bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered cerebellar‐cerebral functional connectivity in benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Long Lili , Zeng Ling‐Li , Song Yanmin , Shen Hui , Fang Peng , Zhang Linlin , Xu Lin , Gong Jian , Zhang Yun‐Ci , Zhang Yong , Zhou Pinting , Huang Sha , Chen Si , Xie Yuanyuan , Hu Dewen , Xiao Bo
Published: April 2016

Objective

The pathogenesis of benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy (BAFME) remains unknown, although cerebellar pathologic changes and brain hyperexcitability have been reported. We used resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine the functional connectivity between the cerebellum and cerebrum in a Chinese family with BAFME for the first time.

Methods

Eleven adults with BAFME and 15 matched healthy controls underwent resting‐state blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) fMRI scanning. The cerebellar seeds, including the bilateral crus I, lobule VIII, lobule VIIb, and lobule IV&V, were defined a priori. Next, regional time courses were obtained for each individual by averaging the BOLD time series over all voxels in each seed region. Then, seed‐based functional connectivity z‐maps were produced by computing Pearson's correlation coefficients (converted to z‐scores by Fisher transformation) between each seed signal and the time series from all other voxels within the entire brain. Finally, a second‐level random‐effect two‐sample t‐test was performed on the individual z‐maps in a voxel‐wise manner.

Results

Reduced functional connectivity of the right cerebellar crus I with the left middle frontal gyrus and right cerebellar lobule IX was observed in the default network of BAFME. Enhanced functional connectivity of the left cerebellar lobule VIII with the bilateral middle temporal gyri, right putamen, and left cerebellar crus I was found in the dorsal attention network of BAFME. Enhanced functional connectivity between the left cerebellar lobule VIIb and right frontal pole was found in the control network of BAFME.

Significance

Altered cerebellar‐cerebral functional connectivity may contribute to the understanding of the nosogenesis of BAFME and explain the cognitive dysfunction in this Chinese family with BAFME.
Comparison of IgG concentrations by radial immunodiffusion, electrophoretic gamma globulin concentrations and total globulins in neonatal foals
Authors: Tscheschlok L. , Venner M. , Howard J.
Published: April 2016

Reasons for performing study

Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in foals is associated with a risk of infection and death. The current diagnostic gold standard is quantification of immunoglobulins using radial immunodiffusion (IgG‐RID). Routine diagnosis is often performed using semi‐quantitative tests. Concentrations of serum electrophoretic gamma globulins (EGG) and total globulins may be useful to assess FTPI, but few studies have investigated their use.

Objectives

To assess agreement between IgG‐RID and EGG and evaluate the accuracy of total globulin concentration to diagnose FTPI based on both IgG‐RID and EGG.

Study design

Prospective study.

Methods

A total of 360 serum samples were harvested at 6–24 h post natum from 60 German Warmblood foals. Concentrations of EGG, IgG‐RID and total globulin (calculated from total proteins and albumin) were measured. Agreement between EGG and IgG‐RID was assessed using Bland–Altman plots and Passing–Bablok regression. The accuracy of total globulin concentration was assessed using rank correlation and ROC curve analysis.

Results

Good agreement was found with slightly lower EGG than IgG‐RID concentrations (Bland–Altman systemic bias ‐1.9 g/l) which was more pronounced at higher concentrations (regression equation: IgG‐RID = ‐0.78 + 1.28 × EGG). Correlations between total globulin concentration and EGG and total globulin concentration and IgG‐RID were 0.93 and 0.79, respectively. The area under the curve was 0.982 and 0.952 for EGG <4 and <8 g/l and 0.953 and 0.899 for IgG‐RID <4 and <8 g/l. Sensitivities and specificities of total globulin concentration in the diagnosis of FTPI were comparable to those of commonly used screening tests, but cut‐offs could be selected to achieve sensitivities of >95% with 71.2% (IgG‐RID) and 90.5% (EGG) specificity for <4 g/l and >90% with 66.0% (IgG‐RID) and 87.9% (EGG) specificity for <8 g/l.

Conclusions

There is good agreement between EGG and IgG‐RID, with slightly more conservative estimates of immunoglobulins obtained using EGG. Total globulins may be a useful and economic quantitative screening test with cut‐offs achieving high sensitivities, but analyser‐specific cut‐offs may be necessary.
Neutrophil apoptosis is delayed in an equine model of colitis: Implications for the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Anderson S. L. , Singh B.
Published: April 2016

Background

Horses that develop colitis invariably exhibit signs of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). A significant contributor to the development of SIRS in human subjects is delayed neutrophil apoptosis, but this has not been specifically studied in horses.

Objectives

To determine the occurrence of ex vivo neutrophil apoptosis and its contribution to the development of SIRS in an equine colitis model.

Study design

Experiment using a colitis model.

Methods

Neutrophils were isolated before and after the induction of colitis using an oligofructose overdose model, placed into culture for 12 h or 24 h with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at various concentrations, and assessed for the occurrence of apoptosis using Annexin V and propidium iodide staining with flow cytometric quantification. Levels of caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 activity were measured after 12 h of incubation in neutrophil lysates.

Results

Ex vivo neutrophil apoptosis was significantly delayed in neutrophils isolated after the induction of colitis (12‐h incubation: P = 0.004; 24‐h incubation: P = 0.003) with concomitant reductions in caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9 activity (caspase‐3: P = 0.004; caspase‐8: P = 0.02; caspase‐9: P = 0.02). Neutrophils isolated after the induction of colitis were refractory to LPS‐delayed apoptosis. Neutrophil apoptosis was delayed with increasing cell concentration in vitro.

Main limitations

The main limitation of the study is the that the exact mechanism for delayed neutrophil apoptosis following the induction of colitis was not fully elucidated.

Conclusions

The data show that neutrophil apoptosis is delayed in horses following the induction of colitis as a result of interference with the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, which may contribute to the development of equine SIRS. Concurrent development of neutrophilia may contribute to a prolonged neutrophil lifespan through a concentration‐dependent delay in apoptosis.
Prevalence of liver fluke infection in Irish horses and assessment of a serological test for diagnosis of equine fasciolosis
Authors: Quigley A. , Sekiya M. , Egan S. , Wolfe A. , Negredo C. , Mulcahy G.
Published: April 2016

Background

There is little information on the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in the horse population in Ireland or the potential impact of fluke infection on animal health.

Objectives

To investigate F. hepatica infection in the Irish horse population and to assess the diagnostic potential of an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the F. hepatica recombinant cathepsin L1 (CL1) antigen.

Study design

Cross‐sectional abattoir survey of horses for liver fluke status.

Methods

Animals (n = 200) were examined at an abattoir between May 2013 and April 2014. Horses were graded ante mortem for body condition score. Blood and faeces were collected and livers were examined post mortem by gross morphology. A cohort (n = 35) of livers were also examined histologically. Haematology and blood biochemistry, including serum liver enzyme activities, were measured and faeces were sedimented for egg counts. Serum was assayed by indirect ELISA using a recombinant CL1.

Results

The prevalence of liver fluke infection was 9.5%. There was no correlation between liver fluke status and time of year, breed classification, age group, sex, body condition score, ante mortem assessment, strongyle infection status, serum liver enzyme activities or CL1 concentration. A comparison of the CL1 ELISA in horse sera compared with a reference standard diagnosis showed high specificity of 95.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91.5–98.0%), but low sensitivity of 42.1% (95% CI 20.2–66.5%).

Main limitations

This study is limited by its nature as an abattoir study, the relatively small number of animals examined (n = 200), and the absence of a known negative group of horses.

Conclusions

Blood biomarkers are not good indicators of liver fluke infection and the CL1 ELISA is not a sensitive tool for diagnosis of fluke infection in the horse. The prevalence of F. hepatica in horses indicates that further research is required to assess the potential impact of liver fluke on equine liver health.
Aberrant O‐GlcNAcylation disrupts GNE enzyme activity in GNE myopathy
Authors: Bennmann Dorit , Weidemann Wenke , Thate Annett , Kreuzmann Denise , Horstkorte Rüdiger
Published: April 2016

UDP‐N‐acetylglucosamine 2‐epimerase/N‐acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE) is the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of sialic acids. Sialic acids are terminal monosaccharides of glycoconjugates and gangliosides, which have an essential influence on various cell interactions. The sialylation of proteins varies during development, aging, and pathogenesis of degenerative diseases such as Morbus Alzheimer, diabetes mellitus type II, or myopathies. Mutation of methionine 743 in the GNE leads to a 30% reduction of the enzyme activity and is responsible for an aggressive form of GNE myopathy. GNE myopathy or hereditary inclusion body myopathy (HIBM) is an age‐dependent muscular dystrophy. Here, we analyzed the impact of the exchange of methionine to threonine at position 743 which introduces an additional potential phosphorylation/O‐GlcNAcylation site. We found increased O‐GlcNAcylation of the M743T variant compared to the wild‐type GNE. In addition, removal of the O‐GlcNAc of the M743T variant resulted in an increased activity comparable to activity of the wild‐type GNE. Furthermore, the half‐life of the M743T variant is two times longer than for the wild‐type GNE protein. This study provides that the balance of phosphorylation and O‐GlcNAcylation is decisive involved in efficiency and regulation of GNE.
In situ characterization of humidity effect on the fatigue damage evolution of a cast aluminium alloy
Authors: Li Wenkai , Engler‐Pinto C.C. , Cui Haitao , Wen Weidong , Su Xuming
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the feedback signal of ultrasonic fatigue system was used to deduce the accumulated fatigue damage in situ using the ultrasonic nonlinearity parameter. It was observed that, compared with the decrease in resonant frequency, the ultrasonic nonlinearity parameter shows a greater sensitivity to fatigue damage evolution (i.e. crack initiation and propagation). Ultrasonic nonlinearity parameters obtained from tests conducted under various environmental humidity levels were monitored and analysed. Through changes in the ultrasonic nonlinearity parameter, it was concluded that both of the fatigue crack initiation life and crack propagation life were reduced by increasing the humidity levels.
The multiaxial weld root fatigue of butt welded joints subjected to uniaxial loading
Authors: Khurshid M. , Barsoum Z. , Barsoum I. , Däuwel T.
Published: April 2016

In this study, the fatigue strength of inclined butt welds subjected to a proportional multiaxial stress state generated by uniaxial loading is studied in nominal and local stress concepts. The local methodologies studied included principal stress hypothesis, von Mises stress hypothesis and modified Wöhler curve method. Nominal methodologies included modified Gough–Pollard interaction equation, the design equation in Eurocode3 and the interaction equation in DNV standard. Results are evaluated along with data published in relevant literature. It is observed that both local and nominal stress assessment methods are able to estimate multiaxial fatigue strength. No obvious difference in fatigue strength is observed in the nominal stress concept, but the notch stress concept is able to capture a decrease in fatigue strength in shear‐dominated joints. It is concluded that modified Wöhler curve method is a suitable tool for the evaluation of fatigue strength in joints dominated by both normal and shear stresses.
Small fish use the hypoxic pelagic zone as a refuge from predators
Authors: Vejřík Lukáš , Matějíčková Ivana , Jůza Tomáš , Frouzová Jaroslava , Seďa Jaromír , Blabolil Petr , Ricard Daniel , Vašek Mojmír , Kubečka Jan , Říha Milan , Čech Martin
Published: April 2016

Juvenile perch (Perca fluviatilis) often inhabit deep zones of lakes or reservoirs (metalimnion to hypolimnion). Using fry trawling and hydroacoustic measurements, we studied perch distribution to determine if juveniles are using deep hypoxic waters (oxygen concentration ≤3.5 mg L−1) as a refuge from predation.

We found a heterogeneous depth distribution of perch, with the highest abundance of juveniles in the hypoxic pelagic zones. Distributions were better correlated with oxygen concentration than with depth or temperature.

Densities of Daphnia spp. were high in the deep hypoxic zones, likely related to avoidance of predation from zooplanktivorous cyprinid fish. Furthermore, Daphnia was found to be the dominant food source for juvenile perch in hypoxic zones and gut fullness was highest in areas with maximum hypoxia. Contrary to earlier studies suggesting a dietary advantage of fish inhabiting cooler hypoxic zones, our study, considering physiological benefits and limitations of juvenile perch digestion, found no support for temperature caused substantial changes in gastric evacuation rates.

Our finding that high juvenile perch abundance was associated with low oxygen concentration suggests that juvenile perch are mainly using deep hypoxic waters as a refuge from large predators. This behaviour is reinforced by the presence of zooplankton prey in this zone.
Early life stages of exotic gobiids as new hosts for unionid glochidia
Authors: Šlapanský Luděk , Jurajda Pavel , Janáč Michal
Published: April 2016

Introduction of an exotic species has the potential to alter interactions between fish and bivalves; yet our knowledge in this field is limited, not least by lack of studies involving fish early life stages (ELS).

Here, for the first time, we examine glochidial infection of fish ELS by native and exotic bivalves in a system recently colonised by two exotic gobiid species (round goby Neogobius melanostomus, tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris) and the exotic Chinese pond mussel Anodonta woodiana.

The ELS of native fish were only rarely infected by native glochidia. By contrast, exotic fish displayed significantly higher native glochidia prevalence and mean intensity of infection than native fish (17 versus 2% and 3.3 versus 1.4 respectively), inferring potential for a parasite spillback/dilution effect. Exotic fish also displayed a higher parasitic load for exotic glochidia, inferring potential for invasional meltdown. Compared to native fish, presence of gobiids increased the total number of glochidia transported downstream on drifting fish by approximately 900%.

We show that gobiid ELS are a novel, numerous and ‘attractive’ resource for unionid glochidia. As such, unionids could negatively affect gobiid recruitment through infection‐related mortality of gobiid ELS and/or reinforce downstream unionid populations through transport on drifting gobiid ELS. These implications go beyond what is suggested in studies of older life stages, thereby stressing the importance of an holistic ontogenetic approach in ecological studies.
Light and dissolved phosphorus interactively affect microbial metabolism, stoichiometry and decomposition of leaf litter
Authors: Halvorson Halvor M. , Scott Erin E. , Entrekin Sally A. , Evans‐White Michelle A. , Scott J. Thad
Published: April 2016

In aquatic settings, light can stimulate algal growth to affect microbial transformation of organic substrates. These effects may depend on dissolved nutrients that differentially constrain microbial autotrophy and heterotrophy to drive contrasting carbon (C) and phosphorus (P) dynamics during decomposition.

We incubated sugar maple (Acer saccharum) litter under three dissolved P amendments (0, 50 or 500 μg L−1 P) and two light levels (14 or 475 μmol photons m−2 s−1) in laboratory microcosms. We measured litter chlorophyll a, microbial respiration and net metabolism, carbon:nitrogen (C:N) and C:P content, microbial P uptake and release and litter decomposition over 134 days.

Elevated dissolved P increased algal biomass in the high‐light treatment and magnified net heterotrophy and autotrophy in the low‐ and high‐light treatments, respectively. Litter C:P and C:N declined as dissolved P increased, and litter C:P was further reduced by high light only in the highest P treatment.

Microbial P uptake fluxes peaked under moderate P and high light, whereas P release fluxes were consistently low throughout the experiment. The percent of P uptake that was released was significantly higher under low light.

High light stimulated decomposition under low P but slowed decomposition under high P, suggesting increased nutrients weakened algal priming of litter decomposition.

Our study suggests factors controlling the degree of autotrophy versus heterotrophy on organic matter, such as light and nutrient availability, may interactively shift litter C and P dynamics during decomposition.
Declining water yield from forested mountain watersheds in response to climate change and forest mesophication
Authors: Caldwell Peter V. , Miniat Chelcy F. , Elliott Katherine J. , Swank Wayne T. , Brantley Steven T. , Laseter Stephanie H.
Published: April 2016

Climate change and forest disturbances are threatening the ability of forested mountain watersheds to provide the clean, reliable, and abundant fresh water necessary to support aquatic ecosystems and a growing human population. Here, we used 76 years of water yield, climate, and field plot vegetation measurements in six unmanaged, reference watersheds in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina,USAto determine whether water yield has changed over time, and to examine and attribute the causal mechanisms of change. We found that annual water yield increased in some watersheds from 1938 to the mid‐1970s by as much as 55%, but this was followed by decreases up to 22% by 2013. Changes in forest evapotranspiration were consistent with, but opposite in direction to the changes in water yield, with decreases in evapotranspiration up to 31% by the mid‐1970s followed by increases up to 29% until 2013. Vegetation survey data showed commensurate reductions in forest basal area until the mid‐1970s and increases since that time accompanied by a shift in dominance from xerophytic oak and hickory species to several mesophytic species (i.e., mesophication) that use relatively more water. These changes in forest structure and species composition may have decreased water yield by as much as 18% in a given year since the mid‐1970s after accounting for climate. Our results suggest that changes in climate and forest structure and species composition in unmanaged forests brought about by disturbance and natural community dynamics over time can result in large changes in water supply.
Niche expansion and temperature sensitivity of tropical African montane forests
Authors: Ivory Sarah J. , Early Regan , Sax Dov F. , Russell James
Published: April 2016

Aim Climate and land‐use change will have a dramatic impact on future ecosystems through alterations to species ranges and community composition. When forming conservation strategies, correlative species distribution models are often created to assess risks for individual species. These models are based on the assumption of climatic equilibrium, such that the modern range is representative of the full range of conditions under which species could thrive. However, the palaeo‐ecological record illustrates examples of disequilibrium in species today, and recent studies suggest that many species could occur in much broader climatic settings than previously thought. Montane ecosystems are thought to be at disproportionate risk due to temperature sensitivity and restricted geographical ranges. However, in the Afrotropics the palaeo‐ecological record shows that montane forest taxa expanded into the lowlands numerous times, suggesting a possible tolerance to warm temperatures.

Location Africa.

Methods We integrate palaeo‐ecological and palaeo‐climatic data in order to compare climate conditions in which species are currently found with those in the past. We use species distribution models to construct potential modern ranges for Afromontane species based on modern distributions and distributions in the palaeo‐ecological record in order to evaluate the equilibrium of species ranges.

Results We show that many Afromontane trees have occupied warmer climates in the past, which suggests that the current low‐elevation boundaries are not set by climate. Interestingly, the species with the largest disequilibrium between palaeo‐ and modern distributions are those whose modern distributions show the least temperature sensitivity. Mapping of species potential ranges based on modern and palaeo‐ distributions clearly shows that suitable climate conditions exist today in the lowlands for less temperature‐sensitive species.

Main conclusions These results imply that the current range of these forest trees does not necessarily inform risk from climatic change, and that human land use may be the major pressure for many species in the future.
A migraine management training program for primary care providers: An overview of a survey and pilot study findings, lessons learned, and considerations for further research
Authors: Minen Mia , Shome Ashna , Halpern Audrey , Tishler Lori , Brennan K.C. , Loder Elizabeth , Lipton Richard , Silbersweig David
Published: April 2016

Background

There are five to nine million primary care office visits a year for migraine in the United States. However, migraine care is often suboptimal in the primary care setting. A prior study indicated that primary care physicians (PCPs) wanted direct contact with headache specialists to improve the migraine care they provide.

Objective

We sought to further examine PCPs' knowledge of migraine management and assess the feasibility of a multimodal migraine education program for PCPs.

Methods

We conducted a survey assessing PCPs' knowledge about migraine. We then held three live educational sessions and developed an email consultative service for PCPs to submit questions they had about migraine. We report both quantitative and qualitative findings.

Results

Twenty‐one PCPs completed the survey. They were generally familiar with the epidemiology of migraine (mean prevalence of migraine reported was 12.6%±10.1), the psychiatric comorbidities (mean prevalence of comorbid depression was 24.5% ± 16.7, mean prevalence of comorbid anxiety was 24.6% ± 18.3), and evidence‐based behavioral treatments. Fifty‐six percent cited cognitive behavioral therapy, 78% cited biofeedback, and 61% cited relaxation therapy as evidence based treatments. Though most were aware of the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, they did not routinely assess for them (43% did not routinely assess for anxiety, 29% did not routinely assess for depression). PCPs reported frequently referring patients for non‐level A evidence based treatments: special diets (60%), acupuncture (50%), physical therapy (30%), and psychoanalysis (20%). Relaxation therapy was a therapy recommended by 40% of the PCPs. Only 10% reported referring for cognitive behavioral therapy or biofeedback. Nineteen percent made minimal or no use of migraine preventive medications. Seventy‐two percent were unaware of or only slightly aware of the American Academy of Neurology guidelines for migraine. There was variable attendance at the educational sessions (N=22 at 1st session, 6 at 2nd session, 15 at 3rd session). Very few PCPs used the email consultative service (N=4).

Conclusions

Though PCPs are familiar with many aspects of migraine care, there is a need and opportunity for improvement. The three live sessions were poorly attended and the email consultative service was rarely used. We provide an in depth discussion of targeted areas for educational intervention, of the challenges in developing a migraine educational program for PCPs, and areas for future study.
Follow‐up with primary care providers for elevated glycated haemoglobin identified at the dental visit
Authors: Rosedale MT , Strauss SM , Kaur N , Knight C , Malaspina D
Published: April 2016

Objectives

This study examined patient experiences after receiving elevated diabetes screening values using blood collected at a dental clinic. It explores patients' reactions to screening, whether or not they sought recommended medical follow‐up, and facilitating factors and barriers to obtaining follow‐up care.

Methods

At the comprehensive care clinics at a large, urban College of Dentistry in the United States, haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) values were obtained from 379 study participants who had not been previously diagnosed with diabetes. In all, 169 (44.6%) had elevated HbA1C values. We analysed quantitative and qualitative data concerning these patients' follow‐up with primary care providers (PCPs).

Results

We were able to contact 112 (66.3%) of the 169 study participants who had an elevated HbA1C reading. Of that group, 61 (54.5%) received recommended follow‐up care from a PCP within 3 months, and an additional 28 (25.0%) said they intended to seek such care. Qualitative themes included the following: the screening letter – opportunity or burden, appreciation for the 3‐month follow‐up call and barriers to medical follow‐up that included the following: lack of knowledge about diabetes, not understanding the importance of follow‐up, busyness, financial concerns, fear and denial.

Conclusions

Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrate that dentists, dental hygienists and nurses are well poised to discover and translate new models of patient‐centred, comprehensive care to patients with oral and systemic illness.
Pathological characterization and morphometric analysis of hepatic lesions in SHRSP5/Dmcr, an experimental non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis model, induced by high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet
Authors: Horai Yasushi , Utsumi Hiroyuki , Ono Yuko , Kishimoto Toshimitsu , Ono Yuuichi , Fukunari Atsushi
Published: April 2016

SHRSP5/Dmcr is a newly established substrain of stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP). Recently, high‐fat and high‐cholesterol (HFC) diet‐fed SHRSP5/Dmcr has been reported as a novel rat model of developing hepatic lesions similar to human non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed pathological conditions induced by HFC diet in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats using molecular biological methods and morphometric analysis. SHRSP5/Dmcr rats at 6 weeks of age were fed on either HFC diet or stroke‐prone (SP) diet for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 16 weeks and histopathological changes in the liver, blood chemistry and mRNA expression levels in the liver were investigated. As evidenced by the histopathological examination of the liver of the SHRSP5/Dmcr rats, hepatic steatosis and lobular inflammation were present, with gradual increasing severity from 2 weeks after the introduction of the HFC diet. Partial hepatic fibrosis was detected at 6 weeks and spread over the entire region of the liver with more severe bridging formation by 16 weeks. The degrees of NASH‐like hepatic lesions such as steatosis (the size distribution of lipid droplets), inflammation and fibrosis were quantified by morphometric analysis. Eosinophilic inclusion bodies encountered in the hepatocytes had immunoreactivity with Cox‐4 and double‐membrane walls, identified as mega‐mitochondria. Serum ALT and bilirubins, and the mRNA expression levels related to fibrosis were closely correlated with hepatic histopathological changes. The clear feeding time‐dependent progression of NASH‐like hepatic lesion in HFC diet‐fed SHRSP5/Dmcr rats reinforced the conclusion that this strain might be a useful model of NASH and of inflammatory fibrotic liver disease.
Robotic transmural ablation of bladder tumors using high‐intensity focused ultrasound: Experimental study
Authors: de Castro Abreu Andre Luis , Ukimura Osamu , Shoji Sunao , Leslie Scott , Chopra Sameer , Marien Arnaud , Matsugasumi Toru , Dharmaraja Arjuna , Wong Kelvin , Zaba Natalie , Ma Yanling , Desai Mihir M , Gill Inderbir S
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility of robot‐assisted laparoscopic high‐intensity focused ultrasound for targeted, extravesical, transmural, full‐thickness ablation of intact bladder wall and tumor.

Methods

In three fresh cadavers and one acute porcine model, the transperitoneal robotic approach was used to mobilize the bladder and create a midline cystotomy. “Mimic” bladder tumors (2 tumors/case) were created by robotically suturing a piece of striated muscle (2.5 × 2.5 cm) to the luminal, urothelial surface of the bladder wall. The cystotomy was suture‐repaired and bladder distended with 250 mL saline. A laparoscopic high‐intensity focused ultrasound probe was robotically placed extravesically in direct contact with the serosal surface of the bladder wall to image the “mimic” tumor. Targeted, transmural, full‐thickness high‐intensity focus ultrasound ablation of the “mimic” tumor and adjacent bladder was carried out under real‐time ultrasound and robotic monitoring. Untreated areas of the bladder served as a comparison. Post‐procedure, gross and microscopic examinations were carried out.

Results

Laparoscopic high‐intensity focused ultrasound ablation was feasible for all “mimic” tumors (100%). Real‐time ultrasound clearly visualized the “mimic” tumor. Simultaneous display of the pre‐planning and real‐time treatment ultrasound images confirmed targeting precision. Mean operative room times for ultrasound localization, laparoscopic high‐intensity focused ultrasound probe coupling, high‐intensity focus ultrasound ablation, and total procedure were 3, 5, 6 and 60 min, respectively. On necropsy, no thermal/mechanical injuries occurred to the untreated bladder wall, adjacent organs or ureters. Gross inspection distinguished the treated from untreated areas. Histopathology confirmed sharply demarcated thermal coagulative necrosis and shrinkage effects between the treated and untreated areas.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic extravesical high‐intensity focus ultrasound for transmural, full‐thickness targeted ablation of intact bladder wall and tumor is feasible. This has implications for bladder‐sparing surgery in select patients with solitary muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.
Home Environment, But Not Socioeconomic Status, is Linked to Differences in Early Phonetic Perception Ability
Authors: Melvin Samantha A. , Brito Natalie H. , Mack Luke J. , Engelhardt Laura E. , Fifer William P. , Elliott Amy J. , Noble Kimberly G.
Published: April 2016

Infants perceptually tune to the phonemes of their native languages in the first year of life, thereby losing the ability to discriminate non‐native phonemes. Infants who perceptually tune earlier have been shown to develop stronger language skills later in childhood. We hypothesized that socioeconomic disparities, which have been associated with differences in the quality and quantity of language in the home, would contribute to individual differences in phonetic discrimination. Seventy‐five infants were assessed on measures of phonetic discrimination at 9 months, on the quality of the home environment at 15 months, and on language abilities at both ages. Phonetic discrimination did not vary according to socioeconomic status (SES), but was significantly associated with the quality of the home environment. This association persisted when controlling for 9‐month expressive language abilities, rendering it less likely that infants with better expressive language skills were simply engendering higher quality home interactions. This suggests that infants from linguistically richer home environments may be more tuned to their native language and therefore less able to discriminate non‐native contrasts at 9 months relative to infants whose home environments are less responsive. These findings indicate that home language environments may be more critical than SES in contributing to early language perception, with possible implications for language development more broadly.
Twelve‐Month‐Olds Understand Social Intentions Based on Prosody and Gesture Shape
Authors: Esteve‐Gibert Núria , Prieto Pilar , Liszkowski Ulf
Published: April 2016

Infants infer social and pragmatic intentions underlying attention‐directing gestures, but the basis on which infants make these inferences is not well understood. Previous studies suggest that infants rely on information from preceding shared action contexts and joint perceptual scenes. Here, we tested whether 12‐month‐olds use information from act‐accompanying cues, in particular prosody and hand shape, to guide their pragmatic understanding. In Experiment 1, caregivers directed infants’ attention to an object to request it, share interest in it, or inform them about a hidden aspect. Caregivers used distinct prosodic and gestural patterns to express each pragmatic intention. Experiment 2 was identical except that experimenters provided identical lexical information across conditions and used three sets of trained prosodic and gestural patterns. In all conditions, the joint perceptual scenes and preceding shared action contexts were identical. In both experiments, infants reacted appropriately to the adults’ intentions by attending to the object mostly in the sharing interest condition, offering the object mostly in the imperative condition, and searching for the referent mostly in the informing condition. Infants’ ability to comprehend pragmatic intentions based on prosody and gesture shape expands infants’ communicative understanding from common activities to novel situations for which shared background knowledge is missing.
Interior point methods for power flow optimization with security constraints
Authors: Casacio L. , Lyra C. , Oliveira A.R.L.
Published: April 2016

This paper deals with power flow optimization with security constraints, focusing on the problem of short‐term hydroelectric scheduling, called predispatch. Since the energy demand varies throughout the day, the generation must satisfy daily targets, established by long‐term scheduling models. This study considers that the hydroelectric plants and transmission systems must provide an optimal flow of energy under security constraints that allow meeting energy demands for normal operating conditions and when disturbances happen. Algebraic techniques are used to exploit the sparse structure of the problem, targeting the design of an interior point algorithm, efficient in terms of robustness and computational time. Case studies compare the proposed approach with a general purpose optimization solver for quadratic problems and an algorithm for the predispatch problem that does not consider security constraints. The results show the benefits of using the method proposed in the paper, obtaining optimal power flow that is suitable to consider contingencies, with numerical stability and appropriate computational time.
Household Wealth in Great Britain: Distribution, Composition and Changes 2006–12
Authors: Crawford Rowena , Innes Dave , O'Dea Cormac
Published: April 2016

For many years, survey data on household wealth have been somewhat limited, but the situation is improving in the UK and internationally. This paper uses the new Wealth and Assets Survey (WAS) to document some key features of the distribution of household wealth in Great Britain. We quantify the extent of inequality in total wealth and in its broad components (financial wealth, housing wealth and pension wealth). Exploiting the fact that WAS is a longitudinal survey, we show trajectories of wealth and its components over the period 2006 to 2012 for different birth cohorts. Total wealth on average increased in real terms over this period for working‐age households and fell for retirement‐age households. However, wealth held outside pensions fell on average over this period for all except the youngest cohort.
The Challenge of Measuring UK Wealth Inequality in the 2000s
Authors: Alvaredo Facundo , Atkinson Anthony B. , Morelli Salvatore
Published: April 2016

The concentration of personal wealth is now receiving a great deal of attention – after having been neglected for many years. One reason is the growing recognition that, in seeking explanations for rising income inequality, we need to look not only at wages and earned income but also at income from capital, particularly at the top of the distribution. In this paper, we use evidence from existing data sources to attempt to answer three questions: (i) What is the share of total personal wealth that is owned by the top 1 per cent, or the top 0.1 per cent? (ii) Is wealth much more unequally distributed than income? (iii) Is the concentration of wealth at the top increasing over time? The main conclusion of the paper is that the evidence about the UK concentration of wealth post‐2000 is seriously incomplete and significant investment in a variety of sources is necessary if we are to provide satisfactory answers to the three questions.
The Bank of England / NMG Survey of Household Finances
Authors: Anderson Gareth , Bunn Philip , Pugh Alice , Uluc Arzu
Published: April 2016

Every year since 2004, the Bank of England has commissioned NMG Consulting to carry out a survey on household finances. This paper describes the NMG Survey, its methodology, and its advantages and disadvantages relative to other surveys. The NMG Survey is useful in providing a timelier guide to developments in the distribution of household balance sheets than other surveys, it appears better at measuring financial distress, and it includes questions on topical policy issues that are often not available in other surveys. A drawback of the NMG Survey is that there may be a greater risk of selection into the survey based on unobservable characteristics than is the case for some other household surveys.
Diversity gradients of Neotropical freshwater fish: evidence of multiple underlying factors in human‐modified systems
Authors: Bailly Dayani , Cassemiro Fernanda A. S. , Winemiller Kirk O. , Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre F. , Agostinho Angelo A.
Published: April 2016

Aim

Contemporary patterns of species diversity are the result of a hierarchy of natural processes and modern anthropogenic influences. However, studies of these patterns in human‐modified systems from a macroecological perspective are lacking. Considering that fish assemblages in reservoirs reflect both long‐term evolutionary responses of species and shorter term responses to anthropogenic stressors, we employed a multi‐hypothesis approach using different magnitudes of predictors to analyse the processes that drive fish diversity in reservoirs at a broad spatial scale.

Location

Brazil.

Methods

We derived species richness from an extensive database of fish inhabiting Neotropical reservoirs, and using multiple regression analysis, we tested seven hypotheses that link species richness to continuous variables associated with regional, local and population components. We analysed the spatial structure using Moran's I autocorrelation coefficients and used spatial eigenvector mapping to explicitly account for the spatial component when testing the hypotheses by multiple regressions. Partial regressions were performed to map the relative contributions of the different components in explaining species richness.

Results

Predictors related to six hypotheses were retained in the best‐fit models, and our data supported the species–energy, metabolic, species–area, species–distance from the source and time of habitat alteration hypotheses. However, the predictions of the population abundance hypothesis (PAH) were not supported by the data. The shared effects of the different components explained the greatest proportion of the variation in species richness, indicating that distinct mechanisms related to these alternative hypotheses interact or are not spatially independent.

Main conclusions

Our findings indicate that the latitudinal diversity gradient typically displayed by freshwater fish is maintained in human‐modified habitats, such as reservoirs, and that multiple mechanisms drive fish diversity in reservoirs over large spatial scales. The lack of support for the PAH implies that mechanisms structuring diversity patterns can be influenced by anthropogenic stressors.
Electrogram Characteristics of Ablated and Non‐Ablated Myocardium in Humans: A Comparison of Miniaturized Embedded Electrodes and Conventional Ablation Electrodes
Authors: LLOYD MICHAEL S. , HOSKINS MICHAEL H. , SHAH ANAND D. , LANGBERG JONATHAN J.
Published: April 2016

Embedded Electrode Ablation

Introduction

Intracardiac electrogram voltage remains an important metric for radiofrequency lesion application. Embedded micro‐electrodes within ablation catheters are now approved for use in humans.

Objective

This study examined electrogram characteristics of miniaturized electrode bipoles (iEGMmini) compared to distal ablation tip bipoles (iEGMstandard) in the setting of typical atrial flutter in humans.

Methods

This was a single‐center prospective trial involving 21 patients. A total of 54 non‐ablated and 56 ablated sites were analyzed offline by separate blinded observers for iEGM voltage after a clinically successful radiofrequency (RF) ablation for typical atrial flutter. Ablation sites were defined as sites that were localized anatomically within the RF lesion set and did not have atrial capture at 10 mA and 2 milliseconds. Non‐ablated sites were defined as sites adjacent to or remote from the ablation lesion set with capture at 10 mA and 2 milliseconds.

Results

iEGMmini had greater voltages at non‐ablated sites and lower voltages at ablated sites than iEGMstandard (non‐ablated sites iEGMstandard 0.64 mV vs. iEGMmini 1.0 mV; ablated sites iEGMstandard 0.15 mV, iEGMmini 0.08 mV, P < 0.001). The difference for each patient between ablated and non‐ablated sites was greater for iEGMmini compared to iEGMstandard (0.94 mV ± 0.57 iEGMmini vs. 0.52 mV ± 0.35 iEGMstandard, P < 0.001). Inter‐observer agreement was good among all non‐ablated sites and iEGMmini ablated sites, but was less robust for ablated sites using iEGMstandard.

Conclusions

Imbedded mini‐electrode iEGM bipoles had higher voltages in non‐ablated tissue, lower voltages in ablated tissue, and significantly greater intra‐patient differences between ablated and non‐ablated sites. These data suggest a potential role for miniaturized electrode bipole use in RF lesion monitoring.
Anti‐atherogenic and anti‐inflammatory properties of glucagon‐like peptide‐1, glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypepide, and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors in experimental animals
Authors: Hirano Tsutomu , Mori Yusaku
Published: April 2016

We reported that native incretins, liraglutide and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4i) all confer an anti‐atherosclerotic effect in apolipoprotein E‐null (Apoe−/−) mice. We confirmed the anti‐atherogenic property of incretin‐related agents in the mouse wire injury model, in which the neointimal formation in the femoral artery is remarkably suppressed. Furthermore, we showed that DPP‐4i substantially suppresses plaque formation in coronary arteries with a marked reduction in the accumulation of macrophages in cholesterol‐fed rabbits. DPP‐4i showed an anti‐atherosclerotic effect in Apoe−/− mice mainly through the actions of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypepide. However, the dual incretin receptor antagonists partially attenuated the suppressive effect of DPP‐4i on atherosclerosis in diabetic Apoe−/− mice, suggesting an incretin‐independent mechanism. Exendin‐4 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypepide elicited cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation, and suppressed the lipopolysaccharide‐induced gene expression of inflammatory molecules, such as interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α, in U937 human monocytes. This suppressive effect, however, was attenuated by an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase and mimicked by 8‐bromo‐cyclic adenosine monophosphate or forskolin. DPP‐4i substantially suppressed the lipopolysaccharide‐induced expression of inflammatory cytokines without affecting cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation or cell proliferation. DPP‐4i more strongly suppressed the lipopolysaccharide‐induced gene expression of inflammatory molecules than incretins, most likely through inactivation of CD26. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypepide suppressed oxidized low‐density lipoprotein‐induced macrophage foam cell formation in a receptor‐dependent manner, which was associated with the downregulation of acyl‐coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase‐1 and CD36, as well as the up‐regulation of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter A1. Our studies strongly suggest that incretin‐related agents have favorable effects on macrophage‐driven atherosclerosis in experimental animals.
Neural effects of gut‐ and brain‐derived glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and its receptor agonist
Authors: Katsurada Kenichi , Yada Toshihiko
Published: April 2016

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) is derived from both the enteroendocrine L cells and preproglucagon‐expressing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of the brain stem. As GLP‐1 is cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 yielding a half‐life of less than 2 min, it is plausible that the gut‐derived GLP‐1, released postprandially, exerts its effects on the brain mainly by interacting with vagal afferent neurons located at the intestinal or hepatic portal area. GLP‐1 neurons in the NTS widely project in the central nervous system and act as a neurotransmitter. One of the physiological roles of brain‐derived GLP‐1 is restriction of feeding. GLP‐1 receptor agonists have recently been used to treat type 2 diabetic patients, and have been shown to exhibit pleiotropic effects beyond incretin action, which involve brain functions. GLP‐1 receptor agonist administered in the periphery is stable because of its resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase‐4, and is highly likely to act on the brain by passing through the blood–brain barrier (BBB), as well as interacting with vagal afferent nerves. Central actions of GLP‐1 have various roles including regulation of feeding, weight, glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiovascular functions, cognitive functions, and stress and emotional responses. In the present review, we focus on the source of GLP‐1 and the pathway by which peripheral GLP‐1 informs the brain, and then discuss recent findings on the central effects of GLP‐1 and GLP‐1 receptor agonists.