bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gloria E. Anzaldúa'sAutohistoria‐teoríaas an Epistemology of Self‐Knowledge/Ignorance
Authors: Pitts Andrea J.
Published: February 2016

In this article, I examine the relationship between self‐knowledge practices among women of color and structural patterns of ignorance by offering an analysis of Gloria E. Anzaldúa's discussions of self‐writing. I propose that by writing about her own experiences in a manner that hails others to critically interrogate their own identities, Anzaldúa develops important theoretical resources for understanding self‐knowledge, self‐ignorance, and practices of knowing others. In particular, I claim that in her later writings, Anzaldúa offers a rich epistemological account of these themes through her notion of autohistoria‐teoría. The notion of autohistoria‐teoría demonstrates that self‐knowledge practices, like all knowledge practices, are social and relational. Moreover, such self‐knowledge practices require contestation and affirmation as well, including, resistance and productive friction.
Negotiating topic changes: native and non‐native speakers of English in conversation
Authors: Morris‐Adams Muna
Published: February 2016

There is a tendency to view conversations involving non‐native speakers (NNSs) as inevitably fraught with problems, including an inability to handle topic management. This article, in contrast, will focus on effective topic changes made by non‐native speakers during informal conversations with native speakers of English. A micro‐analysis of ten conversations revealed several ways of shifting conversational topics; however, the article concentrates on those strategies which the participants used to effect a particular type of topic move, namely ‘marked topic changes’, where there is no connection at all with previous talk. The findings show how these topic changes were jointly negotiated, and that the non‐native speakers’ contributions to initiating new topics were competently managed.
Missing the Boat: Australia and Asylum Seeker Deterrence Messaging
Authors: Fleay Caroline , Cokley John , Dodd Andrew , Briskman Linda , Schwartz Larry
Published: February 2016

Many of Australia's border protection policies have focused on attempts to deter the arrival of asylum seekers by boat. These include government ‘messaging’ in the hope this will influence the decision‐making of would‐be boat arrivals. This article outlines the findings of an exploratory study on the sources of information accessed by asylum seekers, prior to and during their boat journeys to Australia, about their destination country. The findings suggest that government media and Internet strategies focused on deterring asylum seekers are adopted without full regard to how information is sourced before and during these boat journeys.
Jordanian Nurses' involvement in health policy: perceived benefits and barriers
Authors: AbuAlRub R.F. , Foudeh F.N.
Published: February 2016

Aim

To examine (1) the level of involvement of Jordanian nurses in health policy development and (2) perceived benefits, barriers and impacts on health outcomes of involvement in health policy process.

Background

Lack of nurses' political involvement may result in self‐serving policies by policymakers who are in power and passing policies that are less than optimum.

Method

A descriptive cross‐sectional design was adopted in this study. A convenience sample of 231 nurses was recruited with a response rate of 77%. The instrument of Registered Nurses' Involvement in Health Policies was used in this study.

Results

The results revealed that participants were most frequently involved in the health policy activity ‘voting for a candidate or a health policy proposal’. The mean scores for involvement of participants as nurses and as citizens were low. The most perceived frequent barrier to involvement in health policy was lack of time.

Discussion

The low rate of Jordanian nurses' involvement in health policy could be explained by the fact that most participants had family roles in addition to work roles, which might leave little time for health policy activities. Lack of mentoring for nurses by nursing leaders could also negatively affect their involvement in health policy development.

Conclusion and implications for health policy

Results of this study could be baseline information for Jordanian nurse leaders to enhance the level of nurses' involvement in health policy development. Such findings could also add knowledge to the existing literature about nurses' involvement in health policy.
An activity theoretic analysis of the mediating role of information systems in tackling climate change adaptation
Authors: Hasan Helen , Smith Stephen , Finnegan Patrick
Published: February 2016

This paper demonstrates that information systems (IS) researchers and practitioners can make a significant contribution to the grand challenge of sustainability in light of global climate change. In doing so, the paper takes a novel perspective by going beyond the dominant emphasis in the Green IS literature on climate change mitigation to focus on climate change adaptation. To demonstrate how IS researchers and practitioners can engage with the grand challenge of sustainability, we report the findings of an investigation into the role of IS in climate change adaptation programmes of the government of New South Wales, Australia. Canonical action research, informed by activity theory, proved to be an appropriate methodology for this investigation by combining iterative collaborative engagement and rigorous scholarly reflection. Activity theory has previously been successfully used in IS research as a framework for inquiry and description but not for prediction. This raised questions, addressed in this study, about whether or not activity theory could be used to guide interventions and make sense of their impact. The findings reveal how activity theory provides an appropriate balance between scope and detail to accommodate the complex processes of planning and implementing climate change adaptation programmes. We conclude that while climate adaptation is complex, activity theory, specifically five dynamic dimensions for deep sense‐making, can inform interventions in climate change adaptation projects. Most significantly, we demonstrate that IS experts can make a positive contribution to addressing one of the most important grand challenges of our time.
Apical versus Non‐Apical Lead: Is ICD Lead Position Important for Successful Defibrillation?
Authors: AMIT GUY , WANG JIA , CONNOLLY STUART J. , GLIKSON MICHAEL , HOHNLOSER STEPHAN , WRIGHT DAVID J. , BRACHMANN JOHANNES , DEFAYE PASCAL , NEUZNER JOERG , MABO PHILIPPE , VANERVEN LISELOT , VINOLAS XAVIER , O‘HARA GILLES , KAUTZNER JOSEF , APPL URSULA , GADLER FREDRIK , STEIN KENNETH , KONSTANTINO YUVAL , HEALEY JEFF S.
Published: February 2016

ICD Lead Position and Outcome

Introduction

We aim to compare the acute and long‐term success of defibrillation between non‐apical and apical ICD lead position.

Methods and Results

The position of the ventricular lead was recorded by the implanting physician for 2,475 of 2,500 subjects in the Shockless IMPLant Evaluation (SIMPLE) trial, and subjects were grouped accordingly as non‐apical or apical. The success of intra‐operative defibrillation testing and of subsequent clinical shocks were compared. Propensity scoring was used to adjust for the impact of differences in baseline variables between these groups. There were 541 leads that were implanted at a non‐apical position (21.9%). Patients implanted with a non‐apical lead had a higher rate of secondary prevention indication. Non‐apical location resulted in a lower mean R‐wave amplitude (14.0 vs. 15.2, P < 0.001), lower mean pacing impedance (662 ohm vs. 728 ohm, P < 0.001), and higher mean pacing threshold (0.70 V vs. 0.66 V, P = 0.01). Single‐coil leads and cardiac resynchronization devices were used more often in non‐apical implants. The success of intra‐operative defibrillation was similar between propensity score matched groups (89%). Over a mean follow‐up of 3 years, there were no significant differences in the yearly rates of appropriate shock (5.5% vs. 5.4%, P = 0.98), failed appropriate first shock (0.9% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.66), or the composite of failed shock or arrhythmic death (2.8% vs. 2.3% P = 0.35) according to lead location.

Conclusion

We did not detect any reduction in the ICD efficacy at the time of implant or during follow‐up in patients receiving a non‐apical RV lead.
Patient‐Centered Home Care Using Digital Medicine and Telemetric Data for Hypertension: Feasibility and Acceptability of Objective Ambulatory Assessment
Authors: DiCarlo Lorenzo A. , Weinstein Richard L. , Morimoto Catherine B. , Savage George M. , Moon Gregory L. , Au‐Yeung Kityee , Kim Yoona A.
Published: February 2016

Objective information that can be passively obtained in an ambulatory setting could be potentially useful for determining appropriate care in blood pressure (BP) management. This study utilized digital medicine (DM) prototypes and telemetric data acquisition to directly confirm medication use and to assess habits of daily living in a hypertensive population. Thirty‐seven patients (23 men age 62±9 years) used the system for 6 weeks. DM prototypes consisted of valsartan 80 mg or 160 mg placed in a gelatin hemicapsule with an excipient tablet as a “stopper,” with a poppy seed–sized ingestible sensor (IS) made of foodstuff on its external surface and capable of creating a biogalvanic current on ingestion to alert a wearable sensor (WS) that was worn on the torso. Passive data collection included IS ingestion dates and times, daily step count, BP, and weight. Automatic short message service (SMS) reminders were sent whenever BP or weight values were not received. Passive detection of DM ingestion was 98% when compared with directly observed dosing. Mean taking and timing adherence rates were 90% and 83%, respectively, and the average step count at a pace of ≥60 steps per minute was 2.0±1.5 h/d. An automatic SMS was sent and 100% confirmed for 251 BP and 14 weight values that were not received. Mild and transient WS‐related skin irritation was the most common device‐related adverse event. There were no serious or unanticipated adverse events. Ninety percent of patients did not mind swallowing a DM capsule, and 75% had a positive overall experience with the system. Ambulatory evaluation of medication adherence and habits of daily living appear to be feasible and acceptable using DM and passive acquisition of telemetric data.
The Role of Political Efficacy on Public Opinion in the European Union
Authors: Mcevoy Caroline
Published: February 2016

Recent developments in EU (European Union) support literature confirm that citizen attitudes towards the EU are shaped by both input‐oriented factors relating to the procedural fairness of the system (e.g. political representation and identity) and output‐oriented factors based on the EU's capacity to yield economic benefits. This article builds on these models by suggesting a theoretical framework of support that is driven by both perceptions of the economy and political efficacy. Using data from the 2013 Eurobarometer 80.1, I find that political efficacy is a key predictor of public opinion towards the EU and that citizens who feel their voice is represented in the EU are more likely to maintain support for the EU even when their perceptions of the economy are poor. The findings in this article have particular significance to the puzzle of declining support for the EU following the onset of the ‘great recession’ in 2008.
Inter‐ and Intra‐Operator Reliability of Facial and Dental Measurements Using 3D‐Stereophotogrammetry
Authors: Ceinos Romain , Tardivo Delphine , Bertrand Marie‐France , Lupi‐Pegurier Laurence
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The goal of this study was to assess the reproducibility of an innovative method for facial analysis with three‐dimensional‐stereophotogrammetry (3D‐spg).

Methods

Twelve subjects with no obvious malocclusion participated in this study. For each of them, four photographs were acquired using the LifeVizTM, an absolute calibration 3D‐spg system. The facial reconstructions were analyzed with the DermaPixTM image management software. Two different operators recorded distances between landmarks and each operator repeated the measurements after one week. The intra‐ and inter‐examiner reproducibilities were assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

Results

This study showed reproducible intra and inter‐examiners results for facial measurements (ICC comprised between 0.732 and 0.976) except for measurements that involve the inner part of the dental corridor (ICC comprised between 0.598 and 0.914).

Conclusion

The measurements recorded by 3D‐LifeVizTM system are accurate and reliable for research and clinical use. Moreover, it is simple and inexpensive compared with other 3D methods (laser scanner, 3D Computed Tomography, and 3D Cone Beam CT).

Clinical Significance

The inter‐ and intra‐operator reliability of the LifeVizTM 3D‐spg method was demonstrated. The LifeVizTM 3D‐spg method might be a useful method to accomplish indirect 3D measurements that are relevant to dental and facial diagnosis. (J Esthet Restor Dent, 2016)
Changes in dermal matrix in the absence of Rac1 in keratinocytes
Authors: Stanley Alanna , Pedersen Esben , Brakebusch Cord , Quondamatteo Fabio
Published: February 2016

Keratinocytes, in response to irritants, secrete pro‐inflammatory mediators which recruit and activate immune and mesenchymal cells, including fibroblasts, to repair the skin. Fibroblasts respond by synthesising collagen and promoting the crosslinking extracellular matrix (ECM). We recently showed that the deletion of Rac1 in keratinocytes causes heightened inflammation due to aberrant crosstalk with immune cells. Indeed, the skin of these mice shows a higher inflammatory response to the induction of irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), and also even to treatment with a vehicle alone, compared with controls. As inflammation is intimately linked with fibrotic disease in the skin, this raised the question as to whether this deletion may also affect the deposition and arrangement of the dermal ECM. This study assessed the effects of Rac1 deletion in keratinocytes and of the heightened inflammatory status by induction of ICD on the tissue localisation and arrangements of dermal collagen. Qualitative analysis did not reveal evidence for the formation of pathologies in the dermis. However, quantitative analysis did reveal some perturbations in the dermal matrix, namely that only the combination of the lack of Rac1 and ICD affects the architectural organisation of the dermal collagen, and that a higher inflammatory state in the tissue (i.e. when Rac1 is deleted in the keratinocytes or ICD is induced in the skin, or a combination of both) influences the diameter of the collagen fibrils. It is proposed that this increase in the diameter of collagen fibrils due to inflammation may serve as pre‐fibrotic marker enabling earlier determination of fibrosis and earlier treatment. This study has revealed previously unknown effects on the ECM due to the deletion of Rac1 in keratinocytes.
A rare case of leiomyosarcoma localized in the Bartholin's gland area and review of the literature
Authors: Korkmaz Vakkas , Kurdoğlu Zehra , Karadag Burak , Arslanca Tufan , Caydere Muzaffer , Ergun Yusuf
Published: February 2016

Sarcomas of the vulva in the Bartholin's gland area are extremely rare in adults and only a few cases have been reported in the literature. A 65‐year‐old female patient without any previous complaint presented to our hospital complaining of a genital lump with progressive enlargement over the last six months. Pelvic examination revealed a 6 × 5 cm solid mass lesion with irregular margins localized in the left Bartholin's gland. Preoperative pathology results indicated a benign lesion, which was subsequently totally excised. Histopathological examination of the lesion revealed leiomyosarcoma. When a lesion is localized in the Bartholin's gland area, preoperative biopsy may suggest benign cytology, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis and curative treatment. Total local excision is the first choice for vulvar‐complicated masses in the Bartholin's gland area. The present case is the ninth well‐documented case reported in the literature.
Correlation of clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism in Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Leerasiri Pichai , Wongwananuruk Thanyarat , Indhavivadhana Suchada , Techatraisak Kitirat , Rattanachaiyanont Manee , Angsuwathana Surasak
Published: February 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation of clinical hyperandrogenism and biochemical hyperandrogenism (hyperandrogenemia) in Thai women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at Siriraj Hospital, Thailand. Subjects were 145 women with PCOS who were diagnosed in accordance with the revised Rotterdam 2003 criteria and registered during January to July 2008. Clinical hyperandrogenism was assessed using the modified Ferriman–Gallwey score for hirsutism, the American Academy of Dermatology criteria for severity of acne, and the Ludwig scale for androgenic alopecia and virilization. Biochemical hyperandrogenism was determined from serum concentration of total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and free testosterone (FT).

Results

The participants had a mean age of 25.5 ± 6.5 years and a body mass index of 26.2 ± 6.9 kg/m2. The most common presenting symptom was oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. The most common expression of clinical hyperandrogenism was acne (56.6%). Most of the participants (84.8%) had high serum‐FT. There was a statistically significant correlation between clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism in the following pairs: hirsutism and FT (r = 0.3, P < 0.001); hirsutism and TT (r = 0.26, P < 0.001); and acne and TT (r = 0.26, P = 0.002). The others had little or no correlations.

Conclusion

Clinical hyperandrogenism is not a good predictor for biochemical hyperandrogenism in Thai women with PCOS. A modified Ferriman–Gallwey score cut‐off point of 8 has low sensitivity but high specificity for hyperandrogenemia; therefore, it is useful for the diagnosis but not useful for the exclusion of hyperandrogenemia in Thai women with PCOS.
Incidence and causes of maternal mortality in theUSA
Authors: Kuriya Anita , Piedimonte Sabrina , Spence Andrea R. , Czuzoj‐Shulman Nicholas , Kezouh Abbas , Abenhaim Haim A.
Published: February 2016

Aim

To characterize the most common causes and risk factors of maternal mortality in theUSAand observe trends over the past 9 years.

Methods

We carried out a population‐based retrospective cohort study using data from the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project, Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Women who were pregnant between 2003 and 2011 were identified. Baseline characteristics of pregnant women who died and those who lived were measured. ICD‐9 codes for each cause of death were examined by up to three independent reviewers. Causes of death were categorized into the nine most common subgroups and trends were examined by tertiles of the period 2003–2011.

Results

During this 9‐year period, there were approximately 7 million births and 1102 maternal deaths, for an overall incidence of 14.2 per 100 000 births. Primary causes of maternal death included sepsis (20.6%), cardiac disease (17.8%), hemorrhage (16.2%), venous thromboembolism (15.2%), and hypertensive disorders (9.4%). During the study period, there was a significant decrease in the frequency of sepsis from 33.2% to 10.0% and a non‐significant decrease in venous thromboembolism from 19.1% to 12.9%. There were increases noted in all other groups, notably in terms of hemorrhage from 8.2% to 22.0% and hypertensive disorders from 2.1% to 16.4%.

Conclusion

Maternal mortality remains a rare event. Although sepsis was the overall predominant cause of mortality during the study period, frequency declined over time and it was surpassed by hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders as the leading causes of maternal mortality.
Exploring Environmental Entrepreneurship: Identity Coupling, Venture Goals, and Stakeholder Incentives
Authors: York Jeffrey G. , O'Neil Isobel , Sarasvathy Saras D.
Published: February 2016

On the basis of a qualitative study of 25 renewable energy firms, we theorize why and how individuals engage in environmental entrepreneurship, inductively defined as: the use of both commercial and ecological logics to address environmental degradation through the creation of financially profitable organizations, products, services, and markets. Our findings suggest that environmental entrepreneurs: (1) are motivated by identities based in both commercial and ecological logics, (2) prioritize commercial and/or ecological venture goals dependent on the strength and priority of coupling between these two identity types, and (3) approach stakeholders in a broadly inclusive, exclusive, or co‐created manner based on identity coupling and goals. These findings contribute to literature streams on hybrid organizing, entrepreneurial identity, and entrepreneurship's potential for resolving environmental degradation.
Patterns and Rates of Supplementary Venous Drainage to the Internal Jugular Veins
Authors: Qureshi Adnan I. , Ishfaq Muhammad Fawad , Herial Nabeel A. , Khan Asif A. , Suri M. Fareed K.
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Several studies have found supplemental venous drainage channels in addition to bilateral internal jugular veins for cerebral venous efflux. We performed this study to characterize the supplemental venous outflow patterns in a consecutive series of patients undergoing detailed cerebral angiography with venous phase imaging.

METHODS

The venographic phase of the arteriogram was reviewed to identify and classify supplemental cerebral venous drainage into anterior (cavernous venous sinus draining into pterygoid plexus and retromandibular vein) and posterior drainage pattern. The posterior drainage pattern was further divided into plexiform pattern (with sigmoid venous sinus draining into the paravertebral venous plexus), and solitary vein pattern (dominant single draining deep cervical vein) drainage. The posterior plexiform pattern was further divided into 2 groups: posterior plexiform with or without prominent solitary vein.

RESULTS

Supplemental venous drainage was seen ipsilateral to internal jugular vein in 76 (43.7%) of 174 venous drainages (87 patients) analyzed. The patterns were anterior (n = 23, 13.2%), posterior plexiform without prominent solitary vein (n = 40, 23%), posterior plexiform with prominent solitary vein (n = 62, 35.6%), and posterior solitary vein alone (n = 3, 1.7%); occipital emissary veins and/or transosseous veins were seen in 1 supplemental venous drainage. Concurrent ipsilateral anterior and posterior supplemental drainage was seen in 6 of 174 venous drainages analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide an assessment of patterns and rates of supplementary venous drainage to internal jugular veins to improve our understanding of anatomical and physiological aspects of cerebral venous drainage.
Secular Fashion, Religious Dress, and Modest Ambiguity: The Visual Ethics of Indonesian Fashion‐Veiling
Authors: Bucar Elizabeth M.
Published: February 2016

This essay offers resources for the development of visual ethics by exploring Islamic fashion‐veiling in one context: contemporary Indonesia. After providing a methodological framework and historical background for the case study, the moral discourse of two aesthetic authorities is discussed via a fashion blogger and print advice literature. The essay identifies (1) how the practice of fashion‐veiling generates norms, (2) what is defined as morally valuable in this practice and why, and (3) how this practice both offers opportunities for the critique and the reinforcement of gendered norms.
In What Sense Christian?: The Humane Economic Ethic of Wilhelm Röpke
Authors: McDaniel Charles
Published: February 2016

Christian social thinkers who strongly support the free‐market system often have drawn connections between the social values of their faith and the ideas of Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek. Hayek's comments on religion, however, seem to predict its demise for the sake of progress, whereas his colleague Wilhelm Röpke posits “transcendent” religion and established moral traditions as essential to a humane economy. This essay contends that what Röpke described as “enmassment” has similarities to the present “financialization” of society, which involves the rising influence of financial values in all institutions, exaggerated emphasis on quantitative performance measures, and reliance on technical processes in lieu of human relationships. Röpke's “Christian humanist” philosophy advances the kind of ethical entrepreneurialism needed to morally sustain a global society experiencing enmassment and financialization simultaneously.
Participation: A Religious Worldview
Authors: Gustafson James M.
Published: February 2016

This essay is an experimental project. It proposes that the theme of participation issues in an insightful, distinctive, comprehensive, and coherent interpretation of human experience. My personal history is a test case.
IS CRIME BAD FOR BUSINESS? CRIME AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY VALUES IN NEW YORK CITY
Authors: Lens Michael C. , Meltzer Rachel
Published: February 2016

To test how crime affects economic activity, we use point‐specific data on crime, commercial property sales and assessed values from New York City, relying on an instrumental variables strategy. We find that crime reduces commercial property values, and the magnitude of the effect depends on the type and geography of crime. Elasticities range from −0.1 to −0.5. We find stronger evidence for negative violent crime effects in neighborhoods with lower incomes and higher shares of minority residents. Thus, disadvantaged neighborhoods are doubly harmed by crime—they have higher crime rates and those crimes have stronger effects on economic activity.
Different regulation of P-glycoprotein function between Caco-2 and Caki-1 cells by ezrin, radixin and moesin proteins
Authors: Yano Kentaro , Otsuka Kyoma , Kato Yuko , Kawabata Hideaki , Ohmori Shinya , Arakawa Hiroshi , Ogihara Takuo
Published: February 2016

Objectives

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) mediates efflux of many xenobiotics, including therapeutic drugs, from normal and tumour tissues, and its functional localization on the plasma membrane of cells is regulated by scaffold proteins, such as ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM proteins). We previously reported that radixin is involved in post-translational regulation of P-gp in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and mouse small intestine, but not in mouse kidney.

Methods

Here, we investigated whether the role of ERM proteins in regulation of P-gp transport activity in cancers is the same as that in the corresponding normal tissues, using human colon adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells and renal carcinoma (Caki-1) cells.

Key findings

In Caco-2 cells, radixin silencing alone reduced the P-gp-mediated intracellular accumulation of rhodamine123 (Rho123), while the mRNA level of P-gp was unchanged. Thus, it appears that only radixin among the ERMs regulates P-gp activity in Caco-2 cells. On the other hand, none of the ERM proteins influenced P-gp activity in Caki-1 cells.

Conclusions

The regulation of P-gp by ERM proteins is different between Caco-2 and Caki-1 cells. Moreover, these regulatory properties are the same as those of the corresponding normal tissues, and suggest that tissue-specific differences in the regulation of P-gp by ERM proteins are retained in cancerous tissues.
The RelA/cRel nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) dimer, crucial for inflammation resolution, mediates the transcription of the key enzyme in melatonin synthesis in RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Muxel Sandra Marcia , Laranjeira‐Silva Maria Fernanda , Carvalho‐Sousa Claudia Emanuelle , Floeter‐Winter Lucile Maria , Markus Regina P
Published: February 2016

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modulates the transcription of the gene that codifies the enzyme arylalkylamine‐N‐acetyltransferase (AA‐NAT) through nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor‐κ‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB). AA‐NAT converts serotonin to N‐acetylserotonin, the ultimate precursor of melatonin. Activation of kappa B elements (aa‐nat‐κB), localized in the promoter (nat‐κB1 and nat‐κB2), leads to Aa‐nat transcription in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Competitive electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with oligonucleotide probes corresponding to each of the two elements, as well as a NF‐κB consensus corresponding probe, revealed different specificities for each κB element. In addition, activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) as well as signal transducers and activator of transcription‐1 and 3 (STAT‐1; STAT‐3) competed with NF‐κB for binding to nat‐κB1, while only STAT‐3 competed with NF‐κB for binding to nat‐κB2. According to co‐immunoprecipitation (ChiP) assays, these two sites are able to distinguish NF‐κB subunits. The sequence nat‐κB1 bound dimers containing p52, RelA, and cRel, while nat‐κB2 bound preferentially p50, p52, and RelA, and did not bind cRel. The expression of RelA and cRel is essential for the induction of Aa‐nat expression and melatonin synthesis. Considering that the expression of cRel is induced by the earlier expressed p50/RelA, the differential effects of NF‐κB dimers may be intimately associated with the temporal regulation of inflammatory responses, with the resolution phase being associated with paracrine and autocrine melatonin effects. Such data suggest that the proven effects of exogenous melatonin in the resolution phase of inflammation are paralleled by the effects of locally synthesized melatonin in immune cells.
Melatonin alleviates acute lung injury through inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Xiru , Grailer Jamison J. , Wang Na , Wang Mingming , Yao Jianfei , Zhong Rui , Gao George F. , Ward Peter A. , Tan Dun‐Xian , Li Xiangdong
Published: February 2016

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are clinically severe respiratory disorders, and there are currently no Food and Drug Administration–approved drug therapies. Melatonin is a well‐known anti‐inflammatory molecule, which has proven to be effective in ALI induced by many conditions. Emerging studies suggest that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical role during ALI. How melatonin directly blocks activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in ALI remains unclear. In this study, using an LPS‐induced ALI mouse model, we found intratracheal (i.t.) administration of melatonin markedly reduced the pulmonary injury and decreased the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into lung. During ALI, the NLRP3 inflammasome is significantly activated with a large amount of IL‐1β and the activated caspase‐1 occurring in the lung. Melatonin inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by both suppressing the release of extracellular histones and directly blocking histone‐induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Notably, i.t. route of melatonin administration opens a more efficient therapeutic approach for treating ALI.
First and Second Language Acquisition in German Children Attending a Kindergarten Immersion Program: A Combined Longitudinal and Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Bergström Kirstin , Klatte Maria , Steinbrink Claudia , Lachmann Thomas
Published: February 2016

This study investigated first (L1) and second (L2) language acquisition in two age‐matched groups of 2‐ to 6‐year‐old kindergarten children over the course of 2.5 years. The immersion group participated in a partial English immersion program whereas the conventional instruction group received a conventional L2 course (30 minutes per week); the groups were comparable with respect to control variables (e.g., socioeconomic status). L1 and L2 competencies were assessed at four time points (pretest and three posttests). No detrimental effects of immersion on L1 development were found. Concerning L2 receptive skills, the immersion group outperformed the conventional instruction group in each posttest. Contact quality and quantity were found to relate to L2 acquisition through immersion. Immersion appears to be a successful method for early L2 learning; it fosters L2 receptive skills without any cost for the L1.
Culex pipiens and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) populations as vectors for lineage 1 and 2 West Nile virus in Europe
Authors: BRUSTOLIN M. , TALAVERA S. , SANTAMARÍA C. , RIVAS R. , PUJOL N. , ARANDA C. , MARQUÈS E. , VALLE M. , VERDÚN M. , PAGÈS N. , BUSQUETS N.
Published: February 2016

The emerging disease West Nile fever is caused by West Nile virus (WNV), one of the most widespread arboviruses. This study represents the first test of the vectorial competence of European Culex pipiens Linnaeus 1758 and Stegomyia albopicta (= Aedes albopictus) (both: Diptera: Culicidae) populations for lineage 1 and 2 WNV isolated in Europe. Culex pipiens and S. albopicta populations were susceptible to WNV infection, had disseminated infection, and were capable of transmitting both WNV lineages. This is the first WNV competence assay to maintain mosquito specimens under environmental conditions mimicking the field (day/night) conditions associated with the period of maximum expected WNV activity. The importance of environmental conditions is discussed and the issue of how previous experiments conducted in fixed high temperatures may have overestimated WNV vector competence results with respect to natural environmental conditions is analysed. The information presented should be useful to policymakers and public health authorities for establishing effective WNV surveillance and vector control programmes. This would improve preparedness to prevent future outbreaks.
Arterial stiffness evaluated by carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity increases the risk of chronic kidney disease in a Chinese population‐based cohort
Authors: Kong Xianglei , Ma Xiaojing , Tang Lijun , Wang Zunsong , Li Wenbin , Cui Meiyu , Xu Dongmei
Published: February 2016

Aim

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although pulse wave velocity (PWV), which reflects arterial stiffness, was increased in subjects with CKD, little is known regarding whether arterial stiffness can increase the risk of CKD. To help clarify this we conducted a prospective cohort study to measure the association of arterial stiffness with CKD.

Methods

A total of 7154 adults aged 54.8 ± 10.6 years undergoing physical examinations without CKD at baseline were enrolled. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). CKD was defined as decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) or presence of proteinuria (urine protein ≥ 1+) assessed using a repeated dipstick method.

Results

During 3 years of follow‐up, 167 (2.3%) patients developed CKD, 101 (1.4%) patients with proteinuria and 68 (1.0%) patients with decreased eGFR. After adjusted for potential confounders, either cfPWV (per 1 m/s increase) or the highest quartile of cfPWV (increased cfPWV) was independently associated with increased risk of proteinuria, with a fully adjusted OR of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.23) and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.15 to 3.25), respectively. By contrast, neither cfPWV (per 1 m/s increase) nor increased cfPWV was associated with decreased eGFR in the multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

The study revealed that arterial stiffness increases the risk of proteinuria. This suggests that vascular stiffness could be considered as a target for delaying the development of CKD.
Mucosal serotonin overflow is associated with colonic stretch rather than phasic contractions
Authors: Patel B. A.
Published: February 2016

Background

Many studies have shown that mucosal serotonin (5‐HT) is associated with motility, however, recently there have been some questions to the precise role of this transmitter. The majority of studies have focused on understanding the role of mucosal 5‐HT on colonic migratory motor complexes, but very few studies have been carried out to understand how 5‐HT release may be associated with other motility patterns.

Methods

Using distal colon segments from C57BL/6J mice, mucosal 5‐HT overflow was monitored using amperometry while applying tension in longitudinal or circular directions to stretch the tissue.

Key Results

Phasic and basal 5‐HT levels were not associated with the strength of phasic contractions, while being altered using scopolamine and L‐NNA. There was a significant increase in mucosal 5‐HT with longitudinal and circular muscle stretch. A greater applied force was needed to activate 5‐HT release in the circular muscle. In the longitudinal muscle, 5‐HT levels increased with stretch until 3 mN, after which the levels returned back to baseline. This stretch‐evoked 5‐HT overflow was inhibited by transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) agonist, 30 μM ruthenium red in both circular and longitudinal muscle preparations. The decreased 5‐HT overflow after 3 mN of tension was reversed using a 5‐HT4 antagonist 100 nM GR113808.

Conclusions & Inferences

Our findings show a relationship between colonic stretch and mucosal 5‐HT overflow, while no relationship is observed with phasic colonic contractions. Such findings provide more insight into the role of mucosal 5‐HT in influencing the pattern of colonic motility to diversify fecal propulsion.
Fire frequency drives habitat selection by a diverse herbivore guild impacting top–down control of plant communities in an African savanna
Authors: Burkepile Deron E. , Thompson Dave I. , Fynn Richard W. S. , Koerner Sally E. , Eby Stephanie , Govender Navashni , Hagenah Nicole , Lemoine Nathan P. , Matchett Katherine J. , Wilcox Kevin R. , Collins Scott L. , Kirkman Kevin P. , Knapp Alan K. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: February 2016

In areas with diverse herbivore communities such as African savannas, the frequency of disturbance by fire may alter the top–down role of different herbivore species on plant community dynamics. In a seven year experiment in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, we examined the habitat use of nine common herbivore species across annually burned, triennially burned and unburned areas. We also used two types of exclosures (plus open access controls) to examine the impacts of different herbivores on plant community dynamics across fire disturbance regimes. Full exclosures excluded all herbivores > 0.5 kg (e.g. elephant, zebra, impala) while partial exclosures allowed access only to animals with shoulder heights ≤ 0.85 m (e.g. impala, steenbok). Annual burns attracted a diverse suite of herbivores, and exclusion of larger herbivores (e.g. elephant, zebra, wildebeest) increased plant abundance. When smaller species, mainly impala, were also excluded there were declines in plant diversity, likely mediated by a decline in open space available for colonization of uncommon plant species. Unburned areas attracted the least diverse suite of herbivores, dominated by impala. Here, herbivore exclusion, especially of impala, led to strong declines in plant richness and diversity. With no fire disturbance, herbivore exclusion led to competitive exclusion via increases in plant dominance and light limitation. In contrast, on triennial burns, herbivore exclusion had no effect on plant richness or diversity, potentially due to relatively little open space for colonization across exclosure treatments but also little competitive exclusion due to the intermediate fire disturbance. Further, the diverse suite of grazers and browsers on triennial burns may have had a compensating effect of on the diversity of grasses and forbs. Ultimately, our work shows that differential disturbance regimes can result in differential consumer pressure across a landscape and result in heterogeneous patterns in top–down control of community dynamics.
The genetics of chutes and ladders: a community genetics approach to tritrophic interactions
Authors: Carmona Diego , Johnson Marc T. J.
Published: February 2016

Community genetics research has firmly established that intraspecific genetic variation in single populations can have large extended ecological consequences for populations and entire communities of organisms. Here, we sought to understand the bottom‐up effects of plant genetic variation on herbivore preference and performance, and the top–down control of predators on herbivores and their joint effects on plant fitness and evolution. Following three ecological genetics field experiments we detected heritable variation in plant traits that influenced both the preference and performance of a specialist weevil on Oenothera biennis. However, the weevil's preference and performance were not genetically correlated among O. biennis plant genotypes. Although predators and parasitoids were abundant, predators had no detectable effect on weevil performance because high egg and larval mortality was caused by non‐predatory factors such as intraspecific competition. Finally, neither the specialist weevil nor predators influenced plant fitness. Our results suggest that the focal tritrophic community studied here is primarily shaped by the bottom–up effects of plant genetic variation on herbivores, while top–down effects have no clear impacts on O. biennis fitness or evolution. We suggest that future studies should incorporate plant intraspecific genetic variation as a fundamental part of tritrophic interactions including their eco‐evolutionary dynamics.
Subclinical cardiovascular changes in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Al Nasser Yasser , Moura Marta C. , Mertens Luc , McCrindle Brian W. , Parekh Rulan S. , Ng Vicky L. , Church Peter C. , Mouzaki Marialena
Published: February 2016

CV disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following solid organ transplantation in adults. While the prevalence of multiple cardiometabolic risk factors is increased in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients, it is not clear whether they have subclinical CV changes. cIMT, central pWV, and CAC are indicative of subclinical CV disease, and, in adults, predict future CV events. The objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to investigate the prevalence of subclinical CV changes, as measured by cIMT, pWV, and CAC among pediatric solid organ transplant recipients. We searched MEDLINE® and EMBASE and conducted meta‐analysis for studies that evaluated cIMT, central pWV, and CAC among pediatric solid organ transplant recipients (kidney, lung, intestine and liver). The search identified nine eligible studies that included a total of 259 patients and 685 healthy controls. Eight studies reported on kidney transplant recipients and one study on a combined cohort of kidney and liver transplant recipients. The mean cIMT of transplant recipients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (mean difference = 0.05 mm, 95% CI 0.02–0.07; p < 0.0001) with an estimated pooled prevalence of elevated cIMT of 56.0% (95% CI 17.0–95.0). The one study that assessed pWV showed increased vascular stiffness in transplant recipients compared to healthy controls. No studies assessing for CAC were found. There were limited data regarding subclinical CV disease following pediatric solid organ transplantation. In conclusion, kidney transplantation in childhood is associated with a higher prevalence of subclinical CV changes compared to healthy children. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether children have increased CV morbidity and mortality after transplantation.
A Game‐Theoretical Model to Improve Process Plant Protection from Terrorist Attacks
Authors: Zhang Laobing , Reniers Genserik
Published: February 2016

The New York City 9/11 terrorist attacks urged people from academia as well as from industry to pay more attention to operational security research. The required focus in this type of research is human intention. Unlike safety‐related accidents, security‐related accidents have a deliberate nature, and one has to face intelligent adversaries with characteristics that traditional probabilistic risk assessment techniques are not capable of dealing with. In recent years, the mathematical tool of game theory, being capable to handle intelligent players, has been used in a variety of ways in terrorism risk assessment. In this article, we analyze the general intrusion detection system in process plants, and propose a game‐theoretical model for security management in such plants. Players in our model are assumed to be rational and they play the game with complete information. Both the pure strategy and the mixed strategy solutions are explored and explained. We illustrate our model by an illustrative case, and find that in our case, no pure strategy but, instead, a mixed strategy Nash equilibrium exists.
Scenario Discovery with Multiple Criteria: An Evaluation of the Robust Decision‐Making Framework for Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Shortridge Julie E. , Guikema Seth D.
Published: February 2016

There is increasing concern over deep uncertainty in the risk analysis field as probabilistic models of uncertainty cannot always be confidently determined or agreed upon for many of our most pressing contemporary risk challenges. This is particularly true in the climate change adaptation field, and has prompted the development of a number of frameworks aiming to characterize system vulnerabilities and identify robust alternatives. One such methodology is robust decision making (RDM), which uses simulation models to assess how strategies perform over many plausible conditions and then identifies and characterizes those where the strategy fails in a process termed scenario discovery. While many of the problems to which RDM has been applied are characterized by multiple objectives, research to date has provided little insight into how treatment of multiple criteria impacts the failure scenarios identified. In this research, we compare different methods for incorporating multiple objectives into the scenario discovery process to evaluate how they impact the resulting failure scenarios. We use the Lake Tana basin in Ethiopia as a case study, where climatic and environmental uncertainties could impact multiple planned water infrastructure projects, and find that failure scenarios may vary depending on the method used to aggregate multiple criteria. Common methods used to convert multiple attributes into a single utility score can obscure connections between failure scenarios and system performance, limiting the information provided to support decision making. Applying scenario discovery over each performance metric separately provides more nuanced information regarding the relative sensitivity of the objectives to different uncertain parameters, leading to clearer insights on measures that could be taken to improve system robustness and areas where additional research might prove useful.