bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrients override atrazine effects on riparian and aquatic plant community structure in a North American agricultural catchment
Authors: Dalton Rebecca L. , Boutin Céline , Pick Frances R.
Published: April 2015

In agricultural catchments, streams are intimately connected with croplands and are exposed to agrochemicals such as fertilisers and herbicides. In North American streams, the effects of nutrient enrichment on riparian and aquatic plant community structure are not well established and the effects of herbicides are largely unknown.

We identified the riparian and aquatic plant community at 12 paired stream/river sites (24 in total, Strahler stream order 3–6) located across a large North American agricultural catchment. Field sites ranged in surrounding agricultural land use (2.7–100% annual crops) and in‐stream June concentrations of reactive phosphate (6–65 μg L−1 as phosphorus) and nitrate (3–3981 μg L−1 as nitrogen). Atrazine, a herbicide commonly used on corn crops in North America, was widespread throughout the catchment with time‐weighted‐average concentrations ranging from 4 to 412 ng L−1 over a 56‐day period. Atrazine concentrations were >100 ng L−1 at over half the field sites.

In total, 285 riparian and aquatic plant taxa were identified. Effects of agrochemicals on descriptors of plant communities were assessed by comparing paired sites surrounded by low or high levels of agriculture and examining changes across the catchment. Agrochemicals had no effect on overall species richness. However, the percentage of non‐native species increased across the catchment along a gradient of increasing nitrate. A decline in submerged macrophytes was associated with enrichment of both nitrate and reactive phosphate, whereas no direct effects of atrazine were observed.

A floristic quality assessment was used to determine further effects of agrochemicals on riparian and aquatic plant communities. A ranking system, based on native status and tolerance to disturbance, was used to assign coefficient of conservation values to each species. Floristic quality was subsequently calculated as a function of species richness and the average coefficient of conservation value at each site. Overall floristic quality decreased as nitrate increased. Species positively associated with nitrate were typically fast‐growing, weedy, riparian species, whereas species negatively associated with nitrate were characteristic of less disturbed areas and represented a range of growth forms.

We conclude that nutrient enrichment, especially of nitrate, has multiple negative effects on riparian and aquatic plant communities that override effects of the herbicide atrazine. Our results highlight the need to reduce inputs of agrochemicals to streams and to regulate nitrogen in addition to phosphorus.
Does richness of emergent plants affect CO2 and CH4 emissions in experimental wetlands?
Authors: Mo Yi , Deng Zhao‐Heng , Gao Jun‐Qin , Guo Yu‐Xi , Yu Fei‐Hai
Published: April 2015

Plant species richness may affect greenhouse gas emissions because it may change ecosystem productivity. Emergent plants are an important component of wetland ecosystems, but little is known about how emergent plant richness affects greenhouse gas emissions.

We assembled experimental communities consisting of 1, 2, 4 or 8 emergent plant species in aquatic microcosms and measured community biomass and emissions of CO2 and CH4.

Emergent plant richness had little effect on cumulative emissions of CO2 or CH4, most likely because it did not affect community biomass. This conclusion is supported by the fact that CO2 emission was significantly positively related to community biomass. The reason for the unresponsiveness of community biomass to species richness of emergent plants may be that all the plants are in the same functional group so that complementarity among species is weak. CH4 emissions from monocultures of different species differed greatly.

Our results do not support the hypothesis that richness of emergent plants plays an important role in regulating greenhouse gas emissions from wetlands. A significant richness effect on greenhouse gas emissions might be detected in wetlands consisting of different plant functional groups such as emergent, floating and submerged plants.
A public goods approach to major evolutionary innovations
Authors: Erwin D. H.
Published: April 2015

The history of life is marked by a small number of major transitions, whether viewed from a genetic, ecological, or geological perspective. Specialists from various disciplines have focused on the packaging of information to generate new evolutionary individuals, on the expansion of ecological opportunity, or the abiotic drivers of environmental change to which organisms respond as the major drivers of these episodes. But the critical issue for understanding these major evolutionary transitions (METs) lies in the interactions between environmental, ecologic, and genetic change. Here, I propose that public goods may serve as one currency of such interactions: biological products that are non‐excludable and non‐rivalrous. Such biological public goods may be involved in either the generation of new evolutionary variation, as with genetic sequences that are easily transferred between different microbial lineages, or in the construction of new ecological niches, as with the progressive oxygenation of the oceans and atmosphere. Attention to public goods emphasizes the processes by which organisms actively construct their own evolutionary opportunities. Such public goods may have facilitated someMETs.
Successional and seasonal variations in soil and litter microbial community structure and function during tropical postagricultural forest regeneration: a multiyear study
Authors: Smith A. Peyton , Marín‐Spiotta Erika , Balser Teri
Published: April 2015

Soil microorganisms regulate fundamental biochemical processes in plant litter decomposition and soil organic matter (SOM) transformations. Understanding how microbial communities respond to changes in vegetation is critical for improving predictions of how land‐cover change affects belowground carbon storage and nutrient availability. We measured intra‐ and interannual variability in soil and forest litter microbial community composition and activity via phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) and extracellular enzyme activity across a well‐replicated, long‐term chronosequence of secondary forests growing on abandoned pastures in the wet subtropical forest life zone of Puerto Rico. Microbial communityPLFAstructure differed between young secondary forests and older secondary and primary forests, following successional shifts in tree species composition. These successional patterns held across seasons, but the microbial groups driving these patterns differed over time. Microbial community composition from the forest litter differed greatly from those in the soil, but did not show the same successional trends. Extracellular enzyme activity did not differ with forest succession, but varied by season with greater rates of potential activity in the dry seasons. We found few robust significant relationships among microbial community parameters and soilpH, moisture, carbon, and nitrogen concentrations. Observed inter‐ and intrannual variability in microbial community structure and activity reveal the importance of a multiple, temporal sampling strategy when investigating microbial community dynamics with land‐use change. Successional control over microbial composition with forest recovery suggests strong links between above and belowground communities.
Targeting Aspirin in Acute Disabling Ischemic Stroke: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of Three Large Randomized Trials
Authors: Thompson Douglas D. , Murray Gordon D. , Candelise Livia , Chen Zhengming , Sandercock Peter A. G. , Whiteley William N.
Published: April 2015

Background

Aspirin is of moderate overall benefit for patients with acute disabling ischemic stroke. It is unclear whether functional outcome could be improved after stroke by targeting aspirin to patients with a high risk of recurrent thrombosis or a low risk of haemorrhage.

Aims

We aimed to determine whether patients at higher risk of thrombotic events or poor functional outcome, or lower risk of major haemorrhage had a greater absolute risk reduction of poor functional outcome with aspirin than the average patient.

Methods

We used data on individual ischemic stroke patients from three large trials of aspirin vs. placebo in acute ischemic stroke: the first International Stroke Trial ( n = 18 372), the Chinese Acute Stroke Trial ( n = 20 172) and the Multicentre Acute Stroke Trial ( n = 622). We developed and evaluated clinical prediction models for the following: early thrombotic events (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism); early haemorrhagic events (significant intracranial haemorrhage, major extracranial haemorrhage, or haemorrhagic transformation of an infarct); and late poor functional outcome. We calculated the absolute risk reduction of poor functional outcome (death or dependence) at final follow-up in: quartiles of early thrombotic risk; quartiles of early haemorrhagic risk; and deciles of poor functional outcome risk.

Results

Ischemic stroke patients who were older, had lower blood pressure, computerized tomography evidence of infarct or more severe deficits due to stroke had increased risk of thrombotic and haemorrhagic events and poor functional outcome. Prediction models built with all baseline variables (including onset to treatment time) discriminated weakly between patients with and without recurrent thrombotic events (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0·56, 95% CI:0·53–0·59) and haemorrhagic events (0·57, 0·52–0·64), though well between patients with and without poor functional outcome (0·77, 0·76–0·78) in the International Stroke Trial. We found no evidence that the net benefit of aspirin increased with increasing risk of thrombosis, haemorrhage or poor functional outcome in all three trials.

Conclusions

Using simple clinical variables to target aspirin to patients after acute disabling stroke by risk of thrombosis, haemorrhage or poor functional outcome does not lead to greater net clinical benefit. We suggest future risk stratification schemes include new risk factors for thrombosis and intracranial haemorrhage.
Sedation vs. Intubation for Endovascular Stroke TreAtment (SIESTA) – A Randomized Monocentric Trial
Authors: Schönenberger Silvia , Möhlenbruch Markus , Pfaff Johannes , Mundiyanapurath Sibu , Kieser Meinhard , Bendszus Martin , Hacke Werner , Bösel Julian
Published: April 2015

Background

The optimal peri-interventional management of sedation and airway for endovascular stroke treatment (EST) appears to be a crucial factor for treatment success. According to retrospective studies, the widely favored general anesthesia with intubation seems to be associated with poor functional outcome compared to a slightly sedated non-intubated condition (conscious sedation).

Method

SIESTA is a monocentric, prospective, randomized parallel-group, open-label treatment trial with blinded endpoint evaluation (PROBE design). The study compares the non-intubated with the intubated state in patients receiving endovascular treatment of acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke. The primary endpoint is early neurological improvement as by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) after 24 h (difference between NIHSS on admission and NIHSS after 24 h). Secondary endpoints include: functional outcome after three-months as by modified Rankin Scale (mRS), mortality, parameters of ventilation and critical care, feasibility, and safety, i.e. complications related to endovascular stroke treatment.

Conclusion

The aims of this study are to prospectively clarify whether the non-intubated state of conscious sedation is feasible, safe, and superior with regard to early neurological improvement compared to the intubated state of general anesthesia in patients receiving acute endovascular stroke treatment.
Comparative analysis of nursing and midwifery regulatory and professional bodies' scope of practice and associated decision‐making frameworks: a discussion paper
Authors: Kennedy Catriona , O'Reilly Pauline , Fealy Gerard , Casey Mary , Brady Anne‐Marie , McNamara Martin , Prizeman Geraldine , Rohde Daniela , Hegarty Josephine
Published: April 2015

Aims

To review, discuss and compare nursing and midwifery regulatory and professional bodies' scope of practice and associated decision‐making frameworks.

Background

Scope of practice in professional nursing and midwifery is an evolving process which needs to be responsive to clinical, service, societal, demographic and fiscal changes. Codes and frameworks offer a system of rules and principles by which the nursing and midwifery professions are expected to regulate members and demonstrate responsibility to society.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data sources

Twelve scope of practice and associated decision‐making frameworks (January 2000–March 2014).

Implications for nursing

Two main approaches to the regulation of the scope of practice and associated decision‐making frameworks exist internationally. The first approach is policy and regulation driven and behaviour oriented. The second approach is based on notions of autonomous decision‐making, professionalism and accountability. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive, but have similar elements with a different emphasis. Both approaches lack explicit recognition of the aesthetic aspects of care and patient choice, which is a fundamental principle of evidence‐based practice.

Conclusion

Nursing organizations, regulatory authorities and nurses should recognize that scope of practice and the associated responsibility for decision‐making provides a very public statement about the status of nursing in a given jurisdiction.
Patients' experiences of technology and care in adult intensive care
Authors: Stayt Louise Caroline , Seers Kate , Tutton Elizabeth
Published: April 2015

Aims

To investigate patients' experiences of technology in an adult intensive care unit.

Background

Technology is fundamental to support physical recovery from critical illness in Intensive Care Units. As well as physical corollaries, psychological disturbances are reported in critically ill patients at all stages of their illness and recovery. Nurses play a key role in the physical and psychological care of patients;, however, there is a suggestion in the literature that the presence of technology may dehumanise patient care and distract the nurse from attending to patients psychosocial needs. Little attention has been paid to patients' perceptions of receiving care in a technological environment.

Design

This study was informed by Heideggerian phenomenology.

Methods

The research took place in 2009–2011 in a university hospital in England. Nineteen participants who had been patients inICUwere interviewed guided by an interview topic prompt list. Interviews were transcribedverbatimand analysed using Van Manen's framework.

Findings

Participants described technology and care as inseparable and presented their experiences as a unified encounter. The theme ‘Getting on with it’ described how participants endured technology by ‘Being Good’ and ‘Being Invisible’. ‘Getting over it’ described why participants endured technology by ‘Bowing to Authority’ and viewing invasive technologies as a ‘Necessary Evil’.

Conclusion

Patients experienced technology and care as a series of paradoxical relationships: alienating yet reassuring, uncomfortable yet comforting, impersonal yet personal. By maintaining a close and supportive presence and providing personal comfort and care nurses may minimize the invasive and isolating potential of technology.
Cybervictimization of Young People With an Intellectual or Developmental Disability: Risks Specific to Sexual Solicitation
Authors: Normand Claude L. , Sallafranque‐St‐Louis François
Published: April 2015

Background

Studies demonstrate that youth are vulnerable to online sexual solicitation. However, no study has estimated this risk for youth diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD).

Methods

A literature review of the risk factors associated with online sexual solicitation in youths was done using electronic databases, such as PsychInFO, ERIC, MEDLINE and Scopus.

Results

Fifty‐seven published papers were found relevant. However, only two pertained to the population with IDD. Sexual and physical abuse, social isolation, loneliness, depression, and chatting were found to increase the risk of being prey to sexual solicitation on the Internet. Many of these risk factors are even more prevalent in youth with IDD than in the general population.

Conclusion

Recommendations are made for future research to help understand and prevent sexual cybersolicitation.
Mitogenome revealed multiple postdomestication genetic mixtures of West African sheep
Authors: Brahi O.H.D. , Xiang H. , Chen X. , Farougou S. , Zhao X.
Published: April 2015

Notable diversity observed within African ovine breeds makes them of great interests, but limited studies on genetic origins and domestications remain poorly understood. Here, we investigate the evolutionary status of West African native breeds, Djallonke and Sahelian sheep using mitogenome sequencing. Compared with other ovine mitogenome sequences, West African sheep were revealed a Eurasian origin, and the initially tamed sheep breeds in West Africa have been genetically mixed with each other and mixed with European breeds. Worldwide domestic sheep is deemed the Eurasian origin and migrated west to Europe and Africa and east to the Far East, in which dispersed and received selection for acclimation to autochthonic environment independently and ultimately evolved into different native breeds, respectively. Our results contribute to the comprehensive understanding of the domestic sheep origin and reveal multiple postdomestication genetic amelioration processes.
A Novel Microwave Catheter Can Perform Noncontact Circumferential Endocardial Ablation in a Model of Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: QIAN PIERRE , BARRY MICHAEL ANTHONY , NGUYEN TRANG , ROSS DAVID , KOVOOR PRAMESH , MCEWAN ALISTAIR , THOMAS STUART , THIAGALINGAM ARAVINDA
Published: April 2015

Noncontact Circumferential Microwave Catheter Ablation

Introduction

Pulmonary vein isolation is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation. Current endocardial ablation techniques require catheter contact for lesion formation. Inadequate or inconsistent catheter contact results in difficulty with achieving acute and long‐term isolation and consequent atrial arrhythmia recurrence. Microwave energy produces radiant heating and therefore can be used for noncontact catheter ablation. We hypothesized that it is possible to design a microwave catheter to produce a circumferential transmural thermal lesion in an in vitro model of a pulmonary vein antrum.

Methods and Results

A monopole microwave catheter with a sideways firing axially symmetrical heating pattern was designed. Noncontact ablations were performed in a perfused pulmonary vein model constructed from microwave myocardial phantom embedded with a sheet of thermochromic liquid crystal to permit visualization and measurement of thermal lesions from color changes. 1200 J ablations were performed at 150 W for 80 seconds and 120 W for 100 seconds at high (0.8 L/min) and low (0.06 L/min) flow through the modeled pulmonary vein. Myocardial tissue was substituted for the phantom material and ablations repeated at 150 W for 180 seconds and stained with nitro‐blue tetrazolium. The catheter was able to induce deep circumferential antral lesions in myocardial phantom and myocardial tissue. Higher power and shorter ablations delivering the same amount of microwave energy resulted in larger lesions with less surface sparing.

Conclusions

A microwave catheter can be designed to produce a circumferential thermal lesion on noncontact ablation and may have possible applications for pulmonary vein isolation.
Research Review: Neuropsychological test performance in pediatric obsessive–compulsive disorder – a meta‐analysis
Authors: Abramovitch Amitai , Abramowitz Jonathan S. , Mittelman Andrew , Stark Abigail , Ramsey Kesley , Geller Daniel A.
Published: April 2015

Background

Research into the neuropsychology of pediatric obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) reveals inconsistent results, limiting the ability to draw conclusions about possible neurocognitive deficits in youth with OCD. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta‐analysis of the available literature.

Methods

We identified 36 studies, of which 11 studies met inclusion criteria. Results were categorized into nine functional subdomains: planning, response inhibition/interference control, set shifting/cognitive flexibility, verbal memory, nonverbal memory, processing speed, working memory, visuospatial functions, and attention. For each domain, weighted pooled Hedges' g effect size was calculated using random model analyses.

Results

Small effect sizes were found across all subdomains, none of which were found to be statistically significant.

Discussion

Results indicate that youth with OCD do not exhibit noteworthy neuropsychological deficits. This is in line with recent suggestions that OCD may not be characterized by clinically meaningful neuropsychological impairments. However, the small number of available controlled studies highlights the urgent need for more neuropsychological research in this population, as well as for further exploration of the neurodevelopmental hypothesis in pediatric OCD. Finally, the relatively low persistence rates of OCD into adulthood should be taken under consideration, especially in the context of the putative neuropsychological performance differences between adult and pediatric OCD populations.
Comparison of once a day rifaximin to twice a day dosage in the prevention of recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Khokhar Nasir , Qureshi Muhammad Omar , Ahmad Shafiq , Ahmad Aiza , Khan Hamza Hassan , Shafqat Farzana , Salih Muhammad
Published: April 2015

Background

Rifaximin has been used for prevention of recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in twice a day dosage. The drug is expensive and lower dising may be possible.

Objective

To determine the efficacy of rifaximin once a day dose in the prevention of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with liver cirrhosis as compared with twice daily dose of rifaximin.

Methods

This Randomized control trial was carried out at the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan from November 2012 to February 2014. Patients with known chronic liver disease with at least one episode of HE in the past were randomized to group A (rifaximin 550 mg OD) and group B (rifaximin 550 mg BD), after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Each patient was followed for 6 months for any episode of HE. Patients in each group were identified for any breakthrough episode of encephalopathy during this period. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Chi‐squared test and t‐test were applied where required to determine the significant difference between the two groups.

Results

There were a total of 306 patients: 128 patients in Group A while 178 in group B. Majority of patients (75.81%) had hepatitis C virus with mean age of 52.30 ± 9.92, MELD score 13.58 ± 8.3, and 55.22% were in Child–Pugh B. Eighty‐one patients had an episode of HE during the study period. There were 27 patients in group A and 54 patients in group B with breakthrough episode of HE (P = 0.088).

Conclusion

This study suggests that there is no significant difference in rifaximin once a day or twice daily dose in preventing HE.
Irritable bowel syndrome among Japanese adolescents: A nationally representative survey
Authors: Yamamoto Ryuichiro , Kaneita Yoshitaka , Osaki Yoneatsu , Kanda Hideyuki , Suzuki Kenji , Higuchi Susumu , Ikeda Maki , Kondo Shuji , Munezawa Takeshi , Ohida Takashi
Published: April 2015

Background and Aim

No nationally representative survey of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among adolescents has ever been performed in Japan. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the prevalence of IBS among Japanese adolescents and the factors associated with it.

Methods

The items related to the diagnostic criteria for IBS based on the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders were included in a cross‐sectional nationwide survey of “alcohol consumption and smoking habits among junior and senior high school students.” The participating schools were sampled from among all junior and senior high schools in Japan using the cluster‐sampling method, and self‐administered questionnaires were sent to the selected schools by mail. Among 99 416 questionnaires that were collected, data from 98 411 valid responses were analyzed.

Results

The results showed that the prevalence of IBS was 18.6%. Although no sex difference was observed in the overall prevalence of IBS, the prevalence of diarrhea‐predominant IBS was higher among boys than among girls, and the prevalence of constipation‐predominant IBS was higher among girls than among boys. The prevalence of IBS increased with progression of the school grade, and there were the significant relationships between IBS and sleep‐phase delay and insomnia symptoms. IBS was also significantly associated with poor mental health status.

Conclusion

These results indicate that IBS is common among junior and senior high school students, and associated with lifestyle and mental health.
Long noncoding ribonucleic acid specific for distant metastasis of gastric cancer is associated with TRIM16 expression and facilitates tumor cell invasion in vitro
Authors: Yan Yichao , Shen Zhanlong , Gao Zhidong , Cao Jian , Yang Yang , Wang Bo , Shen Chao , Mao Shuqiang , Jiang Kewei , Ye Yingjiang , Wang Shan
Published: April 2015

Background and Aim

Increasing evidence has indicated that long noncoding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) play a major role in cancers. Although certain lncRNAs has been reported to play a role in gastric cancer (GC), specific lncRNAs involved in distant metastasis of GC remain unknown.

Methods

Differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs between stage IV and non‐stage IV GC were obtained by microarray. Gene ontology and pathway analysis were used to study functions of differential mRNAs. Algorithms were used to predict potential gene targets of cis or trans‐acting lncRNAs. Network analysis was performed to analyze each pair of gene–lncRNA, gene–gene, or lncRNA–lncRNA interactions. Expression of lncRNA special for distant metastasis of GC (SDMGC) and target gene TRIM16 were tested in GC tissues and cell lines. RNAi and overexpression were used to observe the biological functions of SDMGC and TRIM16 on GC cells.

Results

502 mRNAs and 440 lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed. 74 gene ontology terms and 38 pathways were associated with the dysregulated transcripts. Fourteen core factors were determined by network analysis. Expression of SDMGC and TRIM16 was upregulated in the distant metastasis tissues, compared with primary GC tissues, which were positive correlation. Silencing of SDMGC or TRIM16 was demonstrated to decrease cell invasion and migration, while upregulated of SDMGC or TRIM16 could promote cell invasion and migration. However, little effect on proliferation, cell cycle, colony formation, and apoptosis was found.

Conclusions

SDMGC is obviously upregulated in stage IV GC and may represent a new marker and therapeutic target for GC treatment.
Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 agonists ameliorate indomethacin‐induced murine ileitis by suppressing the TLR4 signaling
Authors: Narimatsu Kazuyuki , Higashiyama Masaaki , Kurihara Chie , Takajo Takeshi , Maruta Koji , Yasutake Yuichi , Sato Hirokazu , Okada Yoshikiyo , Watanabe Chikako , Komoto Shunsuke , Tomita Kengo , Nagao Shigeaki , Miura Soichiro , Hokari Ryota
Published: April 2015

Background and Aim

Few drugs have been found satisfactory in the treatment of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)‐induced enteropathy. Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4 and aberrant leukocyte migration to the intestinal mucosa are reported to be involved in the pathology of intestinal enteropathy and TLR2 agonists have been found to evoke hyposensitivity to TLR4 stimulation in vitro. In this study, we investigated whether and how lipoarabinomannan (LAM) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA), TLR2 agonists, attenuated indomethacin (IND)‐induced intestinal damage.

Methods

LAM (0.5 mg/kg) or LTA (15 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to mice before IND (10 mg/kg) administration. Disease activity was evaluated macroscopically and histologically. In the migration analysis, fluorescence‐labeled leukocyte movement in the intestinal microvessels was observed by intravital microscopy. Expression of P‐selectin, MAdCAM‐1, TLR2, TLR4, and F4/80 was observed immunohistochemically. In the in vitro analysis, RAW264.7 macrophage cells were preincubated with LAM and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the mRNA expression levels of TLR4, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐12p40 were measured.

Results

Pretreatment with LAM or LTA significantly decreased IND‐induced injury as well as decreased leukocyte infiltration. Pretreatment with LAM decreased IND‐induced TLR4 expression on F4/80+ macrophages, the level of P‐selectin expression, and leukocyte migration in the small intestinal vessels. In the in vitro study, a single administration of LAM decreased TLR4 mRNA expression and inhibited the increase in mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines by LPS in a dose‐dependent manner.

Conclusion

TLR2 agonists attenuated IND‐induced small intestinal lesions and leukocyte infiltration probably by suppressing the TLR4 signaling pathway in tissue macrophages.
Influence of gastrointestinal factors on glucose metabolism in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Junker Anders E , Gluud Lise L , Holst Jens J , Knop Filip K , Vilsbøll Tina
Published: April 2015

Background and Aim

The impaired glucose tolerance in cirrhosis is poorly understood. We evaluated the influence of gastrointestinal‐mediated glucose disposal and incretin effect in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

Non‐diabetic patients with Child–Pugh A or B cirrhosis (n = 10) and matched healthy controls (n = 10) underwent a 50‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and an isoglycemic intravenous glucose infusion. We presented data as median ± interquartile range and compared groups using non‐parametric analysis of variance.

Results

Patients with cirrhosis were glucose intolerant compared with healthy controls (4‐h OGTTAUC: 609 ± 458 vs 180 ± 155 min × mmol/L; P = 0.005), insulin resistant (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance: 3.7 ± 4.9 vs 2.6 ± 1.4; P = 0.014) and had fasting hyperglucagonemia (8 ± 3 vs 3 ± 4 pmol/L; P = 0.027). Isoglycemia was achieved using 35 ± 12 g of intravenous glucose in patients with cirrhosis compared with 24 ± 10 g in healthy controls (P = 0.003). The gastrointestinal‐mediated glucose disposal was markedly lower in patients with cirrhosis (30 ± 23 vs 52 ± 20%; P = 0.003). Despite higher levels of the incretin hormones glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic peptide patients with cirrhosis had reduced incretin effect (35 ± 44 vs 55 ± 30%; P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Impaired gastrointestinal‐mediated glucose disposal and reduced incretin effect may contribute to the glucose intolerance seen in patients with cirrhosis.
Oil for Fish: An Energy Return on Investment Analysis of Selected European Union Fishing Fleets
Authors: Guillen Jordi , Cheilari Anna , Damalas Dimitrios , Barbas Thomas
Published: April 2015

World food production has increased substantially in the past century, thanks mostly to the increase in the use of oil as input in the production processes. This growing use of fossil fuels has negative effects, both on the environment and the production costs. Fishing is a fuel consuming food production activity, and its energy efficiency performance has worsened over time. World‐wide fisheries are also suffering from overexploitation, which contributes to the poor efficiency performance, adding more pressure and criticism on this economic activity. In this paper we analyzed the energy efficiency performance of more than 20,000 European Union (EU) fishing vessels for the period 2002–2008, using the edible energy return on investment (EROI) indicator. The vessels analyzed, grouped in 49 different fleets, represented 25% of the vessels and 33% of the landings of the EU fishing sector. These EU fishing fleets’ average EROI for 2008 was 0.11, which translates to an energy content of the fuel burned that is 9 times greater than the edible energy content of the catch. Hence, the significance of this study arises from the use of time‐series data on a relevant part of the EU fleet that showed stable or even slight improvements on the EROI over time. Moreover, results showed that the energy efficiency of the different fleets varied significantly (from 0.02 to 1.12), mainly depending on the fishing gear and the vessel length. The performance of the most efficient fleets, such as large pelagic trawlers and seiners, was comparable to many agricultural production activities. The plausible drivers behind these trends are further considered.
Efficient use of a translation start codon in BDNF exon I
Authors: Koppel Indrek , Tuvikene Jürgen , Lekk Ingrid , Timmusk Tõnis
Published: April 2015

The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene contains a number of 5′ exons alternatively spliced with a common 3′ exon. BDNF protein is synthesized from alternative transcripts as a prepro‐precursor encoded by the common 3′ exon IX, which has a translation start site 21 bp downstream of the splicing site. BDNF mRNAs containing exon I are an exception to this arrangement as the last three nucleotides of this exon constitute an in‐frame AUG. Here, we show that this AUG is efficiently used for translation initiation in PC12 cells and cultured cortical neurons. Use of exon I‐specific AUG produces higher levels of BDNF protein than use of the common translation start site, resulting from a higher translation rate. No differences in protein degradation, constitutive or regulated secretion were detected between BDNF isoforms with alternative 5′ termini. As the BDNF promoter preceding exon I is known to be highly regulated by neuronal activity, our results suggest that the function of this translation start site may be efficient stimulus‐dependent synthesis of BDNF protein.

image

The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene contains multiple untranslated 5′ exons alternatively spliced to one common protein‐coding 3′ exon. However, exon I contains an in‐frame ATG in a favorable translation context. Here, we show that use of this ATG is associated with more efficient protein synthesis than the commonly used ATG in exon IX.
Does Going Public Affect Innovation?
Authors: BERNSTEIN SHAI
Published: April 2015

This paper investigates the effects of going public on innovation by comparing the innovation activity of firms that go public with firms that withdraw their initial public offering (IPO) filing and remain private. NASDAQ fluctuations during the book‐building phase are used as an instrument for IPO completion. Using patent‐based metrics, I find that the quality of internal innovation declines following the IPO, and firms experience both an exodus of skilled inventors and a decline in the productivity of the remaining inventors. However, public firms attract new human capital and acquire external innovation. The analysis reveals that going public changes firms' strategies in pursuing innovation.
Downregulation of toll‐like receptor‐mediated signalling pathways in oral lichen planus
Authors: Sinon Suraya H. , Rich Alison M. , Parachuru Venkata P. B. , Firth Fiona A. , Milne Trudy , Seymour Gregory J.
Published: April 2015

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of Toll‐like receptors (TLR) and TLR‐associated signalling pathway genes in oral lichen planus (OLP).

Methods

Initially, immunohistochemistry was used to determine TLR expression in 12 formalin‐fixed archival OLP tissues with 12 non‐specifically inflamed oral tissues as controls. RNA was isolated from further fresh samples of OLP and non‐specifically inflamed oral tissue controls (n = 6 for both groups) and used in qRT2‐PCR focused arrays to determine the expression of TLRs and associated signalling pathway genes. Genes with a statistical significance of ±two‐fold regulation (FR) and a P‐value < 0.05 were considered as significantly regulated.

Results

Significantly more TLR4+ cells were present in the inflammatory infiltrate in OLP compared with the control tissues (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the numbers of TLR2+ and TLR8+ cells between the groups. TLR3 was significantly downregulated in OLP (P < 0.01). TLR8 was upregulated in OLP, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The TLR‐mediated signalling‐associated protein genes MyD88 and TIRAP were significantly downregulated (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), as were IRAK1 (P < 0.05), MAPK8 (P < 0.01), MAP3K1 (P < 0.05), MAP4K4 (P < 0.05), REL (P < 0.01) and RELA (P < 0.01). Stress proteins HMGB1 and the heat shock protein D1 were significantly downregulated in OLP (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

These findings suggest a downregulation of TLR‐mediated signalling pathways in OLP lesions.
Bioelicitors Induce Association of Defence Enzymes with Cell Walls ofLycopersicum esculentum
Authors: Bhuvaneshwari Veluswamy , Goel Navodit , Paul Prabir Kumar
Published: April 2015

Cell walls of plants are complex structures impregnated with various proteins having wide array of functions. In this study, twenty‐eight proteins isolated from tomato cell walls were subjected toMALDI‐TOF MSfollowed by mass peak analysis usingORIGIN6 software. The mass peaks subjected toMASCOTand ProFound databases for peptide mass fingerprinting led to the identification of 9 protein domains. These proteins were further classified according to their functions. Fruit extracts ofA. indicacould elicit induction, localization and functioning of peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and their isoenzymes in cell walls ofLycopersicum esculentum(tomato) againstPseudomonas syringaepv.tomato. The results revealed the possible involvement of cell wall‐bound proteins in defence of plants against the invading pathogens. A number of novel isoenzymes of bothPOXandPPOwere found to be located in the cell walls of the plants treated with neem extract. Neem extract can induce accumulation and binding of isoenzymes to cell walls. These isoenzymes could possibly protect host plants against the invading pathogens.
Effects of Preconditioning Through Mycorrhizal Inoculation on the Control of Melon Root Rot and Vine Decline Caused by Monosporascus cannonballus
Authors: Aleandri Maria Pia , Martignoni Diana , Reda Roberto , Chilosi Gabriele
Published: April 2015

The use of inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in nursery represents a promising field in horticulture because of its known benefits in terms of plant growth and bioprotection. The present work was undertaken to determine the effect of mycorrhizal inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis in a nursery medium on the containment of melon root rot and vine decline (MRRVD) caused by the soil‐borne pathogen Monosporascus cannonballus. The percentage of mycorrhization, biomass and yield following mycorrhizal inoculation were also evaluated. Biocontrol activity was assessed in greenhouse pot experiments upon artificial inoculation of M. cannonballus and in a two‐season field experiment under production conditions in an unheated greenhouse with a history of MRRVD. On the basis of the mycorrhization parameters, the interaction appeared to be established within 30 days after inoculation. The total shoot growth in the mycorrhized plants was significantly higher when compared to the control, while the root growth was unaffected. Upon artificial inoculation of M. cannonballus, mycorrhization provided complete protection against the pathogen. Greenhouse experiments under production conditions during spring cropping season showed that pretransplanting inoculation with R. irregularis significantly decreased the severity of the disease. Also, the average fruit weight of mycorrhized plants was significantly higher than the untreated control. Nevertheless, in summer crop, the bioprotection activity of AMF failed. Present results indicate that the use of AMF in a nursery setting can contribute to the prevention of the onset of this problematic soil‐borne disease within a sustainable and integrated soil‐borne disease management.
Comprehensive cytotoxic evaluation of morin, a bioflavonoid against verapamil on rat gastrointestinal epithelium for novel pharmaceutical application involving P-glycoprotein inhibition
Authors: Surampalli Gurunath , Nanjwade Basavaraj K , Patil Paragouda A
Published: April 2015

Objective

In this study, a comprehensive and comparative cytotoxic evaluation of morin against verapamil on rat intestinal epithelium as P-gp inhibitors through in-vitro gastrointestinal short-term toxicity assays involving permeability studies for safety evaluation was investigated.

Methods

In this study, the effect of morin (1 mM or 10 mM) or verapamil (1 mM or 10 mM) or sodium deoxycholate (10 mM) was investigated on intestinal epithelium and isolated brush border membrane using biomarker assays. Cytotoxicity was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The nutrients transport was assessed using everted sacs studies. Paracellular permeability was measured using Lucifer yellow, followed by morphometric analysis of intestinal sacs.

Key findings

Our results indicated that morin was effective in maintaining cell viability with no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the activity of intestinal brush border markers, membrane integrity and morphometric analysis as compared with control. On the contrary, dramatic (P < 0.01) changes were noticed in the release of membrane markers, cell viability and surface characteristics of intestinal segments when treated with verapamil or sodium deoxycholate as compared with control or morin.

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that morin is non-toxic to rat intestinal epithelium against verapamil demonstrating the potential use of bioflavonoid as safe and novel pharmaceutical adjuvant as P-gp inhibitor.
Spray-dried extract of Phyllanthus niruri L. reduces mucosal damage in rats with intestinal inflammation
Authors: Nunes de Melo Maryanne , Alberto Lira Soares Luiz , Raquel da Costa Porto Cynthia , Antunes de Araújo Aurigena , das Graças Almeida Maria , Pereira de Souza Tatiane , Petrovick Pedro Ros , Fernandes de Araújo Raimundo , Guerra Gerlane Coelho Bernardo
Published: April 2015

Phyllanthus niruri L. belongs to the Euphorbiaceae, and is known by the common name of ‘stonebreaker’ in Brazil. Some species within the Phyllanthus genus are widely used in traditional medicine to counteract different types of anti-inflammatory diseases.

Objectives

In this study, the preventive intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of spray-dried extract of P. niruri (SDEPn) was tested in the model of acetic acid (10%)-induced ulcerative colitis in the rat.

Methods

Colitis animals were given orally at doses 25, 100 and 200 mg/kg. Colons tissue was analysed by macroscopic score, by histopathology score, by the immunohistochemical examination of tumour necrosis factor alpha, p53 and interferon gamma; by spectroscopic ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV/VIS) analysis of the levels of myeloperoxidase, malonaldehyde and total glutathione.

Key Findings/Result

Pretreatment of the extract to colitic rats significantly attenuated colonic macroscopic damage induced by acetic acid (P < 0.01). Spray-dried extract of P. niruri prevented glutathione depletion (P < 0.001) and malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05) declined. Spray-dried extract of P. niruri significantly reduced microscopic damage to tissues, such as leukocyte infiltration accompanied by a significant reduction in myeloperoxidase activity (P < 0.5). Immunohistochemistry revealed a decline in the TNF-α, IFN-γ and p53 protein (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Spray-dried extract of P. niruri has a beneficial effect in the acute phase of acetic acid-induced colitis in the rat, which is probably related to its antioxidant properties.
The effect of canola meal tannins on the intestinal absorption capacity of broilers using a D‐xylose test
Authors: Mansoori B. , Rogiewicz A. , Slominski B. A.
Published: April 2015

In three D‐xylose absorption experiments, the effect of 1% HCl/methanol, 70% methanol or 70% acetone extracts of canola meal (CM) or 70% acetone extract of soybean meal (SBM) containing polyphenols, phenolic acids, tannins and phytic acid on intestinal absorption capacity of broilers was determined. In Exp. 1, the experimental groups received orally D‐xylose solution alone or with methanol/HCl, methanol or acetone extracts of CM. In Exp. 2, the experimental groups received D‐xylose alone or with acetone extracts of CM or SBM. In Exp. 3, the experimental groups received D‐xylose plus sucrose solution or D‐xylose plus acetone extracts of CM or SBM. In Exps. 2 and 3, the CM extracts contained 2.7 and 2.6, 2.4 and 2.3, 3.2 and 3.2, and 2.4 and 2.2 times higher polyphenols, phenolic acids, tannins and condensed tannins than the corresponding SBM extracts respectively. Blood samples were collected in 40‐min intervals, and plasma D‐xylose was measured. Compared to the Control, plasma D‐xylose in Exp. 1 was lower (p < 0.001) by 81, 69 and 73% at 40‐min, by 41, 44 and 37% at 80‐min and by 22, 31, and 23% at 120‐min post‐ingestion of the HCl/methanol, methanol and acetone extracts respectively. In both Exps. 2 and 3, plasma D‐xylose level was lower (p < 0.001) in groups dosed with CM extract or SBM extract at each time of blood collection, when compared to the respective Control group. However, in Exp. 3, birds dosed with SBM extract had higher plasma D‐xylose than CM extract‐dosed birds by 28, 8 and 21% at 40, 80 and 120 min respectively (p < 0.01). In conclusion, although CM extract caused a lower absorption of D‐xylose, based on 5 to 10% of CM inclusion levels in practical broiler rations, the soluble bioactive components of CM will likely have minor impact on the absorption capacity of the chicken intestine.