bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes small fiber pathology
Authors: Dalla Bella E. , Lombardi R. , Porretta‐Serapiglia C. , Ciano C. , Gellera C. , Pensato V. , Cazzato D. , Lauria G.
Published: January 2016

Background and purpose

Our aim was to address the correlation between small fiber loss and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for disease onset, phenotype, genotype, duration, severity and sensory findings.

Methods

Consecutive patients referred for suspected ALS were screened. Exclusion criteria were possible ALS and previous diagnosis or known risk factors for small fiber neuropathies. A sural nerve conduction study (NCS) was bilaterally recorded. The ALS functional rating scale revised was administered and loss of functions were calculated using the Milano−Torino staging (MITOS) system. Sensory symptoms and signs were recorded. Genetic analysis was performed by the next‐generation sequencing approach. Skin biopsy was performed at the distal leg and intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density was quantified in three non‐consecutive sections following published guidelines. Findings were referred to age‐ and sex‐adjusted normative values.

Results

Fifty‐seven patients including six with facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN) were enrolled. Eight (15.7%) pure ALS patients and five (83%) FOSMN patients complained of sensory disturbances with different distributions. Sural NCS was normal in all except two patients. IENF density was reduced in 75.4% of pure ALS and 50% of FOSMN patients, without correlation with any disease features. IENF density was similarly reduced in bulbar (78.5%), flail limb (87.5%), pyramidal (100%), and spinal (68.2%) onset, as well as in genetic (83.3%) and sporadic (82%) ALS. There was no correlation with genotype, disease duration and severity.

Conclusions

Intraepidermal nerve fiber loss is a feature of most ALS patients. It does not correlate with onset, phenotype, course and severity of the disease, and cannot be considered a clinical or prognostic biomarker.
The effect of pedunculopontine nucleus deep brain stimulation on postural sway and vestibular perception
Authors: Yousif N. , Bhatt H. , Bain P. G. , Nandi D. , Seemungal B. M.
Published: January 2016

Background and purpose

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) reduces the number of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). It was hypothesized that enhanced sensory processing contributes to this PPN‐mediated gait improvement.

Methods

Four PD patients (and eight matched controls) with implanted bilateral PPN and subthalamic nucleus DBS electrodes were assessed on postural (with/without vision) and vestibular perceptual threshold tasks.

Results

Pedunculopontine nucleus ON stimulation (compared to OFF) lowered vestibular perceptual thresholds but there was a disproportionate increase in the normal sway increase on going from light to dark.

Conclusions

The disproportionate increased sway with PPN stimulation in the dark may paradoxically improve balance function since mechanoreceptor signals rapidly adapt to continuous pressure stimulation from postural akinesia. Additionally, the PPN‐mediated vestibular signal enhancement also improves the monitoring of postural sway. Overall, PPN stimulation may improve sensory feedback and hence balance performance.
No evidence for local adaptation of dengue viruses to mosquito vector populations in Thailand
Authors: Fansiri Thanyalak , Pongsiri Arissara , Klungthong Chonticha , Ponlawat Alongkot , Thaisomboonsuk Butsaya , Jarman Richard G. , Scott Thomas W. , Lambrechts Louis
Published: January 2016

Despite their epidemiological importance, the evolutionary forces that shape the spatial structure of dengue virus genetic diversity are not fully understood. Fine‐scale genetic structure of mosquito vector populations and evidence for genotype × genotype interactions between dengue viruses and their mosquito vectors are consistent with the hypothesis that the geographical distribution of dengue virus genetic diversity may reflect viral adaptation to local mosquito populations. To test this hypothesis, we measured vector competence in all sympatric and allopatric combinations of 14 low‐passage dengue virus isolates and two wild‐type populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes sampled in Bangkok and Kamphaeng Phet, two sites located about 300 km apart in Thailand. Despite significant genotype × genotype interactions, we found no evidence for superior vector competence in sympatric versus allopatric vector–virus combinations. Viral phylogenetic analysis revealed no geographical clustering of the 14 isolates, suggesting that high levels of viral migration (gene flow) in Thailand may counteract spatially heterogeneous natural selection. We conclude that it is unlikely that vector‐mediated selection is a major driver of dengue virus adaptive evolution at the regional scale that we examined. Dengue virus local adaptation to mosquito vector populations could happen, however, in places or times that we did not test, or at a different geographical scale.
The implications of small stem cell niche sizes and the distribution of fitness effects of new mutations in aging and tumorigenesis
Authors: Cannataro Vincent L. , McKinley Scott A. , St. Mary Colette M.
Published: January 2016

Somatic tissue evolves over a vertebrate's lifetime due to the accumulation of mutations in stem cell populations. Mutations may alter cellular fitness and contribute to tumorigenesis or aging. The distribution of mutational effects within somatic cells is not known. Given the unique regulatory regime of somatic cell division, we hypothesize that mutational effects in somatic tissue fall into a different framework than whole organisms; one in which there are more mutations of large effect. Through simulation analysis, we investigate the fit of tumor incidence curves generated using exponential and power‐law distributions of fitness effects (DFE) to known tumorigenesis incidence. Modeling considerations include the architecture of stem cell populations, that is, a large number of very small populations, and mutations that do and do not fix neutrally in the stem cell niche. We find that the typically quantified DFE in whole organisms is sufficient to explain tumorigenesis incidence. Further, deleterious mutations are predicted to accumulate via genetic drift, resulting in reduced tissue maintenance. Thus, despite there being a large number of stem cells throughout the intestine, its compartmental architecture leads to the accumulation of deleterious mutations and significant aging, making the intestinal stem cell niche a prime example of Muller's Ratchet.
Risk screening of non‐native, translocated and traded aquarium freshwater fishes in Greece using Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit
Authors: Perdikaris C. , Koutsikos N. , Vardakas L. , Kommatas D. , Simonović P. , Paschos I. , Detsis V. , Vilizzi L. , Copp G. H.
Published: January 2016

The invasion of non‐indigenous freshwater fish species is one of the most important threats to aquatic biodiversity. Similar to other Mediterranean countries, Greece is considered a hot spot for freshwater biodiversity, with many range‐restricted endemics of high conservation concern. The aim of this study was to undertake a risk screening assessment to evaluate the invasive potential of non‐native, translocated and traded aquarium fishes in Greece by applying the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK). In total, 73 freshwater fish species were evaluated by two assessors. FISK was able to discriminate reliably between invasive and non‐invasive species with a threshold of 15.25. Based on mean scores, 30 species were classified as ‘high risk’, of which 17 as ‘moderately high risk’, six as ‘high risk’ and seven as ‘very high risk’. There was a high coincidence rate for the species categorisation between the two assessors, but significant differences in certainty. The results suggest that FISK is a useful tool for assessing risks posed by non‐native, translocated and traded aquarium fish species in Greece.
Hybrid Therapy as First‐Line Regimen for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Populations with High Antibiotic Resistance Rates
Authors: Song Zhiqiang , Zhou Liya , Zhang Jianzhong , He Lihua , Bai Peng , Xue Yan
Published: January 2016

Background

Hybrid therapy has recently attracted widespread attention. However, many issues require further exploration. For example, research in regions with high antibiotic resistance rates is limited, and the correlation between eradication efficacy and antibiotic resistance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy, compliance, safety, and risk factors of hybrid therapy as first‐line regimen in a region with high antibiotic resistance rates.

Materials and Methods

This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital between January 2014 and June 2015. A total of 196 patients with dyspepsia but without prior eradication therapy received hybrid regimen (esomeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily for 14 days with the addition of clarithromycin 500 mg and tinidazole 500 mg twice daily for the final 7 days). All patients underwent Helicobacter pylori culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing and cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 2C19 polymorphism testing.

Results

Hybrid therapy achieved eradication rates of 77.0% (95% confidence interval (CI), 70.9–83.7%) in intention‐to‐treat (ITT), 83.9% (78.9–88.9%) in modified ITT and 86.0% (80.2–91.3%) in per‐protocol analyses in a setting with high antibiotic resistance rates (amoxicillin 2.0%, clarithromycin 44.9%, metronidazole 67.3% and dual clarithromycin and metronidazole 33.3%). Adverse reactions occurred in 31.9% patients and 2.7% discontinued medications due to adverse reactions. Good compliance was achieved by 92.0%. Multivariate analyses identified clarithromycin resistance (odds ratio, 3.494; 95% CI, 1.237–9.869), metronidazole resistance (3.012; 1.013–12.054) and poor compliance (5.840; 1.126–30.296) as independent predictors of treatment failure. The eradication rate with dual clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance (70.2%) was markedly decreased compared to isolated clarithromycin resistance (87.5%), isolated metronidazole resistance (88.6%), or dual susceptibility (96.4%) (p = .014).

Conclusions

Despite good compliance and safety, hybrid therapy as first‐line regimen in populations with high antibiotic resistance rates had unsatisfactory efficacy, primarily due to dual clarithromycin and metronidazole resistance.
What to do with high autofluorescence background in pancreatic tissues – an efficient Sudan black B quenching method for specific immunofluorescence labelling
Authors: Erben Till , Ossig Rainer , Naim Hassan Y , Schnekenburger Jürgen
Published: January 2016

Aims

High levels of autofluorescence in tissue samples can entirely mask specific labellings with fluorophores and thus impair immunofluorescence histochemistry. In pancreatic tissue samples we observed autofluorescence as a common problem often mediated by the fixation and processing procedure.

Methods and results

Using epifluorescence microscopy, we analysed the intensity and spatial distribution of autofluorescence in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded human pancreatic tissues and developed an efficient quenching method to reduce the unwanted light emission. The optimized quenching protocol using Sudan black B reduced the unequally distributed tissue autofluorescence to a low and intensity‐equalized background level. Quantitative image analysis demonstrated autofluorescence suppression by 65–95%, depending on the selected fluorescence filter setups. The procedure did not affect specific immunofluorescence labelling or tissue integrity. As a clear result of Sudan black B treatment, a tremendous improvement of the signal‐to‐noise ratio was achieved, allowing a reliable detection and quantification of specific fluorescent labels. Other tissue treatment methods, such as cupric sulphate, toluidine blue and ultraviolet irradiation, or combinations of these with Sudan black B, were not as efficient.

Conclusions

The easy‐to‐perform Sudan black B technique improves dramatically qualitative and quantitative fluorescence analysis of critical pancreatic tissue sections and rescues even overfixed tissues for immunofluorescence application.
Divine Simplicity and the Holy Trinity
Authors: White Thomas Joseph
Published: January 2016

The doctrine of divine simplicity is largely ignored in modern continental theology and has been criticized by some analytic theists. However, it plays a central role in patristic and medieval trinitarian thought, and is a doctrinal affirmation of the Catholic Church. This article seeks to illustrate the significance of the teaching first by examining the contrasting modern trinitarian theologies of Karl Barth and Richard Swinburne, noting how each suffers from a deficit of reference to the doctrine of divine simplicity. The article then presents four aspects of Aquinas’ teaching on divine simplicity. From this a consideration of trinitarian persons ensues that illustrates why the distinction of persons in God can best be understood by making use of Aquinas’ theology of ‘subsistent relations’, while the unified nature of God can best be understood in terms of ‘personal modes of subsistence’. Based on this analysis, the contrasting insights of both Barth and Swinburne can be fully retained, without the contrasting inherent problems that the theology of each presents.
Policy practice in social work education: A literature review
Authors: Weiss‐Gal Idit
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to review existing knowledge on policy practice (PP) in social work education that seeks to train undergraduate and graduate social work students to influence social policy. The review, based on different search strategies, identified 113 publications written by scholars from Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa, UK and the USA. The review revealed marked growth in interest in PP education between 1970 and 2014. This was reflected in articles that have reported on six areas: research on the place of PP in social work curricula; research on students’ preferences with regard to PP; recommendations on what to include in PP education; descriptions of actual pedagogical methods and courses; evaluations of actual pedagogical methods; and tools for assessing PP competencies. Most of this discourse was devoted to descriptions of PP courses and teaching methods and much less to systematic evaluation of PP teaching.

Key Practitioner Message: • Policy practice education is playing a growing role in social work training at both the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) levels; • The literature suggests a wide range of innovative experiential approaches in class and in actual policy arenas; • To further strengthen the field, systematic evaluations of policy practice teaching innovations are required.
Intimate partner violence and use of contraceptives in Bangladesh: Results from a national sample
Authors: Murshid Nadine S. , Ely Gretchen E.
Published: January 2016

The effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) on women's lives includes negative reproductive health outcomes by way of compromised control over their bodies. This effect is contextual, which leads to contradictory implications for practitioners involved in sexual and reproductive health. The current article adds to the literature by providing an examination of the association between partner violence and contraceptive use in a nationally representative sample of married women in Bangladesh, where some 24% of national samples of women report IPV. The study is a secondary data analysis of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007 with a sample of 4,467 women aged 15–49 years. Significant main effects were observed for partner violence: The probability of using contraceptives was 9% higher for women who reported partner violence compared with women who did not. Additionally, women were more likely to use contraceptives when they had children under the age of five and were employed. Policy and practice implications for social work are discussed.

Key Practitioner Message: • To understand how intimate partner violence may increase the odds of contraceptive use as a way of “help seeking”; • To understand the implications of contraceptive use in a Muslim majority population; • To provide policy suggestions for bundling services for intimate partner violence with reproductive health services.
Identification and gene‐silencing of a putative odorant receptor transcription factor in Varroa destructor: possible role in olfaction
Authors: Singh N. K. , Eliash N. , Stein I. , Kamer Y. , Ilia Z. , Rafaeli A. , Soroker V.
Published: January 2016

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is one of the major threats to apiculture. Using a behavioural choice bioassay, we determined that phoretic mites were more successful in reaching a bee than reproductive mites, suggesting an energy trade‐off between reproduction and host selection. We used both chemo‐ecological and molecular strategies to identify the regulation of the olfactory machinery of Varroa and its association with reproduction. We focused on transcription regulation. Using primers designed to the conserved DNA binding region of transcription factors, we identified a gene transcript in V. destructor homologous to the pheromone receptor transcription factor (PRTF) gene of Pediculus humanus corporis. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) revealed that this PRTF‐like gene transcript is expressed in the forelegs at higher levels than in the body devoid of forelegs. Subsequent comparative qPCR analysis showed that transcript expression was significantly higher in the phoretic as compared to the reproductive stage. Electrophysiological and behavioural studies revealed a reduction in the sensitivity of PRTF RNA interference‐silenced mites to bee headspace, consistent with a reduction in the mites’ ability to reach a host. In addition, vitellogenin expression was stimulated in PRTF‐silenced mites to similar levels as found in reproductive mites. These data shed light upon the regulatory mechanism of host chemosensing in V. destructor.
Autophagy is involved in regulating the immune response of dendritic cells to influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection
Authors: Zang Farong , Chen Yinghu , Lin Zhendong , Cai Zhijian , Yu Lei , Xu Feng , Wang Jiaoli , Zhu Weiguo , Lu Huoquan
Published: January 2016

Autophagy can mediate antiviral immunity. However, it remains unknown whether autophagy regulates the immune response of dendritic cells (DCs) to influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection. In this study, we found that infection with the H1N1 virus induced DC autophagy in an endocytosis‐dependent manner. Compared with autophagy‐deficient Beclin‐1+/− mice, we found that bone‐marrow‐derived DCs from wild‐type mice (WT BMDCs) presented a more mature phenotype on H1N1 infection. Wild‐type BMDCs secreted higher levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐ α (TNF‐α), interferon‐β (IFN‐β), IL‐12p70 and IFN‐γ than did Beclin‐1+/− BMDCs. In contrast to Beclin‐1+/− BMDCs, H1N1‐infected WT BMDCs exhibited increased activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, Jun N‐terminal kinase, p38, and nuclear factor‐κB as well as IFN regulatory factor 7 nuclear translocation. Blockade of autophagosomal and lysosomal fusion by bafilomycin A1 decreased the co‐localization of H1N1 viruses, autophagosomes and lysosomes as well as the secretion of IL‐6, TNF‐α and IFN‐β in H1N1‐infected BMDCs. In contrast to Beclin‐1+/− BMDCs, H1N1‐infected WT BMDCs were more efficient in inducing allogeneic CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and driving T helper type 1, 2 and 17 cell differentiation while inhibiting CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cell differentiation. Moreover, WT BMDCs were more efficient at cross‐presenting the ovalbumin antigen to CD8+ T cells. We consistently found that Beclin‐1+/− BMDCs were inferior in their inhibition of H1N1 virus replication and their induction of H1N1‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses, which produced lower levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α and IFN‐β in vivo. Our data indicate that autophagy is important in the regulation of the DC immune response to H1N1 infection, thereby extending our understanding of host immune responses to the virus.
A Missionary Church: Introduction and Chapter One of Evangelii Gaudium
Authors: Pernia Antonio M.
Published: January 2016

The article provides a summary and synthesis of the Introduction and Chapter One of Evangelii Gaudium (EG 1–18 and 19–49), where Pope Francis outlines his vision of the church and the program of his pontificate. He envisions the church as fundamentally a missionary church and sees the role of his pontificate as bringing about the transformation of the church into a missionary church. The article concludes by showing that Pope Francis’ vision of the church in EG echoes Vatican II's decree Ad Gentes and is shaped by his experience of the church in Latin America. Thus, it ends with two observations: first, that with EG, Ad Gentes’ statement that “the Church is missionary by her very nature” ceases to be merely a theological declaration and now becomes a concrete pastoral program of action; and second, that EG, where the concerns of the third world are allowed to shape the vision of the universal church, is an eloquent manifestation of the church becoming a World Church.
Chapter Five of Evangelii Gaudium: Spirit‐Filled Evangelizers
Authors: Cruz Gemma Tulud
Published: January 2016

This contribution examines the opening section of Chapter Five of Evangelii Gaudium, arguing that in it Francis sheds light on the mystagogy of discipleship in contemporary times. After providing a brief synopsis of these reasons for a renewed missionary impulse using the idea of the “why, who, and how” of mission as a framework, the author argues that the contribution of the section to the church's mission is its eloquent articulation of a deep spirituality of mission arising from the human condition, both at the personal and communal level. Positing that three features of this spirituality of mission – holistic, anthropological, and Christological – constitute some of the most important points of this section, the article concludes that Evangelii Gaudium is a passionate exhortation toward imbibing a keen sensibility of the humanum to deepen and open Christian faith in proclaiming a gospel of joy and hope and, in the process, bring wholeness to people and the world. It is about missio homini that is rooted in missio Christi and, therefore, leads to missio Dei.
Life, Joy, and Love: Together towards Life in Dialogue with Evangelii Gaudium and The Cape Town Commitment
Authors: Bevans Stephen
Published: January 2016

This article offers reflections on key themes and missiological significances of the WCC's Together towards Life in dialogue with the other evangelical and Roman Catholic documents, specifically, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium and the Lausanne Movement's Cape Town Commitment. Organizing his reflections around the significant words in each document – life, joy, and love – as well as other meaningful and powerful words that arise in analysis, the author finds that these three new mission statements cover much of the same ground and are quite complementary, with concern for the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, and the forgotten and disregarded playing a central role in all of them. The article concludes that it is important to study these three documents together, as each has the potential to be a friendly yet challenging ecumenical dialogue partner to the others.
The Holy Spirit in EG, TTL, and CTC: The Pneumatological Impulse for Christian Mission
Authors: Lim Timothy T. N.
Published: January 2016

This article examines the correspondence in the pneumatological impulse for mission among three documents: Evangelii Gaudium (EG), Together towards Life (TTL), and The Cape Town Commitment (CTC). This consonance in EG, TTL, and CTC is significant given the dissonance on theological and missiological perspectives across the representing ecclesial bodies since the mid‐20th century. Following a review of pneumatology in these three documents, the paper proposes a forward‐looking trajectory to a more expansive view of the Spirit's ever‐mysterious operations in the church, in missions, and in the world.
The Economy and Money in Three Recent Mission Documents
Authors: Vähäkangas Mika
Published: January 2016

While economic issues are not usually much debated in theology, three recent mission documents (The Cape Town Commitment, Together towards Life and Evangelii Gaudium) have directly addressed them, criticizing globalized capitalism more or less sharply and explicitly. However, all three lack transparency in that possible analysis which might provide foundation for the statements made is not visible. Additionally, the critique offered is vague and general except for some relatively concrete propositions in Evangelii Gaudium with seemingly social‐democrat overtones. Thus these documents do not readily connect with economic, political, and social scientific discourses, which reduces their applicability predominantly to the religious sphere and further supports an Enlightenment sacred/secular dichotomy that conflicts with the approach advocated in Together towards Life. In order to increase the relevance of theological arguments concerning economic issues to spheres beyond the churches, theologians need to cooperate with economists and familiarize themselves with economic theories and practices before prescribing policies based on theological argumentation.
Ecumenical Hermeneutics through a Study of Missiological Typologies
Authors: Kang Ahram
Published: January 2016

This paper focuses on the hermeneutical recognition that happens during the cross‐cultural transmission of the gospel. The dynamics of mission are traced from hermeneutic through communication and the understanding of the Other, to action, and to the realization of gospel in community.
A “Native Ministry” for God's “Step Children”? The Evolution of Missional Policy toward the Zulu in the Anglican Diocese of Natal, South Africa: 1904–1917
Authors: Mbaya Henry
Published: January 2016

This article examines the evolution of the Anglican missionary policy and the evangelization of the Zulu in the Diocese of Natal in South Africa during the early 20th century. These processes rested on colonial power in the form of what Edward Said conceptualized as Orientalism. Orientalism defined and ordered relations of domination and subordination wherein the English missionaries, considering themselves as superior, justify their actions as imparting what they saw as civil and religious benefits on the Zulu, whom they regarded as not possessing them. Contemptuous settler attitudes toward missionary work and their relations with the Zulu also undermined missionary work in Natal. The evolution of missionary policy along racial lines developed from the Orientalist worldview as well as on account of relations that developed in the colony.
A Mission of Unity and a Unity of Mission: A Look at the Work of the Church Unity Commission
Authors: Pillay Jerry
Published: January 2016

This article examines the notion and meaning of mission in United and Uniting churches; asks whether union fosters mission and, more specifically, whether United churches practise mission reflecting a commitment to unity; and finally considers some of the challenges facing the Church Unity Commission (CUC) in moving forward. It makes the claim that the CUC is not succeeding in using its strengths because it is failing to be a united witness in the world, and suggests that church unity should begin at the local level if it is to be more effective. Hence international, national, and regional structures and organizations should mobilize, empower, and enable local church communities for more effective mission and church unity. In order to succeed in the latter area, the mission should be not church, but Christ. The paper concludes that the CUC's task is to collectively and correctly read the signs of the times and faithfully proclaim, in word and deed, that God reigns supreme over our world.
TGF‐β gene transfer and overexpression viarAAV vectors stimulates chondrogenic events in human bone marrow aspirates
Authors: Frisch Janina , Rey‐Rico Ana , Venkatesan Jagadeesh Kumar , Schmitt Gertrud , Madry Henning , Cucchiarini Magali
Published: January 2016

Genetic modification of marrow concentrates may provide convenient approaches to enhance the chondrogenic differentiation processes and improve the repair capacities in sites of cartilage defects following administration in the lesions. Here, we provided clinically adapted recombinant adeno‐associated virus (rAAV) vectors to human bone marrow aspirates to promote the expression of the potent transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) as a means to regulate the biological and chondrogenic activities in the samples in vitro. Successful TGF‐β gene transfer and expression via rAAV was reached relative to control (lacZ) treatment (from 511.1 to 16.1 pg rhTGF‐β/mg total proteins after 21 days), allowing to durably enhance the levels of cell proliferation, matrix synthesis, and chondrogenic differentiation. Strikingly, in the conditions applied here, application of the candidate TGF‐β vector was also capable of reducing the hypertrophic and osteogenic differentiation processes in the aspirates, showing the potential benefits of using this particular vector to directly modify marrow concentrates to generate single‐step, effective approaches that aim at improving articular cartilage repair in vivo.
Plastic and evolutionary responses to heat stress in a temperate dung fly: negative correlation between basal and induced heat tolerance?
Authors: Esperk T. , Kjærsgaard A. , Walters R. J. , Berger D. , Blanckenhorn W. U.
Published: January 2016

Extreme weather events such as heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense. Populations can cope with elevated heat stress by evolving higher basal heat tolerance (evolutionary response) and/or stronger induced heat tolerance (plastic response). However, there is ongoing debate about whether basal and induced heat tolerance are negatively correlated and whether adaptive potential in heat tolerance is sufficient under ongoing climate warming. To evaluate the evolutionary potential of basal and induced heat tolerance, we performed experimental evolution on a temperate source population of the dung fly Sepsis punctum. Offspring of flies adapted to three thermal selection regimes (Hot, Cold and Reference) were subjected to acute heat stress after having been exposed to either a hot‐acclimation or non‐acclimation pretreatment. As different traits may respond differently to temperature stress, several physiological and life history traits were assessed. Condition dependence of the response was evaluated by exposing juveniles to different levels of developmental (food restriction/rearing density) stress. Heat knockdown times were highest, whereas acclimation effects were lowest in the Hot selection regime, indicating a negative association between basal and induced heat tolerance. However, survival, adult longevity, fecundity and fertility did not show such a pattern. Acclimation had positive effects in heat‐shocked flies, but in the absence of heat stress hot‐acclimated flies had reduced life spans relative to non‐acclimated ones, thereby revealing a potential cost of acclimation. Moreover, body size positively affected heat tolerance and unstressed individuals were less prone to heat stress than stressed flies, offering support for energetic costs associated with heat tolerance. Overall, our results indicate that heat tolerance of temperate insects can evolve under rising temperatures, but this response could be limited by a negative relationship between basal and induced thermotolerance, and may involve some but not other fitness‐related traits.
Evolution of male age‐specific reproduction under differential risks and causes of death: males pay the cost of high female fitness
Authors: Chen H.‐y. , Spagopoulou F. , Maklakov A. A.
Published: January 2016

Classic theories of ageing evolution predict that increased extrinsic mortality due to an environmental hazard selects for increased early reproduction, rapid ageing and short intrinsic lifespan. Conversely, emerging theory maintains that when ageing increases susceptibility to an environmental hazard, increased mortality due to this hazard can select against ageing in physiological condition and prolong intrinsic lifespan. However, evolution of slow ageing under high‐condition‐dependent mortality is expected to result from reallocation of resources to different traits and such reallocation may be hampered by sex‐specific trade‐offs. Because same life‐history trait values often have different fitness consequences in males and females, sexually antagonistic selection can preserve genetic variance for lifespan and ageing. We previously showed that increased condition‐dependent mortality caused by heat shock leads to evolution of long‐life, decelerated late‐life mortality in both sexes and increased female fecundity in the nematode, Caenorhabditis remanei. Here, we used these cryopreserved lines to show that males evolving under heat shock suffered from reduced early‐life and net reproduction, while mortality rate had no effect. Our results suggest that heat‐shock resistance and associated long‐life trade‐off with male, but not female, reproduction and therefore sexually antagonistic selection contributes to maintenance of genetic variation for lifespan and fitness in this population.
The evolution of colour pattern complexity: selection for conspicuousness favours contrasting within‐body colour combinations in lizards
Authors: Pérez i de Lanuza G. , Font E.
Published: January 2016

Many animals display complex colour patterns that comprise several adjacent, often contrasting colour patches. Combining patches of complementary colours increases the overall conspicuousness of the complex pattern, enhancing signal detection. Therefore, selection for conspicuousness may act not only on the design of single colour patches, but also on their combination. Contrasting long‐ and short‐wavelength colour patches are located on the ventral and lateral surfaces of many lacertid lizards. As the combination of long‐ and short‐wavelength‐based colours generates local chromatic contrast, we hypothesized that selection may favour the co‐occurrence of lateral and ventral contrasting patches, resulting in complex colour patterns that maximize the overall conspicuousness of the signal. To test this hypothesis, we performed a comparative phylogenetic study using a categorical colour classification based on spectral data and descriptive information on lacertid coloration collected from the literature. Our results demonstrate that conspicuous ventral (long‐wavelength‐based) and lateral (short‐wavelength‐based) colour patches co‐occur throughout the lacertid phylogeny more often than expected by chance, especially in the subfamily Lacertini. These results suggest that selection promotes the evolution of the complex pattern rather than the acquisition of a single conspicuous colour patch, possibly due to the increased conspicuousness caused by the combination of colours with contrasting spectral properties.
Effects of Device‐Facilitated Isometric Progressive Resistance Oropharyngeal Therapy on Swallowing and Health‐Related Outcomes in Older Adults with Dysphagia
Authors: Rogus‐Pulia Nicole , Rusche Nicole , Hind Jacqueline A. , Zielinski Jill , Gangnon Ronald , Safdar Nasia , Robbins JoAnne
Published: January 2016

Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are associated with malnutrition, aspiration pneumonia, and mortality in older adults. Strengthening interventions have shown promising results, but the effectiveness of treating dysphagia in older adults remains to be established. The Swallow STRengthening OropharyNGeal (Swallow STRONG) Program is a multidisciplinary program that employs a specific approach to oropharyngeal strengthening—device‐facilitated (D‐F) isometric progressive resistance oropharyngeal (I‐PRO) therapy—with the goal of reducing health‐related sequelae in veterans with dysphagia. Participants completed 8 weeks of D‐F I‐PRO therapy while receiving nutritional counseling and respiratory status monitoring. Assessments were completed at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks. At each visit, videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were performed. Dietary and swallowing‐related quality of life questionnaires were administered. Long‐term monitoring for 6–17 months after enrollment allowed for comparison of pneumonia incidence and hospitalizations to the 6–17 months before the program. Veterans with dysphagia confirmed with videofluoroscopy (N = 56; 55 male, 1 female; mean age 70) were enrolled. Lingual pressures increased at anterior (effect estimate = 92.5, P < .001) and posterior locations (effect estimate = 85.4, P < .001) over 8 weeks. Statistically significant improvements occurred on eight of 11 subscales of the Quality of Life in Swallowing Disorders (SWAL‐QOL) Questionnaire (effect estimates = 6.5–19.5, P < .04) and in self‐reported sense of effort (effect estimate = −18.1, P = .001). Higher Functional Oral Intake Scale scores (effect estimate = 0.4, P = .02) indicated that participants were able to eat less‐restrictive diets. There was a 67% reduction in pneumonia diagnoses, although the difference was not statistically significant. The number of hospital admissions decreased significantly (effect estimate = 0.96; P = .009) from before to after enrollment. Findings suggest that the Swallow STRONG multidisciplinary oropharyngeal strengthening program may be an effective treatment for older adults with dysphagia.
Social functioning and facial expression recognition in children with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Allen T. , Willard V. W. , Anderson L. M. , Hardy K. K. , Bonner M. J.
Published: January 2016

Background

This study examined social functioning and facial expression recognition (FER) in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) compared to typically developing peers. Specifically, the current research aimed to identify hypothesised relationships between neurocognitive ability, FER and social functioning.

Method

Children, ages 8 to 16, with NF1 (n = 23) and typically developing peers (n = 23) were recruited during regularly scheduled clinic visits and through advertisements on an institutional clinical trials website, respectively. Participants completed a measure of FER, an abbreviated intelligence test and questionnaires regarding their quality of life and behavioural functioning. Parents were also asked to complete questionnaires regarding the social–emotional and cognitive functioning of their child.

Results

As expected, there were significant differences between children with NF1 and typically developing peers across domains of social functioning and FER. Within the sample of children with NF1, there were no significant associations observed between cognitive measures, social functioning and facial recognition skills.

Conclusion

Children with NF1 exhibited high rates of social impairment and weak FER skills compared to controls. The absence of associations between FER with cognitive and social variables, however, suggests something unique about this skill in children with NF1. Theoretical comparisons are made to children with autism spectrum disorders, as this condition may serve as a potentially useful model in better understanding FER in children with NF1.
The Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative as an Intervention to Improve Breastfeeding Rates: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Howe‐Heyman Abigail , Lutenbacher Melanie
Published: January 2016

Introduction

The Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is considered to be an evidence‐based program that improves breastfeeding outcomes, but primary research on the topic has been limited. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the literature and synthesize findings to determine the effectiveness of the BFHI as an intervention to improve breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity.

Methods

A review of literature published from 1991 to October 2014 using MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Knowledge with the search term “Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative.” The 724 titles initially identified were reviewed using these inclusion criteria: English language, primary research, and available electronically or via interlibrary loan. Studies were excluded if they explicitly stated that they had omitted specific portions of the BFHI or did not fully implement the intervention; considered breastfeeding rather than the BFHI as an intervention; used the BFHI to improve neonatal intensive care unit outcomes specifically; or measured outcomes other than breastfeeding initiation, duration, or exclusivity. This yielded 25 studies for review.

Results

There are more studies that support the BFHI as an intervention to increase breastfeeding than there are studies that demonstrate no effect of the intervention. However, design weaknesses, settings outside the United States, and disparate methods impede the ability to reach firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the BFHI in improving breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity rates in the United States.

Discussion

Many of the studies regarding the effectiveness of the BFHI have been hampered by weak designs or methodologic limitations. Research conducted in the United States and employing experimental designs would help to more conclusively determine the effectiveness of the BFHI as an intervention to improve breastfeeding rates.
Amyloid precursor‐like protein 1 (APLP1) exhibits stronger zinc‐dependent neuronal adhesion than amyloid precursor protein and APLP2
Authors: Mayer Magnus C. , Schauenburg Linda , Thompson‐Steckel Greta , Dunsing Valentin , Kaden Daniela , Voigt Philipp , Schaefer Michael , Chiantia Salvatore , Kennedy Timothy E. , Multhaup Gerhard
Published: January 2016

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its paralogs, amyloid precursor‐like protein 1 (APLP1) and APLP2, are metalloproteins with a putative role both in synaptogenesis and in maintaining synapse structure. Here, we studied the effect of zinc on membrane localization, adhesion, and secretase cleavage of APP, APLP1, and APLP2 in cell culture and rat neurons. For this, we employed live‐cell microscopy techniques, a microcontact printing adhesion assay and ELISA for protein detection in cell culture supernatants. We report that zinc induces the multimerization of proteins of the amyloid precursor protein family and enriches them at cellular adhesion sites. Thus, zinc facilitates the formation of de novo APP and APLP1 containing adhesion complexes, whereas it does not have such influence on APLP2. Furthermore, zinc‐binding prevented cleavage of APP and APLPs by extracellular secretases. In conclusion, the complexation of zinc modulates neuronal functions of APP and APLPs by (i) regulating formation of adhesion complexes, most prominently for APLP1, and (ii) by reducing the concentrations of neurotrophic soluble APP/APLP ectodomains.

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Earlier studies suggest a function of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) family proteins in neuronal adhesion. We report here that adhesive function of these proteins is tightly regulated by zinc, most prominently for amyloid precursor‐like protein 1 (APLP1). Zinc‐mediated APLP1 multimerization, which induced formation of new neuronal contacts and decreased APLP1 shedding. This suggests that APLP1 could function as a zinc receptor processing zinc signals to stabilized or new neuronal contacts.
Hyperpolarization‐activated cation and T‐type calcium ion channel expression in porcine and human renal pacemaker tissues
Authors: Hurtado Romulo , Smith Carl S.
Published: January 2016

Renal pacemaker activity triggers peristaltic upper urinary tract contractions that propel waste from the kidney to the bladder, a process prone to congenital defects that are the leading cause of pediatric kidney failure. Recently, studies have discovered that hyperpolarization‐activated cation (HCN) and T‐type calcium (TTC) channel conductances underlie murine renal pacemaker activity, setting the origin and frequency and coordinating upper urinary tract peristalsis. Here, we determined whether this ion channel expression is conserved in the porcine and human urinary tracts, which share a distinct multicalyceal anatomy with multiple pacemaker sites. Double chromagenic immunohistochemistry revealed that HCN isoform 3 is highly expressed at the porcine minor calyces, the renal pacemaker tissues, whereas the kidney and urinary tract smooth muscle lacked this HCN expression. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that HCN+ cells are integrated within the porcine calyx smooth muscle, and that they co‐express TTC channel isoform Cav3.2. In humans, the anatomic structure of the minor calyx pacemaker was assayed via hematoxylin and eosin analyses, and enabled the visualization of the calyx smooth muscle surrounding adjacent papillae. Strikingly, immunofluorescence revealed that HCN3+/Cav3.2+ cells are also localized to the human minor calyx smooth muscle. Collectively, these data have elucidated a conserved molecular signature of HCN and TTC channel expression in porcine and human calyx pacemaker tissues. These findings provide evidence for the mechanisms that can drive renal pacemaker activity in the multi‐calyceal urinary tract, and potential causes of obstructive uropathies.
Temporal Doppler Effect and Future Orientation: Adaptive Function and Moderating Conditions
Authors: Gan Yiqun , Miao Miao , Zheng Lei , Liu Haihua
Published: January 2016

The objectives of this study were to examine whether the temporal Doppler effect exists in different time intervals and whether certain individual and environmental factors act as moderators of the effect. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we examined the existence of the temporal Doppler effect and the moderating effect of future orientation among 139 university students (Study 1), and then the moderating conditions of the temporal Doppler effect using two independent samples of 143 and 147 university students (Studies 2 and 3). Results indicated that the temporal Doppler effect existed in all of our studies, and that future orientation moderated the temporal Doppler effect. Further, time interval perception mediated the relationship between future orientation and the motivation to cope at long time intervals. Finally, positive affect was found to enhance the temporal Doppler effect, whereas control deprivation did not influence the effect. The temporal Doppler effect is moderated by the personality trait of future orientation and by the situational variable of experimentally manipulated positive affect. We have identified personality and environmental processes that could enhance the temporal Doppler effect, which could be valuable in cases where attention to a future task is necessary.