bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced thermic effect of food, postprandial NEFA suppression and raised adiponectin in obese women who eat slowly
Authors: Reddy Narendra L. , Peng Chenjing , Carreira Marcos C. , Halder Louise , Hattersley John , Piya Milan K. , Tripathi Gyanendra , Randeva Harpal S. , Casanueva Felipe F. , McTernan Philip G. , Kumar Sudhesh , Barber Thomas M.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Meal duration may influence cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to explore postprandial effects of meal duration on human metabolism and appetite.

Design

Postprandial comparisons following a standard meal eaten slowly over 40 min (‘D40’) and the same meal eaten quickly over 10 min (‘D10’) on a different day. Each participant therefore acted as their own control, thereby limiting confounding factors.

Patients

Obese premenopausal Caucasian women (n = 10) with confirmed normoglycaemia were recruited from an obesity clinic at UHCW, Coventry UK. Subjects underwent whole‐body calorimetry (8‐h) on two separate days.

Measurements

Following standard lunch (D40 vs D10), 4‐h postprandial analysis included thermic effect of food (TEF) and bloods taken at predefined times (including baseline fasting). Analytes included lipid profile, adiponectin, insulin, glucose, ghrelin, leptin, endotoxin, gut and pancreatic hormones. Appetite was measured using visual‐analogue scales and ad libitum food intake at subsequent meal. Paired sample t‐tests [including area under the curve (AUC)] were used to compare D40 and D10 trials.

Results

Postprandial TEF (over 240‐min) was significantly greater for D40 than D10 [mean (SEM): 80·9 kcal (3·8) vs 29·9 kcal (3·4); 10·6% vs 3·9%, respectively, P = 0·006; AUC 71·7 kcal.h vs 22·4 kcal.h, respectively, P = 0·02]. Postprandial plasma NEFA was significantly lower, and adiponectin levels were significantly higher for D40 than D10 [AUC (SEM): NEFA 627 μmol.h/l (56) vs 769 μmol.h/l (60), respectively, P = 0·02; adiponectin 33·4 μg.h/ml (3·9) vs 27·3 μg.h/ml (3·8), respectively, P = 0·04]. Other postprandial analytes and appetite measures were equivalent.

Conclusions

In obese women, eating slowly associates with enhanced TEF, elevated serum adiponectin and suppressed NEFA.
Sleep‐related symptoms and sleep‐disordered breathing in adult Pompe disease
Authors: Boentert M. , Karabul N. , Wenninger S. , Stubbe‐Dräger B. , Mengel E. , Schoser B. , Young P.
Published: November 2014

Background and purpose

Respiratory muscle weakness is the major cause of early death in patients with adult Pompe disease. It first manifests as nocturnal hypercapnia, eventually leading to sleep disruption. Sleep‐related symptoms along with motor performance, forced vital capacity (FVC) and respiratory symptoms were investigated in 65 adult patients with Pompe disease.

Methods

Patients answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Rotterdam Nine‐item Handicap Scale, the SF‐36 health‐related quality of life questionnaire, and a respiratory symptom questionnaire. In all patients, the 6‐min walk test was performed and FVC was obtained. Polysomnography and oxycapnometry results were available in 31 patients.

Results

Sixty patients received enzyme replacement therapy, and 32 individuals were on home ventilatory support. Reduced sleep quality was highly prevalent (PSQI > 5; 43.1%) and correlated with both excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale > 10; 24.6%) and fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale > 4; 72.3%). The SF‐36 health‐related quality of life questionnaire was reduced in the physical domains, and was inversely correlated with sleep quality, FVC and motor performance. In 11 out of 17 non‐ventilated patients with polysomnography records, sleep‐disordered breathing was present, and duration of nocturnal oxygen desaturation (SaO2 < 90%) was significantly correlated to the PSQI global score.

Conclusions

In adult Pompe disease, sleep disturbances are a common cause of excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Sleep‐related symptoms may be indicative of respiratory muscle weakness and should give rise to further work‐up of sleep‐disordered breathing.
Reduced body mass index in essential tremor: a study of 382 cases and 392 matched controls
Authors: Louis E. D. , Michalec M.
Published: November 2014

Background and purpose

There is mounting evidence that essential tremor (ET) is a neurodegenerative disease. Reduced body mass index (BMI) is a clinical feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, yet there has been little documentation of BMI in patients with ET.

Methods

Essential tremor cases and controls were enrolled in a study of the environmental epidemiology of ET at Columbia University Medical Center. Weight and height were measured using a standard protocol; BMI was weight (kg) divided by height (m2). Daily calorie count (kcal) was calculated using the Willett Semi‐Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. Tremor severity was assessed with a clinical rating scale (total tremor score, range 0–36).

Results

The 382 ET cases and 392 controls were similar with respect to age, gender and other demographic variables. BMI was lower in ET cases than controls [26.7 ± 5.0 (median = 26.2) vs. 27.7 ± 5.6 (median = 26.7), P = 0.03] despite the fact that the daily caloric intake was marginally higher in ET cases than controls (P = 0.09). In ET cases, BMI was not associated with tremor severity (Spearman's r = −0.02, P = 0.66) but, among younger onset ET cases, longer tremor duration was associated with lower BMI (Spearman's r = −0.14, P = 0.049).

Conclusions

The observed lower BMI in ET is consistent with the neurodegenerative hypothesis of ET. The data also suggest that some mechanism other than decreased daily caloric intake or an involuntary movement‐related increased burning of calories is likely to account for this case−control difference.
Revisiting safe biological limits in fisheries
Authors: Froese Rainer , Coro Gianpaolo , Kleisner Kristin , Demirel Nazli
Published: November 2014

The appropriateness of three official fisheries management reference points used in the north‐east Atlantic was investigated: (i) the smallest stock size that is still within safe biological limits (SSBpa), (ii) the maximum sustainable rate of exploitation (Fmsy) and (iii) the age at first capture. As for (i), in 45% of the examined stocks, the official value for SSBpa was below the consensus estimates determined from three different methods. With respect to (ii), the official estimates of Fmsy exceeded natural mortality M in 76% of the stocks, although M is widely regarded as natural upper limit for Fmsy. And regarding (iii), the age at first capture was below the age at maturity in 74% of the stocks. No official estimates of the stock size (SSBmsy) that can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) are available for the north‐east Atlantic. An analysis of stocks from other areas confirmed that twice SSBpa provides a reasonable preliminary estimate. Comparing stock sizes in 2013 against this proxy showed that 88% were below the level that can produce MSY. Also, 52% of the stocks were outside of safe biological limits, and 12% were severely depleted. Fishing mortality in 2013 exceeded natural mortality in 73% of the stocks, including those that were severely depleted. These results point to the urgent need to re‐assess fisheries reference points in the north‐east Atlantic and to implement the regulations of the new European Common Fisheries Policy regarding sustainable fishing pressure, healthy stock sizes and adult age/size at first capture.
Integrated circuits and molecular components for stress and feeding: implications for eating disorders
Authors: Hardaway J. A. , Crowley N. A. , Bulik C. M. , Kash T. L.
Published: November 2014

Eating disorders are complex brain disorders that afflict millions of individuals worldwide. The etiology of these diseases is not fully understood, but a growing body of literature suggests that stress and anxiety may play a critical role in their development. As our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to disease in clinical populations like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder continue to grow, neuroscientists are using animal models to understand the neurobiology of stress and feeding. We hypothesize that eating disorder clinical phenotypes may result from stress‐induced maladaptive alterations in neural circuits that regulate feeding, and that these circuits can be neurochemically isolated using animal model of eating disorders.
Detection and attribution of vegetation greening trend in China over the last 30 years
Authors: Piao Shilong , Yin Guodong , Tan Jianguang , Cheng Lei , Huang Mengtian , Li Yue , Liu Ronggao , Mao Jiafu , Myneni Ranga B. , Peng Shushi , Poulter Ben , Shi Xiaoying , Xiao Zhiqiang , Zeng Ning , Zeng ZhenZhong , Wang Yingping
Published: November 2014

The reliable detection and attribution of changes in vegetation growth is a prerequisite for the development of strategies for the sustainable management of ecosystems. This is an extraordinary challenge. To our knowledge, this study is the first to comprehensively detect and attribute a greening trend in China over the last three decades. We use three different satellite‐derived Leaf Area Index (LAI) datasets for detection as well as five different process‐based ecosystem models for attribution. Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration and nitrogen deposition are identified as the most likely causes of the greening trend in China, explaining 85% and 41% of the average growing‐season LAI trend (LAIGS) estimated by satellite datasets (average trend of 0.0070 yr−1, ranging from 0.0035 yr−1 to 0.0127 yr−1), respectively. The contribution of nitrogen deposition is more clearly seen in southern China than in the north of the country. Models disagree about the contribution of climate change alone to the trend in LAIGS at the country scale (one model shows a significant increasing trend, whereas two others show significant decreasing trends). However, the models generally agree on the negative impacts of climate change in north China and Inner Mongolia and the positive impact in the Qinghai–Xizang plateau. Provincial forest area change tends to be significantly correlated with the trend of LAIGS (P < 0.05), and marginally significantly (P = 0.07) correlated with the residual of LAIGS trend, calculated as the trend observed by satellite minus that estimated by models through considering the effects of climate change, rising CO2 concentration and nitrogen deposition, across different provinces. This result highlights the important role of China's afforestation program in explaining the spatial patterns of trend in vegetation growth.
Exotic Spartina alterniflora invasion alters ecosystem–atmosphere exchange of CH4 and N2O and carbon sequestration in a coastal salt marsh in China
Authors: Yuan Junji , Ding Weixin , Liu Deyan , Kang Hojeong , Freeman Chris , Xiang Jian , Lin Yongxin
Published: November 2014

Coastal salt marshes are sensitive to global climate change and may play an important role in mitigating global warming. To evaluate the impacts of Spartina alterniflora invasion on global warming potential (GWP) in Chinese coastal areas, we measured CH4 and N2O fluxes and soil organic carbon sequestration rates along a transect of coastal wetlands in Jiangsu province, China, including open water; bare tidal flat; and invasive S. alterniflora, native Suaeda salsa, and Phragmites australis marshes. Annual CH4 emissions were estimated as 2.81, 4.16, 4.88, 10.79, and 16.98 kg CH4 ha−1 for open water, bare tidal flat, and P. australis, S. salsa, and S. alterniflora marshes, respectively, indicating that S. alterniflora invasion increased CH4 emissions by 57–505%. In contrast, negative N2O fluxes were found to be significantly and negatively correlated (P < 0.001) with net ecosystem CO2 exchange during the growing season in S. alterniflora and P. australis marshes. Annual N2O emissions were 0.24, 0.38, and 0.56 kg N2O ha−1 in open water, bare tidal flat and S. salsa marsh, respectively, compared with ‐0.51 kg N2O ha−1 for S. alterniflora marsh and −0.25 kg N2O ha−1 for P. australis marsh. The carbon sequestration rate of S. alterniflora marsh amounted to 3.16 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 in the top 100 cm soil profile, a value that was 2.63‐ to 8.78‐fold higher than in native plant marshes. The estimated GWP was 1.78, −0.60, −4.09, and −1.14 Mg CO2eq ha−1 yr−1 in open water, bare tidal flat, P. australis marsh and S. salsa marsh, respectively, but dropped to −11.30 Mg CO2eq ha−1 yr−1 in S. alterniflora marsh. Our results indicate that although S. alterniflora invasion stimulates CH4 emissions, it can efficiently mitigate increases in atmospheric CO2 and N2O along the coast of China.
‘Low‐hanging fruit’ for conservation of marine vertebrate species at risk in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Coll Marta , Steenbeek Jeroen , Ben Rais Lasram Frida , Mouillot David , Cury Philippe
Published: November 2014

Aim

Conservation priorities need to take the feasibility of protection measures into account. In times of economic pressure it is essential to identify the ‘low‐hanging fruit’ for conservation: areas where human impacts are lower and biological diversity is still high, and thus conservation is more feasible.

Location

We used the Mediterranean large marine ecosystem (LME) as a case study to identify the overlapping areas of low threats and high diversity of vertebrate species at risk.

Methods

This LME is the first in the world to have a complete regional IUCN Red List assessment of the native marine fish. We augmented these data with distributions of marine mammals, marine turtles and seabirds at risk, and we calculated the spatial distributions of species at risk (IUCN densities). Using cumulative threats we identified ‘priority areas for conservation of species at risk’ (PACS), where IUCN diversities are high and threats are low. We assessed whether IUCN diversities and PACS were spatially congruent among taxa and we quantified whether PACS corresponded to current and proposed protected areas.

Results

IUCN densities and PACS were not highly correlated spatially among taxa. Continental shelves and deep‐sea slopes of the Alboran Sea, western Mediterranean and Tunisian Plateau/Gulf of Sidra are identified as relevant for fish species at risk. The eastern side of the western Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea are identified as most relevant for endemic fish, and shelf and open sea areas distributed through the LME are most important for marine mammals and turtles at risk, while specific locations of the western Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean and Levantine seas are highlighted for seabirds.

Main conclusions

Large parts of the areas of PACS fell outside current or proposed frameworks to be prioritized for conservation. PACS may be suitable candidates for contributing to the 10% protection target for the Mediterranean Sea by 2020.
Environmental disturbance can increase beta diversity of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages
Authors: Hawkins Charles P. , Mykrä Heikki , Oksanen Jari , Vander Laan Jacob J.
Published: November 2014

Aim

Freshwater biodiversity is declining world‐wide as a result of human‐caused degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Declines in species richness are well documented for many taxonomic groups, but less is known about how and why species composition and beta diversity (β) change in response to environmental degradation in freshwater environments.

Location

The Mid‐Atlantic Highlands region of the USA (36–42° N, 74–82° E) and Finland in northern Europe (60–68° N, 20–32° E).

Methods

We used null models, occupancy analyses, ordinations and multitaxon niche models to assess how β of stream macroinvertebrate assemblages in two biogeographically distinct regions responded to environmental alteration and what mechanisms were most likely to have caused the observed differences in β.

Results

Macroinvertebrate assemblages at anthropogenically disturbed sites were significantly more dissimilar from one another than were reference sites, a result contrary to those reported in several other studies. In this study, anthropogenic disturbances decreased the regional prevalence of most common taxa and increased the prevalence of several less common taxa. These differences in taxon occupancies and β between the reference condition and disturbed streams are unlikely to be the result of a single mechanism, although environmental filtering was probably of primary importance.

Main conclusions

The effects of anthropogenic disturbance on assemblage composition can be variable and probably depend on: initial ecological conditions; the magnitude, type and uniformity of environmental alteration occurring in a region; and the sensitivity of individual taxa. It is unlikely that β is controlled by a single mechanism, and these variable mechanisms may have diverse effects on taxon occupancies and hence β. Restoration ecologists will need to consider how β varies naturally across different landscape settings and in response to different types of disturbance when developing region‐wide restoration strategies.
Fine‐scale heterogeneity across Manhattan's urban habitat mosaic is associated with variation in ant composition and richness
Authors: Savage Amy M. , Hackett Britné , Guénard Benoit , Youngsteadt Elsa K. , Dunn Robert R.
Published: November 2014

Global urbanisation is rapidly expanding and most of the world's humans now live in cities. Most ecological studies have, however, focused on protected areas.

To address this issue, we tested predictions from studies of protected areas in urban ecosystems.

Because most cities are heterogeneous habitat mosaics which include habitats with varying levels of chronic environmental stress, we focused on predictions from studies of less modified ecosystems about community‐wide responses to variation in chronic stress.

We sampled ants across Manhattan's urban habitat mosaic, at sites with varying levels of chronic environmental stress.

Many predictions derived from less modified ecosystems were supported by our findings: despite being the most intensively sampled habitat, high stress urban medians had less variability in ant composition –both within and among sites – than either urban parks or urban forests, the lowest stress habitat – urban forests‐had significantly more accumulated species and a higher number of unique species than higher stress habitats, and urban parks, which have intermediate levels of chronic environmental stress, also had intermediate levels of variation in among‐site species composition, accumulated species richness, and the incidence of unique species. The most common species also differed across Manhattan's urban habitat mosaic.

Nevertheless, the prediction that exotic species would occur more frequently in higher stress habitats was not supported; exotic species were equally common across all habitats.

These findings suggest that fine‐scale heterogeneity in the chronic stress of urban habitats may be an underappreciated, but important structuring force for urban animal communities.
Killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor diversity in Malay subethnic groups of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: NurWaliyuddin H. Z. A. , Edinur H. A. , Norazmi M. N. , Sundararajulu P. , Chambers G. K. , Zafarina Z.
Published: November 2014

The KIR system shows variation at both gene content and allelic level across individual genome and populations. This variation reflects its role in immunity and has become a significant tool for population comparisons. In this study, we investigate KIR gene content in 120 unrelated individuals from the four Malay subethnic groups (Kelantan, Jawa, Banjar and Pattani Malays). Genotyping using commercial polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific primer (PCR‐SSP) kits revealed a total of 34 different KIR genotypes; 17 for Kelantan, 15 for Banjar, 14 for Jawa and 13 for Pattani Malays. Two new variants observed in Banjar Malays have not previously been reported. Genotype AA and haplotype A were the most common in Jawa (0.47 and 0.65, respectively), Banjar (0.37 and 0.52, respectively) and Pattani (0.40 and 0.60, respectively) Malays. In contrast, Kelantan Malays were observed to have slightly higher frequency (0.43) of genotype BB as compared with the others. Based on the KIR genes distribution, Jawa, Pattani and Banjar subethnic groups showed greater similarity and are discrete from Kelantan Malays. A principal component plot carried out using KIR gene carrier frequency shows that the four Malay subethnic groups are clustered together with other South‐East Asian populations. Overall, our observation on prevalence of KIR gene content demonstrates genetic affinities between the four Malay subethnic groups and supports the common origins of the Austronesian‐speaking people.
Heparin‐based treatment to prevent symptomatic deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or death in general medical inpatients is not supported by best evidence
Authors: Spencer A. , Cawood T. , Frampton C. , Jardine D.
Published: November 2014

Prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical patients is controversial. In contrast to surgical patients, the evidence supporting the use of heparin‐based treatment for prevention of VTE (HVTEp) may not justify current guidelines. This study aims to determine whether current clinical guidelines for HVTEp are appropriate for medical patients. We searched medical databases for original randomised placebo‐controlled studies of HVTEp in medical patients, excluding those with stroke and in intensive care. From 401 potentially relevant studies, we selected eight, which included over 16 000 patients. HVTEp decreased the incidence of all deep venous thromboses (DVT): 4.3% in the placebo group versus 2.3% in the treatment group, P = 0.002, number needed to treat, 50. However, this treatment effect was not seen for symptomatic DVT: 1.2% versus 0.9%, P = 0.18, odds ratio (OR) 0.72 (0.45–1.16). Similarly, HVTEp did not decrease the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE): 0.54% versus 0.27%, P = 0.3, OR 0.57 (0.21–1.53), or fatal PE: 0.1% versus 0.0%, P = 0.3, OR 0.2 (0.01–4.11). Furthermore, HVTEp did not decrease total mortality: 5.63% versus 5.39%, P = 0.92, OR 0.96 (0.78–1.18). The use of HVTEp in hospitalised general medical patients does not result in a significant reduction in symptomatic DVT, PE, fatal PE or total mortality. The best evidence does not support the recommendations of the current clinical guidelines.
Antithrombotic use following transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke among older Australians with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sluggett J. K. , Caughey G. E. , Ward M. B. , Gilbert A. L.
Published: November 2014

Hospital audits may underestimate anticoagulant use among acute ischaemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), as treatment may commence after discharge. To account for this, antithrombotic use in the 4 months after hospitalisation for transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke among AF patients was assessed using claims data. Results suggest that treatment may be commenced soon after discharge and should be considered when assessing prevalence of use.
Maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 5 in a family with diabetes and mild kidney disease diagnosed by whole exome sequencing
Authors: Wentworth J. M. , Lukic V. , Bahlo M. , Finlay M. , Nguyen C. , Morahan G. , Harrison L. C.
Published: November 2014

Exome sequencing is being increasingly used to identify disease‐associated gene mutations. We used whole exome sequencing to determine the genetic basis of a syndrome of diabetes and renal disease affecting a mother and her son. We identified a mutation in the hepatocyte nuclear factor 1‐b (HNF1B) gene that encoded a methionine to valine amino acid change (M160V) in the HNF1B protein. This leads us to the previously unappreciated diagnosis of maturity‐onset diabetes of the young type 5 and provided a basis for genetic counselling of other family members.
The Relations between Reactivity at 4 Months and Behavioral Inhibition in the Second Year: Replication across Three Independent Samples
Authors: Fox Nathan A. , Snidman Nancy , Haas Sara A. , Degnan Kathryn A. , Kagan Jerome
Published: November 2014

This paper examines the predictive relations between two infant temperamental biases assessed at 4 months and inhibited behavior during the first 2 years of life in three independent samples from two research laboratories. Although each sample used slightly different criteria for classifying infants, the results across samples were consistent. Infants of both genders who displayed high levels of motor activity and distress to unfamiliar events were more inhibited at 14 months of age. By 24 months, there were significant sex differences: Boys identified as high reactive were more inhibited than high reactive girls.
Lived experience in teaching mental health nursing: Issues of fear and power
Authors: Happell Brenda , Bennetts Wanda , Harris Scott , Platania‐Phung Chris , Tohotoa Jenny , Byrne Louise , Wynaden Dianne
Published: November 2014

Australian mental health policy clearly articulates recovery focus as the underpinning of mental health services. Barriers to achieving a recovery focus are identified in the literature, with negative attitudes of health professionals receiving particular attention. The involvement of people with lived experience of significant mental health challenges and mental health service use is essential to enhancing more positive attitudes. Lived‐experience involvement in the education of nurses is evident; however, it is generally limited and implemented on an ad hoc basis. Overall, there is a paucity of literature on this topic. A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to elicit the views and perceptions of nurse academics and lived‐experience educators about the inclusion of lived experience in mental health nursing education. One major theme to emerge from the research was issues of fear and power, which included three subthemes: facing fear, demystifying mental illness, and issues of power. Lived‐experience involvement has an important role to play in the education of nurses in addressing fear and demystifying the experience of mental illness. The power that lived‐experience educators exercised in their roles varied considerably, and for many, was limited. Therefore, the effectiveness of lived‐experience involvement requires a more equitable distribution of power.
Drought Tolerance Screening Under Controlled Conditions Predicts Ranking of Water‐Limited Yield of Field‐Grown Soybean Genotypes
Authors: Pardo E. M. , Vellicce G. R. , Aguirrezabal L. , Pereyra Irujo G. , Rocha C. M. L. , García M. G. , Prieto Angueira S. , Welin B. , Sanchez J. , Ledesma F. , Castagnaro A. P.
Published: November 2014

Drought is a major limitation to crop yields worldwide. Screening for soybean yield under water deficit is often a bottleneck in breeding programmes. We assessed the validity of a standardized drought tolerance screening method to predict water‐limited field performance of soybean in NW Argentina. First, to determine the phenological period when yield of glasshouse‐grown plants was more sensitive to water deficit, we applied treatments during 21 days in V7, R3 or R5 stages, being the period from R5 to R6 the most critical for yield. Afterwards, two glasshouse experiments were carried out to quantify the tolerance of either eight or four genotypes, respectively, by applying a controlled water deficit of constant intensity during the critical period. Finally, yield data obtained in field trials in Argentina across several locations and seasons classified according to rainfall were analysed. Drought Susceptibility Index was calculated for each experiment and for field data, and rankings of tolerance were similar in all cases. This standardized method, which can be automated for high‐throughput phenotyping, could represent a useful tool in breeding programmes for identifying soybean cultivars with improved performance under drought conditions.
Variation in plant diversity in mediterranean‐climate ecosystems: the role of climatic and topographical stability
Authors: Cowling Richard M. , Potts Alastair J. , Bradshaw Peter L. , Colville Jonathan , Arianoutsou Margarita , Ferrier Simon , Forest Felix , Fyllas Nikolaos M. , Hopper Stephen D. , Ojeda Fernando , Procheş Şerban , Smith Rhian J. , Rundel Philip W. , Vassilakis Emmanuel , Zutta Brian R.
Published: November 2014

Aim

Although all five of the major mediterranean‐climate ecosystems (MCEs) of the world are recognized as loci of high plant species diversity and endemism, they show considerable variation in regional‐scale richness. Here, we assess the role of stable Pleistocene climate and Cenozoic topography in explaining variation in regional richness of the globe's MCEs. We hypothesize that older, more climatically stable MCEs would support more species, because they have had more time for species to accumulate than MCEs that were historically subject to greater topographic upheavals and fluctuating climates.

Location

South‐western Africa (Cape), south‐western Australia, California, central Chile and the eastern (Greece) and western (Spain) Mediterranean Basin.

Methods

We estimated plant diversity for each MCE as the intercepts of species–area curves that are homogeneous in slope across all regions. We used two down‐scaled global circulation models of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to quantify climate stability by comparing the change in the location of MCEs between the LGM and present. We quantified the Cenozoic topographic stability of each MCE by comparing contemporary topographic profiles with those present in the late Oligocene and the early Pliocene.

Results

The most diverse MCEs – Cape and Australia – had the highest Cenozoic environmental stability, and the least diverse – Chile and California – had the lowest stability.

Main conclusions

Variation in plant diversity in MCEs is likely to be a consequence not of differences in diversification rates, but rather the persistence of numerous pre‐Pliocene clades in the more stable MCEs. The extraordinary plant diversity of the Cape is a consequence of the combined effects of both mature and recent radiations, the latter associated with increased habitat heterogeneity produced by mild tectonic uplift in the Neogene.
A Prospective DE‐MRI Study Evaluating the Role of TGF‐β1 in Left Atrial Fibrosis and Implications for Outcomes of Cryoballoon‐Based Catheter Ablation: New Insights into Primary Fibrotic Atriocardiomyopathy
Authors: CANPOLAT UĞUR , OTO ALI , HAZIROLAN TUNCAY , SUNMAN HAMZA , YORGUN HIKMET , ŞAHINER LEVENT , KAYA ERGÜN BARIŞ , AYTEMIR KUDRET
Published: November 2014

TGF‐β1‐Mediated FACM and Impact on AF Ablation

Background

Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 mediated atrial fibrosis plays a major role in the development of vulnerable atrial substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). Although cryoablation effectively eliminates the triggers for AF, the impact of atrial substrate on the success of cryoablation remains unclear.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the association of plasma TGF‐β1 level with extent of left atrium (LA) fibrosis using delayed‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE‐MRI) and also effects of LA fibrosis on the success of cryoablation.

Methods

A total of 41 symptomatic lone paroxysmal AF patients (58.5% male; age: 49.2 ± 7.6 years) underwent initial cryoablation. Cardiac DE‐MRI at 1.5‐Tesla scanner to quantify atrial fibrosis, plasma TGF‐β1, clinical and echocardiographic data were collected before cryoablation. Postablation blanking period was observed for 3 months.

Results

DE‐MRI revealed LA fibrosis in 27 (65.9%) patients with a median enhancement of 5% of the LA surface area. A total of 179 pulmonary veins (PV) were successfully isolated without any major complication. At median 18 months follow‐up, 32 patients (78.1%) remained free of AF recurrence. Only plasma TGF‐β1 level (P = 0.001) was found to be the predictor of the extent of LA fibrosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis pointed out that the extent of LA fibrosis (HR: 1.127, P = 0.007) and early AF recurrence (HR: 1.442, P = 0.011) were the independent predictors of AF recurrence in late follow‐up.

Conclusion

Higher levels of TGF‐β1 are associated with more extensive LA fibrosis and extent of LA fibrosis predict recurrences in patients undergoing cryoablation for lone AF.
Within‐plant variation in reproductive investment: consequences for selection on flowering time
Authors: Austen E. J. , Forrest J. R. K. , Weis A. E.
Published: November 2014

Variation among the leaves, flowers or fruit produced by a plant is often regarded as a nuisance to the experimenter and an impediment to selection. Here, we suggest that within‐plant variation can drive selection on other plant‐level traits. We examine within‐plant variation in floral sex allocation and in fruit set and predict that such variation generates variation in male success among plants, thereby driving selection on flowering time. We tested this prediction in a simulation model estimating selection on flowering time through male fitness when floral sex allocation and/or fruit set vary directionally among flowers on plants. We parameterized the model through a quantitative literature survey of within‐plant change in sex allocation. As predicted, within‐plant variation in floral sex allocation and in fruit set probability can generate selection on flowering time through male fitness. Declining fruit set from first to last flowers on plants, as occurs in many species, selected for early flowering onset through male fitness. This result was robust to self‐incompatibility and to varying returns on male versus female investment. Selection caused by declining fruit set was strong enough to reverse the selection for late flowering that can be caused by intrafloral protandry. Our model provides testable predictions regarding selection on flowering time through male fitness. The model also establishes the intriguing possibility that within‐plant variation may influence selection on other traits, regardless of whether that variation is under selection itself.
Automobile Driving in Older Adults: Factors Affecting Driving Restriction in Men and Women
Authors: Marie Dit Asse Laetitia , Fabrigoule Colette , Helmer Catherine , Laumon Bernard , Lafont Sylviane
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To identify factors associated with driving restriction in elderly men and women.

Design

Prospective cohort study of French drivers from 2003 to 2009.

Setting

The Three‐City Cohort of Bordeaux, a prospective study of 2,104 people aged 65 and older.

Participants

Five hundred twenty‐three drivers with a mean age of 76 (273 male, 250 female).

Measurements

Sociodemographic characteristics, driving habits, health variables, cognitive evaluation and dementia diagnosis. Predementia was defined as no dementia at one follow‐up and dementia at the next follow‐up.

Results

Over the 6‐year period, 54% of men and 63% of women stopped driving or reduced the distance they drove. Predementia, Parkinson's disease, older age, and a high number of kilometers previously driven were common restriction factors in both sexes. Prevalent dementia, depressive symptomatology, a decline in one or more instrumental activities of daily living, and poor visual working memory were specific factors in men. In women, low income, fear of falling, slow processing speed, and severe decline in global cognitive performance all affected driving restriction.

Conclusion

Older women restricted their driving activity more than older men, regardless of the number of kilometers previously driven, physical health, and cognitive status. Factors affecting driving restriction differed according to sex, and women were more likely to stop driving than men in the period preceding a dementia diagnosis.
Postoperative Medical Complications Associated with Anesthesia in Older Adults with Dementia
Authors: Seitz Dallas P. , Gill Sudeep S. , Bell Chaim M. , Austin Peter C. , Gruneir Andrea , Anderson Geoff M. , Rochon Paula A.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To examine the association between anesthetic technique and postoperative complications in older adults with dementia undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Design

Population‐based, retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Ontario, Canada.

Participants

All older adults with dementia who underwent surgery for hip fracture repair in Ontario, Canada, between April 1, 2003 and March 31, 2011.

Measurements

The baseline characteristics of individuals who received general anesthesia (GA) and regional anesthesia (RA) were compared. Individuals who received GA were matched to similar individuals who received RA using propensity scores to control for confounding, and their outcomes compared, including 30‐day mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, specific postoperative medical complications, and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Results

In the 6,135 matched pairs, there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative 30‐day mortality (GA, 11.3%; RA, 10.8%, P = .44). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of specific postoperative medical complications or LOS in the two anesthetic groups, but GA was associated with higher rates of ICU admissions (6.1% vs 4.2%, P < .001).

Conclusion

For older adults with dementia undergoing hip fracture surgery, GA and RA are associated with similar rates of most perioperative adverse events. Further studies are required to determine the optimal methods of providing anesthesia and perioperative care for older adults with dementia undergoing surgical procedures.
Revised empirical garnet–biotite–muscovite–plagioclase geobarometer in metapelites
Authors: Wu C. M.
Published: November 2014

The garnet–biotite–muscovite–plagioclase (GBMP) barometer was empirically revised for P–T conditions of 1–14 kbar and 450–840 °C, using 263 metapelitic rock samples from all over the world. This barometer is based on activity models for garnet, biotite and plagioclase identical to those of the well‐calibrated garnet–biotite thermometer and the garnet–aluminosilicate–plagioclase–quartz (GASP) barometer. The GBMP barometer is less temperature dependent than the GASP barometer and can be applied to either Al2SiO5‐absent or Al2SiO5‐bearing metapelites. The total error of the GBMP barometer is estimated to be about ±1.2 kbar on considering input temperature error and analytical errors of chemical compositions of the phases involved. The random error of the GBMP barometer is evenly distributed with respect to pressure, temperature and mineral composition. Simultaneous application of the GBMP barometer and the garnet–biotite thermometer identifies the correct stability field for Al2SiO5‐bearing metapelites. Application of the GBMP barometer to metapelitic rocks within the same geological terranes or thermal contact aureoles yielded similar pressures within error. A spreadsheet for implementing the proposed GBMP geobarometer is supplied on the journal's website.
Up‐regulation of proteoglycan 4 in temporomandibular osteoarthritic synovial cells by hyaluronic acid
Authors: Guo Huilin , Fang Wei , Li Yingjie , Ke Jin , Deng Mohong , Meng Qinggong , Li Jian , Long Xing
Published: November 2014

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injection is widely used in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA). Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is another joint lubricant that protects surface of articular cartilage. But few studies had explored the role of HA in regulation of PRG4 expression in TMJ OA. In this study, the effects of HA on the expression of PRG4 in osteoarthritic TMJ synovial cells were investigated in hypoxia, which was similar to the TMJ physiologically.

Methods

Synovial cells were isolated from the TMJ OA patients and were treated with or without HA under normoxia or hypoxia for indicated time periods. The proliferation of synovial cells was measured using Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8). The gene expression of HAS2, VEGF, and PRG4 was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR, and the secretion of PRG4 and VEGF was assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunofluorescence was used to examine the protein expression of hypoxia‐induced factor‐1α (HIF‐1α).

Results

Hyaluronic acid markedly increased the proliferation of osteoarthritic synovial cells in hypoxia. The expression of HAS2 and PRG4 mRNA of osteoarthritic synovial cells under hypoxia was enhanced by HA treatment. However, HA had no effect on reducing the VEGF and HIF‐1α expression in synovial cells in hypoxia.

Conclusions

Hyaluronic acid could promote the expression of HAS2 and PRG4, but could not modulate HIF‐1α and VEGF expression of TMJ osteoarthritic synovial cells in hypoxia.
Lipopolysaccharide enhances OSCC migration by promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: He Zhifeng , Deng Runzhi , Huang Xiaofeng , Ni Yanhong , Yang Xudong , Wang Zhiyong , Hu Qingang
Published: November 2014

Background

This study was performed to examine whether lipopolysaccharide can influence cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Three oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (HSC3, CAL27, and SCC4) were obtained for the study. TLR4 expression in three cell lines was analyzed by Q‐PCR and Western blot. After cells treated with LPS, cell migration was analyzed by wound‐healing and chemotaxis cell migration assay. Changes of E‐cadherin and vimentin expression were tested by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. To examine NF‐κB activation, NF‐κB nuclear translocation was investigated.

Results

TLR4 was expressed in all three cell lines and was highest in HSC3 while lowest in SCC4. TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide accelerated wound healing and enhanced cell migration. Also, it stimulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition demonstrated by decreased E‐cadherin and increased vimentin expression. Lipopolysaccharide also provoked NF‐κB nuclear translocation. Either TLR4 or NF‐κB blocking reverted these effects.

Conclusions

Lipopolysaccharide can induce TLR4‐mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition and cell migration in oral squamous cell carcinoma. These responses could further affect tumor progressing by inducing tumor cell metastasis.
Strategic Suppliers' Technical Contributions to New Product Advantage: Substitution and Configuration Options
Authors: Lawson Benn , Tyler Beverly B. , Potter Antony
Published: November 2014

Current theory lacks clarity on how different kinds of resources contribute to new product advantage, or how firms can combine different resources to achieve a new product advantage. While several studies have identified different firm‐specific resources that influence new product advantage, comparatively little research has explored the contribution of strategic supplier resources. Combining resource‐based and relational perspectives, this study develops a theoretical model investigating how a strategic supplier's technical capabilities impact focal firm new product advantage and how firms combine different resources to gain this advantage. The model is tested using detailed survey data collected from 153 interorganizational new product development projects in theUnitedKingdom within which a strategic supplier had been extensively involved. Empirical results support our research hypotheses. First, supplier technical performance is shown to have a significant positive impact on new product advantage. Next, we show that while supplier technical capabilities have a positive influence on supplier technical performance, the a priori nature of the supplier's task moderates the relationship. Finally, our data support our hypotheses related to the positive relationship between relationship‐specific absorptive capacity and new product advantage, and the proposed negative moderation of supplier technical capabilities on this relationship. Based upon these findings, we encourage managers to recognize that strategic suppliers' with greater technical capabilities perform better regardless of the degree of creativity required by their task; but that strategic suppliers with lower technical capabilities may partially compensate (substitute) for their lack of technical capabilities, if they are able to respond to high problem‐solving task requirements. Furthermore, we suggest that the firm's development of relationship‐specific absorptive capacity is much more important when a strategic supplier is less technically capable. A buying firm's relationship‐specific absorptive capacity can, according to our data, substitute for low supplier technical capabilities. On the other hand, where the supplier has strong technical capabilities, investments in relationship‐specific absorptive capacity have no effect on new product advantage. Our findings reinforce recent calls for research on how firms can combine different resources and capabilities to achieve superior performance.
Exploring Users' Appropriateness as a Proxy for Experts When Screening New Product/Service Ideas
Authors: Magnusson Peter R. , Wästlund Erik , Netz Johan
Published: November 2014

Despite the popularity and extensive use of engaging users in crowdvoting, very little research has been conducted into the appropriateness of users as substitutes for experts when judging ideas. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the appropriateness of using users as a proxy for professional experts during the initial idea screening of new product/service ideas. In other words, are users' assessments during idea screening conformant with professional experts' assessments and are they reliable as a proxy for experts during idea screening? In a comparative study, two different approaches to outsourcing the screening of wireless ideas to users are examined, including assessment by two different user panels: (1) technically skilled users and (2) technically naïve users. These two approaches were compared with the assessments made by professional experts. The results showed no conformance between users and experts when comparing their absolute scores. However, during a relative comparison (the ranking of ideas), both user panels were conformant with the professional experts. A test of the user panels' ability to select the same top ideas as the professional experts was successful, indicating good conformance between the user panels and the professional experts. This paper's contribution is knowledge of how conformant external users are compared with professional expert judges during idea screening. The results indicate that companies can employ users during the initial screening process using criteria assessment to select the best ideas for further elaboration, something that would significantly reduce the number of ideas. The paper suggests an alternative design to crowdvoting, whereby the users assess the relevant criteria.