bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A high‐Tmetamorphic complex derived from the high‐PSuo metamorphic complex in the Omuta district, northern Kyushu, southwest Japan
Authors: Miyazaki Kazuhiro , Ikeda Takeshi , Matsuura Hirohisa , Danhara Tohru , Iwano Hideki , Hirata Takafumi
Published: June 2017

New U–Pbages of zircons from migmatitic pelitic gneisses in the Omuta district, northern Kyushu, southwest Japan are presented. Metamorphic zonation from the Suo metamorphic complex to the gneisses suggests that the protolith of the gneisses was the Suo metamorphic complex. The zircon ages reveal the following: (i) a transformation took place from the high‐PSuo metamorphic complex to a high‐Tmetamorphic complex that includes the migmatitic pelitic gneisses; (ii) the detrital zircon cores in the Suo pelitic rocks have two main age components (ca1900–1800 Ma and 250 Ma), with some of the detrital zircon cores being supplied (being reworked) from a high‐grade metamorphic source; and (iii) one metamorphic zircon rim yields 105.1 ±5.3 Ma concordant age that represents the age of the high‐Tmetamorphism. The high‐Pto high‐Ttransformation of metamorphic complexes implies the seaward shift of a volcanic arc or a landward shift of the metamorphic complex from a trench to the sides of a volcanic arc in an arc–trench system during the Early Cretaceous. The Omuta district is located on the same geographical trend as the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex, and our estimated age of the high‐Tmetamorphism is similar to that of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphism in the Yanai district of western Chugoku. Therefore, the high‐Tmetamorphic complex possibly represents the western extension of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex. The protolith of the metamorphic rocks of the Ryoke plutono‐metamorphic complex was the Jurassic accretionary complex of the inner zone of southwest Japan. The high‐Pto high‐Ttransformation in the Omuta district also suggests that the geographic trend of the Jurassic accretionary complex was oblique to that of the mid‐Cretaceous high‐Tmetamorphic field.
Varieties of the Himalayan eclogites: A pictorial review of textural and petrological features
Authors: Rehman Hafiz U. , Jan M. Qasim , Khan Tahseenullah , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Kaneko Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2017

A pictorial review and brief description of metabasites (mainly eclogites) exposed in the western part of Himalaya, north Pakistan are presented. The metabasites occur in the Kaghan and Neelum valleys in the form of thick sheets, dikes, lenses, and zoned bodies. On the basis of petrography and mineral paragenesis, they can be distinguished into greenschist, amphibolites, garnet‐amphibolites, eclogites, amphibolitized eclogites, and garnetites. In this review, first a brief history of the term eclogite and its origin for understanding the process of eclogite formation is presented. Then, a description on the occurrence of various metabasites/eclogites outcrops in the western Himalaya is given. Later, detailed petrological and textural features observed in hand specimen and under the microscope are discussed for individual rock types. Finally, an overview of the Himalayan metabasites tracing back from their magmatic basaltic source to their transformation into amphibolites and eclogites via multi‐stage metamorphism is provided. The field features, with the aid of petrological and geochemical evidence of these metabasites, help to constrain the tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the continent–continent collision type orogenic belts such as the India–Asia collision‐related Himalayan metamorphic belt.
Allergic airway inflammation: key players beyond the Th2 cell pathway
Authors: Hirose Koichi , Iwata Arifumi , Tamachi Tomohiro , Nakajima Hiroshi
Published: June 2017

Allergic asthma is characterized by eosinophilic airway inflammation, mucus hyperproduction, and airway hyperreactivity, causing reversible airway obstruction. Accumulating evidence indicates that antigen‐specific Th2 cells and their cytokines such as IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 orchestrate these pathognomonic features of asthma. However, over the past decade, the understanding of asthma pathogenesis has made a significant shift from a Th2 cell‐dependent, IgE‐mediated disease to a more complicated heterogeneous disease. Recent studies clearly show that not only Th2 cytokines but also other T cell‐related cytokines such as IL‐17A and IL‐22 as well as epithelial cell cytokines such as IL‐25, IL‐33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. In this review, we focus on the roles of these players beyond Th2 pathways in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Mechanisms and treatments for severe, steroid‐resistant allergic airway disease and asthma
Authors: Hansbro Philip M. , Kim Richard Y. , Starkey Malcolm R. , Donovan Chantal , Dua Kamal , Mayall Jemma R. , Liu Gang , Hansbro Nicole G. , Simpson Jodie L. , Wood Lisa G. , Hirota Jeremy A. , Knight Darryl A. , Foster Paul S. , Horvat Jay C.
Published: June 2017

Severe, steroid‐resistant asthma is clinically and economically important since affected individuals do not respond to mainstay corticosteroid treatments for asthma. Patients with this disease experience more frequent exacerbations of asthma, are more likely to be hospitalized, and have a poorer quality of life. Effective therapies are urgently required, however, their development has been hampered by a lack of understanding of the pathological processes that underpin disease. A major obstacle to understanding the processes that drive severe, steroid‐resistant asthma is that the several endotypes of the disease have been described that are characterized by different inflammatory and immunological phenotypes. This heterogeneity makes pinpointing processes that drive disease difficult in humans. Clinical studies strongly associate specific respiratory infections with severe, steroid‐resistant asthma. In this review, we discuss key findings from our studies where we describe the development of representative experimental models to improve our understanding of the links between infection and severe, steroid‐resistant forms of this disease. We also discuss their use in elucidating the mechanisms, and their potential for developing effective therapeutic strategies, for severe, steroid‐resistant asthma. Finally, we highlight how the immune mechanisms and therapeutic targets we have identified may be applicable to obesity‐or pollution‐associated asthma.
The atopic march: current insights into skin barrier dysfunction and epithelial cell‐derived cytokines
Authors: Han Hongwei , Roan Florence , Ziegler Steven F.
Published: June 2017

Atopic dermatitis often precedes the development of other atopic diseases. The atopic march describes this temporal relationship in the natural history of atopic diseases. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie this relationship are poorly understood, epidemiological and genetic data have suggested that the skin might be an important route of sensitization to allergens. Animal models have begun to elucidate how skin barrier defects can lead to systemic allergen sensitization. Emerging data now suggest that epithelial cell‐derived cytokines such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), IL‐33, and IL‐25 may drive the progression from atopic dermatitis to asthma and food allergy. This review focuses on current concepts of the role of skin barrier defects and epithelial cell‐derived cytokines in the initiation and maintenance of allergic inflammation and the atopic march.
Recent advances in understanding basophil‐mediated Th2 immune responses
Authors: Yamanishi Yoshinori , Miyake Kensuke , Iki Misako , Tsutsui Hidemitsu , Karasuyama Hajime
Published: June 2017

Basophils, the least common granulocytes, represent only ~0.5% of peripheral blood leukocytes. Because of the small number and some similarity with mast cells, the functional significance of basophils remained questionable for a long time. Recent studies using newly‐developed analytical tools have revealed crucial and non‐redundant roles for basophils in various immune responses, particularly Th2 immunity including allergy and protective immunity against parasitic infections. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms how basophils mediate Th2 immune responses and the nature of basophil‐derived factors involved in them. Activated basophils release serine proteases, mouse mast cell protease 8 (mMCP‐8), and mMCP‐11, that are preferentially expressed by basophils rather than mast cells in spite of their names. These proteases elicit microvascular hyperpermeability and leukocyte infiltration in affected tissues, leading to inflammation. Basophil‐derived IL‐4 also contributes to eosinophil infiltration while it acts on tissue‐infiltrating inflammatory monocytes to promote their differentiation into M2 macrophages that in turn dampen inflammation. Although basophils produce little or no MHC class II (MHC‐II) proteins, they can acquire peptide‐MHC‐II complexes from dendritic cells via trogocytosis and present them together with IL‐4 to naive CD4 T cells, leading to Th2 cell differentiation. Thus, basophils contribute to Th2 immunity at various levels.
IL‐33: biological properties, functions, and roles in airway disease
Authors: Drake Li Yin , Kita Hirohito
Published: June 2017

Interleukin (IL)‐33 is a key cytokine involved in type 2 immunity and allergic airway diseases. Abundantly expressed in lung epithelial cells, IL‐33 plays critical roles in both innate and adaptive immune responses in mucosal organs. In innate immunity, IL‐33 and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) provide an essential axis for rapid immune responses and tissue homeostasis. In adaptive immunity, IL‐33 interacts with dendritic cells, Th2 cells, follicular T cells, and regulatory T cells, where IL‐33 influences the development of chronic airway inflammation and tissue remodeling. The clinical findings that both the IL‐33 and ILC2 levels are elevated in patients with allergic airway diseases suggest that IL‐33 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. IL‐33 and ILC2 may also serve as biomarkers for disease classification and to monitor the progression of diseases. In this article, we reviewed the current knowledge of the biology of IL‐33 and discussed the roles of the IL‐33 in regulating airway immune responses and allergic airway diseases.
Type two innate lymphoid cells: the Janus cells in health and disease
Authors: Maazi Hadi , Akbari Omid
Published: June 2017

Innate lymphoid cells are functionally diverse subsets of immune cells including the conventional natural killer cells, lymphoid tissue inducers, type 1, 2, and 3 with significant roles in immunity and pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) resemble type 2 helper (Th2) cells in cytokine production and contribute to anti‐helminth immunity, maintaining mucosal tissue integrity, and adipose tissue browning. ILC2s play important roles in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and asthma. Studying the pathways of activation and regulation of ILC2s are currently a priority for giving a better understanding of pathogenesis of diseases with immunological roots. Recently, our laboratory and others have shown several pathways of regulation of ILC2s by co‐stimulatory molecules such as ICOS, regulatory T cells and by compounds such as nicotine. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms of activation and regulation of ILC2s and the role of these cells in health and disease.
Innate and adaptive type 2 immunity in lung allergic inflammation
Authors: Kubo Masato
Published: June 2017

Allergic inflammation is a type 2 immune disorder classically characterized by high levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and the development of Th2 cells. Asthma is a pulmonary allergic inflammatory disease resulting in bronchial hyper‐reactivity. Atopic asthma is defined by IgE antibody‐mediated mast cell degranulation, while in non‐atopic asthma there is no allergen‐specific IgE and more involvement of innate immune cells, such as basophils, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2), and eosinophils. Recently, protease allergens were shown to cause asthmatic responses in the absence of Th2 cells, suggesting that an innate cell network (IL‐33/TSLP‐basophil‐ILC2‐IL‐5/IL‐13 axis) can facilitate the sensitization phase of type 2 inflammatory responses. Recent evidence also indicates that in the chronic phase, these innate immune cells directly or indirectly contribute to the adaptive Th2 cell responses. In this review, we discuss the role of Th2 cytokines (IL‐4 and IL‐13) and innate immune cells (mast cells, basophils, ILC2s, and dendritic cells) in the cross‐talk between innate and adaptive inflammatory responses.
Epigenetic regulation of T‐helper cell differentiation, memory, and plasticity in allergic asthma
Authors: Tumes Damon J. , Papadopoulos Magdalene , Endo Yusuke , Onodera Atsushi , Hirahara Kiyoshi , Nakayama Toshinori
Published: June 2017

An estimated 300 million people currently suffer from asthma, which causes approximately 250 000 deaths a year. Allergen‐specific T‐helper (Th) cells produce cytokines that induce many of the hallmark features of asthma including airways hyperreactivity, eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway remodeling. Cytokine‐producing Th subsets including Th1 (IFN‐γ), Th2 (IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13), Th9 (IL‐9), Th17 (IL‐17), Th22 (IL‐22), and T regulatory (IL‐10) cells have all been suggested to play a role in the development of asthma. Th differentiation involves genetic regulation of gene expression through the concerted action of cytokines, transcription factors, and epigenetic regulators. We describe how Th differentiation and plasticity is regulated by epigenetic histone and DNA modifications, with a focus on the regulation of histone methylation by members of the polycomb and trithorax complexes. In addition, we outline environmental influences that could influence epigenetic regulation of Th cells and discuss the potential to regulate Th plasticity and function through drugs targeting the epigenetic machinery. It is also becoming apparent that epigenetic regulation of allergen‐specific memory Th cells may be important in the development and persistence of chronic allergies. Finally, we describe how epigenetic modifiers regulate cytokine memory in Th cells and describe recently identified hybrid, plastic, and pathogenic memory Th subsets the context of allergic asthma.
CEO's Total Wealth Characteristics and Implications on Firm Risk
Authors: Korkeamäki Timo , Liljeblom Eva , Pasternack Daniel
Published: June 2017

We study the connections between firm risk and the CEO's personal wealth characteristics, using a unique dataset on CEO wealth and its components. Consistent with decreasing absolute risk aversion, we find that wealthier CEOs are associated with higher risk firms. Riskier firms tend to have CEOs whose wealth is more independent of the firm. We also find that CEOs with high personal portfolio betas run firms with higher betas. CEO's tenure is negatively associated with firm risk measured either as beta, idiosynchratic risk, or volatility of accounting profitability. A possible interpretation is that risk‐averse managers are better able to imprint their risk preferences on the firm over time. Stronger corporate governance weakens the connection between CEO wealth characteristics and firm risk.
The Eastern European experience on occupational skin diseases. Make underreporting an issue?
Authors: Moldovan H.R. , Voidazan S.T. , John S.M. , Weinert P. , Moldovan G. , Vlasiu M.A. , Szasz Z.A. , Tiplica G.S. , Szasz S. , Marin A.C. , Salavastru C.M.
Published: June 2017

Background

While legislation in most of the Eastern European countries is nowadays widely harmonized with the legal safety and health provisions of Western countries, there is still a sustained resistance to the notification of occupational skin diseases (OSD).

Objective

The aim of the study was to identify the main barriers in notification and recognition of OSD in 22 Eastern European countries.

Methods

An online survey was administered to key persons in the field of occupational safety and health in 22 Eastern European countries. Multiple variables of the notification system were studied, including clinical, organizational and educational issues.

Results

The main causes of underreporting OSD are ineffective enforcement of occupational safety and health legislation, contractual relationship employer–employee, long duration of the notifying process, restrictions of the notification systems in terms of who is entitled to notify an OSD, ineffective regulations in regards to the pre‐employment and periodical medical examination, ineffective compensation schemes, restraints and hesitations, mainly from the doctors, inappropriate mentalities – fear of losing the jobs, fining of the employers by the authorities, stigmatization of the workers with OSD, additional costs for employers, stakeholders' lack of interest in notifying, lack of guidelines and protocols and lack of preventive programmes.

Conclusions

The most valuable method for a proper recognition of OSD is to increase the awareness of physicians involved in the management of OSD (occupational physicians, GPs, dermatologists), as well as employers and workers. There is an urgent need to improve national legislation, to develop and promote adequate preventive programmes, emphasizing ethical, legal, economical and psychological aspects in order to achieve an increased recognition and a real reporting of OSD, and to enforce an international action plan for Eastern Europe in order to improve the notification of OSD.
Assessment of future flood inundations under climate and land use change scenarios in the Ciliwung River Basin, Jakarta
Authors: Mishra B.K. , Rafiei Emam A. , Masago Y. , Kumar P. , Regmi R.K. , Fukushi K.
Published: June 2017

This study assessed flood inundation of the Ciliwung River Basin, Greater Jakarta to improve the urban water environment under climate change and unplanned urbanisation. The 1‐day maximum precipitation data for 50‐ and 100‐year return period under current and future climate conditions were used to assess the impact of climate change. Precipitation output of the MRI‐CGCM3, MIROC5, and HadGEM2‐ES General Circulation Models (GCMs) with RCP 4.5 and 8.5 emission scenario over periods 1985–2004 and 2020–2039 representing current and future climate conditions, respectively, were used. Similarly, land use data of 2009 and 2030 were used to represent the current and future conditions, respectively. The HEC‐HMS model was used to simulate the river discharge at Katulampa, which represents the outlet location for the hydrologic modelling and the inlet location for the flood inundation modelling. FLO‐2D, a two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model, was used to simulate current and future flood inundation simulations. Increasing flood inundation areas and depths (6% to 31% for different GCMs) in the future reveal the need to improve flood management tools for the sustainable development of urban water environments.
Transhumance Revisited: On Mobility and Process Between Ethnography and History
Authors: Palladino Paolo
Published: June 2017

This paper advances the argument that transhumance, the seasonal movement of pastoral people and their livestock, is a useful site for critical reflection on Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus (1988) and its importance to the understanding of mobility and process. It does so by bringing into dialogue ethnographic and historical perspectives on the resonance between transhumance and Deleuzian configurations of both nomadism and relations between human and non‐human animals. It concludes that adjacent juxtaposition and syncretic ordering of diversity, rather than any ontological reconstruction, may be key to a more effective engagement with the complexities of contemporary existence.
Mid‐term outcomes of consecutive 998 cases of coronary atherectomy in contemporary clinical practice
Authors: Sareen Nishtha , Baber Usman , Aquino Melissa , Sayseng Sonny , Sweeny Joseph , Barman Nitin , Kapur Vishal , Kini Annapoorna , Sharma Samin K.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To compare clinical and safety endpoints with use of rotational (RA) and orbital (OA) atherectomy in a large patient population with moderate to severely calcified lesions undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been recognized as a risk factor for adverse outcomes with coronary artery disease (CAD). Though atheroablative techniques, RA and OA have been used extensively, comparison of their clinical and safety endpoints is lacking. Comparison of these two modalities formed the basis of our study.

Methods and Results

Of 12 001 patients who underwent PCI at our institution between January 2013‐December 2015, we studied 998 consecutive patients with severe calcification treated with atheroablation. We assessed clinical outcomes including death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 30 days and 6 months in addition to post‐procedural complications. Device perforation occurred more frequently with use of OA at high burr speed versus RA (1.9%, n = 3 vs. 0.2%, n = 2, P = 0.03). Rates of composite adverse events were similar between groups at 6 months (18.55 vs. 11.46%; P = 0.11)

Conclusion

In this retrospective, single center study, we observed no significant differences in 6‐month rates of adverse events associated with use of OA vs. RA in patients with moderate to severe calcification undergoing PCI. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
A pilot study of a novel smartphone application for the estimation of sleep onset
Authors: Scott Hannah , Lack Leon , Lovato Nicole
Published: June 2017

The aim of the study was to investigate the accuracy of Sleep On Cue: a novel iPhone application that uses behavioural responses to auditory stimuli to estimate sleep onset. Twelve young adults underwent polysomnography recording while simultaneously using Sleep On Cue. Participants completed as many sleep‐onset trials as possible within a 2‐h period following their normal bedtime. On each trial, participants were awoken by the app following behavioural sleep onset. Then, after a short break of wakefulness, commenced the next trial. There was a high degree of correspondence between polysomnography‐determined sleep onset and Sleep On Cue behavioural sleep onset, r = 0.79, P < 0.001. On average, Sleep On Cue overestimated sleep‐onset latency by 3.17 min (SD = 3.04). When polysomnography sleep onset was defined as the beginning of N2 sleep, the discrepancy was reduced considerably (M = 0.81, SD = 1.96). The discrepancy between polysomnography and Sleep On Cue varied between individuals, which was potentially due to variations in auditory stimulus intensity. Further research is required to determine whether modifications to the stimulus intensity and behavioural response could improve the accuracy of the app. Nonetheless, Sleep On Cue is a viable option for estimating sleep onset and may be used to administer Intensive Sleep Retraining or facilitate power naps in the home environment.
Effects of signal artefacts on electroencephalography spectral power during sleep: quantifying the effectiveness of automated artefact‐rejection algorithms
Authors: Liu Jianbo , Ramakrishnan Sridhar , Laxminarayan Srinivas , Neal Maxwell , Cashmere David J. , Germain Anne , Reifman Jaques
Published: June 2017

Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings during sleep are often contaminated by muscle and ocular artefacts, which can affect the results of spectral power analyses significantly. However, the extent to which these artefacts affect EEG spectral power across different sleep states has not been quantified explicitly. Consequently, the effectiveness of automated artefact‐rejection algorithms in minimizing these effects has not been characterized fully. To address these issues, we analysed standard 10‐channel EEG recordings from 20 subjects during one night of sleep. We compared their spectral power when the recordings were contaminated by artefacts and after we removed them by visual inspection or by using automated artefact‐rejection algorithms. During both rapid eye movement (REM) and non‐REM (NREM) sleep, muscle artefacts contaminated no more than 5% of the EEG data across all channels. However, they corrupted delta, beta and gamma power levels substantially by up to 126, 171 and 938%, respectively, relative to the power level computed from artefact‐free data. Although ocular artefacts were infrequent during NREM sleep, they affected up to 16% of the frontal and temporal EEG channels during REM sleep, primarily corrupting delta power by up to 33%. For both REM and NREM sleep, the automated artefact‐rejection algorithms matched power levels to within ~10% of the artefact‐free power level for each EEG channel and frequency band. In summary, although muscle and ocular artefacts affect only a small fraction of EEG data, they affect EEG spectral power significantly. This suggests the importance of using artefact‐rejection algorithms before analysing EEG data.
Serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in sleep‐disordered patients: relation to sleep stage N3 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep across diagnostic entities
Authors: Deuschle Michael , Schredl Michael , Wisch Christian , Schilling Claudia , Gilles Maria , Geisel Olga , Hellweg Rainer
Published: June 2017

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests an association between neuroplasticity, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and sleep. We aimed at testing the hypotheses that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor is associated with specific aspects of sleep architecture or sleep stages in patients with sleep disorders. We included 35 patients with primary insomnia, 31 patients with restless legs syndrome, 17 patients with idiopathic hypersomnia, 10 patients with narcolepsy and 37 healthy controls. Morning serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor concentrations were measured in patients and controls. In patients, blood sampling was followed by polysomnographic sleep investigation. Low brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels were associated with a low percentage of sleep stage N3 and rapid eye movement sleep across diagnostic entities. However, there was no difference in brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels between diagnostic groups. Our data indicate that serum levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, independent of a specific sleep disorder, are related to the proportion of sleep stage N3 and REM sleep. This preliminary observation is in accordance with the assumption that sleep stage N3 is involved in the regulation of neuroplasticity.
Shrub species richness decreases negative impacts of drought in a Mediterranean ecosystem
Authors: Rodriguez‐Ramirez Natalia , Santonja Mathieu , Baldy Virginie , Ballini Christine , Montès Nicolas
Published: June 2017

Aims

Global change projections predict biodiversity changes and increased drought intensity in the Mediterranean Basin in the decades to come. This will presumably affect plant performance, plant community composition and ecosystem functioning. Shrublands are widespread in the Mediterranean area, yet we have no clear understanding of shrubland responses to the combined effects of increased drought and changes in plant diversity.

Location

Natural Mediterranean shrubland, Marseille, south France.

Methods

A rainfall manipulation experiment was conducted to examine the performance of four dominant shrub species in response to increased drought. The study assemblages spanned a gradient of four shrub richness levels (mono‐, bi‐, tri‐ and tetra‐specific plant mixtures) and 15 different shrub combinations. Throughout the 2 yr of non‐destructive experiments (2012–2014), we measured plant litter fall, stand necromass and plant cover of the four dominant plant species: Cistus albidus, Quercus coccifera, Rosmarinus officinalis and Ulex parviflorus.

Results

Increasing shrub richness levels in the plant community led to higher litter production by all four species and a decrease in dry shoots for Quercus and Ulex. Shrub species responses were affected by the rain exclusion treatment, but the effects were mainly dependent on shrub richness level. In mono‐specific plots, aggravated drought conditions led to a decrease in litter fall of Cistus, Rosmarinus and Ulex and an increase in necromass of all four species. In general, these negative drought effects disappeared as number of shrub species in the community increased. Under rain exclusion treatment, Rosmarinus cover decreased in mono‐specific plots whereas Quercus cover increased in bi‐specific plots and Rosmarinus cover increased in tetra‐specific plots. We observed two drought tolerance patterns, with Quercus and Rosmarinus being more tolerant species and Ulex and Cistus less tolerant.

Conclusions

The magnitude of drought effects on shrub performance is species‐specific, and plant species combination‐dependent. High shrub richness levels modulate the negative impacts of aggravated drought conditions. Our results point to a probable shift of interspecific relationships in response to water shortage. As drought impacts are not mediated in low‐diversity communities, species‐specific responses to drier conditions could lead to shifts in plant community composition favouring the most drought‐resistant species, i.e. Quercus and Rosmarinus. Maintaining high diversity appears critical to mediate drought effects for less resistant species (Cistus and Ulex in our study).
Long‐term change in sub‐alpine forest cover, tree line and species composition in the Swiss Alps
Authors: Mietkiewicz Nathan , Kulakowski Dominik , Rogan John , Bebi Peter
Published: June 2017

Aims

The 20th century has been marked by dramatic changes in land use, disturbance regimes and climate, which have interacted to affect global ecological patterns and dynamics, including changes in the extent, composition and structure of forest cover. Although much research has highlighted dramatic, short‐term ecological change, on‐going trends of land‐use change and climate change began more than a century ago. Consequently, quantifying and understanding long‐term (e.g. centennial) ecological change is critical to contextualizing recent patterns and processes. Here we document changes in the extent, position and composition of sub‐alpine forests over the past century in eastern Switzerland.

Location

Davos region of the Swiss Alps, eastern Switzerland.

Methods

Position of tree line, forest cover and forest composition were evaluated using a unique combination of Object‐Based Image Classification of an historical (1909) map, recent (2009) aerial photography and repeat terrestrial photography to minimize the inherent bias of each data source, while providing the most robust representation of long‐term ecological change.

Results

Over the past century total forest cover expanded by 64.6% and the position of sub‐alpine tree line increased on all aspects. Total forest cover also increased at the highest and lowest elevations on all aspects. Dominance of European larch increased at the highest elevations, but decreased at the lowest elevations, where it was replaced by Norway spruce. These patterns suggest land use has been the most important driver of forest change over the past century.

Conclusions

Major changes in the extent, structure and dynamics of sub‐alpine forests in the Alps initiated earlier than previously documented and most change occurred prior to the middle of the 20th century. Furthermore, these changes were likely driven primarily by changes in land use, rather than by changes in climate. A combination of data sources and methodological approaches, such as those of the current study, provides a clearer view of long‐term changes and minimize the biases associated with any single data source or methodology.
The Aspergillus nidulans Velvet‐interacting protein, VipA, is involved in light‐stimulated heme biosynthesis
Authors: Röhrig Julian , Yu Zhenzhong , Chae Keon‐Sang , Kim Jong‐Hwa , Han Kap‐Hoon , Fischer Reinhard
Published: June 2017

Filamentous fungi are able to differentiate morphologically and adapt the metabolism to internal and external cues. One major regulator is the so‐called velvet protein, VeA, best studied in Aspergillus nidulans. The protein interacts with several other proteins to regulate light sensing, the balance between asexual and sexual development, penicillin biosynthesis or mycotoxin production. Here, we characterized a novel VeA‐interacting protein, VipA. The 334 amino acid long protein comprises a FAR1‐like DNA‐binding domain, known from plant transcription factors like FHY3 (Far‐red elongated hypocotyl 3). VipA interacted not only with VeA, but also with the WC orthologue LreA in the nuclei and with the phytochrome FphA in the cytoplasm. Conidia and cleistothecia formation was similarly affected in a vipA‐deletion strain as in an fphA mutant. However, the effect was less pronounced, suggesting a modulating and not an essential role in light sensing. In addition, VipA modulated heme biosynthesis in response to light through association with the hemB promoter, the gene encoding 5‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase. After illumination of A. nidulans mycelia with white light the intracellular heme concentration increased by 30% in comparison to a vipA‐deletion mutant. Hence, VipA couples heme biosynthesis to the illumination conditions.
Mapping the recognition domains of pneumococcal fibronectin‐binding proteins PavA and PavB demonstrates a common pattern of molecular interactions with fibronectin type III repeats
Authors: Kanwal Sajida , Jensch Inga , Palm Gottfried J. , Brönstrup Mark , Rohde Manfred , Kohler Thomas P. , Somplatzki Daniela , Tegge Werner , Jenkinson Howard F. , Hammerschmidt Sven
Published: June 2017

Colonization of mucosal respiratory surfaces is a prerequisite for the human pathobiont Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) to cause severe invasive infections. The arsenal of pneumococcal adhesins interacts with a multitude of extracellular matrix proteins. A paradigm for pneumococci is their interaction with the adhesive glycoprotein fibronectin, which facilitates bacterial adherence to host cells. Here, we deciphered the molecular interaction between fibronectin and pneumococcal fibronectin‐binding proteins (FnBPs) PavA and PavB respectively. We show in adherence and binding studies that the pneumococcal interaction with fibronectin is a non‐human specific trait. PavA and PavB target at least 13 out of 15 type III fibronectin domains as demonstrated in ligand overlay assays, surface plasmon resonance studies and SPOT peptide arrays. Strikingly, both pneumococcal FnBPs recognize similar peptides in targeted type III repeats. Structural comparisons revealed that the targeted type III repeat epitopes cluster on the inner strands of both β‐sheets forming the fibronectin domains. Importantly, synthetic peptides of FnIII1, FnIII5 or FnIII15 bind directly to FnBPs PavA and PavB respectively. In conclusion, our study suggests a common pattern of molecular interactions between pneumococcal FnBPs and fibronectin. The specific epitopes recognized in this study can potentially be tested as antimicrobial targets in further scientific endeavours.
Examination of competing diagnostic models of functional gastrointestinal disorders related to pain in children
Authors: Schurman J. V. , Karazsia B. T. , Friesen C. A.
Published: June 2017

Background

There have been no empirical validations of the Rome III or Rome IV criteria in children. The aim of the current study was to examine whether symptoms naturally occur in a pattern consistent with Rome III and/or Rome IV pediatric criteria for functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 250 children, ages 8‐17 years, presenting to an abdominal pain clinic with pain of at least 8 weeks duration. We evaluated patterns of gastrointestinal (GI) and non‐gastrointestinal (non‐GI) symptoms which had been collected in a standardized fashion as part of routine clinical care. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to compare pre‐existing models of symptoms clusters, namely Rome III and Rome IV criteria for IBS and FD in children and adolescents. Factor intercorrelations also were examined to determine whether IBS symptoms and non‐GI somatic complaints correlate uniquely with FD symptom clusters.

Key Results

Both models demonstrated good fit with observed data [3‐factor: χ2 (101, n=250)110.75, P<.05, TLI=.99, CFI=.99; 4‐factor: χ2(98, n=250)117.54, P<.05, TLI=.96, CFI=.97]. Fit indices and intercorrelations favored the more parsimonious 3‐factor solution (3‐factor: AIC=4654.91, BIC=4778.17; 4‐factor: AIC=4757.16, BIC=4890.97) consistent with pediatric Rome III criteria that conceptualizes FD as a single diagnostic category. FD demonstrated significant overlap with IBS (.42), while non‐GI‐specific symptoms correlated significantly with FD (.64), but not IBS (.14) symptoms.

Conclusions & Inferences

GI symptoms in children presenting for initial evaluation of chronic functional abdominal pain occur in a pattern consistent with Rome III and IV pediatric criteria. Rome III offers a more parsimonious model. The presence of FD symptoms is strongly, and uniquely, associated with non‐GI symptoms.
Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, the active component of the Kampo formula Daikenchuto, induces anti‐inflammatory actions through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation
Authors: Endo M. , Hori M. , Mihara T. , Ozaki H. , Oikawa T. , Odaguchi H. , Hanawa T.
Published: June 2017

Background

We previously reported that Daikenchuto (DKT), a gastrointestinal prokinetic Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine used for the treatment of postoperative ileus (POI), has characteristic potent anti‐inflammatory activity. This effect may be partly mediated by the activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). In this study, we identified the specific herbs in DKT that induce anti‐inflammatory action.

Methods

The herbal components of DKT were individually administered orally to each mouse four times before and after intestinal manipulation (IM) was carried out on the distal ileum. The anti‐inflammatory activity of each crude drug was subsequently evaluated using immunohistochemical analyses of relevant molecules.

Key Results

Treatment with Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma (ZSR) but not the other components inhibited the infiltration of cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68)‐positive macrophages as effectively as DKT treatment. Selective α7nAChR antagonists, such as methyllycaconitine citrate, or transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonists, such as HC‐030031, significantly inhibited the amelioration of macrophage infiltration by ZSR. The inhibition of macrophage infiltration by ZSR was abolished in both α7nAChR and 5‐hydroxytryptamine 4 receptor (5‐HT4R) knockout mice.

Conclusions & Inferences

Daikenchuto‐induced anti‐inflammatory activity, which was mediated by inhibiting macrophage infiltration in POI, is dependent on the effects of ZSR. Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma activates TRPA1 channels possibly in enterochromaffin (EC) cells to release 5‐HT, which stimulates 5‐HT4R in the myenteric plexus neurons to release ACh, which in turn activates α7nAChR on macrophages to inhibit inflammation in POI.
The corneal nerve density in the sub‐basal plexus decreases with increasing myopia: a pilot study
Authors: Harrison Wendy W. , Putnam Nicole M. , Shukis Christine , Nguyen Evelyn , Reinard Kristen , Hundelt Elizabeth , Vardanyan Galina , Gabai Celine , Yevseyenkov Vladimir
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Myopia can cause many changes in the health of the eye. As it becomes more prevalent worldwide, more patients seek correction in the form of glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery. In this study we explore the impact that high myopia has on central corneal nerve density by comparing sub basal nerve plexus density measured by confocal microscopy in a variety of refractive errors.

Methods

Seventy healthy adult subjects between the ages of 21–50 years participated in this study. The study took place in two phases with no overlapping subjects (n = 30 phase 1 and n = 40 phase 2). In both phases an autorefraction, keratometry reading, corneal thickness measure and confocal corneal scan of the sub basal nerve plexus were performed for both eyes. There were 11 hyperopes (+0.50 to +3.50DS), six emmetropes (−0.25 to +0.50DS), 30 low myopes (−5.50 to −0.50DS), and 23 high myopes (−5.50DS and above). In the second phase of the study additional tests were performed including an axial length, additional corneal scans, and a questionnaire that asked about age of first refractive correction and contact lens wear. Corneal nerves were imaged over the central cornea with a Nidek CS4 confocal microscope (460 × 345 μm field). Nerves were evaluated using the NeuronJ program for density calculation. One eye was selected for inclusion based on image quality and higher refractive error (more myopic or hyperopic).

Results

As myopia increased, nerve density decreased (t1 = 3.86, p < 0.001). We also note a decrease in data scatter above −7 D. The relationship between axial length values and nerve density was also significant and the slope was not as robust as refractive error (t1 = 2.4, p < 0.04). As expected there was a significant difference between the four groups in axial length (F3 = 19.9, p < 0.001) and age of first refractive correction of the myopic groups (14.9 vs 11.5 years; t46 = 2.99 p < 0.01). There was no difference in keratometry readings or corneal thickness between the groups (F3 = 0.6, p = 0.66 and F3 = 1.2, p = 0.33 respectively).

Conclusion

Corneal nerve density in the sub‐basal plexus decreased with increasing myopia. This could have implications for corneal surgery and contact lens wear in this patient population.
Fourier analysis algorithm for the posterior corneal keratometric data: clinical usefulness in keratoconus
Authors: Sideroudi Haris , Labiris Georgios , Georgantzoglou Kimon , Ntonti Panagiota , Siganos Charalambos , Kozobolis Vassilios
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To develop an algorithm for the Fourier analysis of posterior corneal videokeratographic data and to evaluate the derived parameters in the diagnosis of Subclinical Keratoconus (SKC) and Keratoconus (KC).

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, observational study that took place in the Eye Institute of Thrace, Democritus University, Greece. Eighty eyes formed the KC group, 55 eyes formed the SKC group while 50 normal eyes populated the control group. A self‐developed algorithm in visual basic for Microsoft Excel performed a Fourier series harmonic analysis for the posterior corneal sagittal curvature data. The algorithm decomposed the obtained curvatures into a spherical component, regular astigmatism, asymmetry and higher order irregularities for averaged central 4 mm and for each individual ring separately (1, 2, 3 and 4 mm). The obtained values were evaluated for their diagnostic capacity using receiver operating curves (ROC). Logistic regression was attempted for the identification of a combined diagnostic model.

Results

Significant differences were detected in regular astigmatism, asymmetry and higher order irregularities among groups. For the SKC group, the parameters with high diagnostic ability (AUC > 90%) were the higher order irregularities, the asymmetry and the regular astigmatism, mainly in the corneal periphery. Higher predictive accuracy was identified using diagnostic models that combined the asymmetry, regular astigmatism and higher order irregularities in averaged 3and 4 mm area (AUC: 98.4%, Sensitivity: 91.7% and Specificity:100%).

Conclusions

Fourier decomposition of posterior Keratometric data provides parameters with high accuracy in differentiating SKC from normal corneas and should be included in the prompt diagnosis of KC.
Effect of simulated refractive error on adult visual acuity for paediatric tests
Authors: Paudel Nabin , Jacobs Robert J. , Sloan Rebecca , Denny Sarah , Shea Kimberley , Thompson Benjamin , Anstice Nicola
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Although vanishing optotype preferential‐looking tasks are commonly used to measure visual acuity (VA), the relative sensitivity of these tests to refractive error is not well understood. To address this issue, we determined the effect of spherical and astigmatic simulated refractive errors on adultVAmeasures obtained using vanishing optotypes, picture optotypes and Sloan letters.

Methods

VAwas determined uniocularly for adults under conditions of spherical (0.0–3.0DS;n = 23) and astigmatic (0.0–3.0DCat 90° and 180°;n = 20) defocus using the Cardiff Acuity Test (vanishing optotypes), crowded linear Lea Symbols (picture‐optotype recognition task) and the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter chart.

Results

The Cardiff Acuity Test over‐estimatedVAcompared with the Lea Symbols andETDRScharts in both focused and defocused conditions. The mean difference between the Cardiff Acuity Test and theETDRSchart was 0.31 logMAR(95% limits of agreement (LOA) 0.10–0.52 logMAR) in focused conditions and 0.64 logMAR(95%LOA0.25–1.05 logMAR) with 3D of spherical defocus. Defocus degradedVAon all charts, however there was a significant chart‐by‐defocus interaction whereby the Cardiff Acuity Test was more resistant to the effects of both spherical (P < 0.0001) and cylindrical (P < 0.001) optical defocus than the recognition acuity tasks at all defocus levels.

Conclusion

Although the Cardiff Acuity Test provides an easy method forVAmeasurement in infants and toddlers, there is a considerable overestimation ofVAcompared with recognition acuity tasks particularly in the presence of defocus. A simple correction factor (of for example three lines overestimate) cannot be applied to Cardiff acuity measures as there is increasing over‐estimation ofVAwith increasing defocus. Infants with significant refractive error may fall within normal visual acuity ranges for the Cardiff Acuity Test.
Adult Mortality Five Years after a Natural Disaster
Authors: Ho Jessica Y. , Frankenberg Elizabeth , Sumantri Cecep , Thomas Duncan
Published: June 2017

Exposure to extreme events has been hypothesized to affect subsequent mortality because of mortality selection and scarring effects of the event itself. We examine survival at and in the five years after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami for a population‐representative sample of residents of Aceh, Indonesia who were differentially exposed to the disaster. For this population, the dynamics of selection and scarring are a complex function of the degree of tsunami impact in the community, the nature of individual exposures, age at exposure, and gender. Among individuals from tsunami‐affected communities we find evidence for positive mortality selection among older individuals, with stronger effects for males than for females, and that this selection dominates any scarring impact of stressful exposures that elevate mortality. Among individuals from other communities, where mortality selection does not play a role, there is evidence of scarring with property loss associated with elevated mortality risks in the five years after the disaster among adults age 50 or older at the time of the disaster.