bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and iron chelate on the antioxidant capacity and nutritional value of soil-cultivated maize (Zea mays) plants
Authors: Jalali Mahboobeh , Ghanati Faezeh , Modarres-Sanavi Ali Mohammad
Published: June 2016

Iron (Fe) deficiency is frequently encountered on calcareous soils and is usually overcome by application of Fe fertilisers. In the present study, maize plants (Zea mays L. cv. Merit) grown in calcareous soil were foliar-sprayed with or without 100 µg Fe g–1 in the forms of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and ethylene diamine-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid) Fe sodium complex (Fe-EDDHA), at different growth stages. Uptake and translocation of Fe within the plant were monitored by atomic absorption spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, and physiological parameters were evaluated. Iron treatments improved maize photosynthesis and hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion scavenging capacity and lowered the rate of membrane lipid peroxidation. Iron treatment also accelerated vegetative growth and caused earlier entrance to the generative phase. Differences between ameliorative effects of Fe-EDDHA and Fe3O4 NPs were particularly noticeable in the generative growth phase. Improvement of calcium, Fe2+, total Fe, and ferritin contents were more pronounced in Fe3O4 NPs treatments (164%, 200%, 300%, and 200% of the control, respectively). Improved growth of maize treated with Fe3O4 NPs can be attributed, at least in part, to the increase in ferritin and its critical role in maintenance of Fe homeostasis and balance of the plant redox system.
Autumn dormancy regulates the expression of cas18, vsp and corF genes during cold acclimation of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Liu Zhi-ying , Yang Guo-feng , Li Xi-liang , Yan Ya-fei , Sun Juan , Gao Run , Sun Qi-zhong , Wang Zong-li
Published: June 2016

As a global forage legume, lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.) is valuable for studying the evolutionary and ecological mechanisms of plant adaptation to freezing, owing to the characteristic of contrasting winter hardiness induced by autumn dormancy. Autumn-dormant lucerne plants often exhibit greater cold tolerance than non-dormant plants under natural field conditions. The study examined the autumn shoot growth of four diverse lucerne cultivars, and the influence of two sampling dates in late autumn, three sampling positions and four autumn-dormancy categories on cas18, vsp and corF gene transcripts during the first year of lucerne establishment. Results showed that in field-grown lucerne, non-dormant and highly non-dormant cultivars had greater shoot growth than a dormant cultivar in autumn. The level of transcripts of cas18 (which encodes a dehydrin-like protein) was highest in dormant cultivars and lowest in semi-dormant cultivars in both November and December; in particular, the cas18 transcripts in the crown remained highest in both November and December. The level of transcripts of vsp (which encodes vegetative storage protein) in all dormant cultivar tissues was highest in both November and December. In semi-dormant cultivars, the expression of vsp in the taproot increased compared with the lateral root and crown in November. The corF transcript in the dormant cultivar was markedly higher than in the semi-dormant cultivar and almost zero in the non-dormant and highly non-dormant cultivars. These results indicate that the significant impact of autumn dormancy and plant position on gene expression of cas18, vsp and corF occurring during autumn hardening, and continuing low temperatures, are likely to have significant consequences on lucerne productivity and its long-term persistence.
Mitigating the effects of barriers to freshwater fish migrations: the Australian experience
Authors: Harris J. H. , Kingsford R. T. , Peirson W. , Baumgartner L. J.
Published: June 2016

Declining fish communities characterise global freshwater environments, including those in Australia. Lost river connectivity through water resource development is a key cause of decline, disrupting fish migrations and threatening species productivity, viability and fisheries. Millions of dams, weirs and lesser barriers arising from water resources projects, road and rail transport and hydro-electricity schemes obstruct fish passage in rivers worldwide. Fishways are in place at few sites in Australia and globally relative to the numbers of barriers, and few mitigate the effects of barriers adequately. Most constrain the passage of fish communities and few have performed effectively when assessed against appropriate biological standards. Herein we focus on Australian experience within the global context of obstructed fish migrations, declining fish biodiversity and inadequate fishway performance. We review the migratory characteristics of Australian freshwater fish, identify the effects of different in-stream barriers and other habitat changes on the four classes of migratory behaviour and note how Australia’s highly variable hydrology presents particular challenges in mitigating fish passage barriers. Mitigation options include: basin-scale approaches; improved management of barriers, environmental flows and water quality; barrier removal; and development of improved fishway designs. Mitigation of fish-passage problems can aid in adapting to climate change effects, reversing fisheries declines and rehabilitating fish communities.
Water-soluble fullerenes for medical applications
Authors: Rašović I.
Published: June 2016

Research on fullerenes occupies a unique position in the scientific arena. Synthesis and characterisation of this nanomaterial blur the line between materials science and chemistry; careful tuning of the processing methods gives birth to a whole family of molecules and their functionalised derivatives, whose unusual properties at this nanoscopic scale can be exploited in cutting-edge technological applications. This review focuses on the functionalisation of fullerenes for use in medical applications. The first half gives an introduction to the fullerenes themselves and how their fundamental properties lead to a very rich chemistry, enabling both exohedral (external) and endohedral (internal) functionalisations of the cage. Emphasis is placed on the need for safe and reproducible synthesis routes if fullerenes are ever going to make it to the pharmaceutical market. In line with this, a selection of exohedral functionalisation protocols receives particular attention. Coverage of endohedral fullerene synthesis routes is limited to the endohedral metallofullerenes. In the second half, myriad applications of fullerenes in biomedical contexts are introduced and certain synthesis routes are critically evaluated. Discussion of the need to water solubilise the hydrophobic fullerene cages precedes an overview of fullerene-based diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. A final moment is spent on toxicity studies of fullerenes. The concluding remarks emphasise the positive effects of incorporating fullerenes into biomedical technologies, while looking at how these are perceived by the general public. A case is made for fullerenes being the optimal choice as standard bearers in the advance of nanomaterials into the medical field.

This is the winning review of the 2016 Materials Literature Review Prize of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, run by the Editorial Board of MST. Sponsorship of the prize by TWI Ltd is gratefully acknowledged.
The primitive cohomology of the theta divisor of an abelian fivefold
Authors: Izadi E. , Tamás Cs. , Wang J.
Published: June 2016

The primitive cohomology of the theta divisor of a principally polarized abelian variety of dimension

g
g

contains a Hodge structure of level

g
−
3

g-3

which we call the primal cohomology. The Hodge conjecture predicts that this is contained in the image, under the Abel-Jacobi map, of the cohomology of a family of curves in the theta divisor. In this paper we use the Prym map to show that this version of the Hodge conjecture is true for the theta divisor of a general abelian fivefold.
Trunk Disease Fungi Associated With Diospyros kaki in South Africa
Authors: Moyo P. , Mostert L. , Bester M. , Halleen F.
Published: June 2016

Persimmon trees with dieback symptoms and cankers were observed in three production areas in Western Cape Province in South Africa. Isolations were made from diseased branches, cankers, and pruning wounds as well as fungal fruiting bodies on dead branches and old pruning wounds. Several trunk disease pathogens were identified based on morphological characteristics and by molecular methods, including Diaporthe eres, D. infecunda, Eutypella citricola, E. microtheca, Phaeoacremonium parasiticum, P. scolyti, P. australiense, P. minimum, Fomitiporia capensis, Fomitiporia sp., Fomitiporella sp., and Inocutis sp., which were isolated from persimmon for the first time in the world. Other first reports from persimmon in South Africa include D. foeniculina, D. ambigua, D. mutila, Diaporthe sp., Neofusicoccum australe, N. parvum, Diplodia seriata, and Eutypa lata. Pathogenicity tests conducted with all species, except the basidiomycetes, confirmed their status as possible persimmon pathogens. This is the first study to determine and identify fungi associated with diseased persimmon in South Africa. The knowledge gained in this study forms the basis for further research to determine the impact of these fungi on persimmon productivity.
The ABLA-BOX: An in Vitro Module of Hybrid Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: Lozekoot Pieter W. J. , de Jong Monique M. J. , Parise Orlando , Matteucci Francesco , Lucà Fabiana , Kumar Narendra , Bani Daniele , Czapla Jens , Pison Laurent , Crijns Harry J. G. M. , Maessen Jos G. , La Meir Mark , Gelsomino Sandro
Published: June 2016

Objective

We present the first testing study on the ABLA-BOX, a new in vitro module of hybrid atrial fibrillation ablation.

Methods

ABLA-BOX consists of two chambers that mimic the epicardial and endocardial sides of the heart. The septum between chambers provides catheter access on both sites of the cardiac tissue. A circuit, filled with freshly obtained porcine blood, including a pump, an oxygenator, and a heating device, circulate the blood inside the system. Left atrial fresh tissue is mounted on a tissue holder and magnetically fixed. Epicardial and endocardial catheters are fixed on the catheter holders and blocked with the locker knob. The system allows control of ablation force, flow rate, temperature, and flow pattern.

Results

Epicardial contact force of 100 g and endocardial force of 30 g resulted in larger lesion volumes (P < 0.001), areas (P < 0.001), and lesion diameters (P = 0.03 and P = 0.008), than the combination of 100/20 g. In addition, with a flow rate of 5 L/min, lesion volumes (P = 0.02), areas (P < 0.001), and diameters (both, P < 0.001) were significantly larger in comparison with those of 3 L/min. Furthermore, dimensions (both, P < 0.001), volume (P < 0.001), and area (P < 0.001) of the lesions at a circulating blood temperature of 38.0°C were larger than with a lower blood temperature (36.0°C). Finally, ablations made under stable flow pattern resulted in greater lesion diameters P = 0.04 and P = 0.03) as well as larger volumes (P = 0.02) and areas (P = 0.03) than under turbulent-like flow reproduced with the system rotor set to 400 rpm.

Conclusions

The ABLA-BOX allowed easy hybrid ablation with different setups, which can provide cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with reliable and more valuable insights.
Limitations of the TheraMon®‐microsensor in monitoring occlusion therapy
Authors: Schramm Charlotte , Abaza Annegret , Blumenstock Gunnar , Bechtold Till E. , Rickmann Annekatrin , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl‐Ulrich , Besch Dorothea , Januschowski Kai
Published: June 2016

Purpose

A proof of principle study showed that the TheraMon®‐microsensor can reliably measure wearing times of glasses and occlusion patches while having no discomfort for the bearer. The goal of this study was to identify specific temperature profiles in a larger patient group wearing the microsensor with an occlusion patch on the eye, the forehead or in the trouser pocket.

Methods

Temperature measurements with microsensors were performed at the orbital rim of the eye, at the forehead and in a trousers pocket of 20 healthy adults. The temperature measurements were analysed comparing the three locations using a repeated‐measures anova with a 0.050 two‐sided significance level.

Results

There was no significant temperature difference in wearing the microsensors at the orbital rim compared to forehead (p = 0.507). A significant difference could be detected if the microsensors had been in trousers pockets as compared to being positioned at orbital rim/forehead (p = 0.001). The study participants reported easy handling and comfortable wearing.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates for the first time that TheraMon®‐microsensors are fully operational in monitoring occlusion therapy in a larger group of patients (20 adult study participants). Because of the microsensor's ease of handling further studies in a larger group of children is recommended.
Inhibition of PI3K promotes dilation of human small airways in a rho kinase‐dependent manner
Authors: Koziol‐White Cynthia J , Yoo Edwin J , Cao Gaoyuan , Zhang Jie , Papanikolaou Eleni , Pushkarsky Ivan , Andrews Adam , Himes Blanca E , Damoiseaux Robert D , Liggett Stephen B , Di Carlo Dino , Kurten Richard C , Panettieri Reynold A
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose

Asthma manifests as a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by airway obstruction, inflammation and hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Although the molecular mechanisms remain unclear, activation of specific PI3K isoforms mediate inflammation and AHR. We aimed to determine whether inhibition of PI3Kδ evokes dilation of airways and to elucidate potential mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

Human precision cut lung slices from non‐asthma donors and primary human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells from both non‐asthma and asthma donors were utilized. Phosphorylation of Akt, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) and myosin light chain (MLC) were assessed in HASM cells following either PI3K inhibitor or siRNA treatment. HASM relaxation was assessed by micro‐pattern deformation. Reversal of constriction of airways was assessed following stimulation with PI3K or ROCK inhibitors.

Key Results

Soluble inhibitors or PI3Kδ knockdown reversed carbachol‐induced constriction of human airways, relaxed agonist‐contracted HASM and inhibited pAkt, pMYPT1 and pMLC in HASM. Similarly, inhibition of Rho kinase also dilated human PCLS airways and suppressed pMYPT1 and pMLC. Baseline pMYPT1 was significantly elevated in HASM cells derived from asthma donors in comparison with non‐asthma donors. After desensitization of the β2‐adrenoceptors, a PI3Kδ inhibitor remained an effective dilator. In the presence of IL‐13, dilation by a β agonist, but not PI3K inhibitor, was attenuated.

Conclusion and Implications

PI3Kδ inhibitors act as dilators of human small airways. Taken together, these findings provide alternative approaches to the clinical management of airway obstruction in asthma.
Effectiveness of school‐based dental sealant programs among children from low‐income backgrounds: a pragmatic randomized clinical trial with a follow‐up of 3 years
Authors: Muller‐Bolla Michèle , Pierre Audrey , Lupi‐Pégurier Laurence , Velly Ana M.
Published: June 2016

Aim

A split‐mouth randomized clinical trial was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a school‐based dental sealant (SBDS) program for French children from low‐income backgrounds within 3 years of follow‐up. The secondary objectives were to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of new carious lesions (ICDAS 3‐6) on first permanent molars, to evaluate the effectiveness of the program according to risk factors and to assess sealant retention.

Methods

The study included 276 6‐ to 7‐year old pupils (457 pairs of first permanent molars) from Nice. The sealing was performed in first‐ or second‐grade children. The first permanent molars were randomized into two groups: One received resin‐based sealant and the other formed a nontreatment group. Carious lesions ICDAS 3‐6 on permanent and primary teeth, visible plaque, streptococcus mutans and/or lactobacillus counts were recorded at baseline to assess individual caries risk (ICR). The putative confounders recorded at baseline were sex, grade level, and characteristics of first permanent molars. An intent‐to‐treat analysis was performed, where the study outcome was the occurrence of new carious lesions within 3 years of follow‐up. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models (hazard risk, HR) using the procedure PHREG with the option of Covsandwich were performed in SAS to assess the effectiveness of the SBDS program.

Results

At 3 years of follow‐up, 228 children (378 tooth pairs) remained in the analysis. The survival analysis showed that first permanent molars that received sealants had 67% (adjusted HR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.24–0.46) less risk of developing new carious lesions during all the follow‐up than molars without sealant. In addition, children with carious lesions ICDAS 3‐6 on permanent and primary teeth, that is, high ICR, had three times the risk of having a new carious lesion than others without, independently of the sealant treatment (adjusted HR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.55–5.75). Effectiveness of the SBDS program at 3 years of follow‐up depended on the presence of carious lesions ICDAS 3‐6 (HR in 173 children with carious lesions: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.23–0.46) at baseline (HR in 103 children without carious lesions: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.16–1.12). Finally, the overall retention rate was 32.3%.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of the SBDS program was demonstrated in low socioeconomic areas. Selection of schoolchildren according to the presence of carious lesions ICDAS 3‐6 should be considered in a SBDS program.
Loss of genetic diversity as a consequence of selection in response to high pCO2
Authors: Lloyd Melanie M. , Makukhov April D. , Pespeni Melissa H.
Published: June 2016

Standing genetic variation may allow for rapid evolutionary response to the geologically unprecedented changes in global conditions. However, there is little known about the consequences of such rapid evolutionary change. Here, we measure genetic responses to experimental low and high pCO2 levels in purple sea urchin larvae, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. We found greater loss of nucleotide diversity in high pCO2 levels (18.61%; 900 μatm) compared to low pCO2 levels (10.12%; 400 μatm). In the wild, this loss could limit the evolutionary capacity of future generations. In contrast, we found minimal evidence that purple sea urchin larvae physiologically respond to high pCO2 through alternative splicing of transcripts (11 genes), despite a strong signal of alternative splicing between different developmental stages (1193 genes). However, in response to high pCO2, four of the 11 alternatively spliced transcripts encoded ribosomal proteins, suggesting the regulation of translation as a potential response mechanism. The results of this study indicate that while the purple urchin presently may have enough standing genetic variation in response to rapid environmental change, this reservoir of resilience is a finite resource and could quickly diminish.
Cancellation Latency: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Authors: Jain Pawan , Jordan Steven J.
Published: June 2016

This paper provides several statistics concerning cancellation latency that would be helpful to regulators as they consider policies to establish a minimal quote life. We find that cancellation latency is related to market quality and is not constant. Rather, it varies depending upon the time of day, order price and size, market congestion, trader type, firm size, order imbalance, and technology used for submitting an order.
Rapid detection of α‐thalassaemia variants using droplet digital PCR
Authors: Lee T.‐Y. , Lai M.‐I. , Ramachandran V. , Tan J. A. M. A. , Teh L.‐K. , Othman R. , Hussein N. H. , George E.
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Alpha thalassaemia is a highly prevalent disease globally and is a well‐known public health problem in Malaysia. The deletional forms of the mutation are the most common forms found in alpha thalassaemia. The three most common deletional alpha thalassaemia found in this region include ‐‐SEA deletion, ‐α3.7 rightward and ‐α4.2 leftward deletions. The prevalence rate of triplication alpha cases such as αααanti3.7 and αααanti4.2 is not known in Malaysia although it plays a role in exacerbating the clinical phenotypes in beta thalassaemia carriers. Recently, there have been more reported cases of rare alpha thalassaemia mutations due to the advancement of molecular techniques involved in thalassaemia detections. Therefore, it is essential to develop a new method which allows the detection of different alpha thalassaemia mutations including the rare ones simultaneously and accurately.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to design an assay for the detection of triplications, common and rare deletional alpha thalassaemia using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR).

Results

This is a quantitative detection method to measure the changes of copy number which can detect deletions, duplications and triplications of the alpha globin gene simultaneously.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ddPCR is an alternative method for rapid detection of alpha thalassaemia variants in Malaysia.
An Investigation into the use of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards with People with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Blamires Kate , Forrester‐Jones Rachel , Murphy Glynis
Published: June 2016

Background

This small, qualitative study sought to develop a richer understanding of the way in which the deprivation of liberty safeguards (DOLS) were being used for people with intellectual disabilities. It is important to note that this study was completed prior to the changes resulting from the P v Cheshire West and Chester Council judgement.

Method

Six DOLS cases were identified and two people involved in each case were interviewed (care home managers, key workers, social workers, specialist nurses or psychologists), using semi‐structured interviews. The data were analysed using grounded theory techniques.

Results

The interviewees described DOLS as providing a framework leading to positive outcomes for the people they supported, in some cases avoiding inpatient stays. However, they had a number of concerns including lack of knowledge and training, potential under use of DOLS and disappointment with case law.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings are encouraging in regard to the specific individuals for whom DOLS applications were made; however, they also highlight the need for a stronger agenda regarding wider dissemination of information, and training about DOLS, as well as some reform.
Testing associational resistance against pine weevils mediated by Lasius ants attending conifer seedlings
Authors: Maňák V. , Björklund N. , Lenoir L. , Nordlander G.
Published: June 2016

Natural enemies attracted to plants may provide those plants with protection against herbivores but may also protect neighbouring plants, that is through associational resistance. Ant attendance may be an important mechanism for the occurrence of such effects because ants can reduce the damage caused by a wide variety of herbivorous insects. Ants have been shown, in a previous field experiment, to decrease the damage caused by the pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a pest species that causes high seedling mortality in forest regeneration areas. In this study, we specifically tested whether seedlings planted close to ant‐attended seedlings experience associational resistance. We did this under laboratory conditions using the ant species Lasius niger (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The feeding damage by pine weevils was significantly reduced on seedlings attended by ants. The neighbouring seedlings, however, did not experience associational resistance. Nevertheless, some associational effects were observed as the number of weevils recorded on both ant‐attended and neighbouring seedlings was significantly lower compared with ant‐excluded seedlings.
Does the Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus produce sounds in a captive setting?
Authors: Bolgan M. , O'Brien J. , Rountree R. A. , Gammell M.
Published: June 2016

Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus did not appear to invest in acoustic communication during courtship and agonistic interactions in captivity. Salvelinus alpinus did, however, produce four different types of sounds which were found to be associated with three different types of air exchange behaviours which probably have a swimbladder regulation function. Since air passage sounds appear to be common among Salmonidae, it is suggested that the potential of passive acoustics techniques for behavioural and ecological monitoring should be further investigated in future field and laboratory investigations.
Randomized trial comparing oral sulfate solution with 4‐L polyethylene glycol administered in a split dose as preparation for colonoscopy
Authors: Yang Hyo‐Joon , Park Soo‐Kyung , Kim Jee Hyun , Im Jong Pil , Yeom Dong Han , Seo Geom Seog , Park Dong Il
Published: June 2016

Background and Aim

The present study aimed to evaluate the non‐inferiority of low‐volume oral sulfate solution (OSS) to 4‐L polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions administered in a split‐dose regimen as bowel preparation for colonoscopy. The safety and tolerability were also compared between the two regimens.

Methods

In this prospective, randomized, single‐blind, active‐control, parallel group, and non‐inferiority trial, consecutive outpatients and health checkup recipients aged 19–65 years undergoing elective colonoscopy were enrolled to receive OSS or 4‐L PEG in a split‐dose regimen. The quality of bowel preparation was evaluated using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. The occurrence of any adverse events, acceptance, compliance, and satisfaction during bowel preparation were evaluated by participant interviews.

Results

Overall, 210 participants were randomized, and 199 were administered by the study agents. Adequate bowel preparation was achieved in 98.0% (97/99) of the OSS group, which was non‐inferior to the PEG group (96%; 96/100) with a difference of +2.8% (95% confidence interval; −2.8, +6.8). There were no differences in the incidence of adverse events except for abdominal pain, which was more frequent in the OSS (7.1%, 7/99) than in the PEG (1.0%, 1/100; P = 0.035) group. Acceptance, compliance, and satisfaction were significantly higher in the OSS than in the PEG group (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Split‐dose OSS was non‐inferior to split‐dose 4‐L PEG with regard to bowel preparation efficacy before colonoscopy in adult outpatients or screening colonoscopy recipients aged ≤65 years with acceptable safety and superior tolerability.
Conceptualizing the Religious Dimensions of Armed Conflicts: A Response to “Shrouded: Islam, War, and Holy War in Southeast Asia”
Authors: Svensson Isak
Published: June 2016

Here I react to an article published in Volume 53 of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion by Ian Barter and Zatkin‐Osburn. My principal disagreement with Barter and Zatkin‐Osburn concerns their operational and methodological critiques of my work. However, the exchange also speaks to larger questions of how to conceptualize and measure religious dimensions of armed conflicts. It also highlights the importance of methodological pluralism in the study of religion and conflict.
tRNAPro‐mediated downregulation of elongation factor P is required for mgtCBR expression during Salmonella infection
Authors: Nam Daesil , Choi Eunna , Shin Dongwoo , Lee Eun‐Jin
Published: June 2016

Bacterial ribosome requires elongation factor P to translate fragments harbouring consecutive proline codons. Given the abundance of ORFs with potential EF‐P regulated sites, EF‐P was assumed to be constitutively expressed. Here, we report that the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium decreases efp mRNA levels during course of infection. We determined that the decrease in efp mRNA is triggered by low levels of charged tRNAPro, a condition that Salmonella experiences when inside a macrophage phagosome. Surprisingly, downregulation of EF‐P selectively promotes expression of the virulence mgtC gene and contributes to Salmonella's ability to survive inside macrophages. The decrease in EF‐P levels induces ribosome stalling at the consecutive proline codons of the mgtP open reading frame in the mgtCBR leader RNA, and thus allows formation of a stem‐loop structure promoting transcription of the mgtC gene. The substitution of proline codons in the mgtP gene eliminates EF‐P‐mediated mgtC expression and thus Salmonella's survival inside macrophages. Our findings indicate that Salmonella benefits virulence genes by decreasing EF‐P levels and inducing the stringent response inside host.
A general biodiversity–function relationship is mediated by trophic level
Authors: O'Connor Mary I. , Gonzalez Andrew , Byrnes Jarrett E. K. , Cardinale Bradley J. , Duffy J. Emmett , Gamfeldt Lars , Griffin John N. , Hooper David , Hungate Bruce A. , Paquette Alain , Thompson Patrick L. , Dee Laura E. , Dolan Kristin L.
Published: June 2016

Species diversity affects the functioning of ecosystems, including the efficiency by which communities capture limited resources, produce biomass, recycle and retain biologically essential nutrients. These ecological functions ultimately support the ecosystem services upon which humanity depends. Despite hundreds of experimental tests of the effect of biodiversity on ecosystem function (BEF), it remains unclear whether diversity effects are sufficiently general that we can use a single relationship to quantitatively predict how changes in species richness alter an ecosystem function across trophic levels, ecosystems and ecological conditions. Our objective here is to determine whether a general relationship exists between biodiversity and standing biomass. We used hierarchical mixed effects models, based on a power function between species richness and biomass production (Y = a × Sb), and a database of 374 published experiments to estimate the BEF relationship (the change in biomass with the addition of species), and its associated uncertainty, in the context of environmental factors. We found that the mean relationship (b = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.37) characterized the vast majority of observations, was robust to differences in experimental design, and was independent of the range of species richness levels considered. However, the richness–biomass relationship varied by trophic level and among ecosystems; in aquatic systems b was nearly twice as large for consumers (herbivores and detritivores) compared to primary producers; in terrestrial ecosystems, b for detritivores was negative but depended on few studies. We estimated changes in biomass expected for a range of changes in species richness, highlighting that species loss has greater implications than species gains, skewing a distribution of biomass change relative to observed species richness change. When biomass provides a good proxy for processes that underpin ecosystem services, this relationship could be used as a step in modeling the production of ecosystem services and their dependence on biodiversity.
Revisiting the 1991 algal bloom in shelf waters off Argentina: Azadinium luciferelloides sp. nov. (Amphidomataceae, Dinophyceae) as the causative species in a diverse community of other amphidomataceans
Authors: Tillmann Urban , Akselman Rut
Published: July 2016

Species of the marine dinophycean genera Azadinium and Amphidoma (Amphidomataceae) mostly attract attention because of their production potential of the lipophilic polyether phycotoxin azaspiracid (AZA). The genus Azadinium probably has a very wide geographical distribution. Blooms of Azadinium from the continental shelf off Argentina have been observed back in the early 1990, but were just recently published, and the causative species, identified at that time as Azadinium cf. spinosum, could not unequivocally be determined. Here we retrospectively analyzed old archived samples of one of the South Atlantic Azadinium bloom from 1991 with electron microscopy. It turned out that the dominant nanoplanktonic dinophycean species in fact represent a new species which we describe here based on the morphology. Azadinium luciferelloides sp. nov. is a small (approximately 9–14 μm cell length) thecate dinoflagellate with the dominant plate pattern of the genus (Po, X, 4′, 3a, 6″, 6C, 5S, 6″′, 2″″), and with a small antapical spine. Azadinium luciferelloides differed from all other described species of Azadinium by the position of the ventral pore, which was located on the right ventral side in a notch of an otherwise symmetric pore plate. In addition, we recorded and documented the presence of other similar sized species of the Amphidomataceae in the samples. Our finding of Az. spinosum, Az. dalianense, Az. dexteroporum, and Amphidoma languida are the first record for the South Atlantic and thus describe an important range extension of these species. The diversity and importance of the Amphidomataceae for South Atlantic spring bloom plankton is now known and taxonomically documented, but cultures and/or analysis of AZA in field samples of the area are needed to clarify the AZA production potential of the local species and populations in order to finally evaluate the risk potential of AZA for AZA shellfish contamination in the Southwestern Atlantic region.
Detailed analysis of error patterns in the number‐transcoding task on the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test
Authors: Moriyama Yasushi , Yoshino Aihide , Muramatsu Taro , Mimura Masaru
Published: June 2016

Aim

The number‐transcoding task on the Japanese version of the Rapid Dementia Screening Test requires mutual conversion between Arabic and Chinese numerals (e.g. 209 → 二百九, 4054 → 四千五十四, 六百八十一 → 681, 二千二十七 → 2027). During this task, some characteristic errors have been seen among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of this study was to clarify whether the frequency of appearance of error patterns differs between patients with mild and severe AD according to Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores.

Methods

A total of 250 patients with AD were recruited and subsequently categorized into two groups based on CDR scores (mild AD: CDR of 0.5 or 1; severe AD: CDR of 2 or 3). We analyzed 19 qualitative error patterns, including 15 that had been reported to date and 4 previously unreported errors, in each subtest.

Results

The frequency of appearance of two previously reported and four previously unreported errors in the mild and severe AD groups, respectively, were statistically significant.

Conclusions

Characteristic error pattern distributions in number transcoding can be observed in patients with mild and severe AD according to CDR scores and offers useful information for interpreting cognitive screening data.
Round‐Robin Tournaments with a Dominant Player
Authors: Krumer Alex , Megidish Reut , Sela Aner
Published: June 2016

We analyze the subgame perfect equilibrium of the round‐robin tournament with one strong (dominant) and two weak players, and we compare this tournament and the one‐stage contest with respect to the players' expected payoffs, expected total effort, and their probabilities of winning. We find that if the contest designer's goal is to maximize the players' expected total effort, then – if the asymmetry between the players is relatively low – the one‐stage contest should be used. However, if the asymmetry is relatively high, then the round‐robin tournament should be used.
A novel HLA‐DRB1*04 allele, DRB1*04:01:17, was identified by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Chi X.‐Y. , Han B. , Hu B. , Jiao S.‐X.
Published: June 2016

A novel allele DRB1*04:01:17 was identified in a Chinese individual by sequence‐based typing method.
Evaluation of syndromic management guidelines for treatment of sexually transmitted infections in South African women
Authors: van der Eem Lisette , Dubbink Jan Henk , Struthers Helen E. , McIntyre James A. , Ouburg Sander , Morré Servaas A. , Kock Marleen M. , Peters Remco P.H.
Published: June 2016

Objective

To evaluate the performance of three different guidelines for the management of vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS) for women living in a rural setting in South Africa.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a cross‐sectional study in Mopani District, South Africa. The 2015 and 2008 guidelines of the South African Department of Health (DoH) and the most recent WHO guidelines were evaluated for adequate treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis infection.

Results

Of the 489 women included in this analysis, 35% presented with VDS according to the DoH and 30% per WHO definition of VDS. Fifty‐six per cent of the women with VDS would be treated adequately for these STI when using the 2015 DoH guideline, whereas 76% (P = 0.01) and 64% (P = 0.35) would receive adequate treatment with the 2008 DoH and WHO guidelines, respectively. Of the symptomatic women who tested negative for all four STI, STI treatment would have been indicated for 36% as per 2015 DoH guideline vs. 69% (P < 0.001) per 2008 DoH and 67% (P < 0.001) per WHO guidelines.

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of symptomatic women infected with these common curable STI would receive adequate treatment when using a syndromic management approach, and significant differences exist between the three guidelines. Many symptomatic women without these STI receive broad‐spectrum antibiotics, so new approaches are needed to improve syndromic STI control.
The Physical Behavior of Seine Ropes for Evaluating Demersal Seine Fishing1
Authors: Madsen Nina A. H. , Aarsæther Karl Gunnar , Herrmann Bent , Hansen Kurt , Jensen Jørgen H.
Published: June 2016

Demersal seining is an active bottom fishing method, which applies seine ropes and a seine net. The seine ropes and net are laid out on the fishing ground with the seine ropes encircling an aggregation of fish on the seabed. The area on the seabed encircled by the seine ropes is typical much larger than the swept area that will be covered by the seine net during the fishing process. Therefore, the catching performance of a demersal seine depends on the efficiency by which the seine ropes are able to herd the fish into and maintain them in the path of the net until they are overtaken by it in the late stages of the fishing process. This article describes flume tank experiments to validate a numerical model. This model simulates the physical behavior of seine ropes during the fishing process. The experiments are conducted for varying physical properties of the ropes and for different layout patterns. The seine ropes are hauled back at different speeds. A motion tracking system, based on stereo vision, is applied to record the gradual change in the area encircled by the ropes. The experimental results from the flume tank are compared with data obtained using the simulation model. Finally, the validated simulation model is applied for predictions.
Geochemistry and diagenetic history of the Ordovician Lower Head Formation sandstones, western Newfoundland, Canada
Authors: Blamey Nigel J.F. , Azmy Karem , Conliffe James
Published: June 2016

The Lower Head Formation in the Parson’s Pond area (western Newfoundland, Canada) comprises siltstones with very fine grained to fine-grained sandstones. Petrography confirms that these sandstones are matrix rich, essentially wackes, with detrital minerals including quartz, feldspar, biotite, and numerous accessory minerals. Observed petrographic features suggest that the Lower Head sediments are the distal product of erosion, with sediment sourced from the Dashwoods microcontinent and Lushs Bight oceanic tract and thoroughly mixed in an earlier basin prior to final deposition in a trench slope basin. The Lower Head Formation sandstones have low porosity, with early diagenetic cements (C1) and later calcite in crosscutting calcite veinlets (C2). Petrographic, isotopic, and fluid inclusion analyses indicate that C1 cements formed during the early stages of diagenesis. Both δ13C and δ18O isotopes for the C1 calcite cements are isotopically heavier than the C2 calcite veins. Fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures for the later crosscutting C2 calcite generally range between 78 and 116 °C, with a mean of 100.7 °C (±9.75 °C) and fluid salinities of 5.41–15.98 equiv. wt.% NaCl. Fluid inclusion gas analysis from C2 calcite confirms that CO2/CH4 generally has an inverse correlation with N2/Ar. Petroleum-bearing fluid inclusions were also recorded in C2 calcite cements, indicating that these fractures were conduits for hydrocarbon migration prior and (or) during cementation. However, the early cementation and associated low porosity of the Lower Head Formation sandstones indicate that they offer restricted pathways to migrating fluids and volatiles, and any hydrocarbon migration must have been fracture controlled.
Fretting and Corrosion in Modular Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrieval Analysis
Authors: Eckert Johannes A. , Mueller Ulrike , Jaeger Sebastian , Panzram Benjamin , Kretzer J. Philippe
Published: June 2016

Tribocorrosion in taper junctions of retrieved anatomic shoulder arthroplasty implants was evaluated. A comparison of the tribocorrosion between cobalt-chromium and titanium alloy stems was conducted and the observations were correlated with the individual’s clinical data. Adverse effects caused by metal debris and subsequent elevated serum metal ion levels are frequently reported in total hip arthroplasty. In total shoulder arthroplasty, to date only a small number of retrieval analyses are available and even fewer address the issue of tribocorrosion at the taper junctions. A total of 36 retrieved hemiarthroplasties and total shoulder arthroplasties were assessed using the modified Goldberg score. The prevalence of fretting and corrosion was confirmed in this cohort. Titanium stems seem to be more susceptible to damage caused by tribocorrosion than cobalt-chromium stems. Furthermore, stemless designs offered less tribocorrosion at the taper junction than stemmed designs. A weak correlation between time to revision and increased levels of tribocorrosion was seen. Whether or not tribocorrosion can lead to adverse clinical reactions and causes failure of shoulder arthroplasties remains to be examined.
Selective Requirement for Maintenance of Synaptic Contacts onto Motoneurons by Target-Derived trkB Receptors
Authors: Zhu Xiya , Ward Patricia J. , English Arthur W.
Published: June 2016

Synaptic contacts onto motoneurons were studied in mice in which the gene for the trkB neurotrophin receptor was knocked out selectively in a subset of spinal motoneurons. The extent of contacts by structures immunoreactive for either of two different vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1 and VGLUT2), the vesicular GABA transporter, or glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) with the somata of motoneurons, was studied in wild type and trkB knockout cells in tamoxifen treated male and female SLICK-trkB−/−mice. Selective knockout of the trkB gene resulted in a marked reduction in contacts made by VGLUT2- and GAD67-immunoreactive structures in both sexes and a significant reduction in contacts containing only glycine in male mice. No reduction was found for glycinergic contacts in female mice or for VGLUT1 immunoreactive contacts in either sex. Signaling through postsynaptic trkB receptors is considered to be an essential part of a cellular mechanism for maintaining the contacts of some, but not all, synaptic contacts onto motoneurons.
Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Selected Wild Berries (Rubus moluccanus L., R. fraxinifolius Poir., and R. alpestris Blume)
Authors: Abu Bakar Mohd Fadzelly , Ismail Nur Amalina , Isha Azizul , Mei Ling Angelina Lee
Published: June 2016

Berries, from the genus Rubus, are among the vital components in a healthy diet. In this study, 80% methanol extracts from the three wild Rubus species (Rubus moluccanus L., Rubus fraxinifolius Poir., and Rubus alpestris Blume) were evaluated for their phytochemical contents (total phenolics, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid content), antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays), antiacetylcholinesterase, and antibacterial activities. GC‐MS was used for quantification of naturally occurring phytochemicals. The results showed that R. alpestris contained the highest total phenolic [24.25 ± 0.1 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g] and carotenoid content [21.86 ± 0.63 mg β‐carotene equivalents (BC)/g], as well as the highest DPPH scavenging and FRAP activities. The highest total flavonoid [18.17 ± 0.20 mg catechin equivalents (CE)/g] and anthocyanin content [36.96 ± 0.39 mg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside equivalents (c‐3‐gE)/g] have been shown by R. moluccanus. For antibacterial assays, R. moluccanus and R. alpestris extracts showed mild inhibition towards Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enteritidis. Anticholinesterase activity for all extracts was in the range of 23–26%. The GC‐MS analysis revealed the presence of at least 12, 21, and 7 different organic compounds in 80% methanol extracts of R. alpestris, R. moluccanus, and R. fraxinifolius, respectively, which might contribute to the bioactivity.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Its Association with Quality of Life among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Erku Daniel Asfaw
Published: June 2016

Background. Today, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is being routinely practiced by cancer patients worldwide. This study aimed at examining the prevalence of CAM use in patients with cancer and comparing the quality of life (QoL) in CAM users and nonusers. Methods. A cross‐sectional study was employed on 195 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Gondar University Referral Hospital (GURH) chemotherapy center. Interviewer‐administered questionnaires were used and the collected data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0 for Windows. Results. 154 (79%) patients were found to be users of CAM. Educational status, average monthly income, disease stage, and comorbidity were strong predictors of use of CAM. The most commonly utilized types of CAM were traditional herbal based medicine (72.1%) and only 20.8% of patients discuss with their doctors CAM use. No significant difference was found in QoL between CAM users and nonusers except in financial difficulties (p = 0.020). Conclusions. This study revealed a high rate of CAM use with very low disclosure rate to their health care providers. Health care providers should be open to discuss the use of CAM with their patients as it will lead to better health outcome.
Removal of Reactive Orange 16 Dye from Aqueous Solution by Using Modified Kenaf Core Fiber
Authors: Obaid Maytham Kadhim , Abdullah Luqman Chuah , Idan Intidhar Jabir
Published: June 2016

Evaluated removal of reactive orange 16 (RO16) dye from aqueous solution was studied in batch mode by using kenaf core fiber as low-cost adsorbents. In this attempt, kenaf core fiber with size 0.25–1 mm was treated by using (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (CHMAC) as quaternization agent. Then effective parameters include adsorbent dose, pH, and contact time and initial dye concentration on adsorption by modified kenaf core fiber was investigated. In addition, isotherms and kinetics adsorption studies were estimated for determination of the equilibrium adsorption capacity and reactions dynamics, respectively. Results showed that the best dose of MKCF was 0.1 g/100 mL, the maximum removal of RO16 was 97.25 at 30°C, pH = 6.5, and agitation speed was 150 rpm. The results also showed that the equilibrium data were represented by Freundlich isotherm with correlation coefficientsR2=0.9924, and the kinetic study followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with correlation coefficientsR2=0.9997forCo=100 mg/L. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity was 416.86 mg/g. Adsorption through kenaf was found to be very effective for the removal of the RO16 dye.