bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring invasibility with species distribution modeling: How does fire promote cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasion within lower montane forests?
Authors: Peeler Jamie L. , Smithwick Erica A. H.
Published: April 2018

Aim

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is notorious for creating positive feedbacks that facilitate vegetation type conversion within sagebrush steppe ecosystems in the western United States. Similar dynamics may exist in adjacent lower montane forest. However, fire‐forest‐cheatgrass dynamics have not been examined. We used species distribution modeling to answer three questions about fire and invasibility in lower montane forests: (Q1) Does fire create more suitable habitat for cheatgrass? (Q2) If so, which site attributes are altered to increase site suitability? (Q3) Does fire increase connectivity among suitable habitat and enhance spread?

Location

Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming, USA.

Methods

We measured cheatgrass presence–absence in 93 plots within Interior Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) forests. Random Forests predicted cheatgrass distribution with and without fire using nine site attributes: elevation, slope, aspect, solar radiation, annual precipitation, maximum temperature in July, minimum temperature in January, forest canopy cover and distance to nearest trail or road. Additionally, invasion pathways and spread were mapped using Circuitscape.

Results

Cheatgrass distribution was controlled by topographic and climate variables in the absence of fire. In particular, cheatgrass was most likely to occur at low elevation along dry, south‐ and east‐facing slopes. High‐severity fire increased potential cheatgrass distribution when forest canopy cover was reduced to below 30%. This process created new invasion pathways, which enhanced cheatgrass spread when modelled in Circuitscape.

Main conclusions

Our study showed that in the absence of fire, drier south‐ and east‐facing slopes at low elevation are most susceptible to cheatgrass invasion. However, high‐severity fire increased the total area susceptible to invasion—allowing cheatgrass to expand into previously unsuitable sites within lower montane forests in the western United States. These results are important for present day management and reflect that integrating responses to disturbance in species distribution models can be critical for making predictions about dynamically changing systems.
Training with a three‐dimensional multiple object‐tracking (3D‐MOT) paradigm improves attention in students with a neurodevelopmental condition: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tullo Domenico , Guy Jacalyn , Faubert Jocelyn , Bertone Armando
Published: April 2018

The efficacy of attention training paradigms is influenced by many factors, including the specificity of targeted cognitive processes, accuracy of outcome measures, accessibility to specialized populations, and adaptability to user capability. These issues are increasingly significant when working with children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions that are characterized by attentional difficulties. This study investigated the efficacy of training attention in students with neurodevelopmental conditions using a novel three‐dimensional Multiple Object‐Tracking (3D‐MOT) task. All students (ages 6–18 years) performed the Conners Continuous Performance Task (CPT‐3) as a baseline measure of attention. They were then equally and randomly assigned to one of three groups: a treatment group, (3D‐MOT); an active control group (visual strategy/math‐based game, 2048); and a treatment as usual group. Students were trained on their respective tasks for a total of 15 training sessions over a five‐week period and then reassessed on the CPT‐3. Results showed that post‐training CPT‐3 performance significantly improved from baseline for participants in the treatment group only. This improvement indicates that training with 3D‐MOT increased attentional abilities in students with neurodevelopmental conditions. These results suggest that training attention with a non‐verbal, visual‐based task is feasible in a school setting and accessible to atypically developing students with attentional difficulties.
A common data language for clinical research studies: the art and science of uncertainty
Authors: Fairhurst Charlie
Published: April 2018

This commentary is on the review by Schiariti et al. on pages 976–986 of this issue.
Innovation and Cost Efficiency in the Banking Industry: The Role of Electronic Payments
Authors: Ardizzi Guerino , Crudu Federico , Petraglia Carmelo
Published: April 2018

This paper presents new evidence on the assessment of banks’ cost efficiency gains stemming from ICT adoption. With respect to the existing literature we introduce two novelties. First, banking operating costs are explained in terms of a commonly used measure of IT innovation (the relative diffusion of ATMs) and a new variable defined as automated payment transactions. Second, the results obtained via standard parametric estimation methods are compared with those obtained via nonparametric estimation techniques. Using an original dataset of Italian banks observed in the period 2006–2010, we do not find clear cost efficiency enhancing effects due to ATMs diffusion. On the other hand, the diffusion of electronic payments shows a significant effect in terms of cost inefficiency reduction.
Disagreement between service‐users and clinicians assessment of physical health during early psychosis
Authors: Renwick Laoise , Drennan Jonathan , Sheridan Ann , Lyne John , Kinsella Anthony , O’ Callaghan Eadbhard , Clarke Mary
Published: April 2018

Aims

Physical illnesses account for the majority of excess deaths following psychosis; access to care and treatment is inequitable and schizophrenia has now been dubbed the life‐shortening disease. We compared service‐users and clinician's perspectives of their physical health assuming that one of the fundamental issues in prompting screening and treatment is the view that health is poor.

Methods

Data comprising sample characteristics, diagnosis, symptoms, insight, antecedents to psychosis and physical health perspectives were obtained prospectively as part of a larger epidemiological study of first‐episode psychosis. We compared physical health perspectives between service‐users and clinicians and examined clinical correlates.

Results

Contrary to our expectations, we found that service‐users reported poorer physical health over time than clinicians did.

Conclusion

Reconciling service‐users and clinician's views of physical health may be an important step towards collaborative care and improving access to better quality healthcare for serious mental illness.
Using connectivity to identify climatic drivers of local adaptation: a response to Macdonald et al.
Authors: Prunier Jérôme G. , Blanchet Simon
Published: April 2018

Macdonald et al. (Ecol. Lett., 21, 2018, 207–216) proposed an analytical framework for identifying evolutionary processes underlying trait‐environment relationships observed in natural populations. Here, we propose an expanded and refined framework based on simulations and bootstrap‐based approaches, and we elaborate on an important statistical caveat common to most datasets.
Behavioural research and corruption: A new promise for governments?
Authors: Di Donato Luca
Published: April 2018

This essay explores the link between corruption and behavioural economics. The findings of behavioural economics may widen the analysis of corruption and improve strategies to face it. The first part describes bounded rationality theory, according to which human cognitive capacities are not infinite and individuals are affected by behavioural biases and heuristics. The second part focuses on specific biases, limitations and motivations—such as misperception of risks, context, trust, moral sentiments and others—that can influence criminal behaviour. The third section illustrates how these new behaviourally informed regulatory approaches can be integrated into the regulatory State. Finally, the essay attempts to provide some suggestions for regulators, including some positive and negative points about the behavioural approach.
‘Yet All is Not Lost:’ An Account and Defense of Ecological Conversion in Laudato Si’
Authors: Morgan Jeffrey
Published: April 2018

In this essay I offer an account and defense of conversion in Laudato Si’. While Francis's call to conversion itself is brief, it is a crucial feature of the encyclical, providing a rationale for how individuals might make a radical break from the structural violence of the ecological crisis that deeply compromises moral agency in the Global North. This claim requires a defense because, as Willis Jenkins argues, appeals to conversion in environmental ethics typically assume a coherent moral theological framework, and the scale of environmental problems renders all such frameworks incapable of generating competent calls to conversion. Avoiding such frameworks, Jenkins nonetheless tacitly must appeal to conversion in his own pragmatic approach to environmental problems. But through an engagement with Francis and Jenkins, I argue that conversion is a conceptually unstable concept without something like Francis's normative framework to account for its possibility and for hope to be reasonable.
Argatroban is stable in citrated whole blood for 24 hours
Authors: Guy S. , Kitchen S. , Van Veen J. J.
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Argatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor used as an anticoagulant for patients who have Heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Quantification can be performed using a dilute thrombin time or anti‐iia assay. Our preferred method is Hemoclot Thrombin Inhibitor Assay (HTI).To the best of our knowledge, no one has published on the stability of plasma argatroban in whole citrated blood at room temperature.

Methods

Forty matched samples obtained from 4 patients receiving argatroban. 1 mL of the whole blood was removed from the sample into a labelled plastic tube and left on the laboratory bench at room temperature for 24 hours prior to centrifugation. The remaining sample was spun at 2000 g for 10 minutes and the plasma aliquoted off and labelled 0 hour and stored at −80°C prior to testing. At 24 hours the plastic tube containing whole blood was centrifuged at 2000 g for 10 minutes and the plasma aliquoted off and labelled 24 hours and stored at −80°C prior to testing. HTI assay was used for plasma argatroban determination.

Results

The lowest argatroban level obtained was 0.16 μg/mL at 0 hour; 0.18 μg/mL at 24 hours from the same pair, the highest argatroban level obtained was 1.72 μg/mL at 0 hour;1.76 μg/mL for the same pair at 24 hours. The mean result for 0 hour was 0.57 μg/mL and 0.60 μg/mL at 24 hours.

Conclusion

This study proposes that patients receiving treatment in hospitals who cannot provide a dedicated argatroban plasma concentration method could have their samples sent on whole blood within 24 hours of venepuncture to a laboratory who could provide the test.
An efficient approach for the S‐shaped penalty function
Authors: Chang Ching‐Ter
Published: April 2018

Interval goal programming (IGP) with a marginal penalty function (PF) was first proposed by Charnes and Collomb in 1972, and further improved by Kvanli and other researchers. Recently, Lu and Chen proposed an efficient logarithmic method to formulate IGP with an S‐shaped PF. However, their method requires adding many binary variables when the problem size becomes large, which increases the computational burden in the solution process. This study proposes an efficient approach for the S‐shaped PF. The arbitrary PF frequently appears in the fields of business and industry. However, none of the previous approaches have addressed arbitrary PFs without adding binary variables. The proposed approach can be easily extended to formulate an arbitrary PF in which binary variables are no longer required, regardless of the number of break points. The proposed method can improve the efficiency of IGP for solving large size management and decision problems in considering PFs. In order to demonstrate the correctness, usefulness of the proposed model, illustrative examples are provided.
Building up biogeography: Pattern to process
Authors: Pearse William D. , Barbosa A. Márcia , Fritz Susanne A. , Keith Sally A. , Harmon Luke J. , Harte John , Silvestro Daniele , Xiao Xiao , Davies T. Jonathan
Published: April 2018

Linking pattern to process across spatial and temporal scales has been a key goal of the field of biogeography. In January 2017, the 8th biennial conference of the International Biogeography Society sponsored a symposium on Building up biogeography—process to pattern that aimed to review progress towards this goal. Here we present a summary of the symposium, in which we identified promising areas of current research and suggested future research directions. We focus on (1) emerging types of data such as behavioural observations and ancient DNA, (2) how to better incorporate historical data (such as fossils) to move beyond what we term “footprint measures” of past dynamics and (3) the role that novel modelling approaches (e.g. maximum entropy theory of ecology and approximate Bayesian computation) and conceptual frameworks can play in the unification of disciplines. We suggest that the gaps separating pattern and process are shrinking, and that we can better bridge these aspects by considering the dimensions of space and time simultaneously.
Risk factors for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia: analysis of 1396 cases
Authors: Li Xun , Zhang Weishe , Lin Jianhua , Liu Huai , Yang Zujing , Teng Yincheng , Duan Si , Lin Xinxiu , Xie Yingming , Li Yuanqiu , Xie Liangqun , Peng Qiaozhen , Xia Lu
Published: April 2018

Preeclampsia is a major cause of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, but how to identify women and fetuses at increased risk for later adverse events is a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia. Data from 1396 women with preeclampsia were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Eighteen candidate risk factors and 12 adverse outcomes were investigated. The following factors were found to be significantly associated with at least one adverse outcome: maternal age 35 years or older, multiple birth, the usage of assisted reproductive technology, living in a rural area, history of pregnancy‐induced hypertension, male fetus, multigravida, or having polycystic ovary syndrome, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid disease, or liver disease. Compared with patients without any identified risk factors, patients with preeclampsia with three or more risk factors were at increased risk for severe adverse outcomes. Those findings demonstrated that maternal risk factors could be used as indicators supplementary to clinical symptoms and laboratory test results for the risk assessment in women with preeclampsia.
A concise guide to clinical reasoning
Authors: Daly Patrick
Published: April 2018

What constitutes clinical reasoning is a disputed subject regarding the processes underlying accurate diagnosis, the importance of patient‐specific versus population‐based data, and the relation between virtue and expertise in clinical practice. In this paper, I present a model of clinical reasoning that identifies and integrates the processes of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decision making. The model is based on the generalized empirical method of Bernard Lonergan, which approaches inquiry with equal attention to the subject who investigates and the object under investigation. After identifying the structured operations of knowing and doing and relating these to a self‐correcting cycle of learning, I correlate levels of inquiry regarding what‐is‐going‐on and what‐to‐do to the practical and theoretical elements of clinical reasoning. I conclude that this model provides a methodical way to study questions regarding the operations of clinical reasoning as well as what constitute significant clinical data, clinical expertise, and virtuous health care practice.
Antimicrobial effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil and Lactobacillus acidophilus on Escherichia coli O157 stability in the Iranian probiotic white‐brined cheese
Authors: Mehdizadeh Tooraj , Narimani Rogaye , Mojaddar Langroodi Ali , Moghaddas Kia Ehsan , Neyriz‐Naghadehi Moslem
Published: April 2018

The effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZEO) alone and in combination with probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus PTCC 1643 on the growth and stability of Escherichia coli O157 in cheese were investigated during storage time. The effect of different concentrations of ZEO (0, 50, 75, and 150 ppm) and L. acidophilus, on E. coli O157 count, pH and sensory characteristics in a manufactured cheese were determined. Various concentrations of the ZEO alone and in combination with L. acidophilus significantly decreased the E. coli O157 enumerations, compared to the control group (p < .01). Also pH decline, the number of E. coli O157 also decreased in cheese samples. The synergistic effects on the stability of E. coli O157 was not observed in different treatments of ZEO and L. acidophilus. The addition of ZEO and probiotics in samples showed a synergistic trend on the reduction of E. coli and significantly improved sensorial properties.

Practical applications

Lactobacillus spp. are widely used as probiotic species in fermented foods. Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZEO) is applied in food industries to prolong shelf life of the products with desired sensorial characteristic. The association of Escherichia coli O157 in the Iranian probiotic white‐brined cheese and the antimicrobial effect of ZEO are particular concern to the dairy plants. The aim of current work was to study the effects of ZEO alone and in combination with probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus PTCC 1643 on the growth and stability of E. coli O157 in cheese during the storage period. The significant (p < .05) synergistic inhibitory effect of the ZEO and probiotic on E. coli O157 shown in this study which emphasizes ZEO function in the food industry.
An outbreak of toxoplasmosis in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) in South Korea
Authors: Oh Hanseul , Eo Kyung‐Yeon , Gumber Sanjeev , Hong Jung Joo , Kim C‐Yoon , Lee Hyun‐Ho , Jung Young‐Mok , Kim Jin , Whang Gyu‐Whan , Lee Ji‐Min , Yeo Yong‐Gu , Ryu Bokyeong , Ryu Ji‐Sook , Lee Seul‐Kee , Kim Ukjin , Kang Sin‐Geun , Park Jae‐Hak
Published: April 2018

Background

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can infect warm‐blooded animals including humans. New World monkeys, such as squirrel monkeys, are more susceptible to T. gondii than Old World monkeys, often developing fatal disease.

Methods

In this study, seven of thirteen dead squirrel monkeys at Seoul Grand Park were tested to find the cause of sudden death.

Results

The main histopathological findings included interstitial pneumonia, necrotizing hepatitis, and splenitis. Periodic acid‐Schiff staining of liver, spleen, and lung revealed cyst structures consistent with bradyzoites. Amplification of the B1 gene was detected in the liver or spleen of all monkeys. Additionally, a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and phylogenetic analysis of the GRA6 amplicon revealed a consistent clustering with the type II strain of T. gondii.

Conclusions

This study is the first report of T. gondii infection of squirrel monkeys in Korea, and the first report of type II T. gondii based on GRA6 analysis in Korea.
Association between clinical characteristics, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients with periorbital hyperchromia
Authors: Barone Carolina Rocha , Boza Juliana Catucci , Machado Priscilla Granja , Cestari Tania Ferreira
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Periorbital hyperchromia (POH) is a multifactorial condition, precipitated or aggravated by sleep disorders, which negatively affects quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of POH on QoL, sleep quality, and dissatisfaction of affected patients.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study of male and female patients over 18 years, participants were examined, their demographic data were registered, and Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI‐BR), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess dissatisfaction.

Results

Patients (n = 100) were mostly women (91%) with a mean age of 36.9 years and POH duration of 18.32 years. Phototypes II (24%) and III (60%) were predominant. A total of 33% reported 4‐6 hours and 66% reported over 6 hours of sleep per night. POH was classified as mild (59%), moderate (37%), or severe (4%). Mean dissatisfaction with POH was 6.9, PSQI was 6.04, and DLQI was 4.92. There was a significant difference in the dissatisfaction scale (P < .005) between men and women. Women reported worse QoL (P < .001) and higher dissatisfaction (P < .0001). A correlation between DLQI and disease duration was found.

Conclusion

Periorbital hyperchromia negatively impacts patients’ QoL. Dissatisfaction is directly related to disease severity.
Combination of fractional carbon dioxide laser with narrow band ultraviolet B to induce repigmentation in stable vitiligo: A comparative study
Authors: Doghaim Noha Nabil , Gheida Shereen Farouk , El‐Tatawy Rania Ahmed , Mohammed Ali Dareen Abdelaziz
Published: April 2018

Background

Despite the numerous treatment modalities available for vitiligo, responses to treatment are still unsatisfactory. For this reason, new treatment modalities and approaches are needed.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy followed by narrow band ultraviolet‐B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy on stable resistant vitiligo.

Subjects and methods

Thirty‐two patients with stable bilateral vitiligo were enrolled. For each patient, one side of the body was treated with NB‐UVB in addition to two sessions of fractional CO2 laser performed at 2‐months interval (laser side), while the other side was treated with NB‐UVB alone (control side). NB‐UVB was administrated twice weekly for 4 months. Outcomes were evaluated objectively based on standard digital photographs, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects.

Results

There was statistically significant improvement in the repigmentation in laser side compared to control side. Noticeable adverse events, such as infection, scarring, and Koebner phenomenon were not found in any patient.

Conclusions

Fractional CO2 laser therapy combined with NB‐UVB phototherapy could be used effectively and safely as an alternative modality for the treatment of vitiligo. It shortens the duration of NB‐UVB therapy and is expected to increase patient compliance
Analysis of the changes in scalp hair angles: In vivo and in vitro comparison before and after tumescence
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Mohmand Mohammad Humayun
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To estimate the hair shaft exit angles and also to check the effect of tumescence on the hair angles.

Materials and methods

Ten patients undergoing first session of strip hair restoration were included. The strip was marked at the level of external occipital protuberance and superior nuchal line. Three hairs were marked, one near upper end, one near lower end, and one in the middle. About 10 mL of 0.5% xylocaine with adrenaline was used with the needle in the subdermal level. The hair angles were measured. After the strip harvest, small slivers were prepared and photographed. The hair shaft exit angles of the three hairs were calculated using the computer software. The Kruskal‐Wallis test and multiple comparisons (Bonferroni's correction) were used to analyze the data statistically.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 23.4 years. The average preinjection (in vivo) hair angle was 52.82° with 52.96° in upper hairs (43.2°‐61.2°), 51.77° in middle hairs (43.4°‐61.3°), and 53.72° in lower hairs (38.4°‐61.3°). The average postinjection (in vivo) hair angle was 65.34° with 65.05° in upper hairs (55.1°‐86.4°), 65.63° in the middle hairs (56.4°‐71.2°), and 65.35° in the lower hairs (51.3°‐75.2°). Similarly, the postexcision (in vitro) hair angles was 71.91° with 70.83° in upper hairs (range, 56.8°‐95.7°), 72.19o in middle hairs (64.3°‐78.5°), and 72.71° in the lower hairs (63.9°‐81.4°).

Conclusion

The proper assessment of hair angles is very important and can be altered by the injection technique.
Evaluation of selected skin parameters following the application of 5% vitamin C concentrate
Authors: Jaros Anna , Zasada Malwina , Budzisz Elżbieta , Dębowska Renata , Gębczyńska‐Rzepka Monika , Rotsztejn Helena
Published: April 2018

Background

Ascorbic acid is a substance with confirmed anti‐free‐radical properties. It triggers the collagen synthesis, has a depigmenting effect and seals blood vessels. All these properties have a significant effect of the skin's appearance. The characteristic traits of capillary skin include telangiectasias as well as erythema, which might consolidate in the future, along with the feeling of burning and increased skin sensitivity.

Objectives

Study and evaluation of selected parameters of capillary skin after the application of 5% vitamin C concentrate throughout the period of 6 weeks with the use of instrumental tests and questionnaires.

Methods

The research was conducted on a group of 30 women ranging from 30 to 60 years of age with capillary skin indicating visible signs of erythematous plaques. The concentrate was applied once a day. Analyses of skin conditions were conducted four times: before the launch of the research D(0), after two 2D(14), after four 4D(28), and after 6 D(42) weeks of application. The research was conducted with the use of Mexameter MPA equipment, which was used to measure changes in the intensity of erythematous plaques. The depth of wrinkles was measured by PRIMOS system (two times D0 and 6D(42). The research also used VISIA system which allowed to perform visual and numeral skin analyses. Each research was finalized with a questionnaire which provided a subjective evaluation of the examined product among participants.

Results

Significant reduction in erythema has been widely recorded. After 2 weeks, erythema dropped by 9%. After 4 weeks, it decreased by 16% and by 21% after 6 weeks. The concentrate's efficiency in diminishing erythematous plaques was confirmed by photographs generated by VISIA photograph system. Thanks to PRIMOS, decrease in both depth and volume of nasolabial folds was recorded in 87% of participants after 6 weeks of research.

Conclusion

5% vitamin C concentrate is effective in treating capillary and photograph‐aging skin. It decreases erythema and telangiectasias as well as triggers the shallowing of skin wrinkles.
Correlation between serum IL‐17A level and SALT score in patients with alopecia areata before and after NB‐UVB therapy
Authors: Morsy Hanan , Maher Reham , Negm Dalia
Published: April 2018

Background

There is strong evidence that alopecia areata is of immunological background; Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) is a Th17 pro‐inflammatory cytokine that has been allied to the pathogenesis of different autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Objective

This study aimed to measure serum IL‐17A in patients with alopecia areata, and to study associations between IL‐17A levels and disease severity before and after Narrowband‐Ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB), patient gender and age.

Methods

Twenty patients with AA of the scalp were treated with (NB‐UVB), and 15 healthy subjects' age and sex matched were enrolled as controls. Patients were assessed clinically by SALT score. Assay of serum levels of IL‐17A by ELISA was done in patients and controls.

Results

The mean level of IL‐17A was (15.63 Â ± 10.89 Pg/mL) in AA patient group, and (16.50 Â ± 5.02 Pg/mL) in control group. No statistically significant correlation was detected between SALT score and IL‐17A level before (NB‐UVB) treatment while a significant negative correlation between SALT score and IL‐17A level was observed after treatment (r = −.448, P = .047). Mean SALT score for patients was (14.03 Â ± 13.48), and correlated positively with age (r = .446, P = .049).

Conclusion

Although (NB‐UVB) is an immune‐modulatory type of treatment for alopecia areata of mild efficacy especially if it's used alone, it has shown significant decrease in serum IL‐17A level among patients, and correlation to disease severity.
Tissue and plasma antioxidant status in response to dietary methionine concentration and source in broilers
Authors: Zeitz J. O. , Mohrmann S. , Fehse L. , Most E. , Helmbrecht A. , Saremi B. , Eder K.
Published: April 2018

This study hypothesized that plasma and tissue antioxidant status of broilers is positively influenced when dietary Met concentrations exceed, and negatively when they go belowNRCrecommendations. In addition, different Met sources are hypothesized to affect the antioxidant defence system differently. Day‐old male Cobb‐500 broilers (n = 336) were allotted to seven groups and phase‐fed three wheat–soya bean meal‐based basal diets during days 1‐10, 11‐21 and 22‐35. The basal diets (Met− group, Met + Cys concentration 15% belowNRCrecommendations) were supplemented with 0.10%, 0.25% or 0.40% Met either asDL‐Met (DLM) orDL‐2‐hydroxy‐4‐(methylthio) butanoic acid (DL‐HMTBA) (equimolar comparison). Growth performance and carcass weights were lower in the Met− group compared to the groups whose diets met or exceeded Met requirements. The antioxidant defence system was not influenced by the Met source. However, in the liver, concentrations of glutathione increased with increasing dietary Met concentrations. Tocopherol concentrations in the liver at days 10 and 21 were lower in the Met− group than in the groups supplemented with Met. However, liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA‐RS) and protein carbonyls (PC) were largely not influenced by dietary Met concentration. Plasma tocopherol concentrations at day 35 were lower, and those ofTBA‐RSandPCat day 35 were higher in Met− group than in the groups fed the Met‐supplemented diets. In jejunum, but not in liver, relativemRNAabundances and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were higher in the Met− group than in the groups fed Met‐supplemented diets. These data indicate that suboptimum supply of Met results in decreased antioxidant concentrations in plasma and body tissues, and increases oxidative stress in the jejunum mucosa. However, supplementation of Met in excess of the requirements (based onNRC) compared to diets adequate in Met + Cys did not influence the antioxidant defence system.
Signatures of local adaptation along environmental gradients in a range‐expanding damselfly (Ischnura elegans)
Authors: Dudaniec Rachael Y. , Yong Chuan Ji , Lancaster Lesley T. , Svensson Erik I. , Hansson Bengt
Published: April 2018

Insect distributions are shifting rapidly in response to climate change and are undergoing rapid evolutionary change. We investigate the molecular signatures underlying local adaptation in the range‐expanding damselfly, Ischnura elegans. Using a landscape genomic approach combined with generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM), we detect selection signatures on loci via allelic frequency change along environmental gradients. We analyse 13,612 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), derived from restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq), in 426 individuals from 25 sites spanning the I. elegans distribution in Sweden, including its expanding northern range edge. Environmental association analysis (EAA) and the magnitude of allele frequency change along the range expansion gradient revealed significant signatures of selection in relation to high maximum summer temperature, high mean annual precipitation and low wind speeds at the range edge. SNP annotations with significant signatures of selection revealed gene functions associated with ongoing range expansion, including heat shock proteins (HSP40 and HSP70), ion transport (V‐ATPase) and visual processes (long‐wavelength‐sensitive opsin), which have implications for thermal stress response, salinity tolerance and mate discrimination, respectively. We also identified environmental thresholds where climate‐mediated selection is likely to be strong, and indicate that I. elegans is rapidly adapting to the climatic environment during its ongoing range expansion. Our findings empirically validate an integrative approach for detecting spatially explicit signatures of local adaptation along environmental gradients.
On the identity of Androsace sarmentosa var. yunnanensis (Primulaceae) from Yunnan, China
Authors: Xu Yuan , Hao Gang , Hu Chi‐Ming
Published: April 2018

Androsace sarmentosa Wall. var. yunnanensis R. Knuth is placed in synonymy with A. sublanata Hand.‐Mazz. based on critical examinations of herbarium specimens and living plants. In addition, a lectotype is designated for A. sarmentosa var. yunnanensis.
Predictive rhythmic tapping to isochronous and tempo changing metronomes in the nonhuman primate
Authors: Gámez Jorge , Yc Karyna , Ayala Yaneri A. , Dotov Dobromir , Prado Luis , Merchant Hugo
Published: April 2018

Beat entrainment is the ability to entrain one's movements to a perceived periodic stimulus, such as a metronome or a pulse in music. Humans have a capacity to predictively respond to a periodic pulse and to dynamically adjust their movement timing to match the varying music tempos. Previous studies have shown that monkeys share some of the human capabilities for rhythmic entrainment, such as tapping regularly at the period of isochronous stimuli. However, it is still unknown whether monkeys can predictively entrain to dynamic tempo changes like humans. To address this question, we trained monkeys in three tapping tasks and compared their rhythmic entrainment abilities with those of humans. We found that, when immediate feedback about the timing of each movement is provided, monkeys can predictively entrain to an isochronous beat, generating tapping movements in anticipation of the metronome pulse. This ability also generalized to a novel untrained tempo. Notably, macaques can modify their tapping tempo by predicting the beat changes of accelerating and decelerating visual metronomes in a manner similar to humans. Our findings support the notion that nonhuman primates share with humans the ability of temporal anticipation during tapping to isochronous and smoothly changing sequences of stimuli.
Order of herbivore arrival on wild cabbage populations influences subsequent arthropod community development
Authors: Stam Jeltje M. , Dicke Marcel , Poelman Erik H.
Published: April 2018

In plant–arthropod associations, the first herbivores to colonise a plant may directly or indirectly affect community assembly on that particular plant. Whether the order of arrival of different arthropod species further modulates community assembly and affects plant fitness remains unclear.

Using wild Brassica oleracea plants in the field, we manipulated the order of arrival of early‐season herbivores that belong to different feeding guilds, namely the aphid Brevicoryne brassicae and caterpillars of Plutella xylostella. We investigated the effect of herbivore identity and order of arrival on community assembly on two B. oleracea plant populations during two growth seasons. For this perennial plant, we evaluated whether foliar herbivory also affected herbivore communities on the flowers and if these interactions affected plant seed production.

Aphid infestation caused an increase in parasitoid abundance, but caterpillars modulated these effects, depending on the order of herbivore infestation and plant population. In the second growth season, when plants flowered, the order of infestation of leaves with aphids and caterpillars more strongly affected abundance of herbivores feeding on the flowers than those feeding on leaves. Infestation with caterpillars followed by aphids caused an increase in flower‐feeding herbivores compared to the reversed order of infestation in one plant population, whereas the opposite effects were observed for the other plant population. The impact on plant seed set in the first reproductive year was limited.

Our work shows that the identity and arrival order of early season herbivores may have long‐term consequences for community composition on individual plants and that these patterns may vary among plant populations. We discuss how these community processes may affect plant fitness and speculate on the implications for evolution of plant defences.
Severe osteonecrosis of the jaw with attempted near total mandibular exfoliation
Authors: Patel V. , Henien M. , Sproat C. , Kwok J.
Published: April 2018

This report describes an unusual and extreme case of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) affecting the entire mandible, which was attempting to self exfoliate. A 76‐year old male presented clinically with all aspects of the mandible, except the condylar heads, necrotic and exposed in the oral cavity. The mandible had elevated out of the mucosa and was attempting to exfoliate through the mouth. As it was obstructing his oral cavity, the necrotic mandible was sectioned posteriorly allowing the patient to speak and eat comfortably, as well regain an oral seal. The use of intravenous bisphosphonates for metastatic prostate cancer coupled glucocorticosteroids, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia are likely to have contributed this extensive medication related ONJ. This complication is well‐recognised in association with bisphosphonates, however, this case is unique due to its severity, its spontaneous occurrence and the oral cavity's natural response to manage it, through near complete self exfoliation.
Genes for wheat stem rust resistance postulated in German cultivars and their efficacy in seedling and adult‐plant field tests
Authors: Flath Kerstin , Miedaner Thomas , Olivera Pablo D. , Rouse Matthew N. , Jin Yue
Published: April 2018

Stem rust of wheat (caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici) gained high international attention in the last two decades, but does not occur regularly in Germany. Motivated by a regional epidemic in 2013, we analysed 15 spring and 82 winter wheat cultivars registered in Germany for their resistance to stem rust at the seedling stage and tested 79 of these winter wheat cultivars at the adult‐plant stage. A total of five seedling stem rust resistance genes were postulated: Sr38 occurred most frequently (n = 29), followed by Sr31 (n = 11) and Sr24 (n = 8). Sr7a and Sr8a occurred only in two spring wheat genotypes each. Four cultivars had effective seedling resistance to all races evaluated that could only be explained by postulating additional resistance genes (‘Hyland’, ‘Pilgrim PZO’, ‘Tybalt’) or unidentified gene(s) (‘Memory’). The three winter wheat cultivars (‘Hyland’ ‘Memory’ and ‘Pilgrim PZO’) were also highly resistant at the adult‐plant stage; ‘Tybalt’ was not tested. Resistance genes Sr24 and Sr31 highly protected winter wheat cultivars from stem rust at the adult‐plant stage in the field. Disease responses of cultivars carrying Sr38 varied. Mean field stem rust severity of cultivars without postulated seedling resistance genes ranged from 2.71% to 41.51%, nine of which were significantly less diseased than the most susceptible cultivar. This suggests adult‐plant resistance to stem rust may be present in German wheat cultivars.
Maintenance of pre‐existing DNA methylation states through recurring excess‐light stress
Authors: Ganguly Diep R. , Crisp Peter A. , Eichten Steven R. , Pogson Barry J.
Published: April 2018

The capacity for plant stress priming and memory and the notion of this being underpinned by DNA methylation‐mediated memory is an appealing hypothesis for which there is mixed evidence. We previously established a lack of drought‐induced methylome variation inArabidopsis thaliana(Arabidopsis); however, this was tied to only minor observations of physiological memory. There are numerous independent observations demonstrating that photoprotective mechanisms, induced by excess‐light stress, can lead to robust programmable changes in newly developing leaf tissues. Although key signalling molecules and transcription factors are known to promote this priming signal, an untested question is the potential involvement of chromatin marks towards the maintenance of light stress acclimation, or memory. Thus, we systematically tested our previous hypothesis of a stress‐resistant methylome using a recurring excess‐light stress, then analysing new, emerging, and existing tissues. The DNA methylome showed negligible stress‐associated variation, with the vast majority attributable to stochastic differences. Yet, photoacclimation was evident through enhanced photosystem II performance in exposed tissues, and nonphotochemical quenching and fluorescence decline ratio showed evidence of mitotic transmission. Thus, we have observed physiological acclimation in new and emerging tissues in the absence of substantive DNA methylome changes.
Transarterial chemoembolization in children to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Weiss Krista E. , Sze Daniel Y. , Rangaswami Arun A. , Esquivel Carlos O. , Concepcion Waldo , Lebowitz Edward A. , Kothary Nishita , Lungren Matthew P.
Published: April 2018

Children with unresectable HCC have a dismal prognosis and few approved treatment options. TACE is an effective treatment option for adults with HCC, but experience in children is very limited. Retrospective analysis was performed of 8 patients aged 4‐17 years (4 male, mean 12.5 years) who underwent TACE for unresectable HCC. Response to TACE was evaluated by change in AFP, RECIST and tumor volume, PRETEXT, and transplantation eligibility by UCSF and Milan criteria. Post‐procedure mean follow‐up was 8.2 years. Mean overall change in tumor volume for the 8 patients was 51%. Percent change in AFP ranged from a decrease of 100% to an increase of 89.3%, with a mean change of −49.6%. Two patients did not undergo resection or transplantation and died of progressive disease. Six patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation with mean first TACE‐to‐transplant interval of 141 days (range 11‐514). Following transplantation, 5 patients were alive at the end of the follow‐up period and one died of recurrent disease. Based on our initial experience, TACE for children with unresectable HCC appears to be a safe and effective method for managing hepatic tumor burden and for downstaging and bridging to liver transplantation.
Evaluation of the molecular lipid organization in millimeter‐sized stratum corneum by synchrotron X‐ray diffraction
Authors: Suzuki T. , Uchino T. , Hatta I. , Miyazaki Y. , Kato S. , Sasaki K. , Kagawa Y.
Published: April 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the lamellar and lateral structure of intercellular lipid of stratum corneum (SC) can be evaluated from millimeter‐sized SC (MSC) by X‐ray diffraction.

Materials and Methods

A 12 mm × 12 mm SC sheet from hairless mouse was divided into 16 pieces measuring 3 mm × 3 mm square. From another sheet, 4 pieces of ultramillimeter‐sized SC (USC:1.5 mm × 1.5 mm square) were prepared. Small and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (SAXD and WAXD) measurements were performed on each piece. For MSC and USC, changes in the lamellar and lateral structure after the application of d‐limonene were measured.

Results

The intensity of SAXD peaks due to the lamellar phase of long periodicity phase (LPP) and WAXD peaks due to the lateral hydrocarbon chain‐packing structures varied in MSC and USC pieces, although over the 12 mm × 12 mm SC sheet. These results indicated that the intercellular lipid components and their proportion appeared nearly uniform. Application of d‐limonene on MSC and USC piece with strong peaks in SAXD and the WAXD resulted in the disappearance of peaks due to the lamellar phase of LPP and decrease in peak intensity for the lateral hydrocarbon chain‐packing structures. These changes are consistent with normal‐sized sample results.

Conclusion

We found that the selection of a sample piece with strong diffraction peaks due to the lamellar and lateral structure enabled evaluation of the SC structure in small‐sized samples by X‐ray diffraction.
Enhanced immunity in intradermal vaccination by novel hollow microneedles
Authors: Ogai N. , Nonaka I. , Toda Y. , Ono T. , Minegishi S. , Inou A. , Hachiya M. , Fukamizu H.
Published: April 2018

Background

The intradermal (ID) route for vaccination represents an effective alternative to subcutaneous (SC)/intramuscular administration to induce protective immunity. However, a critical issue associated with ID vaccination is the precise delivery of solution in the upper dermis, which ensures enhanced immunity.

Methods

We fabricated a hollow microneedle unit made of poly‐glycolic acid by injection molding and bonding, and created a dedicated prototype injector. To ensure ID delivery of solution, the injected site was macroscopically and microscopically examined. Serum immunoglobulin G antibody production was measured by enzyme immunoassay and compared in groups of rats following either ID delivery with microneedles or SC administration with a 27‐G stainless needle of graded vaccine doses.

Results

The unit used a tandem array of six microneedles, each with a side delivery hole, and a conduit inside for solution. Microneedles installed in the injector punctured the skin with the aid of a spring. Injection of solution formed a wheal due to ID distribution. Histologically, a wedge‐shaped skin defect in the upper skin corresponded to each puncture site. Antibody titers following vaccinations on days 1 and 8 were significantly higher with ID injection than with SC delivery on day 15 and every 7 days thereafter until day 36 with mumps vaccination, and until day 36 with varicella vaccination.

Conclusions

The microneedle unit presented here delivered solution intradermally without any difficulty and evoked antibody responses against viruses even with the reduced vaccine volume. Our findings confirm promising results of ID delivery as an immunogenic option to enhance vaccination efficacy.
Extracorporeal photopheresis in the treatment of acute graft‐versus‐host disease: a single‐center experience
Authors: Niittyvuopio Riitta , Juvonen Eeva , Heiskanen Jouni , Lindström Vesa , Nihtinen Anne , Sahlstedt Leila , Volin Liisa
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Steroid‐refractory acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) is a serious complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The long‐term outcome of the patients is poor. Various immunosuppressive agents have been proposed as the second‐line therapy but none of them has turned out more effective than the others. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a treatment option that does not predispose the patients to severe side effects of the immunosuppressive drugs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed the treatment results of ECP in 52 patients with steroid‐refractory or steroid‐dependent aGVHD. Eighty‐one percent of the patients suffered from a severe, Grade III or IV, aGVHD. ECP was started alone as the second‐line treatment in 23 patients and in combination with an immunosuppressive drug in 18 patients. Eleven patients received ECP as the third‐line or later treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 62% of the patients responded, with 48% achieving complete response. In the patients with complete or partial response, the probabilities of survival at 4 years were 54 and 17%, respectively. The outcome of nonresponders was poor. The 1‐year overall survivals of the patients with ECP as the second‐line treatment either alone or in combination with an immunosuppressive drug or as the third‐line treatment were 51, 28, and 18%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, starting ECP no later than 10 days after the start of the first‐line treatment correlated with a good response and a consequent survival benefit.

CONCLUSION

Extracorporeal photopheresis is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment that should be considered as a second‐line treatment for aGVHD.