bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new species ofScytonemaisolated from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India
Authors: Singh Prashant , Minj Robin Anigo , Kunui Kikku , Shaikh Zaid Muneef , Suradkar Archana , Shouche Yogesh S , Mishra Arun Kumar , Singh Satya Shila
Published: March 2016

Filamentous cyanobacterium (strain 10C‐PS) isolated from a fresh water body of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India is being described as new species of the polyphyletic genusScytonema. Phenotypic, molecular and phylogenetic characterization was performed and the combined results validated the strain as a new species. Careful observations of the filaments, presence of a distinctly textured sheath throughout the length of the trichome, differences in the shape and dimensions of the vegetative cells, and heterocytes provided reliable morphological signals that the strain differed from rest of the closely related species. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene showed 96.89% sequence similarity withScytonema hofmanniPCC 7110 whilerbclandpsbAsequencing showed 95% and 92% similarities withScytonema hofmanniPCC 7110 andNostocsp. PCC 7524 respectively while thenifDgene sequence similarity was found to be 96% withScytonema hofmanniPCC 7110. The PC‐IGS region was sequenced and concatenatedcpcB, IGS andcpcAregions indicated 97% closest similarity withScytonemasp. PCC 7110 andScytonema bohneriiInd24. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses gave a strong pattern of distinct clustering in case of all the molecular markers. The phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic observations prove conclusively that the strain 10C‐PS is a new species in the genusScytonemawith the name proposed beingScytonema bilaspurensis.
Learning Additional Languages as Hierarchical Probabilistic Inference: Insights From First Language Processing
Authors: Pajak Bozena , Fine Alex B. , Kleinschmidt Dave F. , Jaeger T. Florian
Published: March 2016

We present a framework of second and additional language (L2/Ln) acquisition motivated by recent work on socio‐indexical knowledge in first language (L1) processing. The distribution of linguistic categories covaries with socio‐indexical variables (e.g., talker identity, gender, dialects). We summarize evidence that implicit probabilistic knowledge of this covariance is critical to L1 processing, and propose that L2/Ln learning uses the same type of socio‐indexical information to probabilistically infer latent hierarchical structure over previously learned and new languages. This structure guides the acquisition of new languages based on their inferred place within that hierarchy and is itself continuously revised based on new input from any language. This proposal unifies L1 processing and L2/Ln acquisition as probabilistic inference under uncertainty over socio‐indexical structure. It also offers a new perspective on crosslinguistic influences during L2/Ln learning, accommodating gradient and continued transfer (both negative and positive) from previously learned to novel languages, and vice versa.
Translating Justice: The International Organization of Constitutional Courts
Authors: Sommer Udi , Frishman Olga
Published: March 2016

What is the international organization of national constitutional courts? This article develops a theoretical framework to analyze this question and tests it empirically with original data of translated opinions. Justices of different nations form an emerging epistemic community, which is congealed due to common practices as well as to competition and selectiveness throughout the judicial career. Opinions translated into English as the lingua franca are pivotal for communication within this epistemic community. Through engaging in a transnational judicial dialogue, and particularly as far as this dialogue concerns legal citations, this community uses international law as a key guide to finding equilibrium solutions at national and international levels. Five sources of international law overwhelmingly dominate. In addition, we find evidence in the collegial game within the different courts for the existence of a transnational epistemic community of Supreme Court justices.
Diurnal and tidal patterns of carbon uptake and calcification in geniculate inter‐tidal coralline algae
Authors: McCoy Sophie J. , Pfister Catherine A. , Olack Gerard , Colman Albert S.
Published: March 2016

Research on coralline algal responses to ocean acidification and other environmental stressors has increased in recent years as coralline algae is thought to stand a higher chance of being affected by acidification stress than other macroalgae. To provide context and enhance the existing eco‐physiological framework for climate change studies, it is important to understand the effects of non‐extreme stressors experienced regularly by inter‐tidal coralline algae. In this study, we tested the potentially interacting effects of diurnal and tidal treatments on calcification in the geniculate coralline algaeCorallina frondescensandCorallina vancouveriensisusing13C‐labeled bicarbonate. Both species deposited more calcium carbonate during the day than at night, and also when submerged (high tide) compared with when emerged (low tide) in their apical and mature segments (intergenicula). These results indicate that inter‐tidal coralline algae do in fact pay a cost for living inter‐tidally at the edge of an adaptive zone.
Microchondrules in two unequilibrated ordinary chondrites: Evidence for formation by splattering from chondrules during stochastic collisions in the solar nebula
Authors: Dobrică E. , Brearley A. J.
Published: March 2016

The diversity of silicate, glassy spherules analogous to chondrules, called microchondrules, and the implications for their presence in unequilibrated ordinary chondrites (UOCs) were investigated using different electron microscope techniques. Our observations show that the abundance of microchondrules in UOCs is much larger than the values proposed by previous studies. We identified two different types of microchondrules, porous and nonporous, embedded within fine‐grained matrices and type I chondrule rims. The porous microchondrules are characterized by distinctive textures and chemical compositions that have not been recognized previously. Additionally, we show detailed textures and chemical compositions of protuberances of silicate materials, connected to the chondrules and ending with microchondrules. We suggest that microchondrules and protuberances formed from materials splattered from the chondrules during stochastic collisions when they were still either completely or partially molten. The occurrence and distinct morphologies of microchondrules and protuberances suggest that rather than just a passive flash melting of chondrules, an additional event perturbed the molten chondrules before they underwent cooling. The bulk chemical compositions suggest that (1) nonporous microchondrules and protuberances were formed by splattering of materials that are compositionally similar to the bulk silicate composition of type I chondrules, and (2) the porous microchondrules could represent the splattered melt products of a less evolved, fine‐grained dust composition. The preservation of protuberances and microchondrules in the rims suggests that the cooling and accretion rates were exceptionally fast and that they represent the last objects that were formed before the accretion of the parent bodies of OCs.
“No One Ever Even Asked Me that Before”: Autobiographical Power, Social Defeat, and Recovery among African Americans with Lived Experiences of Psychosis
Authors: Myers Neely Anne Laurenzo , Ziv Tali
Published: March 2016

Our article draws on ethnographic research with African American males diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in a high‐poverty urban area of the northeastern United States. Our participants frequently described the ways public mental health services led them to experience a paralyzing erosion of autobiographical power, which we define as the ability to tell one's own story and be the editor of one's own life. We identified three important points when the loss of autobiographical power seemed to perpetuate social defeat or a sense of social powerlessness (Luhrmann 2007) for our participants during their interactions with public mental health care. We invite further inquiry into the loss of autobiographical power in settings of public mental health care, the sense of social defeat it seems to perpetuate, and the impact of these on mental health recovery, especially for people living in contexts of persistent social adversity.
Enveloped Lives: Practicing Health and Care in Lithuania
Authors: Praspaliauskiene Rima
Published: March 2016

This article analyzes informal medical payments that the majority of Lithuanians give or feel compelled to give to doctors before or after treatment. It focuses on how patients and their caretakers encounter, practice, and enact informal payments in health care and how these payments create a reality of health care that is not limited to an economic rationality. Within such a frame, rather than being considered a gift or bribe, it conceptualizes these little white envelopes as a practice of health and care. The article shows how an envelope of money given to a doctor transcends the material patient–doctor transaction and emerges as a productive force for coping with illness, medical encounters, and misfortunes.
Adaptive divergence despite strong genetic drift: genomic analysis of the evolutionary mechanisms causing genetic differentiation in the island fox (Urocyon littoralis)
Authors: Funk W. Chris , Lovich Robert E. , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Hofman Courtney A. , Morrison Scott A. , Sillett T. Scott , Ghalambor Cameron K. , Maldonado Jesus E. , Rick Torben C. , Day Mitch D. , Polato Nicholas R. , Fitzpatrick Sarah W. , Coonan Timothy J. , Crooks Kevin R. , Dillon Adam , Garcelon David K. , King Julie L. , Boser Christina L. , Gould Nicholas , Andelt William F.
Published: March 2016

The evolutionary mechanisms generating the tremendous biodiversity of islands have long fascinated evolutionary biologists. Genetic drift and divergent selection are predicted to be strong on islands and both could drive population divergence and speciation. Alternatively, strong genetic drift may preclude adaptation. We conducted a genomic analysis to test the roles of genetic drift and divergent selection in causing genetic differentiation among populations of the island fox (Urocyon littoralis). This species consists of six subspecies, each of which occupies a different California Channel Island. Analysis of 5293 SNP loci generated using Restriction‐site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing found support for genetic drift as the dominant evolutionary mechanism driving population divergence among island fox populations. In particular, populations had exceptionally low genetic variation, small Ne (range = 2.1–89.7; median = 19.4), and significant genetic signatures of bottlenecks. Moreover, islands with the lowest genetic variation (and, by inference, the strongest historical genetic drift) were most genetically differentiated from mainland grey foxes, and vice versa, indicating genetic drift drives genome‐wide divergence. Nonetheless, outlier tests identified 3.6–6.6% of loci as high FST outliers, suggesting that despite strong genetic drift, divergent selection contributes to population divergence. Patterns of similarity among populations based on high FST outliers mirrored patterns based on morphology, providing additional evidence that outliers reflect adaptive divergence. Extremely low genetic variation and small Ne in some island fox populations, particularly on San Nicolas Island, suggest that they may be vulnerable to fixation of deleterious alleles, decreased fitness and reduced adaptive potential.
Contemporary genetic structure and postglacial demographic history of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas
Authors: Boissin E. , Micu D. , Janczyszyn‐Le Goff M. , Neglia V. , Bat L. , Todorova V. , Panayotova M. , Kruschel C. , Macic V. , Milchakova N. , Keskin Ç. , Anastasopoulou A. , Nasto I. , Zane L. , Planes S.
Published: March 2016

Understanding the distribution of genetic diversity in the light of past demographic events linked with climatic shifts will help to forecast evolutionary trajectories of ecosystems within the current context of climate change. In this study, mitochondrial sequences and microsatellite loci were analysed using traditional population genetic approaches together with Bayesian dating and the more recent approximate Bayesian computation scenario testing. The genetic structure and demographic history of a commercial fish, the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, was investigated throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The results suggest that the species recently underwent population expansions, in both seas, likely concomitant with the warming period following the Last Glacial Maximum, 20 000 years ago. A weak contemporaneous genetic differentiation was identified between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. However, the genetic diversity was similar for populations of the two seas, suggesting a high number of colonizers entered the Black Sea during the interglacial period and/or the presence of a refugial population in the Black Sea during the glacial period. Finally, within seas, an east/west genetic differentiation in the Adriatic seems to prevail, whereas the Black Sea does not show any structured spatial genetic pattern of its population. Overall, these results suggest that the Black Sea is not that isolated from the Mediterranean, and both seas revealed similar evolutionary patterns related to climate change and changes in sea level.
Demographic history of speciation in a Senecio altitudinal hybrid zone on Mt. Etna
Authors: Filatov Dmitry A. , Osborne Owen G. , Papadopulos Alexander S. T.
Published: March 2016

Hybrid zones typically form as a result of species coming into secondary contact, but can also be established in situ as an ecotonal hybrid zone, a situation which has been reported far less frequently. An altitudinal hybrid zone on Mount Etna between two ragwort species (the low elevation Senecio chrysanthemifolius and high elevation S. aethnensis) could potentially represent either of these possibilities. However, a scenario of secondary contact vs. speciation with gene flow has not been explicitly tested. Here, we test these alternatives and demonstrate that the data do not support secondary contact. Furthermore, we report that the previous analyses of speciation history of these species were based on admixed populations, which has led to inflated estimates of ongoing, interspecific gene flow. Our new analyses, based on ‘pure’ S. aethnensis and S. chrysanthemifolius populations, reveal gene exchange of less than one effective migrant per generation, a level low enough to allow the species to accumulate neutral, genomewide differences. Overall, our results are consistent with a scenario of speciation with gene flow and a divergence time which coincides with the rise of Mt. Etna to altitudes above 2000 m (~150 KY). Further work to quantify the role of adaptation to contrasting environments of high and low altitudes will be needed to support the scenario of recent ecological speciation in this system.
Synergistic interaction of glyceraldehydes‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and ArsJ, a novel organoarsenical efflux permease, confers arsenate resistance
Authors: Chen Jian , Yoshinaga Masafumi , Garbinski Luis D. , Rosen Barry P.
Published: March 2016

Microbial biotransformations are major contributors to the arsenic biogeocycle. In parallel with transformations of inorganic arsenic, organoarsenicals pathways have recently been recognized as important components of global cycling of arsenic. The well‐characterized pathway of resistance to arsenate is reduction coupled to arsenite efflux. Here, we describe a new pathway of arsenate resistance involving biosynthesis and extrusion of an unusual pentavalent organoarsenical. A number of arsenic resistance (ars) operons have two genes of unknown function that are linked in these operons. One, gapdh, encodes the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. The other, arsJ, encodes a major facilitator superfamily (MFS) protein. The two genes were cloned from the chromosome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. When expressed together, but not alone, in Escherichia coli, gapdh and arsJ specifically conferred resistance to arsenate and decreased accumulation of As(V). Everted membrane vesicles from cells expressing arsJ accumulated As(V) in the presence of purified GAPDH, D‐glceraldehylde 3‐phosphate (G3P) and NAD+. GAPDH forms the unstable organoarsenical 1‐arseno‐3‐phosphoglycerate (1As3PGA). We propose that ArsJ is an efflux permease that extrudes 1As3PGA from cells, where it rapidly dissociates into As(V) and 3‐phosphoglycerate (3PGA), creating a novel pathway of arsenate resistance.
Joining forces: first application of a rapamycin‐induced dimerizable Cre system for conditional null mutant analysis in Leishmania
Authors: Späth Gerald F. , Clos Joachim
Published: March 2016

Reverse genetics in Leishmania spp has gained importance beyond basic research as efforts increase to discover and validate new drug targets. Often, the most promising targets are essential for viability of the parasites, defying a genetic analysis by current gene replacement strategies. Duncan et al. demonstrate the applicability of DiCre recombination in Leishmania for induced replacement of the kinase CRK3 gene in promastigotes. DiCre gene replacement leads to the rapid loss of the gene and allows monitoring the phenotypic effects of the loss of function, eliminating the need for prolonged cultivation and selection. Implementation of the DiCre approach will allow functional genetics of the most important of Leishmania genes and is likely to boost genetic research and drug target discovery.
Recent mating‐system evolution in Eichhornia is accompanied by cis‐regulatory divergence
Authors: Arunkumar Ramesh , Maddison Teresa I. , Barrett Spencer C. H. , Wright Stephen I.
Published: March 2016

The evolution of predominant self‐fertilization from cross‐fertilization in plants is accompanied by diverse changes to morphology, ecology and genetics, some of which likely result from regulatory changes in gene expression. We examined changes in gene expression during early stages in the transition to selfing in populations of animal‐pollinated Eichhornia paniculata with contrasting mating patterns.

We crossed plants from outcrossing and selfing populations and tested for the presence of allele‐specific expression (ASE) in floral buds and leaf tissue of F1 offspring, indicative of cis‐regulatory changes.

We identified 1365 genes exhibiting ASE in floral buds and leaf tissue. These genes preferentially expressed alleles from outcrossing parents. Moreover, we found evidence that genes exhibiting ASE had a greater nonsynonymous diversity compared to synonymous diversity in the selfing parents.

Our results suggest that the transition from outcrossing to high rates of self‐fertilization may have the potential to shape the cis‐regulatory genomic landscape of angiosperm species, but that the changes in ASE may be moderate, particularly during the early stages of this transition.
The endophytic symbiont Epichloë festucae establishes an epiphyllous net on the surface of Lolium perenne leaves by development of an expressorium, an appressorium‐like leaf exit structure
Authors: Becker Matthias , Becker Yvonne , Green Kimberly , Scott Barry
Published: March 2016

Epichloë festucae forms a mutualistic symbiotic association with Lolium perenne. This biotrophic fungus systemically colonizes the intercellular spaces of aerial tissues to form an endophytic hyphal network. E. festucae also grows as an epiphyte, but the mechanism for leaf surface colonization is not known. Here we identify an appressorium‐like structure, which we call an expressorium that allows endophytic hyphae to penetrate the cuticle from the inside of the leaf to establish an epiphytic hyphal net on the surface of the leaf.

We used a combination of scanning electron, transmission electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy to characterize this novel fungal structure and determine the composition of the hyphal cell wall using aniline blue and wheat germ agglutinin labelled with Alexafluor‐488.

Expressoria differentiate immediately below the cuticle in the leaf blade and leaf sheath intercalary cell division zones where the hyphae grow by tip growth. Differentiation of this structure requires components of both the NoxA and NoxB NADPH oxidase complexes. Major remodelling of the hyphal cell wall occurs following exit from the leaf.

These results establish that the symbiotic association of E. festucae with L. perenne involves an interconnected hyphal network of both endophytic and epiphytic hyphae.
Developing intermediate zones for analysing the social geography of Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Exeter Daniel J.
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the creation of two new geographical boundary files, known respectively as lower zones and upper zones, for investigating social phenomena and visualising disparities in health outcomes in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. We test the effectiveness of contemporary automated zone design tools before applying an interactive approach which integrated computational power with expert local knowledge and visual interpretation to develop meaningful zones. We demonstrate that an interactive approach addresses multiple zone design criteria (e.g. respecting physical barriers, compactness and homogeneity) more effectively than is possible with an automated approach.
Household Shocks and Education Investments in Madagascar
Authors: Glick Peter J. , Sahn David E. , Walker Thomas F.
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the impact of exogenous shocks to household income, assets and labour supply on children's school attendance in Madagascar. The analysis uses a unique data set with 10 years of recall data on school attendance and household shocks. We find that the probability of a child dropping out of school increases significantly when the household experiences an illness, death or asset shock. We propose a test to distinguish whether the impact of shocks on school attendance can be attributed to credit constraints, labour market rigidities, or a combination of the two. The results suggest that credit constraints, rather than labour market rigidities, explain the inability of households in Madagascar to keep their children in school during times of economic stress.
The effect of dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet on weight and body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Authors: Soltani Sepideh , Shirani Fatemeh , Chitsazi Maryam J , Salehi‐Abargouei Amin
Published: March 2016

Background

Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet is rich in foods that are proposed to be inversely associated with obesity. Therefore, DASH might better affect body weight; however, published data are conflicting.

Objective

To assess the effect of DASH on body weight and composition in adults.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and Google scholar were searched up to December 2015, for relevant randomized controlled clinical trials. Mean changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were extracted.

Results

Thirteen articles (ten for body weight, six for BMI and two for WC) were eligible. Meta‐analysis revealed that adults on DASH diet lose more weight (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −1.42 kg, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: −2.03, −0.82) in 8–24 weeks, BMI (WMD = −0.42 kg m−2, 95%CI: −0.64, −0.20) in 8–52 weeks and WC (WMD = −1.05 cm, 95%CI: −1.61, −0.49) in 24 weeks compared with controls. Low caloric DASH led to even more weight reduction when compared with other low‐energy diets. In addition, the effect was greater in overweight/obese participants and when compared with typical (Western or population's usual) diets.

Conclusion

DASH diet is a good choice for weight management particularly for weight reduction in overweight and obese participants. © 2016 World Obesity
Resilience of tropical dry forests – a meta‐analysis of changes in species diversity and composition during secondary succession
Authors: Derroire Géraldine , Balvanera Patricia , Castellanos‐Castro Carolina , Decocq Guillaume , Kennard Deborah K. , Lebrija‐Trejos Edwin , Leiva Jorge A. , Odén Per‐Christer , Powers Jennifer S. , Rico‐Gray Victor , Tigabu Mulualem , Healey John R.
Published: March 2016

Assessing the recovery of species diversity and composition after major disturbance is key to understanding the resilience of tropical forests through successional processes, and its importance for biodiversity conservation. Despite the specific abiotic environment and ecological processes of tropical dry forests, secondary succession has received less attention in this biome than others and changes in species diversity and composition have never been synthesised in a systematic and quantitative review. This study aims to assess in tropical dry forests 1) the directionality of change in species richness and evenness during secondary succession, 2) the convergence of species composition towards that of old‐growth forest and 3) the importance of the previous land use, precipitation regime and water availability in influencing the direction and rate of change. We conducted meta‐analyses of the rate of change in species richness, evenness and composition indices with succession in 13 tropical dry forest chronosequences. Species richness increased with succession, showing a gradual accumulation of species, as did Shannon evenness index. The similarity in species composition of successional forests with old‐growth forests increased with succession, yet at a low rate. Tropical dry forests therefore do show resilience of species composition but it may never reach that of old‐growth forests. We found no significant differences in rates of change between different previous land uses, precipitation regimes or water availability. Our results show high resilience of tropical dry forests in term of species richness but a slow recovery of species composition. They highlight the need for further research on secondary succession in this biome and better understanding of impacts of previous land‐use and landscape‐scale patterns.

Synthesis

Secondary forests account for an increasing proportion of remaining tropical forest. Assessing their resilience is key to conservation of their biodiversity. Our study is the first meta‐analysis of species changes during succession focussing on tropical dry forests, a highly threatened yet understudied biome. We show a gradual species accumulation and convergence of composition towards that of old‐growth forests. While secondary tropical dry forests offer good potential for biodiversity conservation, their capacity for recovery at a sufficient rate to match threats is uncertain. Further research on this biome is needed to understand the effect of land use history and landscape processes.
ADMINISTRATIVE POLITICIZATION OR CONTESTABILITY? HOW POLITICAL ADVISERS AFFECT NEUTRAL COMPETENCE IN POLICY PROCESSES
Authors: ÖHBERG PATRIK , MUNK CHRISTIANSEN PETER , NIKLASSON BIRGITTA
Published: March 2016

There is limited empirical research on the extent to which politicized recruitment of ministerial advisers affects the quality of the policy process. In this article we take a novel step by looking at two possible consequences of increased political recruitment for the policy process: administrative politicization and contestability. We deploy a Most Similar Systems comparison of Denmark and Sweden and include survey answers from 657 civil servants in managerial positions. We find that political recruitment of top civil servants, such as Swedish state secretaries, restricts the access of the civil service to the minister, but it does not substantially politicize the policy process. Danish civil servants perceive themselves as more contested by the relatively few Danish political advisers than their Swedish colleagues. Our results imply that the organization of political advice is a crucial factor for politicization and contestability
Combined Use of High Radiofrequency Disk Ablation, Annulus Modulation, and Manual Nucleotomy in a Patient with Extruded Disk Herniation
Authors: Beyaz Serbülent Gökhan , İnanmaz Mustafa Erkan , Zengin Ezgi Şen , Ülgen Ali Metin
Published: March 2016

Different minimally invasive procedures are used to treat lumbar disk herniation. It is important to differentiate these techniques due to their specific effects and the disparate technical issues associated with each. This report describes a successful case involving the use of mechanical decompression in conjunction with radiofrequency ablation to treat a patient with pain and neurological deficits due to an extruded disk hernia.

Case Report

A 43‐year‐old male had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrating an extruded disk herniation in the left foraminal region, compression at the left spinal nerve root, and obliteration of the left foraminal entrance of the L5‐S1 distribution. In the operating room, sufficient disk material was removed using grasping forceps, and then, the Disc‐FX system with a Trigger‐Flex probe (Elliquence, Baldwin, NY, U.S.A.) was inserted. Modulation of the annulus was performed in bipolar hemo mode, and nucleus ablation was conducted in bipolar turbo mode within a 1.7‐MHz frequency range. Among the available minimally invasive techniques, newly developed technologies may become important treatment options if they enable faster rehabilitation, lower rates of recurrence, shorter hospital stays, and reduced medical costs.
Resolution of Intrathecal Hydromorphone or Morphine‐induced Peripheral Edema by Opioid Rotation to Fentanyl: A Case Series
Authors: Veizi Elias , Tornero‐Bold Melissa , Hayek Salim M.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Intrathecal therapy [IT] has become an important modality for treatment of intractable cancer and noncancer pain although adverse events limit its effectiveness.

Objective

The purpose of this case series was to report and discuss the lower limb edema from IT hydromorphone and morphine therapy and its resolution or nonrecurrence upon rotating the IT solution to fentanyl.

Methods

Case series.

Results

Five patients, 4 women and 1 man, 55 to 67 years old implanted with IT delivery device systems [IDDS] were treated with continuous infusion of hydromorphone [4 subjects] at 95 ± 40 mcg/24 hours and morphine [1 subject] at 0.67 mg/24 hours. They developed peripheral edema of the lower extremities at an average of 4.2 months [mean, range 1 to 8 months] after implant. In 4 subjects, peripheral edema resolved by changing the IT agent to fentanyl. The mean time for complete resolution of edema was 50 ± 20 days while patients were treated with continuous infusion of fentanyl. It should be noted that all patients were receiving bupivacaine in addition to the IT opioid. In one subject, infusion of IT saline resulted in faster resolution of peripheral edema.

Conclusion

Peripheral lower extremity edema may occur in patients treated with IT infusion of hydromorphone or morphine, even at low doses. This report presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first case series describing the benefit of IT opioid rotation to fentanyl in alleviating challenging lower extremity edema from IT hydromorphone and morphine.
A dual system formed by the ARC and NR molybdoenzymes mediates nitrite‐dependent NO production in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Chamizo‐Ampudia Alejandro , Sanz‐Luque Emanuel , Llamas Ángel , Ocaña‐Calahorro Francisco , Mariscal Vicente , Carreras Alfonso , Barroso Juan B. , Galván Aurora , Fernández Emilio
Published: March 2016

Nitric oxide (NO) is a relevant signal molecule involved in many plant processes. However, the mechanisms and proteins responsible for its synthesis are scarcely known. In most photosynthetic organisms NO synthases have not been identified, and Nitrate Reductase (NR) has been proposed as the main enzymatic NO source, a process that in vitro is also catalysed by other molybdoenzymes. By studying transcriptional regulation, enzyme approaches, activity assays with in vitro purified proteins and in vivo and in vitro NO determinations, we have addressed the role of NR and Amidoxime Reducing Component (ARC) in the NO synthesis process. N\R and ARC were intimately related both at transcriptional and activity level. Thus, arc mutants showed high NIA1 (NR gene) expression and NR activity. Conversely, mutants without active NR displayed an increased ARC expression in nitrite medium. Our results with nia1 and arc mutants and with purified enzymes support that ARC catalyses the NO production from nitrite taking electrons from NR and not from Cytb5‐1/Cytb5‐Reductase, the component partners previously described for ARC (proposed as NOFNiR, Nitric Oxide‐Forming Nitrite Reductase). This NR‐ARC dual system would be able to produce NO in the presence of nitrate, condition under which NR is unable to do it.
Intact neural activity during a Go/No‐go task is associated with high global functioning in schizophrenia
Authors: Araki Tsuyoshi , Kirihara Kenji , Koshiyama Daisuke , Nagai Tatsuya , Tada Mariko , Fukuda Masato , Kasai Kiyoto
Published: March 2016

Aim

Go/No‐go derived event‐related potential (ERP) signals have been widely used in schizophrenia research to monitor self‐control deficits in this disorder. However, no study to date has associated Go/No‐go‐related ERP with global functioning.

Methods

Participants consisted of 21 patients with schizophrenia and 22 healthy controls. We used a visual Go/No‐go paradigm to measure Go/No‐go‐related N2/P3 ERP components by means of a 64‐electrode cap for electroencephalogram recording. We used the Global Assessment of Functioning to evaluate global functioning and analyzed the correlation between ERP indices and global functioning scores.

Results

N2 amplitudes were reduced in patients with schizophrenia, but not influenced by either of the Go/No‐go conditions. P3 amplitudes were influenced by the Go/No‐go conditions, but not reduced in patients with schizophrenia. Global functioning was correlated with the No‐go P3 amplitudes, but not N2 amplitudes, in patients with schizophrenia.

Conclusion

These results indicate that global functioning is associated with intact neural activity rather than impaired neural activity during Go/No‐go response inhibition tasks in patients with schizophrenia.
Propranolol for infantile hemangioma: Effect on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor
Authors: Ozeki Michio , Nozawa Akifumi , Hori Tomohiro , Kanda Kaori , Kimura Takeshi , Kawamoto Norio , Fukao Toshiyuki
Published: March 2016

Background

Propranolol has recently been shown to be highly effective for infantile hemangioma (IH), but the mechanism of action of propranolol and the usefulness of measurement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the efficacy of propranolol treatment and to evaluate changes in plasma VEGF in IH patients who underwent propranolol treatment.

Methods

The study group consisted of 35 children with IH. Oral propranolol was give at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg/day and was divided in three doses. Outcome was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) of size and color. Plasma VEGF concentration was analyzed on enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay, and compared between the groups.

Results

Improvement in VAS in patients who started propranolol before 6 months of age was superior to that in those who started propranolol after 6 months of age. VEGF concentration was significantly correlated with lesion size (P = 0.002), whereas no correlation was observed with age. VEGF concentration 4 weeks after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Measurement of VEGF may be a useful tool for predicting the course of IH and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
Maternal values and parenting and Estonian, German, and Russian adolescents' friendship satisfaction
Authors: TAMM ANNI , KASEARU KAIRI , TULVISTE TIIA , TROMMSDORFF GISELA
Published: March 2016

The study examined the extent to which the sociocultural context shapes mothers' values and parenting patterns and moderates associations between adolescents' perceptions of mothers' acceptance and control and adolescents' friendship satisfaction. Questionnaire data were collected from a total of 834 Estonian, German, and Russian middle adolescents and their mothers. The findings indicated culture‐specific patterns and meanings of parenting. In all cultures, mothers who valued interdependence more highly considered children's social‐oriented characteristics more important. German and Russian maternal behavior was linked to their parenting goals. For instance, German mothers who considered adolescents' obedience more important were more controlling. Although boys and girls perceived mothers' behavior somewhat differently, maternal acceptance (but not control) predicted both boys' and girls' friendship satisfaction in all cultures.
Substantial heritable variation for susceptibility to Dothistroma septosporum within populations of native British Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Authors: Perry A. , Wachowiak W. , Brown A. V. , Ennos R. A. , Cottrell J. E. , Cavers S.
Published: March 2016

The threat from pests and pathogens to native and commercially planted forest trees is unprecedented and expected to increase under climate change. The degree to which forests respond to threats from pathogens depends on their adaptive capacity, which is determined largely by genetically controlled variation in susceptibility of the individual trees within them and the heritability and evolvability of this trait. The most significant current threat to the economically and ecologically important species Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is dothistroma needle blight (DNB), caused by the foliar pathogen Dothistroma septosporum. A progeny‐population trial of 4‐year‐old Scots pine trees, comprising six populations from native Caledonian pinewoods each with three to five families in seven blocks, was artificially inoculated using a single isolate of D. septosporum. Susceptibility to D. septosporum, assessed as the percentage of non‐green needles, was measured regularly over a period of 61 days following inoculation, during which plants were maintained in conditions ideal for DNB development (warm; high humidity; high leaf wetness). There were significant differences in susceptibility to D. septosporum among families indicating that variation in this trait is heritable, with high estimates of narrow‐sense heritability (0.38–0.75) and evolvability (genetic coefficient of variation, 23.47). It is concluded that native Scots pine populations contain sufficient genetic diversity to evolve lower susceptibility to D. septosporum through natural selection in response to increased prevalence of this pathogen.
Emotional responses to irony and emoticons in written language: Evidence from EDA and facial EMG
Authors: Thompson Dominic , Mackenzie Ian G. , Leuthold Hartmut , Filik Ruth
Published: March 2016

While the basic nature of irony is saying one thing and communicating the opposite, it may also serve additional social and emotional functions, such as projecting humor or anger. Emoticons often accompany irony in computer‐mediated communication, and have been suggested to increase enjoyment of communication. In the current study, we aimed to examine online emotional responses to ironic versus literal comments, and the influence of emoticons on this process. Participants read stories with a final comment that was either ironic or literal, praising or critical, and with or without an emoticon. We used psychophysiological measures to capture immediate emotional responses: electrodermal activity to directly measure arousal and facial electromyography to detect muscle movements indicative of emotional expressions. Results showed higher arousal, reduced frowning, and enhanced smiling for messages with rather than without an emoticon, suggesting that emoticons increase positive emotions. A tendency toward less negative responses (i.e., reduced frowning and enhanced smiling) for ironic than literal criticism, and less positive responses (i.e., enhanced frowning and reduced smiling) for ironic than literal praise suggests that irony weakens the emotional impact of a message. The present findings indicate the utility of a psychophysiological approach in studying online emotional responses to written language.
Disentangling the effects of drought, salinity, and sulfate on baldcypress growth in a coastal plain restored wetland
Authors: Powell Amanda S. , Jackson Lonnie , Ardón Marcelo
Published: March 2016

Because of their dominance in swamps of the southeastern United States, baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) trees are commonly used in wetland restoration. Though baldcypress are known to tolerate moderate flooding and salinity, their growth has been shown to decrease when they experience drought and high salinity. This study examined the effects of drought and elevated salinity on the growth of baldcypress seedlings and saplings. In a restored wetland in North Carolina, we examined the growth of 8‐year‐old baldcypress by measuring height and diameter at breast height (DBH) along salinity, nutrient, and flooding gradients. In a greenhouse, we placed 1‐year‐old baldcypress seedlings in either drought or saturated conditions and applied different water treatments: fresh water, sulfate, and artificial salt water (5 ppt [parts per thousand]). Over 26 weeks, we measured diameter at root collar, height, and biomass. In the field, chloride concentrations in soil solution had a negative effect onDBHand height (51 and 36% decrease, respectively); high water levels had a negative effect on height (47% decrease) andDBH(46% decrease). In the greenhouse, both drought and salinity decreased diameter growth (43 and 61% decline, respectively) and height (64 and 43% decline, respectively). Sulfate did not have a significant effect on diameter growth, but caused a 14% decrease in height. Our results suggest that both drought and salinity (even as low as 1 ppt) can lead to a 20–60% decline in baldcypress growth. Restoration practitioners should consider the negative consequences of both drought and increased salinity on baldcypress growth when planning for wetland restoration.
Prolonged constant load cycling exercise is associated with reduced gross efficiency and increased muscle oxygen uptake
Authors: Hopker J. G. , O'Grady C. , Pageaux B.
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the effects of prolonged constant load cycling exercise on cycling efficiency and local muscle oxygen uptake responses. Fourteen well‐trained cyclists each completed a 2‐h steady‐state cycling bout at 60% of their maximal minute power output to assess changes in gross cycling efficiency (GE) and muscle oxygen uptake (mVO2) at time points 5, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Near‐infrared spatially resolved spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to continually monitor tissue oxygenation of the Vastus Lateralis muscle, with arterial occlusions (OCC) applied to assess mVO2. The half‐recovery time of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) was also assessed pre and post the 2‐h cycling exercise by measuring the hyperemic response following a 5‐min OCC. GE significantly declined during the 2‐h cycling bout (18.4 ± 1.6 to 17.4 ± 1.4%; P < 0.01). Conversely, mVO2 increased, being significantly higher after 90 and 120 min than at min 5 (+0.04 mlO2/min/100 g; P = 0.03). The half‐recovery time for HbO2 was increased comparing pre and post the 2‐h cycling exercise (+7.1 ± 19s), albeit not significantly (d: 0.48; P = 0.27). This study demonstrates that GE decreases during prolonged constant load cycling exercise and provides evidence of an increased mVO2, suggestive of progressive mitochondrial or contractile inefficiency.
From Bad to Worse? Pornography Consumption, Spousal Religiosity, Gender, and Marital Quality
Authors: Perry Samuel L.
Published: March 2016

Pornography consumption is consistently associated with lower marital quality. Scholars have theorized that embeddedness within a religious community may exacerbate the negative association between pornography use and marital quality because of greater social or psychic costs to porn viewing. As a test and extension of this theory, I examine how being married to a religiously devout spouse potentially moderates the link between respondents' reported pornography consumption and their marital satisfaction. Data are taken from the 2006 Portraits of American Life Study. In the main effects, porn consumption is negatively related to marital satisfaction, while spousal religiosity is positively related to marital satisfaction. Interaction effects reveal, however, that spousal religiosity intensifies the negative effect of porn viewing on marital satisfaction. These effects are robust whether marital satisfaction is operationalized as a scale or with individual measures and whether spousal religiosity is measured with respondents' evaluations their spouses' religiosity or spouses' self‐reported religiosity measures. The effects are also similar for both husbands and wives. I argue that for married Americans, having a religiously committed spouse increases the social and psychic costs of porn consumption such that marital satisfaction decreases more drastically as a result.
The Determinants of International Football Success: A Panel Data Analysis of the Elo Rating*
Authors: Gásquez Roberto , Royuela Vicente
Published: March 2016

Objectives

This article investigates the determinants of football1 success at the international level. We introduce three innovations as (a) we apply the model developed by Bernard and Busse (2004) to football, (b) we consider a wide panel of countries over a 33‐year period, and (c) we supplement FIFA's classification with the Elo rating system.

Methods

We estimate a dynamic panel model using Blundell and Bond's (1998) system‐generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator.

Results

The results are robust to several sensitivity analyses, showing that economics, demographics, weather, geography, and football institutions are good indicators of football success at the international level. Besides, the Elo rating is a better alternative indicator than the FIFA ranking.

Conclusions

The Elo rating may be used in the academic works that wish to analyze football success over a long period of time.