bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatially resolved time‐frequency analysis of odour coding in the insect antennal lobe
Authors: Paoli Marco , Weisz Nathan , Antolini Renzo , Haase Albrecht
Published: July 2016

Antennal lobes constitute the first neurophils in the insect brain involved in coding and processing of olfactory information. With their stereotyped functional and anatomical organization, they provide an accessible model with which to investigate information processing of an external stimulus in a neural network in vivo. Here, by combining functional calcium imaging with time‐frequency analysis, we have been able to monitor the oscillatory components of neural activity upon olfactory stimulation. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of stimulus‐induced oscillatory patterns in the honeybee antennal lobe, and to analyse the distribution of those patterns across the antennal lobe glomeruli. Fast two‐photon calcium imaging reveals the presence of low‐frequency oscillations, the intensity of which is perturbed by an incoming stimulus. Moreover, analysis of the spatial arrangement of this activity indicates that it is not homogeneous throughout the antennal lobe. On the contrary, each glomerulus displays an odorant‐specific time‐frequency profile, and acts as a functional unit of the oscillatory activity. The presented approach allows simultaneous recording of complex activity patterns across several nodes of the antennal lobe, providing the means to better understand the network dynamics regulating olfactory coding and leading to perception.
Cocaine abstinence induces emotional impairment and brain region‐specific upregulation of the oxytocin receptor binding
Authors: Georgiou Polymnia , Zanos Panos , Hourani Susanna , Kitchen Ian , Bailey Alexis
Published: July 2016

The key problem in treating cocaine addiction is the maintenance of a drug‐free state as negative emotional symptoms during abstinence often trigger relapse. The mechanisms underpinning the emotional dysregulation during abstinence are currently not well‐understood. There is evidence suggesting a role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in the modulation of drug addiction processes. However, its involvement during long‐term abstinence from cocaine use remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to behaviourally characterize a mouse model of long‐term cocaine withdrawal and assess the effect of chronic cocaine administration and long‐term cocaine abstinence on the central oxytocinergic system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Fourteen‐day escalating‐dose cocaine administration (3 × 15–30 mg/kg/day) and 14‐day withdrawal increased plasma corticosterone levels and oxytocin receptor (OTR) binding in piriform cortex, lateral septum and amygdala. A specific cocaine withdrawal‐induced increase in OTR binding was observed in the medial septum. These biochemical alterations occurred concomitantly with the emergence of memory impairment, contextual psychomotor sensitization and an anhedonic and anxiogenic phenotype during withdrawal. Our study established a clear relationship between cocaine abstinence and emotional impairment in a novel translationally relevant model of cocaine withdrawal and demonstrated for the first time brain region‐specific neuroadaptations of the oxytocin system, which may contribute to abstinence‐induced negative emotional state.
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene variant moderates neural index of cognitive disruption during nicotine withdrawal
Authors: Evans D. E. , Sutton S. K. , Jentink K. G. , Lin H.‐Y. , Park J. Y. , Drobes D. J.
Published: July 2016

Nicotine withdrawal‐related disruption of cognitive control may contribute to the reinforcement of tobacco use. Identification of gene variants that predict this withdrawal phenotype may lead to tailored pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. Variation on the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene (CNR1) has been related to nicotine dependence, and CNR1 antagonists may increase attention and memory functioning. We targeted CNR1 variants as moderators of a validated neural marker of nicotine withdrawal‐related cognitive disruption. CNR1 polymorphisms comprising the ‘TAG’ haplotype (rs806379, rs1535255 and rs2023239) were tested independently, as no participants in this sample possessed this haplotype. Nicotine withdrawal‐related cognitive disruption was indexed as increased resting electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha‐1 power density across 17 electrodes. Seventy‐three Caucasian Non‐Hispanic smokers (≥15 cigarettes per day) visited the laboratory on two occasions following overnight smoking/nicotine deprivation. Either two nicotine or two placebo cigarettes were smoked prior to collecting EEG data at each session. Analyses showed that rs806379 moderated the effects of nicotine deprivation increasing slow wave EEG (P = 0.004). Smokers homozygous for the major allele exhibited greater nicotine withdrawal‐related cognitive disruption. The current findings suggest potential efficacy of cannabinoid receptor antagonism as a pharmacotherapy approach for smoking cessation among individuals who exhibit greater nicotine withdrawal‐related cognitive disruption.
Quartz Reference Materials for Oxygen Isotope Analysis by SIMS
Authors: Seitz Susanne , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Bouvier Anne‐Sophie , Putlitz Benita , Vennemann Torsten
Published: July 2016

Two quartz samples of igneous origin, UNIL‐Q1 (Torres del Paine Intrusion, Chile) and BGI‐Q1 (Shandong province, China), were calibrated for their oxygen isotope composition for SIMS measurements. UNIL‐Q1 and BGI‐Q1 were evaluated for homogeneity using SIMS. Their reference δ18O values were determined by CO2 laser fluorination. The average δ18O value found for UNIL‐Q1 is 9.8 ± 0.06‰ and that for BGI‐Q1 is 7.7 ± 0.11‰ (1s). The intermediate measurement precision of SIMS oxygen isotope measurements was 0.32–0.41‰ (2s; UNIL‐Q1) and 0.40–0.48‰ (2s; BGI‐Q1), respectively. While less homogeneous in its oxygen isotope composition, BGI‐Q1 is also suitable for SIMS trace element measurements.
The Westminster Model and the “Indivisibility of the Political and Administrative Elite”: A Convenient Myth Whose Time Is Up?
Authors: Richards David , Smith Martin J.
Published: July 2016

This article argues that the principle of indivisibility in the relationship between political and administrative elites acted as a central convention of the Westminster system for much of the twentieth century. It explores how in more recent decades this principle has been challenged by the shift to a principal–agent approach. It considers the extent to which this shift diminishes the traditional Westminster model's understanding of the minister–civil servant relationship as one based on a symbiotic interdependent partnership. In its place has emerged a more universal command and control relationship that is seen as necessary to meet the demands of modern accountability and transparency. Such a change has fundamentally altered a long‐established power‐bargain between ministers and civil servants and undermined a core tenet of the Westminster model.
Westminster Traditions: Continuity and Change
Authors: Weller Patrick , Haddon Catherine
Published: July 2016

This article analyzes what the Westminster system actually means for civil services in historical context and contemporary practice. It explores the way in which practitioners, both politicians and civil servants, interpreted Westminster's implications and used them as justification, defense, and sometimes camouflage for their administrative choices in a range of jurisdictions. The article then uses the example of senior appointments to show why these nuanced interpretations are significant. Its principal finding is that the continued value of Westminster lies in its ability to provide a framework and discourse without being prescriptive or precise for particular circumstances. It is sufficiently flexible to be able to evolve with the needs of each generation yet continues to frame a sense of identity and purpose in how it is applied in abstract and practice.
Chromosomal location of the DnaA‐reactivating sequence DARS2 is important to regulate timely initiation of DNA replication in Escherichia coli
Authors: Inoue Yukie , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Kasho Kazutoshi , Fujimitsu Kazuyuki , Oshima Taku , Katayama Tsutomu
Published: July 2016

In Escherichia coli, the initiator protein ATP‐DnaA promotes initiation of chromosome replication in a timely manner. After initiation, DnaA‐bound ATP is hydrolyzed to yield ADP‐DnaA, which is inactive in initiation. DnaA‐reactivating sequences (DARS1 and DARS2) on the chromosome have predominant roles in catalysis of nucleotide exchange, producing ATP‐DnaA from ADP‐DnaA, which is prerequisite for timely initiation. Both DARS sequences have a core region containing a cluster of three DnaA‐binding sites. DARS2 is more effective in vivo than DARS1, and timely activation of DARS2 depends on binding of two nucleoid‐associated proteins, IHF and Fis. DARS2 is located centrally between the chromosomal replication origin oriC and the terminus region terC. We constructed mutants in which DARS2 was translocated to several chromosomal loci, including sites proximal to oriC and to terC. Replication initiation was inhibited in cells in which DARS2 was translocated to terC‐proximal sites when the cells were grown at 42 °C, although overall binding efficiency of IHF and Fis to the translocated DARS2 was not affected. Inhibition was largely sustained even in cells lacking MatP, a DNA‐binding protein responsible for terC‐specific subchromosomal structure. These results suggest that functional regulation of DARS2 is correlated with its chromosomal location under certain conditions.
Fusion gene profile of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma: an analysis of 44 cases
Authors: Fritchie Karen J , Jin Long , Wang Xiaoke , Graham Rondell P , Torbenson Michael S , Lewis Jean E , Rivera Michael , Garcia Joaquin J , Schembri‐Wismayer David J , Westendorf Jennifer J , Chou Margaret M , Dong Jie , Oliveira Andre M
Published: July 2016

Aims

Biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (SNS) is a locally aggressive tumour that occurs in the sinonasal region. PAX3–MAML3 has recently been identified as a recurrent fusion gene event in this entity; however, a subset of tumours harbour alternative PAX3 rearrangement without the involvement of MAML3. In this study we sought to characterize the molecular profile of a large series of cases, with a special emphasis on tumours with alternative fusions.

Methods and results

Forty‐four examples of SNS were screened by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to better characterize its molecular profile and identify potential novel fusion genes. Twenty‐four were positive for PAX3–MAML3 (55%), 15 showed rearrangements of PAX3 without MAML3 involvement (34%), one showed rearrangement of MAML3 without PAX3 involvement, and four were negative for the involvement of either gene (9%). Among 15 cases with PAX3 involvement only, three were found to harbour PAX3–FOXO1. Two of these cases arose in the nasal cavities of female patients (aged 31 and 47 years), and one showed bilateral involvement of the nasal cavities of a 35‐year‐old male. A fourth case involved the skull base of a 47‐year‐old male, and was positive for PAX3–NCOA1. Patients with fusion‐negative tumours were slightly older.

Conclusion

More than half of the SNSs in this series were positive for PAX3–MAML3. However, a subset of tumours may harbour alternative PAX3 fusion genes or show no involvement of PAX3. Except for a possible weak association between age and molecular profile, the overall morphological and immunophenotypic features of all cases seem to be similar. Because of the rarity of these tumours, the impact of the molecular profile on the clinical course of these tumours remains to be determined.
Preliminary performance data of the RHE/IL‐18 assay performed on SkinEthic™RHE for the identification of contact sensitizers
Authors: Andres E. , Barry M. , Hundt A. , Dini C. , Corsini E. , Gibbs S. , Roggen E. L. , Ferret P.‐J.
Published: July 2016

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performances of the RHE/IL‐18 assay using the SkinEthic™ RHE model for the identification of contact sensitizers.

Methods

A set of 18 substances and mixtures was tested on this epidermal model, following the RHE/IL‐18 protocol. The final results of the assay were obtained following 5 interpretation schemes, to determine the optimal prediction model for this assay with this specific test system. The data were analysed with a special focus on the basal level of IL‐18 release and on the performance obtained with respect to three different gold standards: LLNA, HRIPT and an integrated reference, constructed from all available results.

Results

No important differences were found in the performance levels depending on the three gold standards. The performances obtained with the SkinEthic™ RHE model support that this model may be considered as an alternative to different reconstructed epidermis models (EpiDERM™, EpiCS™ and VUMC‐EE) for the performance of RHE/IL‐18 assays.

Conclusion

The prediction model to be used was refined, and more substances have to be tested in order to gather enough data for this evaluation and to determine the right criteria applicable for this assay using the SkinEthic™ RHE test system.
Phase Transformation and Optical Properties of Annealed Hydrothermally Synthesized ZnO/ZnCr2O4 Nanocomposites
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Dixit Tejendra , Palani Iyamperumal A. , Sagdeo Pankaj R. , Singh Vipul
Published: July 2016

The effect of postgrowth thermal annealing on ZnO/ZnCr2O4 nanocomposites synthesized by hydrothermal method has been thoroughly investigated. XRD data have clearly revealed the transformation of spinel cubic phase of ZnCr2O4 to wurtzite phase ZnO and indicated the incorporation of Cr in ZnO lattice with annealing at high temperatures. Photoluminescence spectra have shown a strong dependence of emission on annealing temperatures. This work demonstrated the unique and simple route to fabricate Cr‐doped ZnO and tuning of the luminescence with annealing temperature. Thus, the work has immense potential for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications.
Deoxyribonucleic acid telomere length shortening can predict the incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ping Fan , Li Zeng‐yi , Lv Ke , Zhou Mei‐cen , Dong Ya‐xiu , Sun Qi , Li Yu‐xiu
Published: July 2016

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the effect of telomere shortening and other predictive factors of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a 6‐year prospective cohort study.

Materials and Methods

A total of 70 type 2 diabetes mellitus (mean age 57.8 ± 6.7 years) patients without NAFLD were included in the study, and 64 of them were successfully followed up 6 years later, excluding four cases with significant alcohol consumption. NAFLD was diagnosed by the hepatorenal ratio obtained by a quantitative ultrasound method using NIH image analysis software. The 39 individuals that developed NAFLD were allocated to group A, and the 21 individuals that did not develop NAFLD were allocated to group B. Fluorescent real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure telomere length.

Results

There was no significant difference between the two groups in baseline telomere length; however, at the end of the 6th year, telomere length had become shorter in group A compared with group B. There were significant differences between these two groups in baseline body mass index, waistline, systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin and fasting C‐peptide level. In addition, the estimated indices of baseline insulin resistance increased in group A. Fasting insulin level, body mass index, systolic blood pressure at baseline and the shortening of telomere length were independent risk factors of NAFLD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Conclusions

Telomere length became shorter in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who developed NAFLD over the course of 6 years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who developed NAFLD had more serious insulin resistance compared with those who did not develop NAFLD a long time ago.
Molecular Structures and Coding Genes of the Water‐Borne Protein Pheromones of Euplotes petzi, an Early Diverging Polar Species of Euplotes
Authors: Pedrini Bill , Suter‐Stahel Thea , Vallesi Adriana , Alimenti Claudio , Luporini Pierangelo
Published: July 2016

Euplotes is diversified into dozens of widely distributed species that produce structurally homologous families of water‐borne protein pheromones governing self‐/nonself‐recognition phenomena. Structures of pheromones and pheromone coding genes have so far been studied from species lying in different positions of the Euplotes phylogenetic tree. We have now cloned the coding genes and determined the NMR molecular structure of four pheromones isolated from Euplotes petzi, a polar species which is phylogenetically distant from previously studied species and forms the deepest branching clade in the tree. The E. petzi pheromone genes have significantly shorter sequences than in other congeners, lack introns, and encode products of only 32 amino acids. Likewise, the three‐dimensional structure of the E. petzi pheromones is markedly simpler than the three‐helix up‐down‐up architecture previously determined in another polar species, Euplotes nobilii, and in a temperate‐water species, Euplotes raikovi. Although sharing the same up‐down‐up architecture, it includes only two short α‐helices that find their topological counterparts with the second and third helices of the E. raikovi and E. nobilii pheromones. The overall picture that emerges is that the evolution of Euplotes pheromones involves progressive increases in the gene sequence length and in the complexity of the three‐dimensional molecular structure.
Carp edema virus in Polish aquaculture – evidence of significant sequence divergence and a new lineage in common carp Cyprinus carpio (L.)
Authors: Matras M , Borzym E , Stone D , Way K , Stachnik M , Maj‐Paluch J , Palusińska M , Reichert M
Published: July 2016

Fish samples initially collected by local veterinarians on the common and koi carp farms in Poland between 2013 and 2015 as part of a KHV surveillance programme, when the water temperature was between 16 and 26 °C, and were also tested for CEV by qPCR. A partial 478 nucleotide fragment of the 4a gene was subsequently generated from 17 qPCR‐positive common carp Cyprinus carpio samples from 36 farm sites tested during the period. Sequence alignments and analysis revealed the presence of CEV in Poland both in common carp as well as in koi carp farms, and phylogenetic analysis assigned the Polish CEV sequences into three distinct genogroups. A lineage which includes the original sequences obtained from koi carp in Japan (genogroup II) included sequences from both koi carp and common carp, and the second lineage (genogroup I) contained sequences from common carp only. A third lineage (genogroup III) which was more closely related to the genogroup II also consisted of sequences from common carp only. The latter represents a lineage of CEV not previously described in the literature.
WSSV envelope protein VP51B links structural protein complexes and may mediate virus infection
Authors: Lee Y J , Chen L L
Published: July 2016

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an enveloped double‐stranded DNA virus, is the causative agent of a disease that has led to severe mortalities of cultured shrimps in Taiwan and many other countries. In the previous study, Penaeus monodon chitin‐binding protein (CBP) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), two cell membrane proteins, were found to at least interact with other 10 WSSV envelope proteins including VP51B. These envelope proteins might form a protein complex. According to the known information, VP51B was used to identify its role in the protein complex. Western blotting of the intact viral particles and fractionation of the viral components confirmed that VP51B is one of WSSV envelope proteins. In this study, the protein–protein interaction between VP51B and other WSSV envelope proteins was identified by far‐western blot experiment and VP51B was found to interact with VP24, VP31, VP32, VP39B and VP41A. Furthermore, the in vivo neutralization experiment using recombinant VP51B plus with VP39B showed the best inhibition. These data indicate that VP51B participates in the WSSV protein complex and plays an important role in WSSV infection.
Location Optimization of Urban Mining Facilities with Maximal Covering Model in GIS: A Case of China
Authors: Xue Yanyan , Wen Zongguo , Ji Xiaoli , Bressers Hans Th. A. , Zhang Chenkai
Published: July 2016

Urban mining offers an efficient supply of resources because of rich mines and low environmental impacts. Location selection and optimization for urban mining facilities is more complicated than for natural mines, given that it may vary according to the urban population, consumption habits, and economic development. China initiated the National Urban Mining Pilot Bases program in 2010 that targeted 50 national urban mining pilot bases, but unfortunately neglected the location planning issue. Twenty‐eight bases have already been selected, which are concentrated in the central and eastern areas of China. This article combines the use of analytic hierarchy process, maximal covering location model, and geographical information systems (GIS) software to optimize locations for China's urban mining pilot bases. Primary findings show that, theoretically, 40 urban mining pilot bases can sufficiently provide maximum gross domestic product (GDP) and population coverage service for China. Taking the current 28 bases as a precondition and 50 bases as the remaining policy target, our second optimization results in a list of 22 cities for the location selection of future urban mining pilot bases. In total, the optimized 22 cities, together with the selected 28 bases, can provide a maximum 97.5% of GDP and 95.1% of population coverage in China. This study illustrates the optimization process for urban mining recycling facilities in general and provides policy advice for China in a specific case.
Southern Chile's Archipelago of Chiloé: Shifting Identities in a New Economy
Authors: Daughters Anton
Published: July 2016

Este artículo examina la historia del Archipiélago de Chiloé del sur de Chile. Se enfatizan los cambios económicos de los últimos cuarenta años, en particular el cambio del trabajo rural de subsistencia al trabajo asalariado, y el impacto que éste ha tenido en cómo los isleños hablan de sí mismos y de su cultura. El argumento de este artículo está enmarcado en la literatura de identidad, sugiriendo una aproximación conceptual de identidad que incorpora los elementos del esencialismo y del constructivismo. [Chile, globalización, historia, identidad]
Productive Work as Political Action: Daily Practices of Struggle and Work in a Recovered Factory
Authors: Álvarez María Inés Fernández
Published: July 2016

Conocidas como empresas recuperadas, durante los últimos 10 años se desarrollaron en Argentina experiencias de gestión colectiva del trabajo a partir de la ocupación de fábricas por sus trabajadores. Este artículo revisa una investigación etnográfica que desarrollé en Buenos Aires entre 2002 y 2005, cuando se registró el mayor número de casos. El estudio de las prácticas cotidianas de los trabajadores evidenció cambios en los ritmos y actividades del día de trabajo. Como resultado el “lugar de trabajo” se convirtió en un “espacio de lucha” y al mismo tiempo las acciones de lucha se organización y significaron como “lugar de trabajo”. A partir de un caso particular, analizo como las actividades productivas se articularon en acciones de protesta sugiriendo que la recuperación tomó la forma de una acción política anclada en el trabajo productivo. Discuto las implicancias de esta articulación en la redefinición de las relaciones entre los trabajadores. [Argentina, movimientos sociales, trabajo]
Community Interventions for Health can support clinicians in advising patients to reduce tobacco use, improve dietary intake and increase physical activity
Authors: Anthony Denis , Dyson Pamela A , Lv Jun , Thankappan Kavumpurathu R , Champgane Beatriz , Matthews David R
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

To increase clinical interventions to reduce modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable disease in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Background

Noncommunicable disease is the leading cause of death in the world and is common in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Risk factors for noncommunicable disease are modifiable and health professionals are in an unique position to intervene and influence them.

Design

Clinical interventions were used as part of the Community Interventions for Health programme, a nonrandomised, controlled study undertaken in three communities – one each in China, India and Mexico.

Methods

All clinicians in intervention and control areas of the study were invited to complete surveys. A total of 2280 completed surveys at baseline and 2501 at follow‐up. Culturally appropriate interventions to reduce tobacco use, improve dietary intake and increase physical activity were delivered in the intervention areas.

Results

Clinicians in the intervention group felt more prepared to advise smoking cessation and improvement of diet. They were more likely to test serum cholesterol and blood pressure, but less likely to take measurements of height, hip, waist and skin‐fold thickness. There were more resources available to clinicians in the intervention group and they used counselling more and complementary medicine less than those in the control group.

Conclusions

Community interventions which have been shown to have a positive effect in the community and workplace also change clinical practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

Community interventions make clinicians, including nurses, more likely to feel prepared to offer advice and more likely to use counselling. This would be expected to reduce risk factors in patients.
‘Nurses don't deal with these issues’: nurses’ role in advance care planning for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients
Authors: Carabez Rebecca , Scott Megan
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

We used a question from the Healthcare Equality Index to explore nurses’ knowledge and understanding of medical advance directives, medical power of attorney and other legal documents for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients.

Background

Until the landmark ruling in Obergefell vs. Hodges, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and same‐sex couples have had limited relationship rights as only a few states recognised marriages and provided legal protections for same‐sex couples. Health care providers’ knowledge of and attitudes towards advance care planning plays a significant role in determining whether or not individuals successfully complete advance directives, yet advance care planning for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals is poorly understood among both health care providers and same‐sex couples.

Design

These data were part of a larger research study that explored the current state of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender‐sensitive nursing practice.

Method

Undergraduate nursing students recruited and interviewed nurse key informants (n = 268) about medical advance directives, medical power of attorney and other legal documents for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients.

Results

Nearly 50% of key informants indicated a lack of knowledge of advance directives, over 26% reported the difficulties nurses face regarding advance directives are the same for both lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and heterosexual patients, and nearly 25% indicated difficulties including having to decide who has the legal right to make decisions for the patient.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated the need for education and training for practising nurses in advance care planning for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and same‐sex couples.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses are in a position to act as educators, advocates and decision makers for their patients. Nurse's lack of understanding of advance care planning may negatively impact the type and quality of care lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients receive.
Minimum length of the adaptation and collection period in digestibility trials with sheep fed ad libitum only forage or forage plus concentrate
Authors: Farenzena R. , Kozloski G. V. , Gindri M. , Stefanello S.
Published: July 2016

Two in vivo digestibility trials with sheep were conducted to identify the minimum period length of feeding a new diet to obtain reproducible values of nutritional variables onward and the minimum length of collection period as to obtain maximal precision for each variable. Trial 1 was conducted with ten Polwarth male sheep (34 ± 5 kg body weight (BW)) throughout three 21‐day periods, in a completely randomized two‐way crossover design. The animals were divided into two groups (Group A and B, n = 5 per group) which were fed ad libitum with a sequence of the following diets throughout the periods: Group A: hay – hay plus concentrate – hay; Group B: hay plus concentrate – hay – hay plus concentrate. The concentrate was included in a proportion of 0.33 of the total diet. The intake, and the faecal and urinary excretion were measured daily throughout the experiment. For evaluating rumen fermentation variables, in Trial 2 four Santa Inês male sheep (65 ± 5 kg BW) fitted with ruminal cannula were used. The animals were randomly divided into two groups (n = 2 per group), and the trial was conducted through four 21 days experimental period, in a three‐way crossover design, using experimental diets and feeding management similar to Trial 1. The results indicated that, even though no clear or consistent steady‐state condition was identified for rumen fermentation or urinary excretion variables, the adaptation period for measuring OM digestibility in in vivo trials with sheep fed ad libitum where the diet shifts from one of only hay to another containing concentrate, or vice‐versa, should be at least 12 days long. Moreover, although no precision improvement was obtained by increasing the collection period above 1 day for measuring OM digestibility, the minimal length of collection period should be 4 days for measuring faecal excretion variables and 7 days for measuring urinary excretion variables.
Ten‐year follow‐up analysis of chronic hepatitis C patients after getting sustained virological response to pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin therapy
Authors: Wang X. , Gao F. , Yuan G. , Shi K. , Huang Y. , Chen Y. , Qiu R. , Sun L. , Liu J. , Hu C. , Zhou Y.
Published: July 2016

There is little data on the long‐term follow‐up outcomes of chronic hepatitis C patients achieving sustained virological response (SVR) after treatment with peglylated interferon‐α plus ribavirin. We prospectively investigated the overall clinical, biochemical, virological and histological outcomes in a ten‐year cohort study of 325 patients with chronic hepatitis C achieving SVR to pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin therapy. Patients underwent consistent clinical, biochemical and virological evaluation every six months, and patients with pretherapy Ishak fibrosis score ≥2 were invited to accept a second liver biopsy at the last follow‐up. Liver biopsy specimens were evaluated using Ishak's scoring system. At the end of follow‐up, five patients developed decompensated liver cirrhosis. One patient (0.3%) with pretherapy cirrhosis was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 305 patients (94%) had normal serum ALT and AST levels during the entire period of follow‐up. Twenty‐seven patients (8%) had conclusive evidence of virological relapse. Among the 117 patients with paired pretherapy and long‐term follow‐up biopsies, 96 (82%) had a decreased fibrosis score. Ninety‐nine (79%) had a decrease in combined inflammation score. Thirty‐seven (32%) had normal or nearly normal livers on long‐term follow‐up biopsy. SVR achieved with PEG‐IFN‐α and RBV combination therapy is durable, while late virological relapse may still occur in some patients. Clinical outcomes for patients who obtain SVR are excellent, although the patients with cirrhosis are still at a low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Energetic consequences of time‐activity budgets for a breeding seabird
Authors: Collins P. M. , Halsey L. G. , Arnould J. P. Y. , Shaw P. J. A. , Dodd S. , Green J. A.
Published: July 2016

How animals allocate their time to different behaviours has important consequences for their overall energy budget and reflects how they function in their environment. This potentially affects their ability to successfully reproduce, thereby impacting their fitness. We used accelerometers to record time‐activity budgets of 21 incubating and chick‐rearing kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) on Puffin Island, UK. These budgets were examined on a per day and per foraging trip basis. We applied activity‐specific estimates of energy expenditure to the kittiwakes' time‐activity budgets in order to identify the costs of variation in their allocation of time to different behaviours. Estimates of daily energy expenditure for incubating kittiwakes averaged 494 ± 20 kJ d−1 while chick‐rearing birds averaged 559 ± 11 kJ d−1. Time‐activity budgets highlighted that kittiwakes did not spend a large proportion of their time flying during longer foraging trips, or during any given 24‐h period. With time spent flying highlighted as the driving factor behind elevated energy budgets, this suggests behavioural compensation resulting in a possible energetic ceiling to their activities. We also identified that kittiwakes were highly variable in the proportion of time they spent either flying or on the water during foraging trips. Such variation meant that using forage trip duration alone to predict energy expenditure gave a mean error of 19% when compared to estimates incorporating the proportion of a foraging trip spent flying. We have therefore highlighted that trip duration alone is not an accurate indicator of energy expenditure.
Health assessment of grey mullet Mugil cephalus based on interrelationship between parasite co‐infections and relative condition factor
Authors: Özer A. , Çankaya E. , Yılmaz Kırca D.
Published: July 2016

This study aimed to assess the health status of grey mullet Mugil cephalus by means of relative condition factor under the coexisting parasite groups within seasons. Fish were captured monthly in the Lower Kızılırmak Delta in Samsun, Turkey, from December 2011 to November 2012. A total of five taxonomic groups containing 13 parasite species were constituted: Trichodina (Trichodina puytoraci, T. lepsii), Monogenea (Ligophorus cephali, L. mediterraneus, Gyrodactylus sp., Microcotyle mugilis), Digenea (Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa, Diplostomum spathaceum, Tylodelphys clavata, Posthodiplostomum sp., Haplosplanchnus pachysomus), Acanthocephala (Neoechinorhynchus agilis) and Copepoda (Ergasilus lizae). Only one mullet was not parasitized and 13.8%, 36.3%, 29.2%, 16.2% and 4.5% were infected by one, two, three, four and five parasite groups respectively. Health assessment of mullets was performed by means of relative condition factor based on weight–length relationship estimated by robust regression methods. General linear modelling was employed to investigate any effect of season and infection load on this condition measure. Potential impacts of multiple parasitism on the community, which have been largely overlooked in the literature, were first visually revealed by relating the levels of co‐infections (in terms of prevalence and intensity) to the seasons. Then, a correlation analysis was carried out between condition estimates and the log‐ratios of relative abundances of parasite groups. The results showed that mullets suffering from Monogenea–Digenea–Acanthocephala (M–D–A) and also along with Copepoda (M–D–A–C) co‐infection had weights less than expected (Kn < 1) under winter conditions. However, Trichodina involved co‐infections appeared to prefer large sized hosts (Kn > 1) particularly in autumn.
Stress, Pregnancy, and Motherhood: Implications for Birth Weights in the Borderlands of Texas
Authors: Fleuriet K. Jill , Sunil T. S.
Published: July 2016

We argue that changes over time in how ideas of stress are incorporated into understandings of pregnancy and motherhood among Mexican immigrant women living in the United States may affect the documented increase of low birth weight infants born to those women. Stress has consistently been linked to low birth weight, and pregnant Mexican American and Mexican immigrant women differ in levels of perceived social stress. What is lacking is an explanation for these differences. We utilize a subset of 36 ethnographic interviews with pregnant immigrant women from northern Mexico and Mexican Americans living in south Texas to demonstrate how meanings of pregnancy and motherhood increasingly integrate notions of stress the longer immigrant Mexican women live in the United States. We situate our results within anthropological and sociological research on motherhood in the United States and Mexico, anthropological research in the U.S.–Mexico borderlands, and interdisciplinary research on Hispanic rates of low birth weight.
Obese women experience multiple challenges with breastfeeding that are either unique or exacerbated by their obesity: discoveries from a longitudinal, qualitative study
Authors: Garner Christine D. , McKenzie Shanice A. , Devine Carol M. , Thornburg Loralei L. , Rasmussen Kathleen M.
Published: July 2016

Obese women are at risk for shorter breastfeeding duration, but little is known about how obese women experience breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to understand obese women's breastfeeding experiences. We enrolled pregnant women in upstate New York, who were either obese [n = 13; body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2] or normal weight (n = 9; BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) before conception and intended to breastfeed. A longitudinal, qualitative study was conducted from February 2013 through August 2014 with semi‐structured interviews during pregnancy and at specific times post‐partum through 3 months. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed using content analysis. Themes that emerged in analysis were compared between obese and normal‐weight women. Differences were identified and described. Prenatally, obese women expressed less confidence about breastfeeding than normal‐weight women. Post‐partum, obese women and their infants had more health issues that affected breastfeeding, such as low infant blood glucose. Compared with normal‐weight women, they also experienced more challenges with latching and positioning their infants. Breastfeeding required more time, props and pillows, which limited where obese women could breastfeed. Obese women also experienced more difficulty finding nursing bras and required more tangible social support than normal‐weight women. In conclusion, obese women experienced more challenges than women of normal weight; some challenges were similar to those of normal‐weight women but were experienced to a greater degree or a longer duration. Other challenges were unique. Obese women could benefit from targeted care prenatally and during the hospital stay as well as continued support post‐partum to improve breastfeeding outcomes. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Admission profile and discharge outcomes for infants aged less than 6 months admitted to inpatient therapeutic care in 10 countries. A secondary data analysis
Authors: Grijalva‐Eternod Carlos S. , Kerac Marko , McGrath Marie , Wilkinson Caroline , Hirsch June C. , Delchevalerie Pascale , Seal Andrew J.
Published: July 2016

Evidence on the management of acute malnutrition in infants aged less than 6 months (infants <6mo) is scarce. To understand outcomes using current protocols, we analysed a sample of 24 045 children aged 0–60 months from 21 datasets of inpatient therapeutic care programmes in 10 countries. We compared the proportion of admissions, the anthropometric profile at admission and the discharge outcomes between infants <6mo and children aged 6–60 months (older children).

Infants <6mo accounted for 12% of admissions. The quality of anthropometric data at admission was more problematic in infants <6mo than in older children with a greater proportion of missing data (a 6.9 percentage point difference for length values, 95% CI: 6.0; 7.9, P < 0.01), anthropometric measures that could not be converted to indices (a 15.6 percentage point difference for weight‐for‐length z‐score values, 95% CI: 14.3; 16.9, P < 0.01) and anthropometric indices that were flagged as outliers (a 2.7 percentage point difference for any anthropometric index being flagged as an outlier, 95% CI: 1.7; 3.8, P < 0.01). A high proportion of both infants <6mo and older children were discharged as recovered. Infants <6mo showed a greater risk of death during treatment (risk ratio 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09; 1.56, P < 0.01).

Infants <6mo represent an important proportion of admissions to therapeutic feeding programmes, and there are crucial challenges associated with their care. Systematic compilation and analysis of routine data for infants <6mo is necessary for monitoring programme performance and should be promoted as a tool to monitor the impact of new guidelines on care.
High‐throughput metabarcoding of eukaryotic diversity for environmental monitoring of offshore oil‐drilling activities
Authors: Lanzén Anders , Lekang Katrine , Jonassen Inge , Thompson Eric M. , Troedsson Christofer
Published: July 2016

As global exploitation of available resources increases, operations extend towards sensitive and previously protected ecosystems. It is important to monitor such areas in order to detect, understand and remediate environmental responses to stressors. The natural heterogeneity and complexity of communities means that accurate monitoring requires high resolution, both temporally and spatially, as well as more complete assessments of taxa. Increased resolution and taxonomic coverage is economically challenging using current microscopy‐based monitoring practices. Alternatively, DNA sequencing‐based methods have been suggested for cost‐efficient monitoring, offering additional insights into ecosystem function and disturbance. Here, we applied DNA metabarcoding of eukaryotic communities in marine sediments, in areas of offshore drilling on the Norwegian continental shelf. Forty‐five samples, collected from seven drilling sites in the Troll/Oseberg region, were assessed, using the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene as a taxonomic marker. In agreement with results based on classical morphology‐based monitoring, we were able to identify changes in sediment communities surrounding oil platforms. In addition to overall changes in community structure, we identified several potential indicator taxa, responding to pollutants associated with drilling fluids. These included the metazoan orders Macrodasyida, Macrostomida and Ceriantharia, as well as several ciliates and other protist taxa, typically not targeted by environmental monitoring programmes. Analysis of a co‐occurrence network to study the distribution of taxa across samples provided a framework for better understanding the impact of anthropogenic activities on the benthic food web, generating novel, testable hypotheses of trophic interactions structuring benthic communities.
ExtremeQTLmapping of germination speed inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yuan Wei , Flowers Jonathan M. , Sahraie Dustin J. , Ehrenreich Ian M. , Purugganan Michael D.
Published: July 2016

Seed germination is a key life history transition for annual plants and partly determines lifetime performance and fitness. Germination speed, the elapsed time for a nondormant seed to germinate, is a poorly understood trait important for plants’ competitiveness and fitness in fluctuating environments. Germination speed varied by 30% among 18Arabidopsis thalianapopulations measured, and exhibited weak negative correlation with flowering time and seed weight, with significant genotype effect (P < 0.005). To dissect the genetic architecture of germination speed, we developed the extremeQTL(X‐QTL) mapping method inA. thaliana. The method has been shown in yeast to increaseQTLmapping power by integrating selective screening and bulk‐segregant analysis in a very large mapping population. By pooled genotyping of top 5% of rapid germinants from ~100 000 F3individuals, three X‐QTLregions were identified on chromosomes 1, 3 and 4. All regions were confirmed asQTLregions by sequencing 192 rapid germinants from an independent F3selection experiment. Positional overlaps were found between X‐QTLs and previously identified seed, life history and fitnessQTLs. Our method provides a rapid mapping platform inA. thalianawith potentially greater power. One can also relate identified X‐QTLs to theA. thalianaphysical map, facilitating candidate gene identification.
Abnormal mural cell recruitment in lymphatic capillaries: a common pathological feature in chronic lymphedematous skin?
Authors: Yu Zi‐You , Sun Di , Luo Yi , Liu Ning‐Fei
Published: July 2016

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the structural and functional characteristics of dermal lymphatic capillaries in patients with chronic LE, specifically focused on the mural cells that are associated with skin lymphatics.

Methods

Forty‐four patients (30 primary LE and 14 secondary LE) and eight healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Genetic analysis of the FOXC2 was performed in 18 patients with primary LE. Full‐thickness skin was excised and immunohistologically stained for podoplanin and α‐SMA. The proportions of α‐SMA+ Lv (α‐SMA+ Lv%) were calculated. Lymphatic vascular function was assessed by indocyanine green lymphography.

Results

Analysis of FOXC2 revealed two mutations in two patients with LDs. Histologically, thirty‐nine patients exhibited increased α‐SMA+ mural cell coverage of lymphatic capillaries. The α‐SMA+ Lv% values in the superficial and deep dermis in patients with primary and secondary LE were significantly higher than in the control group. Compared with imaging findings in healthy limbs, in which the collecting lymphatics were clearly visualized, lymphedematous extremities all exhibited dermal backflow.

Conclusions

Abnormal recruitment of mural cells in dermal lymphatic capillaries is a common pathological event in chronic LE, and may play a role in disease evolution.
Use of mass spectrometry to measure aspartic acid racemization for ageing beluga whales
Authors: Pleskach Kerri , Hoang William , Chu Mitchell , Halldorson Thor , Loseto Lisa , Ferguson Steven H. , Tomy Gregg T.
Published: July 2016

We developed a novel analytical method to measure the D‐ and L‐isomers of aspartic acid (AA) in the eye lens of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) for age determination. The method was based on hydrolysis of the eye lens under acidic conditions followed by direct injection onto a Chirobiotic T (25 cm × 4.6 ID, 5 μm particle size) high performance liquid chromatography analytical column and detection by tandem mass spectrometry operated in the negative ionization mode. The detection limit of the method was 550 pg for each isomer, the repeatability expressed as the relative standard deviation was 8% and the linear dynamic range was from 0.05 mM to 1 mM. The validated method was used to estimate, for the first time, the rate of racemization (Kasp) of the two AA isomers and also the ratio of D/L at age 0, (D/L)0, in 34 beluga whales from the Canadian Arctic. At a mean ocular lens temperature of 17.8°C, respective Kasp and (D/L)0 were 3.48 ± 1.47 × 10−3/yr and 0.010 ± 0.005. We evaluated factors that impact Kasp and affect uncertainty in age estimation and outline the steps required to incorporate the method in wildlife management decisions.