bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Predictive Model for Cesarean Among Low‐Risk Nulliparous Women in Spontaneous Labor at Hospital Admission
Authors: Janssen Patricia A. , Stienen Jozette J. C. , Brant Rollin , Hanley Gillian E.
Published: October 2016

Background

To determine if maternal characteristics measurable upon admission to hospital predict cesarean among low‐risk spontaneously laboring nulliparous women.

Methods

We undertook a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of early labor support for nulliparous women carrying a singleton fetus in cephalic presentation at 37–41 weeks of gestation in British Columbia, Canada. Study participants did not have any discernible risk factors for cesarean at the onset of labor. We developed a prediction model using logistic regression from a sample of 1,302 participants. Internal validation of the model was accomplished by 10‐fold cross validation, after which probability scores were calculated based on the mean logistic regression model. To determine the accuracy of our predictive model, we calculated the specificity and sensitivity and the area under the receiver operating curve.

Results

Advanced maternal age, shorter maternal height, greater gestational age, perception of labor lasting more than 24 hours, and mild or moderate contractions, less cervical dilation, and higher fetal station at time of hospital admission independently predicted cesarean. The C‐statistic for the predictive model was 0.71 (0.64–0.75) and the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 0.80 (95% CI 0.76–0.84) and 0.48 (95% CI 0.44–0.52), respectively.

Conclusions

Among nulliparous women without apparent risk for cesarean at the time of hospital admission, cesarean delivery can be predicted with 70 percent accuracy using routinely collected information. Tailoring intrapartum care to promote vaginal birth according to a prediction model for cesarean risk deserves further study among apparently low risk women.
Cartographic productions and historiographical representations: Geographical imaginations of the St. Lawrence River
Authors: Castonguay Stéphane
Published: October 2016

Key Messages

Historical geographers and historians have represented the St. Lawrence River either as a trade route for continental exploration or as an artery structuring European settlement.

A study of historical maps shows that rather than succeeding each other, these two functions continually co‐existed in the geographical imaginations of cartographers.

The paper suggests areas of potential collaboration between geography and history to question the fluvial relationships of a colonial society and understand its spatial representations.
Event‐related potential differences in children supplemented with long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during infancy
Authors: Liao Ke , McCandliss Bruce D. , Carlson Susan E. , Colombo John , Shaddy D. Jill , Kerling Elizabeth H. , Lepping Rebecca J. , Sittiprapaporn Wichian , Cheatham Carol L. , Gustafson Kathleen M.
Published: October 2016

Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) have been shown to be necessary for early retinal and brain development, but long‐term cognitive benefits ofLCPUFAin infancy have not been definitively established. The present study sought to determine whetherLCPUFAsupplementation during the first year of life would result in group differences in behavior and event‐related potentials (ERPs) while performing a task requiring response inhibition (Go/No‐Go) at 5.5 years of age. As newborns, 69 children were randomly assigned to infant formulas containing either noLCPUFA(control) or formula with 0.64% of total fatty acids as arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n6) and various concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n3) (0.32%, 0.64% or 0.96%) for the first 12 months of life. At 5.5 years of age, a task designed to test the ability to inhibit a prepotent response (Go/No‐Go) was administered, yielding both event‐related potentials (ERPs) and behavioral data. Behavioral measures did not differ between groups, although reaction times of supplemented children were marginally faster. Unsupplemented children had lower P2 amplitude than supplemented children to both Go and No‐Go conditions. N2 amplitude was significantly higher on No‐Go trials than Go trials, but only for supplemented children, resulting in a significant Group × Condition interaction. Topographical analysis of theERPs revealed that theLCPUFA‐supplemented group developed a novel period of synchronous activation (microstate) involving wider anterior brain activation around 200 ms; this microstate was not present in controls. These findings suggest thatLCPUFAsupplementation during the first 12 months of life exerts a developmental programming effect that is manifest in brain electrophysiology. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM2leg4sevs.
Children's initial sleep‐associated changes in motor skill are unrelated to long‐term skill levels
Authors: Zinke Katharina , Wilhelm Ines , Bayramoglu Müge , Klein Susanne , Born Jan
Published: October 2016

Sleep is considered to support the formation of skill memory. In juvenile but not adult song birds learning a tutor's song, a stronger initial deterioration of song performance over night‐sleep predicts better song performance in the long run. This and similar observations have stimulated the view of sleep supporting skill formation during development in an unsupervised off‐line learning process that, in the absence of external feedback, can initially also enhance inaccuracies in skill performance. Here we explored whether in children learning a motor sequence task, as in song‐learning juvenile birds, changes across sleep after initial practice predict performance levels achieved in the long run. The task was a serial reaction time task (SRTT) where subjects had to press buttons which were lighted up in a repeating eight‐element sequence as fast as possible. Twenty‐five children (8–12 years) practised the task in the evening before nocturnal sleep which was recorded polysomnographically. Retrieval was tested on the following morning and again 1 week later after daily training on the SRTT. As expected, changes in response speed over the initial night of sleep were negatively correlated with final performance speed after the 1‐week training. However, unlike in song birds, this correlation was driven by the baseline speed level achieved before sleep. Baseline‐corrected changes in speed or variability over the initial sleep period did not predict final performance on the trained SRTT sequence, or on different sequences introduced to assess generalization of the trained behaviour. The lack of correlation between initial sleep‐dependent changes and long‐term performance might reflect that the children were too experienced for the simple SRTT, possibly also favouring ceiling effects in performance. A consistent association found between sleep spindle activity and explicit sequence knowledge alternatively suggests that the expected correlation was masked by explicit memory systems interacting with skill memory formation.
Linking executive function skills and physiological challenge response: Piecewise growth curve modeling
Authors: Obradović Jelena , Finch Jenna E.
Published: October 2016

This study employed piecewise growth curve modeling to examine how children's executive function (EF) skills relate to different components of children's physiological response trajectory – initial arousal, reactivity, and recovery. The sample included 102 ethnically diverse kindergarteners, whose EF skills were measured using standard tasks and observer ratings. Physiological response was measured via changes in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in response to a laboratory socio‐cognitive challenge. Children's cool and hot EF skills were differentially related to both linear and quadratic components of RSA response during the challenge. Greater hot EF skills and assessor report of EF skills during laboratory visit were related to quicker RSA recovery after the challenge. These findings demonstrate that children's physiological response is a dynamic process that encompasses physiological recovery and relates to children's self‐regulation abilities.
Functional connectivity differences in autism during face and car recognition: underconnectivity and atypical age‐related changes
Authors: Lynn Andrew C. , Padmanabhan Aarthi , Simmonds Daniel , Foran William , Hallquist Michael N. , Luna Beatriz , O'Hearn Kirsten
Published: October 2016

Face recognition abilities improve between adolescence and adulthood over typical development (TD), but plateau in autism, leading to increasing face recognition deficits in autism later in life. Developmental differences between autism and TD may reflect changes between neural systems involved in the development of face encoding and recognition. Here, we focused on whole‐brain connectivity with the fusiform face area (FFA), a well‐established face‐preferential brain region. Older children, adolescents, and adults with and without autism completed the Cambridge Face Memory Test, and a matched car memory test, during fMRI scanning. We then examined task‐based functional connectivity between the FFA and the rest of the brain, comparing autism and TD groups during encoding and recognition of face and car stimuli. The autism group exhibited underconnectivity, relative to the TD group, between the FFA and frontal and primary visual cortices, independent of age. Underconnectivity with the medial and rostral lateral prefrontal cortex was face‐specific during encoding and recognition, respectively. Conversely, underconnectivity with the L orbitofrontal cortex was evident for both face and car encoding. Atypical age‐related changes in connectivity emerged between the FFA and the R temporoparietal junction, and R dorsal striatum for face stimuli only. Similar differences in age‐related changes in autism emerged for FFA connectivity with the amygdala across both face and car recognition. Thus, underconnectivity and atypical development of functional connectivity may lead to a less optimal face‐processing network in the context of increasing general and social cognitive deficits in autism.
Beneficial effects of replacing diet beverages with water on type 2 diabetic obese women following a hypo‐energetic diet: A randomized, 24‐week clinical trial
Authors: Madjd Ameneh , Taylor Moira A. , Delavari Alireza , Malekzadeh Reza , Macdonald Ian A. , Farshchi Hamid R.
Published: October 2016

Aims

To compare the effect of replacing diet beverages (DBs) with water or continuing to drink DBs in patients with type 2 diabetes during a 24‐week weight loss program. The primary endpoint was the effect of intervention on weight over a 24‐week period. The main secondary endpoints included anthropometric measurement and glucose and fat metabolism during the 24‐week period.

Methods

A total of 81 overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes, who usually consumed DBs in their diet, were asked to either substitute water for DBs or continue drinking DBs five times per week after lunch for 24 weeks (DBs group) during a weight loss program.

Results

Compared with the DBs group, the water group had a greater decrease in weight (water, −6.40 ± 2.42 kg; DBs, −5.25 ± 1.60 kg;
P
= .006), in BMI (water, −2.49 ± 0.92 kg/m2; DBs, −2.06 ± 0.62 kg/m2;
P
= .006), in FPG (water, −1.63 ± 0.54 mmol/L; DBs, −1.29 ± 0.48 mmol/L,
P
= .005), in fasting insulin (water, −5.71 ± 2.30 m lU/mL; DBs, −4.16 ± 1.74 m lU/mL,
P
= .011), in HOMA IR (water, −3.20 ± 1.17; DBs, −2.48 ± 0.99,
P
= 003) and in 2 hour postprandial glucose (water, −1.67 ± 0.62 mmol/L; DBs, −1.35 ± 0.39 mmol/L;
P
= 0.027) over the 24‐week period. However, there was no significant time × group interaction for waist circumference, lipid profiles and HbA1c within both groups over the 24‐week period.

Conclusion

Replacement of DBs with water after the main meal in obese adult women with type 2 diabetes may lead to more weight reduction during a weight loss program.
Human tau increases amyloid β plaque size but not amyloid β‐mediated synapse loss in a novel mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Jackson Rosemary J. , Rudinskiy Nikita , Herrmann Abigail G. , Croft Shaun , Kim JeeSoo Monica , Petrova Veselina , Ramos‐Rodriguez Juan Jose , Pitstick Rose , Wegmann Susanne , Garcia‐Alloza Monica , Carlson George A. , Hyman Bradley T. , Spires‐Jones Tara L.
Published: October 2016

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) in senile plaques and tau in neurofibrillary tangles, as well as marked neuron and synapse loss. Of these pathological changes, synapse loss correlates most strongly with cognitive decline. Synapse loss occurs prominently around plaques due to accumulations of oligomeric Aβ. Recent evidence suggests that tau may also play a role in synapse loss but the interactions of Aβ and tau in synapse loss remain to be determined. In this study, we generated a novel transgenic mouse line, the APP/PS1/rTg21221 line, by crossing APP/PS1 mice, which develop Aβ‐plaques and synapse loss, with rTg21221 mice, which overexpress wild‐type human tau. When compared to the APP/PS1 mice without human tau, the cross‐sectional area of ThioS+ dense core plaques was increased by ~50%. Along with increased plaque size, we observed an increase in plaque‐associated dystrophic neurites containing misfolded tau, but there was no exacerbation of neurite curvature or local neuron loss around plaques. Array tomography analysis similarly revealed no worsening of synapse loss around plaques, and no change in the accumulation of Aβ at synapses. Together, these results indicate that adding human wild‐type tau exacerbates plaque pathology and neurite deformation but does not exacerbate plaque‐associated synapse loss.
Bait worms: a valuable and important fishery with implications for fisheries and conservation management
Authors: Watson Gordon J , Murray Joanna M , Schaefer Martin , Bonner Adam
Published: October 2016

Bait is an integral part of coastal life, but is perceived as a low‐value resource as fisheries are data‐limited, locally focussed and largely unregulated even though the ecological impacts of collection are considerable. An empirical assessment of three UK‐based ragworm fisheries combined with an analysis of published literature has produced the first global assessment of polychaete bait fisheries. The five most expensive (retail price per kg) marine species sold on the global fisheries market are polychaetes (Glycera dibranchiata, Diopatra aciculata, Nereis (Alitta) virens, Arenicola defodiens and Marphysa sanguinea). We estimate that 1600 t of N. virens per annum (worth £52 million) are landed in the UK with approximately 121 000 tonnes of polychaetes collected globally valued at £5.9 billion. Using remote closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to monitor collectors, activity at local sites is considerable with a mean of 3.14 collectors per tide (day and night) at one site and individuals digging for up to 3 h per tide, although intensity differed seasonally and between sites. Collectors removed on average 1.4 kg of N. virens per person per hour, walking a considerable distance across the intertidal sediment to reach areas that were usually already dug. The implications of these human activity and biomass removal levels are explored in the context of fisheries and conservation management. At local, regional and national scales, polychaete bait fisheries are highly valuable, extract significant biomass and have considerable impacts; therefore, they urgently require governance equivalent to other fisheries.
Creation of active TIM barrel enzymes through genetic fusion of half‐barrel domain constructs derived from two distantly related glycosyl hydrolases
Authors: Sharma Prerna , Kaila Pallavi , Guptasarma Purnananda
Published: October 2016

Diverse unrelated enzymes that adopt the beta/alpha (or TIM) barrel topology display similar arrangements of beta/alpha units placed in a radial eight‐fold symmetry around the barrel's axis. The TIM barrel was originally thought to be a single structural domain; however, it is now thought that TIM barrels arose from duplication and fusion of smaller half‐barrels consisting of four beta/alpha units. We describe here the design, expression and purification, as well as characterization of folding, activity and stability, of chimeras of two TIM barrel glycosyl hydrolases, made by fusing different half‐barrel domains derived from an endoglucanase from Clostridium cellulolyticum, CelCCA and a beta‐glucosidase from Pyrococcus furiosus, CelB. We show that after refolding following purification from inclusion bodies, the two half‐barrel fusion chimeras (CelCCACelB and CelBCelCCA) display catalytic activity although they assemble into large soluble oligomeric aggregated species containing chains of mixed beta and alpha structure. CelBCelCCA displays hyperthermophile‐like structural stability as well as significant stability to chemical denaturation (Cm of 2.6 m guanidinium hydrochloride), whereas CelCCACelB displays mesophile‐like stability (Tm of ~ 71 °C). The endoglucanase activities of both chimeras are an order of magnitude lower than those of CelB or CelCCA, whereas the beta‐glucosidase activity of CelBCelCCA is about two orders of magnitude lower than that of CelB. The chimera CelCCACelB shows no beta‐glucosidase activity. Our results demonstrate that half‐barrel domains from unrelated sources can fold, assemble and function, with scope for improvement.

Enzyme

Pyrococcus furiosus beta‐glucosidase (CelB, EC: 3.2.1.21).

Clostridium cellulolyticum endoglucanase A (CelCCA, EC: 3.2.1.4).
Association of type 2 diabetes with prolonged hospital stay and increased rate of readmission in patients with lower limb cellulitis
Authors: Wijayaratna S. M. , Cundy T. , Drury P. L. , Sehgal S. , Wijayaratna S. A. , Wu F.
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims

Lower limb (LL) cellulitis‐related hospitalisations are prevalent in type 2 diabetes subjects. We assess its costs and factors associated with length of stay and readmissions.

Methods

A retrospective case‐control study at an urban hospital servicing a multi‐ethnic population in New Zealand, where 7% of the adult population is estimated to have diabetes. Admissions with LL cellulitis in 2008–2013 were identified using coding records. Subsequent hospitalisations after 1 month with the same diagnosis were classified as readmissions. Glycaemic control was assessed by HbA1c measured within 6 months of the index admission.

Results

There were 4600 admissions with LL cellulitis in 3636 patients, including 719 patients (20%) with type 2 diabetes. Hospital stay was longer for type 2 diabetes patients (median 5.3 vs 3.0 days, P < 0.001), independent of age, ethnicity and HbA1c. Accompanying LL ulceration was more frequent in type 2 diabetes patients (50% vs 17%, P < 0.001); however, admissions remained longer for type 2 diabetes patients without ulceration (median 3.4 vs 2.8 days, P < 0.001). Readmission rates were also higher in type 2 diabetes patients compared to non‐diabetes patients (HR 1.7, P < 0.001), even in the absence of ulceration (HR 2.2, P < 0.001). Age, HbA1c and ethnicity did not distinguish those prone to readmissions in the type 2 diabetes cohort. Type 2 diabetes patients accounted for a fifth of all admissions and one third of the estimated costs.

Conclusions

A high proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes was admitted with LL cellulitis. They had significantly longer admissions and higher readmission rates. Age, HbA1c and ethnicity did not predict length of stay or recurrence.
Accounting for female space sharing in St. Kilda Soay sheep (Ovis aries) results in little change in heritability estimates
Authors: Regan C. E. , Pilkington J. G. , Bérénos C. , Pemberton J. M. , Smiseth P. T. , Wilson A. J.
Published: October 2016

When estimating heritability in free‐living populations, it is common practice to account for common environment effects, because of their potential to generate phenotypic covariance among relatives thereby biasing heritability estimates. In quantitative genetic studies of natural populations, however, philopatry, which results in relatives being clustered in space, is rarely accounted for. The two studies that have been carried out so far suggest absolute declines in heritability estimates of up to 43% when accounting for space sharing by relatives. However, due to methodological limitations these estimates may not be representative. We used data from the St. Kilda Soay sheep population to estimate heritabilities with and without accounting for space sharing for five traits for which there is evidence for additive genetic variance (birthweight, birth date, lamb August weight, and female post‐mortem jaw and metacarpal length). We accounted for space sharing by related females by separately incorporating spatial autocorrelation, and a home range similarity matrix. Although these terms accounted for up to 18% of the variance in these traits, heritability estimates were only reduced by up to 7%. Our results suggest that the bias caused by not accounting for space sharing may be lower than previously thought. This suggests that philopatry does not inevitably lead to a large bias if space sharing by relatives is not accounted for. We hope our work stimulates researchers to model shared space when relatives in their study population share space, as doing so will enable us to better understand when bias may be of particular concern.
Host nuclear genotype influences phenotype of a conditional mutualist symbiont
Authors: Hunter M. S. , Asiimwe P. , Himler A. G. , Kelly S. E.
Published: October 2016

Arthropods commonly carry maternally inherited intracellular bacterial symbionts that may profoundly influence host biology and evolution. The intracellular symbiontRickettsiasp. nr.belliiswept rapidly into populations of the sweetpotato whiteflyBemisia tabaciin the south‐westernUSA. Previous laboratory experiments showed female‐bias and fitness benefits were associated withRickettsiainfection, potentially explaining the high frequencies of infection observed in field populations, but the effects varied with whitefly genetic line. Here, we explored whether host extranuclear or nuclear genes influenced the variation in theRickettsia–host phenotype in two genetic lines of the whitefly host, each withRickettsia‐infected and uninfected sublines. Introgression between theRickettsia‐infected subline of one genetic line and theRickettsia‐uninfected subline of the other was used to create two new sublines, each with the maternally inherited extranuclear genetic lineages of one line (Rickettsia,two other symbionts and the mitochondria) and the nuclear genotype of the other. Performance assays comparing the original and new lines showed that in addition toRickettsia, the interaction ofRickettsiainfection with host nuclear genotype influenced development time and the sex ratio of the progeny, whereas the extranuclear genotype did not. Host nuclear genotype, but not extranuclear genotype, also influenced the titre ofRickettsia. Our results support the hypothesis that differences in host nuclear genotype alone may explain considerable within‐population variation in host–symbiont phenotype and may contribute to the observed variation inRickettsia–whitefly interactions worldwide.
Sex‐specific selection under environmental stress in seed beetles
Authors: Martinossi‐Allibert I. , Arnqvist G. , Berger D.
Published: October 2016

Sexual selection can increase rates of adaptation by imposing strong selection in males, thereby allowing efficient purging of the mutation load on population fitness at a low demographic cost. Indeed, sexual selection tends to be male‐biased throughout the animal kingdom, but little empirical work has explored the ecological sensitivity of this sex difference. In this study, we generated theoretical predictions of sex‐specific strengths of selection, environmental sensitivities and genotype‐by‐environment interactions and tested them in seed beetles by manipulating either larval host plant or rearing temperature. Using fourteen isofemale lines, we measured sex‐specific reductions in fitness components, genotype‐by‐environment interactions and the strength of selection (variance in fitness) in the juvenile and adult stage. As predicted, variance in fitness increased with stress, was consistently greater in males than females for adult reproductive success (implying strong sexual selection), but was similar in the sexes in terms of juvenile survival across all levels of stress. Although genetic variance in fitness increased in magnitude under severe stress, heritability decreased and particularly so in males. Moreover, genotype‐by‐environment interactions for fitness were common but specific to the type of stress, sex and life stage, suggesting that new environments may change the relative alignment and strength of selection in males and females. Our study thus exemplifies how environmental stress can influence the relative forces of natural and sexual selection, as well as concomitant changes in genetic variance in fitness, which are predicted to have consequences for rates of adaptation in sexual populations.
Survival and development of immature Aedes aegypti in artificial desiccating breeding sites under laboratory conditions
Authors: Luz C. , Marques C. S. , Rodrigues J. , de Sousa N. A. , Fernandes É. K. K.
Published: October 2016

The ability of aquatic stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), key vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses, to survive in minimal residues of water has remained unstudied. We found that larvae eclosed from up to 50% of eggs set in permanent water films on water agar (at 1–2% agar), and some (≤9.5%) of these first‐instar larvae developed to second instar (L2). Mean larval survival was about 2 weeks; the longest periods of survival were 31.6 and 38.7 days in a water film and in free water controls, respectively. In another test, L3 moved in the films, with the greatest displacements of the larvae being up to 45 mm per day in the first 3 days; subsequent displacements in the water film were distinctly reduced during the next 20 days by which time all L3 had died. L3 did not detect or move in any directed manner in the film towards nearby small quantities of free water. Most pupae (≥93.7%) placed into water films or in water survived and developed to adults within 3 days. The unexpected survival of aquatic immature stages in desiccating breeding sites might be a reason for both the tenacious persistence of mosquito populations in seasons with infrequent rainfall and failures of classical control strategies against this important vector.
Ultrastructure and Molecular Phylogeny of Iotanema spirale gen. nov. et sp. nov., a New Lineage of Endobiotic Fornicata with Strikingly Simplified Ultrastructure
Authors: Yubuki Naoji , Zadrobílková Eliška , Čepička Ivan
Published: October 2016

Fornicata (Metamonada) is a group of Excavata living in low‐oxygen environments and lacking conventional mitochondria. It includes free‐living Carpediemonas‐like organisms from marine habitats and predominantly parasitic/commensal retortamonads and diplomonads. Current modest knowledge of biodiversity of Fornicata limits our ability to draw a complete picture of the evolutionary history in this group. Here, we report the discovery of a novel fornicate, Iotanema spirale gen. nov. et sp. nov., obtained from fresh feces of the gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis. Our phylogenetic analyses of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene demonstrate that I. spirale is closely related to the free‐living, marine strain PCS and the Carpediemonas‐like organism Hicanonectes teleskopos within Fornicata. Iotanema spirale exhibits several features uncommon to fornicates, such as a single flagellum, a highly reduced cytoskeletal system, and the lack of the excavate ventral groove, but shares these characters with the poorly known genus Caviomonas. Therefore, I. spirale is accommodated within the family Caviomonadidae, which represents the third known endobiotic lineage of Fornicata. This study improves our understanding of character evolution within Fornicata when placed within the molecular phylogenetic context.
Problem Drinking and Depression in Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Mowbray Orion , Washington Tiffany , Purser Greg , O‘Shields Jay
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To examine the intersection of depression and alcohol use among older adults with multiple chronic health conditions (MCCs).

Design

Wave 1 data from the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (2005–06).

Setting

Community‐based sampling throughout the United States.

Participants

Individuals aged 57 to 85 who identified as active alcohol consumers (N = 1,643).

Measurements

Participants reported whether they currently had MCCs, problem drinking (defined as affirming two or more of the four CAGE screening questions), symptoms associated with depression, and other social and health measures.

Results

Although older adults with MCCs were no more likely to be problem drinkers than those with no MCCs, those with MCCs and depression were nearly five times as likely to experience problem drinking as older adults with MCCs and no depression.

Conclusion

Older adults with MCCs have differences that have implications for health, including mental health problems. Implementing screening and assessment in medical care settings for problem drinking and improving self‐management interventions to include consequences of alcohol use components are critical avenues for reducing healthcare expenditures and improving quality of life of individuals with MCC.
Curcumin as potential therapeutic natural product: a nanobiotechnological perspective
Authors: Shome Soumitra , Talukdar Anupam Das , Choudhury Manabendra Dutta , Bhattacharya Mrinal Kanti , Upadhyaya Hrishikesh
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems can resolve the poor bioavailability issue allied with curcumin. The therapeutic potential of curcumin can be enhanced by making nanocomposite preparation of curcumin with metal oxide nanoparticles, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles and solid lipid nanoparticles that increases its bioavailability in the tissue.

Key findings

Curcumin has manifold therapeutic effects which include antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Curcumin can inhibit diabetes, heavy metal and stress-induced hypertension with its antioxidant, chelating and inhibitory effects on the pathways that lead to hypertension. Curcumin is an anticancer agent that can prevent abnormal cell proliferation. Nanocurcumin is an improved form of curcumin with enhanced therapeutic properties due to improved delivery to the diseased tissue, better internalization and reduced systemic elimination.

Curcumin has multiple pharmacologic effects, but its poor bioavailability reduces its therapeutic effects. By conjugating curcumin to metal oxide nanoparticles or encapsulation in lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, nanogels and polymeric nanoparticles, the water solubility and bioavailability of curcumin can be improved and thus increase its pharmacological effectiveness.
The development of sustained release drug delivery platforms using melt-extruded cellulose-based polymer blends
Authors: Wilson Matthew R , Jones David S , Andrews Gavin P
Published: October 2016

Objectives

This research examined the application of hot melt extrusion (HME) in the preparation of matrix formulations containing hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a base polymer in combination with methyl cellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC).

Methods

The limit to which formulations could control drug release under varying paddle speeds, high alcohol environments and high and low drug loads was investigated on a Caleva 10 ST dissolution tester. Rheological studies and hot plate imaging highlighted the impact of thermoresponsive polymers on drug release. The rate and percentage release of drug were analysed using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test.

Key findings

No significant differences in the amount of drug released were calculated as a result of paddle speed variation or in the presence of 40% v/v ETOH. The phase separation effects of temperature-sensitive polymers HPC and MC and the characteristic gel shrinkage and fluid expulsion were shown to be contributing factors. The use of the partition activity, α, identified the extent to which formulations were affected by phase separation.

Conclusion

Hot melt extrusion was successfully used to manufacture cellulose-based formulations. Thermoresponsive polymers HPC and MC significantly impacted drug release properties.
Effects of juniper essential oil on growth performance, some rumen protozoa, rumen fermentation and antioxidant blood enzyme parameters of growing Saanen kids
Authors: Yesilbag D. , Biricik H. , Cetin I. , Kara C. , Meral Y. , Cengiz S. S. , Orman A. , Udum D.
Published: October 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of juniper essential oil on the growth performance, rumen fermentation parameters, rumen protozoa population, blood antioxidant enzyme parameters and faecal content in growing Saanen kids. Thirty‐six male Saanen kids (36 ± 14 days of age) were used in the study. Each group consisted of 9 kids. The control group (G1) was fed with a diet that consisted of the above concentrated feed and oat hay, whereas the experimental groups consumed the same diet but with the concentrated feed uniformly sprayed with juniper essential oil 0.4 ml/kg (G2), 0.8 ml/kg (G3) or 2 ml/kg (G4). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in live weight, live weight gain or feed consumption between the control and experimental groups. There was a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in feed efficiency in the G3 group. There were no differences in the rumen pH, rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile or faecal pH of the control and experimental groups. The rumen NH3N values were similar at the middle and end of the experiment, but at the start of the experiment, the rumen NH3N values differed between the control and experimental groups (p < 0.05). The faecal score value was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the experimental groups. The addition of juniper essential oil supplementation to the rations caused significant effects on the kids’ antioxidant blood parameters. Although the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and catalase values were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the experimental groups (G2, G3 and G4), especially group G4, the blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) value significantly decreased in the experimental groups. The results of this study suggest that supplementation of juniper oil is more effective on antioxidant parameters than on performance parameters and may be used as a natural antioxidant product.
Short‐term methionine supplementation during the early post‐partum period in primiparous rabbits improves prolificacy associated with an increase in serum concentrations of IGF‐I
Authors: Lopéz‐Cedillo Z. B. , Rosales‐Torres A. M. , Mendoza G. D. , Heuze Y. , Ávila‐Espítia A. E. , Guzmán A.
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation on energy metabolism and reproductive performance during the early post‐partum period in primiparous does. Forty nulliparous New Zealand White does were used. Females were randomized in two groups at calving: the control group (n = 20) was fed with the basal diet, and the methionine group (n = 20) was fed the basal diet plus 1 g/animal/day of methionine from the day of calving to 4 days post‐partum. Results showed that methionine supplementation increased (p = 0.032) the concentration of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 with respect to control group 4 days post‐partum. It similarly increased the prolificacy (p = 0.03), the number of kits born alive per litter (p = 0.06) and the body gain weight of the litter during supplementation (p = 0.035). These results were observed despite the does in the methionine group having a deeper negative energy balance than the does in the control group. Finally, methionine supplementation did not affect receptivity (p = 0.23), fertility (p = 0.49), the number of kits born dead per litter (p = 0.86) insulin and metabolites as glucose, non‐esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. In conclusion, our results show that methionine supplementation during the first 4 days of the post‐partum period in rabbits increases total litter size and the corporal weight of kits and is associated with an increase in blood concentration of IGF‐1.
NHLRC1 repeat expansion in two beagles with Lafora disease
Authors: Hajek I. , Kettner F. , Simerdova V. , Rusbridge C. , Wang P. , Minassian B. A. , Palus V.
Published: October 2016

Lafora disease is a fatal genetic disorder characterised by neurotoxic deposits of malformed insoluble glycogen. In humans it is caused by mutation in the EPM2A or NHLRC1 genes. There is a known mutation in miniature wirehaired dachshunds which has not been documented in other dog breeds, including beagles, in which the disease is relatively commonly reported. This case report describes the causative defect in two affected beagles, namely the same massive expansion as in miniature wirehaired dachshunds of a 12‐nucleotide repeat sequence that is unique to the canine NHLRC1 gene. This is the first mutation described in beagles with Lafora disease, and so far the only Lafora disease genetic variant in dogs.
A unique corundum and refractory metal‐nugget bearing micrometeorite P117
Authors: Rudraswami N. G. , Reshma K. , Shyam Prasad M.
Published: October 2016

Micrometeorites provide a large range of samples sourced from a wide variety of planetary materials, thereby providing a scope for expanding the known inventory of solar system materials. Here we report the micrometeorite AAS62‐34‐P117 having the assemblage of corundum, hibonite, unknown Al‐rich phases, FeNi metal blebs, sulfide, and phosphate embedded in Al‐rich silicate composition, and Pt‐group element nuggets dispersed throughout the micrometeorite. Here, we report the presence of corundum in micrometeorites as a major refractory phase with sizes greater than ~10 μm. The Al‐rich phases have Al2O3 ~50–70%, such high Al phases are not known from meteoritic components either in chondrules or refractory inclusions. In addition, the Ca content is extremely poor to relate it directly to known refractory inclusions, but is very high in Al. The presence of corundum in Al‐rich phases indicates the micrometeorite to be early condensate from solar nebula that later got incorporated into Si‐rich materials leading to a transformation that produced the unusual Al‐rich and Ca‐poor phases different from the average solar composition. The observed texture and mineralogy of the micrometeorite appears to have evolved in a nebular setting that has compositional reservoirs different from those of any known components of meteorites.
Trade‐off between taxon diversity and functional diversity in European lake ecosystems
Authors: Grossmann Lars , Beisser Daniela , Bock Christina , Chatzinotas Antonis , Jensen Manfred , Preisfeld Angelika , Psenner Roland , Rahmann Sven , Wodniok Sabina , Boenigk Jens
Published: October 2016

Inferring ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services through inspections of the species inventory is a major aspect of ecological field studies. Ecosystem functions are often stable despite considerable species turnover. Using metatranscriptome analyses, we analyse a thus‐far unparalleled freshwater data set which comprises 21 mainland European freshwater lakes from the Sierra Nevada (Spain) to the Carpathian Mountains (Romania) and from northern Germany to the Apennines (Italy) and covers an altitudinal range from 38 m above sea level (a.s.l) to 3110 m a.s.l. The dominant taxa were Chlorophyta and streptophytic algae, Ciliophora, Bacillariophyta and Chrysophyta. Metatranscriptomics provided insights into differences in community composition and into functional diversity via the relative share of taxa to the overall read abundance of distinct functional genes on the ecosystem level. The dominant metabolic pathways in terms of the fraction of expressed sequences in the cDNA libraries were affiliated with primary metabolism, specifically oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis and the TCA cycle. Our analyses indicate that community composition is a good first proxy for the analysis of ecosystem functions. However, differential gene regulation modifies the relative importance of taxa in distinct pathways. Whereas taxon composition varies considerably between lakes, the relative importance of distinct metabolic pathways is much more stable, indicating that ecosystem functioning is buffered against shifts in community composition through a functional redundancy of taxa.
Seasonal gene expression in a migratory songbird
Authors: Johnston Rachel A. , Paxton Kristina L. , Moore Frank R. , Wayne Robert K. , Smith Thomas B.
Published: October 2016

The annual migration of a bird can involve thousands of kilometres of nonstop flight, requiring accurately timed seasonal changes in physiology and behaviour. Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling this endogenous programme can provide functional and evolutionary insights into the circannual biological clock and the potential of migratory species to adapt to changing environments. Under naturally timed photoperiod conditions, we maintained captive Swainson's thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) and performed RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) of the ventral hypothalamus and optic chiasma to evaluate transcriptome‐wide gene expression changes of individuals in migratory condition. We found that 188 genes were differentially expressed in relation to migratory state, 86% of which have not been previously linked to avian migration. Focal hub genes were identified that are candidate variables responsible for the occurrence of migration (e.g. CRABP1). Numerous genes involved in cell adhesion, proliferation and motility were differentially expressed (including RHOJ, PAK1 and TLN1), suggesting that migration‐related changes are regulated by seasonal neural plasticity.
Insecticide resistance mediated by an exon skipping event
Authors: Berger Madeleine , Puinean Alin Mirel , Randall Emma , Zimmer Christoph T. , Silva Wellington M. , Bielza Pablo , Field Linda M. , Hughes David , Mellor Ian , Hassani‐Pak Keywan , Siqueira Herbert A. A. , Williamson Martin S. , Bass Chris
Published: October 2016

Many genes increase coding capacity by alternate exon usage. The gene encoding the insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 subunit, target of the bio‐insecticide spinosad, is one example of this and expands protein diversity via alternative splicing of mutually exclusive exons. Here, we show that spinosad resistance in the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta is associated with aberrant regulation of splicing of Taα6 resulting in a novel form of insecticide resistance mediated by exon skipping. Sequencing of the α6 subunit cDNA from spinosad selected and unselected strains of T. absoluta revealed all Taα6 transcripts of the selected strain were devoid of exon 3, with comparison of genomic DNA and mRNA revealing this is a result of exon skipping. Exon skipping cosegregated with spinosad resistance in survival bioassays, and functional characterization of this alteration using modified human nAChR α7, a model of insect α6, demonstrated that exon 3 is essential for receptor function and hence spinosad sensitivity. DNA and RNA sequencing analyses suggested that exon skipping did not result from genetic alterations in intronic or exonic cis‐regulatory elements, but rather was associated with a single epigenetic modification downstream of exon 3a, and quantitative changes in the expression of trans‐acting proteins that have known roles in the regulation of alternative splicing. Our results demonstrate that the intrinsic capacity of the α6 gene to generate transcript diversity via alternative splicing can be readily exploited during the evolution of resistance and identifies exon skipping as a molecular alteration conferring insecticide resistance.
Sinorhizobium meliloti chemotaxis to quaternary ammonium compounds is mediated by the chemoreceptor McpX
Authors: Webb Benjamin A. , Karl Compton K. , Castañeda Saldaña Rafael , Arapov Timofey D. , Keith Ray W. , Helm Richard F. , Scharf Birgit E.
Published: October 2016

The bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti is attracted to seed exudates of its host plant alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Since quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are exuded by germinating seeds, we assayed chemotaxis of S. meliloti towards betonicine, choline, glycine betaine, stachydrine and trigonelline. The wild type displayed a positive response to all QACs. Using LC–MS, we determined that each germinating alfalfa seed exuded QACs in the nanogram range. Compared to the closely related nonhost species, spotted medic (Medicago arabica), unique profiles were released. Further assessments of single chemoreceptor deletion strains revealed that an mcpX deletion strain displayed little to no response to these compounds. Differential scanning fluorimetry showed interaction of the isolated periplasmic region of McpX (McpXPR and McpX34‐306) with QACs. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments revealed tight binding to McpXPR with dissociation constants (Kd) in the nanomolar range for choline and glycine betaine, micromolar Kd for stachydrine and trigonelline and a Kd in the millimolar range for betonicine. Our discovery of S. meliloti chemotaxis to plant‐derived QACs adds another role to this group of compounds, which are known to serve as nutrient sources, osmoprotectants and cell‐to‐cell signalling molecules. This is the first report of a chemoreceptor that mediates QACs taxis through direct binding.
Epigenetic regulation of development and pathogenesis in fungal plant pathogens
Authors: Dubey Akanksha , Jeon Junhyun
Published: October 2016

Evidently, epigenetics is at forefront in explaining the mechanisms underlying the success of human pathogens and in the identification of pathogen‐induced modifications within host plants. However, there is a lack of studies highlighting the role of epigenetics in the modulation of the growth and pathogenicity of fungal plant pathogens. In this review, we attempt to highlight and discuss the role of epigenetics in the regulation of the growth and pathogenicity of fungal phytopathogens using Magnaporthe oryzae, a devastating fungal plant pathogen, as a model system. With the perspective of wide application in the understanding of the development, pathogenesis and control of other fungal pathogens, we attempt to provide a synthesized view of the epigenetic studies conducted on M. oryzae to date. First, we discuss the mechanisms of epigenetic modifications in M. oryzae and their impact on fungal development and pathogenicity. Second, we highlight the unexplored epigenetic mechanisms and areas of research that should be considered in the near future to construct a holistic view of epigenetic functioning in M. oryzae and other fungal plant pathogens. Importantly, the development of a complete understanding of the modulation of epigenetic regulation in fungal pathogens can help in the identification of target points to combat fungal pathogenesis.