bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific Preferences in Lineage Choice and Phenotypic Plasticity of Glioma Stem Cells Under BMP4 and Noggin Influence
Authors: Videla Richardson Guillermo Agustín , Garcia Carolina Paola , Roisman Alejandro , Slavutsky Irma , Fernandez Espinosa Damián Darío , Romorini Leonardo , Miriuka Santiago Gabriel , Arakaki Naomi , Martinetto Horacio , Scassa María Elida , Sevlever Gustavo Emilio
Published: March 2015

Although BMP4‐induced differentiation of glioma stem cells (GSCs) is well recognized, details of the cellular responses triggered by this morphogen are still poorly defined. In this study, we established several GSC‐enriched cell lines (GSC‐ECLs) from high‐grade gliomas. The expansion of these cells as adherent monolayers, and not as floating neurospheres, enabled a thorough study of the phenotypic changes that occurred during their differentiation. Herein, we evaluated GSC‐ECLs’ behavior toward differentiating conditions by depriving them of growth factors and/or by adding BMP4 at different concentrations. After analyzing cellular morphology, proliferation and lineage marker expression, we determined that GSC‐ECLs have distinct preferences in lineage choice, where some of them showed an astrocyte fate commitment and others a neuronal one. We found that this election seems to be dictated by the expression pattern of BMP signaling components present in each GSC‐ECL. Additionally, treatment of GSC‐ECLs with the BMP antagonist, Noggin, also led to evident phenotypic changes. Interestingly, under certain conditions, some GSC‐ECLs adopted an unexpected smooth muscle‐like phenotype. As a whole, our findings illustrate the wide differentiation potential of GSCs, highlighting their molecular complexity and paving a way to facilitate personalized differentiating therapies.
Growth hormone deficiency after childhood bone marrow transplantation with total body irradiation: interaction with adiposity and age
Authors: Davis N.L. , Stewart C.E. , Moss A.D. , Woltersdorf W.W.W. , Hunt L.P. , Elson R.A. , Cornish J.M. , Stevens M.C.G. , Crowne E.C.
Published: March 2015

Objective

Bone marrow transplantation with total body irradiation (BMT/TBI) has adverse effects on growth, growth hormone status and adiposity. We investigated the GH–IGF‐I axis in relation to adiposity.

Design

Cross‐sectional case control study.

Patients

BMT/TBI survivors (n = 22) and short stature control participants (n = 19), all GH‐naïve or off GH treatment >3 months.

Measurements

Auxology, DEXA scans and GH–IGF‐I axis investigation: (i) 12‐h overnight GH profiles; (ii) insulin tolerance test (ITT); and (iii) IGF‐I generation test. Analysis: auto‐deconvolution of GH profile data and comparison of quantitative parameters using anova.

Results

Eighty‐two percent of BMT/TBI survivors had growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using ITT. GH profile area‐under‐the‐curve (GH‐AUC) was reduced in BMT/TBI survivors vs short stature control participants [geometric mean (range) 209 (21–825) vs 428 (64–1400) mcg/l/12 h, respectively, P = 0·007]. GHD was more marked in those who had additional cranial irradiation (CRT) [ITT peak 1·4 (0·2–3·0) vs TBI only 4·1 (1·1–14·8) mcg/l, P = 0·036]. GHD was more marked at the end of growth in BMT/TBI survivors vs short stature control participants (GH‐AUC 551 (64–2474) vs 1369 (192–4197) mcg/l/12 h, respectively, P = 0·011) and more prevalent (9/11 vs 1/9, respectively, P = 0·005). GH profile data were consistent with ITT results in 80% of participants. IGF‐I generation tests were normal. BMT/TBI survivors still demonstrated lower GH levels after adjustment for adiposity (fat‐adjusted mean difference for GH‐AUC 90·9 mcg/l/12 h, P = 0·025).

Conclusions

GHD was more prevalent in BMT/TBI survivors than expected for the CRT dose in TBI, worsened with time and persisted into adulthood. GHD could not be explained by adiposity. There was no evidence of GH neurosecretory dysfunction or resistance after BMT/TBI.
Somatostatin and dopamine receptor expression in neuroendocrine neoplasms: correlation of immunohistochemical findings with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy visual scores
Authors: Diakatou Evanthia , Alexandraki Krystallenia I. , Tsolakis Apostolos V. , Kontogeorgos George , Chatzellis Eleftherios , Leonti Anastasia , Kaltsas Gregory A.
Published: March 2015

Context

The expression of somatostatin (sstr1‐5) and dopamine (DR) receptors in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) facilitates diagnosis by tumour visualization with somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and directs towards specific treatment with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with radiolabelled somatostatin analogues.

Objective

To investigate the co‐expression of sstrs, D2R in relation to pre‐operative SRSs in NENs.

Design

Prospective two‐centre study.

Patients and measurements

We analysed pre‐operative SRS of 60 patients [44 with gastrointestinal (GI) NENs and 16 with lung NENs] and compared SRS results with immunohistochemical (IHC) reactivity for sstr2, sstr3, sstr5 in sample tissues from primary (n = 54) and metastatic (n = 27) lesions and IHC reactivity for D2R in 23 samples from primary GI‐NENs lesions.

Results

Sstr2 was the commonest sstr expressed (65·4%) and was co‐expressed with sstr3 and sstr5 in 32·1% and 24·7% of the specimens, respectively. In 67 of 81 specimens (82·7%), there was concordance of sstr2 immunohistochemistry with SRS findings (P < 0·001). D2R was expressed in only 8 of 23 (34·8%) GI‐NENs while was co‐expressed with sstr2 in all cases. SRS grade, as per Krenning scale, was higher in metastatic foci, large‐size (>2 cm) tumours and GI‐NENs, whereas sstr2 intensity was greater in GI compared to lung NENs. SRS grade showed higher correlation with sstr2 (r = 0·6, P < 0·001) and D2R (r = 0·5, P < 0·001) IHC intensity scores than tumour size (r = 0·4, P < 0·001) and sstr3 (r = 0·4, P < 0·001) intensity score.

Conclusions

Sstr2 IHC expression and SRS are useful tools for the diagnosis and management of NENs because they display a high concordance. IHC expression of DR2 seems to be of potential clinical significance in GI‐NENs tumours.
Shifting elasmobranch community assemblage at Cocos Island—an isolated marine protected area
Authors: White Easton R. , Myers Mark C. , Flemming Joanna Mills , Baum Julia K.
Published: March 2015

Fishing pressure has increased the extinction risk of many elasmobranch (shark and ray) species. Although many countries have established no‐take marine reserves, a paucity of monitoring data means it is still unclear if reserves are effectively protecting these species. We examined data collected by a small group of divers over the past 21 years at one of the world's oldest marine protected areas (MPAs), Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica. We used mixed effects models to determine trends in relative abundance, or probability of occurrence, of 12 monitored elasmobranch species while accounting for variation among observers and from abiotic factors. Eight of 12 species declined significantly over the past 2 decades. We documented decreases in relative abundance for 6 species, including the iconic scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) (−45%), whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) (−77%), mobula ray (Mobula spp.) (−78%), and manta ray (Manta birostris) (−89%), and decreases in the probability of occurrence for 2 other species. Several of these species have small home ranges and should be better protected by an MPA, which underscores the notion that declines of marine megafauna will continue unabated in MPAs unless there is adequate enforcement effort to control fishing. In addition, probability of occurrence at Cocos Island of tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier), Galapagos (Carcharhinus galapagensis), blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus), and whale (Rhincodon typus) sharks increased significantly. The effectiveness of MPAs cannot be evaluated by examining single species because population responses can vary depending on life history traits and vulnerability to fishing pressure.
A Single Counterexample Leads to Moral Belief Revision
Authors: Horne Zachary , Powell Derek , Hummel John
Published: March 2015

What kind of evidence will lead people to revise their moral beliefs? Moral beliefs are often strongly held convictions, and existing research has shown that morality is rooted in emotion and socialization rather than deliberative reasoning. In addition, more general issues—such as confirmation bias—further impede coherent belief revision. Here, we explored a unique means for inducing belief revision. In two experiments, participants considered a moral dilemma in which an overwhelming majority of people judged that it was inappropriate to take action to maximize utility. Their judgments contradicted a utilitarian principle they otherwise strongly endorsed. Exposure to this scenario led participants to revise their belief in the utilitarian principle, and this revision persisted over several hours. This method provides a new avenue for inducing belief revision.
New Recommender Framework: Combining Semantic Similarity Fusion and Bicluster Collaborative Filtering
Authors: Gohari Faezeh S. , Tarokh Mohammad Jafar
Published: March 2015

Collaborative filtering (CF) systems help address information overload, by using the preferences of users in a community to make personal recommendations for other users. The widespread use of these systems has exposed some well‐known limitations, such as sparsity, scalability, and cold‐start, which can lead to poor recommendations. During the last years, a great number of works have focused on the improvement of CF, but they do not solve all its problems efficiently. In this article, we present a new approach that applies semantic similarity fusion as well as biclustering to alleviate the aforementioned problems. The experimental results verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach over the benchmark CF methods.
Microenvironment‐dependent respiration of T‐47D cells cultured in alginate biostructures
Authors: Larsen Benjamin Endré , Pettersen Erik Olai , Tønnesen Hanne Hjorth , Melvik Jan Egil
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The main objective of this paper was to investigate whether the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of cells entrapped in alginate hydrogels depends on presence of soluble factors present in foetal bovine serum (FBS).

Materials and methods

Pericellular oxygen concentrations were measured using a photochemical oxygen sensor inserted into bioconstructs made from different formulations of alginate, containing T‐47D cells. Cell count was corrected for viability as determined by cell uptake and exclusion of standard live/dead fluorophores, in sections of freshly prepared biostructures. Based on concentration data, OCR of the embedded cells was calculated according to a simple algorithm.

Results

OCR was found to vary significantly between the different formulations investigated. Inclusion of high concentrations of FBS in the biostructure matrices elicited significantly higher OCRs, in guluronate‐rich gels similar to those previously found in monolayer culture. Guluronate‐rich gels also generally permitted highest OCR. Respiration also had a falling tendency with increasing alginate concentration and elastic modulus.

Conclusions

Presence of FBS in biostructure matrices elicited higher OCR in T‐47D cells. Formulation of biostructures must consider differential diffusion of macromolecular substances.
Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma comparing the Milan, UCSF, and Asan criteria: long‐term follow‐up of a Western single institutional experience
Authors: Bonadio Italo , Colle Isabelle , Geerts Anja , Smeets Peter , Berardi Giammauro , Praet Marleen , Rogiers Xavier , de Hemptinne Bernard , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Troisi Roberto I.
Published: March 2015

Background

In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the outcome after liver transplantation (LT) is excellent if tumor characteristics are within the Milan criteria (MC). Expanded Asan criteria (AC) have not yet been validated in Western countries.

Methods

A total of 76 patients with HCC underwent LT. Patients were divided and compared according to Milan, UCSF, and Asan criteria. Differences between pre‐ and post‐operative assessment were evaluated. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were compared between groups. Predictors of recurrence were investigated.

Results

Asan criteria provided 26% and 15% more criteria‐fitting patients than MC and UCSF pre‐operatively while 49% and 35% at pathological evaluation. Discrepancy between pre‐ and post‐operative evaluation was 32% for MC, 33% for UCSF, and 18% for AC (p = 0.06). After a median follow‐up of 70.5 months, patients exceeding MC but fulfilling Asan had comparable 5‐yr OS and DFS to patients fulfilling MC (p = 0.17; p = 0.29). Patients exceeding UCSF but fulfilling AC had comparable 5‐yr OS and DFS to patients fulfilling UCSF (p = 0.26; p = 0.32). Number of nodules, macro‐vascular invasion, capsular invasion, and exceeding AC predicted recurrence at multivariate analysis (p = 0.01, 0.03, 0.01, 0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

The extension to AC allows increasing the number of patients eligible for LT without affecting OS and DFS.
Fatigue is a major issue for children and adolescents with physical disabilities
Authors: Maher Carol , Crettenden Angela , Evans Kerry , Thiessen Myra , Toohey Monica , Watson Amanda , Dollman James
Published: March 2015

Aim

This study aimed to investigate fatigue, and its correlates, in children and adolescents with physical disabilities.

Method

Sixty‐five young people aged 8 to 17 years (35 males, 30 females; mean age 13y 2mo, SD 2y 8mo) with mild to moderate physical disabilities (Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire levels 7–10) were recruited. Self‐reported fatigue was measured using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Physical activity was measured using 7‐day hip‐worn accelerometer. Associations between fatigue, physical activity, and socio‐demographic characteristics were examined using analysis of covariance, with significance (α) set at 0.05. Results were compared with normative data from other paediatric populations.

Results

Among children with physical disabilities, fatigue was associated with being physically inactive (F‐statistic=4.42, p=0.040), female (F=4.37, p=0.042), and of low socio‐economic status (F=3.94, p=0.050). Fatigue was not associated with age, weight status, or functional impairment. Young people with physical disabilities experienced high levels of fatigue compared with other paediatric health populations, and comparable to the paediatric cancer population.

Interpretation

Fatigue is an important issue for young people with physical disabilities. Clinicians and researchers working with this group should be mindful that fatigue is likely to impact on an individual's ability to undertake new treatment regimens or interventions. Interventions aimed at reducing fatigue are warranted. Increasing physical activity might play a role in reducing fatigue.
Botulinum toxin A injections and occupational therapy in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lidman Git , Nachemson Ann , Peny‐Dahlstrand Marie , Himmelmann Kate
Published: March 2015

Aim

To investigate the effects of repeated botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) injections combined with occupational therapy, including a splint, compared with occupational therapy alone on hand function in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP), in all International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) domains.

Method

This was a randomized controlled study, population‐based and evaluator‐blinded for primary outcome (October 2004 to September 2010). Twenty children (14 males; median age 3y 1mo) with USCP, recruited at a rehabilitation centre in Sweden, were assigned to one of two parallel groups using concealed allocation. In the course of one year, 10 children received occupational therapy, while 10 received repeated BoNT‐A plus occupational therapy (BoNT‐A/OT). Primary outcome (Assisting Hand Assessment [AHA]), and secondary outcome measures (range of movement [ROM], and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure), were measured at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Results

AHA revealed a superior effect in the BoNT‐A/OT group at 12 months: 6 out of 10 improved compared with 1 out of 10 in the occupational therapy group (p<0.03). A 95% Peskun exact confidence interval for the difference in proportions is given as 0.01 to 0.81. Secondary outcomes improved in both groups.

Interpretation

Repeated BoNT‐A/OT appeared superior to occupational therapy alone for bimanual performance in young children with USCP. Active ROM and goal performance improved in both groups.
Movement towards enhancing self‐management and exercise prescription through use of the OMNI Walk/Run Rating of Perceived Exertion scale
Authors: Brunton Laura K
Published: March 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Fragala‐Pinkham et al. on
pages 748–753 of this issue.
Pathogenicity of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and Hymenoscyphus albidus towards Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica
Authors: Gross A. , Holdenrieder O.
Published: March 2015

The ash dieback pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus proved to be pathogenic in a stem wound inoculation experiment on Fraxinus mandshurica var. japonica. In contrast, Hymenoscyphus albidus was proven non‐pathogenic for this host species.
Yankee Doodle went toLondon:Anglo‐American breweries and theLondon securities market, 1888–92
Authors: O'Sullivan Mary A.
Published: March 2015

The enthusiasm ofBritish portfolio investors forUSindustry in the late 1880s has been seen as evidence of the liberalism of theLondonStockExchange and the conservatism of theNewYorkStockExchange.Based on a study ofAnglo‐American brewing issues on theLondon market between 1888 and 1892, in this article it is argued that such an interpretation cannot be sustained.For these issues, securing access to theLondon market proved more demanding than accounts of its liberalism would lead us to expect: in fact,Anglo‐American brewing companies submitted to strictures fromLondon that were more constraining than those of theNewYork market.Promoters acceptedLondon's constraints to take advantage of the high valuations assigned toAnglo‐American brewing securities there, which reflected the city's success in building demand based on financial machinery that did not exist inNewYork.That machinery included underwriting syndicates, accounting standards, and theLondonStockExchange's listing rules, although, from this perspective, it was the rigour of the exchange's rules that was important.Still, vetting securities for quotation was not the same as for investment, as the disappointing performance of theAnglo‐American brewing securities soon revealed.
American colonial incomes, 1650–1774
Authors: Lindert Peter H. , Williamson Jeffrey G.
Published: March 2015

New data now allow conjectures on the levels of real and nominal incomes in the 13American colonies.NewEngland was the poorest region, and theSouth was the richest. Colonial per capita incomes rose only very slowly if at all, for five reasons: productivity growth was slow; population in the low‐income (but subsistence‐plus) frontier grew much faster than that in the high‐income coastal settlements; child dependency rates were high and probably even rising; the terms of trade were extremely volatile, presumably suppressing investment in export sectors; and the terms of trade rose very slowly, if at all, in theNorth, although faster in theSouth. All of this checked the growth of colony‐wide per capita income after a seventeenth‐century boom. TheAmerican colonies ledGreatBritain in purchasing power per capita from 1700, and possibly from 1650, until 1774, even counting slaves in the population. That is, average purchasing power inAmerica ledBritain early, whenAmericans wereBritish. The common view thatAmerican per capita income did not overtake that ofBritain until the start of the twentieth century appears to be off the mark by two centuries or more.
Inpatient treatment has no impact on the core thoughts and perceptions in adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Fennig Silvana , Brunstein Klomek Anat , Shahar Ben , Sarel‐Michnik Zohar , Hadas Arie
Published: March 2015

Aim

Examine changes in core perceptions and thoughts during the weight restoration phase of inpatient treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

Method

Forty‐four adolescents with anorexia nervosa consecutively admitted (2009–2012) to an inpatient paediatric‐psychiatric unit specializing in eating disorders. The programme consisted of a complete inpatient intervention combining weight restoration by structured supervised meals with individual and group cognitive‐behavioural therapy, parental training/family intervention and educational activities, followed by a half‐way day‐treatment weight‐stabilizing phase and progressive reintroduction to the community. The study focused on changes from hospital admission to discharge in patients' responses to self‐report questionnaires on eating disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

Results

No significant changes in core anorexic thoughts and perceptions as Body dissatisfaction, Drive for thinness, Weight concern and Shape concern were noted. However, a reduction in the general severity of eating disorder symptoms (including Restraint and Eating concern) was observed, mainly related to the treatment structure. Levels of depression significantly decreased but remained within pathological range. We also found a concerning increase in suicidal ideation not correlated with a concomitant increase in depressive symptomatology.

Conclusions

Inpatient treatment of anorexia nervosa in adolescents does not significantly modify core anorexic thoughts and perceptions. This may explain the high relapse rates. Changes in core beliefs may be crucial for recovery and prevention of relapse in anorexia nervosa at this critical age. This study may have clinical implications for the development of better treatment strategies to target the gap between disturbed thoughts and distorted perceptions – the core aspects of anorexia nervosa and physical recovery during and after the weight restoration phase.
Clinical high risk for psychosis: gender differences in symptoms and social functioning
Authors: Rietschel Liz , Lambert Martin , Karow Anne , Zink Mathias , Müller Hendrik , Heinz Andreas , de Millas Walter , Janssen Birgit , Gaebel Wolfgang , Schneider Frank , Naber Dieter , Juckel Georg , Krüger‐Özgürdal Seza , Wobrock Thomas , Wagner Michael , Maier Wolfgang , Klosterkötter Joachim , Bechdolf Andreas ,   PREVENT study group
Published: March 2015

Aim

Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disorder that presents differently in men and women: men show a higher propensity to negative symptoms, lower social functioning, earlier age at onset and co‐morbid substance abuse, whereas women display more affective symptoms. It is unknown whether these differences extend to subjects at high risk (HR) of psychosis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to address this question.

Methods

Clinical symptoms and functioning were assessed using structured interviews in 239 HR subjects (female, n = 80). The definition of being at HR was based on the criteria used in the European Prediction of Psychosis Study (EPOS).

Results

Men displayed more pronounced negative symptoms, higher rates of past substance abuse disorders and higher deficits in social functioning. No gender difference was found for depression, which affected almost 50% of the cohort, or age at onset for the fulfilment of HR criteria.

Conclusion

The higher impairment in specific symptoms observed in male schizophrenia patients was also present in subjects at HR for psychosis. Further studies are required to determine whether these symptoms are gender‐specific predictors of transition to psychosis and whether they warrant gender‐specific interventions. The high propensity to depression in the present cohort, which was particularly pronounced in the male cohort compared with the general population, in conjunction with the observed increase in negative symptoms and functional impairment, should alert clinicians to the necessity for the identification and treatment of HR subjects, irrespective of the degree to which these features are associated with transition risk.
Seeing a Ghost? Vigilance and Its Drivers in a Predator‐free World
Authors: Le Saout Soizic , Martin Jean‐Louis , Blanchard Pierrick , Cebe Nicolas , Mark Hewison A.J. , Rames Jean‐Luc , Chamaillé‐Jammes Simon
Published: March 2015

Vigilance is a key to the early detection of predators, but may be costly if it impairs foraging efficiency. Hence, we would expect vigilance to be suppressed and/or counter‐selected in predator‐free environments, although this might depend on the environmental drivers influencing perceived predation risk. We studied vigilance in two populations of Sitka black‐tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) on Haida Gwaii (Canada) which have not been exposed to predators since they colonized the study islands approx. 60 yr ago. In this context, anti‐predator behavior should not have any obvious current benefit. Moreover, its maintenance should be particularly costly in our study populations because these deer have depleted their food resources and, thus, anti‐predator behaviors should interfere with time spent searching for scarce resources. We used bait stations equipped with camera traps to assess vigilance under standardized feeding conditions. We expected to observe lower vigilance levels than those observed elsewhere in locations with predators. We investigated how vigilance varied in relation to the amount of bait, the level of visibility, and between day and night. During the day, deer spent, on average, 14% of their time in overt vigilance during foraging bouts, a level similar to, although in the lower range of, values reported at sites where predators are present. Levels of vigilance were lower at night, and decreased with increasing visibility, but not during the day. Deer were less vigilant when bait availability was high, but only when visibility was also high. We discuss why the maintenance of vigilance is here best explained by the ghosts of predators past, and how, at the temporal scale of a few generations, the ecological factors driving vigilance levels might override the absence of significant risk from large predators.
Authoritarian Liberalism in the European Constitutional Imagination: Second Time as Farce?
Authors: Wilkinson Michael A.
Published: March 2015

The current crisis in Europe recalls the theory and practice of authoritarian liberalism, the idea that in order to protect economic liberalism and respect for fiscal discipline, representative democracy must be curtailed. This configuration was first identified by Hermann Heller in late Weimar as a response to the imperative to maintain the ideological separation of state and economy and presented by Karl Polanyi as conditioned by broader geo‐political pressure to maintain the gold standard in the inter‐war period. Authoritarian liberalism is now conditioned by conflicting imperatives to maintain the project of the single currency, respect ordo‐liberal concerns of moral hazard, and protect ‘militant democracy’ but only in one country. Does this reflect a broader geo‐political disequilibrium, due to tensions between market integration, constitutionalism and democracy?
Ongoing ecological speciation in Cotesia sesamiae, a biological control agent of cereal stem borers
Authors: Kaiser Laure , Le Ru Bruno Pierre , Kaoula Ferial , Paillusson Corentin , Capdevielle‐Dulac Claire , Obonyo Julius Ochieng , Herniou Elisabeth A. , Jancek Severine , Branca Antoine , Calatayud Paul‐André , Silvain Jean‐François , Dupas Stephane
Published: March 2015

To develop efficient and safe biological control, we need to reliably identify natural enemy species, determine their host range, and understand the mechanisms that drive host range evolution. We investigated these points in Cotesia sesamiae, an African parasitic wasp of cereal stem borers. Phylogenetic analyses of 74 individual wasps, based on six mitochondrial and nuclear genes, revealed three lineages. We then investigated the ecological status (host plant and host insect ranges in the field, and host insect suitability tests) and the biological status (cross‐mating tests) of the three lineages. We found that one highly supported lineage showed all the hallmarks of a cryptic species. It is associated with one host insect, Sesamia nonagrioides, and is reproductively isolated from the other two lineages by pre‐ and postmating barriers. The other two lineages had a more variable phylogenetic support, depending on the set of genes; they exhibited an overlapping and diversified range of host species and are not reproductively isolated from one another. We discuss the ecological conditions and mechanisms that likely generated this ongoing speciation and the relevance of this new specialist taxon in the genus Cotesia for biological control.
Xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in human skin and SkinEthic reconstructed human skin models
Authors: Eilstein Joan , Léreaux Guillaume , Arbey Eric , Daronnat Edwige , Wilkinson Simon , Duché Daniel
Published: March 2015

Skin metabolism is becoming a major consideration in the development of new cosmetic ingredients, skin being the first organ exposed to them. In order to replace limited samples of Excised human skin (EHS), in vitro engineered human skins have been developed. 3D models are daily used to develop and evaluate new cosmetic ingredients and have to be characterized and compared with EHS in terms of metabolic capabilities. This work presents the determination of apparent catalytic parameters (apparent Vmax, Km and the ratio Vmax/Km) in 3D models compared with EHS for cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenase isoforms involved in drug metabolism, esterases, alcohol dehydrogenases, aldehyde dehydrogenases, peroxidases, glutathione S‐transferases, N‐acetyl transferases, uridinyl diphosphate glucuronyl transferases and sulfotransferases. Results show that all these enzymes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics are expressed and functional in the EHS and 3D models. Also, the Vmax/Km ratios (estimating the intrinsic metabolic clearances) show that the metabolic abilities are the most often comparable between the skin models and EHS. These results indicate that the 3D models can substitute themselves for EHS to select cosmetic ingredients on the basis of their metabolism, efficacy or/and safety.
A case–control study of MC1R variants in Greek patients with basal cell carcinoma: increased risk independently of pigmentary characteristics
Authors: Dessinioti Clio , Sypsa Vana , Kypreou Katerina , Dimisianos Gerasimos , Kodela Elisavet , Nikolaou Vasiliki , Antoniou Christina , Stratigos Alexander J.
Published: March 2015

Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene variants are a major contributor to pigmentation characteristics and the modulation of sporadic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) risk. This is a hospital‐based, case–control study to investigate the association of MC1R variants and pigmentary characteristics with the risk of BCC development in a Southern European population in Greece. In total, 141 patients with BCC and 166 controls were studied. Increased BCC risk was found for the presence of 2 or more MC1R variants (OR:3.07, 95% CI:1.13–8.34), or 2 or more variants of which at least 1 was major function (OR:7.15, 95% CI:1.37–5.52), after adjustment for the ‘red hair colour’ (RHC) phenotype. Increased BCC risk persisted in the presence of 2 or more MC1R variants (OR:4.15, 95% CI:1.35–12.72), after adjustment for potential confounding factors including skin color (P:0.237) and atypical nevi (OR:9.57, 95% CI:2.19–41.81, P:0.003). MC1R genotype is a risk factor for the development of BCC in Greek patients independently of pigmentary characteristics, and the combination of MC1R variants may modulate this risk.
Spectral and cepstral analyses for Parkinson's disease detection in Spanish vowels and words
Authors: Orozco‐Arroyave J. R. , Hönig Florian , Arias‐Londoño J. D. , Vargas‐Bonilla J. F. , Nöth Elmar
Published: March 2015

About 1% of people older than 65 years suffer from Parkinson's disease (PD) and 90% of them develop several speech impairments, affecting phonation, articulation, prosody and fluency. Computer‐aided tools for the automatic evaluation of speech can provide useful information to the medical experts to perform a more accurate and objective diagnosis and monitoring of PD patients and can help also to evaluate the correctness and progress of their therapy. Although there are several studies that consider spectral and cepstral information to perform automatic classification of speech of people with PD, so far it is not known which is the most discriminative, spectral or cepstral analysis. In this paper, the discriminant capability of six sets of spectral and cepstral coefficients is evaluated, considering speech recordings of the five Spanish vowels and a total of 24 isolated words. According to the results, linear predictive cepstral coefficients are the most robust and exhibit values of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve above 0.85 in 6 of the 24 words.
The Embodied Attunement of Therapists and a Couple within Dialogical Psychotherapy: An Introduction to the Relational Mind Research Project
Authors: Seikkula Jaakko , Karvonen Anu , Kykyri Virpi‐Liisa , Kaartinen Jukka , Penttonen Markku
Published: March 2015

In dialogical practice, therapists seek to respond to the utterances of clients by including in their own response what the client said. No research so far exists on how, in dialogs, therapists and clients attune themselves to each other with their entire bodies. The research programThe Relational Mindis the first to look at dialog in terms of both the outer and the inner dialogs of participants (clients and therapists), observed in parallel with autonomic nervous system (ANS) measurements. In theANS, the response occurs immediately, even before conscious thought, making it possible to follow how participants in a multiactor dialog synchronize their reactions and attune themselves to each other. The couple therapy case presented in this article demonstrates how attunement is often not a simple “all at the same time” phenomenon, but rather a complex, dyadic or triadic phenomenon which changes over time. In the case presented, there was strong synchrony between one therapist and one client in terms of their arousal level throughout the therapy session. It was also observed that high stress could occur when someone else was talking about something related to the participant, or if that person mirrored the participant's words. Overall, it seems that in evaluating the rhythmic attunement between therapists and clients it is not enough to look at single variables; instead, integrated information from several channels is needed when one is seeking to make sense of the embodiment.
Enzyme kinetics: the whole picture reveals hidden meanings
Authors: Pinto Maria F. , Estevinho Berta N. , Crespo Rosa , Rocha Fernando A. , Damas Ana M. , Martins Pedro M.
Published: March 2015

The methodology adopted by Michaelis and Menten in 1913 is still routinely used to characterize the catalytic power and selectivity of enzymes. These kinetic measurements must be performed soon after the purified enzyme is mixed with a large excess of substrate. Other time scales and solution compositions are no less physiologically relevant, but fall outside the range of applicability of the classical formalism. Here we show that the complete picture of an enzyme's mode of function is critically obscured by the limited scope of conventional kinetic analysis, even in the simplest case of a single active site without inhibition. This picture is now unveiled in a mathematically closed form that remains valid over the reaction time for all combinations of enzyme/substrate concentrations and rate constants. Algebraic simplicity is maintained in the new formalism when stationary reaction phases are considered. By achieving this century‐old objective, the otherwise hidden role of the reversible binding step is revealed and atypical kinetic profiles are explained. Most singular kinetic behaviors are identified in a critical region of conditions that coincide with typical cell conditions. Because it is not covered by the Michaelis–Menten model, the critical region has been missed until now by low‐ and high‐throughput screenings of new drugs. New possibilities are therefore raised for novel and once‐promising inhibitors to therapeutically target enzymes.
Higher zooplankton species richness associated with an invertebrate top predator
Authors: Walseng Bjørn , Andersen Tom , Hessen Dag O.
Published: March 2015

A dataset of 1735 Norwegian lakes, spanning a wide range of geographical, physical, chemical and biological properties, was analysed to assess the role of the top invertebrate predator, Bythotrephes longimanus, on the crustacean species richness and community structure.

Bythotrephes was associated with a 25.5% increase in mean richness of other zooplankton species, and this effect could not be related to confounding factors. Based on presence–absence data, community composition did not differ significantly between lakes with and without this top predator.

Neither fish predation nor lake area, altitude, and geographical or physicochemical parameters offer any obvious impact on the observed diversity patterns. We suggest that Bythotrephes facilitates species richness by reducing the abundance of species controlling subdominant species.

This pattern of increased diversity offers an interesting contrast to North American lakes recently invaded by Bythotrephes, where species richness typically has decreased, suggesting different short‐term and long‐term effects of predatory invaders.
Internal transport of alien and native plants by geese and ducks: an experimental study
Authors: García‐Álvarez Alberto , van Leeuwen Casper H. A. , Luque Carlos J. , Hussner Andreas , Vélez‐Martín Alberto , Pérez‐Vázquez Andrés , Green Andy J. , Castellanos Eloy M.
Published: March 2015

Alien plant species are rapidly spreading in aquatic ecosystems around the world, causing major ecological effects. They are typically introduced by humans, after which natural vectors facilitate their further spread. Migratory waterbirds have long been recognised as important dispersal vectors for native and aquatic plants, yet little is known about their role in the spread of alien species.

We determined experimentally the potential for long‐distance dispersal of native and alien wetland plants in Europe by two abundant waterfowl: mallards Anas platyrhynchos and greylag geese Anser anser. We fed seeds from two plants alien to Europe and two native plants to 10 individuals of each bird species, testing for the effects of bird and plant species on the potential for dispersal.

Intact seeds were retrieved from faeces for up to 4 days after ingestion. The proportion of seeds retrieved intact varied significantly between plant, but not bird, species. Retrieval was highest for the invasive water primrose Ludwigia grandiflora (>35% of ingested seeds), lowest for the invasive cordgrass Spartina densiflora (<3%) and intermediate for the native glasswort Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and seablite Suaeda vera (5–10%).

Seed retrieval patterns over time varied between both plant and bird species. Contrary to expectations, seeds were retained in the gut for longer in the smaller mallards. No Spartina seeds germinated after retention for over 8 h, whereas some seeds of the other species germinated even after retention for 72 h. Germinability was reduced by gut passage for Ludwigia and Arthrocnemum seeds. Ludwigia seeds recovered from geese were more likely to germinate than those recovered from mallards. Time to germination was reduced by gut passage for Spartina and Ludwigia, but increased with retention time.

Ducks and geese evidently have the potential for long‐distance transport of alien and native plant seeds, with maximal dispersal distances of well over 1000 km. The much greater potential of Ludwigia than Spartina for dispersal by waterfowl is consistent with its faster expansion across Europe. Maximum retention times of wetland seeds have been underestimated in previous experimental studies that lasted only 1–2 days. Contrary to previous studies, wetland plants with large seeds, such as Ludwigia, can still show high potential for long‐distance dispersal. More attention should be paid to the role of waterbirds as vectors of alien plants and to the role of migratory geese as vectors of plants in general.
A laboratory experiment to determine the dispersal response of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry to street light intensity
Authors: Riley W. D. , Davison P. I. , Maxwell D. L. , Newman R. C. , Ives M. J.
Published: March 2015

The effect of a range of ecologically relevant broader spectrum street light intensities on the dispersal timing of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry was investigated to assess the efficacy of a proposed management tool, the dimming of lamp brightness, for reducing the ecological consequences of artificial night light on aquatic ecosystems. Dispersal timing under treatment street light intensities of 8, 4, 2 and 1 lux was compared to that under a control night light intensity of 0.1 lux, representative of approximately half that experienced from a full moon.

Dispersal timing was significantly delayed (by 1.4 to 2.2 days), and its diel pattern significantly disrupted under the treatment street light intensities. However, the dose–response for both delay and disruption effects was not linear, with a strong effect apparent at 1 lux, and little or no additional impact seen when the light intensity was increased further. Under control conditions, the mean time of dispersal was 3:58 h after dusk, with very few fry (<4%) dispersing during daylight hours. For the treatment street light intensities, the mean time of dispersal of fry was significantly later (5:31 h after dusk at 1 lux) at night, and a much wider distribution of fry dispersal times was apparent with many more fry (19% at 1 lux) dispersing during daylight hours.

Survival to dispersal in aquarium conditions was high (≥97.8%) and comparable in the control and treatment street light intensities. However, in the wild, the period between fry dispersal and the establishment of feeding territories is considered to be of critical importance in the dynamics of salmonid populations and any disruption may significantly increase predation and reduce fitness.

The findings of this aquarium‐based investigation suggest that the dimming of lamp brightness has little potential as a successful management strategy to reduce the disruptive impact of street lighting surrounding freshwater ecosystems. We therefore recommend that the best course of action is to maintain and increase natural unlit areas.
Acute cholecystitis in elderly patients after hip fracture: Incidence and epidemiology
Authors: Choo Suk Kyu , Park Hyung Jun , Oh Hyoung‐Keun , Kang Yoo Kyung , Kim Youngwoo
Published: March 2015

Aim

Acute cholecystitis is a medical complication that can develop in the postoperative period after hip surgery. However, few studies have examined this complication in elderly patients. Our aim was therefore to evaluate the incidence and clinical manifestations of acute cholecystitis after hip fracture in elderly patients.

Methods

Medical records and radiological studies of patients aged older than 65 years who underwent hip surgery for femoral neck or intertrochanteric fractures at a single hospital from April 2003 to March 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed the type of cholecystitis (acalculous or calculous), clinical manifestations, fracture type (neck or trochanteric fracture), age, sex, body mass index, type of surgery, time to surgery, time from surgery to onset of acute cholecystitis and the timing of ambulation in acute cholecystitis cases.

Results

There were nine confirmed acute cholecystitis cases among 1211 hip fractures; thus, the incidence of acute cholecystitis within 2 months after hip fracture surgery was 0.74%.

Conclusions

The incidence of acute cholecystitis was higher than we expected, and this condition can lead to more serious problems if overlooked. Acute cholecystitis as a medical complication after hip fracture was underestimated in previous studies. Furthermore, acute cholecystitis should be considered as a complication of hip fracture, not hip surgery, in the elderly. The present study does not imply that hip fracture causes acute cholecystitis, although elderly hip fracture patients are in an extremely debilitated state and are prone to developing acute cholecystitis. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 16: 380–383.
Non‐elective cardiac surgery in octogenarians: Do these patients benefit in terms of clinical outcomes and quality of life?
Authors: Deschka Heinz , Müller Dirk , Dell'Aquila Angelo , Matthäus Martin , Erler Stefan , Wimmer‐Greinecker Gerhard
Published: March 2015

Aim

The general assumption that non‐elective cardiac procedures in octogenarians are related to poor postoperative outcomes and quality of life (QOL) might lead to a non‐justified exclusion of elderly patients from surgical treatment. The aim of the present study was to assess survival, functional outcome and quality of life of octogenarians undergoing non‐elective cardiac surgery.

Methods

Between 2009 and 2011, 62 consecutive octogenarians (mean age 83.5 ± 3.5 years) underwent urgent (n = 33) or emergency (n = 29) cardiac surgery. In 69% of patients, coronary artery bypass grafting was carried out, and 24% of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting plus valve surgery. Preoperative risk, as well as the postoperative course, was analyzed. All discharged patients were contacted to gain information about survival, functional capacity and QOL using the Barthel Mobility Index and the Short Form 12 Health Survey questionnaire. Results were compared with age‐adjusted population data.

Results

In‐hospital mortality was 32.3% overall, 9.3% in urgent cases and 56.7% in emergency cases. After a mean follow‐up period of 447 ± 359 days, survival of the discharged patients was 93.1% (urgent) and 76.9% (emergency), respectively. QOL measures of the survivors were equivalent to those of the general elderly population. Functional capacity, calculated with Barthel Index, was high in both groups (86 ± 13 and 81 ± 21). A total of 92% of the patients were living at home.

Conclusions

Although non‐elective cardiac surgery in the elderly is related to high in‐hospital mortality, physical and psychological recovery of the survivors is encouraging. QOL equals that of the general elderly population, and good functional status offers a highly independent life. Therefore, age per se should not disqualify patients from urgent or emergency cardiac surgery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 416‐423.
Coming Out, But Into What? Problematizing Discursive Variations of Revealing the Gay Self in the Workplace
Authors: Benozzo Angelo , Pizzorno Maria Chiara , Bell Huw , Koro‐Ljungberg Mirka
Published: March 2015

There is a substantial mainstream literature on coming out in organizations, which investigates the positive effects for gay people of being out at work, but very few contributions that challenge the discourse of coming out. Taking as its starting point Butler's famous question ‘So we are out of the closet but into what?’, this paper problematizes coming out discourses in the workplace. We report on a study in which ten men were invited to talk about their coming out in the workplace. There were three main ways through which our participants constituted themselves as gay men when they talked about coming out: by defining themselves as, and admitting to, being gay; by introducing themselves as being in a gay relationship; and by adopting legitimate subject positions such as the Other, the different one, or the normal gay. Through our analysis, discussions and conclusions, we show how participants position themselves within different discursive variations, thus revealing the multiplicity of ‘the gay self’ and highlighting how coming out repeats and supports normative systems.