bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GnRH agonist trigger and a freeze‐all strategy to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: A retrospective study of OHSS risk and pregnancy rates
Authors: Atkinson Paul , Koch Juliette , Ledger William L.
Published: December 2014

Aims

To analyse the data from all controlled ovarian hyperstimulation antagonist cycles that used an agonist trigger and a freeze‐all strategy to quantify the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and subsequent pregnancy rates.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study of all women attending fertility clinics at IVF Australia, Sydney, undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using an antagonist protocol that had a subsequent gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist trigger and freezing of all oocytes or embryos. The primary outcome measure was to determine the rate of OHSS. The secondary outcome measure was the clinical pregnancy rate.

Results

We collected data for 123 women. 25.2% were undergoing oocyte freezing and 74.8% underwent embryo freezing. There were no cases of OHSS, either early or late onset. The pregnancy rate was 31.7% after the first frozen cycle transfer with a cumulative pregnancy rate of 50% after two frozen embryo transfers.

Conclusion

Our results support the hypothesis that a GnRH agonist trigger and a freeze‐all approach prevents OHSS with a good pregnancy rate.
Field study of hind limb claw lesions and claw measures in sows
Authors: Sasaki Yosuke , Ushijima Ruri , Sueyoshi Masuo
Published: December 2014

We investigated the associations of hind limb claw lesions with claw measures and reproductive performance of sows on a commercial breeding farm. We used a five‐point scale (score of 0–4) for each hind limb claw region to generate a claw lesion score (CLS). Of 110 sows, 1.8% had no hind claw lesions, and the remaining 98.2% had at least one. The proportions of sows with a CLS of 2 and 3 were 49.1% and 3.6%, respectively. The junction region had the highest frequency of a CLS of ≥ 2 (P < 0.05). The mean toe length was 45.0 ± 0.4 to 46.4 ± 0.4 mm. Sows with the highest CLS of ≥ 2 in the lateral claw had longer sole dimensions than did sows with the highest CLS of ≤ 1 (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in claw width or height between sows with the highest CLS of ≥ 2 and ≤ 1. There was also no difference in reproductive performance between sows with the highest CLS of ≥ 2 and ≤ 1. In conclusion, most sows had hind claw lesions. The association between CLS and claw measures indicates that the sole length can be used as an indicator of claw lesions.
Milk production, plasma metabolite profiles and mammary arterial‐venous differences of milk precursors in early lactation cows milked at different frequencies by an automatic milking system
Authors: Astuti Andriyani , Obitsu Taketo , Sugino Toshihisa , Taniguchi Kohzo , Okita Miki , Kurokawa Yuzo
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of different milking frequencies under an automatic milking system (AMS) on milk yield, plasma metabolite profiles and mammary arterial‐venous (A‐V) differences of milk precursors by mammary tissues in early lactation cows. Twelve Holstein cows were divided into two and four times milking frequency treatments by AMS after calving to 50 days postpartum. Cows were given a partial mixed ration ad libitum and a concentrate diet at every milking. Dry matter intake increased similarly in both treatments with advancing postpartum days. Milk yield was greater (P < 0.001) by 25% with four times milking, but milk composition was not affected by milking frequency. Body weight change was also not affected by milking frequency. Arterial concentrations of glucose and glutamate were lower (P < 0.05) for four times milking frequency. However, arterial concentration of nonesterified fatty acids did not differ between treatments. Although mammary A‐V differences of plasma concentration for most milk precursors did not differ between treatments, estimated plasma flow was higher (P < 0.05) for four times milking frequency. These results indicate that higher milking frequency may increase mammary uptake of milk precursors, whereas may not affect the extent of fat mobilization of early lactating cows from day 20 postpartum onward.
Stimulatory effect of plasma samples from fattening cattle on adipogenesis‐related gene expression in preadipocyte cells
Authors: Watanabe Hitoshi , Chen Xiangning , Shoji Noriaki , Saito Ryo , Nakano Tatsuya , Saito Kazuki , Sumiyoshi Keisuke , Rose Michael T. , Okada Natumi , Watanabe Kouichi , Aso Hisashi
Published: December 2014

It is desirable to produce beef with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), as this is related to fat softness and palatability. However, the physiology of MUFA synthesis in bovine fat during the fattening process remains to be established. In this study, in order to elucidate the relationship between plasma components and the fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat, we investigated the effect of plasma obtained from fattening cattle on the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of the adipogenesis‐related gene in a clonal bovine intramuscular preadipocyte line (BIP cells). The mRNA expressions of stearoyl‐CoA desaturase, adipocyte Protein 2, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 in BIP cells were significantly higher following treatment with those plasma samples collected from the cattle with the highest diaphragmatic unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids ratio (US/S). Furthermore, the concentration of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) in the plasma samples had an inverse correlation with carcass diaphragmatic US/S. These results indicate that cattle with a low ratio of US/S in fat may be discriminated from the population of fattening cattle before slaughter by measuring the effect of their plasma on gene expression in BIP cells as well as their plasma concentration and composition of NEFA.
Severe respiratory distress at birth caused by a hairy polyp of the Eustachian tube: Transoral endoscopy‐guided treatment
Authors: Cantarella Giovanna , Gaffuri Michele , Pugni Lorenza , Pignataro Lorenzo , Mosca Fabio
Published: December 2014

Hairy polyps are rare developmental lesions, which present as masses mainly consisting of fatty tissue covered by skin, seldom localized in the nasopharynx, causing respiratory obstruction. We describe the case of a female newborn affected by a hairy polyp arising from the left Eustachian tube, who presented severe respiratory distress soon after birth. The polyp was successfully removed transorally under videoendoscopic guidance. This case highlights the importance of including hairy polyp in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress at birth because this type of tumor can be lethal and requires prompt treatment. A transoral endoscopy‐guided approach can allow successful and minimally invasive excision even in a newborn.
Long‐term results following sacral nerve stimulation for chronic constipation
Authors: Ratto C. , Ganio E. , Naldini G. ,   GINS
Published: December 2014

Aim

The long‐term outcome of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for chronic functional constipation was assessed.

Method

Patients who received a definitive SNS implant for chronic functional constipation only (according to the Rome III criteria) and were followed up for at least 3 years were included in this study. Slow transit constipation (STC) was distinguished from obstructed defaecation (OD) and mixed/undetermined constipation (MU). Constipation features, Cleveland Clinic Constipation score (CCCS) and SF‐36 questionnaire data were collected; physiological tests were performed.

Results

Forty‐two out of 61 patients suitable for SNS received a definitive implant (14 for STC, 15 for OD, 13 for MU). Following SNS device implantation (mean follow‐up 51 ± 15 months), the baseline CCCS (17 ± 6) dropped to 9 ± 6 (P < 0.001) and 47% of patients had an improvement in the CCCS of more than 50%. Such improvement was more significant in patients with OD. Anal pressures did not change, while threshold and urgency rectal sensation significantly decreased, in particular in patients with OD. All aspects of patients' health status (SF‐36) improved significantly following SNS; this was more marked in patients with OD.

Conclusion

Data from this study suggest that the clinical efficacy of SNS can be prolonged in constipated patients, but in both the preliminary diagnostic assessment and pathophysiological interpretation every effort should be made to select patients for SNS. Although SNS showed efficacy in a low percentage of patients with STC, patients with OD were more responsive.
From Management to Stewardship: Viewing Forests As Complex Adaptive Systems in an Uncertain World
Authors: Messier C. , Puettmann K. , Chazdon R. , Andersson K.P. , Angers V.A. , Brotons L. , Filotas E. , Tittler R. , Parrott L. , Levin S.A.
Published: December 2014

The world's forests and forestry sector are facing unprecedented biological, political, social, and climatic challenges. The development of appropriate, novel forest management and restoration approaches that adequately consider uncertainty and adaptability are hampered by a continuing focus on production of a few goods or objectives, strong control of forest structure and composition, and most importantly the absence of a global scientific framework and long‐term vision. Ecosystem‐based approaches represent a step in the right direction, but are limited in their ability to deal with the rapid pace of social, climatic, and environmental changes. We argue here that viewing forest ecosystems as complex adaptive system provides a better alternative for both production‐ and conservation‐oriented forests and forestry. We propose a set of broad principles and changes to increase the adaptive capacity of forests in the face of future uncertainties. These span from expanding the sustained‐yield, single‐good paradigm to developing policy incentives and interventions that promote self‐organization and integrated social‐ecological adaptation.
Langerhans cells: an update
Authors: Sparber Florian
Published: December 2014

Langerhans cells belong to the family of dendritic cells, professional antigen‐presenting cells, and populate the skin and epithelia of mammals. It was the extensive investigation of this particular dendritic cell subpopulation in earlier days, which contributed crucially to the current understanding of the regulation of antigen processing and presentation, a concept, which was termed “the Langerhans cell paradigm”. Extensive research during the last decades has revealed that Langerhans cells might not only be involved in the induction of adaptive immune responses but also in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance in order to prevent auto‐immunity. In addition it appeared that Langerhans cells represent a rather extravagant dendritic cell population with a unique origin and homeostatic regulation. This review highlights the most important findings about Langerhans cell ontogeny and homeostasis as well as their function in the immune system.
Langerhans‐Zellen: ein Update
Authors: Sparber Florian
Published: December 2014

Langerhans‐Zellen gehören zur Familie der dendritischen Zellen – professionelle antigenpräsentierende Zellen – und besiedeln die Haut und Epithelien von Säugetieren. Die umfangreiche wissenschaftliche Untersuchung dieser speziellen Subpopulation dendritischer Zellen hat maßgeblich zum Verständnis der Regulation der Antigenverarbeitung und ‐präsentation beigetragen, ein Konzept, das als „Langerhans‐Zell‐Paradigma“ bezeichnet wird. Umfassende Forschungsarbeiten der letzten Jahrzehnte haben gezeigt, dass Langerhans‐Zellen nicht nur an der Induktion adaptiver Immunreaktionen beteiligt sind, sondern auch an der Aufrechterhaltung peripherer Toleranz und somit an der Vermeidung von Autoimmunität. Zusätzlich stellte sich heraus, dass Langerhans‐Zellen eine außergewöhnliche dendritische Zellpopulation sind, die sowohl im Hinblick auf ihren Ursprung als auch ihre homöostatische Regulation einzigartig sind. Diese Übersichtsarbeit beschreibt die wichtigsten Befunde bezüglich der Ontogenese und Homöostase der Langerhans‐Zellen sowie ihrer Funktion im Immunsystem.
Early treatment with rutoside and ascorbic acid is highly effective for progressive pigmented purpuric dermatosis
Authors: Schober Sarah M. , Peitsch Wiebke K. , Bonsmann Gisela , Metze Dieter , Thomas Kai , Goerge Tobias , Luger Thomas A. , Schneider Stefan W.
Published: December 2014

Background and Objectives

Progressive pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPPD, Schamberg disease) is a rare benign, but chronic dermatosis frequently misdiagnosed as vasculitis or bleeding disorder. Although affected patients experience significant impairment in quality of life no effective treatment has been established. The aim of our two center case series was to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of the antioxidants rutoside and ascorbic acid as combination treatment for PPPD.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective review was performed on 35 patients with PPPD treated with 2 × 50 mg rutoside and 1 000 mg ascorbic acid daily between 2004 until 2011. The mean treatment duration was 8.2 months.

Results

71.4 % of the participants experienced complete clearance and 20.0 % an improvement of more than 50 %, accompanied by increased quality of life. Nine participants (25.1 %) relapsed after discontinuation. In seven, rutoside and ascorbic acid was re‐initiated, and all responded again. Only three participants reported mild adverse effects. Participants with shorter disease duration showed better therapeutic success, shorter time to response and lower risk of recurrence.

Conclusion

Oral rutoside and ascorbic acid may be an efficient and well tolerated treatment for PPPD. Early treatment is recommended to achieve best clinical outcome.
Sonographic diagnostics in dermatology
Authors: Ulrich Jens , Schwürzer‐ Voit Markus , Jenderka Klaus‐Vitold , Voit Christiane
Published: December 2014

Ultrasonography non‐invasively visualizes changes within the skin, skin appendages, subcutaneous tissue, subcutaneous (regional) lymph nodes and peripheral vessels. Thus it is an established diagnostic tool in dermatology. Compared to X‐ray, MRI and PET, ultrasonography has some advantages; however, it is more dependent on the individual experience of the investigator. Therefore a structured education and continuous training are necessary. This review describes the physical and technical basics, the administrative requirements and the main indications in dermatology.
Sonographische Diagnostik in der Dermatologie
Authors: Ulrich Jens , Schwürzer‐Voit Markus , Jenderka Klaus‐Vitold , Voit Christiane
Published: December 2014

Die Sonographie als nichtinvasives bildgebendes Verfahren zur Darstellung von Veränderungen der Haut und ihrer Anhangsgebilde, der Subkutis, der subkutanen (regionären) Lymphknoten sowie der peripheren Gefäße gehört fest zum diagnostischen Armamentarium des Dermatologen. Sie besitzt gegenüber anderen Schnittbildverfahren (Röntgen, CT, MRT, PET) eine ganze Reihe von Vorteilen, ist aber mehr als die vorgenannten von der individuellen Erfahrung des Untersuchers abhängig. Eine strukturierte Aus‐ und Weiterbildung sowie eine ständige Fortbildung sind deshalb für die Ultraschalldiagnostik unerlässlich.

Die nachfolgende Übersicht beschreibt neben den physikalisch‐gerätetechnischen und administrativen Grundlagen die wichtigsten Indikationen für die Sonographie in der Dermatologie.
Skin cancer induced by natural UV‐radiation as an occupational disease – Requirements for its notification and recognition
Authors: Diepgen Thomas L. , Brandenburg Stephan , Aberer Werner , Bauer Andrea , Drexler Hans , Fartasch Manigé , Malte John Swen , Krohn Steffen , Palfner Stefanie , Römer Wolfgang , Schuhmacher‐Stock Uta , Elsner Peter
Published: December 2014

In Germany over 2.5 million employees have an increased risk of skin cancer due to their occupational exposure to natural UV‐irradiation. The medical consultation board “Occupational diseases” of the Ministry of Labor and Social affairs has investigated the association between occupational UV‐irradiation and skin cancer risk and recommends to add the following new occupational disease into the appendix1 of the German ordinance on occupational diseases: “Squamous cell carcinoma and multiple actinic keratosis due to natural UV‐irradiation”.

In this article we report in the view of the German Society of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (ABD) and the German Statutory accident insurance (DGUV), whose criteria have to be fulfilled for the notification and recognition of an occupational skin cancer due to natural UV‐irradiation.
Bacterial spectrum colonizing chronic leg ulcers: A 10‐year comparison from a German wound care center
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Chapot Valérie , Stoffels‐ Weindorf Maren , Körber Andreas , Klode Joachim , Buer Jan , Küpper Bernhard , Roesch Alexander , Dissemond Joachim
Published: December 2014

Background and Objectives

Chronic wounds are colonized by many different bacteria.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed microbiological swabs from chronic leg ulcers from 2012/2013 and matched the results with those from 2002/2003 and 2007/2008 from the same institution.

Results

Results from 100 patients from our specialized wound care center were evaluated retrospectively. The etiologies were broadly variable with chronic venous insufficiency being the most common. As the most common bacterium Staphylococcus aureus was found in 53 % of patients; 9 % of patients were positive for methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 25 % of patients. Different fecal bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were found in 49 % of the patients; 11 % of the swabs were sterile. The detection rate for S. aureus has regressed by 17.1 % over the past decade and in the case of MRSA by 12.5 %. In contrast, colonization with gram‐negative bacteria species significantly increased by 11.7 %. This tendency was also seen in 2007/2008, but with a higher count of P. aeruginosa.

Conclusion

Although S. aureus is still the most frequently detected bacterium in our wound care center, there has been a shift in the bacterial spectrum from gram‐positive towards gram‐negative bacteria over the last decade.
Bakterielles Spektrum der Kolonisation des chronischen Ulcus cruris: 10‐Jahres‐Vergleichsstudie Eines Deutschen Wundbehandlungszentrums
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Chapot Valérie , Stoffels‐ Weindorf Maren , Körber Andreas , Klode Joachim , Buer Jan , Küpper Bernhard , Roesch Alexander , Dissemond Joachim
Published: December 2014

Hintergrund und Ziel der Studie

Chronische Wunden werden von verschiedenen bakteriellen Erregerspezies kolonisiert.

Patienten und Methoden

Wir analysierten mikrobiologische Abstriche chronischer Ulcera crura aus den Jahren 2012/2013 und verglichen diese mit entsprechenden Daten derselben Institution aus den Jahren 2002/2003 und 2007/2008.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse von 100 Patienten unseres spezialisierten Wundzentrums wurden retrospektiv ausgewertet. Die Ätiologie zeigte eine große Variationsbreite, wobei chronisch venöse Insuffizienz die häufigste Ursache war. Als häufigstes Bakterium wurde Staphylococcus aureus bei 53 % der Patienten gefunden; 9 % der Patienten waren positiv für Methicillin‐resistente S. aureus (MRSA). Pseudomonas aeruginosa wurde bei 25 % der Patienten nachgewiesen, verschiedene Fäkalkeime und Enterobakterien bei 49 % der Patienten, während 11 % der Abstriche steril waren. Die Nachweisrate für S. aureus ist im letzten Jahrzehnt um 17,1 % zurückgegangen, im Fall von MRSA um 12,5 %. Im Gegensatz dazu hat die Kolonisation mit gramnegativen Erregern signifikant um 11,7 % zugenommen. Dieser Trend war 2007/2008 bereits sichtbar, jedoch mit einer höheren Nachweisrate für P. aeruginosa.

Schlußfolgerungen

Obwohl S. aureus weiterhin der in unserem Wundzentrum am häufigsten nachgewiesene Erreger bleibt, ist im letzten Jahrzehnt eine Veränderung des bakteriellen Spektrums vom grampositiven in den gramnegativen Bereich zu verzeichnen.
Equity: Not Only for Idealists
Authors: Haddad Lawrence
Published: December 2014

Growing disparities in development outcomes are storing up trouble for current and future generations. In addition to the moral issues raised and the intrinsic welfare effects for those experiencing relative deprivation, this article argues that recent research supports a stronger public‐policy focus on equity. Increasing inequity blunts both growth and the ability of growth to translate into human‐development outcomes, and puts institutions, social cohesion and the productivity of future generations at risk. The article highlights new micro evidence suggesting that a focus on the most marginal might well lead to higher benefit:cost ratios, and outlines the choices that need to be made to generate a more equity‐focused policy agenda.
Who Is Poorest? An Asset‐based Analysis of Multidimensional Wellbeing
Authors: Wietzke Frank‐Borge
Published: December 2014

Recent studies have endorsed asset‐based approaches as a strategy for attaining the Millennium Development Goals. This article discusses asset indices as a diagnostic tool for these policies, systematically breaking them down into separate dimensions of private household wealth and basic public‐goods access and discussing how shortfalls in public‐goods supply can be related to deprivations in basic human capabilities under the asset framework. It then illustrates how asset indices can be used for the targeting of public infrastructure investments and private asset‐accumulation policies, with the help of a detailed case study of deprivations in household wealth and public‐service supply in Madagascar.
Livestock in the Household Economy: Cross‐Country Evidence from Microeconomic Data
Authors: Pica‐Ciamarra Ugo , Tasciotti Luca , Otte Joachim , Zezza Alberto
Published: December 2014

The development of the livestock sector can contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction, but there is inadequate understanding of livestock‐livelihoods linkages. This article draws on household‐level data from 12 developing countries to investigate the livestock‐asset position of rural households and its contribution to their income. The majority keep livestock; the less well‐off are more likely to keep livestock than the better‐off, but the very poor often lack the resources to invest in small animals. The key policy conclusion is that, contrary to common belief, there are no universal messages about livestock: policy needs to be tailored to farming systems, species, uses of livestock and different wealth groups.
Private Chinese Investment in Africa: Myths and Realities
Authors: Shen Xiaofang
Published: December 2014

Private Chinese outbound investment, not as well‐known as government‐led investment, offers special opportunities and challenges for Africa today. The significance of Chinese private‐sector investment is already visible in the burgeoning manufacturing sector in some parts of Africa, and the trend will continue to grow in the near future. The underlying force behind this trend is the increased pressure of industrial restructuring in coastal China, which drives some labour‐intensive firms to relocate to other parts of the developing world. African host‐country governments can respond to this phenomenon with proactive development policies and strategies to maximise private Chinese investment for the benefit of their own economies.
The Frisch Elasticity in the Mercosur Countries: A Pseudo‐Panel Approach
Authors: González Roberto , Sala Hector
Published: December 2014

In estimating the Frisch elasticity – i.e., the elasticity of substitution between worked hours and real wages, holding constant the marginal utility of wealth – for the Mercosur countries, this article finds a strong heterogeneity. It argues that severe liquidity constraints are the main reason for the negative estimates and that the heterogeneity is the outcome of differences in many relevant economic dimensions – ranging from sectorial specialisation to welfare‐state provisions and labour‐market specificities. The diversity of Frisch elasticities calls for the development of a cross‐country (rather than a within‐country) policy approach, since they crucially affect the dynamics of the business cycle, the synchronisation of which is a step prior to the design of macro‐convergence policies in the Mercosur context.
Variable Irrigation District Action in Water Trading
Authors: Ghimire Narishwar , Griffin Ronald C.
Published: December 2014

Irrigation districts (IDs) in the American west are highly diverse in their economic attributes and local water scarcity circumstances. This diversity may affect reallocative action via water transactions as scarcity rises. The institutional background defining and constraining IDs is described here. For a Texas study region the progress of permanent water right transfers involving IDs is documented and examined. An econometric analysis of multiple decades of ID water transfer activities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley finds that IDs with larger initial water right holdings and higher populations in nearby cities are more likely to participate in agricultural‐to‐municipal water transfer activities. The findings suggest that consolidation of smaller water right holding IDs may be an avenue for quickening the pace of reallocation, especially in more populated areas.
Segment Disclosure and Cost of Capital
Authors: Blanco Belen , Garcia Lara Juan M. , Tribo Josep A.
Published: December 2014

We investigate whether segment disclosure influences cost of capital. Improved segment reporting is expected to decrease cost of capital by reducing estimation risk. However, in a competitive environment segment disclosure may also generate uncertainties about future prospects and lead to a larger cost of capital. Asset‐pricing tests confirm that segment disclosure is a priced risk factor. Also, segment disclosure reduces ex‐ante estimates of cost of equity capital and other measures connected to risk. These results suggest a negative relation between segment disclosure and cost of capital. Our results also show that competition reduces, but does not eliminate, the previous relationship.
Involvement of the −420C>G RETN polymorphism in myocardial fibrosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hernández‐Romero D. , Orenes‐Piñero E. , García‐Honrubia A. , Climent V. , Romero‐Aniorte A. I. , Martínez C. M. , García‐Bautista M. , Martínez M. , Feliu E. , González J. , Cánovas S. , Montero‐Argudo J. A. , Valdés M. , Marín F.
Published: December 2014

Aims

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis. HCM is an autosomal‐dominant disease caused by more than 400 mutations in sarcomeric genes. Changes in nonsarcomeric genes contribute to its phenotypic heterogeneity. Cardiac fibrosis can be studied using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated the potential role of two polymorphisms in nonsarcomeric genes on interstitial fibrosis in HCM.

Materials and methods

Two polymorphisms in nonsarcomeric genes [ACE (deletion of 287 bp in the 16th intron) and RETN (−420C>G)] were analysed in 146 HCM patients. Cardiac fibrosis was assessed using LGE to determine the number of affected segments.

Results

Allelic frequencies in ACE and RETN polymorphisms were consistent with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (both P > 0.05). We found that the presence of the polymorphic allele in the −420C>G RETN polymorphism was independently associated with the number of affected segments of LGE (P = 0.038). Increased circulating resistin concentration, measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, was associated with a higher degree of cardiac fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis, assessed by Masson's trichrome staining, was associated with the −420C>G RETN polymorphism in 46 tissue samples obtained by septal myectomy (P = 0.044).

Conclusions

The −420C>G RETN polymorphism was independently associated with the degree of cardiac fibrosis, assessed by LGE, in patients with HCM. In addition, there was an association between the polymorphism and the circulating resistin levels as well as with myocardial fibrosis in tissues obtained by myectomy. Investigating the physiological implication of the RETN polymorphism in HCM in combination with the use of imaging technologies might help to establish the severity of disease in patients with HCM.
Coralline algae (Rhodophyta) in a changing world: integrating ecological, physiological, and geochemical responses to global change
Authors: McCoy Sophie J. , Kamenos Nicholas A.
Published: December 2014

Coralline algae are globally distributed benthic primary producers that secrete calcium carbonate skeletons. In the context of ocean acidification, they have received much recent attention due to the potential vulnerability of their high‐Mg calcite skeletons and their many important ecological roles. Herein, we summarize what is known about coralline algal ecology and physiology, providing context to understand their responses to global climate change. We review the impacts of these changes, including ocean acidification, rising temperatures, and pollution, on coralline algal growth and calcification. We also assess the ongoing use of coralline algae as marine climate proxies via calibration of skeletal morphology and geochemistry to environmental conditions. Finally, we indicate critical gaps in our understanding of coralline algal calcification and physiology and highlight key areas for future research. These include analytical areas that recently have become more accessible, such as resolving phylogenetic relationships at all taxonomic ranks, elucidating the genes regulating algal photosynthesis and calcification, and calibrating skeletal geochemical metrics, as well as research directions that are broadly applicable to global change ecology, such as the importance of community‐scale and long‐term experiments in stress response.
Intraspecific diversity and distribution of the cosmopolitan species Pseudo‐nitzschia pungens (Bacillariophyceae): morphology, genetics, and ecophysiology of the three clades
Authors: Kim Jin Ho , Park Bum Soo , Kim Joo‐Hwan , Wang Pengbin , Han Myung‐Soo
Published: December 2014

Three clades of Pseudo‐nitzschia pungens, determined by the internal transcribed space (ITS) region, are distributed throughout the world. We studied 15 P. pungens clones from various geographical locations and confirmed the existence of the three clades within P. pungens, based on ITS sequencing and described the three subgroups (IIIaa, IIIab, and IIIb) of clade III. Clade III (clade IIIaa) populations were reported for the first time in Korean coastal waters and the East China Sea. In morphometric analysis, we found the ultrastructural differences in the number of fibulae, striae, and poroids that separate the three clades. We carried out physiological tests on nine clones belonging to the three clades growing under various culture conditions. In temperature tests, only clade III clones could not grow at lower temperatures (10°C and 15°C), although clade I and II clones grew well. The estimated optimal growth range of clade I clones was wider than that of clades II and III. Clade II clones were considered to be adapted to lower temperatures and clade III to higher temperatures. In salinity tests, clade II and III clones did not grow well at a salinity of 40. Clade I clones were regarded as euryhaline and clade II and III clones were stenohaline. This supports the hypothesis that P. pungens clades have different ecophysiological characteristics based on their habitats. Our data show that physiological and morphological features are correlated with genetic intraspecific differentiation in P. pungens.
DNA sequencing, anatomy, and calcification patterns support a monophyletic, subarctic, carbonate reef‐forming Clathromorphum (Hapalidiaceae, Corallinales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Adey Walter H. , Hernandez‐Kantun Jazmin J. , Johnson Gabriel , Gabrielson Paul W.
Published: December 2014

For the first time, morpho‐anatomical characters that were congruent with DNA sequence data were used to characterize several genera in Hapalidiaceae—the major eco‐engineers of Subarctic carbonate ecosystems. DNA sequencing of three genes (SSU, rbcL, ribulose‐1, 5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit gene and psbA, photosystem II D1 protein gene), along with patterns of cell division, cell elongation, and calcification supported a monophyletic Clathromorphum. Two characters were diagnostic for this genus: (i) cell division, elongation, and primary calcification occurred only in intercalary meristematic cells and in a narrow vertical band (1–2 μm wide) resulting in a “meristem split” and (ii) a secondary calcification of interfilament crystals was also produced. Neopolyporolithon was resurrected for N. reclinatum, the generitype, and Clathromorphum loculosum was transferred to this genus. Like Clathromorphum, cell division, elongation, and calcification occurred only in intercalary meristematic cells, but in a wider vertical band (over 10–20 μm), and a “meristem split” was absent. Callilithophytum gen. nov. was proposed to accommodate Clathromorphum parcum, the obligate epiphyte of the northeast Pacific endemic geniculate coralline, Calliarthron. Diagnostic for this genus were epithallial cells terminating all cell filaments (no dorsi‐ventrality was present), and a distinct “foot” was embedded in the host. Leptophytum, based on its generitype, L. laeve, was shown to be a distinct genus more closely related to Clathromorphum than to Phymatolithon. All names of treated species were applied unequivocally by linking partial rbcL sequences from holotype, isotype, or epitype specimens with field‐collected material. Variation in rbcL and psbA sequences suggested that multiple species may be passing under each currently recognized species of Clathromorphum and Neopolyporolithon.
Intra‐thallus differentiation of fatty acid and pigment profiles in some temperate Fucales and Laminariales
Authors: Schmid Matthias , Stengel Dagmar B.
Published: December 2014

Intra‐thallus variation in fatty acid and pigment contents and profiles was investigated in five species of Laminariales (Alaria esculenta, Laminaria digitata, Laminaria hyperborea, Saccharina latissima, and Saccorhiza polyschides), and three Fucales (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus, and Himanthalia elongata). Significant variation occurred across all species and compounds examined. Total fatty acids were generally higher in the fronds, with highest levels and largest variability observed in A. nodosum (1.5% of dry weight (DW) in the base, 6.3% of DW in frond tips). Percentages of the omega‐3 fatty acids 18:4 n‐3 and 20:5 n‐3 were generally higher in more distal parts, while 20:4 n‐6 exhibited a contrasting pattern, with higher levels in basal structures and holdfasts. Trends for pigments were similar to those for fatty acids in Laminariales. In the Fucales, highest levels were detected in the mid‐fronds, with lower concentrations in meristematic areas. Highest levels and greatest variability in pigments (e.g., chl a) was observed in F. serratus (1.07 mg · g−1 DW in the base, 3.04 mg · g−1 DW in the mid frond). Intra‐thallus variability was attributed to physiological functions of the respective thallus sections, e.g., photosynthetic activity, meristematic tissue, and to variations in physical attributes of the structures investigated. Regarding potential commercial nutritional applications, fronds appeared to represent most suitable source materials, due to higher levels of pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and more preferable omega‐3/omega‐6 ratios.
Development of new strategies for early diagnosis of mucormycosis from bench to bedside
Authors: Walsh Thomas J. , Skiada Anna , Cornely Oliver A. , Roilides Emmanuel , Ibrahim Ashraf , Zaoutis Theoklis , Groll Andreas , Lortholary Olivier , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Petrikkos George
Published: December 2014

Early diagnosis and initiation of amphotericin B (AmB) for treatment of mucormycosis increases survival from approximately 40% to 80%. The central objective of a new study of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) and the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) Zygomycosis Working Group is to improve the clinical and laboratory diagnosis of mucormycosis. The diagnostic tools generated from this study may help to significantly improve survival from mucormycosis worldwide. The study has three major objectives: to conduct a prospective international registration of patients with mucormycosis using a well‐established global network of centres; to construct a predictive risk model for patients at risk for mucormycosis; and to establish an international archive of specimens of tissues, fluids, and organisms linked from the patients enrolled into the registry that will be used for development of leading edge molecular, proteomic, metabolic and antigenic systems for mucormycosis.
Stressor intensity determines antagonistic interactions between species invasion and multiple stressor effects on ecosystem functioning
Authors: Vye Siobhan R. , Emmerson Mark C. , Arenas Francisco , Dick Jaimie T. A. , O'Connor Nessa E.
Published: December 2014

Biological invasions, nutrient enrichment and ocean warming are known to threaten biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The independent effects of these ecological stressors are well studied, however, we lack understanding of their cumulative effects, which may be additive, antagonistic or synergistic. For example, the impacts of biological invasions are often determined by environmental context, which suggests that the effects of invasive species may vary with other stressors such as pollution or climate change. This study examined the effects of an invasive seaweed (Sargassum muticum) on the structure and functioning of a synthetic macroalgal assemblage and tested explicitly whether these effects varied with nutrient enrichment and ocean warming. Overall, the presence of S. muticum increased assemblage productivity rates and warming altered algal assemblage structure, which was characterised by a decrease in kelp and an increase in ephemeral green algae. The effects of S. muticum on total algal biomass accumulation, however, varied with nutrient enrichment and warming, producing antagonistic cumulative effects on total algal biomass accumulation. These findings show that the nature of stressor interactions may vary with stressor intensity and among response variables, which leads to less predictable consequences for the structure and functioning of communities.
Population density modifies the ecological impacts of invasive species
Authors: Jackson Michelle C. , Ruiz‐Navarro Ana , Britton J. Robert
Published: December 2014

In assessments of ecological impact in invasion ecology, most studies compare un‐invaded sites with highly invaded sites, representing the ‘worst‐case scenario’, and so there is little information on how impact is modified by the population density of the invader. Here, we assess how ecological impact is modified by population density through the experimental development of density‐impact curves for a model invasive fish. Using replicated mesocosms and the highly invasive Pseudorasbora parva as the model, we quantified how their population density influenced their diet composition and their impacts on invertebrate communities and ecosystem processes. The density–impact curves revealed both linear and non‐linear density–impact relationships. The relationship between P. parva density and zooplankton body mass was represented by a low‐threshold curve, where their impact was higher at low densities than predicted by a linear relationship. In contrast, whilst the relationship between density and zooplankton biomass and abundance was also non‐linear, it was high‐threshold, indicating a lower impact than a linear relationship would predict. Impacts on diversity and phytoplankton standing stock were linear and impacts on benthic invertebrate abundance and decomposition rates were represented by s‐shaped curves. These relationships were underpinned by P. parva dietary analyses that revealed increasing reliance on zooplankton as density increased due to depletion of other resources. We caution against the common assumption that ecological impact increases linearly with invader density and suggest that increased understanding of the relationship between invader population density and ecological impact can avoid under‐investment in the management of invaders that cause severe problems at low densities.
Biotic resistance in freshwater fish communities: species richness, saturation or species identity?
Authors: Henriksson Anna , Yu Jun , Wardle David A. , Englund Göran
Published: December 2014

Some communities are susceptible to invasions and some are not. Why? Elton suggested in 1958 that the ability of the community to withstand invading species – its biotic resistance – depends on the number of resident species. Later contributors have emphasized the habitat's ability to support species, as well as the contribution of individual species to the resistance. In this study we use information from 184 introductions of Arctic char into Swedish lakes to study both abiotic and biotic aspects of the resident community's ability to resist introductions. We find that the best model included the proportion of forest cover and the proportion of agricultural land cover in the watershed in combination with the presence versus absence of northern pike. Thus, the most important biotic factor to explain the outcome of introductions of Arctic char is the presence of northern pike, a large piscivore. This means that one single species explains the outcome of the introductions better than does the species richness or the saturation level of the community.
Tree diversity alters the structure of a tri‐trophic network in a biodiversity experiment
Authors: Staab Michael , Blüthgen Nico , Klein Alexandra‐Maria
Published: December 2014

Species and processes in ecosystems are part of multi‐trophic interaction networks. Plants represent the lowest trophic level in terrestrial ecosystems, and experiments have shown a stabilizing effect of plant diversity on higher trophic levels. Such evidence has been mainly collected in experimental grasslands. Forests are structurally more complex than grasslands and support the majority of the global biodiversity, but studies on multi‐trophic interaction networks are missing in experimental tree diversity gradients. In a forest diversity experiment in southeast China, we examined how tree diversity affects the structure of trophobiotic networks. Trophobioses are tri‐trophic interactions between plants, sap‐sucking Hemiptera and honeydew‐collecting ants that can be subdivided into a largely mutualistic Hemiptera–ant and an antagonistic plant–Hemiptera network. We inspected almost 7000 trees in 146 plots ranging from monocultures to 16 tree species mixtures and found 194 trophobioses consisting of 15 tree, 33 Hemiptera and 18 ant species. We found that tree diversity increased the proportion of trees harboring trophobioses. Consistent with the prediction that mutualistic and antagonistic networks respond differently to changing environments, we found that the generality index of the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant but not the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera network increased with tree diversity. High generality, maintained by high tree diversity, might correspond to higher functional stability. Hence, our results indicate that tree diversity could increase via bottom–up processes the robustness of ant–Hemiptera associations against changing environmental conditions. In turn, the plant–Hemiptera network was highly complementary, suggesting that host‐specific Hemiptera species may be vulnerable to co‐extinction if their host plants disappear. Based on our results, we provide possible future research directions to further disentangle the bottom–up effect of tree diversity on the structure of trophobiotic networks.

Synthesis

It is now widely accepted that plant diversity promotes ecosystem functionality and stability. However, it is still largely unknown how plant diversity affects interactions between trophic levels and if different interaction types are affected differently. Using a tri‐trophic study system consisting of plants, sap‐sucking Hemiptera, and ants we provide evidence that increasing local plant diversity stabilizes the mutualistic Hemiptera–ant but not the antagonistic plant–Hemiptera networks. Our results suggest that bottom–up effects of plant diversity on trophic interactions might generally depend on the type of interaction (mutualistic versus antagonistic) considered.
Intraspecific and intergenerational differences in plant–soil feedbacks
Authors: Wagg Cameron , Boller Beat , Schneider Salome , Widmer Franco , van der Heijden Marcel G. A.
Published: December 2014

Interactions between plant and soil communities are known to play an integral role in shaping ecosystems. Plants influence the composition of soil communities and soil communities in turn influence plant performance. Such a plant–soil feedback may incur selection pressure on plants and the associating soil community. However, the evolutionary consequences of these above–belowground feedback interactions remain largely speculative. Here we assess whether plant–soil feedback effects differ between intraspecific plant populations and between generations within the same plant population. We used two populations of Trifolium pratense and assessed their performance when grown in association with their home versus away soil biota. Both populations were colonized by distinct microbial communities and performed better with their own home soil communities than with the soil community from the other intraspecific population, demonstrating intraspecific positive feedback effects of home soil. In one of the two populations, we found that plant performance and the root associated microbiota community differed between parental and progeny plants when inoculated with their own home soil. Differences in root associated community characteristics could explain more than 80% of the variation in performance among the progeny and parental plants. Our results highlight that intraspecific differences in both plant and associated soil communities shape plant–soil feedback effects, and consequently indicate that plant–soil feedback can influence the direction of selection between intraspecific plant populations.