bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic and ecological implications of geographic bias in pollinator ecology in the light of pollinator declines
Authors: Archer C. R. , Pirk C. W. W. , Carvalheiro L. G. , Nicolson S. W.
Published: March 2014

Understanding the causes and consequences of pollinator declines is a priority in ecological research. However, across much of the globe we have a poor understanding of pollinator assemblages, population trends and the ecological and economic importance of particular pollinators, due to a marked geographic bias in research effort. Here, we show that almost half the data cited in thirteen recent meta‐analyses, which ask important and diverse questions in pollination ecology, were collected in just five countries: Australia, Brazil, Germany, Spain and the USA. In contrast, the entire continent of Africa contributed only 4% of the data. We believe that the consequences of this geographic bias are severe. Foremost, pollinator assemblages (and possibly their sensitivity to ecological drivers) can greatly vary among these regions. In addition, many communities that rely on pollinators, bees in particular, for food security and wealth generation are in geographic regions where our understanding of pollination is poor. Collecting accurate information on pollinator populations in data deficient areas will allow us to identify vulnerable populations and species and so better target conservation measures. Moreover, it will help us to determine if our current understanding of pollinator losses, based on data collected in a few locations and on the species that predominate in those regions, is representative of the wide diversity of ecosystems. We propose means of collecting such data given socioeconomic constraints.
The Effect of Couple Disagreement about Child‐Timing Intentions: A Parity‐Specific Approach
Authors: Testa Maria Rita , Cavalli Laura , Rosina Alessandro
Published: March 2014

Using couple data from a longitudinal study conducted in Italy, a country with persistently low fertility levels, we examined the effect of partners' discrepant child‐timing intentions on reproductive behavior. We found that the effect of couple disagreement on subsequent fertility is parity‐specific and does not depend on whether only the male or the female partner intends to have a(nother) child. The disagreement tends to produce an intermediate childbearing outcome at parities zero and one, while the outcome is shifted more toward agreement on not having a(nother) child at parity two. The empirical evidence suggests that gender equality in reproductive decisionmaking is not driven by partners' equal bargaining power or partners' equal access to economic resources. The findings indicate that the predictive power of child‐timing intentions strongly improves if both partners' views are considered in fertility models, and thus support the adoption of couple analysis in fertility research.
Effectiveness of a case‐based system in lesson planning
Authors: Saad A. , Chung P.W.H. , Dawson C.W.
Published: March 2014

Lesson planning imposes a significant burden on teachers as they need to prepare different lesson plans for different classes according to various constraints. SmartLP, a case‐based lesson planning system, has been implemented as a means of assisting teachers in constructing quality lesson plans more quickly. SmartLP enables teachers to retrieve previous lesson plans and customise them according to their constraints as they should be tailored to accommodate differences in students, teachers and the facilities available. An evaluation study was designed to examine the effectiveness of a Case Based Reasoning (CBR) approach through its cycle of retrieve, reuse, revise and retain in assisting teachers in constructing lesson plans and to assess the effects, in terms of time and quality, the system had on lesson plan preparation. This paper presents the results of the study. The study revealed that all the lesson plans constructed with SmartLP took significantly less time than lesson plans constructed without. In addition, where the planning tasks had greater similarities to the cases in the case base, they took even less time to be constructed. No significant difference in the quality of the plans, measured by a scoring system, was noticed between the control and experimental groups.
Association of Serum Osteoprotegerin Levels With Carotid‐Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Wang Ji‐Hung , Lee Chung‐Jen , Chen Mei‐Ling , Yang Chiu‐Fen , Chen Yu‐Chih , Hsu Bang‐Gee
Published: March 2014

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) has been implicated in the process of vascular stiffness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum OPG concentration and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (c‐f PWV) in hypertensive patients. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 184 participants with or without hypertension. c‐f PWV were performed by SphygmoCor system. Serum OPG levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Hypertensive patients who had diabetes had higher c‐f PWV levels than those without diabetes (P=.031). The univariable linear regression analysis showed that age (P<.001), systolic blood pressure (P=.003), pulse pressure (r=0.287; P=.003), log‐BUN (P=.011), Cre (P<.001), and log‐OPG concentration (P<.001) were positively correlated with c‐f PWV levels, while the glomerular filtration rate (P=.005) and HDL‐C level (P=.024) was negatively correlated with c‐f PWV levels among the hypertensive patients. Multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis of the significant variables also showed that log‐OPG (β=0.312, regression coefficient: 1.736; 95% confidence interval, 0.809–2.663; P<.001) was still an independent predictor of c‐f PWV levels in hypertensive patients. Serum OPG levels positively associated with c‐f PWV levels in hypertensive patients.
The addition of soft tissue replacement grafts in plastic periodontal and implant surgery: critical elements in design and execution
Authors: Zuhr Otto , Bäumer Daniel , Hürzeler Markus
Published: March 2014

Soft tissue replacement grafts have become a substantial element to increase tissue volume in plastic periodontal and implant surgery. Autogenous subepithelial connective tissue grafts are increasingly applied in aesthetic indications like soft tissue thickening, recession treatment, ridge preservation, soft tissue ridge augmentation and papilla re‐construction. For the clinical performance of connective tissue graft harvesting and transplantation, a fundamental understanding of the anatomy at the donor sites and a sound knowledge of tissue integration and re‐vascularization processes are required. Possible donor sites are the anterior and posterior palate including the maxillary tuberosity, providing grafts of distinct geometric shape and histologic composition. The selective clinical application of different grafts depends on the amount of required tissue, the indication and the personal preference of the treating surgeon. One of the main future challenges is to volumetrically evaluate and compare the efficacy and long‐term stability of soft tissue autografts and their prospective substitutes. The aim of this review was to discuss the advantages and shortfalls of different donor sites, substitute materials and harvesting techniques. Although standardized recommendations regarding treatment choice and execution can hardly be given, guidelines for predictable and successful treatment outcomes are provided based on clinical experience and the available scientific data.
Soft tissue wound healing at teeth, dental implants and the edentulous ridge when using barrier membranes, growth and differentiation factors and soft tissue substitutes
Authors: Vignoletti Fabio , Nunez Javier , Sanz Mariano
Published: March 2014

Aim

To review the biological processes of wound healing following periodontal and periimplant plastic surgery when different technologies are used in a) the coverage of root and implant dehiscences, b) the augmentation of keratinized tissue (KT) and c) the augmentation of soft tissue volume.

Materials & Methods

An electronic search from The National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE‐PubMed) was performed: English articles with research focus in oral soft tissue regeneration, providing histological outcomes, either from animal experimental studies or human biopsy material were included.

Results

Barrier membranes, enamel matrix derivatives, growth factors, allogeneic and xenogeneic soft tissue substitutes have been used in soft tissue regeneration demonstrating different degrees of regeneration. In root coverage, these technologies were able to improve new attachment, although none has shown complete regeneration. In KT augmentation, tissue‐engineered allogenic products and xenogeneic collagen matrixes demonstrated integration within the host connective tissue and promotion of keratinization. In soft tissue augmentation and peri‐implant plastic surgery there are no histological data currently available.

Conclusions

Soft tissue substitues, growth differentiation factors demonstrated promising histological results in terms of soft tissue regeneration and keratinization, whereas there is a need for further studies to prove their added value in soft tissue augmentation.
Efficacy of soft tissue augmentation around dental implants and in partially edentulous areas: a systematic review
Authors: Thoma Daniel S. , Buranawat Borvornwut , Hämmerle Christoph H.F. , Held Ulrike , Jung Ronald E.
Published: March 2014

Aim

To review the dental literature in terms of efficacy of soft tissue augmentation procedures around dental implants and in partially edentulous sites.

Methods

A Medline search was performed for human studies augmenting keratinized mucosa (KM) and soft tissue volume around implants and in partially edentulous areas. Due to heterogeneity in between the studies, no meta‐analyses could be performed.

Results

Nine (KM) and eleven (volume) studies met the inclusion criteria. An apically positioned flap/vestibuloplasty (APF/V) plus a graft material [free gingival graft (FGG)/subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG)/collagen matrix (CM)] resulted in an increase of keratinized tissue (1.4–3.3 mm). Statistically significantly better outcomes were obtained for APF/V plus FGG/SCTG compared with controls (APF/V alone; no treatment) (p < 0.05). For surgery time and patient morbidity, statistically significantly more favourable outcomes were reported for CM compared to SCTGs (p < 0.05) in two randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), even though rendering less keratinized tissue. SCTGs were the best‐documented method for gain of soft tissue volume at implant sites and partially edentulous sites. Aesthetically at immediate implant sites, better papilla fill and higher marginal mucosal levels were obtained using SCTGs compared to non‐grafted sites.

Conclusions

An APF/V plus FGG/SCTG was the best‐documented and most successful method to increase the width of KM. APF/V plus CM demonstrated less gain in KM, but also less patient morbidity and surgery time compared to APF/V plus SCTG based on two RCTs. Autogenous grafts (SCTG) rendered an increase in soft tissue thickness and better aesthetics compared to non‐grafted sites.
Melanoma thickness: the role of patients’ characteristics, risk indicators and patterns of diagnosis
Authors: Haenssle H.A. , Hoffmann S. , Holzkamp R. , Samhaber K. , Lockmann A. , Fliesser M. , Emmert S. , Schön M.P. , Rosenberger A. , Buhl T.
Published: March 2014

Background

Factors associated with early vs. late diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma remain poorly understood.

Objective

To identify factors with a significant impact on melanoma thickness.

Methods

Patients with previous melanoma (n = 347, median age at diagnosis: 56.5 years, 44.7% female, 55.3% male) were recruited for this monocentre, non‐randomized, observational study between April 2012 and March 2013. All patients were assessed by means of a structured interview and systematic clinical and dermoscopic full‐body examination. Melanoma thickness in association with patients’ characteristics, risk indicators and patterns of diagnosis was submitted to statistical analyses.

Results

Univariate analyses revealed associations between a statistically significant lower Breslow thickness and participation in specialized dermoscopic screening programs, personal history of more than one previous melanoma, diagnostic examination with a dermatoscope, diagnostic examination by board certified dermatologist, high number of common and/or atypical nevi, younger age at time of diagnosis, higher level of education, or superficial spreading or lentigo maligna melanoma subtype (all P ≤ 0.01). In a multivariate regression analysis only three of these criteria: (i) participation in specialized screening programs (P < 0.0001); (ii) melanoma subtype (P < 0.0001); and (iii) diagnostic examination with a dermatoscope (P = 0.040) and one interaction term (‘younger age’ x ‘female sex’, P < 0.0001) showed an independent influence on a significantly lower melanoma thickness.

Conclusions

The screening of patients in specialized surveillance programs resulted in melanoma detection at significantly earlier stages. The use of dermoscopy, SSM or LMM histotype and younger age in connection with female sex were also characteristics that were independently associated with significantly thinner melanomas in multivariate analyses.
Antimicrobial Mechanism Analysis of an Oil in Water Microemulsion by DNA Microarray‐Mediated Transcriptional Profiling of Escherichia Coli
Authors: Cai Haiying , Yu Liyi , Li Yang , Zhang Hui , Feng Fengqin
Published: March 2014

The DNA microarray was employed in this study to investigate the gene expression profiles of Escherichia coli treated by oil in water (o/w) microemulsion in order to better understand the antimicrobial mechanism of the microemulsion as a promising food‐grade antimicrobial system. Among 5,440 open reading frames of E. coli, a total of 634 and 501 were highly induced and repressed, respectively. According to the annotation and analysis in the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, it was found that the differently expressed genes were mainly involved in the biosynthesis of cell wall components and membranes, phosphate‐related metabolism and some other biosynthetic pathways, suggesting that the main antibacterial mechanisms of the o/w microemulsion were the attacks to the cell surface structure, especially the cell wall, and its influences on the metabolism of phosphate of the E. coli cells through phosphate absorption inhibition.

Practical Applications

In the panorama of the increasing need to search for novel strategies in order to prevent foodborne outbreaks, microemulsion systems have been of great interest to researchers for their broad antimicrobial properties. In our group, a series of food‐grade or pharmaceutical microemulsion systems based on glycerol monolaurate have been established for antimicrobial applications. It was found that the prepared microemulsions possessed excellent broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activities due to the disruption and dysfunction of biological membranes and cell walls, as suggested by the transmission electron microscopy observations and membrane permeability experiments. The antimicrobial mechanisms analysis of the microemulsion mediated by DNA microarray in this work will be of great importance in exploring the structure–activity relationship of the o/w microemulsion at molecular biological levels in future work, in order to provide a guideline in designing food‐grade antimicrobial microemulsions.
Cortical‐layer‐specific effects of PACAP and tPA on interneuron migration during post‐natal development of the cerebellum
Authors: Raoult Emilie , Bénard Magalie , Komuro Hitoshi , Lebon Alexis , Vivien Denis , Fournier Alain , Vaudry Hubert , Vaudry David , Galas Ludovic
Published: March 2014

During early post‐natal development of the cerebellum, granule neurons (GN) execute a centripetal migration toward the internal granular layer, whereas basket and stellate cells (B/SC) migrate centrifugally to reach their final position in the molecular layer (ML). We have previously shown that pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) stimulates in vitro the expression and release of the serine protease tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA) from GN, but the coordinated role of PACAP and tPA during interneuron migration has not yet been investigated. Here, we show that endogenous PACAP is responsible for the transient arrest phase of GN at the level of the Purkinje cell layer (PCL) but has no effect on B/SC. tPA is devoid of direct effect on GN motility in vitro, although it is widely distributed along interneuron migratory routes in the ML, PCL, and internal granular layer. Interestingly, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 reduces the migration speed of GN in the ML and PCL, and that of B/SC in the ML. Taken together, these results reveal for the first time that tPA facilitates the migration of both GN and fast B/SC at the level of their intersection in the ML through degradation of the extracellular matrix.

image

Crucial role of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in interneuron migration. Interneuron migration is a critical step for normal establishment of neuronal network. This study indicates that, in the post‐natal cerebellum, tPA facilitates the opposite migration of immature excitatory granule neurons (GN) and immature inhibitory basket/stellate cells (B/SC) along the same migratory route. These data show that tPA exerts a pivotal role in neurodevelopment.
THE EVOLVING GEOGRAPHY OF CHINA'S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLLUTION DYNAMICS AND URBAN QUALITY OF LIFE
Authors: Zheng Siqi , Sun Cong , Qi Ye , Kahn Matthew E.
Published: March 2014

China's rapid economic growth has been fueled by industrialization and urbanization. Given its export focus, this industrialization was spatially concentrated in the coastal eastern cities. Over the last decade, a spatial transformation has taken place leading to a deindustrialization of the rich coastal cities and sharp industrial growth in the inland cities. This survey examines recent work that studies the economic geography of industrial production, pollution, and quality of life in China's cities. We focus on the interaction between firms, local governments, and the central government that together determine the new economic geography of industry and pollution within China.
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor predicts mortality in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Raggam R. B. , Wagner J. , Prüller F. , Grisold A. , Leitner E. , Zollner‐Schwetz I. , Valentin T. , Krause R. , Hoenigl M.
Published: March 2014

Objective

The soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) reflects inflammation. However, the prognostic value of suPAR measurements, particularly at the very early onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), is less well defined.

Methods

The prognostic potential of suPAR levels in patients with SIRS was evaluated. From November 2010 until April 2013, 902 adult patients presenting with SIRS were investigated. Blood samples for laboratory testing of inflammation markers were collected simultaneously with initial blood cultures. suPAR testing was performed using suPARnostic© assay.

Results

Analyses of receiver operating characteristics curves revealed areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.818 for predicting overall mortality within 48 h (36/902 patients died), 0.739 for 30‐day mortality (117/902 died) and 0.706 for predicting 90‐day mortality (151/902 died). AUCs for procalcitonin (0.777, 0.671 and 0.638), interleukin‐6 (0.709, 0.593 and 0.569) and C‐reactive protein (0.66, 0.594 and 0.586) as well as renal function and age were markedly lower. Using multivariable regression analyses, suPAR levels (P < 0.001) remained significant predictors of 48‐h mortality, whereas suPAR levels (P < 0.001) and bacteraemia (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively) remained significant predictors of 30‐ and 90‐day mortality. Using Kaplan–Meier survival plots, patients with suPAR <9.15 ng mL−1 at SIRS onset had a clear benefit.

Conclusion

suPAR plasma level determined at early SIRS is predictive for mortality.
Subthalamic Nuclear Tissue Contrast in Inversion Recovery MRI Decreases with Age in Medically Refractory Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Sarkar Subhendra N. , Sarkar Pooja R. , Papavassiliou Efstathios
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

MRI appearance of subthalamic nucleus (STN) boundaries in Parkinson's patients is often unreliable and not well understood. An objective comparison between FSE T2 and inversion recovery (FSTIR) sequences for stereotactic placement of deep brain stimulators is presented to advance current understanding of STN tissue contrast for refractory Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

We imaged 12 PD (age 53‐82) and 12 control patients (age 48‐77) using T2 and FSTIR sequences at 1.5T. To avoid MR contrast variation from hardware and patient dependent sources we used an internal thalamic tissue standard to normalize STN signal intensity and correlated it with patient age for these two groups.

RESULTS

Normalized FSTIR‐weighted STN contrast decreased with increasing age for PD patients (Spearman Rank correlation = −.5) while remained virtually unchanged for controls with age (Spearman Rank coefficient ≈0). T2‐weighted STN contrast did not show appreciable changes with age for both the groups (Spearman correlation ≈ −.1).

CONCLUSIONS

STN, a common stimulation target, shows an age dependent trend for normalized FSTIR MRI contrast. Although larger patient pools are needed, our work points to tissue relaxation‐based changes in STN that may provide insight in early stages of brain pathology involving DBS targets in medically refractory Parkinson's disease.
Glycyrrhizin conjugated chitosan nanoparticles for hepatocyte-targeted delivery of lamivudine
Authors: Mishra Deepak , Jain Nivrati , Rajoriya Vaibhav , Jain Ashish K
Published: March 2014

Objective

The present study was focused to prepare controlled release glycyrrhizin (GL) conjugated low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) for liver targeting. The hydrophilic antiretroviral drug lamivudine was chosen as a model drug and encapsulated within glycyrrhizin conjugated low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (GL-CS-NPs) for liver specificity.

Methods

First, the low molecular weight chitosan (CS) was synthesized through depolymerization method. The low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by inotropic gelation method. Then glycyrrhizin was conjugated with previously prepared low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) and conjugation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

Key findings

The prepared GL-CS-NPs were characterized using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy and FT-IR. The encapsulation efficiency and in-vitro drug release behaviour of drug-loaded GL-CS-NPs were studied using ultra violet spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatographic methods. Release of lamivudine from the nanoparticles exhibited a biphasic pattern, initial burst release and consequently sustained release. In-vivo biodistribution study suggested the target ability of GL-CS-NPs is better and haematological study shows decline of the tissue damage in comparison with plain drug solution.

Conclusion

The experimental results show that the glycyrrhizin conjugated LMWC nanoparticles may be used as a potential drug delivery system with hepatocyte-targeting characteristics.
Origin ofOstryopsis intermedia(Betulaceae) in the southeast Qinghai–Tibet Plateau through hybrid speciation
Authors: LU Zhi‐Qiang , TIAN Bin , LIU Bing‐Bing , YANG Chen , LIU Jian‐Quan
Published: March 2014

It remains unknown howOstryopsis intermediaB. Tian & J. Q. Liu (Betulaceae) originated in the SE Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). We examined sequence variations of two maternally inherited chloroplast (cp) DNA fragments and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) of 32 populations for this species and two congeners,O. davidianaDecne. andO. nobilisBalf. f. W. W. Sm., distributed in northern China and the SE QTP. Each of the two distinct cpDNA haplotype groups was fixed byO. davidianaorO. intermedia, respectively, whereas both were found inO. nobilis. All analyses of AFLP suggested thatO. intermediais more closely related toO. davidianathan toO. nobilisand Bayesian clustering analysis (K = 2) further suggested that the genomic composition ofO. intermediashowed a slightly mosaic origin from the other two species, although mostly fromO. davidiana. Analyses of AFLP indicated the highest nuclear genetic diversity forO. davidianaand lowest forO. intermedia. The origin ofO. intermediathrough hybrid speciation due to southward migration ofO. davidianaand the following hybridization withO. nobilismay provide the most reasonable explanation for the inconsistency between phylogenetic relationships of three species and degrees of genetic diversity from cpDNA sequences or AFLP datasets.Ostryopsis intermediamay represent one more diploid hybrid species found in the QTP, although further strong tests are needed based on additional data.
Nurses well‐being in intensive care units: study of factors promoting team commitment
Authors: Galletta Maura , Portoghese Igor , Coppola Rosa C , Finco Gabriele , Campagna Marcello
Published: March 2014

Background

Intensive care units (ICUs) are challenging work environments because of the critical condition of patients, and ICU nurses frequently lament low job satisfaction and high staff turnover. Nevertheless, organizational and work characteristics, and the quality of relationships with staff can help to maintain nurses' enthusiasm and increase job satisfaction.

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyse how nursing work environment factors affect identification and commitment among ICU nurses.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in 12 ICUs from four Italian urban hospitals.

Method

A total of 222 nurses participated and completed a self‐reported questionnaire.

Results and conclusion

Results show that nursing work characteristics are directly related to team commitment, and that the nursing work characteristics and team commitment relationship was mediated by both perceived supervisor support and job satisfaction.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our findings may concretely contribute to literature and offer additional suggestions to improve nurses' work conditions and patient health in ICUs.
Toward modulation of the endocannabinoid system for treatment of gastrointestinal disease: FAAHster but not “higher”
Authors: Nasser Y. , Bashashati M. , Andrews C. N.
Published: March 2014

Cannabis has been used to treat various afflictions throughout the centuries, including nausea, vomiting, and pain. It has also been used recreationally for its psychotropic properties, which can include a pleasurable ‘high’ feeling and a decrease in anxiety and tension; however, other may experience dysphoria. Changes in cognition and psychomotor performance are also well‐known with cannabis use. In recent years, our understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has progressed dramatically; the objective of identifying agents which may allow modulation of the ECS without significant psychotropic side effects may be possible. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an important enzyme for the degradation of anandamide and other endogenous cannabinoids, is a promising target to achieve this goal. In this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Fichna and colleagues report on a novel selective FAAH inhibitor, PF‐3845, with potent antinociceptive and antidiarrheal effects in a mouse model. In this context, we briefly review the components of the ECS, discuss pharmacologic targets for indirect cannabinoid receptor stimulation, and describe recent research with cannabinoids for gut disorders.
Does Universalism Entail Extensionalism?
Authors: Cotnoir A. J.
Published: March 2014

Does a commitment to mereological universalism automatically bring along a commitment to the controversial doctrine of mereological extensionalism—the view that objects with the same proper parts are identical? A recent argument suggests the answer is ‘yes’. This paper attempts a systematic response to the argument, considering nearly every available line of reply. It argues that only one approach—the mutual parts view—can yield a viable mereology where universalism does not entail extensionalism.
Species richness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: associations with grassland plant richness and biomass
Authors: Hiiesalu Inga , Pärtel Meelis , Davison John , Gerhold Pille , Metsis Madis , Moora Mari , Öpik Maarja , Vasar Martti , Zobel Martin , Wilson Scott D.
Published: March 2014

Although experiments show a positive association between vascular plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) species richness, evidence from natural ecosystems is scarce. Furthermore, there is little knowledge about how AMF richness varies with belowground plant richness and biomass.

We examined relationships among AMF richness, above‐ and belowground plant richness, and plant root and shoot biomass in a native North American grassland. Root‐colonizing AMF richness and belowground plant richness were detected from the same bulk root samples by 454‐sequencing of the AMF SSU rRNA and plant trnL genes.

In total we detected 63 AMF taxa. Plant richness was 1.5 times greater belowground than aboveground. AMF richness was significantly positively correlated with plant species richness, and more strongly with below‐ than aboveground plant richness. Belowground plant richness was positively correlated with belowground plant biomass and total plant biomass, whereas aboveground plant richness was positively correlated only with belowground plant biomass. By contrast, AMF richness was negatively correlated with belowground and total plant biomass.

Our results indicate that AMF richness and plant belowground richness are more strongly related with each other and with plant community biomass than with the plant aboveground richness measures that have been almost exclusively considered to date.
Characterisation of a Swedish cohort with orofacial granulomatosis with or without Crohn's disease
Authors: Gale G , Östman S , Rekabdar E , Torinsson Naluai Å , Högkil K , Hasséus B , Saalman R , Jontell M
Published: March 2014

Objective

To compare oral manifestations in a Swedish cohort of patients with orofacial granulomatosis with or without Crohn′s disease and to assess NOD2 polymorphisms in the two groups.

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients with orofacial granulomatosis were included. Demographics, disease history, clinical features and concurrent Crohn′s disease were recorded. DNA was extracted from buccal swabs and examined for NOD2 variants Arg702Trp, Gly908Arg and Leu1007fsinsC, all previously linked to gastrointestinal Crohn′s disease.

Results

Twelve of 29 patients were diagnosed with coexisting gastrointestinal Crohn′s disease, and of whom 21 were males. Symptom duration was significantly longer for the orofacial granulomatosis group com‐pared to the group with coexisting Crohn′s disease (P < 0.0001). The orofacial granulomatosis patients also perceived their overall discomfort, aesthetic problems and social discomfort as more severe. No significant differences in the clinical presentation of oral lesions between the two groups were found. None of the patients with orofacial granulomatosis carried any of the NOD2 variations, whereas four of the 12 patients with coexisting Crohn′s disease had a NOD2 variant (Arg702Trp).

Conclusion

The two patient groups had similar phenotypic characteristics but seemed to have genotypic differences regarding NOD2. The Swedish cohort differed in their clinical characteristics from patients reported in other geographical regions.
Adolescent Growth in Overweight and Non‐Overweight Children in Japan: a Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Zheng Wei , Suzuki Kohta , Sato Miri , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Shinohara Ryoji , Yamagata Zentaro
Published: March 2014

Background

A trend towards earlier pubertal growth has been identified along with an increase in childhood obesity rates. The study aimed to identify the differences in growth patterns during adolescence between overweight/obese and non‐overweight children in Japan.

Methods

The participants were children from a prospective cohort study called Project Koshu, who were born between 1991 and 1998, in Japan. They were classified as overweight/obese or non‐overweight according to their body mass index (BMI) in the first grade of elementary school (6−7 years of age) and were followed until graduation from junior high school (14−15 years of age). Anthropometric data were collected at an annual medical check‐up in their school. Height gain trajectories were constructed by BMI categories using multilevel analyses. This analysis was stratified by gender.

Results

Overall, 111/850 (13.1%) girls and 109/911(12%) boys were defined as overweight/obese at baseline. Approximately 80% of the children were followed until the third grades of junior high school. Overweight/obese girls gained more height in the first half period, reached their peak height gain about a year earlier than non‐overweight girls, and experienced an earlier decline in height gain. Similarly, overweight/obese boys gained more height than non‐overweight boys initially. Additionally, non‐overweight boys maintained a higher rate of height gain from the age at peak height gain, although the age at peak height gain did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

The overweight/obese children grew faster than the non‐overweight children in the early pubertal stages, and the non‐overweight children caught up and exceeded in height gain at a later stage.
Bioremediation potential, growth and biomass yield of the green seaweed, Ulva lactuca in an integrated marine aquaculture system at the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia at different stocking densities and effluent flow rates
Authors: Al‐Hafedh Yousef S. , Alam Aftab , Buschmann Alejandro H.
Published: March 2014

Growth, production and biofiltration rates of seaweed, Ulva lactuca were investigated at two stocking densities (3 kg and 6 kg m−2) and two effluent flow rates (5.4 and 10.8 m3 day−1) to optimize an integrated mariculture system at Saudi Red Sea coast. effluents from fish‐rearing tank, stocked with 200 kg fish (Oreochromis spilurus), fed to six seaweed tanks via sedimentation tank. Fish growth (weight gain 1.75 g fish day−1), net production (NP, 10.16 kg m−3) and survival (94.24%) were within acceptable limits. Ulva showed significantly higher (F = 62.62, d.f. 3, 35; P < 0.0001) specific growth rates at lower density compared with higher density and under high flow versus low flow (SGR = 5.78% vs. 2.55% at lower flow and 10.60% vs. 6.26% at higher flow). Biomass yield of Ulva at low‐ and high‐stocking densities (111.11 and 83.2 g wet wt m−2 day−1, respectively) at low flow and (267.44 and 244.19 g wet wt m−2 day−1, respectively) at high flow show that high flow rate and lower density favoured growth. Removal rates of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (0.26–0.31 g m−2 day−1) and phosphate phosphorus (0.32–0.41 g m−2 day−1) by U. lactuca were not significantly different (F = 1.9, d.f. 3, 59; P = 0.1394 for TAN and F = 0.29, d.f. 3, 59; P = 0.8324 for phosphates) at both the flow rates and stocking densities. Results show that the effluent flow rate has significant impact over the performance of the seaweed than stocking density.
The Devil you Know: Pegs vs Floats with Uncertain Outcomes
Authors: Bizuneh Menna , Valev Neven
Published: March 2014

Theory predicts that a fixed exchange rate regime will be abandoned after a sizable economic shock as currency devaluation could stimulate exports and output. However, devaluation is risky as the new level of the exchange rate and the rate of inflation cannot be predicted. We show that this uncertainty creates resistance to devaluation. Policymakers prefer to maintain the fixed exchange rate and to undergo internal adjustment. We illustrate the point theoretically and provide supporting evidence from Bulgaria's currency board.
Endogenous Free Trade Agreements and Foreign Lobbying
Authors: Stoyanov Andrey
Published: March 2014

This paper assesses the political viability of free trade agreements (FTAs) in the presence of lobbying by organized foreign interest groups. The assessment is based on a model in which external tariffs and the decision to form an FTA are endogenously determined. The findings demonstrate that, in the presence of an organized lobby group in a prospective partner country, an FTA may initiate an increase in the level of protection against imports from third countries and impede trade with non‐member countries. Further, this study finds that a foreign lobby may encourage the local government to enter a welfare‐reducing trade‐diverting FTA. Finally, this paper shows that an FTA increases the lobbying power of the organized lobby groups of the member countries, which can potentially obstruct the viability of welfare‐improving multilateral trade liberalization.
Understanding State Rulemaking Processes: Developing Fracking Rules in Colorado, New York, and Ohio
Authors: Rinfret Sara , Cook Jeffrey J. , Pautz Michelle C.
Published: March 2014

Rulemaking is an integral component of environmental policy at both the federal and state level; however, rulemaking at the state level is understudied. With this research, we begin to fill that gap by focusing on rulemaking regarding the issue of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in three states: Colorado, New York, and Ohio. This policy issue is well suited to begin exploring state‐level rulemaking processes because the federal government has left fracking regulation to the states. Through semistructured interviews with a range of actors in the rulemaking process across these states, we establish a foundation from which future research in this area may build. This exploratory research yields some valuable insights into the roles different stakeholders are playing in regulating fracking in these three states, and our findings may be useful for explaining state‐level rulemaking more generally.
Social Structural Location and Vocabularies of Participation: Fostering a Collective Identity in Urban Agriculture Activism
Authors: Lyson Helena C.
Published: March 2014

Contextualized within the visible inequality that permeates its local food landscape and the broader elitist food culture of California's San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland's urban agriculture movement comprises actors with rich vocabularies of motive for participation. Drawing from 25 in‐depth interviews with movement activists, I uncover a racial and social class homogeneity among participants that contributes to the formation of a collective identity but also limits the movement's outcomes in important ways. This research draws from Bourdieu's theory of class distinction and social movement theories of collective identity formation to contribute to literature on the reproduction of class and racial privilege in alternative food activism. I find that narratives for movement involvement converge on three discourses: possession of education‐derived knowledge to contend with the agroindustrial complex, the conflation of the creation of community through urban food growing with inclusivity, and a missionary‐like desire to educate others as to the benefits of growing their own food. I argue that the movement could benefit from a more diverse repertoire of action generated from a greater integration of racially and economically diverse actors working together to reorient the food system toward local food production alternatives.
Previously identified patellar tendinopathy risk factors differ between elite and sub‐elite volleyball players
Authors: Janssen I. , Steele J. R. , Munro B. J. , Brown N. A. T.
Published: March 2014

Patellar tendinopathy is the most common knee injury incurred in volleyball, with its prevalence in elite athletes more than three times that of their sub‐elite counterparts. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patellar tendinopathy risk factors differed between elite and sub‐elite male volleyball players. Nine elite and nine sub‐elite male volleyball players performed a lateral stop–jump block movement. Maximum vertical jump, training history, muscle extensibility and strength, three‐dimensional landing kinematics (250 Hz), along with lower limb neuromuscular activation patterns (1500 Hz), and patellar tendon loading were collected during each trial. Multivariate analyses of variance (P < 0.05) assessed for between‐group differences in risk factors or patellar tendon loading. Significant interaction effects were further evaluated using post‐hoc univariate analysis of variance tests. Landing kinematics, neuromuscular activation patterns, patellar tendon loading, and most of the previously identified risk factors did not differ between the elite and sub‐elite players. However, elite players participated in a higher training volume and had less quadriceps extensibility than sub‐elite players. Therefore, high training volume is likely the primary contributor to the injury discrepancy between elite and sub‐elite volleyball players. Interventions designed to reduce landing frequency and improve quadriceps extensibility are recommended to reduce patellar tendinopathy prevalence in volleyball players.
Expression of the innate defense receptor S5D‐SRCRB in the urogenital tract
Authors: Miró‐Julià C. , Escoda‐Ferran C. , Carrasco E. , Moeller J. B. , Vadekær D. F. , Gao X. , Paragas N. , Oliver J. , Holmskov U. , Al‐Awqati Q. , Lozano F.
Published: March 2014

S5D‐SRCRB is a novel mouse secretory glycoprotein belonging to the ancient and highly conserved scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich superfamily of protein receptors. Available evidence indicates that S5D‐SRCRB interacts with conserved microbial cell wall components, as well as with some endogenous proteins, and presents a restricted tissue expression pattern. This study further analyzes the expression of S5D‐SRCRB along the mouse urogenital tract. Immunohistochemical staining for S5D‐SRCRB was observed in spermatocytes from seminiferous tubules and in the epithelial surface from urethra and bladder, as well as in kidney tubules, mainly from medulla and papilla. Double stainings showed that S5D‐SRCRB is expressed in both principal (P) and intercalated (IC) cells from renal collecting ducts (CD). By using an in vitro cell model of IC cell differentiation, preferential expression of S5D‐SRCRB was observed in the apical border of terminally differentiated IC. Colocalization of S5D‐SRCRB with galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) was also observed in kidney and bladder, but not in testis, supporting concurrent biochemical studies demonstrating the carbohydrate‐dependent interaction of Gal‐3 and S5D‐SRCRB. Furthermore, upregulation of S5D‐SRCRB expression was observed in in vitro and in vivo models of bacterial aggression, reinforcing the emerging view that CD, and specially IC, are important players in innate defense of the urinary tract against infection. Taken together, the results indicate that S5D‐SRCRB is an integral component of the urogenital tract involved in innate immune functions.
Characterization of a novel variant allele, HLA‐C*04:03:02, identified in a Chinese Han individual
Authors: He L. , Wang D. , Zou H.
Published: March 2014

HLA‐C*04:03:02 differs from the closest allele C*04:03:01 at 218T>C in exon 2 and is synonymous.
A homolog of ETHYLENE OVERPRODUCER, OsETOL1, differentially modulates drought and submergence tolerance in rice
Authors: Du Hao , Wu Nai , Cui Fei , You Lei , Li Xianghua , Xiong Lizhong
Published: March 2014

Submergence and drought are major limiting factors for crop production. However, very limited studies have been reported on the distinct or overlapping mechanisms of plants in response to the two water extremes. Here we report an ETHYLENE OVERPRODUCER 1‐like gene (OsETOL1) that modulates differentially drought and submergence tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Two allelic mutants of OsETOL1 showed increased resistance to drought stress at the panicle development stage. Interestingly, the mutants exhibited a significantly slower growth rate under submergence stress at both the seedling and panicle development stages. Over‐expression (OE) of OsETOL1 in rice resulted in reverse phenotypes when compared with the mutants. The OsETOL1 transcript was differentially responsive to abiotic stresses. OsETOL1 was found to interact with OsACS2, a homolog of 1‐amino‐cyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) synthase (ACS), which acts as a rate‐limiting enzyme for ethylene biosynthesis. In the osacs2 mutant and OsETOL1‐OE plants, ACC and ethylene content were decreased significantly, and exogenous ACC restored the phenotype of osetol1 and OsETOL1‐OE to wild‐type under submergence stress, implying a negative role for OsETOL1 in ethylene biosynthesis. The expression of several genes related to carbohydrate catabolism and fermentation showed significant changes in the osetol1 and OsETOL1‐OE plants, implying that OsETOL1 may affect energy metabolism. These results together suggest that OsETOL1 plays distinct roles in drought and submergence tolerance by modulating ethylene production and energy metabolism. Findings from the expression and functional comparison of three ethylene overproducer (ETOL) family members in rice further supported the specific role of OsETOL1 in the responses to the two water stresses.
Trehalose metabolism in plants
Authors: Lunn John Edward , Delorge Ines , Figueroa Carlos María , Van Dijck Patrick , Stitt Mark
Published: March 2014

Trehalose is a quantitatively important compatible solute and stress protectant in many organisms, including green algae and primitive plants. These functions have largely been replaced by sucrose in vascular plants, and trehalose metabolism has taken on new roles. Trehalose is a potential signal metabolite in plant interactions with pathogenic or symbiotic micro‐organisms and herbivorous insects. It is also implicated in responses to cold and salinity, and in regulation of stomatal conductance and water‐use efficiency. In plants, as in other eukaryotes and many prokaryotes, trehalose is synthesized via a phosphorylated intermediate, trehalose 6‐phosphate (Tre6P). A meta‐analysis revealed that the levels of Tre6P change in parallel with sucrose, which is the major product of photosynthesis and the main transport sugar in plants. We propose the existence of a bi‐directional network, in which Tre6P is a signal of sucrose availability and acts to maintain sucrose concentrations within an appropriate range. Tre6P influences the relative amounts of sucrose and starch that accumulate in leaves during the day, and regulates the rate of starch degradation at night to match the demand for sucrose. Mutants in Tre6P metabolism have highly pleiotropic phenotypes, showing defects in embryogenesis, leaf growth, flowering, inflorescence branching and seed set. It has been proposed that Tre6P influences plant growth and development via inhibition of the SNF1‐related protein kinase (SnRK1). However, current models conflict with some experimental data, and do not completely explain the pleiotropic phenotypes exhibited by mutants in Tre6P metabolism. Additional explanations for the diverse effects of alterations in Tre6P metabolism are discussed.
Large Eddy Simulation Exploration of Passive Flow Control Around an Ahmed Body
Authors: Krajnović Siniša
Published: March 2014

Large eddy simulations (LES) are used to study passive flow control for drag reduction in a simplified ground vehicle. Add-on devices in the form of short cylinders are used for the formation of streaks in the streamwise direction that lead to the separation delay. The results of the present numerical simulations are compared with the experimental data and show good agreement. The two-stage flow control mechanism is analyzed from the LES results. It was found to be in agreement with the previous experimental observations that the counter-rotating vortices behind the impinging devices influence the separation only indirectly through the longitudinal vortices further downstream.