bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhinovirus‐16 induced temporal interferon responses in nasal epithelium links with viral clearance and symptoms
Authors: Ravi Abilash , Chang Meiping , van de Pol Marianne , Yang Shan , Aliprantis Antonios , Thornton Bob , Carayannopoulos Leonidas N. , Bautmans An , Robberechts Martine , De Lepeleire Inge , Singh Dave , Hohlfeld Jens M. , Sterk Peter J. , Krug Norbert , Lutter René ,   on behalf of U‐BIOPRED Study Group
Published: August 2019

Background

The temporal in vivo response of epithelial cells to a viral challenge and its association with viral clearance and clinical outcomes has been largely unexplored in asthma.

Objective

To determine gene expression profiles over time in nasal epithelial cells (NECs) challenged in vivo with rhinovirus‐16 (RV16) and compare to nasal symptoms and viral clearance.

Methods

Patients with stable mild to moderate asthma (n = 20) were challenged intranasally with RV16. Nasal brush samples for RNA sequencing were taken 7 days prior to infection and 3, 6 and 14 days post‐infection, and blood samples 4 days prior to infection and day 6 post‐infection. Viral load was measured in nasal lavage fluid at day 3, 6 and 14.

Results

Top differentially (>2.5‐fold increase) expressed gene sets in NECs post‐RV16 at days 3 and 6, compared with baseline, were interferon alpha and gamma response genes. Patients clearing the virus within 6 days (early resolvers) had a significantly increased interferon response at day 6, whereas those having cleared the virus by day 14 (late resolvers) had significantly increased responses at day 3, 6 and 14. Interestingly, patients not having cleared the virus by day 14 (non‐resolvers) had no enhanced interferon responses at any of these days. The daily Cold Symptom Scores (CSS) peaked at days 3 to 5 and correlated positively with interferon response genes at day 3 (R = 0.48), but not at other time‐points. Interferon response genes were also enhanced in blood at day 6 after RV16 challenge.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

This study shows that viral load and clearance varies markedly over time in mild to moderate asthma patients exposed to a fixed RV16 dose. The host's nasal interferon response to RV16 at day 3 is associated with upper respiratory tract symptoms. The temporal interferon response in nasal epithelium associates with viral clearance in the nasal compartment.
Changes in subtypes of overt thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism following iodine fortification
Authors: Petersen Mads , Bülow Pedersen Inge , Knudsen Nils , Andersen Stig , Jørgensen Torben , Perrild Hans , Ovesen Lars , Banke Rasmussen Lone , Thuesen Betina H. , Carlé Allan
Published: August 2019

Objective

To investigate the impact of mandatory iodine fortification (IF) on the incidence of nosological subtypes of overt thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism.

Design

We identified and scrutinized all possible new cases of overt thyrotoxicosis and hypothyroidism in an open cohort in Northern Jutland (n = 309 434; 1 January 1997) during the years 2014‐2016. Individual medical history was evaluated to verify and detail the incidence of overt thyroid dysfunction and for classification into nosological subtypes. A number of cases were excluded during final verification due to spontaneous normalization of thyroid function, as they had no medical history suggesting a known condition, which could transiently affect thyroid function (subacute/silent thyroiditis, PPTD and iatrogenic thyroid dysfunction). An identical survey was conducted in 1997‐2000 prior to mandatory IF of salt (13 µg/g) that was in effect from year 2001.

Results

The standardized incidence rate (SIR) of verified overt thyrotoxicosis decreased markedly from 97.5/100 000/year in 1997‐2000 to 48.8 in 2014‐2016 (SIRR: 0.50 [95% CI: 0.45‐0.56]). This was due to a distinct decrease in the SIR of multinodular toxic goitre (SIRR: 0.18 [0.15‐0.23]), solitary toxic adenoma (SIRR: 0.26 [0.16‐0.43]) and to a lesser degree Graves’ disease (SIRR: 0.67 [0.56‐0.79]). SIR for overt hypothyroidism was unaltered by 2014‐2016 (SIRR: 1.03 [0.87‐1.22]). However, age distribution shifted with more young and fewer elderly cases of verified overt hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

Mandatory IF caused a substantial reduction in SIR of verified overt thyrotoxicosis (especially of nodular origin) while avoiding an increase in SIR of verified overt hypothyroidism.
Analysis of trends in implant therapy at a surgical specialty clinic: Patient pool, indications, surgical procedures, and rate of early failures—A 15‐year retrospective analysis
Authors: Ducommun Julien , El Kholy Karim , Rahman Lira , Schimmel Martin , Chappuis Viviane , Buser Daniel
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To evaluate the patient population over a 3‐year period and to compare it to observations of the population at the same clinic over a period of 15 years.

Material and Methods

Records of patients receiving dental implants in the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, University of Bern, between January 2014 and December 2016 were analyzed and then compared with data from patients treated between 2002 and 2004 and between 2008 and 2010. Patients were analyzed for demographics and for indications for therapy, as well as for presence or absence and type of complications. Inserted implants were analyzed for type, length, and diameter, as well as for the number and type of associated tissue regeneration procedures.

Results

Analysis revealed a continuous linear increase in the average age of patients seeking implant treatment. The most common indication for implant therapy was a single‐tooth gap (STG) (50.5%), followed by distal extension situations (22.3%) and extended edentulous gaps (20.5%). A total of 60.8% of implants placed needed some type of bone augmentation, and 83.5% of implants placed in the anterior maxilla required simultaneous augmentation. Staged guided bone regeneration (GBR) was only necessary in 7% of the cases. Implant failure rates remained low at 0.6%, with postoperative hematomas being the most common postoperative complication (13.4%).

Conclusions

The rising demand for dental implants continues as the patient population ages. Single‐tooth gaps remained consistently the most common indication for implant therapy in recent years. Proper case selection and evidence‐based surgical protocols are essential for high success rates.
Use of mTOR inhibitor as prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus disease after kidney transplantation: A natural experiment
Authors: Cristelli Marina Pontelo , Felipe Claudia Rosso , Prizmic Paulo Sergio de Souza , de Azevedo Vega Figueiredo Dourado , Viana Laila Almeida , Tavares Melissa Gaspar , Wagner de Castro Lima Santos Daniel , de Paula Mayara Ivani , Medina‐Pestana Jose Osmar , Tedesco‐Silva Junior Helio
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To describe the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease in kidney transplant recipients receiving an mTOR‐inhibitor‐containing immunosuppressive regimen without prophylactic CMV treatment.

Methods

This single‐center retrospective cohort analysis included all de novo kidney transplant recipients (09/15/2015‐07/31/2017) receiving 3 mg/kg single dose of rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction, tacrolimus, everolimus, and prednisone. Preemptive therapy was initiated only in patients deemed at higher risk for CMV infection: (a) D+/R− CMV patients; (b) after treatment for acute rejection (ARt); and (c) after everolimus discontinuation (EVRd).

Results

Of 230 patients, there were no episodes of CMV disease among 217 (94%) without criteria to initiate preemptive therapy. Of 77 (33.5%) patients initiating preemptive therapy, 13 were D+/R−, 30 were ARt, and 34 were EVRd. The overall incidence of first CMV infection/disease was 6% (46.1% in D+/R−, 13.3% ARt [all patients had also discontinued everolimus], and 11.8% after early [<90 days] EVRd). The incidence of biopsy‐proven acute rejection was 5.6%, and median glomerular filtration rate at month 12 was 47 mL/min/1.73m2. One‐year patient and death‐censored graft survivals were 97.4% and 98.1%.

Conclusion

This study suggests that everolimus‐containing immunosuppressive regimen reduces the need for preventive strategies for CMV infection in the majority of kidney transplant recipients, reducing antiviral drug‐associated toxicities and healthcare‐related expenditures.
Factors associated with low graft regeneration in the early phase after living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Takahashi Kazuhiro , Nagai Shunji , Collins Kelly M. , Safwan Mohamed , Rizzari Michael D. , Schnickel Gabriel T. , Yoshida Atsushi , Abouljoud Marwan S.
Published: August 2019

Appropriate graft regeneration after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is crucial to avoid small‐for‐size syndrome. We enrolled 44 recipients who underwent ABO‐identical/compatible LDLT from December 2007 to August 2016 and determined possible factors associated with low graft regeneration after LDLT. Liver regeneration was calculated by the ratio of the graft size on postoperative day (POD) 7 ± 1 day (calculated by CT volumetry) to the size of the donated liver at implant. Postoperative outcomes were compared between the low and high regeneration groups. Median regeneration rate was 1.65‐fold. Regeneration rate was negatively correlated with graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio. Postoperative morbidity rates on POD 14‐90 were significantly higher in the low group compared with the high group (63% vs 18%, P = .03). Graft and patient survival in the low group were significantly worse than the high group (1‐year graft survival 73% vs 100%, P = .002; patient survival 82% vs 100%, P = .01). Cold ischemia time (CIT; per 10 minute; odds ratio [OR] =1.37) and platelet count <60 000/μL on POD 5 (OR = 14.32) were independently associated with low regeneration. In conclusion, longer CIT and postoperative thrombocytopenia were associated with low graft regeneration in the early phase after LDLT, which could consequently lead to poor graft and patient survival.
The incidence of fungal infections in pancreas transplant recipients in the absence of systemic antifungal prophylaxis
Authors: Shaikh Suhail A. , Zimmerman Asha , Nolan Annelise , Cooper Matthew , Abrams Peter L.
Published: August 2019

Background

There is a lack of high‐level evidence identifying meaningful outcomes and the place in therapy for systemic perioperative antifungal prophylaxis (ppx) in pancreas transplant recipients. As our program does not routinely utilize systemic perioperative antifungal ppx in pancreas transplant recipients, we assessed the incidence of post‐transplant infectious complications.

Methods

This was a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult pancreas transplant recipients between 01/2016 and 04/2018 to describe the incidence of fungal infections. Patients with a history of previous simultaneous pancreas‐kidney (SPK) transplant, HIV, or unexplained use of antifungal ppx after transplantation were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of fungal infections within 3 months after transplantation.

Results

After screening 60 patients, 56 met inclusion criteria. Within 3 months post‐transplantation, two (3.6%) patients had a positive fungal culture requiring systemic antifungal treatment. The sources for infection in both cases were intra‐abdominal fluid cultures, positive for Candida albicans. Both patients were treated with fluconazole. Allograft‐related outcomes included a 6‐month pancreas graft survival of 91.1% and pancreas transplant rejection incidence of 10.7%.

Conclusion

In this single‐center experience, pancreas transplant recipients not receiving systemic antifungal ppx had similar infectious and graft‐related outcomes to what is reported in literature.
Andrology and accreditation – An opportunity for Cytologists
Authors: Holland Laura , Maddox Anthony
Published: August 2019

Accreditation of an Andrology service in the UK under ISO15189 has been perceived to be a difficult process and some laboratories have taken the decision to cease provision of the service. With the introduction of HPV testing as the primary cervical screening modality in the UK and the consequent reduction of the screening workforce, there is an opportunity for biomedical scientists and cytoscreeners to transfer their morphological skills to Andrology. This article describes a departmental transition to a fully accredited service in which cytology staff provide the majority of the workforce.
Synovial fluid erythrophagocytosis: Inflammation or drug‐induced change?
Authors: Handra‐Luca Adriana , Challal Salima
Published: August 2019

Erythrophagocytosis can be detected in synovial fluid specimens. It is difficult to establish if this is an inflammatory or treatment‐related phenomenon.
A previously unrecognized Ankyrin‐1 mutation associated with Hereditary Spherocytosis in an Italian family
Authors: Lazzareschi Ilaria , Curatola Antonietta , Pedicelli Cristina , Castiglia Daniele , Buonsenso Danilo , Gatto Antonio , Attinà Giorgio , Valentini Piero
Published: August 2019

Hereditary spherocytosis is the most common inherited hemolytic anemia characterized by the presence of spherical‐shaped erythrocytes on peripheral blood smear. The clinical manifestations of HS are highly variable, from severe forms to asymptomatic forms. HS is caused by defects in red blood cell membrane proteins, encoded by the ANK1, EPB42, SLC4A1, SPTA1 and SPTB genes. Mutation of the ANK 1 gene is the most common and inheritance is autosomal dominant in 75% of cases. In our case, heterozygous an ANK1 c.4123C > T mutation was identified in a 4‐year‐old girl, using targeted next‐generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing.
Patient‐reported outcomes with subcutaneous immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: the PATH study
Authors: Hartung H.‐P. , Mallick R. , Bril V. , Lewis R. A. , Sobue G. , Lawo J.‐P. , Mielke O. , Durn B. L. , Cornblath D. R. , Merkies I. S. J. , van Schaik I. N. ,   the PATH study group
Published: August 2019

Background and purpose

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) causes weakness which adversely impacts function and quality of life (QOL). CIDP often requires long‐term management with intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin. The Polyneuropathy and Treatment with Hizentra® (PATH) study showed that subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) was efficacious in CIDP maintenance. Here, patient‐reported outcomes in patients on SCIG are assessed.

Methods

Subjects stabilized on intravenous immunoglobulin were randomly allocated to receive weekly 0.2 or 0.4 g/kg bodyweight of 20% SCIG (IgPro20) or placebo. Overall QOL/health status was assessed using the EuroQoL 5‐Dimension (EQ‐5D) health profile and visual analog scale, treatment satisfaction was assessed with the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medicine (TSQM) and work‐related impact was assessed with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire for General Health (WPAI‐GH). The EQ‐5D health profile was assessed in terms of the percentage of subjects maintained or improved at week 25 of SCIG therapy on each of the EQ‐5D domains versus baseline after intravenous immunoglobulin stabilization. TSQM and WPAI‐GH were assessed by median score changes from baseline to week 25.

Results

In total, 172 subjects were randomized to placebo (n = 57), 0.2 g/kg IgPro20 (n = 57) and 0.4 g/kg IgPro20 (n = 58). Significantly higher proportions of IgPro20‐treated subjects improved/maintained their health status on the EQ‐5D usual activities dimension, and in additional dimensions (mobility and pain/discomfort) in sensitivity analyses. TSQM and WPAI‐GH scores were more stable with IgPro20 treatment compared with placebo.

Conclusions

 IgPro20 maintained or improved QOL in most subjects with CIDP, consistent with the PATH study findings that both IgPro20 doses were efficacious in maintaining CIDP.
The non‐homogenous distribution and aggregation of carotenoids in the stratum corneum correlates with the organization of intercellular lipids in vivo
Authors: Choe ChunSik , Ri JaeRyong , Schleusener Johannes , Lademann Juergen , Darvin Maxim E.
Published: August 2019

The human stratum corneum (SC) contains an abundant amount of carotenoid antioxidants, quenching free radicals and thereby protecting the skin. For the precise measurements of the depth‐dependent carotenoid concentration, confocal Raman microscopy is a suitable method. The quantitative concentration can be determined by the carotenoid‐related peak intensity of a Gaussian function approached at ≈1524 cm−1 using non‐linear regression. Results show that the carotenoid concentration is higher at the superficial layers of the SC then decreases to a minimum at 20% SC depth and increases again towards the bottom of the SC. In the present work, two carotenoid penetration pathways into the SC are postulated. The first pathway is from the stratum granulosum to the bottom of the SC, while in the second pathway, the carotenoids are delivered to the skin surface by sweat and/or sebum secretion and penetrate from outside. The carotenoids are aggregated at the superficial layers, which are shown by high correlation between the aggregation states of carotenoids and the lateral organization of lipids. At the 30%‐40% SC depths, the ordered and dense lipid molecules intensify the lipid‐carotenoid interactions and weaken the carotenoid‐carotenoid interaction and thus exhibit the disaggregation of carotenoids. At 90%‐100% SC depths, the carotenoid‐lipid interaction is weakened and the carotenoids have a tendency to be aggregated. Thus, the molecular structural correlation of carotenoid and SC lipid might be reserved in the intercellular space of the SC and also serves as the skeleton of the intercellular lipids.
APOBEC3 regulates keratinocyte differentiation and expression of Notch3
Authors: Dainichi Teruki , Nakano Yuri , Wakae Kousho , Otsuka Masayuki , Muramatsu Masamichi , Kabashima Kenji
Published: August 2019

Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide‐like (APOBEC) family consists of deaminases. Some isozymes of APOBEC3 are induced upon human papillomavirus infection or development of psoriasis skin lesions. However, the involvement of APOBEC3 in keratinocyte differentiation has not been addressed. We herein sought to evaluate the roles of APOBECs in mouse primary keratinocyte differentiation. We found that expression levels of APOBEC1 and APOBEC3 were increased during calcium‐induced keratinocyte differentiation. Unexpectedly, however, the expression levels of keratinocyte differentiation markers keratin 1/10, involucrin, loricrin and filaggrin were higher in keratinocytes treated with APOBEC3 siRNAs than in those treated with control RNAs. In addition, the treatment of keratinocytes with APOBEC3 siRNAs increased the gene expression levels of Notch3, a master regulator of keratinocyte differentiation. Moreover, calcium‐induced increase in Notch3 expression and keratinocyte differentiation were impaired by transfection with an APOBEC3 expression plasmid. Furthermore, co‐treatment with Notch3 siRNAs reduced the APOBEC3 siRNA‐mediated upregulation of Notch3 expression and in part attenuated the increased expression levels of keratinocyte differentiation markers. These results suggest that APOBEC3 is induced upon keratinocyte differentiation and negatively regulates the keratinocyte differentiation in part by its inhibitory role for Notch3 expression.
Chemical and physico‐chemical changes during the dry‐cured processing of deer loin
Authors: Vargas‐Ramella Marcio , Domínguez Rubén , Pateiro Mirian , Franco Daniel , Barba Francisco J. , Lorenzo José M.
Published: August 2019

The changes on chemical composition, physico‐chemical parameters, free fatty acids and free amino acids content of dry‐cured deer loin were investigated at day 0, 30 and 60 of dry‐cured process. On the whole, except for pH values (≈5.6) and composition (fat: 4.6–5.2%; protein: ≈73%; ash: ≈17.5%) that did not show differences between the processing days, the other physico‐chemical parameters were affected by curing process. Colour parameters and moisture (from 69 to 38.4%) decreased while the hardness increase from 12.35 to 342 N and lipid oxidation (from 0.2 to 0.52 mg MDA/kg) increased as dry‐cured stage progresses. In similar way, free fatty acid (2250 mg per 100 g of fat at 0 day and 5940 mg per 100 g of fat at 60 days) and free amino acid content (914 mg per 100 g DM at 0 day and 1253 mg per 100 g DM at 60 days) increased progressively as the curing process progressed. The behaviour of this product during processing is similar to that described for the same product made with other animal species. Therefore, deer meat is an excellent candidate for the production of dry‐cured loin, which would allow introducing a new product on the market.
Politics, concern for future generations, and the environment: Generativity mediates political conservatism and environmental attitudes
Authors: Barnett Michael D. , Archuleta William P. , Cantu Christina
Published: August 2019

Climate change and pollution impact those alive today as well as future generations, suggesting that attitudes toward future generations may be linked with environmental attitudes. Despite the widespread impact of the environmental on human lives, there is considerable partisan divide in the United States with regards to environmental issues. We investigated relationships between political conservatism, generativity, and environmental attitudes in two studies (N = 429 and N = 618). Political conservatism was associated with lower pro‐environmental attitudes; however, political conservatism was also associated with higher generativity and had a positive indirect effect on pro‐environmental attitudes through higher generativity. More politically conservative individuals may have greater concern for future life and thereby have more pro‐environmental attitudes even while having lower pro‐environmental attitudes overall. These results likely reflect partisan polarization with regard to environmental issues. Pro‐environmental messages may be more persuasive for conservatives if they are linked to concerns about future generations.
PON1 hypermethylation is associated with progression of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Xin , Yu Qian
Published: August 2019

In this study, our aim was to exploring the influences of DNA methylation of PON1 on cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of renal cancer cells. The genome‐wide methylation array of renal cell carcinoma samples and adjacent tissues were obtained from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database. By analysing the DNA methylation and conducting the CpG islands array, methylation status expressed in renal tumour samples and normal renal tissue samples were detected. Methylation‐specific PCR (MS‐PCR) and qRT‐PCR were employed to detect the methylation level and mRNA expression of PON1. Wound‐healing assay, transwell assay and MTT assay were utilized to detecting the migration, invasion and proliferation abilities, respectively. The cell apoptosis was testified by Tunnel assay. In addition, the effect of PON1 on renal cancer cells was verified by experiments in vivo. The methylation status of different genes in renal cell carcinoma samples was obtained by CpG islands arrays and hypermethylated PON1 was selected for further study. PON1 was down‐regulated in renal cell carcinoma tissues detected by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. Both in vitro and vivo experiments indicated that the sunitinib‐resistant in renal cancer cells could be suppressed by treat with 5‐Aza‐dC or TSA, and the effect came out more obvious after 5‐Aza‐dC and TSA co‐treatment. In detail, the demethylation of PON1 inhibited the migration, invasion and proliferation of renal cancer cells and also arrested more cells in G0/G1 phase. The vivo experiment indicated that demethylated PON1 suppressed the growth of tumour. Hypermethylated PON1 promoted migration, invasion and proliferation of sunitinib‐resistance renal cancer cells and arrested more cells in G0/G1 phase.
Association of the gingival line angle with the gingival and interdental smile line: A gender based evaluation
Authors: Kolte Rajashri A. , Kolte Abhay P. , Rathi Prachi
Published: August 2019

Objective

Gingival line angle (GLA) has been considered an important attribute of an esthetic smile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate GLA on either sides of maxillary arch and correlate it with the gingival smile line (GSL) and interdental smile line (ISL).

Materials and Methods

One hundred twenty periodontally healthy patients with an age range of 20‐40 years, equally divided into males and females were included. Standardized digital photographs were taken for assessment of the interdental papillae and smile line. Study models of the participants were used to record the GLA. Gingival thickness (GT) was measured clinically.

Results

Although there was consistent difference between the values, the correlation between GLA and GT on either sides of the arch did not indicate positive association. It was revealed that maximum of patients that is, 76.67% and 75% of males and females respectively possessed low GSL.

Conclusions

Although there is a difference between GT and GLA, the difference was statistically insignificant. Majority of the study population exhibited low GSL and high ISL, thereby indicating greater importance for interdental papillae in designing an esthetic smile.

Clinical Significance

Considering the likely variations based on gender on gingival line angle and the tooth and gingival display in interdental smile line and gingival smile line, these parameters need to be assessed further. It is believed that appropriate assessment of these parameters would enable the clinician to adopt these relationships as guidelines for interdisciplinary treatment procedures.
Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy in Older Adults: Addressing Common Clinical Questions
Authors: DeFilippis Ersilia M. , Nakagawa Shunichi , Maurer Mathew S. , Topkara Veli K.
Published: August 2019

OBJECTIVES

To review the literature and summarize the evidence for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) use in older adults (aged >75 years), highlighting patient selection, day‐to‐day life with an LVAD, age‐specific complications, and end‐of‐life considerations.

DESIGN

Contemporary review of current literature on LVAD therapy in older adults.

RESULTS

There is a paucity of data on LVAD use and outcomes in adults older than 75 years and even less commonly are such devices implanted in those older than 80 years. Candidates and recipients of this age often have multiple chronic conditions and extracardiac impairments, which can negatively affect their short‐term outcomes and daily experience following LVAD implantation. Therefore, selection prior to implant should incorporate end‐organ function, nutritional status, measures of frailty, neurocognitive status, and social support, among others, to determine the patient population most likely to benefit from such therapy.

CONCLUSION

When LVAD therapy is utilized in an older adult, the needs for multidisciplinary team management and expertise in palliative care are essential. More age‐specific outcome data are required to help inform providers, patients, and caregivers. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2410–2419, 2019
The significance of Mn‐rich ilmenite and the determination of P–T paths from zoned garnet in metasedimentary rocks from the western Cape Breton Highlands, Nova Scotia
Authors: McCarron Travis , McFarlane Christopher R. M. , Gaidies Fred
Published: August 2019

The Jumping Brook Metamorphic Suite in the western Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia is part of an inverted Barrovian sequence that formed during a Late Silurian–Early Devonian promontory–promontory collision in the Canadian Appalachians. In this study, systematic discrepancies between geochemical observations and thermodynamic model predictions led to the discovery of a systematic relationship linking the style of garnet core isopleth intersection (GCII) to the pyrophanite (MnTiO3) component of co‐existing ilmenite. Samples that yielded tight GCIIs at or near the garnet‐in curve were found to contain ilmenite with negligible pyrophanite components, whereas samples yielding GCIIs far removed (up to 105°C) from the garnet‐in curve were found to contain ilmenite with significant pyrophanite and/or ecandrewsite (ZnTiO3) components. Based on petrographic and geochemical observations, Mn(±Zn)‐rich ilmenite are interpreted to have sequestered Mn throughout prograde metamorphism due to sluggish intracrystalline diffusion. The amount of reactive Mn input into the thermodynamic models from whole‐rock analyses were, in some cases, overestimated, resulting in garnet‐in curve topologies that extend to erroneously low P–T conditions. Modifications to the whole‐rock chemistry that account for Mn sequestration into ilmenite, however, yielded robust model results. Our results show that, in addition to uncertainties in thermodynamic data sets and phenomenon related to reaction kinetics, Mn‐rich ilmenite may superimpose additional complexities related to the interpretation of predicted equilibria involving garnet. Numerical simulations of garnet crystallization were used to infer P–T paths of metamorphism for one sample from the garnet zone (Mn corrected) and two samples from the staurolite zone (Mn uncorrected) of the inverted sequence. Model results are remarkably similar among the three samples and indicate that garnet crystallization occurred along relatively steep (31–37°C/km) clockwise P–T paths. The peak conditions of garnet crystallization and metamorphism (560–590°C, 7.4–8.0 kbar) are interpreted to have been attained approximately simultaneously, such that the paths are characterized by tight prograde‐to‐retrograde transitions. The hairpin nature of the P–T paths is interpreted to represent the onset of thrust‐related exhumation and isograd inversion along ductile shear zones, consistent with available field and geochronological constraints.
The Manager’s Notepad: Working Memory, Exploration, and Performance
Authors: Laureiro‐Martinez Daniella , Brusoni Stefano , Tata Amulya , Zollo Maurizio
Published: August 2019

This study builds upon March and Simon’s proposition that individual‐level differences must be considered when explaining decision‐making performance. We extend their discussion on the importance of decision‐makers’ attention to explain heterogeneous patterns of exploration and exploitation within the same uncertain environment. We develop a model of decision‐making under uncertainty in which ‘working memory’ – i.e., the ability to hold multiple elements in mind to actively process them – explains the emergence of heterogeneity in exploration‐exploitation choice patterns. We validated the model in a laboratory study and two replications involving 171 individuals. Our findings show that differences in working memory allow us to identify individuals who are more likely to choose exploration over exploitation appropriately, and thus achieve higher performance. We discuss the implications for management theories, and re‐propose the work of March and Simon as a unifying framework that still can be used to generate and test managerially relevant hypotheses.
Water extract of Artemisia ordosica enhances antioxidant capability and immune response without affecting growth performance in weanling piglets
Authors: Xing Yuanyuan , Wu Yingzhao , Mao Chenyu , Sun Dengsheng , Guo Shiwei , Xu Yuanqing , Jin Xiao , Yan Sumei , Shi Binlin
Published: August 2019

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of water extract of Artemisia ordosica (WEAO) on growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response in weanling piglets. Seventy‐two 28‐day‐old weanling piglets were randomly allocated into four treatments with six replicate pens per treatment and three piglets per pen (n = 18). These four treatment diets were formulated by adding 0, 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg WEAO to the basal diet. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Body weight and feed intake were measured. Blood samples were collected to determine immune and antioxidative parameters. The experimental results showed that WEAO supplementation improved the apparent nutrient digestibility of piglets in a linear or quadratic dose‐dependent manner. In addition, dietary WEAO quadratically increased serum concentrations of cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐4, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, soluble surface antigen CD8 (sCD8), immunoglobulins (Ig)‐A and linearly increased serum concentrations of IL‐2, IL‐6, IgG, IgM. Furthermore, dietary WEAO linearly or quadratically decreased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde but quadratically increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidative capacity. These results suggested that WEAO may prove useful as a natural phytogenic feed additive with antioxidative potential and could be incorporated into diets of piglets.
Do motile spermatozoids limit the effectiveness of sexual reproduction in bryophytes? Not in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Pressel Silvia , Duckett Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2019

To test the premise that fertilization distances in bryophytes are limited by spermatozoid motility, we measured the distances between over 80 000 male and female thalli of Marchantia polymorpha on heathland over 2 successive years after a major fire and recorded the incidence of sporophytes. The first comparative data on spermatozoid numbers per antheridium across bryophytes and pteridophytes were calculated from antheridial sizes and spermatid diameters and cross‐checked with the likely numbers produced by successive antheridial mitoses. Individual antheridia of Marchantia produce over 200 000 spermatozoids. Extrapolating from individual antheridia to the numbers of mature antheridia per antheridiophore and then to individual male plants, we calculated that a single flooding event on a male thallus with 10–12 antheridiophores will result in the release of over 50 million spermatozoids. Assuming radial dispersal in surface water films by lipids released from the dehiscing antheridia, spermatozoids can reach distances exceeding 20 m from the parent plants, in line with our finding of 100% fertilization in female plants of Marchantia up to 19 m from the nearest males, far beyond published fertilization distances in dioicous bryophytes. We attribute this to (i) much greater spermatozoid production and numbers in Marchantia than in other bryophytes and (ii) highly effective sperm transport both within the antheridiophores and archegoniophores via their overlapping scales and grooves in the stalks and between male and female thalli via surface water films. These features, coupled with the massive production of small spores, explain the success of Marchantia as the primary colonist of open habitats.
A prospective randomized study of efficacy of 2 treatment protocols in preventing recurrence of clinical signs in 51 male cats with obstructive idiopathic cystitis
Authors: Nivy Ran , Segev Gilad , Rimer Dar , Bruchim Yaron , Aroch Itamar , Mazaki‐Tovi Michal
Published: August 2019

Background

Urethral obstruction (UO) is a common complication of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Robust treatment recommendations to prevent its recurrence are scarce.

Objectives

To evaluate meloxicam treatment for prevention of clinical recrudescence in male cats with obstructive FIC.

Animals

Fifty‐one client‐owned cats.

Methods

Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Every male cat with FIC‐associated UO was deemed eligible for the study and was recruited during hospitalization. After discharge, cats were treated with phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam for 2 weeks, with (24 cats) or without (27 cats) low‐dose meloxicam (0.025 mg/kg/day PO) and monitored for 6 months.

Results

Cumulative number (%) of cats with recurrent UO at 10 days, 1‐, 2‐, and 6‐months after discharge was 1 (2%), 2 (4%), 4 (8%), and 8 (16%), respectively. Overall, 12 (24%) cats experienced signs of recurrent FIC within 6 months, with (8 cats) or without (4 cats) concurrent UO. No difference in the cumulative incidence of UO within 6 months was detected with addition of meloxicam (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.63 [0.13‐2.97];P= .70). All cats were alive at 6 months.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

No clinical benefit was detected with the addition of low‐dose meloxicam to phenoxybenzamine and alprazolam treatment for 2 weeks after discharge. Nevertheless, this study was underpowered to identify potential differences, and its findings must be corroborated in larger studies.
Fatty acid starvation activates RelA by depleting lysine precursor pyruvate
Authors: Sinha Anurag Kumar , Winther Kristoffer Skovbo , Roghanian Mohammad , Gerdes Kenn
Published: August 2019

Bacteria undergoing nutrient starvation induce the ubiquitous stringent response, resulting in gross physiological changes that reprograms cell metabolism from fast to slow growth. The stringent response is mediated by the secondary messengers pppGpp and ppGpp collectively referred to as (p)ppGpp or ‘alarmone’. In Escherichia coli, two paralogs, RelA and SpoT, synthesize (p)ppGpp. RelA is activated by amino acid starvation, whereas SpoT, which can also degrade (p)ppGpp, responds to fatty acid (FA), carbon and phosphate starvation. Here, we discover that FA starvation leads to rapid activation of RelA and reveal the underlying mechanism. We show that FA starvation leads to depletion of lysine that, in turn, leads to the accumulation of uncharged tRNALys and activation of RelA. SpoT was also activated by FA starvation but to a lower level and with a delayed kinetics. Next, we discovered that pyruvate, a precursor of lysine, is depleted by FA starvation. We also propose a mechanism that explains how FA starvation leads to pyruvate depletion. Together our results raise the possibility that RelA may be a major player under many starvation conditions previously thought to depend principally on SpoT. Interestingly, FA starvation provoked a ~100‐fold increase in relA dependent ampicillin tolerance.
Clinical and neuroimaging profiles to identify C9orf72‐FTD patients and serum Neurofilament to monitor the progression and the severity of the disease
Authors: Lucidi Giulia , Berti Valentina , Piaceri Irene , Ginestroni Andrea , Lombardi Gemma , Ferrari Camilla , Polito Cristina , Bessi Valentina , Pupi Alberto , Nacmias Benedetta , Sorbi Sandro , Bagnoli Silvia
Published: August 2019

Background

The C9orf72 pathogenetic GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion is one of the most common causes of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and early identification of this mutation is crucial for clinical and prognostic outcome. Although promising preclinical studies tried to evaluate the efficacy of biomarkers to identify C9orf72 expansion carriers, they have not been adequately assessed in humans.

Aim

To identify clinical, neuroimaging, and biological features that could be used to identify FTD subjects eligible to genetic testing.

Methods

This is a retrospective, case‐control study of clinical, neuropsycological, biological, and neuroimaging data of C9orf72 expansion carriers compared with non‐mutated FTD patients. Neurofilament light chain was evaluated by Quanterix Simoa essay.

Results

The study revealed a set of peculiar characteristics in patients with C9orf72 expansion, compared with not expanded, as: lower age at onset, higher number of familial form and affected relatives, higher FTD‐MND symptoms, frequent behavioral and motor disorders at onset, higher incidence of dysphagia, lower mnesic deficits and higher rate of “Average” and “Rapid” progression of the disease. Neuroimaging data reveled that C9orf72 subgroup patients showed a higher hypometabolism of the frontal lobes involving both cortical and subcortical regions. Moreover, in symptomatic C9orf72 patients, NfL concentration was strongly elevated compared with presymptomatic carriers, increasing after 1 year of follow‐up.

Conclusion

The metabolic signature combined with the clinical features could be a helpful tool to direct the genetic counseling. We confirmed that serum NfL evaluation could be a valid biomarker to monitor the disease severity and progression.
Environmental heterogeneity generates intrapopulation variation in life‐history traits in an annual plant
Authors: Friedman Jannice , Middleton Taylor E. , Rubin Matthew J.
Published: August 2019

Environmental variation affects a plant's life cycle by influencing the timing of germination and flowering, and the duration of the growing season. Yet we know little information about how environmental heterogeneity generates variation in germination schedules and the consequences for growth and fecundity through genetic and plastic responses.

We use an annual population of Mimulus guttatus in which, in nature, seeds germinate in both fall and spring. We investigate whether there is a genetic basis to the timing of germination, the effect of germination timing on fecundity, and if growth and flowering respond plastically to compensate for different season lengths.

Using sibling families grown in simulated seasonal conditions, we find that families do not differ in their propensity to germinate between seasons. However, the germination season affects subsequent growth and flowering time, with significant genotype‐by‐environment interactions (G × E). Most G × E is due to unequal variance between seasons, because the spring cohort harbours little genetic variance. Despite their different season lengths, the cohorts do not differ in flower number (fecundity).

Heterogeneous environments with unpredictable risks may maintain promiscuous germination, which then affects flowering time. Therefore, if selection at particular life stages changes with climate change, there may be consequences for the entire life cycle.
Increased adaxial stomatal density is associated with greater mesophyll surface area exposed to intercellular air spaces and mesophyll conductance in diverse C4 grasses
Authors: Pathare Varsha S. , Koteyeva Nuria , Cousins Asaph B.
Published: August 2019

Mesophyll conductance (gm) is the diffusion of CO2 from intercellular air spaces (IAS) to the first site of carboxylation in the mesophyll cells. In C3 species, gm is influenced by diverse leaf structural and anatomical traits; however, little is known about traits affecting gm in C4 species.

To address this knowledge gap, we used online oxygen isotope discrimination measurements to estimate gm and microscopy techniques to measure leaf structural and anatomical traits potentially related to gm in 18 C4 grasses.

In this study, gm scaled positively with photosynthesis and intrinsic water‐use efficiency (TEi), but not with stomatal conductance. Also, gm was not determined by a single trait but was positively correlated with adaxial stomatal densities (SDada), stomatal ratio (SR), mesophyll surface area exposed to IAS (Smes) and leaf thickness. However, gm was not related to abaxial stomatal densities (SDaba) and mesophyll cell wall thickness (TCW).

Our study suggests that greater SDada and SR increased gm by increasing Smes and creating additional parallel pathways for CO2 diffusion inside mesophyll cells. Thus, SDada, SR and Smes are important determinants of C4‐gm and could be the target traits selected or modified for achieving greater gm and TEi in C4 species.
Impacts of ocean warming on kelp forest ecosystems
Authors: Smale Dan A.
Published: August 2019

Kelp forests represent some of the most diverse and productive habitats on Earth, and provide a range of ecosystem goods and services on which human populations depend. As the distribution and ecophysiology of kelp species is strongly influenced by temperature, recent warming trends in many regions have been linked with concurrent changes in kelp populations, communities and ecosystems. Over the past decade, the number of reports of ocean warming impacts on kelp forests has risen sharply. Here, I synthesise recent studies to highlight general patterns and trends. While kelp responses to climate change vary greatly between ocean basins, regions and species, there is compelling evidence to show that ocean warming poses an unequivocal threat to the persistence and integrity of kelp forest ecosystems in coming decades.
Functional ecology of congeneric variation in the leaf economics spectrum
Authors: Ji Wenli , LaZerte Stefanie E. , Waterway Marcia J. , Lechowicz Martin J.
Published: August 2019

Variation in resource availability can lead to phenotypic plasticity in the traits comprising the world‐wide leaf economics spectrum (LES), potentially impairing plant function and complicating the use of tabulated values for LES traits in ecological studies.

We compared 14 Carex (Cyperaceae) species in a factorial experiment (unshaded/shaded × sufficient/insufficient P) to analyze how changes in the network of allometric scaling relationships among LES traits influenced growth under favorable and resource‐limited conditions.

Changes in leaf mass per area (LMA) shifted the scaling relationships among LES traits expressed per unit area vs mass in ways that helped to sustain growth under resource limitation. Increases in area‐normalized photosynthetic capacity and foliar nitrogen (N) were correlated with increased growth, offsetting losses associated with mass‐normalized dark respiration and foliar N. These shifts increased the contributions to growth associated with photosynthetic N‐use efficiency and the N : P ratio.

Plasticity in LMA is at the hub of the functional role of the LES as an integrated and resilient complex system that balances the relationships among area‐ and mass‐based aspects of gas exchange and foliar nutrient traits to sustain at least some degree of plant growth under differing availabilities of above‐ and below‐ground resources.
Dual Credit Markets and Household Usage to Finance: Evidence from a Representative Chinese Household Survey
Authors: Cull Robert , Gan Li , Gao Nan , Xu Lixin Colin
Published: August 2019

Using a new and representative data set of Chinese household finance, we document household usage and costs of finance, along with their correlates. As in many developing countries, informal credit is a crucial element of household finance, and interest‐free informal loans based on reciprocal personal relationships are highly prevalent in our sample. Not surprisingly, wealth tends to be associated with greater usage of both formal and informal finance. Political connections, extensive social networks and certain household demographic characteristics (such as size) are all positively associated with formal or informal credit usage (or both). Overall, our findings show signs that a dual credit market is emerging in China, with the poor, politically unconnected, and those with larger family sizes still heavily reliant on informal finance, most of which are interest‐free, while younger, wealthier households with better political connections and financial knowledge are increasingly using formal finance.
Income Tax Progressivity: Trends and Implications
Authors: Gerber Claudia , Klemm Alexander , Liu Li , Mylonas Victor
Published: August 2019

This paper discusses how the structure of the tax system affects its progressivity. It suggests a measure of progressive capacity of tax systems, based on the Kakwani index, but independent of pretax income distributions. Using this and other progressivity measures, the paper (i) documents a decline in progressivity over the last decades and (ii) examines the relationship between progressivity and economic growth. On this relationship, regressions do not reveal a significant impact, suggesting that efficiency costs may be small – at least for degrees of progressivity observed in the sample. Finally, the paper finds that increasing tax progressivity reduces pretax inequality.