bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of oral alitretinoin in severe oral lichen planus – results of a prospective pilot study
Authors: Kunz M. , Urosevic‐Maiwald M. , Goldinger S.M. , Frauchiger A.L. , Dreier J. , Belloni B. , Mangana J. , Jenni D. , Dippel M. , Cozzio A. , Guenova E. , Kamarachev J. , French L.E. , Dummer R.
Published: October 2015

Background

Patients with severe oral lichen planus refractory to standard topical treatment currently have limited options of therapy suitable for long‐term use. Oral alitretinoin (9‐cis retinoic acid) was never systematically investigated in clinical trials, although case reports suggest its possible efficacy.

Objectives

To assess the efficacy and safety of oral alitretinoin taken at 30 mg once daily for up to 24 weeks in the treatment of severe oral lichen planus refractory to standard topical therapy.

Methods

We conducted a prospective open‐label single arm pilot study to test the efficacy and safety of 30 mg oral alitretinoin once daily for up to 24 weeks in severe oral lichen planus. Ten patients were included in the study. Primary end point was reduction in signs and symptoms measured by the Escudier severity score. Secondary parameters included pain and quality of life scores. Safety parameters were assessed during a follow‐up period of 5 weeks.

Results

A substantial response at the end of treatment, i.e. >50% reduction in disease severity measured by the Escudier severity score, was apparent in 40% of patients. Therapy was well tolerated. Adverse events were mild and included headache, mucocutaneous dryness, musculoskeletal pain, increased thyroid‐stimulating hormone and dyslipidaemia.

Conclusions

Alitretinoin given at 30 mg daily reduced disease severity of severe oral lichen planus in a substantial proportion of patients refractory to standard treatment, was well tolerated and may thus represent one therapeutic option for this special group of patients.
Retrospective analysis evaluating the effect of a keratolytic and physical pretreatment with salicylic acid, urea and curettage on the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy of actinic keratoses with methylaminolaevulinate
Authors: Gholam P. , Fink C. , Bosselmann I. , Enk A.H.
Published: October 2015

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a highly effective treatment option for actinic keratosis (AK). Hyperkeratosis of the AK impairs penetration of the photosensitizer and light and leads to a reduced efficacy of PDT. Therefore, it is commonly recommended to perform curettage of the AK prior to treatment.

Objective

This observational, monocentric, retrospective study sets out to compare the effects of curettage (CUR), chemical keratolytic pretreatment with salicylic acid 10% (SA), and urea cream 40% (UR) on the efficacy and tolerability of PDT.

Method

A total of 44 subjects aged 73.2 ± 7.7 years (mean ± SD) with multiple AKs (mean 11.1 per patient) in face and scalp were analysed. In 15 patients, CUR was performed prior to PDT while 15 and 14 patients underwent keratolytic pretreatment with SA and UR, respectively, 1 day prior to PDT. All patients underwent one session of methylaminolaevulinate (MAL) PDT using a 630‐nm LED lamp at 37 J/cm2, pain was measured using a visual analogue scale. The response rate was calculated using the documented number of AKs prior and 4 weeks after PDT.

Results

Mean lesion response rates were 68.5%, 61.4% and 60.8% for CUR, SA and UR respectively. Differences were not significant. Patients with SA or UR experienced significantly more pain (SA: 6.3 ± 2.7, P = 0.02; UR: 6.1 ± 1.8, P = 0.04) than patients with curettage (4.4 ± 2.1). The cosmetic result and the patients' satisfaction 4 weeks after PDT were good to excellent in all three groups without a significant difference. However, pretreatment with SA or UR led to pronounced local reactions compared to CUR.

Conclusion

Keratolytic therapy with SA or UR is an effective pretreatment for PDT. However, it leads to an increase in pain during PDT and pronounced local reactions.
Assessment of post‐operative pain management among acutely and electively admitted patients – a Swedish ward perspective
Authors: Magidy Mahnaz , Warrén‐Stomberg Margareta , Bjerså Kristofer
Published: October 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Swedish health care is regulated to involve the patient in every intervention process. In the area of post‐operative pain, it is therefore important to evaluate patient experience of the quality of pain management. Previous research has focused on mapping this area but not on comparing experiences between acutely and electively admitted patients. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of post‐operative pain management quality among acutely and electively admitted patients at a Swedish surgical department performing soft‐tissue surgery.

Methods

A survey study design was used as a method based on a multidimensional instrument to assess post‐operative pain management: Strategic and Clinical Quality Indicators in Postoperative Pain Management (SCQIPP). Consecutive patients at all wards of a university hospital's surgical department were included. Data collection was performed at hospital discharge.

Results

In total, 160 patients participated, of whom 40 patients were acutely admitted. A significant difference between acutely and electively admitted patients was observed in the SCQIPP area of environment, whereas acute patients rated the post‐operative pain management quality lower compared with those who were electively admitted.

Conclusions

There may be a need for improvement in the areas of post‐operative pain management in Sweden, both specifically and generally. There may also be a difference in the experience of post‐operative pain quality between acutely and electively admitted patients in this study, specifically in the area of environment. In addition, low levels of the perceived quality of post‐operative pain management among the patients were consistent, but satisfaction with analgesic treatment was rated as good.
Retinal development in the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata
Authors: Pavón‐Muñoz T. , Bejarano‐Escobar R. , Blasco M. , Martín‐Partido G. , Francisco‐Morcillo J.
Published: October 2015

The retinal development of the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata has been analysed from late embryonic development to juvenile stages using classical histological and immunohistological methods. Five significant phases were established. Phases 1 and 2 comprise the late embryonic and hatching stages, respectively. The results indicate that during these early stages the retina is composed of a single neuroblastic layer that consists of undifferentiated retinal progenitor cells. Phase 3 (late prolarval stage) is characterized by the emergence of the retinal layers and the appearance of neurochemical profiles in differentiating photoreceptors, amacrine and ganglion cells. Phases 4 and 5 comprise the late larval and juvenile stages. In these stages, all the retinal cell types can be detected immunohistochemically. All the maturational events described are first detected in the central retina and, as development progresses, spread to the rest of the retina following a central‐to‐peripheral gradient. The results of this study suggest that S. aurata is an altricial teleost species that hatches with a morphologically undifferentiated retina. The most relevant processes involved in retinogenesis occur during the late prolarval stage (phase 3).
Use of Symbiosis Products from Integrated Pulp and Paper and Carbon Steel Mills: Legal Status and Environmental Burdens
Authors: Husgafvel R. , Nordlund H. , Heino J. , Mäkelä M. , Watkins G. , Dahl O. , Paavola I.‐L.
Published: October 2015

This study assesses the policy/legal status of both multistream residues and potential secondary products (“symbiosis products”) and whether there could be environmental benefits associated with the utilization of residues from integrated pulp and paper and carbon steel mills as raw materials for such secondary products. Waste‐related European Union (EU) and Finnish policy and legal instruments were reviewed to identify potential constraints for, and suggested next steps in, the development of potential process industry residue‐based symbiosis products. The products were soil amendment pellets, low‐grade concrete, and mine filler. A global warming potential (GWP) assessment and an exergy analysis were applied to these potential symbiosis products. Some indicative GWP calculations of greenhouse gas emissions associating similar and/or analogous products based on virgin primary raw materials, more energy‐intensive processes, and the alternative treatment of these residues as wastes are also presented. This study addresses GWP, exergy, and legal aspects in a holistic manner to determine the potential environmental benefits of secondary products within the EU legal framework. The GWP assessment and exergy analysis indicate that the utilization of multistream residues causes very low environmental burdens in terms of GWP. The utilization option can have potential environmental benefits in terms of GWP through process replacement and avoided landfilling and waste treatment impacts, as well as potentially through emission reductions from product replacement if suitable and safe applications can be identified. Waste regulation does not define the legal requirements under which utilizing residues in such novel concepts as introduced in this study would be possible, nor how waste status could be removed and product‐based legislation be applied to the potential products instead.
Putative zeatin O‐glucosyltransferase OscZOG1 regulates root and shoot development and formation of agronomic traits in rice
Authors: Shang Xiao‐Ling , Xie Rong‐Rong , Tian Hua , Wang Qing‐Long , Guo Fang‐Qing
Published: October 2015

As a ubiquitous reaction, glucosylation controls the bioactivity of cytokinins in plant growth and development. Here we show that genetic manipulation of zeatin‐O‐glucosylation regulates the formation of important agronomic traits in rice by manipulating the expression of OscZOG1 gene, encoding a putative zeatin O‐glucosyltransferase. We found that OscZOG1 was preferentially expressed in shoot and root meristematic tissues and nascent organs. The growth of lateral roots was stimulated in the overexpression lines, but inhibited in RNA interference lines. In shoots, knockdown of OscZOG1 expression by RNA interference significantly improved tillering, panicle branching, grain number per panicle and seed size, which are important agronomic traits for grain yield. In contrast, constitutive expression of OscZOG1 leads to negative effects on the formation of the grain‐yielding traits with a marked increase in the accumulation levels of cis‐zeatin O‐glucoside (cZOG) in the transgenic rice plants. In this study, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of improving the critical yield‐determinant agronomic traits, including tiller number, panicle branches, total grain number per panicle and grain weight by downregulating the expression level of OscZOG1. Our results suggest that modulating the levels of cytokinin glucosylation can function as a fine‐tuning switch in regulating the formation of agronomic traits in rice.
The contribution of neuroinflammation to amyloid toxicity in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Minter Myles R. , Taylor Juliet M. , Crack Peter J.
Published: October 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. Deposition of amyloid‐β (Aβ) remains a hallmark feature of the disease, yet the precise mechanism(s) by which this peptide induces neurotoxicity remain unknown. Neuroinflammation has long been implicated in AD pathology, yet its contribution to disease progression is still not understood. Recent evidence suggests that various Aβ complexes interact with microglial and astrocytic expressed pattern recognition receptors that initiate innate immunity. This process involves secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and generation of reactive oxygen species that, in excess, drive a dysregulated immune response that contributes to neurodegeneration. The mechanisms by which a neuroinflammatory response can influence Aβ production, aggregation and eventual clearance are now becoming key areas where future therapeutic intervention may slow progression of AD. This review will focus on evidence supporting the combined neuroinflammatory‐amyloid hypothesis for pathogenesis of AD, describing the key cell types, pathways and mediators involved.

image

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. Deposition of intracellular plaques containing amyloid‐beta (Aβ) is a hallmark proteinopathy of the disease yet the precise mechanisms by which this peptide induces neurotoxicity remains unknown. A neuroinflammatory response involving polarized microglial activity, enhanced astrocyte reactivity and elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine load has long been implicated in AD and proposed to facilitate neurodegeneration. In this issue we discuss key receptor systems of innate immunity that detect Aβ, drive pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production and influence Aβ aggregation and clearance. Evidence summarized in this review supports the combined neuroinflammatory‐amyloid hypothesis for pathogenesis of AD and highlights the potential of immunomodulatory agents as potential future therapies for AD patients.
Mitochondrial and lysosomal biogenesis are activated following PINK1/parkin‐mediated mitophagy
Authors: Ivankovic Davor , Chau Kai‐Yin , Schapira Anthony H. V. , Gegg Matthew E.
Published: October 2015

Impairment of the autophagy–lysosome pathway is implicated with the changes in α‐synuclein and mitochondrial dysfunction observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). Damaged mitochondria accumulate PINK1, which then recruits parkin, resulting in ubiquitination of mitochondrial proteins. These can then be bound by the autophagic proteins p62/SQSTM1 and LC3, resulting in degradation of mitochondria by mitophagy. Mutations in PINK1 and parkin genes are a cause of familial PD. We found a significant increase in the expression of p62/SQSTM1 mRNA and protein following mitophagy induction in human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cells. p62 protein not only accumulated on mitochondria, but was also greatly increased in the cytosol. Increased p62/SQSMT1 expression was prevented in PINK1 knock‐down cells, suggesting increased p62 expression was a consequence of mitophagy induction. The transcription factors Nrf2 and TFEB, which play roles in mitochondrial and lysosomal biogenesis, respectively, can regulate p62/SQSMT1. We report that both Nrf2 and TFEB translocate to the nucleus following mitophagy induction and that the increase in p62 mRNA levels was significantly impaired in cells with Nrf2 or TFEB knockdown. TFEB translocation also increased expression of itself and lysosomal proteins such as glucocerebrosidase and cathepsin D following mitophagy induction. We also report that cells with increased TFEB protein have significantly higher PGC‐1α mRNA levels, a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, resulting in increased mitochondrial content. Our data suggests that TFEB is activated following mitophagy to maintain autophagy–lysosome pathway and mitochondrial biogenesis. Therefore, strategies to increase TFEB may improve both the clearance of α‐synuclein and mitochondrial dysfunction in PD.

image

Damaged mitochondria are degraded by the autophagy–lysosome pathway and is termed mitophagy. Following mitophagy induction, the transcription factors Nrf2 and TFEB translocate to the nucleus, inducing the transcription of genes encoding for autophagic proteins such as p62, as well as lysosomal and mitochondrial proteins. We propose that these events maintain autophagic flux, replenish lysosomes and replace mitochondria.
Patients’ experiences of living with varicose veins and management of the disease in daily life
Authors: Franz Anna , Wann‐Hansson Christine
Published: October 2015

Aims and objectives

The aim was to describe the experience of living with varicose veins classified according CEAP (clinical class, aetiology, anatomy, pathophysiology) as C4 (eczema or thrombophlebitis) and management of the disease in daily life.

Background

Primary chronic venous insufficiencies with varicose veins are a relatively common condition among both men and women. Several studies have shown that quality of life improved after treatment of varicose veins compared to before treatment. This suggests that patients with a milder form of varicose veins such as C4 experience a negative influence on their quality of life before treatment.

Design

This is an explorative qualitative study with a phenomenological approach.

Method

A purposive sample was used, and 12 in‐depth interviews were conducted with persons having superficial venous insufficiency classified C4. A descriptive phenomenological analysis was performed.

Results

The essence of the phenomenon of living with varicose veins classified C4 and management of the disease in daily life meant adapting to a life with varicose veins and relieve discomfort from legs with an unfavourable appearance. Coping with discomfort involved dealing with the disease emotionally and finding strategies that helped to relieve symptoms; however, living with ‘repulsive’ legs was seen as embarrassing, and many found the need to hide their condition.

Conclusion

Patients with varicose veins classified C4 had notable symptoms of the disease that affected daily living. This in turn required the use of different coping strategies to manage symptoms, and significant adjustments related to activities and social life were made.

Relevance to clinical practice

It seems desirable that patients with varicose veins receive treatment at an earlier stage of the disease and are familiar with the tools and solutions available to alleviate symptoms and avoid a negative impact on daily life.
Lithium Disilicate Restorations Fatigue Testing Parameters: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nawafleh Noor , Hatamleh Muhanad , Elshiyab Shareen , Mack Florian
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To review laboratory studies that investigated fatigue resistance of lithium disilicate (LD) crowns and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) to elucidate study designs and testing parameters.

Methods

An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Ovid to identify in vitro studies that investigated fatigue resistance of LD crowns and FDPs. The search included all studies published in English in peer‐reviewed journals in the period from 1998 to June 2014. The search followed a specific strategy that included combination of the following keywords: lithium disilicate, e.max, empress, all‐ceramic, all ceramic, glass ceramic, fatigue, cyclic loading, dynamic loading, chewing simulator, fracture resistance, thermocycling, laboratory simulation, aging, crown, FDPs, FPDs, fixed partial denture, fixed dental prosthesis, and bridge. Studies were selected if mechanical and thermal loading parameters were clearly identified. Search results with abstracts were transferred into Endnote reference system, and duplicates were deleted. The remaining studies were then reviewed at three levels (title, abstract, full text) to further refine the articles.

Results

The initial search retrieved 1044 eligible studies. After deduplication, 864 records were examined by titles and then abstracts; 826 were excluded, and 38 were assessed by full‐text reading. In total, 19 articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this study.

Conclusion

The studies reviewed showed a level of heterogeneity, as testing parameters were considered through different setups. The current study demonstrated that various setting of the testing parameters and having a lack of testing standardization has likely led to inconsistency in the reported results. The obvious heterogeneity in the setting of testing variables—especially the magnitude of load and number of cycles applied—made it impractical to run direct comparisons between the reviewed studies. Therefore, specific international standardization of fatigue testing of dental restorations is urgently needed to ensure the delivery of consistent, indicative, and comparable data.
The Differential Reaction of Rice Hybrids to Tungro Virus by Phenotyping and PCR Analysis
Authors: Singh Arun K. , Ponnuswamy Revathi , Donempudi Krishnaveni , Mangrauthia Satendra K.
Published: October 2015

Twenty popular rice hybrids were used to screen for rice tungro virus (RTV) disease reaction. Virulent green leafhoppers (GLH) were used as vector to introduce RTV to the rice hybrids. Virus symptoms scores were recorded at 14, 21, 34, 41 and 59 days postinoculation (DPI), which suggested that virus symptoms are greatly influenced by growth stage of plants. To confirm the presence of virus, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based detection of Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) was carried out at 7, 14, 21 and 59 DPI using virus genome‐specific primers. Virus presence was observed in all the rice hybrids and check varieties, particularly at later stages of infection. This study shows that phenotyping for tungro virus resistance in rice hybrids at 21 DPI gives most reliable results based on both virus symptoms and presence of virus. Further, to assess the relative difference in population of RTBV, quantitative PCR was performed in all the genotypes at 21 DPI. Yield data were also recorded from control and virus‐infected plants to estimate yield loss percentage due to tungro disease. This study is important to understand the response of rice hybrids to tungro virus disease. Results obtained in this study emphasize that molecular detection of virus is very important to screen the rice plants accurately for tungro disease reaction.
Ultrastructural Impact of Tobacco Rattle Virus on Tobacco and Pepper Ovary and Anther Tissues
Authors: Otulak Katarzyna , Kozieł Edmund , Garbaczewska Grażyna
Published: October 2015

The one‐third of plant viruses are seed transmitted, and this has significant economic consequences. Tobacco rattle virus (TRV), belonging to the genus Tobravirus and family Virgaviridae, has one of the widest host range of any known plant viruses. TRV infects vegetative organ and effects seed and pollen development that results in a decrease in crop yield. The mechanisms by which Tobravirus is transmissible to seeds are still poorly understood. The presence of the virus in pollen grains and inside ovaries is linked with seed transmission and can have effects on virus particles' transport during the pollination and fertilization process. This paper focuses on the significant impact of TRV on pepper and tobacco anthers and ultrastructure changes in ovaries. The presence of two types of TRV particles in ovary wall parenchyma and vascular tissues as well as in placenta cells was demonstrated via ultrastructural analysis. For the first time, the regular inclusion of virus particles was reported in both ovule integuments and nucellus parenchyma cells. Immunolocalization of TRV capsid proteins indicated the deposition of TRV CP epitope in ovary vascular bundles and in placenta cells. Moreover, the presence of virus particles was demonstrated inside pepper seeds in endothelium and integument parenchyma layers as well as on the embryo cell wall. Virus particles were found not only on the surface of pollen grains but also inside pepper pollen protoplasts in mature anthers. Also, this is the first time where TRV particles are reported in both differentiated endothecium cells and the remaining tapetum cells. Moreover, the detection of TRV capsid protein epitope in tobacco and pepper vascular anther tissues as well as in tapetum and endothecium cells was correlated with TRV distribution in infected anthers. Demonstrated analyses indicated that pollen grains and ovaries with ovules as well as could be a natural source of TRV transmission.
Cortisol Response in Healthy and Diseased Dogs after Stimulation with a Depot Formulation of Synthetic ACTH
Authors: Sieber‐Ruckstuhl N.S. , Burkhardt W.A. , Hofer‐Inteeworn N. , Riond B. , Rast I.T. , Hofmann‐Lehmann R. , Reusch C.E. , Boretti F.S.
Published: October 2015

Background

The ACTH stimulation test is used to evaluate the adrenocortical reserve. Recently, the availability of the synthetic ACTH formulation was limited, causing major problems in clinical practice.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate poststimulation peak cortisol concentrations and the duration of the stimulatory effect of a depot ACTH preparation in dogs.

Animals

Twenty‐two healthy dogs, 10 dogs with suspected hypoadrenocorticism (HA) and 15 dogs with suspected hyperadrenocorticism (HC).

Methods

Prospective study. An ACTH stimulation test using a synthetic depot tetracosactide, administered intramuscularly (5 μg/kg or at least 0.1 mL) was performed. Blood samples for determination of cortisol were taken immediately before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 24 hours after stimulation.

Results

Peak cortisol concentrations were reached after 2–4 hours in all dogs. Cortisol concentrations 1 hour after stimulation were >9 μg/dL in all healthy dogs and >5 μg/dL in all dogs in which HA was excluded. None of the dogs with HA showed a cortisol‐increase above the detection‐limit of the assay. After 6 hours, cortisol concentrations had decreased in the healthy and HC group and were back to baseline after 24 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The depot formulation can be used in place of the short‐acting ACTH to evaluate the adrenocortical reserve. Blood for peak cortisol concentrations should be drawn 3 hours after stimulation in cases in which HC is suspected; in HA‐suspected cases, blood sampling can take place after 1 hour. As the stimulatory effect is gone after 24 hours, interference with other hormonal tests is unlikely after that time.
Testing inter‐regional variation in pH niches of fen mosses
Authors: Plesková Zuzana , Jiroušek Martin , Peterka Tomáš , Hájek Tomáš , Dítě Daniel , Hájková Petra , Navrátilová Jana , Šímová Anna , Syrovátka Vít , Hájek Michal
Published: October 2015

Question

Mosses are important ecosystem engineers in mires. Their pH optima and tolerances presented in the literature differ between regions, even though the high dispersal ability of mosses should prevent local adaptations. Nutrient availability is sometimes suggested as a reason for local niche differentiation. Are patterns in moss niche diversification, optima and tolerance with respect to pH consistent between regions differing in nutrient availability and abundance of calcareous bedrock?

Location

Western Carpathians (Slovakia, a predominantly calcareous P‐ and K‐poor region), Bohemian Massif (Czech Republic, a predominantly crystalline, P‐ and K‐rich region).

Methods

Analyses of an original stratified data set and a large database using species response curves.

Results

Although the above two regions differ in abundance of calcareous fens, species pH optima (either original or adjusted according to calcium level) were consistent between the regions and data sets. Calcium‐tolerant peat mosses (Sphagnum warnstorfii, S. contortum, S. teres) showed an optimum at pH 6 and rather narrow niches. Sphagnum fallax was the most acidophilous, and both S. palustre and S. flexuosum had rather wide intermediate niches. The pH amplitudes were largely consistent between the regions (especially when adjusted pH was used), but S. fallax and Aulacomnium palustre exhibited wider niches in the Bohemian Massif. Despite no significant difference in niche optimum and width, some more nutrient demanding and more generalist species occurred at higher frequency in specific parts of the pH gradient in the Bohemian Massif, while some fen specialists showed the opposite pattern.

Conclusions

The small stratified data set and the database data set yielded rather consistent results regarding fen moss niches in the Bohemian Massif and the Western Carpathians. The consistency in pH niches corresponds to the lack of large‐scale genetic differentiation in moss species. The observed inter‐regional differences in species response curves may thus reflect an increased frequency of competitively strong species in certain parts of the pH/Ca gradient in the nutrient‐richer Bohemian Massif rather than genetically conditioned niche shifts. Expansion of these species was probably triggered by potassium enrichment that took place in the 1970s–1980s. Inter‐regional differences in species response curves were observed in both data sets, but in the large database data set they were more frequently statistically significant.
Spatial variation in potential photosynthesis in Northern European bogs
Authors: Laine Anna M. , Wilson David , Alm Jukka , Schneider Julia , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina
Published: October 2015

Question

Measurements of ecosystem carbon (C) exchange are usually labour‐intensive and expensive. In peatlands, these temporally and spatially limited measurements are often up‐scaled over comparable ecosystems, such as ombrotrophic bogs, to provide an estimate for ecosystem level carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes. Peatlands typically have moisture variations reflected in the presence of microforms (e.g. hummocks and hollows), each with characteristic plant life forms. However, so far the applicability of peatland type (e.g. bog, fen) or microforms for up‐scaling has not been assessed. Does the vegetation composition or function of associated species differ so greatly between the same types of peatland that up‐scaling is impossible?

Location

Five ombrotrophic bogs in Northern Europe; in Ireland, Finland and western Russia.

Methods

We described the variation in vegetation of microforms within and between ombrotrophic bogs using multivariate analyses. Thereafter, we measured CO2 exchange at different microforms and evaluated the relationship between vegetation structure and the light response of photosynthesis.

Results

Our results show that the community composition of hummocks, lawns and hollows was rather uniform at the plant life‐form level. The photosynthetic capacity per leaf area unit was quite similar within microform classes over the different bogs. The observed differences between sites in capacity were mainly related to variation in leaf area.

Conclusions

A reliable estimate of ecosystem‐level photosynthesis requires knowledge of the proportion of different microforms in an area and the leaf area characteristics for each microform in the year(s) in question. Assessments of ecosystem‐level photosynthesis are important with regard to current and future changes in climate, as the most dramatic changes in peatlands involve water level drawdown, which in turn is likely to lead to changes in the relative proportions of microforms within peatlands.
Semantic Categorization of Placement Verbs in L1 and L2 Danish and Spanish
Authors: Cadierno Teresa , Ibarretxe‐Antuñano Iraide , Hijazo‐Gascón Alberto
Published: October 2015

This study investigates sematic categorization of the meaning of placement verbs by Danish and Spanish native speakers and two groups of intermediate second language (L2) learners (Danish learners of L2 Spanish and Spanish learners of L2 Danish). Participants described 31 video clips picturing different types of placement events. Cluster analyses revealed considerable differences in the semantic categorization of these events in Danish and Spanish as well as learning difficulties for the two learner groups. When Danish and Spanish differ in the number and nature of semantic distinctions, L2 verb meaning reconstruction becomes challenging when moving from a more to a less complex system and vice versa. Both learner groups used noncaused motion verbs, overgeneralized given placement verbs, and tended to use L2 verbs haphazardly.
The Influence of Amicus Curiae Briefs on U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Content
Authors: Collins Paul M. , Corley Pamela C. , Hamner Jesse
Published: October 2015

We address fundamental questions about the ability of interest groups to shape public policy by examining the influence of amicus curiae briefs on U.S. Supreme Court majority opinion content. We argue that the justices will incorporate language from amicus briefs into their opinions based on the extent to which the amicus briefs contribute to their ability to make effective law and policy. Using plagiarism detection software and other forms of computer assisted content analysis, we find that the justices adopt language from amicus briefs based primarily on the quality of the brief's argument, the level of repetition in the brief, the ideological position advocated in the brief, and the identity of the amicus. These results add fresh insight into how interest groups influence the development of federal law by the Supreme Court.
Faith in the Court: Religious Out-Groups and the Perceived Legitimacy of Judicial Decisions
Authors: Audette Andre P. , Weaver Christopher L.
Published: October 2015

The question of whether judges’ personal characteristics and values bias their decision making has long been debated, yet far less attention has been given to how personal characteristics affect public perceptions of bias in their decision making. Even genuinely objective judges may be perceived as procedurally biased by the public. We hypothesize that membership in a religious out-group will elicit stronger public perceptions of biased decision making. Using a survey experiment that varies a judge's religious orientation and ruling in a hypothetical Establishment Clause case, we find strong evidence that judges’ religious characteristics affect the perceived legitimacy of their decisions. Identifying a judge as an atheist (a religious out-group) decreases trust in the court, while identifying the judge as a committed Christian has no bearing on legitimacy. These results are even stronger among respondents who report attending church more often. Thus, we argue that perceptions of bias are conditioned on judges’ in-group/out-group status.
Policing the Anticommunity: Race, Deterritorialization, and Labor Market Reorganization in South Los Angeles
Authors: Roussell Aaron
Published: October 2015

Recent decades have seen the rise of both community partnerships and the carceral state. Community policing in Los Angeles arose after the 1992 uprisings and was built on two conceptual building blocks—the territorial imperative and community partnership—which remain central more than 20 years later. At the same time, LA has undergone a significant black-to-Latino demographic shift linked with its restructured economy. This article discusses these changes using archival analysis and 5 years of participant observation in one South LA precinct. Police help to reshape the demography of South LA in ways conducive to post-Fordist economic shifts. The “community” concept appropriated by urban governance initiatives is composed against an unwanted “anticommunity,” which serves to heighten territorial control over black and Latino residents. Rather than encourage community cogovernance over the institution of policing, community rhetoric facilitates racial preference in neighborhood transition under the auspices of an increasingly bifurcated labor market.
Cognitive Attributes, Attention, and Self‐Efficacy of Adequate and Inadequate Responders in a Fourth Grade Reading Intervention
Authors: Cho Eunsoo , Roberts Garrett J. , Capin Philip , Roberts Greg , Miciak Jeremy , Vaughn Sharon
Published: October 2015

We examined cognitive attributes, attention, and self‐efficacy of fourth grade struggling readers who were identified as adequate responders (n = 27), inadequate responders with comprehension only deficits (n = 46), and inadequate responders with comprehension and word reading deficits (n = 52) after receiving a multicomponent reading intervention. We also included typical readers (n = 40). These four groups were compared on measures of nonverbal reasoning, working memory, verbal knowledge, listening comprehension, phonological awareness, and rapid naming as well as on teacher ratings of attention problems and self‐reported self‐efficacy. The two inadequate responder groups demonstrated difficulties primarily with verbal knowledge and listening comprehension compared to typical readers and adequate responders. Phonological awareness and rapid naming differentiated the two inadequate responder groups. In addition, both inadequate responder groups showed more attention problems and low self‐efficacy compared to typical readers.
Ring species as demonstrations of the continuum of species formation
Authors: Pereira Ricardo J. , Wake David B.
Published: October 2015

In the mid‐20th century, Ernst Mayr (1942) and Theodosius Dobzhansky (1958) championed the significance of ‘circular overlaps’ or ‘ring species’ as the perfect demonstration of the gradual nature of species formation. As an ancestral species expands its range, wrapping around a geographic barrier, derived taxa within the ring display interactions typical of populations, such as genetic and morphological intergradation, while overlapping taxa at the terminus of the ring behave largely as sympatric, reproductively isolated species. Are ring species extremely rare or are they just difficult to detect? What conditions favour their formation? Modelling studies have attempted to address these knowledge gaps by estimating the biological parameters that result in stable ring species (Martins et al. 2013), and determining the necessary topographic parameters of the barriers encircled (Monahan et al. 2012). However, any generalization is undermined by a major limitation: only a handful of ring species are known to exist in nature. In addition, many of them have been broken into multiple species presumed to be evolving independently, usually obscuring the evolutionary dynamics that generate diversity. A paper in this issue of Molecular Ecology by Fuchs et al. (2015), focused on the entire genealogy of a bulbul (Alophoixus) species complex, offers key insights into the evolutionary processes underlying diversification of this Indo‐Malayan bird. Their findings fulfil most of the criteria that can be expected for ring species (Fig. ): an ancestor has colonized the mainland from Sundaland, expanded along the forested habitat wrapping around Thailand's lowlands, adjacent taxa intergrade around the ring distribution, and terminal taxa overlap at the ring closure. Although it remains unclear whether ring divergence has resulted in restrictive gene flow relative to that observed around the ring, their results suggest that circular overlaps might be more common in nature than currently recognized in the literature. Most importantly, this work shows that the continuum of species formation that Mayr and Dobzhansky praised in circular overlaps is found in biological systems currently described as ‘rings of species’, in addition to the idealized ‘ring species’.
Increased cytoplasm viscosity hampers aggregate polar segregation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Oliveira Samuel M. D. , Neeli‐Venkata Ramakanth , Goncalves Nadia S. M. , Santinha João A. , Martins Leonardo , Tran Huy , Mäkelä Jarno , Gupta Abhishekh , Barandas Marilia , Häkkinen Antti , Lloyd‐Price Jason , Fonseca José M. , Ribeiro Andre S.
Published: October 2015

In Escherichia coli, under optimal conditions, protein aggregates associated with cellular aging are excluded from midcell by the nucleoid. We study the functionality of this process under sub‐optimal temperatures from population and time lapse images of individual cells and aggregates and nucleoids within. We show that, as temperature decreases, aggregates become homogeneously distributed and uncorrelated with nucleoid size and location. We present evidence that this is due to increased cytoplasm viscosity, which weakens the anisotropy in aggregate displacements at the nucleoid borders that is responsible for their preference for polar localisation. Next, we show that in plasmolysed cells, which have increased cytoplasm viscosity, aggregates are also not preferentially located at the poles. Finally, we show that the inability of cells with increased viscosity to exclude aggregates from midcell results in enhanced aggregate concentration in between the nucleoids in cells close to dividing. This weakens the asymmetries in aggregate numbers between sister cells of subsequent generations required for rejuvenating cell lineages. We conclude that the process of exclusion of protein aggregates from midcell is not immune to stress conditions affecting the cytoplasm viscosity. The findings contribute to our understanding of E. coli's internal organisation and functioning, and its fragility to stressful conditions.
Niche dynamics of alien species do not differ among sexual and apomictic flowering plants
Authors: Dellinger Agnes S. , Essl Franz , Hojsgaard Diego , Kirchheimer Bernhard , Klatt Simone , Dawson Wayne , Pergl Jan , Pyšek Petr , van Kleunen Mark , Weber Ewald , Winter Marten , Hörandl Elvira , Dullinger Stefan
Published: October 2015

Biological invasions can be associated with shifts of the species’ climatic niches but the incidence of such shifts is under debate. The reproductive system might be a key factor controlling such shifts because it influences a species’ evolutionary flexibility. However, the link between reproductive systems and niche dynamics in plant invasions has been little studied so far.

We compiled global occurrence data sets of 13 congeneric sexual and apomictic species pairs, and used principal components analysis (PCA) and kernel smoothers to compare changes in climatic niche optima, breadths and unfilling/expansion between native and alien ranges. Niche change metrics were compared between sexual and apomictic species.

All 26 species showed changes in niche optima and/or breadth and 14 species significantly expanded their climatic niches. However, we found no effect of the reproductive system on niche dynamics. Instead, species with narrower native niches showed higher rates of niche expansion in the alien ranges.

Our results suggest that niche shifts are frequent in plant invasions but evolutionary potential may not be of major importance for such shifts. Niche dynamics rather appear to be driven by changes of the realized niche without adaptive change of the fundamental climatic niche.
Nitrate reductase mutation alters potassium nutrition as well as nitric oxide‐mediated control of guard cell ion channels in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Zhong‐Hua , Wang Yizhou , Wang Jian‐Wen , Babla Mohammad , Zhao Chenchen , García‐Mata Carlos , Sani Emanuela , Differ Christopher , Mak Michelle , Hills Adrian , Amtmann Anna , Blatt Michael R.
Published: October 2015

Maintaining potassium (K+) nutrition and a robust guard cell K+ inward channel activity is considered critical for plants’ adaptation to fluctuating and challenging growth environment. ABA induces stomatal closure through hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide (NO) along with subsequent ion channel‐mediated loss of K+ and anions. However, the interactions of NO synthesis and signalling with K+ nutrition and guard cell K+ channel activities have not been fully explored in Arabidopsis.

Physiological and molecular techniques were employed to dissect the interaction of nitrogen and potassium nutrition in regulating stomatal opening, CO2 assimilation and ion channel activity. These data, gene expression and ABA signalling transduction were compared in wild‐type Columbia‐0 (Col‐0) and the nitrate reductase mutant nia1nia2.

Growth and K+ nutrition were impaired along with stomatal behaviour, membrane transport, and expression of genes associated with ABA signalling in the nia1nia2 mutant. ABA‐inhibited K+in current and ABA‐enhanced slow anion current were absent in nia1nia2. Exogenous NO restored regulation of these channels for complete stomatal closure in nia1nia2.

While NO is an important signalling component in ABA‐induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis, our findings demonstrate a more complex interaction associating potassium nutrition and nitrogen metabolism in the nia1nia2 mutant that affects stomatal function.
The photosynthetic capacity in 35 ferns and fern allies: mesophyll CO2 diffusion as a key trait
Authors: Tosens Tiina , Nishida Keisuke , Gago Jorge , Coopman Rafael Eduardo , Cabrera Hernán Marino , Carriquí Marc , Laanisto Lauri , Morales Loreto , Nadal Miquel , Rojas Roke , Talts Eero , Tomas Magdalena , Hanba Yuko , Niinemets Ülo , Flexas Jaume
Published: October 2015

Ferns and fern allies have low photosynthetic rates compared with seed plants. Their photosynthesis is thought to be limited principally by physical CO2 diffusion from the atmosphere to chloroplasts.

The aim of this study was to understand the reasons for low photosynthesis in species of ferns and fern allies (Lycopodiopsida and Polypodiopsida). We performed a comprehensive assessment of the foliar gas‐exchange and mesophyll structural traits involved in photosynthetic function for 35 species of ferns and fern allies. Additionally, the leaf economics spectrum (the interrelationships between photosynthetic capacity and leaf/frond traits such as leaf dry mass per unit area or nitrogen content) was tested.

Low mesophyll conductance to CO2 was the main cause for low photosynthesis in ferns and fern allies, which, in turn, was associated with thick cell walls and reduced chloroplast distribution towards intercellular mesophyll air spaces.

Generally, the leaf economics spectrum in ferns follows a trend similar to that in seed plants. Nevertheless, ferns and allies had less nitrogen per unit DW than seed plants (i.e. the same slope but a different intercept) and lower photosynthesis rates per leaf mass area and per unit of nitrogen.
EVOLUTIONARILY INDUCED ALTERNATIVE STATES AND COEXISTENCE IN SYSTEMS WITH APPARENT COMPETITION
Authors: SCHREIBER SEBASTIAN J. , PATEL SWATI
Published: October 2015

Predators often consume multiple prey and by mutually subsidizing a shared predator, the prey may reciprocally harm each other. When predation levels are high, this apparent competition can culminate in a prey species being displaced. Coupling quantitative genetics and Lotka–Volterra models, we study how predator evolution alters this and other ecological outcomes. These models account for a trade‐off between the predator's attack rates on two prey species. We provide a mathematical characterization of a strong form of persistence–permanence—for which there is a global attractor bounded away from extinction. When the evolutionary dynamics occur at a sufficiently slower time scale than the ecological dynamics, we also characterize attractors and their basins of attraction using singular perturbation theory and a graphical approach to the eco‐evolutionary dynamics. Our results show that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks can mediate permanence at intermediate trade‐offs in the attack rates. However, at strong trade‐offs, permanence is lost. Despite this loss of permanence, there can be attractors supporting coexistence. These attractors, however, may coincide with attractors at which the predator is excluded. Our results highlight that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks can alter community structure by mediating coexistence or leading to trait‐dependent alternative stable states.
Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis complicated by Down syndrome
Authors: Watanabe Hirofumi , Ayusawa Mamoru , Kato Masataka , Chou Ami , Komori Akiko , Abe Yuriko , Matsumura Masaharu , Kamiyama Hiroshi , Izumi Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shori
Published: October 2015

We report the case of a 9‐year‐old girl with Down syndrome (DS) diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH). Although acute pneumonia complicated by hemolytic anemia was suspected, IPH was finally diagnosed on bronchoscopy. Treatment with prednisolone achieved good clinical response. An association between IPH and DS was not able to be identified, but immunological issues in DS may contribute to the onset of IPH. Recurrent and intractable respiratory symptoms with marked infiltrative shadows in the bilateral lungs and complicated by severe anemia in patients with DS should suggest IPH.