bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) 2013 and the Sharīʿah-compliance requirement of the Islamic finance industry in Malaysia
Authors: Laldin Mohamad Akram , Furqani Hafas
Published: June 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to observe the development of the Sharīʿah governance framework (SGF) and practice in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a qualitative-based research. It uses various documents and content analysis approach to understand and analyze the structure, process and practice of SGF in IFIs in Malaysia.

Findings

It is found that the Central Bank of Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, has attempted to develop a comprehensive framework of Sharīʿah governance for IFIs in Malaysia. The framework governs the practice of the industry, covers stakeholders’ scope of duties and responsibilities and provides details on processes and procedures in the operations of IFIs to achieve the objective of Sharīʿah compliance. To maintain the relevance of the SGF to the needs of the industry, the framework has also been updated recently in 2017. The amendments aim to strengthen the effectiveness of Sharīʿah governance implementation within the Islamic finance industry.

Originality/value

This study attempts to comprehensively examine the evolution of the SGF Sharīʿah governance framework for IFIs in Malaysia. The Malaysian model of the SGF is unique and could be emulated by other countries in developing the Islamic finance industry in their respective jurisdictions.
Analyzing the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion in rural Uganda
Authors: Bongomin George Okello Candiya , Munene John C. , Ntayi Joseph Mpeera , Malinga Charles Akol
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings on the mediating effect of social network in the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion in rural Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a cross-sectional research design to collect data used to test for mediation under this study. Structural equation model (SEM) through use of bootstrap in the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) was adopted to establish the existence and type of mediation by social network in the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion.

Findings

Social network had a partial mediating effect in the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion. In addition, institutional framework through its regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive pillars also exhibited a significant direct effect on financial inclusion. Besides, social network had a positive and significant effect on financial inclusion. This suggest that there exist both a direct effect of institutional framework on financial inclusion and an indirect effect of institutional framework through social network on financial inclusion.

Research limitations/implications

While the sample for this study was big enough, it limited itself to only poor households in rural Uganda. Besides, the current study adopted cross-sectional design, thus, leaving out longitudinal design to investigate the characteristics in the sample over time.

Practical implications

The study makes significant empirical contribution and implications to financial inclusion policy makers on evidence of the critical role played by social network in indirectly enhancing the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion of the poor who are vulnerable to exclusion by main stream financial services’ providers.

Originality/value

The study recommends that social network, which acts as a conduit through which useful information flow and can be shared, plays a critical role in mediating the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion in rural Uganda. Therefore, the study contributes to existing body of literature by highlighting the mediating influence of social network in the relationship between institutional framework and financial inclusion, especially in rural Uganda.
Experimental warming in the field delays phenology and reduces body mass, fat content and survival: Implications for the persistence of a pollinator under climate change
Authors: CaraDonna Paul J. , Cunningham James L. , Iler Amy M.
Published: June 2018

Climate change is rapidly altering thermal environments across the globe. The effects of increased temperatures in already warm environments may be particularly strong because organisms are likely to be near their thermal safety margins, with limited tolerance to additional heat stress.

We conduct an in situ field experiment over 2 years to investigate the direct effects of temperature change on an early‐season solitary bee in a warm, arid region of the Southwestern USA. Our field experiment manipulates the thermal environment of Osmia ribifloris (Megachilidae) from larval development through adult emergence, simulating both previous cooler (c. 1950; nest boxes painted white) and future warmer (2040–2099; nest boxes painted black) climate conditions. In each year, we measure adult emergence phenology, linear body size, body mass, fat content and survival.

Bees in the warming treatment exhibit delayed emergence phenology and a substantial increase in phenological variance. Increases in temperature also lead to reductions in body mass and fat content. Whereas bees in the cooling and control treatments experience negligible amounts of mortality, bees in the warming treatment experience 30%–75% mortality.

Our findings indicate that temperature changes that have occurred since c. 1950 have likely had relatively weak and non‐negative effects, but predicted warmer temperatures create a high stress thermal environment for O. ribifloris. Later and more variable emergence dates under warming likely compromise phenological synchrony with floral resources and the ability of individuals to find mates. The consequences of phenological asynchrony, combined with reductions in body mass and fat content, will likely impose fitness reductions for surviving bees. Combined with high rates of mortality, our results suggest that O. ribifloris may face local extinction in the warmer parts of its range within the century under climate change.

Temperature increases in already warm ecosystems can have substantial consequences for key components of life history, physiology and survival. Our study provides an important example of how the responses of ectothermic insects to temperature increases in already warm environments may be insufficient to mitigate the negative consequences of future climate change.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Full oral feeding is possible before discharge even in extremely preterm infants
Authors: Khan Zahra , Sitter Cornelia , Dunitz‐Scheer Marguerite , Posch Katrin , Avian Alexander , Bresesti Ilia , Urlesberger Berndt
Published: June 2018

Aim

This study described the steps needed to achieve full oral feeding before discharge in a group of very and extremely preterm (EPT) infants. We analysed the effects of oral feeding skills on discharge timing and on weight gain during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay.

Methods

A prospective cross‐sectional observational study of 100 infants who were <32 weeks of gestation (GA) was conducted at the Division of Neonatology, Graz, Austria, from March 2014 to February 2015. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who were <28 weeks at birth and those who were 28 weeks and over. Velocity of oral feeding skills attainment and weight gain were analysed.

Results

All infants successfully acquired oral feeding skills during hospitalisation. The median GA at which full oral feeding skills were reached was 37 + 1 weeks in EPT and 34 + 5 weeks in very preterm infants. More immature neonates showed worse feeding performances and lower weight increments during oral feeding steps.

Conclusion

Our study confirmed the role of GA in the development of oral feeding skills in the most premature babies. It also raises the question of whether expected daily weight gain should be targeted according to GA.
Cannabis contaminants: sources, distribution, human toxicity and pharmacologic effects
Authors: Dryburgh Laura M. , Bolan Nanthi S. , Grof Christopher P.L. , Galettis Peter , Schneider Jennifer , Lucas Catherine J. , Martin Jennifer H.
Published: June 2018

There has been a resurgence in interest and use of the cannabis plant for medical purposes. However, an in‐depth understanding of plant contaminants and toxin effects on stability of plant compounds and human bioavailability is needed. This systematic review aims to assess current understanding of the contaminants of cannabis and their effect on human health, leading to the identification of knowledge gaps for future investigation. A systematic search of seven indexed biological and biomedical databases and the Cochrane library was undertaken from inception up to December 2017. A qualitative synthesis of filtered results was undertaken after independent assessment for eligibility by two reviewers. The common cannabis contaminants include microbes, heavy metals and pesticides. Their direct human toxicity is poorly quantified but include infection, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental impacts. Cannabis dosing formulations and administration routes affect the transformation and bioavailability of contaminants. There may be important pharmacokinetic interactions between the alkaloid active ingredients of cannabis (i.e. phytocannabinoids) and contaminants but these are not yet identified nor quantified. There is significant paucity in the literature describing the prevalence and human impact of cannabis contaminants. Advances in the availability of cannabis globally warrant further research in this area, particularly when being used for patients.
LPL protein in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia have different origins in Mutated and Unmutated patients. Advances for a new prognostic marker in CLL
Authors: Prieto Daniel , Seija Noé , Uriepero Angimar , Souto‐Padron Thais , Oliver Carolina , Irigoin Victoria , Guillermo Cecilia , Navarrete Marcelo A. , Inés Landoni Ana , Dighiero Guillermo , Gabus Raúl , Giordano Mirta , Oppezzo Pablo
Published: June 2018

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is associated with an unmutated immunoglobulin profile and poor clinical outcome. We evaluated the subcellular localization of LPL protein in CLL cells that did or did not express LPL mRNA. Our results show that LPL protein is differently located in CLL cells depending on whether it is incorporated from the extracellular medium in mutated CLL or generated de novo by leukaemic cells of unmutated patients. The specific quantification of endogenous LPL protein correlates with mRNA expression levels and mutational IGHV status, suggesting LPL protein as a possible reliable prognostic marker in CLL.
Inference in the Wild: A Framework for Human Situation Assessment and a Case Study of Air Combat
Authors: McAnally Ken , Davey Catherine , White Daniel , Stimson Murray , Mascaro Steven , Korb Kevin
Published: June 2018

Situation awareness is a key construct in human factors and arises from a process of situation assessment (SA). SA comprises the perception of information, its integration with existing knowledge, the search for new information, and the prediction of the future state of the world, including the consequences of planned actions. Causal models implemented as Bayesian networks (BNs) are attractive for modeling all of these processes within a single, unified framework. We elicited declarative knowledge from two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter pilots about the information sources used in the identification (ID) of airborne entities and the causal relationships between these sources. This knowledge was represented in a BN (the declarative model) that was evaluated against the performance of 19 RAAF fighter pilots in a low‐fidelity simulation. Pilot behavior was well predicted by a simple associative model (the behavioral model) with only three attributes of ID. Search for information by pilots was largely compensatory and was near‐optimal with respect to the behavioral model. The average revision of beliefs in response to evidence was close to Bayesian, but there was substantial variability. Together, these results demonstrate the value of BNs for modeling human SA.
When Height Carries Weight: Communicating Hidden Object Properties for Joint Action
Authors: Schmitz Laura , Vesper Cordula , Sebanz Natalie , Knoblich Günther
Published: June 2018

In the absence of pre‐established communicative conventions, people create novel communication systems to successfully coordinate their actions toward a joint goal. In this study, we address two types of such novel communication systems: sensorimotor communication, where the kinematics of instrumental actions are systematically modulated, versus symbolic communication. We ask which of the two systems co‐actors preferentially create when aiming to communicate about hidden object properties such as weight. The results of three experiments consistently show that actors who knew the weight of an object transmitted this weight information to their uninformed co‐actors by systematically modulating their instrumental actions, grasping objects of particular weights at particular heights. This preference for sensorimotor communication was reduced in a fourth experiment where co‐actors could communicate with weight‐related symbols. Our findings demonstrate that the use of sensorimotor communication extends beyond the communication of spatial locations to non‐spatial, hidden object properties.
Auras as a prognostic factor in anterior temporal lobe resections for mesial temporal sclerosis
Authors: Adry R. A. R. C. , Meguins L. C. , Pereira C. U. , Silva Júnior S. C. , Araújo Filho G. M. , Marques L. H. N.
Published: June 2018

Background and purpose

Anterior temporal lobectomy for mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is a very effective measure for the control of seizures, and the probability of becoming seizure‐free is approximately 70–90%. However, 30% of patients still experience seizures after surgery. An aura is a subjective ictal phenomenon that may precede an observable seizure. However, there are few studies on the prognostic factor aura although, being the initial symptoms of epileptic seizures, many types of auras have significant localizing or lateralizing value. This study hypothesized that the type of pre‐operative aura may predict the post‐surgical outcome in patients with medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy due to MTS.

Methods

Of 1214 patients evaluated for surgery in the Epilepsy Center of Faculdade de Medicina de São Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), a tertiary Brazilian epilepsy center, 400 underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) for MTS. The number and type of auras were analyzed and compared with the Engel classification for outcome.

Results

Analyzing the patients by the type of aura, those who had extratemporal auras had the worst post‐surgical result according to the Engel classification. Although mesial auras are apparently a good prognostic factor, patients without aura also had a worse prognosis. There were no differences between simple and multiple auras. To identify the most appropriate candidates for ATL, it is very important to consider the favorable prognostic factors for counseling patients in daily practice.

Conclusions

Patients with symptoms and clinical signs that suggest extratemporal involvement may have unfavorable outcomes.
Tremor in motor neuron disease may be central rather than peripheral in origin
Authors: Latorre A. , Rocchi L. , Stamelou M. , Batla A. , Ciocca M. , Balint B. , Sidle K. , Berardelli A. , Rothwell J. C. , Bhatia K. P.
Published: June 2018

Background and purpose

Motor neuron disease (MND) refers to a spectrum of degenerative diseases affecting motor neurons. Recent clinical and post‐mortem observations have revealed considerable variability in the phenotype. Rhythmic involuntary oscillations of the hands during action, resembling tremor, can occur in MND, but their pathophysiology has not yet been investigated.

Methods

A total of 120 consecutive patients with MND were screened for tremor. Twelve patients with action tremor and no other movement disorders were found. Ten took part in the study. Tremor was recorded bilaterally using surface electromyography (EMG) and triaxial accelerometer, with and without a variable weight load. Power spectra of rectified EMG and accelerometric signal were calculated. To investigate a possible cerebellar involvement, eyeblink classic conditioning was performed in five patients.

Results

Action tremor was present in about 10% of our population. All patients showed distal postural tremor of low amplitude and constant frequency, bilateral with a small degree of asymmetry. Two also showed simple kinetic tremor. A peak at the EMG and accelerometric recordings ranging from 4 to 12 Hz was found in all patients. Loading did not change peak frequency in either the electromyographic or accelerometric power spectra. Compared with healthy volunteers, patients had a smaller number of conditioned responses during eyeblink classic conditioning.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that patients with MND can present with action tremor of a central origin, possibly due to a cerebellar dysfunction. This evidence supports the novel idea of MND as a multisystem neurodegenerative disease and that action tremor can be part of this condition.
Perampanel: Does it have broad‐spectrum potential?
Authors: Potschka Heidrun , Trinka Eugen
Published: June 2018

This article reviews the profile of perampanel, a novel noncompetitive α‐amino‐3‐hydroxyl‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionate (AMPA) receptor antagonist, and its role as a potential broad‐spectrum antiepileptic drug in the treatment of epilepsy. For this narrative review, data were collected using specified search criteria. Articles reporting the evidence for perampanel's efficacy from preclinical models, phase 3 clinical studies, observational studies, and descriptive evidence were included. AMPA receptors play a key role in mediating the action of glutamate at the excitatory synapse. Preclinical research showed the AMPA receptor blockade to constitute a promising target for antiepileptic drug therapy. In animal models, perampanel proved to be protective against seizures and reduce seizure severity and duration. Four phase‐3 randomized controlled trials (3 in patients with focal seizures and one in primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures in idiopathic generalized epilepsy) have been completed. In focal (partial) onset seizures, perampanel (4, 8, and 12 mg) significantly reduced seizure frequency per 28 days (23.3%‐28.8% vs 12.8%; P < .01) and responder rates (≥50% reduction in seizures) (28.5%‐35.3% vs 19.3%; P < .05) compared with placebo. In primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures, perampanel 8 mg resulted in greater reduction in seizure frequency per 28 days (−76.5% vs −38.4%; P < .0001) and responder rate (64.2% vs 39.5%; P = .0019) than placebo. The efficacy, safety, and tolerability of perampanel have been reproduced in real‐world clinical practice, and the agent has been shown to be effective in other epilepsy syndromes. Perampanel is a potentially broad‐spectrum antiepileptic drug with a novel mechanism of action that may be a useful addition for patients with epilepsy with various seizure types. The availability of novel antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy treatment enables more individualized treatment for these patients.
Quantitative positron emission tomography–guided magnetic resonance imaging postprocessing in magnetic resonance imaging–negative epilepsies
Authors: Lin Yicong , Fang Yu‐Hua Dean , Wu Guiyun , Jones Stephen E. , Prayson Richard A. , Moosa Ahsan N. V. , Overmyer Margit , Bena James , Larvie Mykol , Bingaman William , Gonzalez‐Martinez Jorge A. , Najm Imad M. , Alexopoulos Andreas V. , Wang Z. Irene
Published: June 2018

Objective

Detection of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is of paramount importance in epilepsy presurgical evaluation. Our study aims at utilizing quantitative positron emission tomography (QPET) analysis to complement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) postprocessing by a morphometric analysis program (MAP) to facilitate automated identification of subtle FCD.

Methods

We retrospectively included a consecutive cohort of surgical patients who had a negative preoperative MRI by radiology report. MAP was performed on T1‐weighted volumetric sequence and QPET was performed on PET/computed tomographic data, both with comparison to scanner‐specific normal databases. Concordance between MAP and QPET was assessed at a lobar level, and the significance of concordant QPET‐MAP+ abnormalities was confirmed by postresective seizure outcome and histopathology. QPET thresholds of standard deviations (SDs) of −1, −2, −3, and −4 were evaluated to identify the optimal threshold for QPET‐MAP analysis.

Results

A total of 104 patients were included. When QPET thresholds of SD = −1, −2, and −3 were used, complete resection of the QPET‐MAP+ region was significantly associated with seizure‐free outcome when compared with the partial resection group (P = 0.023, P < 0.001, P = 0.006) or the no resection group (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.001). The SD threshold of −2 showed the best combination of positive rate (55%), sensitivity (0.68), specificity (0.88), positive predictive value (0.88), and negative predictive value (0.69). Surgical pathology of the resected QPET‐MAP+ areas revealed mainly FCD type I. Multiple QPET‐MAP+ regions were present in 12% of the patients at SD = −2.

Significance

Our study demonstrates a practical and effective approach to combine quantitative analyses of functional (QPET) and structural (MAP) imaging data to improve identification of subtle epileptic abnormalities. This approach can be readily adopted by epilepsy centers to improve postresective seizure outcomes for patients without apparent lesions on MRI.
Effects of eslicarbazepine on slow inactivation processes of sodium channels in dentate gyrus granule cells
Authors: Holtkamp Dominik , Opitz Thoralf , Hebeisen Simon , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício , Beck Heinz
Published: June 2018

Objective

Pharmacoresistance is a problem affecting ∼30% of chronic epilepsy patients. An understanding of the mechanisms of pharmacoresistance requires a precise understanding of how antiepileptic drugs interact with their targets in control and epileptic tissue. Although the effects of (S)‐licarbazepine (S‐Lic) on sodium channel fast inactivation are well understood and have revealed maintained activity in epileptic tissue, it is not known how slow inactivation processes are affected by S‐Lic in epilepsy.

Methods

We have used voltage clamp recordings in isolated dentate granule cells (DGCs) and cortical pyramidal neurons of control versus chronically epileptic rats (pilocarpine model of epilepsy) and in DGCs isolated from hippocampal specimens from temporal lobe epilepsy patients to examine S‐Lic effects on sodium channel slow inactivation.

Results

S‐Lic effects on entry into and recovery from slow inactivation were negligible, even at high concentrations of S‐Lic (300 μmol/L). Much more pronounced S‐Lic effects were observed on the voltage dependence of slow inactivation, with significant effects at 100 μmol/L S‐Lic in DGCs from control and epileptic rats or temporal lobe epilepsy patients. For none of these effects of S‐Lic could we observe significant differences either between sham‐control and epileptic rats, or between human DGCs and the two animal groups. S‐Lic was similarly effective in cortical pyramidal neurons from sham‐control and epileptic rats. Finally, we show in expression systems that S‐Lic effects on slow inactivation voltage dependence are only observed in Nav1.2 and Nav1.6 subunits, but not in Nav1.1 and Nav1.3 subunits.

Significance

From these data, we conclude that a major mechanism of action of S‐Lic is an effect on slow inactivation, primarily through effects on slow inactivation voltage dependence of Nav1.2 and Nav1.6 channels. Second, we demonstrate that this main effect of S‐Lic is maintained in both experimental and human epilepsy and applies to principal neurons of different brain areas.
Stimulation of exosome release by extracellular DNA is conserved across multiple cell types
Authors: Iliev Dimitar , Strandskog Guro , Nepal Arpita , Aspar Augusta , Olsen Randi , Jørgensen Jorunn , Wolfson Deanna , Ahluwalia Balpreet Singh , Handzhiyski Jordan , Mironova Roumyana
Published: June 2018

Exosomes are distinguished from other types of extracellular vesicles by their small and relatively uniform size (30–100 nm) and their composition which reflects their endo‐lysosomal origin. Involvement of these extracellular organelles in intercellular communication and their implication in pathological conditions has fuelled intensive research on mammalian exosomes; however, currently, very little is known about exosomes in lower vertebrates. Here we show that, in primary cultures of head kidney leukocytes from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), phosphorothioate CpG oligodeoxynucleotides induce secretion of vesicles with characteristics very similar to these of mammalian exosomes. Further experiments revealed that the oligonucleotide‐induced exosome secretion did not depend on the CpG motifs but it relied on the phosphorothioate modification of the internucleotide linkage. Exosome secretion was also induced by genomic bacterial and eukaryotic DNA in toll‐like receptor 9‐negative piscine and human cell lines demonstrating that this is a phylogenetically conserved phenomenon which does not depend on activation of immune signaling pathways. In addition to exosomes, stimulation with phosphorothioate oligonucleotides and genomic DNA induced secretion of LC3B‐II, an autophagosome marker, which was associated with vesicles of diverse size and morphology, possibly derived from autophagosome‐related intracellular compartments. Overall, this work reveals a previously unrecognized biological activity of phosphorothioate ODNs and genomic DNA – their capacity to induce secretion of exosomes and other types of extracellular vesicles. This finding might help shed light on the side effects of therapeutic phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides and the biological activity of extracellular genomic DNA which is often upregulated in pathological conditions.
Lung histopathology of non‐infectious pulmonary complications after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Meignin Veronique , Thivolet‐Bejui Francoise , Kambouchner Marianne , Hussenet Claire , Bondeelle Louise , Mitchell Andrew , Chagnon Karine , Begueret Hugues , Segers Valerie , Cottin Vincent , Tazi Abdellatif , Chevret Sylvie , Danel Claire , Bergeron Anne
Published: June 2018

Aims

Non‐infectious pulmonary complications (NIPCs) occur frequently following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). As there is no consensus on the description of the related pulmonary pathological lesions, pathologist reports and clinical conclusions are largely inconsistent in routine practice. The aim of our study was to provide an accurate overview of post‐allogeneic HSCT NIPCs from a large number of lung biopsies.

Methods and results

We reviewed 61 lung biopsies in patients with an NIPC, including 51 surgical lung biopsies, four post‐mortem biopsies and six lung explants. We found both bronchiolar (n = 59) and alveolar/interstitial pathologies (n = 27). We describe two types of bronchiolar lesions: bronchiolectasies (n = 37) and fibrous and cellular lesions with luminal narrowing (n = 43). We found a wide spectrum of airway/interstitial pathologies that were labelled using the terminology of the 2013 American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), including the following: organising pneumonia (OP, n = 8), non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP, n = 9), diffuse alveolar damage (DAD, n = 6), lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP, n = 1) and pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE, n = 2), as well as one instance of associated PPFE and NSIP.

Conclusions

Interstitial pathology was associated with bronchiolar lesions in 41% of the cases reviewed (n = 25). Lung airway and interstitial inflammation was still present in lung explants from patients who underwent lung transplantation for post‐allogeneic HSCT end‐stage respiratory insufficiency. Herein, we describe a wide spectrum of pathological lung lesions encountered in post‐allogeneic HSCT NIPCs.
Importance of contextual variables related to cavitated lesions in 5‐year‐old children
Authors: Gomes Monalisa Cesarino , Neves Érick Tássio Barbosa , Perazzo Matheus França , Paiva Saul Martins , Ferreira Fernanda Morais , Granville‐Garcia Ana Flávia
Published: June 2018

Background

Dental caries have a high prevalence in children and need to evaluate their individual and contextual determinants.

Aim

To evaluate the importance of individual and contextual determinants on the occurrence of cavitated lesions in 5‐year‐old children.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 769 preschoolers in a city in northeastern Brazil. Parents/caregivers answered questionnaires addressing psychological aspects, socio‐demographic characteristics and the child's oral health. The diagnosis of dental caries (cavitated lesion) was performed using the ICDAS‐II. Variables related to the context were collected at the preschools and official municipal publications. Unadjusted and adjusted multilevel Poisson regression models with robust variance correction were used.

Results

The prevalence of cavitated lesions was 58.8%. In the analysis adjusted by individual determinants, low household income (PR = 1.61; 95%CI:1.27–2.05), lower parent's/caregiver's schooling (PR = 1.57; 95%CI:1.20–2.05), not visited to the dentist (PR = 0.77; 95%CI:0.62–0.94), brushing frequency under 2 times per day (PR = 2.17; 95%CI:1.35–3.51) and weak parent's/caregiver's SOC (PR = 1.30; 95%CI:1.09–1.56) were associated with cavitated lesions. However, after the incorporation of the contextual determinants, parent's/caregiver's schooling and SOC lost their association. Considering contextual factors, children attending public preschools (PR = 1.66; 95%CI:1.34–2.05) and/or smaller preschools (PR = 1.001; 95%CI:1.001–1.002) had a greater probability of exhibiting cavitated lesions.

Conclusion

Contextual variables were more important to the occurrence cavitated lesions than individual socioeconomic variables.
Increased leaf tocopherol and β‐carotene content is associated with the tolerance of winter wheat cultivars to frost
Authors: Janeczko Anna , Dziurka Michał , Pociecha Ewa
Published: June 2018

Comparative studies in winter wheat cultivars have so far been focused on the content of tocopherols in the grains as tocopherols are an important source of vitamin E in the human diet. Our approach was to verify the following main hypothesis—whether a higher accumulation of nonenzymatic antioxidants (tocopherol, tocotrienols, β‐carotene) in the leaves of winter wheat during cold acclimation is accompanied by a higher frost tolerance of winter wheat cultivars. Seedlings of winter wheat cultivars—frost susceptible (Bystra) and frost tolerant (Nutka and Smuga)—were cold acclimated for a period of 3 weeks. To analyse the antioxidants (tocotrienols, tocopherols, β‐carotene), leaf samples were taken on the final day of the exposure to cold. Moreover, samples were also taken to estimate the content of abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid. After leaf chlorophyllafluorescence measurements, the plants were exposed to frost (−8 to −14°C) and left to regrow to estimate their survival. Cultivars of winter wheat with higher accumulation of tocopherols in leaves had higher frost tolerance than cultivar with fewer tocopherols in leaves. α‐tocopherol was accumulated in cv. Bystra in the amount of 137 μg gDW−1. The content of α‐tocopherol was about 26% and 90% higher in cv. Nutka and cv. Smuga, respectively. The β‐carotene content was also higher in cv. Nutka and cv. Smuga compared to cv. Bystra. This work indicates a need for further and more detailed studies on the role of tocopherols and carotenoids in the acclimation process of cereals (winter wheat) to low temperatures. The accumulation of nonenzymatic antioxidants in the cold acclimation process will be discussed against the background of the accumulation of the stress hormones and changes in the photosynthetic efficiency in the tested cultivars.
Systemic research of plant growth and stress in a specially designed climatic hydroponics system
Authors: Šimkūnas Alvydas , Denisov Vitalij , Valašinaitė Sandra
Published: June 2018

Modern plant physiology deals with a plant at different hierarchical levels, from the ecosystem to molecular ones, so there is a demand to integrate the knowledge obtained at these levels. Examining plant growth and cold resistance, namely the intermediate levels (organism, organs, tissues, multicellular) often reveals the peculiarities of the functional–structural organization of the entire plant. The paper presents an integrated climatic hydroponic system, designed to implement a physical‐holistic experiment, accompanied by a particular methodology of systemic research. It covers the following main steps, which are the verification of the experimental system, production of high‐quality experimental material, including direct measurements and mathematical data analysis. The latter involves the decomposition of the phenomena under study, synthesis of data and the extraction of non‐linear components. The studies on the growth and stress of Poaceae plants (Lolium multiflorum, Festuca pratensis, Festulolium braunii) have already provided some significant results. A new boundary of the leaf meristem was proposed, adaptive growth bifurcations were discovered in the meristem, and a cells rounding phenomenon was detected. Using this top‐down approach, further research directions are delineated towards the lower hierarchical levels. Finally, the presented approach allows for the integration of data obtained at different plant investigation levels.
Do Holarctic ant species exist? Trans‐Beringian dispersal and homoplasy in the Formicidae
Authors: Schär Sämi , Talavera Gerard , Espadaler Xavier , Rana Jignasha D. , Andersen Andersen Anne , Cover Stefan P. , Vila Roger
Published: June 2018

Aim

Continents harbour unique faunas, and only a small percentage of species naturally inhabit more than a single continent. This pattern is most evident in the insects, a morphologically small and extremely diverse group. Nevertheless, 12 species of ants have traditionally been recognized as native to both North America and Eurasia, the Holarctic region. Since intercontinental dispersal is presumably rare in ants, allopatric speciation in the absence of gene flow can be expected over evolutionary time. Here, we reassess the existence of Holarctic ant species and reconstruct their biogeographical history.

Location

The Holarctic.

Taxon

All known ant species with purportedly Holarctic distributions.

Methods

We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships, biogeographical history and reassessed the taxonomic status of all known ants with Holarctic distributions using genetic data based on one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes and an ancestral area reconstruction of 310 specimens and 73 species (the 12 Holarctic species plus outgroup taxa).

Results

Contrary to the currently accepted hypothesis, only three ant species have Holarctic native ranges, while six taxa separate into distinct Palearctic and Nearctic species. Four species are shown to be recent introductions from Europe to North America by human activity, one of which was thought to be native. Genetic diversity is considerably higher within the North American than within European species as currently defined.

Main conclusions

The Formicidae have repeatedly dispersed through Beringia, during and after land bridge formation, and in both directions between the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. However, only three cold‐tolerant species crossed the Bering Strait in relatively recent time. Our results highlight the potential existence of many unknown Nearctic ant taxa. Reliance on an evolutionarily labile morphological character, erect hairs, seems to have obscured species delimitation in these ant taxa. Based on our investigation, the typical time for speciation in allopatry for ants is 2–5 Ma.
Chlororespiration induces non‐photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence during darkness in lichen chlorobionts
Authors: Gasulla Francisco , Casano Leonardo , Guéra Alfredo
Published: June 2018

Lichens and their algal partners are desiccation‐tolerant organisms and as such survive after the complete loss of water. This trait is the consequence of several physiological, biochemical and structural features, including specific mechanisms dissipating excess light to avoid photooxidative stress. The maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII; Fv/Fm) is widely used as a sensitive indicator of photosynthetic performance and is calculated after complete relaxation in darkness of the fluorescence quenching associated with active light energy dissipation mechanisms. Unexpectedly, we observed that lichens and isolated chlorobionts (chlorophyte symbionts in lichen) maintained in darkness for several hours showed a strong decrease in the ratio Fv/Fm, which was reversible after re‐illumination. We analyzed this dark‐induced Fv/Fm decay in the chlorobiont Asterochloris erici through steady‐state and fast‐induction kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence and simultaneous P700 oxidation measurements. We found that the gradual decay of Fv/Fm in darkness was caused by reversible dark‐induced inactivation of some PSII reaction centers that was accompanied by a decrease in the flux of electrons to PSI. Darkness induced the plastoquinone‐reductase activity associated with chlororespiration and the phosphorylation of light harvesting complex (LHC). We propose that upon phosphorylation the LHC detaches from PSII, resulting in a decrease of exciton‐trapping by PSII reaction centers and, consequently, an increased dissipation of light energy. This mechanism probably serves an ecophysiological function in lichens to prevent the damage at dawn or under strong fluctuating light conditions when lichens are in a hydrated state.
Short‐term high temperature treatment reduces viability and inhibits respiration and DNA repair enzymes in Araucaria angustifolia cells
Authors: Furlanetto Ana L. D. M. , Cadena Silvia M. S. C. , Martinez Glaucia R. , Ferrando Beatriz , Stevnsner Tinna , Møller Ian M.
Published: June 2018

We evaluated the effect of global warming on Araucaria angustifolia (Bert.) O. Kuntze, a critically endangered native tree of Southern Brazil, by studying the effects of short‐term high temperature treatment on cell viability, respiration and DNA repair of embryogenic cells. Compared with control cells grown at 25°C, cell viability was reduced by 40% after incubation at 30 and 37°C for 24 and 6 h, respectively, while 2 h at 40 and 42°C killed 95% of the cells. Cell respiration was unaffected at 30–37°C, but dramatically reduced after 2 h at 42°C. The in vitro activity of enzymes of the base excision repair (BER) pathway was determined. Apurinic/apyrimidine endonuclease, measured in extracts from cells incubated for 2 h at 42°C, was completely inactivated while lower temperatures had no effect. The activities of three enzymes of the mitochondrial BER pathway were measured after 30‐min preincubation of isolated mitochondria at 25–40°C and one of them, uracil glycosylase, was completely inhibited at 40°C. We conclude that cell viability, respiration and DNA repair have different temperature sensitivities between 25 and 37°C, and that they are all very sensitive to 40 or 42°C. Thus, A. angustifolia will likely be vulnerable to the short‐term high temperature events associated with global warming.
The genetic architecture of genome‐wide recombination rate variation in allopolyploid wheat revealed by nested association mapping
Authors: Jordan Katherine W. , Wang Shichen , He Fei , Chao Shiaoman , Lun Yanni , Paux Etienne , Sourdille Pierre , Sherman Jamie , Akhunova Alina , Blake Nancy K. , Pumphrey Michael O. , Glover Karl , Dubcovsky Jorge , Talbert Luther , Akhunov Eduard D.
Published: June 2018

Recombination affects the fate of alleles in populations by imposing constraints on the reshuffling of genetic information. Understanding the genetic basis of these constraints is critical for manipulating the recombination process to improve the resolution of genetic mapping, and reducing the negative effects of linkage drag and deleterious genetic load in breeding. Using sequence‐based genotyping of a wheat nested association mapping (NAM) population of 2,100 recombinant inbred lines created by crossing 29 diverse lines, we mapped QTL affecting the distribution and frequency of 102 000 crossovers (CO). Genome‐wide recombination rate variation was mostly defined by rare alleles with small effects together explaining up to 48.6% of variation. Most QTL were additive and showed predominantly trans‐acting effects. The QTL affecting the proximal COs also acted additively without increasing the frequency of distal COs. We showed that the regions with decreased recombination carry more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with possible deleterious effects than the regions with a high recombination rate. Therefore, our study offers insights into the genetic basis of recombination rate variation in wheat and its effect on the distribution of deleterious SNPs across the genome. The identified trans‐acting additive QTL can be utilized to manipulate CO frequency and distribution in the large polyploid wheat genome opening the possibility to improve the efficiency of gene pyramiding and reducing the deleterious genetic load in the low‐recombining pericentromeric regions of chromosomes.
Role of GhHDA5 in H3K9 deacetylation and fiber initiation in Gossypium hirsutum
Authors: Kumar Verandra , Singh Babita , Singh Sunil K. , Rai Krishan M. , Singh Surendra P. , Sable Anshulika , Pant Poonam , Saxena Gauri , Sawant Samir V.
Published: June 2018

Cotton fibers are single‐celled trichomes that initiate from the epidermal cells of the ovules at or before anthesis. Here, we identified that the histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is essential for proper cotton fiber initiation. We further identified 15 HDACs homoeologs in each of the A‐ and D‐subgenomes of Gossypium hirsutum. Few of these HDAC homoeologs expressed preferentially during the early stages of fiber development [−1, 0 and 6 days post‐anthesis (DPA)]. Among them, GhHDA5 expressed significantly at the time of fiber initiation (−1 and 0 DPA). The in vitro assay for HDAC activity indicated that GhHDA5 primarily deacetylates H3K9 acetylation marks. Moreover, the reduced expression of GhHDA5 also suppresses fiber initiation and lint yield in the RNA interference (RNAi) lines. The 0 DPA ovules of GhHDA5RNAi lines also showed alterations in reactive oxygen species homeostasis and elevated autophagic cell death in the developing fibers. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified through RNA‐seq of RNAi line (DEP12) and their pathway analysis showed that GhHDA5 modulates expression of many stress and development‐related genes involved in fiber development. The reduced expression of GhHDA5 in the RNAi lines also resulted in H3K9 hyper‐acetylation on the promoter region of few DEGs assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. The positively co‐expressed genes with GhHDA5 showed cumulative higher expression during fiber initiation, and gene ontology annotation suggests their involvement in fiber development. Furthermore, the predicted protein interaction network in the positively co‐expressed genes indicates HDA5 modulates fiber initiation‐specific gene expression through a complex involving reported repressors.
Wild tomato endosperm transcriptomes reveal common roles of genomic imprinting in both nuclear and cellular endosperm
Authors: Roth Morgane , Florez‐Rueda Ana M. , Paris Margot , Städler Thomas
Published: June 2018

Genomic imprinting is a conspicuous feature of the endosperm, a triploid tissue nurturing the embryo and synchronizing angiosperm seed development. An unknown subset of imprinted genes (IGs) is critical for successful seed development and should have highly conserved functions. Recent genome‐wide studies have found limited conservation of IGs among distantly related species, but there is a paucity of data from closely related lineages. Moreover, most studies focused on model plants with nuclear endosperm development, and comparisons with properties of IGs in cellular‐type endosperm development are lacking. Using laser‐assisted microdissection, we characterized parent‐specific expression in the cellular endosperm of three wild tomato lineages (Solanum section Lycopersicon). We identified 1025 candidate IGs and 167 with putative homologs previously identified as imprinted in distantly related taxa with nuclear‐type endosperm. Forty‐two maternally expressed genes (MEGs) and 17 paternally expressed genes (PEGs) exhibited conserved imprinting status across all three lineages, but differences in power to assess imprinted expression imply that the actual degree of conservation might be higher than that directly estimated (20.7% for PEGs and 10.4% for MEGs). Regardless, the level of shared imprinting status was higher for PEGs than for MEGs, indicating dissimilar evolutionary trajectories. Expression‐level data suggest distinct epigenetic modulation of MEGs and PEGs, and gene ontology analyses revealed MEGs and PEGs to be enriched for different functions. Importantly, our data provide evidence that MEGs and PEGs interact in modulating both gene expression and the endosperm cell cycle, and uncovered conserved cellular functions of IGs uniting taxa with cellular‐ and nuclear‐type endosperm.
Evaluation of a prognostic scoring system for dogs managed with hemodialysis
Authors: Perondi Francesca , Lippi Ilaria , Ceccherini Gianila , Marchetti Veronica , Bernicchi Lucrezia , Guidi Grazia
Published: June 2018

Objective

To investigate prognostic models in a cohort of dogs with acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute on chronic kidney disease (AKI/CKD) managed by hemodialysis.

Design

Retrospective study from July 2011 to November 2014.

Setting

University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Animals

Forty dogs with historical, clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings consistent with AKI or AKI/CKD managed with intermittent hemodialysis were included.

Interventions

Scoring system models previously established by Segev et al for outcome prediction in dogs with AKI were applied to all dogs.

Results

Models A, B, and C correctly classified outcomes in 68%, 83%, and 85% of cases, respectively. In our cohort Model A showed sensitivity of 58% and specificity of 86%, Model B showed sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 87%, Model C showed sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 84%. The presence of anuria (P< 0.0002), respiratory complications (P< 0.0001), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (P= 0.0004), grade of AKI (P= 0.0023), pancreatitis (P= 0.0001), and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (P= 0.0001) was significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared with survivors.

Conclusions

In our cohort of patients, Segev's model C showed the best sensitivity and specificity for predicting prognosis, while model A had lower sensitivity. In our cohort of dialysis patients, the presence of respiratory complications, DIC, SIRS, and pancreatitis at hospitalization, were correlated with a poor prognosis.