bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linkages between spatio‐temporal patterns of environmental factors and distribution of plant assemblages across a boreal peatland complex
Authors: Graham Jeremy A. , Hartsock Jeremy A. , Vitt Dale H. , Wieder R. Kelman , Gibson John J.
Published: December 2015

Here we examine the arrangement of plant species across an oligotrophic bog/poor fen peatland complex in the North American boreal plain and the relationships of these species to their physical and chemical environment. A semi‐uniform spatial sampling approach was utilized to describe the species assemblages, pore‐water chemistry and physical condition of 100 plots throughout a single peatland complex. Regardless of sharing the same ground cover of Sphagnum mosses, the remaining species separated into four distinct assemblages, each with unique indicators. These species groups along with associated chemical and physical factors are organized into four ecosites: bog, margin (edge) and two poor fen ecosites. The plant assemblages of this peatland have a complex relationship with numerous gradients, both physical and chemical, including depth to water table, shade, pH, nutrient and base cation. Rather than being homogenous across the landscape, most environmental variables exhibit distinct spatial patterns and do so in relationship to the plant assemblages, forming spatially distinct ecosites across the complex. Base cation concentrations play a smaller role than previously thought in differentiating these ecosites, and in addition to shade and depth to water table, nitrogen in the form of dissolved organic nitrogen was highly related to the placement of these ecosites. Many significant chemical factors appear related to evaporative water loss within the peatland complex, and these chemical factors are used to differentiate the ecosites. However, the mediation of evaporative water loss is due largely to self‐generated responses of the plant assemblages related to shade through plant morphology and peat acrotelm development related to depth to water table. We conclude that plant species and associated environmental gradients act together to form spatially distinct ecosites. The distribution of these ecosites within this large, environmentally complex peatland is largely controlled by differing self‐generated responses along the hydrotopographical gradient of differential water loss.
Geomorphology, sedimentology and minimum exposure ages of streamlined subglacial landforms in the NW Himalaya, India
Authors: Saha Sourav , Sharma Milap C. , Murari Madhav K. , Owen Lewis A. , Caffee Marc W.
Published: December 2015

Streamlined subglacial landforms that include drumlins in three study areas, the upper Chandra valley around Chandra Tal, the upper Spiti Valley and the middle Yunam Valley of the NW Himalaya of India were mapped and studied using geomorphic, sedimentological and geochronological methods. These streamlined subglacial landforms include a variety of morphological types, including: (i) half egg‐shaped forms; (ii) complex superimposed forms; (iii) dome‐shaped forms; (iv) inverse forms; and (v) flat‐topped symmetrical forms. Sedimentological data indicate that subglacial deformational processes are responsible for the formation of the streamlined subglacial landforms in the Chandra Tal and upper Spiti Valley study areas. In contrast, streamlined landforms in the middle Yunam Valley are the result of melt‐out and subglacial erosional processes. In the Yunam Valley study area, 11 new cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure ages were obtained for boulders inset into the crests of streamlined subglacial landforms and moraines, and also for a bedrock surface. The streamlined landforms date to 8–7 ka, providing evidence of an early Holocene valley glaciation, and older moraines date to ∼17–15 and 79–52 ka, representing other significant valley glacial advances in the middle Yunam Valley. The subglacial landforms in the Chandra Valley provide evidence for a ≥300‐m‐thick Lateglacial glacier that advanced southeast, overtopping the Kunzum Range, and advancing into the upper Spiti Valley. The streamlined subglacial landforms in these study areas of the NW Himalaya highlight the usefulness of such landforms in developing glacial chronostratigraphy and for understanding the dynamics of Himalayan glaciation.
The Holocene Great Belt connection to the southern Kattegat, Scandinavia: Ancylus Lake drainage and Early Littorina Sea transgression
Authors: Bendixen Carina , Jensen Jørn B. , Boldreel Lars O. , Clausen Ole R. , Bennike Ole , Seidenkrantz Marit‐Solveig , Nyberg Johan , Hübscher Christian
Published: December 2015

Late‐ and postglacial geological evolution of the southern Kattegat connection to the Great Belt was investigated from high‐resolution seismic data and radiocarbon‐dated sediment cores in order to elucidate the Ancylus Lake drainage/Littorina Sea transgression. It was found that glacial deposits form the acoustic basement and are covered by Lateglacial (LG) marine sediments and postglacial (PG; Holocene) material. The LG deposits form a highstand systems tract, whereas the PG deposits cover a full depositional sequence, consisting of a lowstand systems tract (PG I), transgressive systems tract (PG II; subdivided into three parasequences) and finally a highstand systems tract (PG III). PG I sand deposits (11.7–10.8 cal. ka BP) are found in a major western channel and in a secondary eastern channel. PG II (10.8–9.8 cal. ka BP) consists of estuarine and coastal deposits linked to an estuary located at the mouth of the channels. Both channels drained fresh water from south to north. The PG III, that is younger than 9.8 cal. ka BP, represents the threshold marine flooding at the southeastern branch of the palaeo‐Great Belt channel. At 9.3 cal. ka BP, fully marine conditions were established, shortly before the flooding of the threshold to the northern part of the Great Belt. These early Holocene spits and sand bars are preserved as features on the present seabed, probably as a result of the rapid sea‐level rise that led to back‐stepping of the early Holocene palaeo‐coast system. This study shows no evidence of major erosion or delta deposition linked to the emptying of the Ancylus Lake, which suggests that continuous water flow from the south characterized the area, without any major drainage event of the Ancylus Lake impacting the southwestern Kattegat.
High‐resolution evolution of terrigenous sediment yields in the Provence Basin during the last 6 Ma: relation with climate and tectonics
Authors: Leroux Estelle , Rabineau Marina , Aslanian Daniel , Gorini Christian , Molliex Stéphane , Bache Francois , Robin Cécile , Droz Laurence , Moulin Maryline , Poort Jeffrey , Rubino Jean‐Loup , Suc Jean‐Pierre
Published: December 2015

Basin‐wide correlation of Messinian units and Plio‐Quaternary chronostratigraphic markers (5.3 Ma, 2.6 Ma, 0.9 Ma and 0.45 Ma), the mapping of total sediment thickness and the determination of overall sedimentary volumes enabled us to provide a high‐resolution quantitative history of sediment volumes for the last 6 Ma along the Gulf of Lions margin. The results point to (i) a dramatic increase in terrigenous sediment input during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. This increased sedimentation reflects enhanced regional fluvial erosion related to the dramatic fall of Mediterranean base‐level. Stronger weathering due to a regional wetter climate probably also increased erosional fluxes. (ii) A sediment input three times higher during the Plio‐Quaternary compared to the Miocene seems in agreement with published measurements from World's ocean. However, the timing of this increase being uncertain, it implies that the trigger(s) also remain(s) uncertain. (iii) A decrease in detrital volume around 2.6 Ma is attributed to a regional change in the drainage pattern of rivers in the northwestern Alps. (iv) This study also highlights the Mid‐Pleistocene Revolution around 0.9 Ma, which resulted in an almost doubling of sediment input in the Provencal Basin.
Preparation and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Orally Active Ester Prodrugs of Ketoprofen with Non‐Ulcerogenic Property
Authors: Dhakane Valmik D. , Thakare Vishnu N. , Dongare Sakharam B. , Bhale Pravin S. , Mule Yoginath B. , Bandgar Babasaheb P. , Chavan Hemant V.
Published: December 2015

This study investigates anti‐inflammatory activity with improved pharmacokinetic and non‐ulcerogenic properties of various novel synthesized prodrugs of ketoprofen in experimental animals. Prodrugs 3a, 3f and 3k were found to possess significant anti‐inflammatory activity with almost non‐ulcerogenic potential than standard drug ketoprofen (1) in both normal and inflammation‐induced rats. The experimental findings elicited higher AUC and plasma concentration at 1 and 2 h indicating improved oral bioavailability as compared to parent drug ketoprofen. These prodrugs are found to have no gastric ulceration with retained anti‐inflammatory activity. Therefore, present experimental findings demonstrated significant improvement of various pharmacokinetic properties with non‐ulcerogenic potential of ester prodrugs of ketoprofen.
Iconicity and the Emergence of Combinatorial Structure in Language
Authors: Verhoef Tessa , Kirby Simon , de Boer Bart
Published: December 2015

In language, recombination of a discrete set of meaningless building blocks forms an unlimited set of possible utterances. How such combinatorial structure emerged in the evolution of human language is increasingly being studied. It has been shown that it can emerge when languages culturally evolve and adapt to human cognitive biases. How the emergence of combinatorial structure interacts with the existence of holistic iconic form‐meaning mappings in a language is still unknown. The experiment presented in this paper studies the role of iconicity and human cognitive learning biases in the emergence of combinatorial structure in artificial whistled languages. Participants learned and reproduced whistled words for novel objects with the use of a slide whistle. Their reproductions were used as input for the next participant, to create transmission chains and simulate cultural transmission. Two conditions were studied: one in which the persistence of iconic form‐meaning mappings was possible and one in which this was experimentally made impossible. In both conditions, cultural transmission caused the whistled languages to become more learnable and more structured, but this process was slightly delayed in the first condition. Our findings help to gain insight into when and how words may lose their iconic origins when they become part of an organized linguistic system.
High prevalence of colon adenomas in end‐stage kidney disease patients on hemodialysis undergoing renal transplant evaluation
Authors: Saumoy Monica , Jesudian Arun B. , Aden Brandon , Serur David , Sundararajan Subha , Sivananthan Geethan , Gambarin‐Gelwan Maya
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) on hemodialysis (HD) undergoing kidney transplant evaluation are at higher risk for colonic neoplasia than the general population. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with ESKD who underwent a first screening colonoscopy while undergoing kidney transplant evaluation. Data were collected on the prevalence of adenomatous polyps and advanced adenomas in 70 patients with ESKD and 70 controls, undergoing their first screening colonoscopy, matched for age, gender, and endoscopist. At the time of the colonoscopy, an average time on HD was 3.2 ± 2.9 yr. The prevalence of adenomatous polyps was significantly higher in ESKD on HD (54.3% vs. 32.9%, p = 0.008) than in controls. In a multivariate analysis controlling for other factors, ESKD on HD remained a risk factor for the presence of adenomas (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.21, 7.73). No colonoscopy‐related complications were reported in the patients with ESKD on HD. We demonstrate a significantly higher prevalence of adenomatous polyps in patients with ESKD undergoing a first screening colonoscopy as part of kidney transplant evaluation. In addition, colonoscopy can be safely performed in this population.
Biography of a Road: Past and Present of the Siberian Doroga Lena
Authors: Argounova‐Low Tatiana , Prisyazhnyi Mikhail
Published: December 2015

This article examines the Lena Road (Doroga Lena), which is situated in the eastern part of Russia and stretches through the southern and central parts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). A former traditional path, it was developed into a corridor for accessing rich mineral resources in the area during the Soviet period. The road is associated with the socialist past and its meta‐narrative that highlights roads’ industrial profile. In this article the authors investigate the road's history through a biographical approach that incorporates biographies of people whose lives were linked to and shaped by the Lena Road. Such a biographical approach redirects the attention from a history written by a dominant totalitarian regime with its ideological prescriptions, towards the particular, individual and private, as well as highlighting the importance of people's contribution in creating the road and history.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AND THE INDUSTRIAL COMPOSITION OF MULTINATIONAL ACTIVITY
Authors: Ivus Olena , Park Walter , Saggi Kamal
Published: December 2015

In a North‐South model with endogenous foreign direct investment (FDI), we examine the impact of Southern intellectual property rights (IPR) protection on the mode and industrial composition of international technology transfer. A novel feature of the model is that, due to technological reasons, industries differ with respect to their susceptibility to imitation. In equilibrium, licensing occurs in industries where the risk of imitation is low and FDI where it is of intermediate magnitude. Stronger IPRs in the South (1) alter the industrial composition of multinational activity toward licensing at the expense of FDI; (2) reduce local imitation; and (3) increase licensing and, to a lesser extent, FDI. (JEL F10, O34)
Highly variable mutational profile of ASXL1 in myelofibrosis
Authors: Sorigué Marc , Ribera Josep‐Maria , García Olga , Cabezón Marta , Vélez Patricia , Marcé Silvia , Xicoy Blanca , Fernández Cristalina , Buch Joan , Cortes Montserrat , Plensa Esther , Gallardo David , Boqué Concepción , Feliu Evarist , Zamora Lurdes
Published: December 2015

Objective

Somatic mutations in ASXL1 seem to have a negative prognostic impact in patients with several myeloid neoplasms, including myelofibrosis (MF). The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence and profile of ASXL1 mutations in MF.

Methods

We analyzed mutations in ASXL1 in 70 consecutive MF patients from 8 Spanish hospitals by means of Sanger sequencing, as well as JAK2, CALR, and MPL mutations.

Results

ASXL1 mutations were found in 16/70 (23%) of cases, most commonly p.Gly646TrpfsX12 (5/16). Most mutations (13/16) were frameshift mutations. Of 54 ASXL1‐ wild‐type patients, 32 (59%) had at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), 27 of them had g.78128C>T, g.79017A>C, and g.79085T>C [triple SNP (TSNP) patients]. The 5‐yr overall survival probability of TSNP patients was 67% (95% CI, 43–91%) vs. 90% (95% CI, 77–100%) in ASXL1‐WT patients (P = 0.152).

Conclusion

ASXL1 mutations were found in 23% of cases, p.Gly646TrpfsX12 being the most frequent. About 85% of mutations were found only in individual cases and 46% had not previously been reported, a pattern also seen in other series. Fifty percent of ASXL1‐WT patients had a combination of three specific SNPs that might have a prognostic correlation that needs to be determined in larger series.
Intramuscular dissociation of echogenicity in the triceps surae characterizes sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Nodera H. , Takamatsu N. , Matsui N. , Mori A. , Terasawa Y. , Shimatani Y. , Osaki Y. , Maruyama K. , Izumi Y. , Kaji R.
Published: December 2015

Background and purpose

Differential diagnosis of sporadic inclusion body myositis (s‐IBM) and polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM) is difficult and can affect proper disease management. Detection of heterogeneous muscular involvement in s‐IBM by muscle sonography could be a unique diagnostic feature.

Methods

Sonography of the lower leg and forearm was performed in patients with s‐IBM, PM/DM and control subjects (n = 11 each). Echo intensities (EIs) of the adjacent muscles [medial head of the gastrocnemius versus soleus and the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) versus flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU)] were scored by three blinded raters. The mean EIs of these muscles were compared using computer‐assisted histogram analysis.

Results

Both evaluation methods showed high echoic signals in the gastrocnemius of patients with s‐IBM. EIs were significantly different between the gastrocnemius and soleus in patients with s‐IBM, but not in those with DM/PM and the controls. In the forearm, although the EI of the FDP was higher in the s‐IBM group than in the other groups, the EI differences between the FDP and FCU did not differ significantly between disease groups. The difference in area under the curves to differentiate between s‐IBM and DM/PM was greatest between the gastrocnemius−soleus EIs (0.843; P = 0.006).

Conclusions

High echoic signals in the medial gastrocnemius compared with those of the soleus are suggestive of s‐IBM over PM/DM.
Extensive blooming artifact predicts no recanalization after intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Yan S. , Chen Q. , Zhang X. , Xu M. , Han Q. , Shao A. , Liebeskind D. S. , Lou M.
Published: December 2015

Background and purpose

Hemosiderin exhibits a stronger T2 shortening effect than deoxyhemoglobin. The extent of the ‘blooming artifact’ may therefore reflect a composition of different iron forms. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between extent of susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) width beyond the lumen and middle cerebral artery (MCA) recanalization.

Methods

Clinical and imaging data from consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients with MCA occlusion who underwent susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) before intravenous thrombolysis were examined. The source images of magnitude and angiography were used to obtain the width of SVS and MCA at the interface, respectively.

Results

The presence of MCA SVS was observed in 64 patients on initial SWI scans and recanalization was observed in 30 (46.9%) patients. The overestimation ratio of thrombus width on SWI was an acceptable predictor for no recanalization [odds ratio 1.360 per 0.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.093−1.691; P = 0.006]. The optimal cut‐off point was identified at 1.943, and this yielded a sensitivity of 67.6% and a specificity of 86.7%. Extensive blooming artifact, defined as overestimation ratio ≥2, independently predicted no recanalization (odds ratio 9.687, 95% CI 1.974−47.545; P = 0.005) and unfavorable outcome (odds ratio 4.916, 95% CI 1.049−23.051; P = 0.043).

Conclusions

The extent of SVS width beyond the lumen might reflect the content of hemosiderin. An extreme overestimation ratio might indicate aged thrombus, which may be resistant to thrombolysis.
Up‐regulation of P2X7 receptor–mediated inhibition of GABA uptake by nerve terminals of the human epileptic neocortex
Authors: Barros‐Barbosa Aurora R. , Fonseca Ana L. , Guerra‐Gomes Sónia , Ferreirinha Fátima , Santos Agostinho , Rangel Rui , Lobo M. Graça , Correia‐de‐Sá Paulo , Cordeiro J. Miguel
Published: December 2015

Objective

Thirty percent of patients with epilepsy are refractory to medication. The majority of these patients have mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). This prompts for new pharmacologic targets, like ATP‐mediated signaling pathways, since the extracellular levels of the nucleotide dramatically increase during in vitro epileptic seizures. In this study, we investigated whether sodium‐dependent high‐affinity γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate uptake by isolated nerve terminals of the human neocortex could be modulated by ATP acting via slow‐desensitizing P2X7 receptor (P2X7R).

Methods

Modulation of [3H]GABA and [14C]glutamate uptake by ATP, through activation of P2X7R, was investigated in isolated nerve terminals of the neocortex of cadaveric controls and patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (non‐MTLE or MTLE) submitted to surgery. Tissue density and distribution of P2X7R in the human neocortex was assessed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy.

Results

The P2X7R agonist, 2′(3′)‐O‐(4‐benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP, 3–100 μm) decreased [3H]GABA and [14C]glutamate uptake by nerve terminals of the neocortex of controls and patients with epilepsy. The inhibitory effect of BzATP (100 μm) was prevented by the selective P2X7R antagonist, A‐438079 (3 μm). Down‐modulation of [14C]glutamate uptake by BzATP (100 μm) was roughly similar in controls and patients with epilepsy, but the P2X7R agonist inhibited more effectively [3H]GABA uptake in the epileptic tissue. Neocortical nerve terminals of patients with epilepsy express higher amounts of the P2X7R protein than control samples.

Significance

High‐frequency cortical activity during epileptic seizures releases huge amounts of ATP, which by acting on low‐affinity slowly desensitizing ionotropic P2X7R, leads to down‐modulation of neuronal GABA and glutamate uptake. Increased P2X7R expression in neocortical nerve terminals of patients with epilepsy may, under high‐frequency firing, endure GABA signaling and increase GABAergic rundown, thereby unbalancing glutamatergic neuroexcitation. This study highlights the relevance of the ATP‐sensitive P2X7R as an important negative modulator of GABA and glutamate transport and prompts for novel antiepileptic therapeutic targets.
Why cells need intramembrane proteases – a mechanistic perspective
Authors: Strisovsky Kvido
Published: December 2015

Intramembrane proteases (IMPRs) cleave transmembrane proteins inside the lipid bilayer. They regulate a growing number of biological processes, and our knowledge about the evolutionary and functional niches these unusual enzymes have filled is slowly unravelling. Although structures of representative members of four IMPR families have been solved, the mechanism of substrate recognition and cleavage is still poorly understood. Here I offer a view on substrate recognition by IMPRs from the angle of their biological functions. Zooming in on rhomboid proteases I delineate the emerging principles and areas of contention, and argue that by studying the mechanisms, specificity and natural substrate repertoires of IMPRs we can understand the properties for which they have been selected in evolution.
From physics to fish to folk: supporting coastal regional communities to understand their vulnerability to climate change in Australia
Authors: Frusher Stewart , van Putten Ingrid , Haward Marcus , Hobday Alistair J. , Holbrook Neil J. , Jennings Sarah , Marshall Nadine , Metcalf Sarah , Pecl Gretta T. , Tull Malcolm
Published: December 2015

Our oceans comprise valuable assets that provide a range of social and economic benefits directly and indirectly through provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services. Fisheries rely on these services and are regionally important industries for many coastal communities. With a growing population and increasing demand for seafood production, impacts from climate change that alter the productivity of marine ecosystems will have flow‐on implications for economic and social systems. As small coastal communities are often highly dependent on marine‐based activities they are also expected to experience greater impacts from changes in productivity of marine resources than their larger and/or non‐coastal counterparts. To assist coastal communities in evaluating their vulnerability to climate change we have developed a hybrid socio‐ecological vulnerability index that combines an ecocentric index – i.e., an ecological vulnerability index – with a sociocentric index that focuses on adaptive capacity as a measure of vulnerability, and embeds a sustainable livelihoods approach. Through the use of an on‐line tool, coastal communities can improve their understanding of their vulnerability to more appropriately adapt, embrace opportunities and minimize negative impacts that may arise from climate change and its effect on marine resource availability.
Behavioural effects of high fat diet in a mutant mouse model for the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin 1
Authors: Holm‐Hansen S. , Low J. K. , Zieba J. , Gjedde A. , Bergersen L. H. , Karl T.
Published: December 2015

Schizophrenia patients are often obese or overweight and poor dietary choices appear to be a factor in this phenomenon. Poor diet has been found to have complex consequences for the mental state of patients. Thus, this study investigated whether an unhealthy diet [i.e. high fat diet (HFD)] impacts on the behaviour of a genetic mouse model for the schizophrenia risk gene neuregulin 1 (i.e. transmembrane domain Nrg1 mutant mice: Nrg1 HET). Female Nrg1 HET and wild‐type‐like littermates (WT) were fed with either HFD or a control chow diet. The mice were tested for baseline (e.g. anxiety) and schizophrenia‐relevant behaviours after 7 weeks of diet exposure. HFD increased body weight and impaired glucose tolerance in all mice. Only Nrg1 females on HFD displayed a hyper‐locomotive phenotype as locomotion‐suppressive effects of HFD were only evident in WT mice. HFD also induced an anxiety‐like response and increased freezing in the context and the cued version of the fear conditioning task. Importantly, CHOW‐fed Nrg1 females displayed impaired social recognition memory, which was absent in HFD‐fed mutants. Sensorimotor gating deficits of Nrg1 females were not affected by diet. In summary, HFD had complex effects on the behavioural phenotype of test mice and attenuated particular cognitive deficits of Nrg1 mutant females. This topic requires further investigations thereby also considering other dietary factors of relevance for schizophrenia as well as interactive effects of diet with medication and sex.
The effects of stage of growth and additives with or without cellulase on fermentation andin vitrodegradation characteristics ofLeymus chinensissilage
Authors: Zhang Q. , Yu Z. , Yang H. , Na R. S.
Published: December 2015

This study evaluated the effects of different combinations of added lactic acid bacteria and cellulase applied at two growth stages on chemical composition andin vitrorumen digestibility ofLeymus chinensissilage. Fresh grass was harvested at early heading stage (S1) and late heading stage (S2), respectively, and ensiled with five additives: 200 U cellulase (C) kg−1fresh matter (FM), 1 × 105colony‐forming units (cfu)Lactobacillus plantarum(LP) g−1FM, 1 × 105 cfuLb. casei(LC) g−1FM,LP+C,LC+C and a control (CK). Four replicates of each treatment were weighed into 5‐L plastic buckets, and the mini silos were stored at ambient temperature (~30°C) for 60 d.Leymus chinensisharvested at S2 showed relatively higher neutral detergent fibre content, coliform bacteria count and lower crude protein content than S1. All additives decreased thepHand ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) content ofL. chinensissilage (P < 0·001) except C.LP+C andLC+C decreased fibre content and increased water‐soluble carbohydrate content (P < 0·001). The silages were further anaerobically incubatedin vitroat 39°C for 48 h with buffered rumen fluids of lactating cows.Leymus chinensisharvested at S2 showed lowerin vitrodry‐matter disappearance,NH3‐N, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) content and higher average gas production rate (P < 0·05) than S1. In conclusion,Leymus chinensisshould not be harvested too late. Compared with other treatments, a combination ofLb. casei(LC) with cellulase resulted in better fermented silage, but further testing is needed to confirm its efficacy.
Development and clinical validation of a novel photography‐based skin pigmentation evaluation system: a comparison with the calculated consensus of dermatologists
Authors: Cho M. , Lee D.‐H. , Kim Y. , Koh W. , Chung J. H. , Kim H. C. , Kim S.
Published: December 2015

Objective

Various cosmetics, medicines, and light and laser treatments have been increasingly developed to improve pigmentary skin alterations such as melasma, actinic lentigo and dyschromia. To determine the efficacy of these modalities in view of the changes in pigmentation, an objective and reliable device that has a comparable performance to that of physicians is required. We developed a novel photography‐based skin pigmentation evaluation system and validated its accuracy and reliability with a newly proposed method.

Methods

A novel photography‐based system was developed that integrates a consistent photography setting and image processing diagnostic algorithms. To automatically detect areas of pigmentation, the diagnostic algorithms were applied to photographs, which were obtained from 31 female patients. To validate its performance in comparison with the physicians’ evaluation, five dermatologists independently evaluated the area of pigmentation. The clinical consensus area of pigmentation (CCAP) was calculated based on the consensus of five dermatologists’ to exclude subjectivity or bias, and it was compared with the pigmentation area determined by the system.

Results

Forty‐four photographs with pigmented areas were evaluated by the system and the physicians. In contrast to the individual physician assessments, CCAP reduced the error that occurred due to subjectivity and bias, particularly for areas with indistinct pigmentation, and it was set as the gold standard. The results from the system showed a mean accuracy of 92.1% and a standard deviation of 4.6% in comparison with CCAP.

Conclusion

This pigmentation evaluation system can reproduce the physicians’ consensus, suggesting that this system can support the dermatologists’ objective evaluation of pigmentation.
Environmental controls on the distribution of salt‐marsh foraminifera from the southern coastline of South Africa
Authors: Strachan Kate L. , Finch Jemma M. , Hill Trevor R. , Barnett Robert L. , Morris Craig D. , Frenzel Peter
Published: December 2015

Aim

Salt‐marsh foraminifera are widely used as robust sea‐level indicators. High‐resolution Holocene sea‐level reconstructions depend on the accurate characterization of modern foraminifera‐environment relationships representative of a study site. We investigate the relationship between modern foraminiferal assemblage distribution and key environmental variables, viz. elevation above land levelling datum (LLD), sediment grain size, organic content, pH and salinity. We hypothesize that the distribution of modern salt‐marsh foraminifera is primarily controlled by elevation above LLD.

Location

Knysna and Keiskamma estuaries along the southern coastline of South Africa.

Methods

Salt‐marsh surface sediment samples (n = 97) were collected along eight intertidal transects with corresponding environmental data (pH, salinity, organic content, sand, silt, clay and elevation). Multivariate ordination analysis (partial redundancy analysis; pRDA) was used to investigate the relationship between living foraminiferal assemblages and environmental controls, after accounting for spatial variability in community composition.

Results

The pRDA suggests that species composition varied spatially within estuaries, but was strongly influenced by elevation at Keiskamma (r = 0.63) and Knysna (r = −0.75). At Keiskamma, the main gradient in composition was also influenced by salinity (r = −0.63), in an equal and opposite manner to elevation. Composition at Keiskamma was influenced to a much lesser extent by sediment organic content (r = 0.20) and the clay fraction (r = −0.13). At Knysna, pH (r = 0.455) was a secondary determinant of composition, and sediment characteristics covaried with elevation.

Main conclusion

Elevation was found to be a key environmental variable controlling the distribution of salt‐marsh foraminifera at both estuaries, thereby validating the use of foraminifera as sea‐level indicators. Certain species were particularly sensitive to elevation changes and could thus serve as useful indicators of past sea‐level change. This is an important first step towards the development of high‐resolution sea‐level reconstructions for the South African coastline.
Use of molecular indicators of inflammation to assess the biocompatibility of all‐ceramic restorations
Authors: Ariaans Kirsten , Heussen Nicole , Schiffer Hanna , Wienert Anna‐Lena , Plümäkers Birgit , Rink Lothar , Wolfart Stefan
Published: December 2015

Aim

The purpose of this in vivo study was quantification of inflammatory reaction to ceramic restorations made from lithium disilicate and zirconia by measurement of the concentration of indicators of inflammation in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).

Material and Methods

Patients out of three prospective cohort‐studies investigating three different all‐ceramic restoration materials for crowns and fixed dental prostheses were included. Patients needed an associated, unrestored tooth to serve as control. GCF samples were taken from the sulcus of the restored teeth and the related controls (n = 59 pairs) and the concentrations of IL1‐beta, IL‐1ra and aMMP‐8, as indicators of inflammation, were determined by use of ELISA tests. Periodontal status was also assessed clinically by measurement of pocket depth (PD), plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP).

Results

The concentrations of the inflammation indicators were not significantly different between restored teeth and controls or between lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference between PD of restored teeth and controls or between groups could be shown.

Conclusion

Within the limitation of the study, treatment with all‐ceramic restorations did not induce inflammatory reactions in a group of periodontal healthy patients. No differences between the gingiva reactions of lithium disilicate and zirconia restorations could be shown.
Is there an association between eating behaviour and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in preschool children?
Authors: Leventakou Vasiliki , Micali Nadia , Georgiou Vaggelis , Sarri Katerina , Koutra Katerina , Koinaki Stella , Vassilaki Maria , Kogevinas Manolis , Chatzi Leda
Published: December 2015

Background

There is some evidence that aberrant eating behaviours and obesity co‐occur with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. The present study is the first that aims to investigate the association between eating behaviours and ADHD symptoms in early childhood in a population‐based cohort.

Methods

We included 471 preschool children from the Rhea mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece. Parents completed the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire to assess children's eating behaviour and the 36‐item ADHD test (ADHDT) to evaluate ADHD symptoms at 4 years of age. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the association of eating behaviours with ADHD symptoms.

Results

Regarding children's food approach eating behaviours, we observed a positive association between food responsiveness and total ADHD index, as well as impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity subscale, separately. Similarly, there was a significant positive association between emotional overeating and ADHD symptoms. With regard to children's food avoidant behaviours, food fussiness was found to be significantly associated with the impulsivity subscale. A dose–response association between the food approach behaviours and ADHD symptoms was also observed. Children on the medium and highest tertile of the food responsiveness subscale had increased scores on the ADHD total scale, as compared to those on the lowest tertile. As regards emotional overeating, children in the highest tertile of the scale had higher scores on ADHD total and hyperactivity.

Conclusions

Our findings provide evidence that food approach eating behaviours such as food responsiveness and emotional overeating are associated with the increased ADHD symptoms in preschool children. Future studies to better understand this overlap will enhance potential interventions.
Group‐based cognitive behavioural psychotherapy for children and adolescents with ASD: the randomized, multicentre, controlled SOSTA – net trial
Authors: Freitag Christine M. , Jensen Katrin , Elsuni Leyla , Sachse Michael , Herpertz‐Dahlmann Beate , Schulte‐Rüther Martin , Hänig Susann , von Gontard Alexander , Poustka Luise , Schad‐Hansjosten Tanja , Wenzl Christina , Sinzig Judith , Taurines Regina , Geißler Julia , Kieser Meinhard , Cholemkery Hannah
Published: December 2015

Background

Group‐based psychotherapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has predominantly been studied in the United States by small studies in school‐aged children without long‐term follow‐up. We report results of a large, confirmatory, multicentre randomized‐controlled phase‐III trial in children and adolescents studying the ASD specific, manualized group‐based cognitive behavioural SOSTA‐FRA approach.

Methods

High‐functioning ASD individuals aged 8–19 years old were randomized to 12 sessions SOSTA‐FRA or treatment as usual. Primary outcomes were change in total raw score of the parent‐rated Social Responsiveness Scale (pSRS) between baseline (T2) and end of intervention (T4), and between T2 and 3 months after end of intervention (T5). Trial registration: ISRCTN94863788.

Results

Between 20/5/2010 and 14/2/2013, n = 320 ASD patients were screened, n = 228 patients were randomized, and N = 209 analysed. Mean pSRS difference between groups at T4 was −6.5 (95% CI −11.6 to – 1.4; p = .013), and at T5 −6.4 (−11.5 to −1.3, p = .015). Pre‐treatment SRS and IQ were positively associated with stronger improvement at T4 and T5.

Conclusions

Short‐term ASD‐specific add‐on group‐based psychotherapy has shown postintervention efficacy with regard to parent‐rated social responsiveness predominantly in male high‐functioning children and adolescents with ASD. Future studies should implement blinded standardized observational measures of peer‐related social interaction.
Neutrophils in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Huang Juan , Xiao Yang , Xu Aimin , Zhou Zhiguang
Published: December 2015

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that afflicts millions of people worldwide. It occurs as the consequence of destruction of insulin‐producing pancreatic β‐cells triggered by genetic and environmental factors. The initiation and progression of the disease involves a complicated interaction between β‐cells and immune cells of both innate and adaptive systems. Immune cells, such as T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells, have been well documented to play crucial roles in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. However, the particular actions of neutrophils, which are the most plentiful immune cell type and the first immune cells responding to inflammation, in the etiology of this disease might indeed be unfairly ignored. Progress over the past decades shows that neutrophils might have essential effects on the onset and perpetuation of type 1 diabetes. Neutrophil‐derived cytotoxic substances, including degranulation products, cytokines, reactive oxygen species and extracellular traps that are released during the process of neutrophil maturation or activation, could cause destruction to islet cells. In addition, these cells can initiate diabetogenic T cell response and promote type 1 diabetes development through cell–cell interactions with other immune and non‐immune cells. Furthermore, relevant antineutrophil therapies have been shown to delay and dampen the progression of insulitis and autoimmune diabetes. Here, we discuss the relationship between neutrophils and autoimmune type 1 diabetes from the aforementioned aspects to better understand the roles of these cells in the initiation and development of type 1 diabetes.
Are long corolla tubes in Pedicularis driven by pollinator selection?
Authors: Huang Shuang‐Quan , Wang Xiang‐Ping , Sun Shi‐Guo
Published: December 2015

The evolution of long corolla tubes has been hypothesized to be driven by long‐tongued pollinators. Corolla tubes in Pedicularis species can be longer than 10 cm which may function as flower stalks to increase visual attractiveness to pollinators because these species provide no nectar and are pollinated by bumblebees. The corolla tube length was manipulated (shorter or longer) in two Pedicularis species in field to examine whether longer tubes are more attractive to pollinators and produce more seeds than short tubes. Our results did not support the pollinator attraction hypothesis, leaving the evolution of long tubes in Pedicularis remains mysterious.
Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms and Marital Relationship Functioning: The Mediating Role of Demand–Withdraw Communication Processes
Authors: Jarnecke Amber M. , Reilly Meghan S. , South Susan C.
Published: December 2015

Marital outcomes are associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms; however, the processes by which these domains are associated with marital outcomes are not well understood. This study examined how demand–withdraw (DW) couple communication accounts for the association between symptoms of mental illness and marital distress. A mediational model was tested in a sample of 100 newlywed couples to determine: (a) whether internalizing and externalizing symptoms influenced own and partner's level of DW communication, and (b) whether this communication pattern was associated with relationship outcomes, including lower marital satisfaction and presence of conflict. Results suggested that DW communication had significant effects on both partner's marital outcomes and mediated the association between externalizing symptoms (for husbands) and marital distress.
Nucleus accumbens core dopamine signaling tracks the need‐based motivational value of food‐paired cues
Authors: Aitken Tara J. , Greenfield Venuz Y. , Wassum Kate M.
Published: December 2015

Environmental reward‐predictive stimuli provide a major source of motivation for instrumental reward‐seeking activity and this has been linked to dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core. This cue‐induced incentive motivation can be quite general, not restricted to instrumental actions that earn the same unique reward, and is also typically regulated by one's current need state, such that cues only motivate actions when this is adaptive. But it remains unknown whether cue‐evoked dopamine signaling is similarly regulated by need state. Here, we used fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry to monitor dopamine concentration changes in the NAc core of rats during a Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer task in which the motivating influence of two cues, each signaling a distinct food reward (sucrose or food pellets), over an action earning a third unique food reward (polycose) was assessed in a state of hunger and of satiety. Both cues elicited a robust NAc dopamine response when hungry. The magnitude of the sucrose cue‐evoked dopamine response correlated with the Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer effect that was selectively induced by this stimulus. Satiety attenuated these cue‐evoked dopamine responses and behavioral responding, even though rats had never experienced the specific food rewards in this state. These data demonstrate that cue‐evoked NAc core responses are sensitive to current need state, one critical variable that determines the current adaptive utility of cue‐motivated behavior.

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Food‐predictive stimuli motivate food‐seeking behavior. Here, we show that food cues evoke a robust nucleus accumbens core dopamine response when hungry that correlates with the cue's ability to invigorate general food seeking. This response is attenuated when sated, demonstrating that food cue‐evoked accumbens dopamine responses are sensitive to the need state information that determines the current adaptive utility of cue‐motivated action.
Leptin Responsive and GABAergic Projections to the Rostral Preoptic Area in Mice
Authors: Zuure W. A. , Quennell J. H. , Anderson G. M.
Published: December 2015

The adipocyte‐derived hormone leptin plays a critical role in the control of reproduction via signalling in hypothalamic neurones. The drivers of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis, the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones, do not have the receptors for leptin. Therefore, intermediate leptin responsive neurones must provide leptin‐to‐GnRH signalling. We investigated the populations of leptin responsive neurones that provide input to the rostral preoptic area (rPOA) where GnRH cell bodies reside. Fluorescent retrograde tracer beads (RetroBeads; Lumafluor Inc., Naples, FL, USA) were injected into the rPOA of transgenic leptin receptor enhanced green fluorescent protein (Lepr‐eGFP) reporter mice. Uptake of the RetroBeads by Lepr‐eGFP neurones was assessed throughout the hypothalamus. RetroBead uptake was most evident in the medial arcuate nucleus (ARC), the dorsomedial nucleus (DMN) and the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV) of the hypothalamus. The uptake of RetroBeads specifically by Lepr‐eGFP neurones was highest in the medial ARC (18% of tracer‐labelled neurones Lepr‐eGFP‐positive). Because neurones that are both leptin responsive and GABAergic play a critical role in the regulation of fertility by leptin, we next focussed on the location of these populations. To address whether GABAergic neurones in leptin‐responsive hypothalamic regions project to the rPOA, the experiment was repeated in GABA neurone reporter mice (Vgat‐tdTomato). Between 10% and 45% of RetroBead‐labelled neurones in the ARC were GABAergic, whereas uptake of tracer by GABAergic neurones in the DMN and PMV was very low (< 5%). These results show that both leptin responsive and GABAergic neurones from the ARC project to the region of the GnRH cell bodies. Our findings suggest that LEPR‐expressing GABA neurones from the ARC may be mediators of leptin‐to‐GnRH signalling.
Oxytocin Neurones: Intrinsic Mechanisms Governing the Regularity of Spiking Activity
Authors: Maícas Royo J. , Brown C. H. , Leng G. , MacGregor D. J.
Published: December 2015

Oxytocin neurones of the rat supraoptic nucleus are osmoresponsive and, with all other things being equal, they fire at a mean rate that is proportional to the plasma sodium concentration. However, individual spike times are governed by highly stochastic events, namely the random occurrences of excitatory synaptic inputs, the probability of which is increased by increasing extracellular osmotic pressure. Accordingly, interspike intervals (ISIs) are very irregular. In the present study, we show, by statistical analyses of firing patterns in oxytocin neurones, that the mean firing rate as measured in bins of a few seconds is more regular than expected from the variability of ISIs. This is consistent with an intrinsic activity‐dependent negative‐feedback mechanism. To test this, we compared observed neuronal firing patterns with firing patterns generated by a leaky integrate‐and‐fire model neurone, modified to exhibit activity‐dependent mechanisms known to be present in oxytocin neurones. The presence of a prolonged afterhyperpolarisation (AHP) was critical for the ability to mimic the observed regularisation of mean firing rate, although we also had to add a depolarising afterpotential (DAP; sometimes called an afterdepolarisation) to the model to match the observed ISI distributions. We tested this model by comparing its behaviour with the behaviour of oxytocin neurones exposed to apamin, a blocker of the medium AHP. Good fits indicate that the medium AHP actively contributes to the firing patterns of oxytocin neurones during non‐bursting activity, and that oxytocin neurones generally express a DAP, even though this is usually masked by superposition of a larger AHP.