects, whose risk factors remain poorly defined.

Methods

We performed a meta‐analysis of 15 studies, along with the data pertaining to our own population (n=336 patients). Data from lean (n=1966) and obese (n=5938) patients with NAFLD were analysed; lean (n=9946) and obese (n=6027) subjects without NAFLD served as controls.

Results

Relative to the lean non‐NAFLD controls, lean patients with NAFLD were older (3.79±0.72 years, P=1.36×10−6) and exhibited the entire spectrum of the MetS risk factors. Specifically, they had a significant (P=10−10) increase in plasma glucose levels (6.44±1.12 mg/dL) and HOMA‐IR (0.52±0.094‐unit increment), blood lipids (triglycerides: 48.37±3.6, P=10−10 and total cholesterol: 7.04±3.8, mg/dL, P=4.2×10−7), systolic (5.64±0.7) and diastolic (3.37±0.9) blood pressure (mm Hg), P=10−10, and waist circumference (5.88±0.4 cm, P=10−10); values denote difference in means±SE. Nevertheless, the overall alterations in the obese group were much more severe when compared to lean subjects, regardless of the presence of NAFLD. Meta‐regression suggested that NAFLD is a modifier of the level of blood lipids.

Conclusion

Lean and obese patients with NAFLD share a common altered metabolic and cardiovascular profile. The former, while having normal body weight, showed excess of abdominal adipose tissue as well as other MetS features.
Glyphosate, steam and cutting for non‐native plant control in Alberta fescue grassland restoration
Authors: Stover Holly J. , Naeth M. Anne , Wilkinson Sarah R.
Published: May 2017

Question

What are the effects of cutting, glyphosate application and steam application on abundance and diversity of non‐native grasses and forbs and non‐target native grasses and forbs in restoration of a complex disturbed fescue grassland?

Location

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Methods

Cutting, glyphosate application and steam application treatments were implemented at three disturbed sites in an incomplete block design with a control. Plant communities were evaluated for four growing seasons, one before and three after management treatment implementation.

Results

Glyphosate reduced non‐native grass cover for three growing seasons following application and non‐native forbs for one growing season. Glyphosate led to significant increases in non‐native forb cover, more than double pre‐existing values 2 and 3 yr after application. Native species abundance and diversity were more negatively impacted by glyphosate on sites with higher abundance and diversity prior to management treatments. Low frequency cutting over 2 yr did not consistently control non‐native species, steam reduced non‐native grass cover at the most heavily invaded site.

Conclusions

Site‐specific conditions must be considered to develop effective control methods for non‐native species. No treatment effectively re‐established native grassland communities. Glyphosate application reduced non‐native grasses, but not non‐native forbs. When native forbs were abundant prior to management, glyphosate reduced them. Steam may have potential and should be further investigated. This is one of only a few studies to investigate methods to manage multiple non‐native species occurring with native species, rather than management of a single undesirable species, and is the first to assess steam as a management option for native grasslands.
Caregiver criticism, help‐giving, and the burden of schizophrenia among Mexican American families
Authors: Villalobos Bianca T. , Ullman Jodie , Krick Tracy Wang , Alcántara Darcy , Kopelowicz Alex , López Steven R.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

This study tested an attribution model of help‐giving in family caregivers of persons with schizophrenia as it relates to caregivers’ reported burden. We hypothesized (a) that caregivers’ attributions of their ill relatives’ responsibility for their symptoms would be associated with more negative and less positive affective reactions, (b) that affective reactions would be related to perceptions of administered support, and (c) that support would in turn predict greater burden.

Methods

We examined 60 family caregivers of Mexican origin living in Southern California. Mexican Americans were chosen because of their high degree of contact with their ill relative, thereby facilitating the examination of help‐giving and burden. Contrary to past studies, caregivers’ attributions and affective stance were assessed independently, the former based on self‐report and the latter based on codes drawn from the Camberwell Family Interview. Caregiver burden was assessed at baseline and one year later.

Results

Path analyses showed partial support for the attribution model of help‐giving. Specifically, attributions of responsibility negatively predicted caregiver's warmth, which in turn predicted more administered support. Contrary to hypotheses, attributions were not associated with caregiver criticism, and criticism was positively related to administered support. In addition, caregiver support was not related to burden at either baseline or a year later. Criticism was a significant predictor of burden at follow‐up through burden at baseline.

Conclusion

The emotional stance of caregivers predicts burden independent of the help they provide. Caregiver criticism not only predicts negative patient outcomes but can predict negative caregiver outcomes as well.

Practitioner points

Positive clinical implications

In family treatment, it is important to address caregiver criticism not only because of its relationship to poor clinical outcomes of ill relatives but also because of its relationship to greater caregiver burden.

Integrating a balanced rationale for family interventions – to improve ill relatives’ and caregivers’ outcomes – may promote further engagement of both parties as some caregivers may be additionally motivated to improve their own well‐being, and some ill relatives may appreciate more equitably distributing the treatment focus.

Limitations

The caregiver sample was in general low in criticism; therefore, the findings may not be generalizable to families with a higher degree of criticism.

There was a 35% sample attrition at the one‐year follow‐up.
Does training of fellows affect peri‐operative outcomes of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy?
Authors: Khene Zine‐Eddine , Peyronnet Benoit , Bosquet Elise , Pradère Benjamin , Robert Corentin , Fardoun Tarek , Kammerer‐Jacquet Solène‐Florence , Verhoest Grégory , Rioux‐Leclercq Nathalie , Mathieu Romain , Bensalah Karim
Published: May 2017

Objective

To evaluate the impact of fellows’ involvement on the peri‐operative outcomes of robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN).

Materials and Methods

We analysed 216 patients who underwent RAPN for a small renal tumour. We stratified our cohort into two groups according to the involvement of a fellow surgeon during the procedure: expert surgeon operating alone (expert group) and fellow operating under the supervision of the expert surgeon (fellow group). Peri‐operative data were compared between the two groups. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of fellows’ involvement on peri‐operative and postoperative outcomes. Trifecta and margins ischaemia complications (MIC) score achievement rates were used to assess the quality of surgery in both the expert and fellow groups. Trifecta was defined as a combination of warm ischaemia time <25 min, negative surgical margins and no peri‐operative complications. MIC score was defined as negative surgical margins, ischaemia time <20 min, and absence of complications grade ≥3.

Results

Fellows were involved in a total of 89 procedures (41%). Patients’ characteristics were similar in the two groups. Operating time and warm ischaemia time (WIT) were longer in the fellow group (180 vs 120 min, P < 0.001, and 18 vs 14 min, P = 0.002, respectively). Length of hospital stay (LOS) was longer in the fellow group (5 vs 4.3 days; P = 0.05) and patients in this group had higher estimated blood loss (EBL; 400 vs 300 mL; P = 0.01), but this had no impact on transfusion rate (14% vs 11%; P = 0.43). Positive surgical margin rates were similar in the fellow and expert groups (2.2% vs 3.1%; P = 0.70). Major complications were more frequent in the fellow group (12.3% vs 6.3%), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.10). In multivariable analysis, fellow involvement was predictive of longer WIT (β = 0.22; P = 0.003) and operating time (β = 0.49; P < 0.001), but was not associated with EBL (β = 0.12, P = 0.09) or LOS (β = 0.12, P = 0.11). Finally, fellow involvement was associated with a lower rate of trifecta and MIC score accomplishment (odds ratio [OR] 0.53, P = 0.05 and OR 0.46, P = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

Training fellows to perform RAPN is associated with longer operating time and WIT but does not appear to compromise other peri‐operative outcomes.
The interplay between autophagy and tumorigenesis: exploiting autophagy as a means of anticancer therapy
Authors: Lorente Juan , Velandia Carolina , Leal Jose A. , Garcia‐Mayea Yoelsis , Lyakhovich Alex , Kondoh Hiroshi , LLeonart Matilde E.
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

In wild‐type cells, autophagy represents a tumour‐suppressor mechanism, and dysfunction of the autophagy machinery increases genomic instability, DNA damage, oxidative stress and stem/progenitor expansion, which are events associated with cancer onset. Autophagy occurs at a basal level in all cells depending on cell type and cellular microenvironment. However, the role of autophagy in cancer is diverse and can promote different outcomes even in a single tumour. For example, in hypoxic tumour regions, autophagy emerges as a protective mechanism and allows cancer cell survival. By contrast, in cancer cells surrounding the tumour mass, the induction of autophagy by radio‐ or chemotherapy promotes cell death and significantly reduces the tumour mass. Importantly, inhibition of autophagy compromises tumorigenesis by mechanisms that are not entirely understood. The aim of this review is to explain the apparently contradictory role of autophagy as a mechanism that both promotes and inhibits tumorigenesis using different models. The induction/inhibition of autophagy as a mechanism for cancer treatment is also discussed.
Hypothesis: High salt intake as an inflammation amplifier might be involved in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Abdoli Amir
Published: May 2017

Salt is an important macronutrient that plays pivotal roles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. High salt intake is an important cause of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke. However, recent investigations uncovered the role of excessive salt intake in the induction of severe inflammatory reactions through augmentation of T helper‐17 pathway and their inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, numerous studies have shown the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders (NPD). Here, it is hypothesized that high salt intake can increase the risk of NPD through salt‐derived neural inflammations. Therefore, this hypothesis suggests that low‐salt intake can decrease the risk of NPD. The present review discusses the potential role of excessive salt intake in the pathophysiology of NPD.
Temporal patterns of patient‐reported trismus and associated mouth‐opening distances in radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Thor M. , Olsson C. E. , Oh J. H. , Hedström J. , Pauli N. , Johansson M. , Deasy J. O. , Finizia C.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To identify temporal patterns of patient‐reported trismus during the first year post‐radiotherapy, and to study their associations with maximal interincisal opening distances (MIOs).

Design

Single institution case series.

Setting

University hospital ENT clinic.

Participants

One hundred and ninety‐six subjects who received radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) with or without chemotherapy in 2007‐2012 to a total dose of 64.6/68 Gy in 38/34 fractions, respectively. All subjects were prospectively assessed for mouth‐opening ability (Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire (GTQ), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐H&N35), and MIO) pre‐RT and at 3, 6 and 12 months after RT.

Main outcome measures

Correlations between temporally robust GTQ symptoms and MIO as given by Pearson's correlation coefficients (Pr); temporally robust GTQ‐symptom domains as given by factor analysis; rates of trismus with respect to baseline by risk ratios (RRs).

Results

Four temporally robust domains were identified: Eating (3‐7 symptoms), Jaw (3‐7), Pain (2‐5) and Quality of Life (QoL, 2‐5), and included 2‐3 persistent symptoms across all post‐RT assessments. The median RR for a moderate/severe (>2/>3) cut‐off was the highest for Jaw (3.7/3.6) and QoL (3.2/2.9). The median Pr between temporally robust symptoms and MIO post‐radiotherapy was 0.25‐0.35/0.34‐0.43/0.24‐0.31/0.34‐0.50 for Eating/Jaw/Pain/QoL, respectively.

Conclusions

Mouth‐opening distances in patients with HNC post‐RT can be understood in terms of associated patient‐reported outcomes on trismus‐related difficulties. Our data suggest that a reduction in MIO can be expected as patients communicate their mouth‐opening status to interfere with private/social life, a clinical warning signal for emerging or worsening trismus as patients are being followed after RT.
Using a Bayesian network to clarify areas requiring research in a host–pathogen system
Authors: Bower D.S. , Mengersen K. , Alford R.A. , Schwarzkopf L.
Published: May 2017

Bayesian network analyses can be used to interactively change the strength of effect of variables in a model to explore complex relationships in new ways. In doing so, they allow one to identify influential nodes that are not well studied empirically so that future research can be prioritized. We identified relationships in host and pathogen biology to examine disease‐driven declines of amphibians associated with amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). We constructed a Bayesian network consisting of behavioral, genetic, physiological, and environmental variables that influence disease and used them to predict host population trends. We varied the impacts of specific variables in the model to reveal factors with the most influence on host population trend. The behavior of the nodes (the way in which the variables probabilistically responded to changes in states of the parents, which are the nodes or variables that directly influenced them in the graphical model) was consistent with published results. The frog population had a 49% probability of decline when all states were set at their original values, and this probability increased when body temperatures were cold, the immune system was not suppressing infection, and the ambient environment was conducive to growth of B. dendrobatidis. These findings suggest the construction of our model reflected the complex relationships characteristic of host–pathogen interactions. Changes to climatic variables alone did not strongly influence the probability of population decline, which suggests that climate interacts with other factors such as the capacity of the frog immune system to suppress disease. Changes to the adaptive immune system and disease reservoirs had a large effect on the population trend, but there was little empirical information available for model construction. Our model inputs can be used as a base to examine other systems, and our results show that such analyses are useful tools for reviewing existing literature, identifying links poorly supported by evidence, and understanding complexities in emerging infectious‐disease systems.
Testing for thresholds of ecosystem collapse in seagrass meadows
Authors: Connell Sean D. , Fernandes Milena , Burnell Owen W. , Doubleday Zoë A. , Griffin Kingsley J. , Irving Andrew D. , Leung Jonathan Y.S. , Owen Samuel , Russell Bayden D. , Falkenberg Laura J.
Published: May 2017

Although the public desire for healthy environments is clear‐cut, the science and management of ecosystem health has not been as simple. Ecological systems can be dynamic and can shift abruptly from one ecosystem state to another. Such unpredictable shifts result when ecological thresholds are crossed; that is, small cumulative increases in an environmental stressor drive a much greater change than could be predicted from linear effects, suggesting an unforeseen tipping point is crossed. In coastal waters, broad‐scale seagrass loss often occurs as a sudden event associated with human‐driven nutrient enrichment (eutrophication). We tested whether the response of seagrass ecosystems to coastal nutrient enrichment is subject to a threshold effect. We exposed seagrass plots to different levels of nutrient enrichment (dissolved inorganic nitrogen) for 10 months and measured net production. Seagrass response exhibited a threshold pattern when nutrient enrichment exceeded moderate levels: there was an abrupt and large shift from positive to negative net leaf production (from approximately 0.04 leaf production to 0.02 leaf loss per day). Epiphyte load also increased as nutrient enrichment increased, which may have driven the shift in leaf production. Inadvertently crossing such thresholds, as can occur through ineffective management of land‐derived inputs such as wastewater and stormwater runoff along urbanized coasts, may account for the widely observed sudden loss of seagrass meadows. Identification of tipping points may improve not only adaptive‐management monitoring that seeks to avoid threshold effects, but also restoration approaches in systems that have crossed them.
Socioeconomic status and hippocampal volume in children and young adults
Authors: Yu Qijing , Daugherty Ana M. , Anderson Dana M. , Nishimura Mayu , Brush David , Hardwick Amanda , Lacey William , Raz Sarah , Ofen Noa
Published: May 2017

An individual's socioeconomic status (SES) is often viewed as a proxy for a host of environmental influences. SES disparities have been linked to variance in brain structures particularly the hippocampus, a neural substrate of learning and memory. However, it is unclear whether the association between SES and hippocampal volume is similar in children and adults. We investigated the relationship between hippocampal volume and SES in a group of children (n = 31, age 8–12 years) and a group of young adults (n = 32, age 18–25 years). SES was assessed with four indicators that loaded on a single factor, therefore a composite SES scores was used in the main analyses. Hippocampal volume was measured using manual demarcation on high resolution structural images. SES was associated with hippocampal volume in the children, but not in adults, suggesting that in childhood, but not adulthood, SES‐related environmental factors influence hippocampal volume. In addition, hippocampal volume, but not SES, was associated with scores on a memory task, suggesting that net effects of postnatal environmental factors, captured by SES, are more distal determinants of memory performance than hippocampal volume. Longitudinal investigation of the association between SES, hippocampal volume and cognitive functioning may further our understanding of the putative neural mechanisms underlying SES‐related environmental effects on cognitive development.
Multinational business and host countries in times of crisis: Courtaulds, Glanzstoff, and Italy in the interwar period
Authors: Cerretano Valerio
Published: May 2017

Despite the considerable attention granted to the history of international business, we still have a limited knowledge of the historical impact of multinationals on host economies. This article presents the case of the giant Italian rayon firm Snia Viscosa which was acquired by its direct rivals, Courtaulds in the UK and the German firm Glanzstoff, in 1927. Italian deflation which underpinned the return of the country to the gold standard between 1925 and 1927 and the parlous financial conditions of Snia Viscosa proved incentives in what seemed to be a fire sale investment. This investment mitigated the credit crunch and allowed Snia Viscosa to have access to foreign rayon expertise. Evidence suggests that the regime and economic nationalism exerted some pressure on foreign interests and were instrumental in the abandonment of plans intended to reduce Italian rayon output dramatically. One contribution of this article is its use of business history to illustrate how recessions can reshape foreign direct investment flows and the tensions that may arise between domestic business interests and foreign stakeholders during recessions. In addition, the history of Snia Viscosa shows the importance of foreign interests and multinationals in the long‐term industrialization of Italy.
Obstructive apnea due to laryngospasm links ictal to postictal events in SUDEP cases and offers practical biomarkers for review of past cases and prevention of new ones
Authors: Stewart Mark , Kollmar Richard , Nakase Ko , Silverman Joshua , Sundaram Krishnamurthi , Orman Rena , Lazar Jason
Published: May 2017

Seizure spread into autonomic and respiratory brainstem regions is thought to play an important role in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). As the clinical dataset of cases of definite SUDEP available for study grows, evidence points to a sequence of events that includes postictal apnea, bradycardia, and asystole as critical events that can lead to death. One possible link between the precipitating seizure and the critical postictal sequence is seizure‐driven laryngospasm sufficient to completely obstruct the airway for an extended period, but ictal laryngospasm is difficult to fully assess. Herein, we demonstrate in a rat model how the electrical artifacts of attempts to inspire during airway obstruction and features of the cardiac rhythm establish this link between ictal and postictal activity and can be used as practical biomarkers of obstructive apnea due to laryngospasm or other causes of airway obstruction.
Jewish heritage tourism in Bucharest: reality and visions
Authors: Corsale Andrea
Published: May 2017

Heritage tourism linked with past or current cultural diversity and ethnic minorities has become a significant part of the tourism industry. This paper contributes to the discussion about heritage management related to niche tourism development and minority group participation. The specific theme of Jewish heritage tourism is analysed, particularly through the case of the present Jewish community of Bucharest. Empirical results are presented and discussed in order to understand how this community and the local tourist sector perceive the tourist potential of its heritage, and envisions its development. A reflection on the discourse behind the current and possible future management of Jewish legacy can thus contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of niche heritage tourism processes in former or present multi‐ethnic sites.
The balancing act of establishing a policy agenda: Conceptualizing and measuring drivers of issue prioritization within interest groups
Authors: Halpin Darren R. , Fraussen Bert , Nownes Anthony J.
Published: May 2017

Interest groups are important intermediaries in Western democracies, with the potential to offer political linkage and form a bridge between the concerns of citizens and the agendas of political elites. While we know an increasing amount about the issue‐based activity of groups, we only have a limited understanding about how they selected these issues to work on. In this article, we examine the process of agenda setting within groups. In particular, we address challenges of conceptualization and measurement. Through a thorough review of the group literature, we identify five main factors that are hypothesized to drive issue prioritization. We operationalize items to tap these factors and then empirically assess this theoretical model relying on data from a survey of national interest groups in Australia. Our findings, from a confirmatory factor analysis, provide support for the multidimensional nature of agenda setting. We discuss how this provides a firm conceptual and methodological foundation for future work examining how groups establish their policy agenda.
Juvenile Barn SwallowsHirundo rusticaL. from late broods start autumn migration younger, fuel less effectively and show lower return rates than juveniles from early broods
Authors: Raja‐aho Sari , Eeva Tapio , Suorsa Petri , Valkama Jari , Lehikoinen Esa
Published: May 2017

Long‐distance migratory passerines may exhibit different post‐fledging rearing times between their early and late broods due to limited time and energy resources. This could affect the migratory fuelling behaviour, condition and fitness of juvenile birds. We analysed long‐term (13‐year) biometric data (body mass, fat score) on Barn Swallows ringed at the nest and later recaptured during their initial stages of autumn migration. The return rates of early‐ and late‐born juveniles after overwintering in Africa were further compared to estimate their fitness. We found that juveniles from late broods started migrating south on average 11 days younger compared with juveniles from early broods. Body masses of nestlings did not differ between early and late broods, but juveniles from late broods were in better condition after leaving the nest, possibly due to a longer period of parental care. Having started migration, juveniles from late broods were, however, less efficient in accumulating energy than juveniles from early broods. A younger departure age, together with less efficient fuelling of late brood juveniles, may partly explain the 39% lower return probability and hence lower fitness value of late‐brood juveniles. Our study is the first to show that juveniles from the early and late broods exhibit different fuelling behaviour and departure strategies (in terms of age and timing), which may be reflected in the fitness value of offspring.
No short‐ or long‐term effects of geolocator attachment detected in Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca
Authors: Bell Sophie C. , El Harouchi Myriam , Hewson Chris M. , Burgess Malcolm D.
Published: May 2017

Tracking small passerines using miniaturized location tags is a rapidly expanding field of study. In a 1‐year study, we tested whether there were any short‐ or longer‐term effects of fitting geolocators weighing 3% of body mass on male Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca. In the deployment year, we compared adult provisioning rates to nestlings, nestling growth and nest success between nesting attempts in which adult males were fitted with a geolocator, with control nests where males had the same capture history but were not tagged. We found no difference between treatments in provisioning effort by males or their associated female 2 days after geolocator fitting, in terms of nestling growth, subsequent brood reduction or nest success. Return rate, arrival date on territories, nest timing and breeding parameters were compared between tagged and untagged males in the following breeding season. We found no difference in return rate or arrival date, and no difference in nest timing, fecundity or outcome. Our study suggests that fitting lightweight tags to small passerines need not affect behaviour, breeding or apparent between‐year survival. However, tagging new species should still require assessment and comparison with well‐matched control cohorts, and it should be recognized that tag effects could vary between years and populations, mediated by environmental conditions.
Landfills determine the distribution of an expanding breeding population of the endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Authors: Tauler‐Ametller Helena , Hernández‐Matías Antonio , Pretus Joan LL. , Real Joan
Published: May 2017

Human activities provide food resources for animals that are predictable in space and/or time. These resources, sometimes referred to as predictable anthropogenic food subsidies (PAFS), can be either the result of human‐generated waste or provided intentionally, sometimes as a conservation measure. Some PAFS, including landfills, are used by common species. However, little information exists about the effects that these feeding points have on rarer species that feed there, some of which are of conservation concern. This study focuses on the influence of PAFS and their spatial location on the distribution of territories of the endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus. We analysed a population in the NE Iberian Peninsula that has in recent decades expanded its range. We used both null model and linear model analyses to ascertain the effect of PAFS and other covariates on the occupancy of territories by the study species. PAFS appeared to play an important role in territory selection by Egyptian Vultures, as occupied territories were nearer landfills than expected by chance. Furthermore, the distance from PAFS (landfills and vulture feeding stations, or ‘restaurants’) played an important role in the probability of territory occupancy by Egyptian Vultures, in addition to other environmental variables such as surface areas of rocky south‐facing slopes, human settlement and the proximity of conspecifics. However, recent EU legislation aims to phase out open‐air landfills to reduce the negative environmental effects of these facilities. This could have an undesired impact on the endangered species that use these feeding points. We recommend management measures that can control abundant pest species but, in the long term, other measures as supplementary feeding should be considered to counteract the probable negative effect of the disappearance of landfills on endangered species.
Transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor/aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator is involved in regulation of the xenobiotic tolerance‐related cytochrome P450 CYP6DA2 in Aphis gossypii Glover
Authors: Peng T. , Chen X. , Pan Y. , Zheng Z. , Wei X. , Xi J. , Zhang J. , Gao X. , Shang Q.
Published: May 2017

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, is one of the most economically important agricultural pests worldwide as it is polyphagous and resistant to many classes of insecticides. Overexpression of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450) CYP6DA2 has previously been found to be associated with gossypol and spirotetramat tolerance in the cotton aphid. In the present study, the elements located in the promoter region (‐357:‐343; ‐250:‐241; ‐113:‐104) of CYP6DA2 were shown to control promoter activity, and gossypol induction was observed. We hypothesized that the expression of CYP6DA2 is subject to transcriptional regulation. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we assessed two transcription factors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), and found that the abundance of AhR was highly correlated with CYP6DA2 abundance. RNA interference of AhR or ARNT significantly decreased the levels of the target gene as well as those of its counterpart, and both dramatically repressed CYP6DA2 expression. Cotransfection of the ARNT, AhR, or AhR plus ARNT and CYP6DA2 promoter constructs elevated CYP6DA2 promoter activity, with the AhR plus ARNT cotransfection being the most effective. Thus, these elements located in the promoter were responsible for CYP6DA2 transcription, and CYP6DA2 expression was regulated by the transcription factors AhR and ARNT.
Decision to Emigrate amongst the Youth in Lebanon
Authors: Dibeh Ghassan , Fakih Ali , Marrouch Walid
Published: May 2017

This article studies the determinants of youth emigration decisions, which is considered one of the main causes of ‘Brain Drain’ in Arab Mediterranean Countries (AMCs). We focus on the case of Lebanon using a unique dataset covering young people aged 15 to 29 from the year 2016. The aim of the article is to identify the profile of youth's propensity to emigrate from Lebanon. The empirical results indicate that youth from non‐wealthy backgrounds living in smaller dwellings have a higher propensity to emigrate. It is also found that being male and unemployed has a positive effect on migration. Moreover, university education promotes the willingness to emigrate; while residents of poor regions are more likely to express such willingness. Finally, the article provides some insights for policymakers.
Ferroptosis: bug or feature?
Authors: Dixon Scott J.
Published: May 2017

Ferroptosis is an iron‐dependent, oxidative form of non‐apoptotic cell death. This form of cell death does not share morphological, biochemical, or genetic similarities with classic necrosis, necroptosis, parthanatos, or other forms of non‐apoptotic cell death. Ferroptosis can be triggered by depleting the cell of the amino acid cysteine, or by inhibiting the phospholipid hydroperoxidase glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Why certain stimuli trigger ferroptosis instead of another form of cell death, and whether this process could be adaptive in vivo, are two major unanswered questions concerning this process. Emerging evidence and consideration of related non‐apoptotic pathways suggest that ferroptosis could be an adaptive process, albeit one regulated and executed in a manner very different from apoptosis and other forms of cell death.
RIPK3‐driven cell death during virus infections
Authors: Upton Jason W. , Shubina Maria , Balachandran Siddharth
Published: May 2017

The programmed self‐destruction of infected cells is a powerful antimicrobial strategy in metazoans. For decades, apoptosis represented the dominant mechanism by which the virus‐infected cell was thought to undergo programmed cell death. More recently, however, new mechanisms of cell death have been described that are also key to host defense. One such mechanism in vertebrates is programmed necrosis, or “necroptosis”, driven by receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3). Once activated by innate immune stimuli, including virus infections, RIPK3 phosphorylates the mixed lineage kinase domain‐like protein (MLKL), which then disrupts cellular membranes to effect necroptosis. Emerging evidence demonstrates that RIPK3 can also mediate apoptosis and regulate inflammasomes. Here, we review studies on the mechanisms by which viruses activate RIPK3 and the pathways engaged by RIPK3 that drive cell death.