bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tree health and regeneration response of Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) to recent flooding
Authors: Moxham Claire , Duncan Mike , Moloney Paul
Published: December 2017

Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) is a dominant floodplain tree in the Murray–Darling Basin. In northern Victoria, the health of Black Box woodlands has declined as a consequence of river regulation and drought. This has raised concern about the long‐term survival of populations. Although tree health and regeneration of this species are entwined with flooding, there is limited knowledge of its response to environmental watering. This inhibits the effective implementation of management actions to secure the long‐term survival of floodplain Black Box populations. We investigated the effect of flooding history on Black Box tree health, population status and regeneration at 26 sites within the Murray Sunset National Park, Victoria. Sites were assessed under two flooding treatments: (1) ‘recently flooded’ (sites frequently flooded within the last 5 years and (2) ‘historically flooded’ (sites not flooded since 1993). Black Box populations in recently flooded sites had a greater range of life stages present and fewer dead trees, indicating a healthier and more sustainable population structure. In addition, trees were in better health with higher canopy condition and reproductive output (e.g. flowers and fruits), and the average tree diameter was greater than in historically flooded sites. Seedlings and saplings were present only at recently flooded sites, indicating that water availability and tree health are a strong determinant of regeneration in these landscapes. Flooding is an important factor in the sustainability of Black Box populations in this Victorian semi‐arid floodplain. A key recommendation is that managed flows should be implemented to target populations in poor condition. Although regular flooding is required to maintain or improve the health of Black Box populations, developing the optimum flow regime (timing, frequency and duration) to facilitate this outcome requires further investigation.
Collaborating with recreational fishers to inform fisheries management: Estimating population abundance for an iconic freshwater crayfish
Authors: Zukowski Sylvia , Asmus Martin , Whiterod Nick , Conallin Anthony , Campbell Josh , Fisher Ian , Bright Troy
Published: December 2017

Can the abundance of fish populations be effectively determined by the collection of scientific research with support from recreational fishers? Collecting and analysing fishing data from recreational fishers to aid management are not new; however, engaging fishers in a scientific survey design to produce specific population estimates is rarely undertaken. We engaged recreational fishers to assist with field sampling to provide an estimate Murray Crayfish (Euastacus armatus von Martens, 1866) abundance at three sites on the Edward River which were recently impacted by an extreme blackwater disturbance. Employing mark‐resight models, fishers undertook crayfish surveys and produced research data which estimated adult population sizes of Murray Crayfish in the studied reaches ranging between 94.27 ± 24.72 individuals (Below Stevens) and 450.01 ± 175.30 individuals (Twin Rivers). Both the effective undertaking of the mark‐resight designs in collaboration with fishers and acquiring population abundance estimates for Murray Crayfish in a river reach are concepts which have not previously been published and are important attributes for the management of aquatic species.
Coming to terms with Ox‐eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) in Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
Authors: McDougall Keith , Wright Genevieve , Peach Elouise
Published: December 2017

Australia's mountain vegetation is under pressure from a range of threats, not least being weed invasion. Can a program to control the introduced Ox‐eye Daisy succeed and what can be learned to assist management of this weed in other natural areas?
Potential indications for deep brain stimulation in neurological disorders: an evolving field
Authors: Budman E. , Deeb W. , Martinez‐Ramirez D. , Pilitsis J. G. , Peng‐Chen Z. , Okun M. S. , Ramirez‐Zamora A.
Published: December 2017

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for appropriately selected patients with movement disorders and neuropsychiatric conditions. Although the exact mechanisms and biology of DBS are not fully understood, it is a safe and well‐tolerated therapy for many refractory cases of neuropsychiatric disease. Increasingly, DBS has been explored in other conditions with encouraging results. In this paper, available data is reviewed and new DBS targets, challenges and future directions in neurological disorders are explored. A detailed search of the medical literature discussing the potential use of DBS for neurological disorders excluding accepted indications was conducted. All reports were analyzed individually for content and redundant articles were excluded by examining individual abstracts. The level of evidence for each indication was summarized. Multiple studies report promising preliminary data regarding the safety and efficacy of DBS for a variety of neurological indications including chronic pain, tinnitus, epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, Huntington's disease, tardive dyskinesia and Alzheimer's disease. The initial results of DBS studies for diverse neurological disorders are encouraging but larger, controlled, prospective, homogeneous clinical trials are necessary to establish long‐term safety and effectiveness. The field of neuromodulation continues to evolve and advances in DBS technology, stereotactic techniques, neuroimaging and DBS programming capabilities are shaping the present and future of DBS research and use in practice.
Productivity and recovery of forage fish under climate change and fishing: North Sea sandeel as a case study
Authors: Lindegren Martin , Van Deurs Mikael , MacKenzie Brian R. , Worsoe Clausen Lotte , Christensen Asbjørn , Rindorf Anna
Published: December 2017

Forage fish occupy a central position in marine food‐webs worldwide by mediating the transfer of energy and organic matter from lower to higher trophic levels. The lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) is one of the ecologically and economically most important forage fish species in the North‐east Atlantic, acting as a key prey for predatory fish and sea birds, as well as supporting a large commercial fishery. In this case study, we investigate the underlying factors affecting recruitment and how these in turn affect productivity of the North Sea sandeel using long‐term data and modelling. Our results demonstrate how sandeel productivity in the central North Sea (Dogger Bank) depends on a combination of external and internal regulatory factors, including fishing and climate effects, as well as density dependence and food availability of the preferred zooplankton prey (Calanus finmarchicus and Temora longicornis). Furthermore, our model scenarios suggest that while fishing largely contributed to the abrupt stock decline during the late 1990s and the following period of low biomass, a complete recovery of the stock to the highly productive levels of the early 1980s would only be possible through changes in the surrounding ecosystem, involving lower temperatures and improved feeding conditions. To that end, we stress the need for ecosystem‐based management accounting for multiple internal and external factors occurring within the broader context of the ecosystem in which forage fish species, such as sandeel, play an important and integral part.
Touchscreen learning deficits in Ube3a, Ts65Dn and Mecp2 mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Leach P. T. , Crawley J. N.
Published: December 2017

Mutant mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities provide useful translational research tools, especially in cases where robust cognitive deficits are reproducibly detected. However, motor, sensory and/or health issues consequent to the mutation may introduce artifacts that preclude testing in some standard cognitive assays. Touchscreen learning and memory tasks in small operant chambers have the potential to circumvent these confounds. Here we use touchscreen visual discrimination learning to evaluate performance in the maternally derived Ube3a mouse model of Angelman syndrome, the Ts65Dn trisomy mouse model of Down syndrome, and the Mecp2Bird mouse model of Rett syndrome. Significant deficits in acquisition of a 2‐choice visual discrimination task were detected in both Ube3a and Ts65Dn mice. Procedural control measures showed no genotype differences during pretraining phases or during acquisition. Mecp2 males did not survive long enough for touchscreen training, consistent with previous reports. Most Mecp2 females failed on pretraining criteria. Significant impairments on Morris water maze spatial learning were detected in both Ube3a and Ts65Dn, replicating previous findings. Abnormalities on rotarod in Ube3a, and on open field in Ts65Dn, replicating previous findings, may have contributed to the observed acquisition deficits and swim speed abnormalities during water maze performance. In contrast, these motor phenotypes do not appear to have affected touchscreen procedural abilities during pretraining or visual discrimination training. Our findings of slower touchscreen learning in 2 mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities indicate that operant tasks offer promising outcome measures for the preclinical discovery of effective pharmacological therapeutics.
Helicobacter Pylori infection of the gallbladder and the risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cen Li , Pan Jiaqi , Zhou Boyan , Yu Chaohui , Li Youming , Chen Weixing , Shen Zhe
Published: December 2017

Background

Helicobacter pylori is coexisted with various diseases, including chronic gastritis, ulcer, and gastric cancer. Besides, chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis are extremely widespread over the world, which are considered as high health‐care cost burdens of digestive diseases. Epidemiologic evidence on Helicobacter pylori infection in gallbladder increasing the risk of biliary diseases has been contradictory.

Aim

Conduct a meta‐analysis of overall studies and investigate an association between Helicobacter pylori infection of the gallbladder with chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis.

Methods

We used PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases to identify all published studies before August 2017. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using the random effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and stratified analyses were also performed.

Results

Eighteen studies involving 1544 participants and 1061 biliary cases with chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis were included. Helicobacter pylori infection of the gallbladder was significantly associated with an increased risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholecystitis (OR = 3.022; 95% CI, 1.897‐4.815; I2 = 20.1%). In addition, country‐based subgroup analysis also showed a positive association between Helicobacter pylori positivity and chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis risk. The ORs (95% CIs) for Asian and non‐Asian region studies were 3.75 (1.83‐7.71) and 2.25 (1.29‐3.89), respectively.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis suggests that infection of the gallbladder with Helicobacter pylori is closely related to an increased risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.
Long‐term mucocutaneous adverse effects of imatinib in Indian chronic myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Vinay Keshavamurthy , Yanamandra Uday , Dogra Sunil , Handa Sanjeev , Suri Vikas , Kumari Savita , Khadwal Alka , Prakash Gaurav , Lad Deepesh , Varma Subhash , Malhotra Pankaj
Published: December 2017

Background

Short‐term mucocutaneous adverse effects are well documented with imatinib. However, studies on long‐term adverse effects and in the ethnic population are lacking.

Objective

To study the long‐term mucocutaneous adverse effects of imatinib and factors predicting these adverse effects.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, consenting adult chronic myeloid leukemia patients on imatinib for more than 250 days were recruited. The details of imatinib treatment were retrieved from hematology clinic records.

Results

Four hundred and thirty‐eight patients who were on imatinib for a mean duration of 1820 days were recruited. A mean number of 1.42 ± 0.98 cutaneous adverse effects were seen per patient. Melasma‐like pigmentation, periorbital edema, oral lichenoid reaction, cutaneous hypopigmentation, and vesicobullous eruptions were seen in 236 (53.9%), 81 (18.5%), 70 (16%), 42 (9.6%), and 12 (2.7%) patients, respectively. Drug‐induced cutaneous eruptions (9.1%) and cutaneous hypopigmentation (9.6%) were seen less frequently. Cutaneous hyperpigmentation was more likely seen in younger patients (P = 0.001) and females (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, female gender was a significant risk factor for developing cutaneous hyperpigmentation and periorbital edema.

Conclusion

Cutaneous hyperpigmentation and periorbital edema are common long‐term adverse effects of imatinib in Indian patients. Female gender is a significant risk factor for the development of both these adverse effects.
Hepatitis C virus core protein reduces CD8+ T‐cell proliferation, perforin production and degranulation but increases STAT5 activation
Authors: Khan Sarwat Tahsin , Karges Winston , Cooper Curtis L. , Crawley Angela M.
Published: December 2017

Clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is dependent on an effective virus‐specific CD8+ T‐cell response, which is dysfunctional in chronic HCV infection. Dysfunction in bulk or non‐HCV‐specific CD8+ T‐cells in HCV infection has also been observed. This may contribute to observed reductions in immunity to other diseases (e.g. cancer, viral co‐infections) in HCV‐infected individuals. Evidence suggests that the HCV core protein (found in blood as free protein) may contribute to this impairment. To determine if HCV core contributes to the impairment of effector functions and survival potential of CD8+ T‐cells, isolated human CD8+ T‐cells from healthy donors were pre‐incubated with recombinant HCV core protein for 72 hr and then stimulated in vitro to evaluate proliferation, survival potential and effector functions. Pre‐incubation of stimulated CD8+ T‐cells with HCV core significantly reduced their proliferation. Perforin production and degranulation were also decreased, but interferon‐γ production was unchanged. Additionally, when CD8+ T‐cells were treated with serum from HCV+ individuals, they produced less perforin than cells treated with healthy serum. Up‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 was slightly lower in cells treated with HCV core, but signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) activation was increased, suggesting dysregulation downstream of STAT activation. Our study reveals that HCV core reduces the activity and target lysis‐associated functions of CD8+ T‐cells. This may contribute to the generalized impairment of CD8+ T‐cells observed in HCV infection. These findings provide insight for the design of novel counteractive immune‐mediated strategies including the design of effective therapeutic vaccines for use in HCV+ individuals.
Job stress in new nurses during the transition period: an integrative review
Authors: Labrague L.J. , McEnroe‐Petitte D.M.
Published: December 2017

Aim

This review appraised and synthesized evidence relating to new nurses' stress experiences during the transition period.

Background

Although stress among nursing professionals has been a subject of several systematic reviews in the recent years, there is still scarcity of systematic evidence examining job stress in new nurses.

Methods

This is an integrative review of original studies conducted from 2002 onwards examining new nurses' stress experiences. Five databases were used to retrieve relevant articles such as CINAHL, SCOPUS, PubMed, PsycINFO and MEDLINE. Twenty‐one articles were included in this review.

Findings

New nurses perceived low to moderate levels of stress mainly from heavy workloads and lack of professional nursing competence. Individual and organizational factors that might contribute to their stress experiences were rarely explored.

Conclusion

This integrative review evaluated and synthesized available evidence examining stress in new nurses and contributed to the literature regarding stress in nursing professionals. The findings of this review may offer specific information to nurse administrators that can relate to the stress encountered by new nurses who enter into healthcare facilities.

Implications for Nursing and Health Policy

Findings of this review may provide valuable input to assist nurse administrators in developing and implementing organizational measures to reduce stress in new nurses while maximizing and facilitating their integration into the nursing workforce. Such measures may include the following: establishment of a well‐structured transition programme, provision of an adequate orientation and senior staff mentorship, stress management programmes, in‐service educational programmes and exposure to clinical simulation scenarios.
Testosterone regulates the expression and functional activity of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptors in the rat corpus cavernosum
Authors: Yin Jing , Guo Yu‐ming , Chen Ping , Xiao He , Wang Xing‐huan , DiSanto Michael E , Zhang Xin‐hua
Published: December 2017

The bioactive lipid sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) regulates smooth muscle (SM) contractility predominantly via three G protein‐coupled receptors. The S1P1 receptor is associated with nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated SM relaxation, while S1P2 & S1P3 receptors are linked to SM contraction via activation of the Rho‐kinase pathway. This study is to determine testosterone (T) modulating the expression and functional activity of S1P receptors in corpus cavernosum (CC). Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham‐operated controls, surgical castration and T supplemented group. Serum S1P levels were detected by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The expression of S1P1‐3 receptors and sphingosine kinases was detected by real‐time RT‐PCR. In vitro organ bath contractility and in vivo intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement were also performed. T deprivation significantly decreased ICP rise. Meanwhile, surgical castration induced a significant increase in serum S1P level and the expression of S1P2‐3 receptors by twofold (P < 0.05) but a decrease in the expression of S1P1 receptor. Castration also augmented exogenous phenylephrine (PE), S1P, S1P1,3 receptor agonist FTY720‐P contractility and S1P2‐specific antagonist JTE013 relaxation effect. T supplemented could restore the aforementioned changes. We provide novel data that castration increased serum S1P concentration and up‐regulated the expression of S1P2‐3 receptors in CC. Consistently, agonizing S1P receptors induced CCSM contraction and antagonizing mediated relaxation were augmented. This provides the first clear evidence that S1P system dysregulation may contribute to hypogonadism‐related erectile dysfunction (ED), and S1P receptors may be expected as a potential target for treating ED.
Risks for depression among ostomates in South Korea
Authors: Park Seungmi , Jang In Sun , Kim Yeon S.
Published: December 2017

Aim

This study explored the factors that are associated with the depressive status among older adult ostomates in South Korea.

Methods

The study was a secondary analysis of data from a cross‐sectional study with 217 ostomates who were aged ≥55 years from September 2, 2013 to October 30, 2013. The general characteristics, daily routines, and depressive status were assessed in order to identify the factors that were contributing to a depressed mood among the older adult ostomates in South Korea. The general characteristics included their sex, age group, educational level, financial status, employment, outing hours, perceived social isolation, leisure activity, and perceived health status. The daily routines included living environment inconvenience, leisure activity satisfaction, body image satisfaction, sleep satisfaction, exercise involvement, intimacy with a spouse, sexual satisfaction, and satisfaction with quality of life.

Results

The prevalence of depressive status in older adult ostomates was 50.7%, but 40.8% in the same‐age population without an ostomy. The factors that were associated with a depressed mood among the older adult ostomates in South Korea were social isolation, perceived poor health status, perceived low quality of life, dissatisfaction with leisure activities, and poor financial status. The participants' sex, age, and educational level were not associated with depression.

Conclusion

Nurses need to encourage older adults with an ostomy to reduce their social isolation and to increase leisure activities by helping them to use resources, such as support groups and psychological support, in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members.
Association between quality of sleep and health‐related quality of life in persons with diabetes mellitus type 2
Authors: Bani‐issa Wegdan , Al‐Shujairi Arwa M , Patrick Linda
Published: December 2017

Aim and objectives

To estimate the relationship of sleep quality with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in persons with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Background

DMT2 is an epidemic health condition in the UAE that has enormous impacts on heath, and consequent effects on HRQOL. However, because of an absence of screening for quality of sleep, people with DMT2 who experience poor sleep are likely to go untreated, which may compound the distressing impacts of DMT2 on their HRQOL.

Design

This is a cross‐sectional quantitative research design.

Methods

A sample of 268 participants with DMT2 were recruited from community healthcare settings in the UAE using cluster sampling. Participants completed questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the World Health Organization HRQOL. Data analysis used descriptive and correlational statistics.

Results

Of the 268 participants, 34% identified as “poor sleepers” and 55% had poor HRQOL. Poor sleepers showed significantly lower scores for HRQOL than good sleepers. The global PSQI scores were found to be independently predictive of global HRQOL. Subjective perceptions of sleep quality, the use of sleep medications and impaired daytime functioning were the variables found to have the highest correlations with global HRQOL and its four domains.

Conclusions

This study found that people with DMT2 who indicate experiencing poor quality sleep are more likely to show a negative correlation with HRQOL. Additional research is needed to investigate how poor sleep may impact the health of people with DMT2.

Relevance to clinical practice

Findings suggest that assessment of sleep quality should be an essential component of diabetes care. Understanding sleep practices may aid public health practitioners and other healthcare providers in the design of culturally appropriate interventions to improve sleep quality in persons with DMT2.
Postmortem immunohistochemical alterations following cerebral lesions: A possible pathohistological importance of the β‐dystroglycan immunoreactivity
Authors: Szöllősi Dávid , Tóth László , Kálmán Mihály
Published: December 2017

The frequency of cerebrovascular injuries raises the importance of their immunohistological investigation in postmortem materials. Most injuries involve the impairment of the blood–brain barrier. The barrier is maintained by the glio‐vascular connections which break up following injuries. Some immunohistochemical alterations may refer to the impairment of the gliovascular connections. Laminin and the components of the dystroglycan complex show characteristic immunohistochemical alterations following various experimental injuries (stab wound, cryogenic lesion, arterial occlusions): immunoreactivity of β‐dystroglycan, α‐dystrobrevin and aquaporin 4 disappeared while that of utrophin and laminin appeared along the vessels, whereas α‐syntrophin visualized the reactive astrocytes but not the resting ones. The aims of the present study were to investigate whether these post‐lesion alterations: (i) are reproducible with immersive fixation, which is used in postmortem histology; (ii) are resistant to a postmortem delay before fixation; and (iii) are to be attributed to a direct effect of the lesion, or are mediated by processes occurring only in the living brain. Three models were investigated: (i) following lesions, some brains were fixed by transcardial perfusion, others by immersion; (ii) following lesions, the animals were decapitated and stored at room temperature for 8 or 16 h before fixation; and (iii) the lesions were performed after decapitation. Cryogenic lesions were performed by applying a dry ice cooled copper rod to the brain surface of ketamine‐xylazine anesthetized rats. The immunohistochemical reactions were performed on free‐floating sections cut with vibratome. Both immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods were used. The fixation method – perfusive or immersive – did not change the post‐lesion phenomena investigated. The postmortem delay did not influence the β‐dystroglycan immunoreactivity, that is its lack delineated the area of the lesion. However, in the case of the other substances, various lengths of postmortem delay rendered the immunohistochemistry uninterpretable. The results suggest β‐dystroglycan immunostaining could be applied in the neuropathology to detect cerebrovascular impairments.
Leucas pachmarhiensis sp. nov. (Lamioideae; Lamiaceae) from central India
Authors: Tiwari A. P. , Shaikh M. , Gavade S. K. , Lekhak M. M. , Sunojkumar P.
Published: December 2017

A new species, Leucas pachmarhiensis (Lamiaceae), is described and illustrated from the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, India with conservation status assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’. This novelity is endemic to central India and belongs to Leucas sect. Plagiostoma. It differs from other species of this section by its height up to 120 cm, and inflorescence positioned at multiple nodes. Detailed notes on its conservation status and ecology are provided.
Annual burning of semi‐natural grasslands for conservation: winners and losers among plant species
Authors: Milberg Per , Fogelfors Håkan , Westerberg Lars , Tälle Malin
Published: December 2017

Species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands in Europe are a main target for conservation efforts, and alternative methods to the traditional management of mowing or grazing would be welcome due to the difficulties in maintaining traditional management practices. One such method proposed is burning of grassland vegetation during late winter or spring. To evaluate the effects of annual spring burning vs annual mowing on semi‐natural grassland vegetation, we compared the frequency of species in eleven field experiments in southern Sweden after ca 14 years. Out of the 88 species analyzed, five were more frequent in burnt plots compared with mowed plots (Vicia cracca, Cirsium arvense, Urtica dioica, Galium verum, Convallaria majalis). In contrast, 37 species were significantly less frequent in burnt plots compared with mowed ones, those with the largest differences being Ranunculus acris, Briza media, Veronica chamaedrys, Festuca ovina, Plantago lanceolata and Anthoxanthum odoratum. Tall‐grown species and those with preferences for N‐rich soils increased in frequency under an annual spring‐burn regime, compared with annual mowing, as did species producing larger amounts of nectar. Hence, although vegetation composition becomes more trivial with annual spring burns, there might be long‐term benefits for nectar‐feeding insects.
Promoting healthy food preferences from the start: a narrative review of food preference learning from the prenatal period through early childhood
Authors: Anzman‐Frasca S. , Ventura A. K. , Ehrenberg S. , Myers K. P.
Published: December 2017

The palatable, energy‐dense foods that characterize modern environments can promote unhealthy eating habits, along with humans' predispositions to accept sweet tastes and reject those that are sour or bitter. Yet food preferences are malleable, and examining food preference learning during early life can highlight ways to promote acceptance of healthier foods. This narrative review describes research from the past 10 years focused on food preference learning from the prenatal period through early childhood (ages 2–5 years).

Exposure to a variety of healthy foods from the start, including during the prenatal period, early milk‐feeding and the introduction to complementary foods and beverages, can support subsequent acceptance of those foods. Yet development is plastic, and healthier food preferences can still be promoted after infancy. In early childhood, research supports starting with the simplest strategies, such as repeated exposure and modelling, reserving other strategies for use when needed to motivate the initial tasting necessary for repeated exposure effects to begin.

This review can help caregivers and practitioners to promote the development of healthy food preferences early in life. Specific implementation recommendations, the role of individual differences and next steps for research in this area are also discussed.
Relatedness with plant species in native community influences ecological consequences of range expansions
Authors: Koorem Kadri , Kostenko Olga , Snoek L. Basten , Weser Carolin , Ramirez Kelly S. , Wilschut Rutger A. , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: December 2017

Global warming is enabling many plant species to expand their range to higher latitudes and altitudes, where they may suffer less from natural aboveground and belowground enemies. Reduced control by natural enemies can enable climate warming‐induced range expanders to gain an advantage in competition with natives and become disproportionally abundant in their new range. However, so far studies have only examined individual growth of range expanders, which have common congeneric plant species in their new range. Thus it is not known how general is this reduced effect of above‐ and belowground enemies and how it operates in communities, where multiple plant species also interact with each other. Here we show that range‐expanding plant species with and without congenerics in the invaded habitats differ in their ecological interactions in the new range. In a community‐level experiment, range‐expanding plant species, both with and without congenerics, suppressed the growth of a herbivore. However, only range expanders without congenerics reduced biomass production of the native plant species. In the present study, range expanders without congenerics allocated more biomass aboveground compared to native plant species, which can explain their competitive advantage. Competitive interaction and also biomass allocation of native plants and their congeneric range expanders were similar. Our results highlight that information about species phylogenetic relatedness with native flora can be crucial for improving predictions about the consequences of climate warming‐induced range expansions.
Sacrificial males: the potential role of copulation and predation in contributing to copepod sex‐skewed ratios
Authors: Wasserman Ryan J. , Weston Mark , Weyl Olaf L. F. , Froneman P. William , Welch Rebecca J. , Vink Tim J. F. , Dalu Tatenda
Published: December 2017

Predation is thought to play a selective role in the emergence of behavioural traits in prey. Differences in behaviour between prey demographics may, therefore, be driven by predation with select components of the population being less vulnerable to predators. While under controlled conditions prey demography has been shown to have consequences for predation success, investigations linking these implications to natural prey population demographics are scarce. Here we assess predator–prey dynamics between notonectid predators (backswimmers) and Lovenula raynerae (Copepoda), key faunal groups in temperate ephemeral pond ecosystems. Using a combination of field and experimental approaches we test for the development and mechanism of predation‐induced sex‐skewed ratios. A natural population of L. raynerae was tracked over time in relation to their predator (notonectid) and prey (Cladocera) numbers. In the laboratory, L. raynerae sex ratios were also assessed over time but in the absence of predation pressure. Predation success and prey performance experiments evaluating differences between L. raynerae male, female, gravid female and copulating pairs exposed to notonectid predation were then examined. Under natural conditions, a female dominated copepod population developed over time and was correlated to predation pressure, while under predator‐free conditions non sex‐skewed prey population demographics persisted. Predator–prey laboratory trials showed no difference in vulnerability and escape performance for male, female and gravid female copepods, but pairs in copula were significantly more vulnerable to predation. This vulnerability was not shared by both sexes, with only female copepods ultimately escaping from successful predation on a mating pair. These results suggest that contact periods during copula may contribute to the development of sex‐skewed copepod ratios over time in ecosystems dominated by hexapod predators. This is discussed within the context of vertebrate and invertebrate predation and how these dissimilar types of predation are likely to have acted as selective pressures for copepod mating systems.
Fatal disseminated Trichosporon asahii fungemia in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a morbilliform eruption
Authors: Nguyen Julie K. , Schlichte Megan J. , Schady Deborah , Pourciau Crystal Y.
Published: December 2017

Trichosporonosis is a rare, life‐threatening, opportunistic fungal infection that affects immunocompromised individuals with neutropenia, particularly those with underlying hematologic malignancies. We present the case of a 10‐year‐old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed a diffuse, morbilliform eruption in the setting of fever and pancytopenia. He was found to have Trichosporon asahii fungemia with widespread visceral dissemination, and his condition rapidly deteriorated despite treatment. It is important to consider trichosporonosis in the evaluation of a critically ill individual with neutropena and a rash, because the initial cutaneous presentation may appear benign and delayed therapy results in death.
Eczematous dermatitis in an infantile hemangioma with minimal or arrested growth
Authors: Roncone Krista , Kindley Kimball Jade , Zlotoff Barrett
Published: December 2017

Infantile hemangiomas (IHs) with minimal or arrested growth differ from standard IHs in that they have a reduced or absent growth phase. An association between IHs with minimal or arrested growth and superimposed eczematous dermatitis has not been described in the literature. We present a case detailing this association in which an IH with minimal or arrested growth responded well to treatment with propranolol and the superimposed eczema cleared completely with topical hydrocortisone.
Topical 1% propranolol ointment with occlusion in treatment of pyogenic granulomas: An open‐label study in 22 children
Authors: Neri Iria , Baraldi Carlotta , Balestri Riccardo , Piraccini Bianca Maria , Patrizi Annalisa
Published: December 2017

Background

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common, acquired, benign vascular neoplasm of the skin and mucous membranes. It occurs most often in children and adolescents. First‐line treatment options for PG are based on destructive approaches. Pain, permanent scarring, and pigmentation are potential complications of these therapies.

Methods

This single‐arm, open‐label, prospective study evaluated the efficacy of topical propranolol for treatment of PGs in children. All patients clinically diagnosed with cutaneous PG consecutively at the Dermatology Pediatric Outpatient Service of the University of Bologna from January 2010 to December 2010 received a compounded formulation of propranolol ointment 1%.

Results

We found propranolol ointment to be effective in consecutive patients; 59.0% completely regressed in a mean of 66 days, 18.2% remained stable, and 22.7% did not respond. No side effects (eg, skin irritation, allergy, bleeding) were observed.

Conclusion

Topical propranolol ointment 1% with occlusion appears to be an effective treatment for PGs in children. Early treatment was associated with a more favorable outcome.
Pregnancy outcomes in female childhood cancer survivors: Nationwide survey in Japan
Authors: Sekiguchi Masaki , Miyoshi Yoko , Kikuchi Norihiko , Sago Haruhiko
Published: December 2017

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of pregnancy in female childhood cancer survivors (CCS) in Japan, to encourage greater attention to the reproductive health of CCS.

Methods

This was a retrospective nationwide questionnaire survey of delivery at ≥22 weeks of gestation in CCS at perinatal centers registered with the Japanese Perinatologists Association between 2010 and 2014. We evaluated the maternal characteristics, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and the relationship between cancer treatment and these outcomes.

Results

The total number of CCS was 61, and the total number of deliveries was 71, corresponding to 0.019% of total deliveries. Regarding cancer, 46% of the patients had had leukemia. Epilepsy was seen in seven (11%). Mean gestational age at delivery was 37.9 weeks. The rate of preterm delivery was 24%. Mean birthweight was 2,718 g. There were three congenital anomalies (4.2%). The rate of preterm delivery was higher and mean birthweight lower in the women treated with radiotherapy than in those without radiotherapy (42% vs 16%, P = 0.025; 2,436 ± 737 g vs 2,827 ± 483 g, P = 0.010). The adjusted OR of radiotherapy for preterm deliveries was 3.53 (P = 0.049).

Conclusions

Although the number of deliveries by CCS was low in Japan, the pregnancy outcomes were favorable. The important points for managing pregnancy in CCS were preterm delivery as an obstetric complication, especially in CCS who had been treated with radiotherapy, and epilepsy as a maternal complication, which may be related to previously received treatment.
Event‐related potentials of attentional bias toward faces in the dot‐probe task: A systematic review
Authors: Torrence Robert D. , Troup Lucy J.
Published: December 2017

The dot‐probe task is a common task to assess attentional bias toward different stimuli and how groups differ (e.g., attentional bias in anxiety disorders). However, measuring reaction time has been suggested to be unreliable. Neuroimaging methods such as fMRI were shown to be more reliable in assessing attentional bias, but fMRI has poor temporal resolution and therefore cannot assess timing of attention. ERPs have been used to examine the time course of attentional bias. Although ERP research may be more reliable than reaction time, there have been inconsistencies in the literature. This review systematically searched for articles that used the dot‐probe task with facial expressions and measured neural correlates with ERP. We found that some of the inconsistencies might be the cause of methodological differences (e.g., timing of stimuli), differences in emotional expression, and/or sample differences (e.g., sex, age, etc.). Suggestions on how future research could address the issues presented in this review were discussed.
Terrestrial fatty acids as tracers of finfish aquaculture waste in the marine environment
Authors: White Camille A. , Woodcock Skye H. , Bannister Raymond J. , Nichols Peter D.
Published: December 2017

Waste from open‐cage aquaculture flows directly into the marine environment from uneaten feeds, faecal material and dissolved nutrients. Sustainable management outcomes are regularly based on the dispersal patterns of the waste, with biochemical tracing a key tool in understanding the footprint of aquaculture. We examined the use of fatty acid (FA) analysis to trace aquaculture waste for this purpose, with the aim of identifying specific biomarkers for environmental applications, as well as identifying challenges that are regularly encountered. Overall, the widespread use of terrestrial‐based oils in the production of marine aquaculture feeds has increased the use of FA biomarkers to trace aquaculture waste across benthic and pelagic systems, in vertebrates, invertebrates and environmental samples such as sediment and seston. A combination of linoleic acid (LA), oleic acid (OA) and α‐linolenic acid (ALA), which are dominant C18 FA in terrestrial seed and animal oils, is the most commonly used biomarkers, along with overall shifts in FA profile related to diet. A challenge regularly encountered, particularly in lower trophic species, was the capacity of an organism to biomodify or selectively spare certain dietary FA, which can mask assimilation of aquaculture‐derived FA. In these species, controlled feeding studies are needed to properly understand FA metabolism and to ensure correct interpretation of FA data collected from wild samples. Overall, as FA biomarkers have the capacity to link aquaculture waste in the environment with potential effect, they are a valuable and increasingly applied tool for examining the overall influence of aquaculture in marine ecosystems.
Promoting ecological restoration in France: issues and solutions
Authors: Buisson Elise , Jaunatre Renaud , Regnery Baptiste , Lucas Marthe , Alignan Jean‐François , Heckenroth Alma , Muller Isabelle , Bernez Ivan , Combroux Isabelle , Moussard Stéphanie , Glasser Thibaut , Jund Simon , Lelièvre Samuel , Malaval Sandra , Vécrin‐Stablo Marie‐Pierre , Gallet Sébastien
Published: December 2017

Ecological restoration has developed greatly over recent decades. Promoting harmonious relationships between scientists and practitioners, between restoration ecology and ecological restoration, is essential to improving restoration projects. These relationships are difficult to achieve at a global scale, although international action remains essential. Therefore, regional and national networks are attempting to take up the challenge. With several European countries planning to create their own network in the coming years, insights from current practice are helpful. Here, we (1) describe the context in which ecological restoration is developing in France and (2) present the French restoration network, Réseau d'Echanges et de Valorisation en Ecologie de la Restauration (REVER). Most public policies related to restoration in France are derived from European Union (EU) directives, such as those on water, ecological networks, biodiversity, and protected species and natural habitat. Restoration can also be undertaken through Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or subsequent to damage. Following the model of the International Society for Ecological Restoration, the French network for ecological restoration (REVER) aims at accompanying and promoting restoration by facilitating relationships between the various stakeholders: practitioners, scientists, site managers, etc. To encourage exchange of knowledge and experience, REVER manages a website, organizes workshops, and provides links with SER‐Europe and Society for Ecological Restoration International (SERI). This article provides information that will be of interest to other countries trying to meet the Aichi targets of the convention on biological diversity: the restoration of 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2020.
Plant cell wall‐mediated immunity: cell wall changes trigger disease resistance responses
Authors: Bacete Laura , Mélida Hugo , Miedes Eva , Molina Antonio
Published: December 2017

Plants have evolved a repertoire of monitoring systems to sense plant morphogenesis and to face environmental changes and threats caused by different attackers. These systems integrate different signals into overreaching triggering pathways which coordinate developmental and defence‐associated responses. The plant cell wall, a dynamic and complex structure surrounding every plant cell, has emerged recently as an essential component of plant monitoring systems, thus expanding its function as a passive defensive barrier. Plants have a dedicated mechanism for maintaining cell wall integrity (CWI) which comprises a diverse set of plasma membrane‐resident sensors and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The PRRs perceive plant‐derived ligands, such as peptides or wall glycans, known as damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These DAMPs function as ‘danger’ alert signals activating DAMP‐triggered immunity (DTI), which shares signalling components and responses with the immune pathways triggered by non‐self microbe‐associated molecular patterns that mediate disease resistance. Alteration of CWI by impairment of the expression or activity of proteins involved in cell wall biosynthesis and/or remodelling, as occurs in some plant cell wall mutants, or by wall damage due to colonization by pathogens/pests, activates specific defensive and growth responses. Our current understanding of how these alterations of CWI are perceived by the wall monitoring systems is scarce and few plant sensors/PRRs and DAMPs have been characterized. The identification of these CWI sensors and PRR–DAMP pairs will help us to understand the immune functions of the wall monitoring system, and might allow the breeding of crop varieties and the design of agricultural strategies that would enhance crop disease resistance.
FKPP equation with impulses on unbounded domain
Authors: Yatat Valaire , Dumont Yves
Published: December 2017

This paper deals with the problem of travelling wave solutions in a scalar impulsive FKPP-like equation. It is a first step of a more general study that aims to address existence of travelling wave solutions for systems of impulsive reaction-diffusion equations that model ecological systems dynamics such as fire-prone savannas. Using results on scalar recursion equations, we show existence of populated vs. extinction travelling waves invasion and compute an explicit expression of their spreading speed (characterized as the minimal speed of such travelling waves). In particular, we find that the spreading speed explicitly depends on the time between two successive impulses. In addition, we carry out a comparison with the case of time-continuous events. We also show that depending on the time between two successive impulses, the spreading speed with pulse events could be lower, equal or greater than the spreading speed in the case of time-continuous events. Finally, we apply our results to a model of fire-prone grasslands and show that pulse fires event may slow down the grassland vs. bare soil invasion speed.
Long Term Performance of Newly Developed Austenitic Heat Resistant Stainless Steel Grade UNS S31035
Authors: Chai Guocai , Hernblom Johan , Hottle Keith , Forsberg Urban , Peltola Timo
Published: December 2017

UNS S31035 austenitic stainless steel grade is a newly developed advanced heat resistant material for use in coal fired boilers at material temperatures up to 700°C. This new grade that has recently obtained two AMSE code cases shows good resistance to steam oxidation and flue gas corrosion and higher creep rupture strength than other austenitic stainless steels available today. This paper will mainly focus on the characterization of long term structure stability and performances such as the creep behaviors at different temperatures for up to 86 000 hours and low cycle fatigue behaviors at high temperatures. The creep and fatigue damage mechanisms were studied using electron transmission microscopy and electron channeling contrast image analysis. The testing results were discussed combining with the safety and structure reliability of the material in 700°C power plants. The material is an excellent alternative for superheaters and reheaters in future high-efficient coal fired boilers.

Paper published with permission.