bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vulnerability of Antarctic shallow invertebrate‐dominated ecosystems
Authors: Clark Graeme F. , Raymond Ben , Riddle Martin J. , Stark Jonathan S. , Johnston Emma L.
Published: April 2015

Human impacts threaten not only species, but also entire ecosystems. Ecosystems under stress can collapse or transition into different states, potentially reducing biodiversity at a variety of scales. Here we examine the vulnerability of Antarctic shallow invertebrate‐dominated ecosystems, which may be threatened for several reasons. These unique shallow‐water communities mostly consist of dark‐adapted invertebrates, and rely on sea ice to create low‐light marine environments. Climate change is likely to cause early breakout of seasonal sea ice in parts of Antarctica, which will dramatically increase the amount of light reaching shallow seabed. This is predicted to result in ecological regime shifts, in which invertebrate‐dominated communities are replaced by macroalgal beds. Habitat for these endemic Antarctic ecosystems is globally rare, and the fragmented nature of their distribution along Antarctic coast increases their sensitivity to change. Concurrently, human activities in Antarctica are concentrated in areas where these habitats occur, compounding potential impacts. While there are clear mechanisms of threat to these ecosystems, lack of knowledge about their spatial distribution obscures predictions of potential ecosystem loss, and the likelihood of recovery. In this paper we describe these ecosystems, their association with the environment and the reasons for their vulnerability. We estimate their spatial distribution around Antarctica using sea ice and bathymetric data, and apply the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Ecosystems criteria to assess their vulnerability. Best available data suggest that shallow ice‐covered ecosystems are likely Near Threatened to Vulnerable in places, although the magnitude of risk is spatially variable and requires additional data to strengthen the assessment.
Fish predation regimes modify benthic diatom community structures: Experimental evidence from an in situ mesocosm study
Authors: Wasserman R. J. , Vink T. J. F. , Dalu T. , Froneman P. W.
Published: April 2015

Diatoms are important primary producers in shallow water environments. Few studies have assessed the importance of biological interactions in structuring these communities. In the present study, benthic diatom community structure in relation to manipulated food webs was assessed using in situ mesocosms, whereby predator‐free environments and environments comprising two different fish species were assessed. Zooplankton abundance, settled algal biomass and the diatom community were monitored over a 12‐day period across each of the three trophic scenarios. Differences among treatments over time were observed in zooplankton abundances, particularly copepods. Similarly, the benthic diatom community structure changed significantly over time across the three trophic treatments. However, no differences in total algal biomass were found among treatments. This was likely the result of non‐diatom phytoplankton contributions. We propose that the benthic diatom community structure within the mesocosms was influenced by trophic cascades and potentially through direct consumption by the fish. The study highlights that not only are organisms at the base of the food web affected by predators at the top of the food web, but that predator identity is potentially an important consideration for predator–prey interaction outcomes with consequences for multiple trophic levels.
Incidence of intravascular injection and the spread of contrast media during S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection by two approaches: anteroposterior vs oblique
Authors: Kim D.‐H. , Yoon D. M. , Yoon K. B.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this randomised study was to compare the incidence of intravascular injections during S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection performed in the anteroposterior and oblique views. We also compared epidural spread patterns of contrast media, which included 201 injections at the S1 level. The overall incidence of intravascular injection during S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection in the anteroposterior view was 29% (29/99), significantly higher than in the oblique view (11%, 11/102, p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups for epidural spread of contrast media in cases where intravascular injections did not occur (p = 0.77). Performing S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection in the oblique view rather than the anteroposterior view reduces the risk of intravascular injections.
NSAIDs and spontaneous abortions – true effect or an indication bias?
Authors: Daniel Sharon , Koren Gideon , Lunenfeld Eitan , Levy Amalia
Published: April 2015

Aim

The aim of the study was to characterize the extent of indication bias resulting from the excessive use of NSAIDs on the days preceding a spontaneous abortion to relieve pain.

Methods

We used data from a retrospective cohort study assessing the risk for spontaneous abortions following exposure to NSAIDs. Three definitions of exposure for cases of spontaneous abortions were compared, from the first day of pregnancy until the day of spontaneous abortion and until 3 and 2 days before a spontaneous abortion. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate time programmed Cox regression.

Results

A sharp increase was observed in the dispensation of indomethacin, diclofenac and naproxen, and a milder increase was found in the use of ibuprofen during the week before a spontaneous abortion. Non‐ selective COX inhibitors in general and specifically diclofenac and indomethacin were found to be associated with spontaneous abortions when the exposure period was defined until the day of spontaneous abortion (hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 1.28; HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08, 1.59 and HR 3.33, 95% CI 2.09, 5.29, respectively). The effect disappears by excluding exposures occurring on the day before the spontaneous abortion for non‐selective COX inhibitors and on the last week before the spontaneous abortion for indomethacin. In general, decreasing HRs were found with the exclusion of exposures occurring on the days immediately before the spontaneous abortion.

Conclusions

The increased use of NSAIDs during the last few days that preceded a spontaneous abortion to relieve pain associated with the miscarriage could bias studies assessing the association between exposure to NSAIDs and spontaneous abortions.
Population structure of humpback whales in the western and central South Pacific Ocean as determined by vocal exchange among populations
Authors: Garland Ellen C. , Goldizen Anne W. , Lilley Matthew S. , Rekdahl Melinda L. , Garrigue Claire , Constantine Rochelle , Hauser Nan Daeschler , Poole M. Michael , Robbins Jooke , Noad Michael J.
Published: April 2015

For cetaceans, population structure is traditionally determined by molecular genetics or photographically identified individuals. Acoustic data, however, has provided information on movement and population structure with less effort and cost than traditional methods in an array of taxa. Male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) produce a continually evolving vocal sexual display, or song, that is similar among all males in a population. The rapid cultural transmission (the transfer of information or behavior between conspecifics through social learning) of different versions of this display between distinct but interconnected populations in the western and central South Pacific region presents a unique way to investigate population structure based on the movement dynamics of a song (acoustic) display. Using 11 years of data, we investigated an acoustically based population structure for the region by comparing stereotyped song sequences among populations and years. We used the Levenshtein distance technique to group previously defined populations into (vocally based) clusters based on the overall similarity of their song display in space and time. We identified the following distinct vocal clusters: western cluster, 1 population off eastern Australia; central cluster, populations around New Caledonia, Tonga, and American Samoa; and eastern region, either a single cluster or 2 clusters, one around the Cook Islands and the other off French Polynesia. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that each breeding aggregation represents a distinct population (each occupied a single, terminal node) in a metapopulation, similar to the current understanding of population structure based on genetic and photo‐identification studies. However, the central vocal cluster had higher levels of song‐sharing among populations than the other clusters, indicating that levels of vocal connectivity varied within the region. Our results demonstrate the utility and value of using culturally transmitted vocal patterns as a way of defining connectivity to infer population structure. We suggest vocal patterns be incorporated by the International Whaling Commission in conjunction with traditional methods in the assessment of structure.
Cumulative risk disparities in children's neurocognitive functioning: a developmental cascade model
Authors: Wade Mark , Browne Dillon T. , Plamondon Andre , Daniel Ella , Jenkins Jennifer M.
Published: April 2015

The current longitudinal study examined the role of cumulative social risk on children's theory of mind (ToM) and executive functioning (EF) across early development. Further, we also tested a cascade model of development in which children's social cognition at 18 months was hypothesized to predict ToM and EF at age 4.5 through intermediary language skills at age 3. We then examined whether this developmental mechanism varied as a function of social risk status. Participants were 501 children recruited when they were newborns, at which point eight psychosocial risk factors were assessed and combined into a metric of cumulative social disadvantage. Families were followed up at 18 months, at which point four social‐cognitive skills were assessed using developmentally sensitive tasks: joint attention, empathy, cooperation, and self‐recognition. Language was measured at age 3 using a standardized measure of receptive vocabulary. At age 3 and 4.5, EF and ToM were measured using previously validated tasks. Results showed that there were notable cumulative risk disparities in overall neurocognitive skill development, and these effects became more differentiated over time. Support was also found for a developmental mechanism wherein the effect of social cognition at 18 months on ToM and EF in the preschool period operated specifically through children's receptive language ability at age 3. This pathway functioned similarly for children with both low‐ and high‐risk backgrounds. These results extend previous findings by documenting the role of cumulative social disadvantage on children's neurocognition and the pathways that link key neurocognitive abilities across early development.
Distinct methylation patterns in genes that affect mitochondrial function are associated with kidney disease in blood‐derived DNA from individuals with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Swan E. J. , Maxwell A. P. , McKnight A. J.
Published: April 2015

Aims

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, can influence the risk of developing kidney disease. We studied methylation profiles in genes related to mitochondrial function to assess whether differences in these epigenetic features were associated with diabetic kidney disease in people with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods

A case–control association study was undertaken (n = 196 individuals with diabetic kidney disease vs. n = 246 individuals without renal disease). Participants were White and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes before 31 years of age. Genes that encode mitochondrial proteins (n = 780) were downloaded from mitoproteome.org. DNA methylation profiles from blood‐derived DNA were generated using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 (262 samples) and Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 (192 samples) arrays. Beta values (β) were calculated and quality control was conducted, including evaluating blind duplicate DNA samples.

Results

Fifty‐four Cytosine‐phosphate‐Guanine probes across 51 unique genes were significantly associated (P ≤ 10–8) with diabetic kidney disease across both the 450K and the 27K methylation arrays. A subanalysis, employing the 450K array, identified 755 Cytosine‐phosphate‐Guanine probes in 374 genes that were significantly associated (P ≤ 10‐8) with end‐stage renal disease. Forty‐six of the top‐ranked variants for diabetic kidney disease were also identified as being differentially methylated in individuals with end‐stage renal disease. The largest change in methylation (Δβ = 0.2) was observed for cg03169527 in the TAMM41 gene, chromosome 3p25.2. Three genes, PMPCB, TSFM and AUH, were observed with differential methylation at multiple Cytosine‐phosphate‐Guanine sites each (P < 10–12).

Conclusions

Differential methylation in genes that influence mitochondrial function are associated with kidney disease in individuals with Type 1 diabetes.
Distant yet Near: Promoting Interdisciplinary Learning in Significantly Diverse Teams through Socially Responsible Projects
Authors: Adya Monica , Temple Bryan K. , Hepburn Donald M.
Published: April 2015

With global specialization of work units within organizations, interdisciplinary work practices comprised of collaborative efforts between technical and business teams are increasingly common in today's workplace. While higher education has responded by creating opportunities for remote teams to learn from collaborative work, occasions for interaction between remotely situated significantly diverse teams such as business and engineering are few. This study describes a pedagogical offering between U.S.‐based business teams and U.K.‐based engineering teams that delivers such an experience around mutually dependent, socially responsible projects. Results from student surveys and reflections confirm that the pedagogical design is able to generate perceived interdependence between these diverse teams. Student responses to surveys also suggest that the collaboration is effective in raising student confidence in interdisciplinary and remote team work among students. The study concludes with recommendations for transferability and actualization of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Noninvasive sampling of DNA from larval exuvia in diving beetles of the genera Cybister and Dytiscus
Authors: Inoda Toshio , Miyazaki Yusuke , Kitano Tadashi , Kubota Souichirou
Published: April 2015

Nonlethal DNA sampling is a highly recommendable method in molecular genetic studies of protected and endangered species. To develop a demonstrably nonlethal method of obtaining DNA from larvae of endangered diving beetles (Cybister brevis, C. lewisianus, C. limbatus, C. rugosus, Dytiscus sharpi sharpi and D. sharpi validus), we obtained the larval exuvia (molted skin) of these endangered diving beetles under laboratory conditions. A single exuvia 24 h after molting was sufficient to allow polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of a mitochondrial DNA gene, cytochrome‐c oxidase subunit I (COI), and the sequence of the COI gene could be determined directly. Sequences obtained from the exuvial samples were used to further find similarities within DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank. Genomic DNA from the samples was successfully isolated, and we identified the species. This process suggests that exuvia provides a good sample for extracting DNA from endangered diving beetle larvae without killing them.
Thrombin generation measured as thrombin–antithrombin complexes predicts clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Kalambokis Georgios N. , Oikonomou Aikaterini , Baltayiannis Gerasimos , Christou Leonidas , Kolaitis Nikolaos I. , Tsianos Epameinondas V.
Published: April 2015

Aim

Hypercoagulability has been detected in patients with cirrhosis yet its clinical significance remains unclear. We investigated the association of hypercoagulability with clinical outcomes in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

Thrombin–antithrombin (TAT) complexes as thrombin generation (TG) marker, D‐dimer, antithrombin (AT), protein C, protein S, international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, Child–Pugh class and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) were evaluated. Two different multivariate analyses were performed: one not including MELD (model 1) and one including MELD and excluding INR (model 2).

Results

Eighty‐one patients (Child–Pugh class A/B/C: 27/27/27) and 40 healthy subjects were enrolled. Only ΤΑΤ and AT were independently associated with increasing liver disease severity. Increased TAT levels and MELD score were significantly associated with ascites and varices at baseline. Independent predictors of follow‐up events were: TAT and MELD score for new‐onset ascites; TAT and AT for variceal bleeding (VB); TAT and AT for portal vein thrombosis (PVT); and TAT and MELD for mortality. TAT equaled MELD in mortality prediction at 12 and 18 months. TAT cut‐offs at 5.35, 14.6, 13.5 and 9.25 ng/mL identified patient groups with significantly higher probability of new‐onset ascites, VB, PVT and mortality, respectively.

Conclusion

Increased TG is strongly correlated with portal hypertension‐related complications, PVT and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Measuring TG by TAT could enable risk stratification and institution of preventive strategies to improve clinical outcomes.
A qualitative exploration of the impact of the economic recession in Spain on working, living and health conditions: reflections based on immigrant workers' experiences
Authors: Ronda Elena , Briones‐Vozmediano Erica , Galon Tanyse , García Ana M. , Benavides Fernando G. , Agudelo‐Suárez Andrés A.
Published: April 2015

Background

This study aimed to analyse how immigrant workers in Spain experienced changes in their working and employment conditions brought about Spain's economic recession and the impact of these changes on their living conditions and health status.

Method

We conducted a grounded theory study. Data were obtained through six focus group discussions with immigrant workers (n = 44) from Colombia, Ecuador and Morocco, and two individual interviews with key informants from Romania living in Spain, selected by theoretical sample.

Results

Three categories related to the crisis emerged – previous labour experiences, employment consequences and individual consequences – that show how immigrant workers in Spain (i) understand the change in employment and working conditions conditioned by their experiences in the period prior to the crisis, and (ii) experienced the deterioration in their quality of life and health as consequences of the worsening of employment and working conditions during times of economic recession.

Conclusion

The negative impact of the financial crisis on immigrant workers may increase their social vulnerability, potentially leading to the failure of their migratory project and a return to their home countries. Policy makers should take measures to minimize the negative impact of economic crisis on the occupational health of migrant workers in order to strengthen social protection and promote health and well‐being.
Effects of light on growth, levels of anthocyanin, concentration of metabolites in Fagopyrum tataricum sprout cultures
Authors: Peng Lian‐Xin , Zou Liang , Su Yan‐Mei , Fan Yi , Zhao Gang
Published: April 2015

Sumamy

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) sprouts are a popular healthy product around the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of light on growth, levels of anthocyanin, metabolite concentration in tartary buckwheat sprouts. To investigate the metabolites and accumulation of anthocyanin in tartary buckwheat sprouts, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were conducted. The levels of Cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside and Cyanidin 3‐O‐rutinoside were higher under light/dark condition than that under dark condition. A total of fifty‐five metabolites, including nineteen amino acids, fifteen organic acids, eight sugars, four amines, two sugar alcohols, seven other kinds were detected in tartary buckwheat sprouts. Multivariate statistical methods were used to fully distinguish between light/dark and dark condition, and eleven compounds were defined as deferentially expressed metabolites using these methods. Our results may be helpful for practical application in the production of nutritional buckwheat sprouts in the future.
Introduction: What future for industrial relations?
Authors: HAYTER Susan
Published: April 2015

In her introductory paper, the coordinator of this Special Issue puts the selection of subsequent contributions into context. Traditional industrial relations institutions, born of labour law's premise of unbalanced power relations between the worker and the employer, are being undermined by unprecedented global changes in patterns of work and forms of employment. This trend, compounded by the emergence of alternative forms of worker representation, poses a major challenge not only to conventional tradeunionism but also to policy and to industrial relations scholarship. This Special Issue is intended as a contribution to the ensuing, ongoing debate about the direction of future change.
Mechanism and Kinetics of Oxidation of ZrN Ceramics
Authors: Harrison Robert W. , Lee William Edward
Published: April 2015

Oxidation of ZrN ceramics from 973–1373 K under static conditions reveals parabolic rate behavior, indicative of a diffusion‐controlled process. In‐situ high temperature powder XRD found the oxidation mechanism begins with destabilization of ZrN through formation of a ZrN1−x phase with oxide peaks initially detected at around 773 K. The zirconium oxide layer was found to be monoclinic by in‐situ XRD with no evidence of tetragonal or cubic polymorphs present to 1023 K. Bulk ceramic samples oxidized at 1173 and 1273 K underwent slower oxidation than those oxidized at 973 and 1073 K. This change in oxidation rate and hence mechanism was due to formation of a denser c‐ZrO2 polymorph stabilized by nitrogen defects. This N‐doped dense ZrO2 layer acts as a diffusion barrier to oxygen diffusion. However, at an oxidation temperature of 1373 K this layer is no longer protective due to increased diffusion through it resulting in grain boundary oxidation.
Influence of Dihedral Angle and Grain Coordination on Densification Rate During Intermediate and Final Sintering Stages
Authors: Delannay Francis
Published: April 2015

The evolution of sintering stress, bulk viscosity, and densification rate during the intermediate stage and the final stage of sintering of random aggregates of particles is simulated using a new model able to account for the monotonous increase in the coordination number during sintering. For the intermediate stage, the representative volume element is a cone of revolution whereas, for the final stage, it is volume centered on a closed pore located at quadruple point. Care is taken to warrant the continuity between the two models at the transition between the two stages. Computations allow tracing the variation in sintering stress and bulk viscosity with relative density, coordination, and dihedral angle during the two stages, as well as at the transition between them. They show how, as a result, densification rate is enhanced by the increase in coordination. The model is assessed via comparison of the computed curves with the predictions of previous models based on periodic 3D arrangements, in which grain coordination number is constrained to jump between integer values. The agreement is generally very good in spite of the different approximations involved.
Do patients and health care professionals view the communication processes of clinical research differently? A Rasch analysis from a survey
Authors: González‐de Paz Luis , Kostov Belchin , Solans‐Julian Pilar , Navarro‐Rubio M Dolores , Sisó‐Almirall Antoni
Published: April 2015

Rationale aims and objectives

The increasing amount of the clinical research conducted in the primary health care has enabled extending research beyond traditional settings, but this transfer has implied some trade‐offs. Health care professionals who conduct research with trusted patients require assuming the ethical standards of research and communication skills to enable patients' autonomy and freedom of choice. This study aims to measure the opinions of health professionals and patients on issues of communication in clinical research.

Method

A cross‐sectional study with health care professionals and patients from primary health care centres in Barcelona (Spain). Each group completed a similar self‐administered questionnaire. A Rasch model was fitted to data. After examination of goodness‐of‐fit, differences between groups were compared using analysis of variance, and patients' measures were calibrated to professionals' measures to compare overall mean measures.

Results

Professionals and patients found the ethical attitudes most difficult to endorse related to trust in clinical researchers and conflicts of interest. Patients' perceptions of professional ethical behaviour were significantly lower than professionals'. Different item functioning between nurses and family doctors was found in the item on seeking ethical collaboration when collaborating in clinical research. Effective knowledge of ethical norms was associated with greater perceived ethical values in clinical research and confidence in health care professionals among patients.

Conclusions

Differences in the views of the communication process between patients and professionals could alert research boards, health care institutions and researchers to the need for greater transparency, trust and ethical instruction when patients are involved in clinical research.
Saprolegnia diclina IIIA and S. parasitica employ different infection strategies when colonizing eggs of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.
Authors: Songe M M , Willems A , Wiik‐Nielsen J , Thoen E , Evensen Ø , van West P , Skaar I
Published: April 2015

Here, we address the morphological changes of eyed eggs of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. infected with Saprolegnia from a commercial hatchery and after experimental infection. Eyed eggs infected with Saprolegnia spp. from 10 Atlantic salmon females were obtained. Egg pathology was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. Eggs from six of ten females were infected with S. parasitica, and two females had infections with S. diclina clade IIIA; two Saprolegnia isolates remained unidentified. Light microscopy showed S. diclina infection resulted in the chorion in some areas being completely destroyed, whereas eggs infected with S. parasitica had an apparently intact chorion with hyphae growing within or beneath the chorion. The same contrasting pathology was found in experimentally infected eggs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that S. parasitica grew on the egg surface and hyphae were found penetrating the chorion of the egg, and re‐emerging on the surface away from the infection site. The two Saprolegnia species employ different infection strategies when colonizing salmon eggs. Saprolegnia diclina infection results in chorion destruction, while S. parasitica penetrates intact chorion. We discuss the possibility these infection mechanisms representing a necrotrophic (S. diclina) vs. a facultative biotrophic strategy (S. parasitica).
An Experimental Analysis of the Effects of Non‐audit Services on Auditor Independence in Appearance in the European Union: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Quick Reiner , Warming‐Rasmussen Bent
Published: April 2015

The provision of non‐audit services by the statutory auditor may have a negative impact on auditor independence. Therefore, the European Union decided to prevent auditors from offering a significant extent of non‐audit services to audit clients. Prior research has revealed that different advisory services have different effects on perceived auditor independence. This could be caused by differences in number and intensity of independence threats (self‐interest, familiarity, self‐review, advocacy). Therefore, this experimental study investigates the effect of such threats on independence perceptions in the case of German individual investors. Multivariate analyses indicate that a high self‐interest and a high‐familiarity threat may impair auditor independence in appearance. On the other hand, our findings do not reveal a significant effect of an existing advocacy threat on investors’ trust in auditor independence. A negative effect of a self‐review threat is not directly confirmed. However, the provision of services with regard to internal controls, and thus the self‐review threat, interacts with the self‐interest threat. They potentially impact perceived auditor independence negatively when non‐audit fees are high. In contrast, no significant interactions with familiarity are found. Based on these findings, a general prohibition of non‐audit services does not seem to be necessary. On the other hand, a non‐audit fees cap might be reasonable.
Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive non‐human primates of twenty‐four zoological gardens in China
Authors: Li Mei , Zhao Bo , Li Bo , Wang Qiang , Niu Lili , Deng Jiabo , Gu Xiaobin , Peng Xuerong , Wang Tao , Yang Guangyou
Published: April 2015

Captive primates are susceptible to gastrointestinal (GIT) parasitic infections, which are often zoonotic and can contribute to morbidity and mortality. Fecal samples were examined by the means of direct smear, fecal flotation, fecal sedimentation, and fecal cultures. Of 26.51% (317/1196) of the captive primates were diagnosed gastrointestinal parasitic infections. Trichuris spp. were the most predominant in the primates, while Entamoeba spp. were the most prevalent in Old World monkeys (P < 0.05). These preliminary data will improve the management of captive primates and the safety of animal keepers and visitors.
Expression of Secreted Aspartyl Proteinases in an Experimental Model of Candida albicans‐Associated Denture Stomatitis
Authors: Lie Tobouti Priscila , Casaroto Ana Regina , de Almeida Ricardo Sérgio Couto , de Paula Ramos Solange , Dionísio Thiago José , Porto Vinicius Carvalho , Santos Carlos Ferreira , Lara Vanessa Soares
Published: April 2015

Purpose

Candida albicans is known to produce secreted aspartyl proteinases (SAPs) to aid adhesion, invasion, and host tissue destruction. SAPs may contribute to denture stomatitis (DS) pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to develop an in vivo experimental model for Candida‐associated DS that allows the analysis of SAP2, SAP5, and SAP9 expression by C. albicans from biofilm induced on the denture surface.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐five male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, denture, and denture/Candida group. The last two groups remained with dentures for 2, 4, and 6 days, with or without induced biofilm. SAP expression was concomitant with leukocyte counts as well as clinical and histological changes shown by animal palate.

Results

The signs observed at 4 days in the denture/Candida group were clinically closer to the Candida‐associated DS, showing a significant increase of neutrophils and decrease of lymphocytes in peripheral blood, presence of inflammation signs on the palate similar to DS Newton type I, and fungal invasion in the epithelial layer. Accordingly, the denture/Candida group at 4 days presented the highest relative expression of all SAPs studied.

Conclusion

The results showed a coincidence between SAP expression and clinical, microscopic, and blood data. Finally, the molecular findings were consistent with the virulence capacities of C. albicans from biofilm formed on the denture resin, which possibly allowed epithelial invasion by the fungus.
Effects of cyclodextrins on GM1-gangliosides in fibroblasts from GM1-gangliosidosis patients
Authors: Maeda Yuki , Motoyama Keiichi , Higashi Taishi , Horikoshi Yuka , Takeo Toru , Nakagata Naomi , Kurauchi Yuki , Katsuki Hiroshi , Ishitsuka Yoichi , Kondo Yuki , Irie Tetsumi , Furuya Hirokazu , Era Takumi , Arima Hidetoshi
Published: April 2015

Objectives

GM1-gangliosidosis is an inherited disorder characterized by the accumulation of GM1-gangliosides in many tissues and organs, particularly in the brain. Currently, there is no treatment available for patients with ganglioside storage diseases. Therefore, we investigated the effects of cyclodextrins (CyDs) on the GM1-ganglioside level in EA1 cells, fibroblasts from patients with GM1-gangliosidosis.

Methods

The concentrations of cholesterol and phospholipids in supernatants were determined by Cholesterol E-test Wako and Phospholipid C-test Wako, respectively. The effects of CyDs on GM1-ganglioside levels in EA1 cells using fluorescence-labelled cholera toxin B-subunit, which can bind to GM1-gangliosides specifically, were investigated by flow cytometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Key findings

The treatment with methylated CyDs, hydroxypropylated CyDs and branched CyDs decreased GM1-ganglioside levels in EA1 cells at 1 mm for 24 h. Unexpectedly, there was no significant change in the efflux of cholesterol or phospholipids from the cells after treatment with CyDs under the same experimental conditions, indicating that the efflux of membrane components is not associated with down-regulation of GM1-ganglioside levels in EA1 cells upon CyDs treatment.

Conclusions

CyDs may have the potential as drugs for GM1-gangliosidosis, although the mechanism should be thereafter clarified.
Genetic and morphological differentiation in Populus nigra L.: isolation by colonization or isolation by adaptation?
Authors: DeWoody Jennifer , Trewin Harriet , Taylor Gail
Published: April 2015

Identifying processes underlying the genetic and morphological differences among populations is a central question of evolutionary biology. Forest trees typically contain high levels of neutral genetic variation, and genetic differences are often correlated with geographic distance between populations [isolation by distance (IBD)] or are due to historic vicariance events [isolation by colonization (IBC)]. In contrast, morphological differences are largely due to local adaptation. Here, we examined genetic (microsatellite) and morphological (from a common garden experiment) variation in Populus nigra L., European black poplar, collected from 13 sites across western Europe and grown in a common garden in Belgium. Significant genetic differentiation was observed, with populations from France displaying greater admixture than the distinct Spanish and central European gene pools, consistent with previously described glacial refugia (IBC). Many quantitative traits displayed a bimodal distribution, approximately corresponding to small‐leaf and large‐leaf ecotypes. Examination of nine climatic variables revealed the sampling locations to have diverse climates, and although the correlation between morphological and climatic differences was significant, the pattern was not consistent with strict local adaptation. Partial Mantel tests based on multivariate summary statistics identified significant residual correlation in comparisons of small‐leaf to large‐leaf ecotypes, and within the small‐leaf samples, but not within large‐leaf ecotypes, indicating that variation within the small‐leaf morphotype in particular may be adaptive. Some small‐leaf populations experience climates very similar to those in large‐leaf sites. We conclude that adaptive differentiation and persistent IBC acted in combination to produce the genetic and morphological patterns observed in P. nigra.
Good, but Not Perfect: Parental Knowledge About Risk Factors for Skin Cancer and the Necessity of Sun Protection in Southern Germany
Authors: Gefeller Olaf , Uter Wolfgang , Pfahlberg Annette B.
Published: April 2015

The level of knowledge and awareness of skin cancer risks in parents of young children is largely unknown. The Erlangen Kindergarten study, which enrolled 3,129 parents of 3‐ to 6‐year‐old children in southern Germany, addressed this. The population‐based survey found an overall high level of knowledge about skin cancer risks and strong support for the necessity of sun protection but identified two areas (role of intermittent sun exposure, sun protection on cloudy summer days) offering a target for improvement in future public health campaigns.
Association between regional white and gray matter volume and ambiguity tolerance: Evidence from voxel‐based morphometry
Authors: Tong Dandan , Yang Wenjing , Zhang Qinglin , Li Wenfu , Wei Dongtao , Che Xianwei , Zhang Meng , Hitchman Glenn , Qiu Jiang , Liu Yijun , Cao Guikang
Published: April 2015

The concept of tolerance of ambiguity (AT) is defined as the way in which an individual tends to perceive and deal with confusing, vague, and unclear situations. AT is generally considered as an important personality trait, but the neural mechanisms underlying individual differences in AT have never been investigated. Using voxel‐based morphometry and MSTAT‐II scale, we investigated the correlations between AT and regional white matter volume (rWMV) and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in 351 young healthy subjects. We found AT to be positively correlated with rGMV in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and negatively correlated with rGMV in the precuneus. These results indicate that increased rGMV in the left DLPFC may lead to characteristics of ambiguous stimuli consideration from multiple contexts and risk taking. Decreased rGMV in the left precuneus may be associated with a high tolerance for ambiguity, which attributes uncertainty to self‐related factors.
Probability Elicitation Under Severe Time Pressure: A Rank‐Based Method
Authors: Jaspersen Johannes G. , Montibeller Gilberto
Published: April 2015

Probability elicitation protocols are used to assess and incorporate subjective probabilities in risk and decision analysis. While most of these protocols use methods that have focused on the precision of the elicited probabilities, the speed of the elicitation process has often been neglected. However, speed is also important, particularly when experts need to examine a large number of events on a recurrent basis. Furthermore, most existing elicitation methods are numerical in nature, but there are various reasons why an expert would refuse to give such precise ratio‐scale estimates, even if highly numerate. This may occur, for instance, when there is lack of sufficient hard evidence, when assessing very uncertain events (such as emergent threats), or when dealing with politicized topics (such as terrorism or disease outbreaks). In this article, we adopt an ordinal ranking approach from multicriteria decision analysis to provide a fast and nonnumerical probability elicitation process. Probabilities are subsequently approximated from the ranking by an algorithm based on the principle of maximum entropy, a rule compatible with the ordinal information provided by the expert. The method can elicit probabilities for a wide range of different event types, including new ways of eliciting probabilities for stochastically independent events and low‐probability events. We use a Monte Carlo simulation to test the accuracy of the approximated probabilities and try the method in practice, applying it to a real‐world risk analysis recently conducted for DEFRA (the U.K. Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs): the prioritization of animal health threats.
Research Synthesis and the Value per Statistical Life
Authors: Robinson Lisa A. , Hammitt James K.
Published: April 2015

The value of small changes in mortality risk, conventionally expressed as the value per statistical life (VSL), is a major determinant of the benefits of many environmental, health, and safety regulations and other policies. However, selecting an appropriate value is challenging. Different studies yield different results and analysts often find they lack estimates that are directly applicable to the policy they are assessing. Research‐synthesis methods are widely used to address these concerns in many fields, yet we find only limited applications to estimating VSL. More structured, criteria‐driven review of the available studies is an important first step. Additional meta‐analyses that use such review as a starting point are needed to explore variation across studies as well as to adjust estimates to better fit different policy contexts. Carefully designed expert elicitation is significantly underutilized and is particularly important when the available research is limited or inconsistent. Although greater use of such methods is likely to enhance the credibility of the VSL estimates applied in policy analyses, as well as provide greater insights into the advantages and limitations of the available research, it is not clear how much the resulting estimates will vary from those currently used. In the United States, these estimates are generally around $9 million.
Macroeconomics of Natural Disasters: Strengths and Weaknesses of Meta‐Analysis Versus Review of Literature
Authors: A. G. van Bergeijk Peter , Lazzaroni Sara
Published: April 2015

We use the case of the macroeconomic impact of natural disasters to analyze strengths and weaknesses of meta‐analysis in an emerging research field. Macroeconomists have published on this issue since 2002 (we identified 60 studies to date). The results of the studies are contradictory and therefore the need to synthesize the available research is evident. Meta‐analysis is a useful method in this field. An important aim of our article is to show how one can use the identified methodological characteristics to better understand the robustness and importance of new findings.

To provide a comparative perspective, we contrast our meta‐analysis and its findings with the major influential research synthesis in the field: the IPCC's 2012 special report Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation. We show that the IPCC could have been more confident about the negative economic impact of disasters and more transparent on inclusion and qualification of studies, if it had been complemented by a meta‐analysis.

Our meta‐analysis shows that, controlling for modeling strategies and data set, the impact of disasters is significantly negative. The evidence is strongest for direct costs studies where we see no difference between our larger sample and the studies included in the IPCC report. Direct cost studies and indirect cost studies differ significantly, both in terms of the confidence that can be attached to a negative impact of natural disasters and in terms of the sources of heterogeneity of the findings reported in the primary studies.
HIV and HCV Medications in End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Greenberg Keiko I. , Perazella Mark A. , Atta Mohamed G.
Published: April 2015

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affect populations worldwide. With the availability of over 35 Food and Drug Administration approved medications for treatment of HIV, the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV has greatly improved. On the other hand, treatment options for HCV have been limited until very recently. While the use of protease inhibitors (such as boceprevir and telaprevir) has become standard of care for treatment of hepatitis C in the general population, data for individuals with impaired kidney function, particularly those on dialysis, are extremely limited. Use of medications in dialysis patients can be challenging given the dose adjustments that must be made for renally cleared molecules, and potentially increased impact of adverse effects such as anemia. Recommendations for dosing of marketed therapies for HIV and HCV are reviewed.
Comparison of three‐dimensional ROC surfaces for clustered and correlated markers, with a proteomics application
Authors: Sultana and Jialiang Li Mst. Papia , Hu Jianhua
Published: April 2015

We propose a non‐parametric test to compare two correlated diagnostic tests for a three‐category classification problem. Our development was motivated by a proteomic study where the objectives are to detect glycan biomarkers for liver cancer and to compare the discrimination ability of various markers. Three distinct disease categories need to be identified from this analysis. We therefore chose to use three‐dimensional receiver operating characteristic (ROC) surfaces and volumes under the ROC surfaces to describe the overall accuracy for different biomarkers. Each marker in this study might include a cluster of similar individual markers and thus was considered as a hierarchically structured sample. Our proposed statistical test incorporated the within‐marker correlation as well as the between‐marker correlation. We derived asymptotic distributions for three‐dimensional ROC surfaces and subsequently implemented bootstrap methods to facilitate the inferences. Simulation and real‐data analysis were included to illustrate our methods. Our distribution‐free test may be simplified for paired and independent two‐sample comparisons as well. Previously, only parametric tests were known for clustered and correlated three‐category ROC analyses.
Revisiting the Brain Drain Literature with Insights from a Dynamic General Equilibrium World Model
Authors: Lodigiani Elisabetta , Marchiori Luca , Shen I‐Ling
Published: April 2015

The existing brain drain literature has found various mechanisms through which the high‐skilled South‐to‐North migration affects developing economies. However, some of the new‐found effects remain disputable due to limited evidence. This study aims to provide suggestive guidelines for future research by identifying the mechanisms that can generate larger economic impacts at the aggregate. The analysis is based on a dynamic general equilibrium world model that is calibrated to published statistics and incorporates empirical estimates on the effects of brain drain. It simulates short‐ and long‐run impacts of increased brain drain on GDP per capita, GNI per capita, and income inequality. The results suggest that more studies should be conducted to further examine how the brain drain influences human capital formation and technology spillovers. Both have significant impacts on domestic production and national income. A better understanding of different remitting patterns is also desirable to understand how to reduce inequality and promote recipients’ investment in productive assets.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES AND OUTCOME FOR SOLITARY CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMCOCCIDIOIDESGRANULOMAS IN 11 DOGS AND CATS
Authors: Bentley R. Timothy , Heng Hock Gan , Thompson Craig , Lee Chun‐Sheng , Kroll Robert A. , Roy Michael E. , Marini Lauren , Heo Jin , Wigle William L.
Published: April 2015

Little published information is available to guide therapy for canine and feline patients withCoccidioidesinfections involving the central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of this cross‐sectional retrospective study was to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and outcome for a group of dogs and cats with solitary CNSCoccidiodesgranulomas. Nine canine and two feline cases met inclusion criteria; four diagnosed and treated with surgery and fluconazole and seven diagnosed by serology or cytology and treated medically. Three cases had leftCoccidioidesendemic areas long before developing neurological disease. The MRI lesions shared many features with neoplastic masses. The extra‐axial granulomas often had a lack of a distinct border between the mass and neural parenchyma. Four cases were extra‐axial and seven were intra‐axial, but distinguishing between extra‐axial and intra‐axial locations was sometimes challenging. The surgical cases had good outcomes and histology allowed definitive diagnosis. Medically managed patients also had generally good outcomes, with resolution of clinical signs in most cases. Findings indicated that distinction between neoplasia and focalCoccidioidesgranulomas based on MRI features is likely to be imprecise. Demonstration of the organism by cytology or histology is required for definitive diagnosis. The role of surgery for improving the outcome of brain or spinal coccidioidomycosis granulomas warrants further study.