bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of saline‐waterlogging and dryness/moist alternations on seed germination of halophyte and xerophyte
Authors: Zhang Tao , Song Jie , Fan Jialin , Feng Gu
Published: June 2014

In arid zones, precipitation distribution is extremely uneven, with saline‐waterlogging and dry–moist cycles appearing frequently, which negatively impact on seed germination and seedling establishment. The responses of two halophytes, Suaeda physophora and Haloxylon ammodendron, and a xerophyte, Haloxylon persicum, to saline‐waterlogging and dry–moist cycles were studied. The results showed that aeration increased seed germination for all species when seeds were submerged in NaCl, especially for xerophyte. Compared with S. physophora and H. ammodendron, seed germination, recovery germination, and total germination of H. persicum were much lower when seeds were submerged in 700 mm NaCl, especially for the recovery germination and total germination of nongerminated seeds when the seeds were desiccated and then transferred to distilled water. However, when the seeds were submerged in 700 mm NaCl with aeration, the seed germination, recovery germination, and total germination of nongerminated seeds transferred to distilled water increased dramatically for H. persicum. No adverse effect of desiccation was found on those values of nongerminated seeds pretreated in NaCl with or without aeration for the two halophytes. In conclusion, seeds of the two halophytes were more tolerant to waterlogging and dry–moist cycles than seeds of the xerophyte during emergence under saline conditions; these traits may be important for halophytes to survive extreme saline environments during the seed germination stage.
Speech–language therapists’ process of including significant others in aphasia rehabilitation
Authors: Hallé Marie‐Christine , Le Dorze Guylaine , Mingant Anne
Published: June 2014

Background

Although aphasia rehabilitation should include significant others, it is currently unknown how this recommendation is adopted in speech–language therapy practice. Speech–language therapists’ (SLTs) experience of including significant others in aphasia rehabilitation is also understudied, yet a better understanding of clinical reality would be necessary to facilitate implementation of best evidence pertaining to family interventions.

Aims

To explore the process through which SLTs work with significant others of people with aphasia in rehabilitation settings.

Methods & Procedures

Individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight SLTs who had been working with persons with aphasia in rehabilitation centres for at least 1 year. Grounded theory principles were applied in analysing interview transcripts.

Outcomes & Results

A theoretical model was developed representing SLTs’ process of working with significant others of persons with aphasia in rehabilitation. Including significant others was perceived as challenging, yet a bonus to their fundamental patient‐centred approach. Basic interventions with significant others when they were available included information sharing. If necessary, significant others were referred to social workers or psychologists or the participants collaborated with those professionals. Participants rarely and only under specific conditions provided significant others with language exercises or trained them to communicate better with the aphasic person. As a result, even if participants felt satisfied with their efforts to offer family and friends interventions, they also had unachieved ideals, such as having more frequent contacts with significant others.

Conclusions & Implications

If SLTs perceived work with significant others as a feasible necessity, rather than as a challenging bonus, they could be more inclined to include family and friends within therapy with the aim to improve their communication with the person with aphasia. SLTs could also be more satisfied with their practice. In order to operate these changes in perceptions, we suggest that SLT curriculums include in‐depth training about family intervention, a redefinition of the concept of patient, and exploration of SLTs’ beliefs and emotions related to significant others.
Global phylogeography of pelagic Polynucleobacter bacteria: Restricted geographic distribution of subgroups, isolation by distance and influence of climate
Authors: Hahn Martin W. , Koll Ulrike , Jezberová Jitka , Camacho Antonio
Published: June 2014

The free‐living planktonic freshwater bacterium Polynucleobacter necessarius subspecies asymbioticus (> 99% 16S rRNA similarity) represents a taxon with a cosmopolitan distribution and apparently ubiquitous occurrence in lentic freshwater habitats. We tested for intra‐taxon biogeographic patterns by combining cultivation‐independent and cultivation methods. A culture collection of 204 strains isolated from globally distributed freshwater habitats (Arctic to Antarctica) was investigated for phylogeographic patterns based on sequences of two markers, the 16S–23S internal transcribed spacers and the glutamine synthetase gene (glnA). Genetic distance between isolates showed significant geographic distance‐decay patterns for both markers, suggesting that an isolation‐by‐distance mechanism influences the global phylogeography. Furthermore, a couple of subgroups showed restricted geographic distributions. Strains of one subgroup were exclusively obtained from tropical sites on four continents (pantropical subgroup). Cultivation‐independent methods were used to confirm the restricted geographic distributions of two subgroups. The pantropical taxon could be detected in 63% of investigated tropical habitats but not in any of 121 European freshwater samples. Physiological tests indicated that almost all strains of the pantropical subgroup failed to grow at temperatures of 4°C, while strains affiliated with other subgroups showed good growth at this temperature. This suggests that thermal adaptation is involved in phylogeographic structuring of the global Polynucleobacter population.
A single exposure to a sublethal pediocin concentration initiates a resistance‐associated temporal cell envelope and general stress response in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Laursen Martin F. , Bahl Martin I. , Licht Tine R. , Gram Lone , Knudsen Gitte M.
Published: June 2014

Listeria monocytogenes can cause the potentially fatal food‐borne disease listeriosis, and the use of bacteriocin‐producing lactic acid bacteria to control L. monocytogenes holds great promise. However, the development of bacteriocin resistance is a potential challenge, and the purpose of this study was to determine if exposure to sublethal concentrations of pediocin‐containing Lactobacillus plantarum WHE 92 supernatant could prime L. monocytogenes for resistance. By transcriptomic analysis, we found two, 55 and 539 genes differentially expressed after 10, 60 and 180 min of exposure to L. plantarum WHE 92 supernatant as compared with control exposures. We observed temporal expression changes in genes regulated by the two component system LisRK and the alternative sigma factors SigB and SigL. Additionally, several genes involved in bacteriocin resistance were induced. ΔlisR, ΔsigB and ΔsigL mutants were all more resistant than wild types to L. plantarum WHE 92 supernatant. Conclusively, LisRK, SigB and SigL regulation and genes associated with resistance are involved in the temporal adaptive response to pediocin, and all three regulatory systems affect pediocin resistance. Thus, a single exposure to a sublethal pediocin concentration initiates a response pointing to resistance, and indicates that further research exploring the link between adaptive responses and resistance is needed.
Outer membrane vesicles are vehicles for the delivery ofVibrio tasmaniensisvirulence factors to oyster immune cells
Authors: Vanhove Audrey Sophie , Duperthuy Marylise , Charrière Guillaume M. , Le Roux Frédérique , Goudenège David , Gourbal Benjamin , Kieffer‐Jaquinod Sylvie , Couté Yohann , Wai Sun Nyunt , Destoumieux‐Garzón Delphine
Published: June 2014

Vibrio tasmaniensis LGP32, a facultative intracellular pathogen of oyster haemocytes, was shown here to release outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) both in the extracellular milieu and inside haemocytes. Intracellular release ofOMVs occurred inside phagosomes of intact haemocytes having phagocytosed few vibrios as well as in damaged haemocytes containing large vacuoles heavily loaded withLGP32. TheOMVproteome ofLGP32 was shown to be rich in hydrolases (25%) including potential virulence factors such as proteases, lipases, phospholipases, haemolysins and nucleases. One major caseinase/gelatinase namedVsp for vesicular serine protease was found to be specifically secreted throughOMVs in which it is enclosed.Vsp was shown to participate in the virulence phenotype ofLGP32 in oyster experimental infections. Finally,OMVs were highly protective against antimicrobial peptides, increasing the minimal inhibitory concentration of polymyxinBby 16‐fold. Protection was conferred byOMVtitration of polymyxinBbut did not depend on the activity ofVsp or anotherOMV‐associated protease. Altogether, our results show thatOMVs contribute to the pathogenesis ofLGP32, being able to deliver virulence factors to host immune cells and conferring protection against antimicrobial peptides.
In vivo role of checkpoint kinase 2 in signaling telomere dysfunction
Authors: García‐Beccaria María , Martínez Paula , Flores Juana M. , Blasco Maria A.
Published: June 2014

Checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2) is a downstream effector of the DNA damage response (DDR). Dysfunctional telomeres, either owing to critical shortening or disruption of the shelterin complex, activate a DDR, which eventually results in cell cycle arrest, senescence and/or apoptosis. Successive generations of telomerase‐deficient (Terc) mice show accelerated aging and shorter lifespan due to tissue atrophy and impaired organ regeneration associated to progressive telomere shortening. In contrast, mice deficient for the shelterin component TRF1 in stratified epithelia show a rapid and massive induction of DDR, leading to perinatal lethality and severe skin defects. In both mouse models, p53 deficiency can rescue survival. Here, we set to address the role of CHK2 in signaling telomere dysfunction in both mouse models. To this end, we generated mice doubly deficient for Chk2 and either Terc (Chk2−/− Terc−/−) or Trf1 (Trf1Δ/Δ K5Cre Chk2−/−). We show that Chk2 deletion improves Terc‐associated phenotypes, including lifespan and age‐associated pathologies. Similarly, Chk2 deficiency partially rescues perinatal mortality and attenuates degenerative pathologies of Trf1Δ/Δ K5Cre mice. In both cases, we show that the effects are mediated by a significant attenuation of p53/p21 signaling pathway. Our results represent the first demonstration of a role for CHK2 in the in vivo signaling of dysfunctional telomeres.
The Development and Validation of the Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving (CIT) and the Brief Inventory of Thriving (BIT)
Authors: Su Rong , Tay Louis , Diener Ed
Published: June 2014

In this article we present the development and validation of two new measures of psychological well‐being: the Comprehensive Inventory of Thriving (CIT) and the Brief Inventory of Thriving (BIT). These measures were developed with two specific goals in mind: (1) to measure a broad range of psychological well‐being constructs and represent a holistic view of positive functioning; and (2) to predict important health outcomes that are useful for researchers and health practitioners. The CIT includes 18 subscales with 54 items in total, covering a broad range of well‐being components. The BIT has 10 items in total and can serve as an indicator of psychological well‐being and a brief screening tool of mental health. The new measures were evaluated in five samples of a total of 3,191 US participants with diverse demographics. The CIT and BIT had excellent psychometric properties and exhibited convergent validity with existing measures of psychological well‐being and discriminant validity with measures of ill‐being. Both measures contributed over and above existing measures of psychology well‐being in predicting a variety of health outcomes, including self‐reported and objective health status, physical functioning, and health behaviors. In addition, we showed the relative importance of thriving compared to ill‐being for health outcomes and the benefits of assessing individuals' positive functioning beyond ill‐being. Potential uses of the new measures are discussed.
Tourism neoliberalism and the swamp as enterprise
Authors: Keul Adam
Published: June 2014

The expansion of globalised neoliberal capitalism has driven communities to seek innovative ways to commodify natural spaces. While in the past, environments in the developed world were cast primarily as sources of raw materials, today such natural spaces are commodified through a combination of conservation and tourism. This accumulation strategy seems to allow states and communities a way to both profit from and save environments by casting tourism as an ecological service. This study shows how nature‐based tourism is developed as an ‘environmental fix’ for communities that are increasingly pressed to extract value without destroying their physical environs. To support this claim, evidence is drawn from the analysis of tourism in three large swamps in the US South. Though the Atchafalaya Basin, Okefenokee swamp and Caddo Lake have different histories, cadastral regimes and varieties of political/environmental protection, they all exhibit a common type of smallcraft swamp tour. Using experiences of these tours, interviews with guides and tourists, and policy sources, this paper shows how swamp tourism was employed as a way of producing a united ‘place enterprise’ where public and private entities and spaces are blurred. Under the neoliberal dictate to run protected areas ‘like a business’, tourism communities acted collectively not only to attract tourists, but to resist swamp development by extractive industries. A common landscape and use of nature‐tourism as economic development connected these places, producing similar translocal effects. Despite common local perceptions of tourism, this sort of development is shown to be a furthering of the social and environmental relations that typify neoliberalism and thus can be grouped together with a host of other neoliberal natures.
The PAG Crowd: A Graph Based Approach for Efficient Data‐Driven Crowd Simulation
Authors: Charalambous P. , Chrysanthou Y.
Published: June 2014

We present a data‐driven method for the real‐time synthesis of believable steering behaviours for virtual crowds. The proposed method interlinks the input examples into a structure we call the perception‐action graph (PAG) which can be used at run‐time to efficiently synthesize believable virtual crowds. A virtual character's state is encoded using a temporal representation, the Temporal Perception Pattern (TPP). The graph nodes store groups of similar TPPs whereas edges connecting the nodes store actions (trajectories) that were partially responsible for the transformation between the TPPs. The proposed method is being tested on various scenarios using different input data and compared against a nearest neighbours approach which is commonly employed in other data‐driven crowd simulation systems. The results show up to an order of magnitude speed‐up with similar or better simulation quality.
Healing at mandibular block‐grafted sites. An experimental study in dogs
Authors: De Santis Enzo , Lang Niklaus P. , Favero Giovanni , Beolchini Marco , Morelli Fabrizio , Botticelli Daniele
Published: June 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing of autologous bone block grafts or deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) block grafts applied concomitantly with collagen membranes for horizontal alveolar ridge augmentation.

Material and methods

In six Labrador dogs, molars were extracted bilaterally, the buccal bony wall was removed, and a buccal box‐shaped defect created. After 3 months, a bony block graft was harvested from the right ascending ramus of the mandible and reduced to a standardized size. ADBBMblock was tailored to similar dimensions. The two blocks were secured with screws onto the buccal wall of the defects in the right and left sides of the mandible, respectively. Resorbable membranes were applied at both sides, and the flaps sutured. After 3 months, one implant was installed in each side of the mandible, in the interface between grafts and parent bone. After 3 months, biopsies were harvested and ground sections prepared to reveal a 6‐month healing period of the grafts.

Results

77 ± 6.2% and 5.9 ± 7.5% of vital mineralized bone were found at the autologous bone andDBBMblock graft sites, respectively. Moreover, at theDBBMsite, 63 ± 11.7% of connective tissue and 31 ± 15.5% ofDBBMoccupied the area analyzed. Only 0.2 ± 0.4% ofDBBMwas found in contact with newly formed bone. The horizontal loss was in a mean range of 0.9–1.8 mm, and 0.3–0.8 mm, at the autologous bone andDBBMblock graft sites, respectively.

Conclusions

Autologous bone grafts were vital and integrated to the parent bone after 6 months of healing. In contrast,DBBMgrafts were embedded into connective tissue, and only a limited amount of bone was found inside the scaffold of the biomaterial.
A 40‐year, continent‐wide, multispecies assessment of relevant climate predictors for species distribution modelling
Authors: Barbet‐Massin Morgane , Jetz Walter
Published: June 2014

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly used to address numerous questions in ecology, biogeography, conservation biology and evolution. Surprisingly, the crucial step of selecting the most relevant variables has received little attention, despite its direct implications for model transferability and uncertainty. Here, we aim to address this with a continent‐wide, evaluation of which climate predictors provided the most accurate SDMs for bird distributions.

Location

Conterminous United States.

Methods

For 243 species, we used yearly data since 1971 (from the North American Breeding Bird Survey) to run SDMs (six different algorithms) with combinations of six relatively uncorrelated climate predictors (selected from 22 widely used climate variables). We then estimated the importance of each predictor – both spatially and over a 40‐year time period – by comparing the accuracy of the model obtained with or without a given predictor.

Results

Three temperature‐related variables (annual potential evapotranspiration, mean annual temperature and growing degree days) produced significantly more accurate SDMs than any other predictors. Among precipitation predictors, annual precipitation provided the most accurate results. Albeit only rarely used in SDMs, the moisture index performed similarly strongly. Interestingly, predictors that summarize average annual climate produced more accurate distributions than seasonal predictors, despite distinct seasonal movements in most species considered. Encouragingly, spatial and temporal (over 40 years) evaluation of variables yielded very similar results.

Main conclusions

The approach presented here allowed us to identify the statistically most relevant predictors for birds in the USA and can be applied to other taxa and/or in different parts of the world. Appropriately selecting the most relevant predictors of species distributions at large spatial scale is vital to identifying ecologically meaningful relationships that provide the most accurate predictions under climate change or biological invasions.
The interaction of mastery motivation, motor abilities, the appropriate task, and the therapeutic environment
Authors: Charles Jeanne
Published: June 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Miller et al. on pages 976–983 of this issue.
Meaningfulness of mean group results for determining the optimal motor rehabilitation program for an individual child with cerebral palsy
Authors: Damiano Diane L
Published: June 2014

As research on the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions to improve motor functioning in cerebral palsy (CP) has accumulated and been incorporated into systematic reviews, the foundation for evidence‐based practice in CP is growing. To determine whether an intervention is effective, clinical trials report mean group differences. However, even if a statistically significant mean group effect is found, this does not imply that this intervention was effective for each study participant or ensure positive outcomes for all with CP. A personalized approach to medical care is currently being advocated based primarily on increasingly recognized genetic variations in individual responses to medications and other therapies. A similar approach is also warranted, and perhaps more justifiable, in CP which includes a heterogeneous group of disorders. Even interventions deemed highly effective in CP demonstrate a range of individual responses along a continuum from a negative or negligible response to a strong positive effect, the bases for which remain incompletely understood. This narrative review recommends that the next critical step in advancing evidence‐based practice is to implement research strategies to identify patient factors that predict treatment responses so we can not only answer the question ‘what works’, but also ‘what works best, for whom’.
Deficits in attention, motor control, and perception and increased risk of injury in children
Authors: Cairney John
Published: June 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Chou et al. on pages 1111–1116 of this issue.
Self‐awareness of foot health status in patients with Type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II
Authors: Baba M. , Foley L. , Davis W. A. , Davis T. M. E.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To determine self‐awareness of diabetes‐related foot problems and its associates in a community‐based cohort of people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A survey concerning diabetic foot problems was administered to 358 consecutive patients with Type 2 diabetes [mean ± sd age 67.4 ± 10.8 years, 56.1% males, median (interquartile range) diabetes duration 9.0 (3.9–16.8) years] attending for detailed clinical, biochemical and questionnaire assessment as part of the longitudinal observational Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II.

Results

Compared with the 213 patients (59.5%) who considered their feet to be normal, the 145 (40.5%) who considered their feet to be abnormal were older, had longer diabetes duration and were more likely to have sensory neuropathic symptoms and self‐reported poor circulation (P < 0.001). In those who considered their feet to be normal, 67.9% had peripheral sensory neuropathy (score >2/8 on the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument clinical portion), 9.9% had an ankle‐brachial index < 0.9, 6.1% had both peripheral sensory neuropathy and an ankle‐brachial index < 0.90, and 86.9% had one or more features on inspection, such as deformity, dry skin, callus and fissures that could facilitate more serious complications, despite the majority having had at least one foot examination by a healthcare professional in the previous year.

Conclusions

Self‐assessment of diabetes‐related foot problems by patients in the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II was unreliable. The present data suggest that self‐perceived foot health should be assessed together with foot examination findings. Intensive education and monitoring may be necessary in those who consider their feet to be normal but who have neurovascular, structural and/or other precursors of serious foot pathology.
Influence of gestational diabetes mellitus on neonatal weight outcome in twin pregnancies
Authors: Guillén M. A. , Herranz L. , Barquiel B. , Hillman N. , Burgos M. A. , Pallardo L. F.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To evaluate the influence of gestational diabetes mellitus on neonatal birthweight, macrosomia and weight discrepancy in twin neonates.

Methods

An observational retrospective study was performed. One hundred and six women with gestational diabetes and twin pregnancy and 166 twin controls who delivered viable fetuses > 24 weeks were included. Impact of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI, smoking habit, method of conception, chorionicity, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery and hypertensive complications were also analysed. The effect of maternal hyperglycaemia and metabolic control in gestational diabetes pregnancies was assessed.

Results

Gestational hypertension and pre‐eclampsia were significantly higher in the group with gestational diabetes (21.5% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.007 and 6.2% vs. 0%, P = 0.025). There were no differences in the incidence of macrosomia (5.7% vs. 7.2%, P = 0.803), large for gestational age (10.3% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.570), small for gestational age (10.3% vs. 12.0%, P = 0.701), severely small for gestational age (6.6% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.814) or weight discrepancy (20.6% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.320) in the group with gestational diabetes compared with twin pregnancies without diabetes. There were no differences when comparing insulin‐requiring gestational diabetes pregnancies and twins without diabetes for any of the neonatal weight outcomes. There was no relationship between third trimester HbA1c and neonatal birthweight or infant birthweight ratio.

Conclusion

Gestational diabetes did not increase the risk of macrosomia or weight discrepancy of twin newborns. Furthermore, glycaemic control did not influence the rate of any of the weight outcomes in our study population. In twin pregnancies, gestational diabetes was associated with a higher risk of gestational hypertension and pre‐eclampsia.
Greater fear of hypoglycaemia with premixed insulin than with basal‐bolus insulin glargine and glulisine: patient‐reported outcomes from a 60‐week randomised study
Authors: Polonsky W. H. , Thompson S. , Wei W. , Riddle M. C. , Chaudhari S. , Jackson J. , Bruno A. S.
Published: June 2014

Aim

To assess the effect of initiating insulin treatment on quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the 60‐week All‐to‐Target trial (NCT00384085).

Methods

Patient‐reported outcomes from a phase IV, multicentre, randomised, open‐label, parallel‐group study were analysed. Participants were randomised to: insulin glargine with up to one insulin glulisine injection (G + 1); insulin glargine with stepwise addition of up to three insulin glulisine injections (G + 3); or twice‐daily premixed 70/30 insulin protamine‐aspart/aspart (PM‐2). Patient‐reported outcome questionnaires were administered at weeks 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60.

Results

There were no between‐group differences in the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness State–Self Report (PAIS‐SR) or in the EuroQoL Group Five‐Dimension Self‐Report Index Questionnaire (EQ‐5D) from baseline to week 60; however, PAIS–SR scores improved significantly over this period in the G + 3 group (p = 0.0016) and EQ‐5D scores worsened significantly in the PM‐2 group (p = 0.02). Hypoglycemia Fear Survey Behaviour and Worry subscales worsened significantly for all groups, with greater deterioration being observed in the PM‐2 group than in the G + 1 group (Behaviour, p = 0.0050; Worry, p = 0.0017) and G + 3 groups (Behaviour, p = 0.0105; Worry, p = 0.0016). Total scores on the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQoL) questionnaire improved more in the G + 3 group than in the PM‐2 group over the study period (p = 0.0284), with all groups showing a significant improvement in DQoL score over time.

Conclusion

Insulin glargine‐based regimens showed advantages over premixed insulin in a number of patient‐reported outcome measures. The potential impact on fear of hypoglycaemia may be of particular relevance when addressing the major barriers to early insulin treatment.
Evaluation of the insulin‐releasing and glucose‐lowering effects of GPR120 activation in pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Moran B. M. , Abdel‐Wahab Y. H. A. , Flatt P. R. , McKillop A. M.
Published: June 2014

Aims

To assess the potency and selectivity of various GPR120 agonists and to determine the cellular localization of GPR120 in clonal β‐cells and pancreatic islets.

Methods

Insulin secretion and alterations in intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP response to glucose and GPR120 agonists, including endogenous agonists α‐linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a synthetic analogue (GW‐9508), were examined using clonal pancreatic BRIN‐BD11 cells, mouse pancreatic islets and in vivo studies using NIH Swiss mice. Cytotoxicity was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase release. Cellular localization of GPR120 was explored by double‐staining immunohistochemistry.

Results

The most potent and selective GPR120 agonist tested was ALA (half maximum effective concentration 1.2 × 10−8 mol/l) with a maximum stimulation of insulin secretion of 53% at 10−4 mol/l (p < 0.001) in BRIN‐BD11 cells. Stimulation of insulin secretion was also observed with GW‐9508 (6.4 × 10−8 mol/l; 47%), EPA (7.9 × 10−8 mol/l; 36%) and DHA (1.0 × 10−7 mol/l; 50%). Results were corroborated by islet studies, with no evidence of cytotoxic effects. Dose‐dependent insulin secretion by GPR120 agonists was glucose‐sensitive and accompanied by significant elevations of intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP. Immunocytochemistry showed GPR120 expression on BRIN‐BD11 cells and was confined to islet β‐cells with no distribution on α‐cells. Administration of GPR120 agonists (0.1 µmol/kg body weight) in glucose tolerance studies significantly reduced plasma glucose and augmented insulin release in mice.

Conclusions

These results indicate that GPR120 is expressed on pancreatic β‐cells and that agonists at this receptor are potent insulin secretagogues with therapeutic potential for type 2 diabetes.
Ipragliflozin in combination with metformin for the treatment of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: ILLUMINATE, a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Kashiwagi A. , Kazuta K. , Goto K. , Yoshida S. , Ueyama E. , Utsuno A.
Published: June 2014

This multicenter, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study examined the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin, a sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitor, in combination with metformin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients were randomized in a 2 : 1 ratio to 50 mg ipragliflozin (n = 112) or placebo (n = 56) once daily for 24 weeks, followed by a 28‐week open‐label extension in which all patients received 50 or 100 mg ipragliflozin, while continuing metformin. The primary outcome was the change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to week 24. HbA1c decreased significantly in the ipragliflozin group (−0.87%; adjusted mean difference from placebo: −1.30%; p < 0.001). The overall incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events was similar in both groups, although pollakiuria and constipation were more common in the ipragliflozin group; thus, ipragliflozin significantly improved glycaemic control and reduced body weight without major safety issues in Japanese patients with T2DM.
Do House Prices Affect Consumption? A Re‐assessment of the Wealth Hypothesis
Authors: Cristini Annalisa , Sevilla Almudena
Published: June 2014

This paper revives the debate in the literature about the relationship between house prices and consumption by exploring conflicting results in the UK. Campbell and Cocco () find that old owners benefit most from a house price increase and young renters least, confirming the so‐called wealth hypothesis. In contrast, Attanasio et al. () find that house prices have the same impact on consumption across age groups. We rule out several potential explanations related to data construction, and provide evidence that the functional form can reconcile the conflicting results in the two papers.
Debt Rescheduling with Multiple Lenders: Relying on the Information of Others
Authors: Fluet Claude , Garella Paolo G.
Published: June 2014

Are multiple‐lender loans rescheduled more or less often than single‐lender loans? Do multiple lenders react efficiently to new information? Our analysis emphasizes the role of the precision of information: lenders trade off benefits from immediate foreclosure against expected benefits of waiting for other lenders to act, given the likelihood that other lenders’ information is more precise. We analyse a Bayesian game where signals distributed to lenders may differ in precision and content. Equilibria display excessive liquidation or excessive rescheduling, depending on the likelihood of information. Outcomes are nevertheless second‐best, given the constraint that private information cannot be merged.
Using historical biogeography to test for community saturation
Authors: Pinto‐Sánchez Nelsy Rocío , Crawford Andrew J. , Wiens John J.
Published: June 2014

Saturation is the idea that a community is effectively filled with species, such that no more can be added without extinctions. This concept has important implications for many areas of ecology, such as species richness, community assembly, invasive species and climate change. Here, we illustrate how biogeography can be used to test for community saturation, when combined with data on local species richness, phylogeny and climate. We focus on a clade of frogs (Terrarana) and the impact of the Great American Biotic Interchange on patterns of local richness in Lower Middle America and adjacent regions. We analyse data on species richness at 83 sites and a time‐calibrated phylogeny for 363 species. We find no evidence for saturation, and show instead that biotic interchange dramatically increased local richness in the region. We suggest that historical biogeography offers thousands of similar long‐term natural experiments that can be used to test for saturation.
A Pilot Study on Genetic Speed Markers in Turkish Thoroughbreds
Authors: Gür E , Onmaz AC , Steinborn R , van den Hoven R
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The 227‐bp SINE insertion in the promoter region of the MSTN gene, the intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of MSTN, g.66493737C>T, and the SNPs BIEC2‐417274 and BIEC2‐417495 located upstream and downstream of MSTN seem appropriate QTL markers for racing performance of elite Thoroughbreds. This pilot study aimed to find if these markers of racing ability can be used to optimize the management of the racing careers of Turkish Thoroughbreds.

Methods

Hair roots were used for DNA extraction. The promoter insertion was analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis of the PCR product. The SNPs were typed by the amplification refractory mutation system‐real‐time PCR. Best racing distance was defined as the distance of the races in which the horse obtained the best results. Results were semi quantified by a point score based on wining and places.

Results

BIEC2‐417274, BIEC2‐417495 SNP variants and the 227‐bp SINE were strongly associated with g.66493737C>T. For the latter, the genotype frequencies were: C/C 0.23, C/T 0.52 and T/T 0.25. In total 39% of the Turkish races are distances >1600 m. Analysis of the racing career showed that both the sprinters (C/C) and the medium distance horse (C/T) were not entered optimally in races that fit with their genetic ability.

Conclusions

Turkish race programing should create more opportunities for the g.66493737 C/T genotypes to show their ability. This implies that more 1700 to 2800 m races should be scheduled in the racing calendar.

Ethical Animal Research

Owner informed consent was obtained. Sources of funding: Jockey Club of Turkey. Competing interests: none.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (BIEC2‐808543) on Eca3 Is Associated with Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy Independent of Height in Thoroughbred Horses
Authors: Herdan C , McGivney B , Gough K , Hill E , Katz L
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) is considered height‐linked in Thoroughbreds. A SNP (BIEC2‐808543) proximal to the LCORL/NCAPG gene significantly influences height variation in horses. It has been suggested that the C‐allele of this SNP is associated with RLN risk. Our objective was to investigate the association between the BIEC2‐808543 C‐allele, RLN and height in a cohort of Thoroughbreds.

Methods

Resting and exercising upper respiratory tract endoscopic videos, laryngeal ultrasonograms, wither height, age and sex were recorded in 79 Thoroughbreds (age 34 ± 11 months). The Havemeyer grading scale was used to characterise RLN cases (Grade B or C at exercise) and controls (Grade 1.1 or 2.1 at rest, Grade A at exercise, normal laryngeal ultrasound). All horses were genotyped for the BIEC2‐808543 SNP using a custom TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay. Logistic regression was performed measuring additive effects of allele dosage with sex, age and height as covariates (P≤0.05). Horses were subcategorised into tall (T,≥162 cm) and short (S,<162 cm) groups for C‐allele frequency determination, with data presented as mean ± SD.

Results

There were 16 RLN cases (height 164.5 ± 4 cm) and 32 controls (height 156.2 ± 4 cm). With sex and age as covariates, a significant association between the C‐allele and RLN cases was observed (P = 0.01). With height included as a covariate, a strong trend of association between the C‐allele and RLN remained (P = 0.06). C‐allele frequency was 41.7% for the T‐RLN group (n = 12, height 166.2 ± 3 cm), 12.5% for the S‐RLN group (n = 4, height 159.5 ± 2 cm), 13% for the T‐Control group (n = 16, height 165.1 ± 2 cm) and 14% for the S‐Control group (n = 16, height 156.2 ± 4 cm).

Conclusions

The association between the BIEC‐808543 C‐allele and RLN appears to be independent of height.

Ethical Animal Research

Institutional Animal Research Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study is not stated. Sources of funding: Science Foundation Ireland under Grant Number 11/PI/1166. Competing interests: Dr Hill is a co‐founder and Chairman of Equinome Ltd.
Faecal Microbiome of the Thoroughbred Racehorse and Its Response to Dietary Amylase Supplementation
Authors: Proudman C , Darby A , Escalona E
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The horse has evolved to survive on a low‐energy, high‐fibre diet. The addition of starch, in the form of cereals, to the diet of racehorses to satisfy the high energy demands of extreme exercise has been identified as a risk factor for intestinal dysfunction. In this study we use 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes to characterize the gut microbiome of 8 Thoroughbred (Tb) racehorses and study the response to dietary supplementation.

Methods

Faecal samples were collected from 8 Tb racehorses in training. A second sample was collected from all horses six weeks after commencement of twice daily dietary supplementation with an amylase‐rich malt extract, designed to enhance pre‐caecal digestion. Amplicons for the V1‐V3 region of the 16S rDNA gene were multiplexed and sequenced on the 454 resulting in ∼25,000 reads per sample. Differences in bacterial community structure were detected by linear discriminant analysis.

Results

Communities were composed of an equal balance between Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes with a ∼5% contribution from other bacterial phyla. The number of observed operational taxonomic units sharing ≥97% nucleotide sequence in our racehorse population was 6000–8000. Horses showed no significant change in the number of OTUs observed after diet supplementation, but significant changes in the relative abundance of both Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes families were observed.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a highly diverse and complex faecal microbial community in Tb racehorses in the UK. Inter‐horse variability is low amongst horses in the same training yard. We identified significant shifts in community profile following dietary supplementation and speculate that these may enhance intestinal health.

Ethical Animal Research

This study was conducted under the University of Liverpool research ethics approval: RETH000363. The informed consent of the trainer was obtained and all samples were obtained non‐invasively. Sources of funding: private donation. Competing interests: none.
Skin Displacement in the Equine Neck
Authors: Bergh A , Egenvall A , Olsson E , Uhlhorn M , Rhodin M
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Kinematic studies, using reflective skin markers, are commonly used to investigate equine neck motion in equitation science and for rehabilitation purposes. In order to interpret the registrations accurately, the degree of skin displacement has been described for the limbs and back, but not for the neck. The aim of the present study was to investigate the degree of skin displacement in the equine neck.

Methods

Radiopaque skin markers were applied to the skin over the first six cervical vertebrae of six healthy horses. Radiographs were taken in three standardized neck positions in the sagittal plane: control (horizontal neck), “on the bit” and “nose to carpus”. The scales of the images were normalized and calculation of skin displacement was performed by use of a coordinate system, dividing the displacement into measurements on an x‐axis parallel to the vertebra's longitudinal axis and a y‐axis perpendicular to the x‐axis. The non‐parametric paired Wilcoxon rank test was employed to study the differences in distances in x‐ and y‐directions, and statistical significance was set to P<0.05.

Results

Between control and “nose to carpus” positions, there were significant differences in the marker locations, related to the underlying vertebra, in x‐line for C1–6, and in y‐line for C3–6. The differences in marker locations were between 3 ± 9 and 44 ± 14 mm, depending on the marker.

Conclusions

The outcome of this study indicates that skin displacement is an important factor to consider when investigating equine neck motion with skin marker methodology.

Ethical Animal Research

The study was approved by a local Ethical Committee on Animal Experiments (Uppsala, Sweden), with written consent from the horse owners. Sources of funding: none. Competing interests: none.
Effect of Gait and Turn Direction on Body Lean Angle in the Horse
Authors: Brocklehurst C , Weller R , Pfau T
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Turning is commonly used as a diagnostic aid in lameness examinations. Systematic movement deviations compared to locomotion in a straight line are noted across horses with variation at an individual level. This study aimed to investigate whether deviations from the expected body lean angle, predicted from the ratio of gravitational and centripetal accelerations, are consistent between trot and canter. It was hypothesized that, independent of gait, there would be agreement between the observed and predicted angle with variations on an individual horse level.

Methods

A GPS‐aided inertial measurement unit was attached over the sacrum in twenty horses and quantified body lean angle, speed and circle radius in trot and canter on left and right rein. Predicted body lean angle was calculated from speed and circle radius and was compared to the observed body lean (Δobs,pred). A generalized linear model was implemented to study the effect of horse, lungeing direction and gait.

Results

Mean speed and circle radius were 3.3 m/s and 4.9 m in trot and 4.5 m/s and 5.7 m in canter. On average Δobs,pred was −1.1°in trot and −0.8°in canter and was found to be significantly different between horses (P<0.0001) and between lungeing directions (P<0.0001) but not between gaits (P = 0.14). Interactions between horse and direction (P<0.0001) and horse and gait (P = 0.011) were also found to be significant.

Conclusions

Horses leaned marginally less into the circle than predicted. However, showing significant differences in body lean angle between horses and turn directions but not between gaits, we provide evidence for horse specific adaptations. Whether these are related to laterality or to underlying subclinical lameness needs to be further investigated.

Ethical Animal Research

The study was approved by the local ethics committee. Sources of funding: none declared. Competing interests: none.
An Investigation of Relationships between Horse and Rider Pelvic Asymmetry
Authors: Browne L , Cunliffe C
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Asymmetry of the horse and rider partnership is a challenging and complex area. There is limited scientific research regarding the occurrence of misalignments in the horse and rider, and if there is any relationship between the two. This study investigated asymmetry of single horse and rider combinations focusing on pelvis asymmetry.

Methods

14 single horse/rider combinations (minimum 6 month partnership) on the same daily routine were assessed. Horses and riders were assessed for misalignments of the pelvis, spine, and neck by a fully qualified human and animal (McTimoney) practitioner on the same day. Triplicate measurements of rider dorsal iliac crest (IC) distance (nearest 0.2 cm) and degree of tilt (0d.p) were recorded, sitting and standing, using a PALM palpation meter to calculate IC height discrepancy. Triplicate horse tuber coxae (TC) heights (nearest 0.5 cm) were measured using a plumb line. Difference between means indicated direction and value of asymmetry relative to symmetry of zero. Student's t‐test and Pearson's Product Moment correlation examined asymmetry relationships.

Results

Mean rider IC height discrepancy, standing, was 0.89 ± 0.64 cm and sitting, 1.00 ± 0.66 cm. Mean TC height discrepancy was 1.3 ± 1.6 cm. Asymmetry of the pelvis was a feature of 93% of horse/rider combinations, 85% occurring in the same direction. There was a significant positive correlation between horse TC and rider IC height discrepancies (r2 = 0.4, F = 8.24, P = 0.014).

Conclusions

This study provides positive evidence of a relationship between the direction of horse pelvic rotation and rider pelvic tilt and also between the degree of tilt and rotation. This has implications for physical therapy treatment of horse and rider. Further research of causal effect relationships of the asymmetries is recommended.

Ethical Animal Research

Procedures were reviewed by the McTimoney Chiropractic College Ethical Review Committee. Sources of funding: none. Competing interests: none.
Effect of Speed on Stride Parameters and Limb Loading: Comparison between Forelimb and Hindlimb at Training Trot on a Firm Surface
Authors: Crevier‐Denoix N , Camus M , Pourcelot P , Pauchard M , Falala S , Ravary‐Plumioen B , Denoix JM , Desquilbet L , Chateau H
Published: June 2014

Introduction

Direct measurement of peak vertical force in equine forelimbs and hindlimbs under training conditions has not been achieved to date. This measurement is possible using dynamometric horseshoes (DHSs). The objectives of this study were to investigate, on a firm surface, the effect of speed on stride parameters and on vertical loading in the forelimb (FL) compared to the hindlimb (HL).

Methods

Right front and hind hooves of 5 trotters were equipped with a DHS. A linear corridor was delimited on a firm sand training track. Each horse alternately repeated trials (harness trot) at 25, 35 and 40 km/h (4 to 6 times at each speed). For each trial, stride parameters and dynamic variables (peak vertical force and impulse, vertical loading rate) were analysed for 10 successive strides. Correlation coefficients were calculated to quantify the association between speed and the studied variables; linear mixed‐effects regression models were used to test the significance (P<0.05) of these associations.

Results

Stance and stride duration, and their ratio (duty factor) were linearly correlated with speed (r<‐0.82), both in FL and HL. Peak vertical force was the only variable for which r was higher in HL (r = 0.80 vs. 0.50 in FL). The relationship between vertical loading rate and speed had the highest r of all dynamic variables (r = 0.87 and 0.83, respectively in FL and HL; r = ‐0.75 and −0.60 for vertical impulse).

Conclusions

The linear relation between peak vertical force and speed demonstrated in the hindlimb differs from previous studies at lower speed. These results stress the necessity of performing biomechanical measurements under real training conditions.

Ethical Animal Research

Formal approval provided by the local Animal Care and Ethics Committee. Sources of funding: the Région Basse‐Normandie, the FEDER, the Fonds Eperon and the IFCE. Competing interests: none.