bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of HLA class II alleles/haplotypes and amino acid variations in the peptide binding pockets with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chinniah Rathika , Rajendran Meenakshi Sundari , Sivanadham Ramgopal , Adaikalam Muthu Lakshmi , Ravi Padma Malini , Vijayan Murali , Boopathy Seerala , Pandi Sasiharan , Sevak Vandit , Karuppiah Balakrishnan
Published: June 2019

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease, caused by environmental and genetic factors.

Aim

To elucidate the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DRB1*/DQB1* alleles/haplotypes and the variations of polymorphic amino acid changes in peptide binding pockets in RA patients from south India.

Methods

HLA typing was performed in 176 RA patients and 176 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction—sequence‐specific primers method.

Results

Strong susceptible association for alleles such as DRB1*04:01(odds ratio [OR] = 3.66), 04:06 (OR = 3.81), 03:01 (OR = 2.93), 06:01 (OR = 2.53) and protective association for alleles such as DRB1*13:01 (OR = 0.17), 14:01 (OR = 0.15), 05:02 (OR = 0.17), and 05:03 (OR = 0.338) were observed in RA patients. The 2‐locus haplotypes such as 04‐02:01 (OR = 3.844), 04‐06:01 (OR = 6.57), 07‐03:01 (OR = 6.16), 07‐06:01 (OR = 3.42), 12‐06:01 (OR = 5.24), 15‐03:01 (OR = 4.69) with susceptible and DRB1*14‐DQB1*05:03 (OR = 0.078) with protective associations were observed in RA patients. The acid‐base analysis revealed that the basic group BB allele was positively associated (OR = 2.372) and the acidic group AA allele was negatively associated (OR = 0.086). The analysis on shared epitopes has revealed that the combination QKRAA+, (Q)RRAA+ or (Q)RRAA− was positively associated with RA (OR = 2.78). The amino acid variation at HLA‐DQβ molecule revealed susceptible associations for residues E86 and L87 (P1); E74 (P3); A13, Y26, I/S28, T28, I71 and E74 (P4); L9, T30, D37 and D57 (P9), whereas, the amino acids A86 and T87 (P1); S74 (P3); G13/26, A71 and S74 (P4); H30 and T37, S57 (P9), showed protective associations.

Conclusions

Alleles DRB1*04:06 and*04:01 showed strong susceptible and DRB1*13:01 and *14:01 showed protective associations in RA patients. The amino acid variations in DQβ molecules revealed significant molecular markers for susceptibility to and protection from RA in south India.
Dietary yeast influences ethanol sedation in Drosophila via serotonergic neuron function
Authors: Schmitt Rebecca E. , Messick Monica R. , Shell Brandon C. , Dunbar Ellyn K. , Fang Huai‐Fang , Shelton Keith L. , Venton B. Jill , Pletcher Scott D. , Grotewiel Mike
Published: June 2019

Abuse of alcohol is a major clinical problem with far‐reaching health consequences. Understanding the environmental and genetic factors that contribute to alcohol‐related behaviors is a potential gateway for developing novel therapeutic approaches for patients that abuse the drug. To this end, we have used Drosophila melanogaster as a model to investigate the effect of diet, an environmental factor, on ethanol sedation. Providing flies with diets high in yeast, a routinely used component of fly media, increased their resistance to ethanol sedation. The yeast‐induced resistance to ethanol sedation occurred in several different genetic backgrounds, was observed in males and females, was elicited by yeast from different sources, was readily reversible, and was associated with increased nutrient intake as well as decreased internal ethanol levels. Inhibition of serotonergic neuron function using multiple independent genetic manipulations blocked the effect of yeast supplementation on ethanol sedation, nutrient intake, and internal ethanol levels. Our results demonstrate that yeast is a critical dietary component that influences ethanol sedation in flies and that serotonergic signaling is required for the effect of dietary yeast on nutrient intake, ethanol uptake/elimination, and ethanol sedation. Our studies establish the fly as a model for diet‐induced changes in ethanol sedation and raise the possibility that serotonin might mediate the effect of diet on alcohol‐related behavior in other species.
Biological traits of Epitrix papa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Alticinae), a new potato pest in Europe, and implications for pest management
Authors: Boavida Conceição , Santos Márcia , Naves Pedro
Published: June 2019

The biological traits of Epitrix papa were studied at different temperatures.

Development time decreased significantly with increasing temperature, from 102.3 days at 15 °C to 29.7 days at 30 °C. The preoviposition period ranged from 7.2 to 19.9 days, the oviposition period from 44 to 115 days, and the fecundity from 63.7 to 190.2 eggs per female, respectively, at 15 and 25 °C.

Eggs hatched in 7–9 days and 50.1% developed to adults.

Female longevity ranged from 150 and 160 days at 15 °C to 60 days at 22 and 25 °C. At 20 °C, both sexes had a similar life span of approximately 90 days but, at 15 °C, males had a significantly longer life span (189 days) than females (150 days).

The development rate (y) was related to temperature (x) by the function y = 0.0016× −0. 013 (r2 = 0.921), the lower developmental threshold was 8.1 °C and 625 degree‐days were required for completing development.

Based on this model, three or four generations per year were predicted in Central Portugal, although only the first‐ and second‐generation larvae develop during the main cropping season. By predicting the emergence of first‐generation adults, the model provides a tool for improving the pest management strategy.
NT5C1B and FH are closely associated with cryoprotectant tolerance in spermatozoa
Authors: Song Won‐Hee , Ryu Do‐Yeal , Pang Won‐Ki , Yoon Sung‐Jae , Rahman Md Saidur , Pang Myung‐Geol
Published: June 2019

Background

Cryoprotective agent (CPA) addition during sperm cryopreservation causes detrimental effects on sperm function and quality. We previously reported that CPA addition adversely affects bull sperm physiological functions and shows differentially expressed proteins.

Objectives

To study functional and proteomic alterations between high CPA‐tolerant spermatozoa (HCS) and low CPA‐tolerant spermatozoa (LCS) in bull.

Materials and methods

Bull semen was collected from the cauda epididymides of Korean bull (Hanwoo) and suspended in Tris‐egg yolk buffer (TYB). The collected fresh semen was diluted down to a final concentration of 6% glycerol TYB solution. After CPA exposure to the sperm cells from individual bulls, the percentage of sperm motility was examined by utilizing a computer‐assisted sperm analysis system. According to sperm motility value, the HCS (motility above 80%) and LCS (motility below 60%) groups were evaluated for sperm function parameters (swimming speed, capacitation, viability, and mitochondrial function) and protein expression.

Results

The HCS group had good sperm function parameters following CPA addition, whereas sperm functions in the LCS group were significantly reduced. There were differentially expressed proteins between the HCS and LCS groups. Cytosolic 5‐nucleotidase 1B and fumarate hydratase were abundantly expressed in the HCS group, while F‐actin‐capping protein subunit beta, voltage‐dependent anion‐selective channel protein 2, and cytochrome b‐c1 complex subunit 1 had a lower expression in the HCS group than in the LCS group.

Discussion and conclusion

Identified proteins implicate potential markers to predict CPA‐tolerable spermatozoa, which could provide a method of selecting animals and breeds with cryoprotectant resistance.
Immune mechanisms and possible immune therapy in testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: Chovanec M. , Mardiak J. , Mego M.
Published: June 2019

Background

Testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) are the only universally curable solid malignancy. The long‐term cure rate of >95% is attributed to the extraordinary sensitivity to cisplatin‐based treatment but a proportion of patients die due to a progression of the chemotherapy‐refractory disease. While treatment of a variety of solid cancers was significantly improved with recent immune therapies, the immunology and immunotherapy remained underinvestigated in GCTs.

Objectives

In this narrative review, we summarize evidence about immune‐related mechanisms and possible immune therapies in GCTs and provide insights and implications for future research and clinical practice.

Materials and methods

We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE to identify original and review articles reporting on immune mechanisms and immunotherapy in GCTs. Review articles were further searched for additional original articles.

Results

Clear link of immune surveillance and the presence of GCT have been identified with several novel immune‐related prognostic biomarkers published recently. Several case reports, case series, and preliminary results from phase I‐II studies are emerging to report on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Discussion

Newly discovered immune biomarkers provide an evidence supporting the role of immune environment in the GCT biology. While these discoveries provide only an initial insight into the immunobiology, strong correlation with prognosis is evident. This provided a premise to investigate the treatment efficacy of novel immunotherapy. Some efficacy of these treatments has been reported in clinical setting; however, the results of published studies with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy seem to be disappointing.

Conclusion

Immune‐related mechanisms and efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in GCTs should be further investigated in preclinical and clinical studies.
Exact or approximate inference in graphical models: why the choice is dictated by the treewidth, and how variable elimination can be exploited
Authors: Peyrard N. , Cros M.‐J. , de Givry S. , Franc A. , Robin S. , Sabbadin R. , Schiex T. , Vignes M.
Published: June 2019

Probabilistic graphical models offer a powerful framework to account for the dependence structure between variables, which is represented as a graph. However, the dependence between variables may render inference tasks intractable. In this paper, we review techniques exploiting the graph structure for exact inference, borrowed from optimisation and computer science. They are built on the principle of variable elimination whose complexity is dictated in an intricate way by the order in which variables are eliminated. The so‐called treewidth of the graph characterises this algorithmic complexity: low‐treewidth graphs can be processed efficiently. The first point that we illustrate is therefore the idea that for inference in graphical models, the number of variables is not the limiting factor, and it is worth checking the width of several tree decompositions of the graph before resorting to the approximate method. We show how algorithms providing an upper bound of the treewidth can be exploited to derive a ‘good' elimination order enabling to realise exact inference. The second point is that when the treewidth is too large, algorithms for approximate inference linked to the principle of variable elimination, such as loopy belief propagation and variational approaches, can lead to accurate results while being much less time consuming than Monte‐Carlo approaches. We illustrate the techniques reviewed in this article on benchmarks of inference problems in genetic linkage analysis and computer vision, as well as on hidden variables restoration in coupled Hidden Markov Models.
Multiphase experiments with at least one later laboratory phase. II. Nonorthogonal designs
Authors: Brien C. J.
Published: June 2019

Principles and laws that apply to nonorthogonal multiphase experiments are developed and illustrated using examples that are nonorthogonal but structure‐balanced, not structure, but first‐order, balanced or unbalanced, thus exposing the differences between the different design types. The design of such experiments using standard designs, a catalogue of designs and computer searches is exemplified. Factor–allocation diagrams are employed to depict the allocations in the examples, and used in producing the anatomies of designs or, when possible, the related skeleton‐analysis‐of‐variance tables, to assess the properties of designs. The formulation of mixed models based on them is also described. Tools used for structure‐balanced experiments are also shown to be applicable to those experiments that are not.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae detection in children with respiratory tract infections and influence on management – a retrospective cohort study in Switzerland
Authors: Dierig Alexa , Hirsch Hans Hellmuth , Decker Marie‐Luise , Bielicki Julia Anna , Heininger Ulrich , Ritz Nicole
Published: June 2019

Aim

To evaluate the frequency of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in nasopharyngeal specimens from children with respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and to detail clinical characteristics and management.

Methods

The study was designed as a retrospective cohort study. All children with RTI and nucleic acid amplification testing from nasopharyngeal specimens were analysed. Clinical data were extracted from electronic health records for all M. pneumoniae‐positive cases. Stored samples of cases and a random selection of matched controls were retested using a M. pneumoniae‐specific nucleic acid amplification test.

Results

Of 4460 children, 70 (1.6%) were positive for M. pneumoniae with a median age of 6.4 (IQR: 2.7–9.7). M. pneumoniae was the only organism identified in 50/64 (78%) cases. Macrolide treatment was prescribed in 52/65 (80%); prescription was empirical in 29/52 (56%) and targeted in 23/52 (44%) with no difference regarding patient age, oxygen requirement or duration of hospitalisation.

Conclusion

The prevalence of M. pneumoniae in nasopharyngeal specimens of children with RTI was low. The detection of M. pneumoniae influenced antibiotic prescriptions, but the benefit of early empirical versus targeted treatment remains unclear.
Effects of different types of classroom physical activity breaks on children’s on‐task behaviour, academic achievement and cognition
Authors: Mavilidi Myrto F. , Drew Ryan , Morgan Philip J. , Lubans David R. , Schmidt Mirko , Riley Nicholas
Published: June 2019

Aim

This study examined the effects of different types of classroom physical activity breaks on children’s on‐task behaviour, academic achievement and cognition.

Methods

Participants were 87 Australian primary school students (mean age 9.11 ± 0.62 years), recruited from one school. Three classes were randomly assigned either to activity breaks only (n = 29), activity breaks and mathematics combined (n = 29), or control conditions involving only mathematical content (n = 29). Students were engaged in five minutes of classroom physical activity breaks, three times per week, for four weeks (divided into two minutes at the beginning of the usual mathematics curriculum lesson and three minutes in the middle of the lesson). Assessments were conducted at baseline and post‐test.

Results

Significant group‐by‐time effects were found for on‐task behaviour (active engagement: activity breaks and mathematics combined versus control, p ≤ 0.001; activity breaks versus control, p ≤ 0.001; activity breaks and mathematics combined versus activity breaks, p = 0.037; passive engagement: activity breaks and mathematics combined versus control, p ≤ 0.001) and mathematics scores (activity breaks versus control, p = 0.045).

Conclusion

Physical activity breaks with and without integrated mathematics content were effective in improving children’s on‐task behaviour and learning scores.
Obstructed minibasins on a salt‐detached slope: An example from above the Sigsbee canopy, northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Duffy Oliver B. , Fernandez Naiara , Peel Frank J. , Hudec Michael R. , Dooley Tim P. , Jackson Christopher A.‐L.
Published: June 2019

Salt‐detached gravity gliding/spreading systems having a rugose base‐of‐salt display complex strain patterns. However, little was previously known about how welding of supra‐salt minibasins to the sub‐salt may influence both the downslope translation of minibasins on salt‐detached slopes and the regional pattern of supra‐salt strain. Using a regional 3D seismic reflection data set, we examine a large salt‐stock canopy system with a rugose base on the northern Gulf of Mexico slope, on which minibasins both subside and translate downslope. Some minibasins are welded at their bases and others are not. We suggest that basal welds obstruct downslope translation of minibasins and control regional patterns of supra‐canopy strain. The distribution of strain above the canopy is complex and variable. Each minibasin that becomes obstructed modifies the local strain field, typically developing a zone of shortening immediately updip and an extensional breakaway zone immediately downdip of the obstructed minibasin. This finding is corroborated by observations from a physical sandbox model of minibasin obstruction. We also find in our natural example that minibasins can be obstructed to different degrees, ranging from severe (e.g., caught in a feeder) to mild (e.g., welded to a flat or gently dipping base‐of‐salt). By mapping both the presence of obstructed minibasins and the relative degree of minibasin obstruction, we provide an explanation for the origin of complex 3‐D strain fields on a salt‐detached slope and, potentially, a mechanism that explains differential downslope translation of minibasins. In minibasin‐rich salt‐detached slope settings, our results may aid: i) structural restorations and regional strain analyses; ii) prediction of subsalt relief in areas of poor seismic imaging; and iii) prediction of stress fields and borehole stability. Our example is detached on allochthonous salt and where the base‐of‐salt is rugose, with the findings applicable to other such systems worldwide (e.g., Gulf of Mexico; Scotian Margin, offshore eastern Canada). However, our findings are also applicable to systems where the salt is autochthonous but has significant local basal relief (e.g., Santos Basin, Brazil; Kwanza Basin, Angola).
Harmful care. To what extent is terminology from medicine and clinical psychology applicable to out‐of‐home care?
Authors: Shanks Emelie , Jonsson Ulf , Wiklund Stefan , Rozental Alexander
Published: June 2019

Research concerning outcomes for children who have been placed in out‐of‐home care has indicated that the care may have unwanted consequences. However, there has been no coherent terminology for differentiating between different types of such unwanted consequences. In this article therefore, we attempt to disentangle different aspects of potentially harmful care for looked after children, as well as to discuss potential pathways to more systematically approach and report adverse events for this group. In this endeavour, we turn to two adjacent disciplines, medicine and psychology, where these issues have received more interest. The applicability of the concepts used in these fields is discussed, and it is concluded that although they provide some help in categorizing different aspects of harmful care, the complexity of out‐of‐home care makes existing models difficult to adopt without adjustments. This has consequences for the possibility of evaluating care in research, as well as for monitoring adverse events in practice. Importantly, the causality will often be unknown. We therefore suggest that it is essential to shed more light on how decisions should be made about when to intervene or not in out‐of‐home care, despite limited information.
Exome sequencing findings in 27 patients with myoclonic‐atonic epilepsy: Is there a major genetic factor?
Authors: Routier Laura , Verny Florine , Barcia Giulia , Chemaly Nicole , Desguerre Isabelle , Colleaux Laurence , Nabbout Rima
Published: June 2019

Myoclonic‐atonic epilepsy (MAE) is thought to have a genetic etiology. Mutations in CHD2, SLC2A1 and SLC6A1 genes have been reported in few patients showing often intellectual disability prior to MAE onset. We aimed to explore putative causal genetic factors in MAE. We performed array‐CGH and whole‐exome sequencing in 27 patients. We considered non‐synonymous variants, splice acceptor, donor site mutations, and coding insertions/deletions. A gene was causal when its mutations have been already linked to epilepsy or other brain diseases or when it has a putative function in neuronal excitability or brain development. We identified candidate disease‐causing variants in 11 patients (41%). Single variants were found in some known epilepsy‐associated genes (namely CHD2, KCNT1, KCNA2 and STXBP1) but not in others (SLC2A1 and SLC6A1). One new candidate gene SUN1 requires further validation. MAE shows underlying genetic heterogeneity with only few cases linked to mutations in genes reported in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.
Inter‐lab concordance of variant classifications establishes clinical validity of expanded carrier screening
Authors: Kaseniit Kristjan E. , Collins Elizabeth , Lo Christine , Moyer Krista , Mar‐Heyming Rebecca , Kang Hyunseok P. , Muzzey Dale
Published: June 2019

Expanded carrier screening (ECS) panels that use next‐generation sequencing aim to identify pathogenic variants in coding and clinically relevant non‐coding regions of hundreds of genes, each associated with a serious recessive condition. ECS has established analytical validity and clinical utility, meaning that variants are accurately identified and pathogenic variants tend to alter patients' clinical management, respectively. However, the clinical validity of ECS, that is, correct discernment of whether an identified variant is indeed pathogenic, has only been shown for single conditions, not for panels. Here, we evaluate the clinical validity of a >170‐condition ECS panel by assessing concordance between >12 000 variant interpretations classified with guideline‐based criteria to their corresponding per‐variant combined classifications in ClinVar. We observe 99% concordance at the level of unique variants. A more clinically relevant frequency‐weighted analysis reveals that fewer than 1 in 500 patients are expected to receive a report with a variant that has a discordant classification. Importantly, gene‐level concordance is not diminished for rare ECS conditions, suggesting that large panels do not balloon the panel‐wide false‐positive rate. Finally, because ECS is intended to serve all reproductive‐age couples, we show that classification of novel variants is feasible and scales predictably for a large population.
A Proposal of Conducting Bioequivalence Trials with Gastric pH Modulators for Two Oral Formulations Demonstrating Different Dissolution Profiles at Elevated pH
Authors: Zhu Hao , Chen Xiaomei , Ahmed Mariam , Wang Yaning , Liu Qi , Uppoor Ramana S. , Kuemmel Colleen , Mehta Mehul
Published: June 2019

In this paper, a special case for bioequivalence evaluation of oral formulations is discussed. Drug formulations with different forms of active moieties (e.g., free base and salt) may yield different dissolution characteristics and, thus, differ in absorption at elevated gastric pH. However, routine bioequivalence trials using subjects with normal gastric pH (i.e., ~ 1) may fail to identify these differences because dissolution/absorption profiles of the two formulations at normal gastric pH are similar. In the case of palbociclib, it is confirmedthat the free base and salt formulations showed different absorption in patients with different gastric pH. Significant reduction in drug absorption was observed only in patients with elevated gastric pH using free base formulation. The discovery that the free base had significantly reduced absorption hinged on the inclusion of enough patients with elevated gastric pH to detect a difference in a bioequivalence trial. This raises a concern, as demonstrated through simulation, that dissolution/absorption differences in other formulations could be missed in routine bioequivalence trials. Aside from differences in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), other factors, such as changes in excipients or manufacturing methods, may also lead to exposure differences between formulations at elevated gastric pH. For formulations containing different forms of the same active moiety or the same API and showing different dissolution profiles at elevated pH (i.e., pH ~ 4–6.8), evaluation of bioequivalence with gastric pH modulators (e.g., a H2 blocker) in addition to routine bioequivalence assessments may help to ensure therapeutic equivalence in patients with elevated gastric pH.
The Impacts of Import Penetration on Regional Income Inequality in China: A Global Value Chain Perspective
Authors: Wang Yanfang , Chen Shumei
Published: June 2019

Increasing and persistent regional income inequality contrasts strikingly with the world economy's outstanding performance, especially in China. Constructing direct import penetration and indirect intermediate import exposure indexes within a global value chain framework and evaluating regional disparities with nighttime light data, this analysis uncovers the effect of both direct and indirect import penetration on the regional income gap in China, and delves into potential mechanisms from economic development, industrial structure, and factor mobility. Our findings suggest that the positive effect of indirect import exposure of intermediate inputs lies in minimizing regional income disparities, while the effect of direct import exposure remains obscure. In addition, growing disparities in trade openness and fixed capital investment exacerbate regional inequality, in contrast to the positive role that government intervention plays in narrowing the income gap. These results are expected to hold for other countries at similar stages of development.
Descriptions of diabetes burnout from individuals with Type 1 diabetes: an analysis of YouTube videos
Authors: Abdoli S. , Hessler D. , Vora A. , Smither B. , Stuckey H.
Published: June 2019

Aim

The purpose of the study was to analyse self‐descriptions of diabetes burnout in individuals with Type 1 diabetes via YouTube videos.

Methods

In this qualitative descriptive study, a systematic approach was used to search YouTube videos with a title, description or content specifically about diabetes burnout dated between 2007 and 2017. Irrelevant or duplicated videos were excluded using eligibility criteria. All videos meeting inclusion criteria (n = 32) from individuals with Type 1 diabetes were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse video characteristics.

Results

The four major themes associated with diabetes burnout were: (i) feeling mentally drained and physically tired of dealing with self‐care; (ii) experiencing a detachment from self, diabetes care and support system; (iii) being powerless and paralysed to ‘climb out’ of diabetes burnout; and (iv) contributing potential factors to diabetes burnout.

Conclusions

Self‐descriptions of diabetes burnout suggest that it is a combination of emotions and behaviours on a spectrum from exhaustion to detachment accompanied by an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. More studies are needed to further clarify diabetes burnout and its distinction from, or overlap with, other related psychosocial concepts in diabetes care.
Yaks and sheep trigger different changes in the grasshopper assemblages of the Qilian Mountains via differentially altering plant assemblages
Authors: Hu Jing , Hassan Wail M. , Chen Guorong , Li Yanlin , Fan Wenqiao , Wang Wei
Published: June 2019

1. The Qilian Mountains represent one of the key livestock‐raising grasslands in China. The two main herbivore species raised in this area – yaks and sheep – are of critical economical value. Grasshoppers compete with these animals for available nutrients, creating multifaceted relationships between livestock, grasshoppers and plants. A clear understanding of such relationships is lacking and is urgently needed to guide conservation efforts.

2. This study aims to document the effects of yak and sheep grazing on grasshopper assemblages and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of such effects.

3. It is shown here that yaks and sheep impact grasshopper assemblages differently. Grasshopper assemblages exhibited lower density, biodiversity, richness, and evenness of distribution in yak‐grazed pastures than in grazing‐free grasslands. Sheep‐grazed pastures exhibited a dramatically divergent picture, with elevated density, biodiversity and richness, and a slightly decreased evenness of distribution. Grasshoppers were generally larger in grazed pastures than in grazing‐free grasslands, especially in yak‐grazed plots.

4. The present study suggests that differences between yak and sheep pastures in plant assemblage structure and plant traits are probably the underlying forces driving the differences in grasshopper assemblage structure and grasshopper traits, respectively.

5. The study shows that the grasshopper habitat indicator species differ between yak and sheep pastures, raising the possibility that such indicators can be used to monitor grassland usage and degradation in the Qilian Mountains.

6. These results provide novel insights into the dynamic interactions of common domesticated herbivore species, grasshoppers and plants in Qilian Mountains, which augment current knowledge and may ultimately lead to better conservation practices.
Rapid discontinuation of sodium channel–blocking antiseizure drugs evokes focal edema in the splenium corporis callosi: A matched case‐control study
Authors: Zöllner Johann Philipp , Rosenow Felix , Wagner Marlies , Hattingen Elke , Müller‐Eschner Monika , Strzelczyk Adam
Published: June 2019

Objective

Focal edema of the splenium of the corpus callosum (FESCC) is infrequently seen in patients with epilepsy who are undergoing video–electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. It is diagnosed by qualitative visual inspection of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is usually assumed to be a dichotomous phenomenon. Rapid reduction of anticonvulsants has been proposed as a cause. In this study we investigate the relationship between dose reduction of anticonvulsants and the occurrence of FESCC, based on absolute drug doses.

Methods

We examined in detail the anticonvulsive therapy of all patients during video‐EEG monitoring between 2014 and 2018. We compared patients with a radiologically diagnosed FESCC to controls in a 1:2 case‐control analysis matched by age, epilepsy syndrome, and adjacent time of admission. In a separate correlation analysis, we examined quantitative effects of reduction of antiseizure drugs on diffusion restriction in the corpus callosum.

Results

Of 326 patients who had an MRI following video‐EEG monitoring, 12 (3.7%) had FESCC. Antiseizure drugs were reduced to a significantly greater extent in FESCC patients than in the 24 controls (P < 0.001). Sodium channel–blocking antiseizure drugs were reduced (P < 0.001) and reintroduced (P < 0.001) significantly faster in FESCC patients, and the duration of anticonvulsant discontinuation was longer in FESCC patients (P < 0.001). The separate correlation analysis in 325 patients shows a weak correlation between diffusion restriction in the splenium and the reduction rate of sodium channel–blocking anticonvulsants (r = −0.15, P = 0.03) as well as the duration of their discontinuation (r = −0.16, P = 0.01). No such effects were found for anticonvulsants with other modes of action.

Significance

Our findings substantiate that FESCC is associated with high rates of dose reduction of anticonvulsants, specifically those acting on sodium channels. Our results cautiously suggest that reducing sodium‐channel blockers has a small effect on diffusivity in the splenium below the visual threshold.
The spatial scale of dispersal revealed by admixture tracts
Authors: Duranton Maud , Bonhomme François , Gagnaire Pierre‐Alexandre
Published: June 2019

Evaluating species dispersal across the landscape is essential to design appropriate management and conservation actions. However, technical difficulties often preclude direct measures of individual movement, while indirect genetic approaches rely on assumptions that sometimes limit their application. Here, we show that the temporal decay of admixture tracts lengths can be used to assess genetic connectivity within a population introgressed by foreign haplotypes. We present a proof‐of‐concept approach based on local ancestry inference in a high gene flow marine fish species, the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Genetic admixture in the contact zone between Atlantic and Mediterranean sea bass lineages allows the introgression of Atlantic haplotype tracts within the Mediterranean Sea. Once introgressed, blocks of foreign ancestry are progressively eroded by recombination as they diffuse from the western to the eastern Mediterranean basin, providing a means to estimate dispersal. By comparing the length distributions of Atlantic tracts between two Mediterranean populations located at different distances from the contact zone, we estimated the average per‐generation dispersal distance within the Mediterranean lineage to less than 50 km. Using simulations, we showed that this approach is robust to a range of demographic histories and sample sizes. Our results thus support that the length of admixture tracts can be used together with a recombination clock to estimate genetic connectivity in species for which the neutral migration‐drift balance is not informative or simply does not exist.
A topical heparinoid‐containing product improves epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis in mice
Authors: Yao Ye , Guo Pan , Feng Xiaoyue , Shen Chunping , Huang Junkai , Zhang Jiechen , Elias Peter M. , Hu Lizhi , Man Mao‐Qiang
Published: June 2019

Because of the importance of epidermal functions, including stratum corneum hydration and maintenance of permeability barrier homeostasis, in the pathogenesis of a variety of cutaneous and systemic disorders, a wide range of products has been developed to improve epidermal functions. However, the underlying mechanisms whereby certain products, including heparinoid‐containing product, are far little understood. In the present study, we assessed the impact of a heparinoid‐containing product, Hirudoid® cream, on epidermal permeability barrier function and expression levels of a panel of epidermal mRNA related to the formation/maintenance of the permeability barrier in mouse skin. Our results showed that while the baseline levels of transepidermal water rates remained unchanged, treatment with Hirudoid® cream twice daily for 7 days significantly accelerated permeability barrier recovery and increased stratum corneum hydration. In parallel, expression levels of epidermal mRNA for certain differentiation marker‐related proteins, lipid synthetic enzymes, keratinocyte proliferation and antimicrobial peptides also increased significantly. Together, these results provide the underlying mechanisms by which topical Hirudoid® cream improves epidermal permeability barrier and antimicrobial function. Because of its benefits for epidermal functions, heparinoid‐containing product could be more useful in the management of skin conditions, characterized by abnormal permeability barrier and antimicrobial function.
Parent–Child Relationships in the Puberty Years: Insights From Developmental Neuroscience
Authors: Suleiman Ahna Ballonoff , Dahl Ronald
Published: June 2019

Pubertal maturation creates dynamic changes in parent–child relationships. For many parents, transitioning from parenting a child to parenting an adolescent can create stress, uncertainty, and vulnerability. In this article, we use a developmental science lens to examine the unique opportunities created by this period of dynamic growth, development, and change. We provide a brief overview of emerging research in social and affective neuroscience that examines how pubertal maturation initiates a cascade of adaptive and transformative neurodevelopmental transitions. We consider both challenges and opportunities in the parent–child relationship created by these transitions, highlight how effective parenting during this key developmental window can help establish positive trajectories throughout adolescence, and offer recommendations for both further understanding this transition and improving the precision and scope of resources intended to enhance parents' skills in the context of this transition.
Trait‐based range expansion aided in the global radiation of Crocodylidae
Authors: Nicolaï Michaël P. J. , Matzke Nicholas J.
Published: June 2019

Aim

Almost half of the extant species of Crocodylia (nine genera, sensu Benton & Clark) belong to the genus Crocodylus, which originated in the Miocene. Today, this genus has a circumtropical distribution, with representatives found in Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Neotropics. However, its geographical origin and the historical events behind its rapid diversification and global radiation are still debated. Here, we inferred the evolution of a set of life traits that aid in dispersal and how they influenced the biogeography of Crocodylus.

Location

Global.

Time period

Cretaceous to the present.

Major taxa studied

Crocodylidae.

Methods

We estimated biogeographical history on a published phylogeny using probabilistic biogeography models. Next, we identified four life traits likely to promote range expansion and used a trait‐based dispersal model jointly to infer evolution of these traits and their influence on the dispersal of crocodilians. Finally, we used diversification analyses to identify shifts in diversification rates.

Results

An Asian origin was reconstructed for Crocodylus. Despite the small size of the phylogeny, statistical model comparison reports substantially improved the model fit of trait‐dependent over trait‐independent dispersal models. In individual tests, the four life traits considered (salt tolerance, large size, large clutches and habitat generalism) appear to be correlated statistically with higher dispersal probabilities. However, the traits are likely to be correlated with each other, and we hypothesize that they all reflect the gradual evolution of a range‐expansion phenotype in early Crocodylus that resulted in increased diversification of the clade.

Main conclusions

Increased dispersal in the genus Crocodylus was associated with the gradual evolution of a range‐expansion phenotype. Interestingly, the evolution of the range‐expansion phenotype was also associated with the diversification of the genus in a period of global crocodilian extinction, indicating that range expansion might have served as a potential driver of speciation. This suggests that the concept of “spatial sorting”, normally applied at the population genetic level at the leading edge of an expanding population, might also act on a macroevolutionary scale.
Digital Work Practices: Affordances in Design Education
Authors: Crosby Alexandra , Pham Kane , Peterson J. Fiona , Lee Thomas
Published: June 2019

This article draws from a multi‐disciplinary, multi‐institutional research project on digital work practices and graduate work readiness. Utilising the concept of technology affordances, we focus on the potential for domain‐specific learning experiences within design education. For the purpose of this project, we have articulated digital capabilities in design by adapting affordance categories in terms of three levels of complexity for scaffolded learning: functional, perceptual and adaptive. In order to further develop the relationship between technology affordances and design education, we analyse data from an industry roundtable in relation to our developed digital capability descriptor. The findings suggest that employers need designers with highly adaptive capabilities to work in increasingly complex interdisciplinary work environments. We also found that the role of designers has changed significantly in recent years that require higher educational institutions to involve industry when developing curricula.
Trauma‐informed care: A qualitative study exploring the views and experiences of professionals in specialist health services for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Truesdale Maria , Brown Michael , Taggart Laurence , Bradley Aoife , Paterson Douglas , Sirisena Chammy , Walley Robert , Karatzias Thanos
Published: June 2019

Background

Trauma and its sequelae is recognised as a major morbidity factor in people with intellectual disabilities, however, a lack of inquiry into how health care professionals address trauma in this adult population exists.

Aims

To explore specialist intellectual disability practitioners perspectives on current health provision and developments to address trauma.

Methods

Twenty‐five qualitative interviews were conducted with practitioners across 6 health service areas in the UK. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

Seven central themes emerged: (a) unmasked trauma; (b) trauma informed care; (c) person‐centred care and support; (d) multi‐disciplinary working; (e) reasonable adjustments; (f) barriers to treatment and (g) awareness, training and education.

Conclusion

Trauma‐informed care and multi‐disciplinary working are essential components for future service development. Advances in the evidence‐base for effective psychological interventions for PTSD and training and education of health care staff are needed in order to improve service provision amongst this population.
Model averaging fails to improve the extrapolation capability of the island species–area relationship
Authors: Matthews Thomas J. , Aspin Thomas W. H.
Published: June 2019

Aim

One of the main applications of the island species–area relationship (SAR) is to predict species richness in areas of habitat too large to be sampled, but there are few clear guidelines for choosing an appropriate model for this purpose. We therefore aimed to test whether a multi‐model averaging approach could improve the accuracy of predictions made by extrapolating the ISAR. Specifically, we compared the performance of multi‐model averaging with that of the default ISAR model of choice, the power model, in predicting species richness in large habitat islands.

Location

Global

Taxa

Vertebrates, invertebrates and plants

Methods

We removed the largest islands from 120 habitat island datasets, and fitted both the power model and a multi‐model average curve (averaging the predictions of up to 20 ISAR models) to this filtered dataset. We then assessed the accuracy of both approaches in predicting the species richness of the largest island in the original dataset using the log error of extrapolation (LEE) metric. A generalized additive regression modelling framework was used to determine whether any dataset characteristics could explain variation in the LEE values for the power model (LEE‐POW).

Results

The power model gave the more accurate richness predictions for 58% of the analysed datasets and the multi‐model averaged curve gave the more accurate predictions for the remaining 42%. Both the power models (61% of LEE‐POW values were positive) and the multi‐model averaged curve (60% were positive) had a slightly greater tendency to over predict the observed richness. The confidence intervals were also on average narrower for the power model predictions (median 95% confidence interval width = 18 species) than for the multi‐model averaged curve predictions (median 95% confidence interval width = 78). The range in island areas and richness values explained a small amount of the variation in LEE‐POW.

Main conclusions

Contrary to expectation, multi‐model averaging was less accurate than the power model in the majority of cases, and thus does not appear to be a panacea for uncertainty in model choice when extrapolating the ISAR. However, further research is urgently needed to evaluate the performance of a multi‐model averaging approach at larger spatial scales.
High correlation between species‐level environmental data estimates extracted from IUCN expert range maps and from GBIF occurrence data
Authors: Alhajeri Bader H. , Fourcade Yoan
Published: June 2019

Aim

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) expert range maps and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) species occurrence data are commonly used to estimate species’ geographic range. Macroecological studies often cross‐reference geographic range data with a climate dataset, to extract the mean environmental conditions encountered by a species within its geographic range. We aimed to assess the consistency of the environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data, and to test whether such differences may affect estimates of ecogeographical relationships, such as Bergmann's rule.

Location

Worldwide.

Time period

Around 2000.

Taxa

Rodents (Rodentia).

Methods

We first assessed the correlation between environmental data estimates (19 bioclimatic variables and elevation) derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data of 1,315 rodent species, comparing how range size, conservation status, habitat, zoogeographic realm or elevation changed these correlations. Then, we compared the association between body mass and climate (mean temperature and precipitation) when the latter are derived from IUCN or GBIF data.

Results

There was high correlation between environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF data, especially when excluding GBIF occurrences outside of IUCN polygons. Species’ characteristics, or using the mean or median, did not change the consistency between estimates. Overall, GBIF occurrence data and IUCN range maps produced similar patterns of body mass—climate correlations.

Main conclusions

At the large spatial and taxonomic scale employed in this study, there does not seem to be any considerable differences in the average environmental data estimates derived from IUCN versus GBIF geographic range data. This result indicates that both sources of geographic range data could be used independently or in concert for macroecological inferences that involve summarizing species’ niches by a single estimate of the average of their used environments.
Vocal fold medialization—A 5‐year series of single surgeon consecutive medialization with review of literature
Authors: Nassimizadeh Abdul , El‐Shummar Suliman , Emery Katrina , Costello Declan
Published: June 2019

Introduction

ENT UK released guidelines in 2010 detailing the requisite structure for the creation of a laryngeal intervention clinic. The senior author's practice is the only one regionally that offers this service, and our objective was to review this to determine whether vocal cord medialization injections were showing an improvement in quality of voice for patients.

Materials and methods

Patients were reviewed in a specialist voice clinic prior to being offered vocal cord injection under local anaesthetic in a separate dedicated weekly clinic. They would be assessed by the senior author and a dedicated voice specialist speech and language therapist (SALT). This would include a preinjection grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS), Voice Handicap Index (VHI)‐10, and the measuring of maximum phonation time (MPT) with the aid of Opera Vox Apple iPad application.

Results

Data were available for 186 injections, on patients with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 51‐75), of whom 61% were male. VHI‐10 score improved significantly, from a mean of 26.7 to 12.5 (P < .001). A significant improvement in MPT was also observed, from a median of 3.0 to 6.3 (N = 66, P < .001). Improvements in all components of the GRBAS score were also observed (all P < .001), with between 43% and 88% of cases reporting reductions after the procedure.

Patients receiving a repeat procedure saw a significantly smaller improvement in VHI‐10 than those where it was the primary treatment (mean reduction: 9.8 vs 15.5, P = .018).

Analysis of MPT found a significant correlation between the quantity of injection material used and the degree of improvement observed (rho = 0.355, P = .004).

Conclusion

Vocal Cord local anaesthetic medialization injection is a swift, safe, and effective short‐term method of improving dysphonia.