bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Standardized Modular System for Experimental Coral Culture
Authors: Rocha Rui J. M. , Bontas Bogdan , Cartaxana Paulo , Leal Miguel C. , Ferreira José M. , Rosa Rui , Serôdio João , Calado Ricardo
Published: June 2015

The increasing interest in coral culture for reef restoration, biotechnological applications, and to supply the marine aquarium trade has prompted researchers to optimize coral culture protocols, with emphasis on ex situ production. However, the diversity of experimental systems employed to investigate ex situ coral production may be a bottleneck to the advance of the state of the art, as it impairs reliable comparisons between experiments, as well as the replication and optimization of culture protocols. This study presents a versatile modular culture system for experimental coral production ex situ, assembled using materials and equipments available from suppliers all over the world and thus allowing researchers worldwide to truly replicate experimental setups. The validation of the modular culture system was performed using the soft coral, Sarcophyton cf. glaucum, as a model organism. The validation experiment tested the effect of different light spectra on the photosynthetic performance, symbiont density, chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments concentration, survival, and growth of coral fragments. The validation experiment confirmed the potential of this modular culture system, which ultimately enables researchers to perform direct comparisons among experiments, and more efficiently contribute to advance ex situ coral aquaculture.
Comparison of the Intestinal Bacterial Flora in Healthy and Intestinal‐diseased Seahorses Hippocampus trimaculatus, Hippocampus erectus, and Hippocampus spinosissimus
Authors: Li Feng , Wang Kai , Luo Wei , Huang Liangmin , Lin Qiang
Published: June 2015

This investigation examined the intestinal microbial flora among healthy and intestinal‐diseased seahorses Hippocampus trimaculatus, Hippocampus erectus, and Hippocampus spinosissimus by utilizing polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and densitometric analysis. Results demonstrated that 16 disparate DGGE bands belong to six major bacterial groups, which were Vibrionace, Enterobacteriacea, Rhodobacteraceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Flavobacteriaceae, and Alcaligenaceae. It was found that Vibrionaceae was the dominant population among the healthy and intestinal‐diseased seahorses. Vibrio ponticus strain XJ3 and Vibrio neptunius strain WT82, especially V. ponticus strain XJ3 of high abundance, were identified for the first time in seahorses and concluded to be intestinal disease pathogens because of their co‐existence in three intestinal‐diseased seahorse species and other reported fish or oyster. In comparison, uncultured bacterium clone Alcaligenaceae, Vibrio sp., uncultured bacterium clone Rhodobacteraceae, Serratia nematodiphila strain, and Serratia marcescens strain comprised the basic intestinal bacterial flora of all healthy seahorses. This study is the first to report the presence of S. nematodiphila in seahorses.
Efficacy of an Extract from Garlic, Allium sativum, Against Infection with the Furunculosis Bacterium, Aeromonas salmonicida, in Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Breyer Kate E. , Getchell Rodman G. , Cornwell Emily R. , Wooster Gregory A. , Ketola H. George , Bowser Paul R.
Published: June 2015

Juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were fed diets containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% of a garlic extract, challenged with a modified 50% lethal dose of Aeromonas salmonicida and monitored for 28 d. There were significant increases in survival of trout fed 0.5 and 1.0% garlic extract as compared to the control and 2.0% garlic extract groups. A target animal safety study was performed at varying increments using the target dose of 0.5% garlic extract at 0× (0% garlic extract), 1× (0.5% garlic extract), 3× (1.5% garlic extract), and 5× (2.5% garlic extract) for 3× (6 wk) the duration of the original study. There was a significant increase in the level of circulating lymphocytes and a significant decrease in the level of circulating monocytes. The latter correlated to an increased level of pigment‐containing macrophage centers within the renal tissue as garlic extract dosing increased, denoting a potential deleterious inflammatory effect as macrophage infiltration became severe at the highest dose. These studies suggest that feeding low‐dose (0.5% or 1.0%) garlic extract improves survivability in rainbow trout when challenged with A. salmonicida and appears safe; however, higher levels do not appear to be effective and may cause deleterious effects on health.
Immunopotentiating Effect of Small Peptides on Primary Culture Coelomocytes of Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Wang Shuxian , Li Tianbao , Xu La , Li Le , Fan Ying , Wei Jianteng
Published: June 2015

The in vitro effect of small peptides on the nonspecific immune response of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, coelomocytes was studied. Coelomocytes were cultured in L‐15 medium containing different concentrations of small peptide (0, 5, 25, and 100 µg/mL). Coelomocytes were incubated with the above immunostimulant for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. Coelomocytes incubated in the medium without immunostimulants were taken as controls at each incubation time. After exposure to small peptides, the coelomocytes were sampled and immune parameters namely, phagocytosis activity, respiratory burst activity, as well as activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. All immune parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by small peptides. Both phagocytic capacity and respiratory burst activity were up to maximum values at 6 h, and these values were 1.6 and 1.1 times as high as the control group, respectively. Among the humoral responses, the activities of ACP, AKP, and SOD were also up to maximum values at 6 h. The values were 1.4, 1.3, and 1.4 times as high as the control group, respectively. These results suggest that small peptides can enhance the nonspecific immune response of sea cucumber in vitro.
Alanine aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase have different dose‐response relationships with risk of mortality by age
Authors: Oh Chang‐Mo , Won Young‐Joo , Cho Hyunsoon , Lee Jong‐Keun , Park Bo Young , Jun Jae Kwan , Koh Dong‐Hee , Ki Moran , Jung Kyu‐Won , Oh In‐Hwan
Published: June 2015

Background & Aims

It remains unclear whether the respective dose‐response relationships between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and risk of mortality are consistent by age.

Methods

We used sampled cohort data from the National Health Insurance Corporation to conduct a retrospective cohort study. A total of 313 252 participants who received medical health check‐ups from 2002 to 2008 were assessed for risk of death according to serum ALT and GGT levels over an average of 6 years. The hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were analysed with Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The crude mortality rate increased linearly with increasing serum ALT and GGT levels in adults aged <60 years. However, the all‐cause mortality rate showed a J‐shaped relationship with increasing serum ALT levels whereas all‐cause mortality rate showed a linear relationship with increasing serum GGT levels in adults aged ≥60 years. The HR of death showed U‐shaped relationships with increasing serum ALT levels in adults aged ≥60 years. On the contrary, the HR of death from any cause had a linear association with increasing serum GGT levels among all age groups.

Conclusions

In this study, U‐shaped relationship patterns were demonstrated between serum ALT levels and risk for all‐cause mortality in adults aged ≥60 years while serum GGT levels showed a linear relationship with risk for all‐cause death. Very low levels of serum ALT in elderly patients suggest that they are at high risk of mortality.
Investigating the origin and global dispersal history of hepatitis E virus genotype 4 using phylogeographical analysis
Authors: Nakano Tatsunori , Takahashi Kazuaki , Takahashi Masaharu , Nishigaki Yoichi , Watanabe Naoki , Ishida Satoshi , Fujimoto Shino , Kato Hideaki , Okano Hiroshi , Takei Yoshiyuki , Ayada Minoru , Tomita Eiichi , Arai Masahiro , Okamoto Hiroaki , Mishiro Shunji
Published: June 2015

Background & Aims

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 4 has mainly been isolated from sporadic hepatitis cases and swine in Asian countries. We analysed the origin and global dispersal history of genotype 4 using a Bayesian phylogeographical approach.

Methods

The 412‐nucleotide sequences of open reading frame 2 of genotype 4 (47 Japanese, 40 Chinese, 1 Indian, 8 Indonesian, 1 Korean, 1 Taiwanese, 2 Danish and 2 Italian), of which sampling date and location were known, were collected. Evolutionary rate, divergence time, demographic growth and phylogeography were co‐estimated in the Bayesian statistical inference framework implemented in the BEAST package to model spatial dispersal on a time‐scaled genealogy.

Results

The most probable origin of genotype 4 was Japan and the time of origin was 1909 (95% highest posterior density, 1871–1940). Seven lineages of genotype 4 migrated from Japan to China. The analysis also showed the migration of genotype 4 from Japan or China to India and Indonesia and from China to Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea and a few European countries.

Conclusions

Swine trade between countries coincided with the migration time and direction of genotype 4 in some cases and was considered the primary cause of dispersal. However, there was no clear cause of dispersal for some cases, for which no records of pig trade were found. Future research should analyse additional nucleotide sequences paired with epidemiological data from various countries to improve our understanding of HEV dispersal.
Histological reversibility of diabetic nephropathy after kidney transplantation from diabetic donor to non‐diabetic recipient
Authors: Harada Shumpei , Ushigome Hidetaka , Nishimura Ayako , Nakao Toshimasa , Nakamura Tsukasa , Koshino Katsuhiro , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Itoh Takashi , Nobori Shuji , Yoshimura Norio
Published: June 2015

Aim

Given the recent increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, it is not uncommon for kidney transplantation donors to have diabetes. We perform kidney transplantation in our hospital if the diabetic donors are receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents, but not insulin, and their haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) is below 6.5%. There are few reports about histological changes to diabetic nephropathy after transplantation of kidney grafts from donors with diabetes mellitus to non‐diabetic recipients. Therefore, we studied the histological diabetic changes in grafts from diabetic donors at protocol biopsies (1 hour, 1 month, 1 year), and evaluated whether they improved under the recipient's good glycaemic control.

Methods

Three cases of kidney transplantation from donors with diabetes mellitus to non‐diabetic recipients were selected. We used a pathological classification established by the Renal Pathology Society for evaluating histological improvements in diabetic nephropathy.

Results

The results revealed that early diabetic changes found at the 1‐hour and 1‐month protocol biopsies were reversed and improved at the 1‐year biopsy.

Conclusion

We concluded that early diabetic changes in grafts from diabetic donors may improve if the graft recipient has good glycaemic control after kidney transplantation.
Biopsy findings on a stable recipient after secondary donor specific antibody (DSA) positive and ABO incompatible kidney transplantation
Authors: Sugitani Atsushi , Takahashi Chihiro , Naka Takuji , Hisamitsu Kazunori , Yamamoto Osamu , Kobayashi Naoto , Kimura Mari , Yoshida Haruhiko , Hanaki Takehiko , Hamazoe Ryuichi
Published: June 2015

Using desensitization protocol, we performed a secondary donor specific antibody (DSA) positive and ABO incompatible kidney transplantation. One‐hour biopsy showed no C4d deposition. The protocol biopsy after 2 weeks showed diffuse C4d deposition with peritubulitis. After 12 weeks, however, the protocol biopsy showed disappearance of tubulitis in spite of remaining C4d deposition. The recipient was in stable condition with excellent graft function despite high titer of the DSA. Monitoring of protocol biopsy is critical while antibody titer and the interpretation of the histological findings correlating with clinical markers must be considered.
Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis recurrence with massive proteinuria and anuria immediately after kidney transplantation
Authors: Maruyama Michihiro , Kitamura Hiroshi , Akutsu Naotake , Otsuki Kazunori , Hasegawa Masayuki , Aoyama Hiromichi , Matsumoto Ikuko , Saigo Kenichi , Asano Takehide
Published: June 2015

Here, we report a case of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) recurrence immediately (47 minutes) after transplantation. A 1‐hour biopsy specimen showed large periodic acid‐Schiff–positive granules within the cells of the swollen proximal tubule, while electron microscopy revealed podocyte swelling and partial foot process effacement. These findings were worse on day 2 biopsy. Massive proteinuria and anuria were then observed. Two courses (2 × 2 times) of plasmapheresis and rituximab were administered, and the graft function gradually recovered. A day 22 biopsy specimen showed improvement in findings compared to those observed on day 2. One year after transplantation, no signs of FSGS recurrence are evident, and graft function remains good.
Clinical and pathological features of donor/recipient body weight mismatch after kidney transplantation
Authors: Yamakawa Takafumi , Kobayashi Akimitsu , Yamamoto Izumi , Nakada Yasuyuki , Mafune Aki , Katsumata Haruki , Furuya Maiko , Koike Kentaro , Miki Jun , Yamada Hiroki , Tanno Yudo , Ohkido Ichiro , Tsuboi Nobuo , Yokoyama Keitaro , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Yokoo Takashi
Published: June 2015

Background

Previous studies have shown that a donor/recipient body weight mismatch affects long‐term graft survival and graft function after kidney transplantation. However, the mechanisms are not fully understood.

Aim

To address the mechanisms, we compared the pathological and physiological features between patients with a donor/recipient body weight mismatch and those without a mismatch 1 yr after kidney transplantation. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation with the donor/recipient body weight ratio.

Methods

We examined allograft biopsy specimens from 10 recipients with stable kidney function, with body weight mismatch (donor/recipient body weight ratio [D/R BWR] < 0.9), and compared them with samples from 13 patients without mismatch. We measured glomerular volume (GV) using the Weibel–Gomez method and glomerular density (GD) defined by nonsclerotic glomerular number/renal cortical area as pathological findings. The physiological parameters included estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria (mg/day). These data were evaluated to identify a correlation with D/R BWR.

Results

The pathological features showed that GV and GD were identical in the two groups. However, when glomerular enlargement was defined by ΔGV (GV at the 1‐yr biopsy minus GV at baseline biopsy), ΔGV was higher in mismatch cases compared with that in cases without a mismatch (10.6 ± 4.6 vs. 5.5 ± 7.1 × 105 μm3; P = 0.049). Furthermore, D/R BWR was significantly correlated with ΔGV (P = 0.03, r = –0.436). eGFR values were physiologically identical between the two groups, but the mismatch cases had significantly higher proteinuria levels than that of the cases without a mismatch at 1 yr after kidney transplantation.

Conclusion

A donor/recipient body weight mismatch could affect glomerular enlargement and increased proteinuria 1 yr after kidney transplantation. How these two features affect long‐term graft survival and function must be addressed in the future.
High‐throughput multiplex cpDNA resequencing clarifies the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among Brassica napus, Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea
Authors: Qiao Jiangwei , Cai Mengxian , Yan Guixin , Wang Nian , Li Feng , Chen Binyun , Gao Guizhen , Xu Kun , Li Jun , Wu Xiaoming
Published: June 2015

Brassica napus (rapeseed) is a recent allotetraploid plant and the second most important oilseed crop worldwide. The origin of B. napus and the genetic relationships with its diploid ancestor species remain largely unresolved. Here, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) from 488 B. napus accessions of global origin, 139 B. rapa accessions and 49 B. oleracea accessions were populationally resequenced using Illumina Solexa sequencing technologies. The intraspecific cpDNA variants and their allelic frequencies were called genomewide and further validated via EcoTILLING analyses of the rpo region. The cpDNA of the current global B. napus population comprises more than 400 variants (SNPs and short InDels) and maintains one predominant haplotype (Bncp1). Whole‐genome resequencing of the cpDNA of Bncp1 haplotype eliminated its direct inheritance from any accession of the B. rapa or B. oleracea species. The distribution of the polymorphism information content (PIC) values for each variant demonstrated that B. napus has much lower cpDNA diversity than B. rapa; however, a vast majority of the wild and cultivated B. oleracea specimens appeared to share one same distinct cpDNA haplotype, in contrast to its wild C‐genome relatives. This finding suggests that the cpDNA of the three Brassica species is well differentiated. The predominant B. napus cpDNA haplotype may have originated from uninvestigated relatives or from interactions between cpDNA mutations and natural/artificial selection during speciation and evolution. These exhaustive data on variation in cpDNA would provide fundamental data for research on cpDNA and chloroplasts.
Practical pharmacotherapy for acute schizophrenia patients
Authors: Hatta Kotaro
Published: June 2015

Well‐organized clinical guidelines of pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia are not necessarily applicable to emergency and acute‐phase situations. Thus, practical pharmacotherapy for acute schizophrenia patients should be based on data from real clinical practice and be independent of pharmaceutical companies. This study investigated the current guidelines being used to determine the initially preferred antipsychotics, durations required before an antipsychotic is viewed as being ineffective, and the strategies utilized for early non‐responders that include switching, high dose, and augmentation. In patients who develop side‐effects to the preferred antipsychotic drug, continued use may depend on the specific characteristics of the side‐effects. For acute‐phase patients, antipsychotics with high efficacy and effectiveness may be chosen based on meta‐analysis findings for not only double‐blinded but also rater‐blinded randomized controlled trials. Many previous studies have reported being able to make an early prediction at 2 weeks regarding the later response. These predictions were supported by the findings of a recent meta‐analysis of 34 studies that examined 9975 participants. In early non‐responders to the initial antipsychotic, the effectiveness of the switching strategy appears to depend on the initial antipsychotic administered and the antipsychotic the patient is subsequently switched to. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the strategy between switching and augmentation might also depend on the initial antipsychotic administered. The current findings might serve as the basis for the use of dosing above the licensed range versus continuing the use of conventional dosing in non‐responders, provided there is close monitoring of the side‐effects. Further research is required before any modifications of routine practices are undertaken regarding the direction of new potential treatments.
Measuring the Physiologic Properties of Oral Lesions Receiving Fractionated Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Gallagher‐Colombo Shannon M. , Quon Harry , Malloy Kelly M. , Ahn Peter H. , Cengel Keith A. , Simone Charles B. , Chalian Ara A. , O'Malley Bert W. , Weinstein Gregory S. , Zhu Timothy C. , Putt Mary E. , Finlay Jarod C. , Busch Theresa M.
Published: June 2015

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can treat superficial, early‐stage disease with minimal damage to underlying tissues and without cumulative dose‐limiting toxicity. Treatment efficacy is affected by disease physiologic properties, but these properties are not routinely measured. We assessed diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for the noninvasive, contact measurement of tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2) and total hemoglobin concentration ([tHb]) in the premalignant or superficial microinvasive oral lesions of patients treated with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐PDT. Patients were enrolled on a Phase 1 study of ALA‐PDT that evaluated fluences of 50, 100, 150 or 200 J cm−2 delivered at 100 mW cm−2. To test the feasibility of incorporating DRS measurements within the illumination period, studies were performed in patients who received fractionated (two‐part) illumination that included a dark interval of 90–180 s. Using DRS, tissue oxygenation at different depths within the lesion could also be assessed. DRS could be performed concurrently with contact measurements of photosensitizer levels by fluorescence spectroscopy, but a separate noncontact fluorescence spectroscopy system provided continuous assessment of photobleaching during illumination to greater tissue depths. Results establish that the integration of DRS into PDT of early‐stage oral disease is feasible, and motivates further studies to evaluate its predictive and dosimetric value.
To remove or not to remove? Removal of the unconditional stimulus electrode does not mediate instructed extinction effects
Authors: Luck Camilla C. , Lipp Ottmar V.
Published: June 2015

Following differential fear conditioning, the instruction that the unconditional stimulus will no longer be presented (instructed extinction) reduces differential electrodermal responding to CS+ and CS−, but does not affect differential conditional stimulus valence evaluations. Reductions in differential electrodermal responding have been attributed to the provision of verbal instructions; however, during instructed extinction the unconditional stimulus electrode is often removed as well. This removal could reduce the participants’ general arousal levels rendering the detection of differential electrodermal responding difficult. The current study examined this alternative interpretation by comparing the electrodermal responses and conditional stimulus valence evaluations of an instruction/electrode‐on group, an instruction/electrode‐off group, and a control group who were not instructed. Following instructed extinction, differential electrodermal responding was eliminated in both instruction groups, an effect that was not influenced by the attachment/removal of the electrode. Replicating previous findings, conditional stimulus valence was not affected by instructed extinction. The results suggest that verbal instructions, not unconditional stimulus electrode removal, reduce differential electrodermal responding during instructed extinction manipulations.
Cleaved PARP‐1, an Apoptotic Marker, can be Detected in Ram Spermatozoa
Authors: Casao A , Mata‐Campuzano M , Ordás L , Cebrián‐Pérez JA , Muiño‐Blanco T , Martínez‐Pastor F
Published: June 2015

Contents

The presence of apoptotic features in spermatozoa has been related to lower quality and functional impairment. Members of the poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerases (PARP) familyare involved in both DNA repair and apoptosis, playing important roles in spermatogenesis. Poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase can be cleaved by caspases, and the presence of its cleavage product (cPARP) in spermatozoa has been related to chromatin remodelling during spermatogenesis and to the activation of apoptotic pathways. There are no reports on immunodetection of cPARP in ram spermatozoa; thus, we have tested a commercially available antibody for this purpose. cPARP was microscopically detected in the acrosomal ridge of some spermatozoa (indirect immunofluorescence). A preliminary study was carried out by flow cytometry (direct immunofluorescence, FITC). Ram semen was extended in TALP and incubated for 4 h with apoptosis inducers staurosporine (10 μm) or betulinic acid (200 μm). Both inducers and incubation caused a significant increase in cPARP spermatozoa (0 h, control: 21.4±3.3%, inducers: 44.3±1.4%; 4 h, control: 44.3±2.4%, inducers: 53.3±1.4%). In a second experiment, we compared the sperm fractions after density gradient separation (pellet and interface). The pellet yielded a slightly lower proportion of cPARP spermatozoa (28.5±1.2% vs 36.2±2.0% in the interface; p < 0.001), and a 12‐h incubation increased cPARP similarly in both fractions (p < 0.001). cPARP seems to be an early marker of apoptosis in ram semen, although its presence in untreated samples was weakly related to worse quality (pellet/interface). We suggest to study the relationship of PARP and cPARP levels with between‐male differences on sperm fertility.
The Impact of Reproductive Technologies on Stallion Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Peña FJ , Plaza Davila M , Ball BA , Squires EL , Martin Muñoz P , Ortega Ferrusola C , Balao da Silva C
Published: June 2015

Contents

The traditional assessment of stallion sperm comprises evaluation of sperm motility and membrane integrity and identification of abnormal morphology of the spermatozoa. More recently, the progressive introduction of flow cytometry is increasing the number of tests available. However, compared with other sperm structures and functions, the evaluation of mitochondria has received less attention in stallion andrology. Recent research indicates that sperm mitochondria are key structures in sperm function suffering major changes during biotechnological procedures such as cryopreservation. In this paper, mitochondrial structure and function will be reviewed in the stallion, when possible specific stallion studies will be discussed, and general findings on mammalian mitochondrial function will be argued when relevant. Especial emphasis will be put on their role as source of reactive oxygen species and in their role regulating sperm lifespan, a possible target to investigate with the aim to improve the quality of frozen–thawed stallion sperm. Later on, the impact of current sperm technologies, principally cryopreservation, on mitochondrial function will be discussed pointing out novel areas of research interest with high potential to improve current sperm technologies.
Sources of inocula influence mycorrhizal colonization of plants in restoration projects: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Maltz Mia R. , Treseder Kathleen K.
Published: June 2015

Inoculation may influence mycorrhizal colonization and provide benefits to plants in restoration projects. However, it is unclear whether inoculation has consistent effects across ecosystem types, if it has long‐term effects on colonization, and whether sources of inocula differ in their effectiveness. To address these issues, we performed a meta‐analysis of published restoration studies across a variety of ecosystems to examine the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on mycorrhizal establishment and plant growth under field conditions. Although we included trials from a variety of geographic locations, disturbance types, and ecosystem types, the majority were based in temperate ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere, and fewer trials were from tropical ecosystems. Across ecosystem types, we found that inoculation consistently increased the abundance of mycorrhizal fungi in degraded ecosystems, and thus improved the establishment of plants. These benefits did not significantly attenuate over time. Moreover, inocula from different sources varied in their effects on mycorrhizal colonization. Inocula sourced from reference ecosystems and inocula with specific fungal species yielded higher increases in mycorrhizal colonization than did inocula from commercial sources. These results suggest that inocula source matters, and that an initial investment into mycorrhizal inoculation could provide lasting benefits for facilitating the establishment of the below‐ and aboveground components of restored ecosystems.
Major Accidents (Gray Swans) Likelihood Modeling Using Accident Precursors and Approximate Reasoning
Authors: Khakzad Nima , Khan Faisal , Amyotte Paul
Published: June 2015

Compared to the remarkable progress in risk analysis of normal accidents, the risk analysis of major accidents has not been so well‐established, partly due to the complexity of such accidents and partly due to low probabilities involved. The issue of low probabilities normally arises from the scarcity of major accidents’ relevant data since such accidents are few and far between. In this work, knowing that major accidents are frequently preceded by accident precursors, a novel precursor‐based methodology has been developed for likelihood modeling of major accidents in critical infrastructures based on a unique combination of accident precursor data, information theory, and approximate reasoning. For this purpose, we have introduced an innovative application of information analysis to identify the most informative near accident of a major accident. The observed data of the near accident were then used to establish predictive scenarios to foresee the occurrence of the major accident. We verified the methodology using offshore blowouts in the Gulf of Mexico, and then demonstrated its application to dam breaches in the United Sates.
Process Tracing Analysis of Hurricane Information Displays
Authors: Wu Hao‐Che , Lindell Michael K. , Prater Carla S.
Published: June 2015

To study people's processing of hurricane forecast advisories, we conducted a computer‐based experiment that examined 11 research questions about the information seeking patterns of students assuming the role of a county emergency manager in a sequence of six hurricane forecast advisories for each of four different hurricanes. The results show that participants considered a variety of different sources of information—textual, graphic, and numeric—when tracking hurricanes. Click counts and click durations generally gave the same results but there were some significant differences. Moreover, participants’ information search strategies became more efficient over forecast advisories and with increased experience tracking the four hurricanes. These changes in the search patterns from the first to the fourth hurricane suggest that the presentation of abstract principles in a training manual was not sufficient for them to learn how to track hurricanes efficiently but they were able to significantly improve their search efficiency with a modest amount (roughly an hour) of practice. Overall, these data indicate that information search patterns are complex and deserve greater attention in studies of dynamic decision tasks.
Contemporary NGO–Journalist Relations: Reviewing and Evaluating an Emergent Area of Research
Authors: Powers Matthew
Published: June 2015

Long recognized as key players in international politics, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) increasingly assume important roles in the provision of news. By hiring photographers, staffing online departments and funding reporting trips, NGOs act in ways that overlap with the actions of professional journalists. This article reviews and evaluates an emerging area of research – the study of NGO–journalist relations – that analyzes these developments. It proceeds in four parts: First, it overviews changes in the NGO and journalism sectors that drive growing scholarly interest in the topic. Second, it summarizes the findings of the available research. Third, it suggests some of the ways in which this research connects with concerns in the sociology of media and communication. Fourth, it evaluates the findings in light of various normative frameworks of public discourse. It concludes by suggesting that NGO–journalism scholarship can benefit from further attention by sociologists working in the areas of media and communication.
Institutional Pluralism, Organizations, and Actors: A Review
Authors: Yu Kyoung‐Hee
Published: June 2015

The institutional logics perspective holds the promise of delivering where neo‐institutionalist theory has disappointed – the ability to address key societal problems such as inequality, social discrimination, and economic insecurity – a promise that, as of yet, has been unrealized. In this review, I provide an overview of the body of work within the institutional logics perspective that addresses the co‐existence of multiple institutional logics influencing identities, values, cognitive frameworks, and practices – institutional pluralism. I demonstrate how pluralism diverges from conventional neo‐institutionalist theory in its view of institutional fields as heterogeneous spaces. I then review the implications for organizations and social actors responding to multiple logics in the institutional environment. In the discussion section, I argue that the study of pluralism, in acknowledging human agency, politics, and collective mobilization, opens the door for creative resolutions to societal problems hitherto overlooked in neo‐institutional theory. Despite the promise, I address key research areas that remain unresolved or under‐addressed in the institutional pluralism perspective.
Political Inequality is International, Interdisciplinary, and Intersectional
Authors: Dubrow Joshua Kjerulf
Published: June 2015

Political inequality refers to the unequal influence over decisions made by political bodies and the unequal outcomes of those decisions. Political inequality is a subtype of power inequality, visible within the political processes of all kinds of political structures. In modern democracies, political inequality is simultaneously a dimension of democracy and a dimension of stratification. Two key theoretical and empirical questions are How much political inequality is there? and is political inequality rising, falling, or staying the same? The answer to these key questions requires us to specify the kind of political inequality – voice, response, and their subtypes – and whether we mean equality of political opportunities or of political outcomes. I argue that we need to understand better the form, duration, and magnitude of political inequality within and across nations. We need to study it systematically, continuously, and diligently, and in an inclusive, open‐minded way, inclining our ears to the varied contributions of the many academic disciplines. We should begin by studying political inequality as an international phenomenon and as an interdisciplinary enterprise, and from an intersectional approach.
Compensation and Community Corrosion: Perceived Inequalities, Social Comparisons, and Competition Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Authors: Mayer Brian , Running Katrina , Bergstrand Kelly
Published: June 2015

After disasters, victim compensation programs are typically associated with individual healing and community rebuilding. But postdisaster compensation systems also have the potential to introduce confusion and competition, further fraying the social fabric of communities affected by trauma. To assess the perceived effects of disaster compensation processes on community social relations, as well as the mechanisms that underlie such effects, we turn to the case of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, after which BP implemented one of the largest compensation systems in U.S. history. Using data from interviews of residents of four Gulf Coast communities, we examine the extent to which this claims process hindered efforts to recover from this disaster. Our data suggest that while BP money helped some residents in the Gulf during a difficult economic time, many interviewees perceived uncertainty, randomness, and unevenness in the compensation process, which led to negative social comparisons and competition among community members. Because of this animosity, we argue that BP's compensation system was a disruptive mechanism that contributed to community corrosion and introduced another source of psychological stress into already‐traumatized areas.
Pfadabhängigkeit in der Mehrebenensteuerung: Das Beispiel Palliative Care
Authors: Moser Ladina , Sager Fritz
Published: June 2015

Wir argumentieren, dass das Pfadabhängigkeitskonzept des historischen Institutionalismus ein geeigneter Ansatz zur Integration des Top‐down‐ und des Bottom‐up‐Ansatzes der Mehrebenenvollzugsforschung darstellt. Unser Testfall ist die Umsetzung der Nationalen Strategie Palliative Care in den Kantonen. Mittels deskriptiver quantitativer Nachzeichnung und dreier Fallstudien wird die Pfadabhängigkeitshypothese untersucht, dass sich die Palliativversorgung in den Kantonen entlang von Pfaden entwickelt, die durch spezialisierte stationäre Einrichtungen vorgegeben werden, und dass es dem Bund kaum gelingt, diese anhand der Nationalen Strategie Palliative Care zu durchbrechen. Die Empirie bestätigt die Annahme des historischen Institutionalismus, dass positive Rückkopplungen zu Pfadabhängigkeiten führen und dadurch eine Anpassung der Institutionen an die sich wandelnde Umwelt erschwert wird, wobei sich in den Fallstudien unterschiedliche Formen positiver Rückkoppelung mit unterschiedlichen Wirkmechanismen äussern. Spezialisierte stationäre Einrichtungen können als jene Institutionen gewertet werden, die die Entwicklungspfade der Palliative Care und somit das Versorgungsarrangement in den Kantonen prägen. In Bezug auf den Einfluss des Bundes hingegen lässt sich kein allgemeingültiges Fazit ziehen. Vielmehr zeigen die Fallstudien die unterschiedliche Bedeutung kantonaler Pfade, die durch die drei Formen positiver Rückkoppelung theoretisiert werden können.
Coacervate delivery of HB‐EGF accelerates healing of type 2 diabetic wounds
Authors: Johnson Noah R. , Wang Yadong
Published: June 2015

Chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers pose a significant challenge as a number of underlying deficiencies prevent natural healing. In pursuit of a regenerative wound therapy, we developed a heparin‐based coacervate delivery system that provides controlled release of heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) within the wound bed. In this study, we used a polygenic type 2 diabetic mouse model to evaluate the capacity of HB‐EGF coacervate to overcome the deficiencies of diabetic wound healing. In full‐thickness excisional wounds on NONcNZO10 diabetic mice, HB‐EGF coacervate enhanced the proliferation and migration of epidermal keratinocytes, leading to accelerated epithelialization. Furthermore, increased collagen deposition within the wound bed led to faster wound contraction and greater wound vascularization. Additionally, in vitro assays demonstrated that HB‐EGF released from the coacervate successfully increased migration of diabetic human keratinocytes. The multifunctional role of HB‐EGF in the healing process and its enhanced efficacy when delivered by the coacervate make it a promising therapy for diabetic wounds.
IL‐4 and IL‐13 induce protection from complement and melittin in endothelial cells despite initial loss of cytoplasmic proteins: membrane resealing impairs quantifying cytotoxicity with the lactate dehydrogenase permeability assay
Authors: Benson Barbara A. , Vercellotti Gregory M. , Dalmasso Agustin P.
Published: June 2015

Endothelial cell activation and injury by the terminal pathway of complement is important in various pathobiological processes, including xenograft rejection. Protection against injury by human complement can be induced in porcine endothelial cells (ECs) with IL‐4 and IL‐13 through metabolic activation. However, despite this resistance, the complement‐treated ECs were found to lose membrane permeability control assessed with the small molecule calcein. Therefore, to define the apparent discrepancy of permeability changes vis‐à‐vis the protection from killing, we now investigated whether IL‐4 and IL‐13 influence the release of the large cytoplasmic protein lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in ECs incubated with complement or the pore‐forming protein melittin. Primary cultures of ECs were pre‐treated with IL‐4 or IL‐13 and then incubated with human serum as source of antibody and complement or melittin. Cell death was assessed using neutral red. Membrane permeability was quantitated measuring LDH release. We found that IL‐4‐/IL‐13‐induced protection of ECs from killing by complement or melittin despite loss of LDH in amounts similar to control ECs. However, the cytokine‐treated ECs that were protected from killing rapidly regained effective control of membrane permeability. Moreover, the viability of the protected ECs was maintained for at least 2 days. We conclude that the protection induced by IL‐4/IL‐13 in ECs against lethal attack by complement or melittin is effective and durable despite severe initial impairment of membrane permeability. The metabolic changes responsible for protection allow the cells to repair the membrane injury caused by complement or melittin.
The use of modern ultrasound tridimensional techniques for the evaluation of fetal cerebral midline structures â€“ a practical approach.
Authors: Muresan Daniel , Popa Roxana , Stamatian Florin , Rotar Ioana Cristina
Published: June 2015

Fetal central nervous system midline structures represent an essential landmark for the confirmation of normality or for the identification of severe pathology. The ultrasound examination of the fetal brain using modern 3D techniques allows the crea- tion of high sensitivity reconstructions. The facility of 3D volume acquisition permits the identification of corpus callosum, median septum, cavum septi pellucid and cerebellar vermis even in difficult cases. The examination should rely on both static (3D) and dynamic acquisition (4D). The use of a practical ultrasound protocol in clinical settings ensures the visualization of the midline cerebral structures in the vast majorities of fetuses. In selected cases MRI can be performed.
The Daily Resistive Index measurement useful tool in the estimation of the optimal time interval between two Shock Wave Lithotripsy sessions.
Authors: Yencilek Esin , Sarsılmaz Aysegul , Kilickesmez Ozgur , Koyuncu Hakan , Eryildirim Bilal , Gurses Bengi , Bastug Yavuz , Erihan Bilger
Published: June 2015

Aims: To monitor the impact of Shock Wave Lithotripsy (SWL) on the renal resisive index (RI) and to investigate the potential of the RI measurement for the estimation of the optimal duration between 2 SWL sessions. Material and methods: Thirty patients with single pelvis renalis stone were included. Participitants were grouped according to their age as group 1 (<40 years, mean age 36.2±3.9 years) and group 2 (≥40 years, mean age 55.4±6.5 years). RI measurement was performed in of all patients prior to SWL. After SWL, RI was monitored daily until RI returned to their pre-SWL values. Results: The mean stone size was 2 8.97±3.62 in group 1 and 10.08±4.67 mm in group 2 (p=0.077). Following SWL, the  RI value of both goups increased and the higher RI value was measured at the 24th hour as compared with their pre-SWL values (p<0.001). In day 2 RI of the groups declined, but the differences were still statistically different from their pre-SWL RI values (p<0.001). However, on the third day, RI of group 1 was close to their pre-SWL level (p=0.143). But, in group 2, RI value returned to their pre-SWL limits on day 4 (p=0.229). Conclusions: RI measurement gives important data regarding SWL related acute renal trauma and should be used as an US marker for recovery after SWL.
Contrast enhanced ultrasound of renal masses. A reappraisal of EFSUMB recommendations and possible emerging applications.
Authors: Sparchez Zeno , Radu Pompilia , Sparchez Mihaela , Crisan Nicolae , Kacso Gabriel , Petrut Bogdan
Published: June 2015

The main imagistic method for characterization of renal lesions is contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT). Disadvantages of CECT are a contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with renal impairment, allergic reactions and high costs. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) evaluation of hepatic and non-hepatic lesions is a relatively new, but increasingly utilised, diagnostic method. In 2011 the European Federation of Societies of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB) updated the Guidelines and Recommendations on the Clinical Practice of CEUS and included in the recommendation the renal pathology. However, there are several possible new indications that have not been discussed (pyelocaliceal masses and renal vein thrombosis) and several issues that remain controversial such as the differentiation of benign and malignant tumours or the differentiation of lymphoma and metastasis. This study aims to review literature data, as well as reveal the latest findings in the field of renal CEUS.
Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse imaging for detecting thyroid nodules: a systematic review and pooled meta-analysis.
Authors: Dong Fa-Jin , Li Min , Jiao Yang , Xu Jin Feng , Xiong Yi , Zhang Lei , Luo Hui , Ding Zhi-Min
Published: June 2015

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic performance of shear wave velocity (SWV) using virtual touch tissue quantification (VTQ) of acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) technology in differentiating malignant and benign thyroid nodules by conducting a meta-analysis. Material and methods: The Cochrane library, Embase, Pubmed, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies through December 2014. Studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of SWV in the identification of malignant and benign thyroid nodules by using VTQ of ARFI technology were selected. The cytology or histology was used as the reference standard. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, likelihood ratio, and the area under the sum- mary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve were used to examine the diagnostic accuracy of SWV. Results: A total of 13 cohort studies involving 1617 thyroid nodules from 1451 patients were identified. Of 13 studies, one was a retrospective study and others were prospective studies. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio of SWV in differentiating malignant and benign thyroid nodules were 86.3% (95%CI: 78.2– 91.7), 89.5% (95%CI: 83.3–93.6), 7.04 (95%CI: 4.40–11.26), 0.17 (95%CI: 0.10–0.31), and 46.66 (95%CI:19.47–111.81), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 94% (95% CI: 92–96). Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that VTQ is useful in evaluating the stiffness of thyroid nodules and differentiating between malignant and benign nodules. Due to the high sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio, SWV can be considered as a useful complement for conventional ultrasonography.