bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wintering areas predict age‐related breeding phenology in a migratory passerine bird
Authors: López‐Calderón C. , Hobson K. A. , Marzal A. , Balbontín J. , Reviriego M. , Magallanes S. , García‐Longoria L. , de Lope F. , Møller Anders P.
Published: October 2016

Understanding connections between breeding, stopover and wintering grounds for long‐distance migratory birds can provide important insight into factors influencing demography and the strength of carry‐over effects among various periods of the annual cycle. Using previously described, multi‐isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H) feather isoscapes for Africa, we identified the most probable wintering areas for house martins Delichon urbica breeding at Badajoz in southwestern Spain. We identified two most‐probable wintering areas differing in isotopic signature in west Africa. We found that the probability to winter in the isotopic cluster two was related to age and sex of individuals. Specifically, experienced males (i.e. two years or older) winter in the isotopic cluster two with a greater probability than experienced females, whereas first‐year females winter in the isotopic cluster two with a greater probability than first‐year males. In addition, wintering area was correlated with breeding phenology, with individuals wintering in the isotopic cluster two initiating their clutches earlier than those wintering in the isotopic cluster one. For birds wintering in the isotopic cluster two, there was no relationship between age and clutch initiation date. In contrast, young birds wintering in the isotopic cluster one initiated their clutches earlier than experienced birds wintering in this area. There was no significant correlation between wintering area and clutch size or the number of fledglings produced. We hypothesize that the relationship among social status, population density and winter habitat quality should be the most important driver of the carry‐over effect we found for this population.
Breeding limits foraging time: evidence of interrupted foraging response from body mass variation in a tropical environment
Authors: Nwaogu Chima J. , Dietz Maurine W. , Tieleman B. Irene , Cresswell Will
Published: October 2016

Birds should store body reserves if starvation risk is anticipated; this is known as an ‘interrupted foraging response’. If foraging remains unrestricted, however, body mass should remain low to limit the predation risk that gaining and carrying body reserves entails. In temperate environments mass gain in female birds during breeding is often attributed to egg formation and mass loss after incubation to flight adaptation or the effect of reproductive workload, rather than as a result of an adaptive interrupted foraging response to the limited foraging time or unpredictable foraging conditions that breeding demands. In tropical environments, foraging conditions vary more within the breeding season than in temperate environments, and so studies in tropical environments are more suited to decouple the potentially confounded effects of increase in body reserves versus egg formation on the body mass of breeding birds. In this study, we test whether breeding results in an interrupted foraging response in a tropical savannah system using body mass data collected over a 15‐year period from female common bulbuls Pycnonotus barbatus. This species breeds both in the wet and dry season, despite fewer resources being available in the dry season. Breeding stage predicted female body mass: body mass peaked abruptly during incubation, but was not closely associated with the egg‐laying stage, and declined during brood rearing. Breeding females were heavier in the dry season than in the wet season. In the dry season, heavier birds were more likely to incubate eggs or brood chicks. These observations suggest that increased body reserves are required to buffer the consequence of limited foraging time or impoverished foraging conditions, which may be most pronounced during incubation and in the dry season, respectively. Such mass increases are consistent with an interrupted foraging response, which may apply to temperate zone birds experiencing foraging restrictions during breeding.
Climatic and geographic barriers drive distributional patterns of bird phenotypes within peninsular India
Authors: Ramachandran Vivek , Robin V. V. , Tamma Krishnapriya , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: October 2016

Modern phylogenetic data provide unparalleled ability to test biogeographic paradigms, often suggested by differences in species distribution patterns. However, such approaches have been applied less at regional scales, particularly in Asia. In the absence of such data, we examine if concordance of distributional patterns for phenotypes (subspecies) suggest potential biogeographic barriers for birds in peninsular India. Specifically, we examine climatic and physical factors that might limit phenotype distributions in this region.

Various physical, vegetation and climatic barriers were demarcated to identify potential biogeographic units within peninsular India. We then collated occurrence of endemic or disjunctly distributed species and subspecies within these units using published range maps. We also quantified turnover between potential units, allowing us to identify significant biogeographic barriers. Three time‐step climate data (Last Glacial Maxima, mid‐Holocene and present) enabled us to examine differences between these potential biogeographic regions through time.

The Palk Straits, followed by the Goa Gap (∼ 16°N) and the Godavari River emerged as the major barriers in this region. The Palk Straits and Godavari are physical barriers while Goa Gap appears to be a climate‐mediated ecological divide. Mountain barriers like the Palghat Gap are not the most significant barriers as previously thought. Climatically intermediate regions appeared unstable in the past and showed inconsistent affinities to different geographic units across families. We suggest that relative climatic stability of the wet regions of the southern western Ghats could be responsible for high subspecies endemism here. Our approach provides hypotheses that can be tested with comparative multi‐species phylogeographic data in the future.
Sera of patients with spontaneous tumour regression and elevated anti‐CA I autoantibodies change the gene expression of ECM proteins
Authors: Lakota Jan , Vulic Radivojka , Dubrovcakova Maria , Tyciakova Silvia
Published: October 2016

Spontaneous tumour regression after high‐dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation is associated with the aplastic anaemia‐like syndrome and the presence of polyclonal autoantibodies against carbonic anhydrase I (CA I). When tumour cells were grown in vitro in the presence of patients’ sera positive for anti‐CA I autoantibodies, their morphological pattern was altered. These changes were accompanied by modifications in the gene expression profile. We observed downregulation of genes of the basal lamina assembly (collagen type IV alpha 4, the laminin subunit gamma 2), the extracellular matrix (collagen type I alpha 1), the cytoskeleton (keratin 14 type I), the collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 and the proto‐oncogene WNT7B. On the other hand, the expression of the CA 1 gene was increased in the tumour cells. It was also noticed that the presence of anti‐CA I autoantibodies did not impair tumour cell proliferation and cell viability in vitro. These findings were observed only in the presence of patients’ sera positive for anti‐CA I autoantibodies.
GATA binding protein 3 is correlated with leptin regulation of PPARγ1 in hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Guan Wei , Cheng Fangyun , Wu Hao , Cao Qing , Zhu Xiaofei , Fan Yan , Zhu Huixia , Zhou Yajun
Published: October 2016

Accumulating evidence reveals that hormone leptin, mainly produced by adipocyte, plays a unique role in promotion of liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a key step in liver fibrosis and peroxisome‐proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) exerts a crucial role in inhibition of HSC activation. Our previous researches demonstrated that leptin reduced PPARγ1 (a major subtype of PPARγ in HSCs) expression through GATA binding protein 2 (GATA2) binding to a site around −2323 in PPARγ1 promoter. The present researches aimed to examine the effect of GATA3 on leptin‐induced inhibition of PPARγ1 and elucidate the relationship between GATA3 and GATA2. Gene expressions were analysed by real‐time PCR, western blot, luciferase assay and immunostaining. C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model of thioacetamide‐induced liver injury was used in vivo. Results demonstrate that leptin significantly induces GATA3 expression in HSCs by multiple signalling pathways including NADPH oxidase pathway. There exist crosstalks between NADPH oxidase pathway and the other pathways. GATA3 can bind to GATA2‐binding site in PPARγ1 promoter and interacts with GATA2, contributing to leptin inhibition of PPARγ1 expression in HSCs. These data demonstrated novel molecular events for leptin inhibition of PPARγ1 expression in HSCs and thus might have potential implications for clarifying the detailed mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis in diseases in which circulating leptin levels are elevated such as non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in obese patients.
Annual Research Review: Quality of life and childhood mental and behavioural disorders – a critical review of the research
Authors: Jonsson Ulf , Alaie Iman , Löfgren Wilteus Anna , Zander Eric , Marschik Peter B. , Coghill David , Bölte Sven
Published: October 2016

Background

An individual's subjective perception of well‐being is increasingly recognized as an essential complement to clinical symptomatology and functional impairment in children's mental health. Measurement of quality of life (QoL) has the potential to give due weight to the child's perspective.

Scope and methodology

Our aim was to critically review the current evidence on how childhood mental disorders affect QoL. First, the major challenges in this research field are outlined. Then we present a systematic review of QoL in children and adolescents aged 0–18 years formally diagnosed with a mental and behavioural disorder, as compared to healthy or typically developing children or children with other health conditions. Finally, we discuss limitations of the current evidence base and future directions based on the results of the systematic review and other relevant literature.

Findings and conclusions

The systematic review identified 41 eligible studies. All were published after the year 2000 and 21 originated in Europe. The majority examined QoL in neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (k = 17), autism spectrum disorder (k = 6), motor disorders (k = 5) and intellectual disability (k = 4). Despite substantial heterogeneity, studies demonstrate that self‐reported global QoL is significantly reduced compared to typical/healthy controls across several disorders and QoL dimensions. Parents’ ratings were on average substantially lower, casting doubt on the validity of proxy‐report. Studies for large diagnostic groups such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, (early onset) schizophrenia and eating disorders are largely lacking. We conclude that representative, well‐characterized normative and clinical samples as well as longitudinal and qualitative designs are needed to further clarify the construct of QoL, to derive measures of high ecological validity, and to examine how QoL fluctuates over time and is attributable to specific conditions or contextual factors.
Theoretical approaches of online social network interventions and implications for behavioral change: a systematic review
Authors: Arguel Amaël , Perez‐Concha Oscar , Li Simon Y.W. , Lau Annie Y.S.
Published: October 2016

Rational, aims and objectives

The aim of this review was to identify general theoretical frameworks used in online social network interventions for behavioral change. To address this research question, a PRISMA‐compliant systematic review was conducted.

Methods

A systematic review (PROSPERO registration number CRD42014007555) was conducted using 3 electronic databases (PsycINFO, Pubmed, and Embase). Four reviewers screened 1788 abstracts.

Results

15 studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria. Randomized controlled trials and controlled studies were assessed using Cochrane Collaboration's “risk‐of‐bias” tool, and narrative synthesis. Five eligible articles used the social cognitive theory as a framework to develop interventions targeting behavioral change. Other theoretical frameworks were related to the dynamics of social networks, intention models, and community engagement theories. Only one of the studies selected in the review mentioned a well‐known theory from the field of health psychology.

Conclusion

Conclusions were that guidelines are lacking in the design of online social network interventions for behavioral change. Existing theories and models from health psychology that are traditionally used for in situ behavioral change should be considered when designing online social network interventions in a health care setting.
From population genomics to conservation and management: a workflow for targeted analysis of markers identified using genome‐wide approaches in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar
Authors: Aykanat T. , Lindqvist M. , Pritchard V. L. , Primmer C. R.
Published: October 2016

A genotyping assay for the Ion Torrent Ion PGM platform was developed for fast and cost‐effective targeted genotyping of key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) earlier identified using a genome‐wide SNP array in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. The method comprised a simple primer design step for multiplex‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by two rounds of Ion Torrent Ion PGM sequencing to empirically evaluate marker efficiency in large multiplexes and to optimise or exclude them when necessary. Of 282 primer pairs initially tested, 217 were successfully amplified, indicating good amplification success (>75%). These markers included the sdy partial gene product to determine genetic sex, as well as three additional modules comprising SNPs for assessing neutral genetic variation (NSNP = 150), examining functional genetic variation associated with sea age at maturity (NSNP = 5), and for performing genetic subpopulation assignment (NSNP = 61). The assay was primarily developed to monitor long‐term genetic changes in S. salar from the Teno River, but modules are likely suitable for application in a wide range of S. salar populations. Furthermore, the fast and versatile assay development pipeline offers a strategy for developing targeted sequencing assays in any species.
Chemistry to conservation: using otoliths to advance recreational and commercial fisheries management
Authors: Carlson A. K. , Phelps Q. E. , Graeb B. D. S.
Published: October 2016

Otolith chemistry is an effective technique for evaluating fish environmental history, but its utility in fisheries management has not been comprehensively examined. Thus, a review of otolith chemistry with emphasis on management applicability is presented. More than 1500 otolith chemistry manuscripts published from 1967 to 2015 are reviewed and descriptive case studies are used to illustrate the utility of otolith chemistry as a fisheries management tool. Otolith chemistry publications span a wide variety of topics (e.g. natal origins, habitat use, movement, stock discrimination and statistical theory) and species in freshwater and marine systems. Despite the broad distribution of manuscripts in a variety of fisheries, environmental and ecological journals, the majority of publications (83%, n = 1264) do not describe implications or applications of otolith chemistry for fisheries management. This information gap is addressed through case studies that illustrate management applications of otolith chemistry. Case studies cover numerous topics (e.g. natal origins, population connectivity, stock enhancement, transgenerational marking, pollution exposure history and invasive species management) in freshwater and marine systems using sport fishes, invasive fishes, endangered fishes and species of commercial and aquaculture importance. Otolith chemistry has diverse implications and applications for fisheries management worldwide. Collaboration among fisheries professionals from academia, government agencies and non‐governmental organizations will help bridge the research‐management divide and establish otolith chemistry as a fisheries management tool.
Dissemination and Implementation Research in Marriage and Family Therapy: An Introduction and Call to the Field
Authors: Withers Mathew C. , Reynolds Jamila E. , Reed Kayla , Holtrop Kendal
Published: October 2016

Despite the considerable resources allocated to research to promote public health, interventions capable of benefiting individuals and families are not finding their way into regular practice. An important avenue for addressing this problem is through dissemination and implementation (D&I) science, a burgeoning research area focusing on translating empirical knowledge into everyday practice. This article begins by suggesting ways in which MFTs are uniquely equipped to contribute to and benefit from D&I research. We will then provide an overview of D&I research, outlines key D&I models, and highlight examples of family intervention research relevant to MFTs using the key models. Finally, we conclude by providing the field with important next steps to advance the presence of MFT research within D&I scholarship.
How Factor Analysis Results May Change Due to Country Context
Authors: Brzyski Piotr , Kózka Maria , Squires Allison , Brzostek Tomasz
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To present how factor analysis results of a Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES‐NWI) translation changed due to country context.

Design

Validity and reliability analysis of a cross‐culturally adapted, Polish translation of the PES‐NWI came from a cross‐sectional, national survey that included 2,605 registered nurses working in surgical (50.4%) and medical (49.6%) units of 30 Polish hospitals.

Methods

Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using the principal component analysis (PCA) method with varimax rotation and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine factor structure of the instrument in the Polish context. Zero‐order and partial Pearson correlation coefficients were used to establish the range of variance shared by the dimensions of the Polish version. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient determined internal consistency reliability. The internal consistency of the scale was also tested based on Kline's criterion.

Findings

The PCA conducted in the sample of Polish nurses extracted six factors, explaining together 56% of the total variance. The varimax rotation, however, restricted results to five factors, explaining 52.7% of the total variance and generating a factor structure closer to that based on previous studies. The CFA model, based on a PCA solution with five nonorthogonal factors, fitted data better than the theoretically driven model.

Conclusions

Dimensions of the PES‐NWI nurses’ work environments remain conceptually consistent in Poland, but load differently. Health system or nursing profession factors related to the country context are potential explanations for these differences.

Clinical Relevance

When using a translation of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index‐Revised to examine the influences of work environment quality on nursing and patient outcomes, it is important to consider contextual differences when using results to inform policy.
Medication communication between nurses and doctors for paediatric acute care: An ethnographic study
Authors: Borrott Narelle , Kinney Sharon , Newall Fiona , Williams Allison , Cranswick Noel , Wong Ian , Manias Elizabeth
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectives

To examine how communication between nurses and doctors occurred for managing medications in inpatient paediatric settings.

Background

Communication between health professionals influences medication incidents’ occurrence and safe care.

Design

An ethnographic study was undertaken.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews, observations and focus groups were conducted in three clinical areas of an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed using the Medication Communication Model.

Results

The actual communication act revealed health professionals’ commitment to effective medication management and the influence of professional identities on medication communication. Nurses and doctors were dedicated to providing safe, effective medication therapy for children, within their scope of practice and perceived role responsibilities. Most nurses and junior doctors used tentative language in their communication while senior doctors tended to use direct language. Irrespective of language style, nurses actively engaged with doctors to promote patients’ needs. Yet, the medical hierarchical structure, staffing and attendant expectations influenced communication for medication management, causing frustration among nurses and doctors. Doctors’ lack of verbal communication of documented changes to medication orders particularly troubled nurses. Nurses persisted in their efforts to acquire appropriate orders for safe medication administration to paediatric patients.

Conclusions

Collaborative practice between nurses and doctors involved complex, symbiotic relationships. Their dedication to providing safe medication therapy to paediatric patients facilitated effective medication management. At times, shortcomings in interdisciplinary communication impacted on potential and actual medication incidents.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding of the complexities affecting medication communication between nurses and doctors helps to ensure interprofessional respect for each other's roles and inherent demands. Interdisciplinary education delivered in healthcare organisations would facilitate greater clarity in communication related to medications. Encouraging the use of concise, clear words in communication would help to promote improved understanding between parties, and accuracy and efficacy of medication management.
Confronting one's vulnerability – patients with chest pain participating in a high‐intensity exercise programme
Authors: Røysland Ingrid Ølfarnes , Friberg Febe , Støre Brinchmann Berit , Nordeide Svello Sunniva , Valborgland Torstein , Larsen Alf Inge
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectives

To explain the transitional process that individuals with unexplained chest pain undergo while participating in an exercise training programme over time.

Background

Angina‐like chest pain in patients with no obstructive coronary artery disease is a growing problem. Functional limitations, restricted daily activities and reduced quality of life are reported. In addition, physical activity is avoided in this population.

Design

The study follows a qualitative classic grounded theory (Glaser ).

Methods

Three times a week for 12 weeks, twelve patients with no obstructive coronary artery disease participated in a high‐intensity aerobic exercise training programme supervised by physiotherapists and nurses. The data collection was based on diaries and interviews about the experience and analysed according to the principles of classic grounded theory.

Results

The core category was identified as ‘confronting one's vulnerability’ and included three subcategories: ‘balancing existential uncertainty’, ‘transforming bodily perceptions’ and ‘becoming a more capable person’.

Conclusion

The transition was described as a process of becoming more capable. Health professionals should be aware of the significance of high‐intensity exercise training for people with unexplained chest pain and of the underlying dimension of vulnerability.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding the transition process that people with unexplained chest pain undergo while participating in a high‐intensity exercise training programme promotes a person‐centred approach. Taking this substantive theory into consideration will improve the prerequisites for establishing person‐centred care.
A qualitative study of patient and provider experiences during preoperative care transitions
Authors: Malley Ann M , Young Gary J
Published: October 2016

Aims and objectives

To explore the issues and challenges of care transitions in the preoperative environment.

Background

Ineffective transitions play a role in a majority of serious medical errors. There is a paucity of research related to the preoperative arena and the multiple inherent transitions in care that occur there.

Design

Qualitative descriptive design was used.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were conducted in a 975‐bed academic medical centre.

Results

A total of 30 providers and 10 preoperative patients participated. Themes that arose were as follows: (1) need for clarity of purpose of preoperative care, (2) care coordination, (3) interprofessional boundaries of care and (4) inadequate time and resources.

Conclusion

Effective transitions in the preoperative environment require that providers bridge scope of practice barriers to promote good teamwork. Preoperative care that is a product of well‐informed providers and patients can improve the entire perioperative care process and potentially influence postoperative patient outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses are well positioned to bridge the gaps within transitions of care and accordingly affect health outcomes.
Adequacy of palliative care in a single tertiary neonatal unit
Authors: Gilmour Deborah , Davies Mark W , Herbert Anthony R
Published: October 2016

Aim

End‐of‐life care remains part of the scope of practice in all neonatal units. This study aimed to characterise the end‐of‐life care provided in an Australian tertiary neonatal centre, where paediatric palliative care was accessible via a consultative service.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study examined indicators of quality palliative care provided to 46 infants born within a 30‐month period. The cohort included four infants who received palliative care consultations additional to usual neonatal care. The care provided was characterised using descriptive statistics.

Results

The most common causes of death were congenital abnormality (37%) and complications of extreme prematurity (22%). Very high proportions of infants and families had family meetings (100%), social worker involvement (100%), memory‐making opportunities (100%) and discussion of autopsy (91%). Opiates were prescribed to 76% in the last day of life; most (89%) were administered intravenously. For those prescribed opiates, the median parenteral morphine daily equivalent was 290 mcg/kg/day (interquartile range = 317) in the last 24 h of life. Antenatal resuscitation planning for families of a fetus with a prenatal diagnosis (9%), discussion of preferred location of death (9%), verbal communication with general practitioners (15%) and access to specialised bereavement care (3%) were infrequently provided.

Conclusions

At the time of this study, the neonatal unit was not meeting all of the end‐of‐life care needs of infants and their families. Care was generally more comprehensive when the palliative care service was consulted.
Use of accelerometry to investigate physical activity in dogs receiving chemotherapy
Authors: Helm J. , McBrearty A. , Fontaine S. , Morrison R. , Yam P.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To perform a preliminary study to assess whether single‐agent palliative or adjuvant chemotherapy has an impact on objectively measured physical activity in dogs.

Methods

Fifteen dogs with neoplasia (treatment group) woreActiGraph™accelerometers for 5‐day periods before, during and after receiving single‐agent adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy. Mean 5‐day total physical activity and time spent in three different intensities of activity (sedentary, light‐moderate and vigorous) before, during and after receiving chemotherapy were compared to a group of 15 healthy dogs (control group). Results were also compared within the treatment group across time.

Results

Prior to chemotherapy, treated dogs tended to be less active than control dogs. Treatment group dogs were slightly more active at restaging than they were prior to treatment but had similar activity levels to control dogs. Marked effects of chemotherapy on physical activity were not detected. Physical activity was slightly lower in treated dogs during chemotherapy when compared to control dogs but there was a slight increase in physical activity of treated dogs during chemotherapy when compared with pretreatment recordings. There was little change in the mean 5‐day total physical activity between treated dogs during chemotherapy and at restaging but a mild decrease in time spent sedentary and increase in time spent in light‐moderate activity at this comparison of time points.

Clinical Significance

Single‐agent adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy had minimal impact on physical activity levels in dogs with neoplasia.
Understanding the Present by Examining the Past: Imprinting Effects On Supply Chain Outsourcing in a Transition Economy
Authors: Davis‐Sramek Beth , Fugate Brian S. , Miller Jason , Germain Richard , Izyumov Alexei , Krotov Konstantin
Published: October 2016

Institutional transitions within emerging markets create significant challenges for effective supply chain management. This research investigates external pressures, internal strategic choices, and institutional imprinting influences on supply chain outsourcing and operational performance. Results of primary and secondary data from a sample of 769 firms in Russia demonstrate that industry competitor growth and decentralized outsourcing decision making encourage firms to outsource more supply chain activities. Interestingly, however, these influences are directly and indirectly thwarted within firms that have a strong imprint from the former Soviet centrally planned economy. Further, the positive impact on operational performance resulting from decentralized decision making and outsourcing becomes negative when firms have a strong Soviet imprint. This research underscores the significance of founding institutional imprints of emerging economies when considering supply chain decentralization and outsourcing decisions.
Methods for Studying the Structure of Social Representations: A Critical Review and Agenda for Future Research
Authors: Lo Monaco Grégory , Piermattéo Anthony , Rateau Patrick , Tavani Jean Louis
Published: October 2016

This article deals with the methodologies commonly used in the framework of the structural approach to social representations. It concerns free and hierarchical evocations, the characterization questionnaire, the similarity analysis, the basic cognitive schemes model, the attribute‐challenge technique and the test of context independence. More than a simple review of these methodologies, it offers a critical approach concerning the problems encountered and related to: thresholds or “cutoff points” used to diagnose the structure (core vs. periphery) and the accuracy of the structural diagnosis, grouping methods employed to reduce the corpus of verbal associations, the dilemma between reliability and feasibility, especially in field research, the adequacy and number of modalities of response in the framework of the structural diagnosis. Following this evaluation, this article suggests potential solutions to overcome these methodological limitations. Moreover, as methodological issues are closely related to theoretical questions, the link between social representation theory and identity approaches is discussed.
Influence of Stocking Density on Growth and Physiological Responses of Beluga, Huso huso (Brandt, 1869), and Ship Sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris (Lovetsky, 1828), Juveniles in a Flow‐through System
Authors: Feshalami Mohammad Yooneszadeh , Amiri Farokh , Nikpey Mansour , Mortazavizadeh Seyed Abdolsaheb , Gisbert Enric , Mozanzadeh Mansour Torfi
Published: October 2016

The influence of three different initial stocking densities (low stocking density [LSD] = 1.5 kg/m2; medium stocking density [MSD] = 3 kg/m2; and high stocking density [HSD] = 6 kg/m2) in flow‐through systems was evaluated on growth and welfare in beluga, Huso huso, and ship sturgeon, Acipenser nudiventris, juveniles for 2 mo. Fish were kept in 18 concrete square tanks (2.0 × 1.0 × 1.2 m3) at 22.3 ± 0.4 C and under a natural photoperiod. In both species, the growth performance in terms of final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed intake significantly decreased with increasing stocking density (P < 0.05). In both species, the percent of neutrophils increased after 60 d of trial (P < 0.05). Moreover, hematocrit and white blood cell counts increased after 60 d of trial in ship sturgeon (P < 0.05). Plasma immunoglobulin significantly decreased with increasing stocking density in both species. Plasma insulin‐like growth factor I decreased with increasing stocking density in beluga; however, it was not affected in ship sturgeon. Overall, these results showed that the LSD group in both species demonstrated more homogeneous and higher growth rate than the MSD and HSD groups.
Inequitable variations: a review of research in technology, literacy studies and special education
Authors: Pandya Jessica Zacher , Ávila JuliAnna
Published: October 2016

This essay presents the results of a review of research published in the last 10 years on the uses of what we term ‘productive’ digital technologies in special education contexts. There is little overlap between research on productive technologies such as digital storytelling in mainstream contexts and research on technology use to support literacy learning in special education classrooms. Analysis centred on theoretical frameworks, research methods, educational contexts and technologies used with children and youth labelled with special needs. The initial sample of refereed journal articles (n = 1,132) was reduced to 14 studies for review. Results suggest large variations in the knowledge base about why, how, when and to what effects productive technologies might be used with children labelled with special needs. The essay presents further areas for theorising and research in the juncture of these separate fields to address the inequitable variations and social justice issues engendered by current research and practice.
Combination of tauroursodeoxycholic acid and N‐acetylcysteine exceeds standard treatment for acetaminophen intoxication
Authors: Paridaens Annelies , Raevens Sarah , Colle Isabelle , Bogaerts Eliene , Vandewynckel Yves‐Paul , Verhelst Xavier , Hoorens Anne , van Grunsven Leo A. , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Geerts Anja , Devisscher Lindsey
Published: October 2016

Background & Aims

Acetaminophen overdose in mice is characterized by hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress, which activates the unfolded protein response, and centrilobular hepatocyte death. We aimed at investigating the therapeutic potential of tauroursodeoxycholic acid, a hydrophilic bile acid known to have anti‐apoptotic and endoplasmic reticulum stress‐reducing capacities, in experimental acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen overdose.

Methods

Mice were injected with 300 mg/kg acetaminophen, 2 hours prior to receiving tauroursodeoxycholic acid, N‐acetylcysteine or a combination therapy, and were euthanized 24 hours later. Liver damage was assessed by serum transaminases, liver histology, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling staining, expression profiling of inflammatory, oxidative stress, unfolded protein response, apoptotic and pyroptotic markers.

Results

Acetaminophen overdose resulted in a significant increase in serum transaminases, hepatocyte cell death, unfolded protein response activation, oxidative stress, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, caspase 1 and pro‐inflammatory cytokine expressions. Standard of care, N‐acetylcysteine and, to a lesser extent, tauroursodeoxycholic treatment were associated with significantly lower transaminase levels, hepatocyte death, unfolded protein response activation, oxidative stress markers, caspase 1 expression and NLRP3 levels. Importantly, the combination of N‐acetylcysteine and tauroursodeoxycholic acid improved serum transaminase levels, reduced histopathological liver damage, UPR‐activated CHOP, oxidative stress, caspase 1 expression, NLRP3 levels, IL‐1β levels and the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and this to a greater extend than N‐acetylcysteine alone.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that a combination strategy of N‐acetylcysteine and tauroursodeoxycholic acid surpasses the standard of care in acetaminophen‐induced liver injury in mice and might represent an attractive therapeutic opportunity for acetaminophen‐intoxicated patients.
The soluble mannose receptor is released from the liver in cirrhotic patients, but is not associated with bacterial translocation
Authors: Laursen Tea L. , Rødgaard‐Hansen Sidsel , Møller Holger J. , Mortensen Christian , Karlsen Stine , Nielsen Dennis T. , Frevert Susanne , Clemmesen Jens O. , Møller Søren , Jensen Jørgen S. , Bendtsen Flemming , Grønbæk Henning
Published: October 2016

Background & Aims

Intestinal bacterial translocation is involved in activation of liver macrophages in cirrhotic patients. Macrophages play a key role in liver inflammation and are involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and complications. Bacterial translocation may be determined by presence of bacterial DNA and macrophage activation, by the soluble mannose receptor. We hypothesize that the soluble mannose receptor is released from hepatic macrophages in cirrhosis and associated with bacterial DNA, portal pressure and complications.

Methods

We investigated 28 cirrhotic patients set for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion as a result of refractory ascites (n=17), acute (n=3), or recurrent variceal bleeding (n=8). We analysed plasma from the portal and hepatic veins for bacterial DNA and soluble mannose receptor with qPCR and ELISA.

Results

The median soluble mannose receptor level was elevated in the hepatic vein compared with the portal vein (0.57(interquartile range 0.31) vs 0.55(0.40) mg/L, P=.005). The soluble mannose receptor levels were similar in bacterial DNA‐positive and ‐negative patients. The soluble mannose receptor level in the portal and hepatic veins correlated with the portal pressure prior to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion (r=.52, P<.008, both) and the levels correlated with Child‐Pugh score (r=.63 and r=.56, P<.004, both). We observed higher soluble mannose receptor levels in patients with acute variceal bleeding compared to other indications (P<.05).

Conclusion

This study showed hepatic soluble mannose receptor excretion with a higher level in the hepatic than the portal vein, though with no associations to bacterial DNA. We observed associations between soluble mannose receptor levels and portal pressure and higher levels in patients with acute variceal bleeding indicating the soluble mannose receptor as a marker of complications of cirrhosis, but not bacterial translocation.
Acute kidney injury post‐major orthopaedic surgery: A single‐Centre case–control study
Authors: Ying Tracey , Chan Samantha , Lane Stephen , Somerville Christine
Published: October 2016

Aim

To identify risk factors for acute kidney injury following major orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

We included all patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery at University Hospital Geelong between 2008 and 2014 in the study. Out of 2188 surgeries audited, we identified cases of acute kidney injury using the RIFLE criteria and matched those to controls 2:1 for age, sex, procedure and chronic kidney disease stage. We reviewed their records for risk factors of postoperative acute kidney injury, including medications such as gentamicin, diuretics, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use. We reviewed the patients' history of cardiovascular disease, chronic liver disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus along with presence of sepsis and obesity. Associations of hypothetical risk factors were estimated using conditional logistic regression.

Results

We identified 164 cases of AKI in an elderly cohort (median age = 73 years). Controlling for baseline comorbidities, both diuretic and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use were found to be associated with a twofold risk of acute kidney injury (diuretic – OR 2.06 95% CI:1.30–3.26, P < 0.005, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use OR 2.09 95% CI:1.31–3.32, P < 0.005). A dose‐effect model accounting for perioperative nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug administration demonstrated a linear relationship between the number of times these drugs were given and postoperative acute kidney injury risk (OR 1.35 95% CI:1.05–1.73, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

We identified perioperative diuretics, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker to be significantly associated with postoperative AKI. Further prospective studies are required to confirm this.
Temperature‐dependent autoimmunity mediated by chs1 requires its neighboring TNL gene SOC3
Authors: Zhang Yao , Wang Yuancong , Liu Jingyan , Ding Yanglin , Wang Shanshan , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Yule , Yang Shuhua
Published: October 2016

Toll/interleukin receptor (TIR)‐nucleotide binding site (NB)‐type (TN) proteins are encoded by a family of 21 genes in the Arabidopsis genome. Previous studies have shown that a mutation in the TN gene CHS1 activates the activation of defense responses at low temperatures. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown.

To genetically dissect chs1‐mediated signaling, we isolated genetic suppressors of chs1‐2 (soc). Several independent soc mutants carried mutations in the same TIR‐NB‐leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) (TNL)‐encoding gene SOC3, which is adjacent to CHS1 on chromosome 1.

Expression of SOC3 was upregulated in the chs1‐2 mutant. Mutations in six soc3 alleles and downregulation of SOC3 by an artificial microRNA construct fully rescued the chilling sensitivity and defense defects of chs1‐2. Biochemical studies showed that CHS1 interacted with the NB and LRR domains of SOC3; however, mutated chs1 interacted with the TIR, NB and LRR domains of SOC3 in vitro and in vivo.

This study reveals that the TN protein CHS1 interacts with the TNL protein SOC3 to modulate temperature‐dependent autoimmunity.
Exploring power and influence in nutrition policy in Australia
Authors: Cullerton K. , Donnet T. , Lee A. , Gallegos D.
Published: October 2016

The food industry is often described as having more power and influence in nutrition policymaking than nutrition professionals, scientists and other practitioners working for the public interest; yet authors often allude to this point as an assumed truth, rather than an evidence‐based fact. This paper applies social network analysis techniques to provide a concise evidence‐based demonstration of the food industry's capacity to influence nutrition policymaking networks in Australia. Network analysis using four rounds of data collection was undertaken, and the capacity of individual actors and occupational categories to influence policy decision makers were analysed. Network graphs were developed using cluster analysis to identify the structure of clusters and the path distance of actors from decision makers. The assumed advantage for the ‘food industry’ was present both strategically in overall network position and with respect to the number of direct access points to ‘decision makers’, whereas ‘nutrition professionals’ were densely clustered together with limited links to key ‘decision makers’. The results demonstrate that the food industry holds the strategic high ground in advocating their interests to policymakers in the contexts studied. Nutrition professionals may be hampered by their reliance on strong ties with other nutrition professionals as well as limited direct links to ‘decision makers’.
On fitness and partial migration in a large herbivore – migratory moose have higher reproductive performance than residents
Authors: Rolandsen Christer M. , Solberg Erling J. , Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Moorter Bram Van , Herfindal Ivar , Bjørneraas Kari
Published: October 2016

Partially migratory populations comprise both resident and migratory individuals. These tactics may coexist if their demographic contribution to future generations (i.e. fitness) are equal or vary temporally with environmental conditions, or if individuals switch between being migrant and resident. Alternatively, the choice of movement tactic can be based on individual attributes such as age, competitive ability or personality. In the latter cases, the two tactics are not expected to have similar average fitness. In this study, we examined the effect of movement tactic on reproductive performance and survival of 82 GPS‐marked female moose and their offspring in a partial migratory population in central Norway. The results indicated higher growth in the migrating part of the population because migrating females produced more twins than resident females. We found no differences in pregnancy rates or survival of adults or their offspring, indicating a net fitness benefit of being migrant. We found the average shoulder height of residents to be slightly lower than of migrants, but doubt that this affected their migration ability. A more likely explanation is that migratory females are both more fecund and grow bigger because of better conditions in their summer ranges. This may be a temporal phenomenon if the fitness differences between migratory and resident moose vary according to environmental fluctuations.
Proteroctopus ribeti in coleoid evolution
Authors: Kruta Isabelle , Rouget Isabelle , Charbonnier Sylvain , Bardin Jérémie , Fernandez Vincent , Germain Damien , Brayard Arnaud , Landman Neil
Published: October 2016

Palaeontological data are key elements for inferring ancestral character states and the assembly of character complexes, but cephalopod fossils preserving soft tissues are very rare. The exceptionally well‐preserved, unique specimen of Jurassic Proteroctopus ribeti Fischer & Riou from the Lagerstätte of La‐Voulte‐sur‐Rhône (c. 165 Ma, France) is one of the few fossil octopod related taxa, but is rarely considered in evolutionary studies. In this paper, we used synchrotron microtomography to reappraise its external characters and for the first time, to reveal its internal structures. A unique character association is found with two fins, head fused to the body, eight well‐developed arms with cirri and two rows of oblique suckers, a gladius and absence of an ink sac. The phylogenetic analysis indicates that Proteroctopus is a basal member of the Vampyropoda. However, this result should be interpreted with caution due to the number of unknown character states in the matrix. Contrary to previous assumptions, the phylogenetic position of Proteroctopus, as well as its stratigraphic occurrence, suggest that the arrangement of biserial suckers may be the ancestral condition in Vampyropoda.