bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence‐based (S3) Guideline on (anogenital) Lichen sclerosus
Authors: Kirtschig G. , Becker K. , Günthert A. , Jasaitiene D. , Cooper S. , Chi C.‐C. , Kreuter A. , Rall K.K. , Aberer W. , Riechardt S. , Casabona F. , Powell J. , Brackenbury F. , Erdmann R. , Lazzeri M. , Barbagli G. , Wojnarowska F.
Published: July 2015

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is an inflammatory skin disease that usually involves the anogenital area. All patients with symptoms or signs suspicious of lichen sclerosus should be seen at least once initially by a physician with a special interest in the disease in order to avoid delay in diagnosis, as early treatment may cure the disease in some and reduce or prevent scarring. The diagnosis is made clinically in most cases. Biopsies should only be performed under certain circumstances. The gold standard for treatment remains potent to very potent topical steroids; however, mild and moderate disease in boys and men may be cured by circumcision. Certain triggers should be avoided. http://www.euroderm.org/images/stories/guidelines/2014/S3-Guideline-on-Lichen-sclerosus.pdf http://www.awmf.org/fachgesellschaften/mitgliedsgesellschaften/visitenkarte/fg/deutsche-gesellschaft-fuer-gynaekologie-und-geburtshilfe-dggg.html.
HiSCR (Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response): a novel clinical endpoint to evaluate therapeutic outcomes in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa from the placebo‐controlled portion of a phase 2 adalimumab study
Authors: Kimball A.B. , Sobell J.M. , Zouboulis C.C. , Gu Y. , Williams D.A. , Sundaram M. , Teixeira H.D. , Jemec G.B.E.
Published: July 2015

Background

Determining treatment response for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can be challenging due to limitations of current disease activity evaluations.

Objective

Evaluate the novel, validated endpoint, Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) and its utility as an outcome measure.

Methods

Patients with baseline total abscess and inflammatory nodule count (AN count) of at least three and draining fistula count of 20 or fewer comprised the post hoc subpopulation analysed. HiSCR (at least a 50% reduction in total AN count, with no increase in abscess count, and no increase in draining fistula count relative to baseline) and HS‐PGA Response [Hidradenitis Suppurativa‐Physician's Global Assessment score of clear, minimal, or mild, with at least a 2‐grade improvement from baseline] were used to evaluate patient response after adalimumab treatment weekly, every other week, or placebo (1 : 1 : 1).

Results

The subpopulation included 132 (85.7%) patients; 70.5% women and 73.5% white. At week 16, HiSCR was achieved by 54.5% receiving weekly adalimumab, 33.3% every other week, and 25.6% placebo and HS‐PGA Response was achieved by 20.5% receiving weekly adalimumab, 6.7% every other week and 2.3% placebo.

Conclusion

HiSCR was more responsive to change than HS‐PGA Response in this subpopulation.
How public reporting of prescription quality indicators influence prescribing practices? A survey of general practitioners
Authors: Du Xin , Zhang Xinping , Tang Yuqing , Zhang Xiaopeng , Wang Lijun , Wang Xuan
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Public reporting of performance data is one of the most popular topics in health care field. The aim of this study was to investigate the transparency mechanism, that is, how public reporting influenced general practitioners' (GPs) prescribing practices.

Method

GPs who had the license to prescribe medicine of all 10 primary care institutions were surveyed. Data were collected by an instrument, which exhibited satisfactory reliability and validity (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7; average variance extracted > 0.5; composite reliability > 0.7). Data analysis was conducted by structural equation model.

Results

The results showed that GPs' perceived value (GP's overall assessment of the worth of the public reporting) and attitude (the psychological reaction to public reporting) had a significantly direct effect on behavioural intention (r = 0.28; r = 0.36), and were affected by information accessibility (r = 0.63; r = 0.32). Attitude had a significant effect on perceived value(r = 0.45). Perceived risk (the perceptions of the possible loss due to public reporting, e.g. decreasing their income) did not have a significant relationship with information accessibility, attitude and behavioural intention(r = −0.09; r = 0.01; r = −0.07).

Conclusion

The information accessibility, perceived value and attitude have strong effects on prescribing practices of GPs, whereas perceived risk did not play a role in influencing the prescribing practices. Policymakers need to improve the accessibility of prescription quality indicators and pay attention to the perceived values and attitudes of GPs. Policymakers also need to strengthen the risk education of GPs and attach incentives to transparent regulation.
Incorrect evaluation of the frequency of malnutrition and of its screening in hospitalized children by health care professionals
Authors: Restier Lioara , Duclos Antoine , Jarri Laura , Touzet Sandrine , Denis Angelique , Occelli Pauline , Kassai‐Koupai Behrouz , Lachaux Alain , Loras‐Duclaux Irene , Colin Cyrille , Peretti Noel
Published: July 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Malnutrition screening is essential to detect and to treat patients with stunting or wasting. The aim was to evaluate the subjective perception of frequency and assessment of malnutrition by health care professionals.

Research methods and procedures

In a paediatric university hospital, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted with a Likert scale approach to health care professionals and compared with objective measurements on a given day of frequency of malnutrition and of its screening.

Results

279 health care professionals participated. The malnutrition rate, estimated versus measured, was 16.8% and 34.8%, respectively. Conversely, the estimated frequency of malnutrition screening versus measured frequency was 80.6% versus 43.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the perception of health care professionals did not differ depending on their professional category or speciality.

Conclusions

In conclusion, health care staff underestimates the prevalence of malnutrition in children by half and overestimates the frequency of appropriate screening practices for detection of malnutrition. This flawed/unreliable perception may disrupt both screening and the management of malnourished children. There is an urgent need to find out the reasons behind these errors caused by subjective perception in order to develop appropriate educational training to remedy the situation.
The cost‐effectiveness of quality improvement projects: a conceptual framework, checklist and online tool for considering the costs and consequences of implementation‐based quality improvement
Authors: Thompson Carl , Pulleyblank Ryan , Parrott Steve , Essex Holly
Published: July 2015

In resource constrained systems, decision makers should be concerned with the efficiency of implementing improvement techniques and technologies. Accordingly, they should consider both the costs and effectiveness of implementation as well as the cost‐effectiveness of the innovation to be implemented. An approach to doing this effectively is encapsulated in the ‘policy cost‐effectiveness’ approach. This paper outlines some of the theoretical and practical challenges to assessing policy cost‐effectiveness (the cost‐effectiveness of implementation projects). A checklist and associated (freely available) online application are also presented to help services develop more cost‐effective implementation strategies.
Isotopic variation in five species of stream fishes under the influence of different land uses
Authors: Carvalho D. R. , Castro D. , Callisto M. , Moreira M. Z. , Pompeu P. S.
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study was to test if changes in land use alter the isotopic signature of fish species, promoting changes in the trophic position and food resource partitioning between these consumers. Three different systems were investigated: pasture streams (n = 3), streams in sugar cane plantations (n = 3) and reference streams (n = 3). Fish species Aspidoras fuscoguttatus, Astyanax altiparanae, Characidium zebra, Hisonotus piracanjuba and Knodus moenkhausii were selected, and their nitrogen and carbon isotopic compositions were estimated to assess changes in the trophic level and partitioning of food items consumed. The composition of δ13C (‰) only differed among the land use categories for A. altiparanae, H. piracanjuba and K. moenkhausii. Resource partitioning was different for all species, with changes in the sources or proportions they consumed in each land use category, but only A. altiparanae introduced new food sources in large quantity in altered land uses. It is important to note, however, that the results from the resource partitioning analysis are limited due to large overlapping of isotopic signatures between the analysed food resources. All fish species exhibited variation in δ15N (‰), with the highest values found in streams under sugar cane or pasture influence. Despite the variation in nitrogen isotopic values, only C. zebra and H. piracanjuba displayed changes in trophic level. Therefore, it is believed that the increase in the δ15N (‰) value of the individuals collected in streams under the influence of sugar cane or pasture was due to the greater influence of livestock dung and chemical and organic fertilizers. The results also highlight the importance of studying consumer species along with all forms of resources available at each location separately, because the signatures of these resources also vary within different land uses.
The Effect of Inulin as a Fat Replacement on Dough and Biscuit Properties
Authors: Krystyjan Magdalena , Gumul Dorota , Ziobro Rafał , Sikora Marek
Published: July 2015

This work aims to substitute inulin for (20–50%) fat in biscuits and to investigate how this manipulation would change the properties of dough and biscuits. The results showed that the inulin substitution for 20% fat did not worsen the sensory evaluation of biscuits and had the least influence on their texture. The decrease in fat and the increase in sugar content with simultaneous reduction in caloric value were noticed. The soluble dietary fiber increased compared with the control despite the fact that the polyphenol content and their activity decreased. Substitution of inulin for fat changed the rheological and textural properties of biscuit dough.

Practical Applications

The study demonstrates that partial replacement of fat with inulin gel in biscuits allows decreasing their caloric value and enriches them with soluble dietary fiber. The observed changes in the physical properties of the dough and in the characteristics of the final products suggest that 20% substitution could be recommended for practical applications. Higher levels of fat replacement could lead to excessive hardness of biscuits and a significant reduction in the content of polyphenols and antioxidant activity.
Dental treatment under general anesthesia for special‐needs patients: analysis of the literature
Authors: Mallineni Sreekanth K. , Yiu Cynthia K.Y.
Published: July 2015

The aim of the present review was to identify the studies published on dental treatment under general anesthesia for special‐needs patients. A comprehensive search of the reported literature from January 1966 to May 2012 was conducted using PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Keywords used in the search were “dental treatment under general anesthesia”, “special‐needs patients”, “medically‐compromised patients”, and “children”, in various combinations. Studies published only on dental treatment under general anesthesia and in English were included. Only 10 studies were available for final analysis. Age range from 1 to 50 years, and restorative procedures, were most prevalent. Only two studies discussed repeated general anesthesia, with rates of 7.2% and 10.2%. Over time, the provision of general anesthesia for special‐needs patients has changed from dental clinics to general hospitals. The demand for dental treatment for special‐needs patients under general anesthesia continues to increase. Currently, there are no certain accepted protocols for the provision of dental treatment under general anesthesia.
Ethanol activates midkine and anaplastic lymphoma kinase signaling in neuroblastoma cells and in the brain
Authors: He Donghong , Chen Hu , Muramatsu Hisako , Lasek Amy W.
Published: July 2015

Alcohol engages signaling pathways in the brain. Midkine (MDK) is a neurotrophic factor that is over‐expressed in the prefrontal cortex of alcoholics.MDKand one of its receptors, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), also regulate behavioral responses to ethanol in mice. The goal of this study was to determine whetherMDKandALKexpression and signaling are activated by ethanol. We found that ethanol treatment of neuroblastoma cells increasedMDKandALKexpression. We also assessed activation ofALKby ethanol in cells and found thatALKandALK‐dependent extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation increased rapidly with ethanol exposure. Similarly, treatment of cells with recombinantMDKprotein increasedALK,ERKand STAT3 phosphorylation, suggesting that ethanol may utilizeMDKto activateALKsignaling. In support of this, transfection of cells withMDKsiRNAs attenuatedALKsignaling in response to ethanol. Ethanol also activatesERKsignaling in the brain. We found that inhibition ofALKor knockout ofMDKattenuated ethanol‐inducedERKphosphorylation in mouse amygdala. These results demonstrate that ethanol engagesMDKandALKsignaling, which has important consequences for alcohol‐induced neurotoxicity and the regulation of behaviors related to alcohol abuse.

image

We propose that ethanol (a) increases transcription of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and midkine (MDK) genes and (b) rapidly activates extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (pERK1/2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) through MDK and ALK. Activation of ALK and MDK signaling by ethanol may alter behavioral responses to ethanol with implications for the development of alcohol use disorders.
An Analysis of Pet Food Label Usage
Authors: Lemke Robert J. , Burkholder William J. , Conway Charlotte E. , Lando Amy M. , Valcin Samuel
Published: July 2015

We use the 2008 Health and Diet Survey to investigate the extent to which pet owners consult pet food labels. We find that pet food label usage has not penetrated shopping behavior to the degree that using the Nutrition Facts label has for human food purchases. While we find no gender difference in using pet food labels among dog owners, women may be less likely than men to consult labels among cat owners. The data also suggest that usage increases when at least three pets are owned; cat owners consult pet food labels less frequently than dog owners; and usage is not dependent on the type of product purchased.
The Sustainability Roots of Anticonsumption Lifestyles and Initial Insights Regarding Their Effects on Consumers' Well‐Being
Authors: Seegebarth Barbara , Peyer Mathias , Balderjahn Ingo , Wiedmann Klaus‐Peter
Published: July 2015

This article introduces the concept of sustainability‐rooted anticonsumption (SRAC), which refers to consumers' anticonsumption practices of voluntary simplicity in living and, on a smaller level, collaborative consumption and boycotting with the goal of supporting sustainable economic development. The SRAC measurement approach is validated based on three empirical studies. Results of a representative German sample (Study 2) reveal that SRAC is predominantly negatively linked to consumer overconsumption dispositions. Exemplary, voluntary simplification and boycott intention may result in declining levels of indebtedness. Study 3 shows that psychosocial well‐being is positively related to SRAC and overconsumption. However, a simplified lifestyle and a greater willingness to boycott are not necessarily associated with psychosocial well‐being. This article provides insights for practitioners and policymakers to leverage existing SRAC values via “new” business models (sharing offers) or to influence the existing level of consciousness to effectively pave the way for solid progress in the sustainability movement.
Presidential Address: Does Finance Benefit Society?
Authors: ZINGALES LUIGI
Published: July 2015

Academics’ view of the benefits of finance vastly exceeds societal perception. This dissonance is at least partly explained by an underappreciation by academia of how, without proper rules, finance can easily degenerate into a rent‐seeking activity. I outline what finance academics can do, from a research point of view and from an educational point of view, to promote good finance and minimize the bad.
Socioeconomic Differences in the Association Between Competitive Food Laws and the School Food Environment
Authors: Taber Daniel R. , Chriqui Jamie F. , Powell Lisa M. , Perna Frank M. , Robinson Whitney R. , Chaloupka Frank J.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Schools of low socioeconomic status (SES) tend to sell fewer healthy competitive foods/beverages. This study examined whether state competitive food laws may reduce such disparities.

METHODS

School administrators for fifth‐ and eighth grade reported foods and beverages sold in school. Index measures of the food/beverage environments were constructed from these data. Schools were classified into SES tertiles based on median household income of students' postal zip code. Regression models were used to estimate SES differences in (1) Healthy School Food Environment Index (HSFEI) score, Healthy School Beverage Environment Index (HSBEI) score, and specific food/beverage sales, and (2) associations between state competitive food/beverage laws and HSFEI score, HSBEI score, and specific food/beverage sales.

RESULTS

Strong competitive food laws were positively associated with HSFEI in eighth grade, regardless of SES. Strong competitive beverage laws were positively associated with HSBEI particularly in low‐SES schools in eighth grade. These associations were attributable to schools selling fewer unhealthy items, not providing healthy alternatives. High‐SES schools sold more healthy items than low‐SES schools regardless of state laws.

CONCLUSIONS

Strong competitive food laws may reduce access to unhealthy foods/beverages in middle schools, but additional initiatives are needed to provide students with healthy options, particularly in low‐SES areas.
Developing a Policy to Address Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury in Schools
Authors: Berger Emily , Hasking Penelope , Reupert Andrea
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is an increasing and serious concern in schools. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of a new policy for responding to NSSI in schools.

METHODS

Teachers and other school staff, including year level coordinators, psychologists, and counselors, N = 48, reviewed a policy for addressing NSSI in schools and provided written feedback.

RESULTS

The majority of staff worked in schools without a policy regarding NSSI, or were unsure whether their school had such a policy. Participants were generally positive about the presented policy and supported its implementation in schools. Perceived challenges to policy implementation included a lack of knowledge about NSSI among staff and limited referral services available to students who self‐injure. Suggested changes included developing a flowchart of the referral process and increasing collaboration between school staff, changes which were subsequently implemented.

CONCLUSION

Awareness and education for school staff regarding NSSI combined with school policies for responding to adolescents who self‐injure are recommended to enhance management of NSSI in schools, and improve the health and well‐being of adolescents who self‐injure.
Movers as early adopters of linguistic innovation
Authors: Urbatsch R.
Published: July 2015

Long‐distance migration is a primary source of language contact. Those who voluntarily migrate, though, may not resemble the broader population: psychological research suggests some factors that predispose people to become migrants also tend to lead to more openness to trying new things, potentially including linguistic features. This implies differential reactions to language contact, so inferences drawn from migrants may not generalize to the language‐contact process more generally. To test this hypothesis, this article examines lexical patterns in the 1940 United States census, focusing on who used the title mortician or funeral director rather than the traditional undertaker. Individuals who had moved from their state of birth were particularly likely to use the newer terms, even when explicitly controlling for the distribution of titles among the states from which the movers relocated. The personal characteristics leading people to encounter new linguistic environments may also independently affect their choices within those environments.
Joshua A. Fishman 1926–2015
Authors: García Ofelia
Published: July 2015

Joshua Fishman died in March this year. He was founder‐editor of the International Journal of the Sociology of Language, one of the early and central journals of sociolinguistics. Alongside this major editorial involvement, which he maintained to the end, he also edited several of the field‐defining book collections which helped shape the growing field in the 1960s and 70s. He might well have viewed the founding of the Journal of Sociolinguistics in 1997 as unfortunate or competitive, the more so since our opening manifesto questioned the role of traditional sociology in our field. But Fishman responded graciously and positively to the invitation from me and Nikolas Coupland to join our inaugural Editorial Board. He remained on the Board, and was warm in his support and advice. The one piece he published with us was in 2000, a very personal obituary for Charles Ferguson which was notable for the respect and warmth it displayed. The editorial team is indebted to Fishman's longtime collaborator, Ofelia García, for this memoir on him and his significance in sociolinguistics.

The Editors
Pairing Detection of Off‐Flavor in Orange Juice with Preference Tests
Authors: Xia Yixun , Zhong Fang , O'Mahony Michael
Published: July 2015

Consumers were tested for their ability to detect the presence of KCl added to orange juice. They were also tested for their preferences for either the plain orange juice or the KCl‐spiked orange juice. It was found that for lower concentrations of KCl added to the orange juice, consumers could detect its presence without it eliciting a preference. As the KCl concentrations increased, the proportion of consumers reporting a preference increased. Some of the preferences were for the KCl‐spiked orange juice. At first, consumers reported that despite their reported preferences, they would be willing to consume the nonpreferred juice. At higher concentrations, preferences migrated to the plain orange juice. Here, consumers began to report that they would not consume the KCl‐spiked orange juice; they would reject it. For the preference tests, three approaches were investigated but all three demonstrated that when the presence of KCl in the juice could be detected, it did not necessarily elicit a preference.

Practical Applications

For evaluating new or changed versions of products in the market, difference testing has become more and more important. However, a common practice in the interpretation of these tests is to assume that if consumers can detect the difference between the original and changed product, then the changed product will be rejected in the marketplace. Yet, this strategy could be overcautious, especially if the changed produced a valuable cost reduction or a nutritional improvement. The present study confirms that when a change in the product is detected by consumers, it does not necessarily elicit a preference. This has consequences for marketing decisions. It is recommended in these situations that difference tests be accompanied by preference tests. Difference tests alone can sometimes only provide half the required information.
Is the Discrepancy between Numbers Derived from Verbal and Numerical Protocols for 9‐Point Hedonic Scales an Artifact of Product Choice?
Authors: Xia Yixun , Zhong Fang , O'Mahony Michael
Published: July 2015

Prior research showed that responses to the “numbers only” versions the 9‐point hedonic scale were not interchangeable with numbers assigned to responses to the “words only” versions of the scale. One explanation is that the discrepancy is artifactual, because the stimuli used in the experiments had been generally liked. Such stimuli tend to elicit responses to the “words only” version of the scale in the range from 5 to 9. For the “numbers only” version, scores are free to range across the whole scale. It was hypothesized that this artifact could explain the discrepancy in responses to the different versions of the scale. To investigate this, it was arranged for “words only” responses to fall in the range 1–4, by including products that were putatively disliked. This manipulation increased the range of scores for the “words only” scale into its lower portion, with a range of scores comparable to that for the “numbers only” scale. Yet, the data obtained from the two scales remained discrepant. This did not support the artifact hypothesis. Accordingly, the hypothesis that differences in cognitive strategy were the major explanation for the discrepancy was preferred.

Practical Applications

There are two versions of what is referred to as the 9‐point hedonic scale. One is the original “words only” version, such that numerical values are assigned to the verbal responses given on the scale. The second version is a purely numerical version, ranging 1–9, from which numerical responses are obtained directly. Prior research has shown that the numerical data derived from these versions are not interchangeable. Some sensory professionals do not specify which version of the scale they are using, so confusions can occur when making comparisons between different studies. As always, it is important to study the experimental variables involved with the use of these scales. Accordingly, it is pertinent to investigate the cause of the lack of interchangeability. Such research is important, because with the widespread use of the scale, it is likely that misleading comparisons between the data elicited by the two versions of the scale are likely to occur.
Disparity between Leaf and Root Symptoms and Crop Losses Associated with Cassava Brown Streak Disease in Four Countries in Eastern Africa
Authors: Hillocks Rory , Maruthi Midatharahally , Kulembeka Heneriko , Jeremiah Simon , Alacho Francis , Masinde Emily , Ogendo Joshua , Arama Peter , Mulwa Richard , Mkamilo Geoffrey , Kimata Bernadetta , Mwakanyamale Davis , Mhone Albert , Benesi Ibrahim
Published: July 2015

Cassava brown streak disease is endemic to the coastal regions of East Africa, and from around 2004, the disease resurged and became epidemic in the Great Lakes Region, where it continues to spread. In both these areas, cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) leaf symptoms occur at high incidences. However, it is the associated symptom of root rot (necrosis) in the starch‐bearing tissues that renders the root unfit for human consumption. Because the extent of root necrosis is not known until the crop is harvested and surveys require destructive sampling, root symptoms are much less frequently assessed than are the above‐ground symptoms on the leaves and stems. Surveys were undertaken in selected villages in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi to assess the incidence of CBSD leaf symptoms and the incidence and severity of root symptoms, to estimate the impact of the disease on household food security and on cassava processing. CBSD leaf symptoms were recorded at high incidences (40–90% in individual fields) in all fields visited throughout East Africa, but root necrosis incidence was lower than would be expected from the high incidence of leaf symptoms. Severe root necrosis at high incidence was found only on a few varieties, usually grown to a limited extent. It appears that varieties that are prone to root necrosis are being abandoned in favour of those with a lower propensity to develop root necrosis after infection by the virus.
Morphological, Molecular and Pathological Characterization of Phytophthora amaranthi sp. nov. from Amaranth in Taiwan
Authors: Ann Pao‐Jen , Huang Jin‐Hsin , Tsai Jyh‐Nong , Ko Wen‐Hsiung
Published: July 2015

In the spring of 2007, a serious disease on amaranth was noticed in several farms in the major amaranth production area in central Taiwan. Abundant oospores were found in the disease tissues. A species of Phytophthora was consistently isolated from disease tissues. The organism formed abundant oospores with smooth walls and with amphigynous antheridia in single culture. Sporangia were partially deciduous with short‐ to medium‐length pedicels. Morphological characteristics of this organism did not match any reported Phytophthora species, and the organism was named Phytophthora amaranthi. Pathogenicity tests and molecular characterization confirmed the identity of the organism as a new pathogen of amaranth and a new species of Phytophthora.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Ageratum enation virus and an Alphasatellite Infecting a New Host Glycine max in India
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Singh Lakhmir , Roshan Poonam , Kulshreshtha Aditya , Singh Nageswar , Hallan Vipin
Published: July 2015

During 2011, leaf crumpling, yellowing and stunting were observed on soya bean (Glycine max) in Himachal Pradesh, India. PCR‐based detection confirmed the presence of a begomovirus. The viral genome was amplified by rolling circle amplification, cloned and sequenced. The complete nucleotide sequence of DNA‐A showed highest nucleotide identity to an isolate of Ageratum enation virus infecting a weed Ageratum conyzoides. In addition, a DNA molecule was found which shared 95% nucleotide identity with an alphasatellite infecting ageratum. Neither beta satellite nor DNA‐B was detected in the infected samples.
Prospects and challenges for industrial production of seaweed bioactives
Authors: Hafting Jeff T. , Craigie James S. , Stengel Dagmar B. , Loureiro Rafael R. , Buschmann Alejandro H. , Yarish Charles , Edwards Maeve D. , Critchley Alan T.
Published: July 2015

Large‐scale seaweed cultivation has been instrumental in globalizing the seaweed industry since the 1950s. The domestication of seaweed cultivars (begun in the 1940s) ended the reliance on natural cycles of raw material availability for some species, with efforts driven by consumer demands that far exceeded the available supplies. Currently, seaweed cultivation is unrivaled in mariculture with 94% of annual seaweed biomass utilized globally being derived from cultivated sources. In the last decade, research has confirmed seaweeds as rich sources of potentially valuable, health‐promoting compounds. Most existing seaweed cultivars and current cultivation techniques have been developed for producing commoditized biomass, and may not necessarily be optimized for the production of valuable bioactive compounds. The future of the seaweed industry will include the development of high value markets for functional foods, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Entry into these markets will require a level of standardization, efficacy, and traceability that has not previously been demanded of seaweed products. Both internal concentrations and composition of bioactive compounds can fluctuate seasonally, geographically, bathymetrically, and according to genetic variability even within individual species, especially where life history stages can be important. History shows that successful expansion of seaweed products into new markets requires the cultivation of domesticated seaweed cultivars. Demands of an evolving new industry based upon efficacy and standardization will require the selection of improved cultivars, the domestication of new species, and a refinement of existing cultivation techniques to improve quality control and traceability of products.
The epigenetic footprint of poleward range‐expanding plants in apomictic dandelions
Authors: Preite V. , Snoek L. B. , Oplaat C. , Biere A. , van der Putten W. H. , Verhoeven K. J. F.
Published: July 2015

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation variation, can generate heritable phenotypic variation independent of the underlying genetic code. However, epigenetic variation in natural plant populations is poorly documented and little understood. Here, we test whether northward range expansion of obligate apomicts of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is associated with DNA methylation variation. We characterized and compared patterns of genetic and DNA methylation variation in greenhouse‐reared offspring of T. officinale that were collected along a latitudinal transect of northward range expansion in Europe. Genetic AFLP and epigenetic MS‐AFLP markers revealed high levels of local diversity and modest but significant heritable differentiation between sampling locations and between the southern, central and northern regions of the transect. Patterns of genetic and epigenetic variation were significantly correlated, reflecting the genetic control over epigenetic variation and/or the accumulation of lineage‐specific spontaneous epimutations, which may be selectively neutral. In addition, we identified a small component of DNA methylation differentiation along the transect that is independent of genetic variation. This epigenetic differentiation might reflect environment‐specific induction or, in case the DNA methylation variation affects relevant traits and fitness, selection of heritable DNA methylation variants. Such generated epigenetic variants might contribute to the adaptive capacity of individual asexual lineages under changing environments. Our results highlight the potential of heritable DNA methylation variation to contribute to population differentiation along ecological gradients. Further studies are needed using higher resolution methods to understand the functional significance of such natural occurring epigenetic differentiation.
Before the Two Cultures: Merging the Canons of the History of Science and Philosophy
Authors: Demeter Tamás
Published: July 2015

This article argues that early modern philosophy should be seen as an integrated enterprise of moral and natural philosophy. Consequently, early modern moral and natural philosophy should be taught as intellectual enterprises that developed hand in hand. Further, the article argues that the unity of these two fields can be best introduced through methodological ideas. It illustrates these theses through a case study on Scottish Newtonianism, starting with visions concerning the unity of philosophy and then turning to a discussion of how methodological ideas figure in those visions. Finally, the article argues that methodological considerations can serve as good starting points to introduce and discuss central topics and canonical figures of the early modern period.
Meta‐Argumentation as An Argumentation Metatheory
Authors: Hovhannisyan Hasmik
Published: July 2015

This article shows that the Rhodian model of metatheory can be successfully applied to nonformal systems of a methodological rather than an axiological nature if the demands of the model are satisfied. This requires that we take into account the possible variations of Rhodian models of argumentation and choose the most effective of them. Plato's model of meta‐argumentation is only applicable to fields of argumentation that are completely formalized and could be presented as whole general theories.
Nurse provision of healthy lifestyle advice to people who are overweight or obese
Authors: Kable Ashley , James Carole , Snodgrass Suzanne , Plotnikoff Ronald , Guest Maya , Ashby Samantha , Oldmeadow Christopher , Collins Clare
Published: July 2015

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in a regional area in Australia to measure nurses' perceptions, practices, and knowledge in regard to providing healthy lifestyle advice to people who are overweight or obese. Responses were compared between geographic regions. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Of the 79 nurse participants, 68% considered that provision of healthy lifestyle advice was within their scope of practice. Only 28% reported frequently estimating body mass index in the practice setting. Nurses often recommended increasing activity levels (44%), but recommended reducing daily caloric intake less often (25%). Nurses' knowledge about weight management was variable and the proportion of correct answers to knowledge items ranged from 33–99%. Nurses have many opportunities to deliver healthy lifestyle advice in a range of practice settings. The variation in practices and knowledge of nurses indicates a need for improved healthy lifestyle education for undergraduate and practicing nurses.
Resveratrol and derivatives for the treatment of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Baczkó István , Light Peter E.
Published: July 2015

Resveratrol is a bioactive polyphenol, found in grapes, red wine, and peanuts, and has recently garnered much media and scientific attention for its diverse beneficial health effects as a nutritional supplement or nutraceutical. Of particular interest are the well‐documented cardioprotective effects of resveratrol that are mediated by diverse mechanisms, including its antioxidant and vascular effects. However, it is now becoming clear that resveratrol may also exhibit direct effects on cardiac function and rhythm through modulation of signaling pathways that regulate cardiac remodeling and ion channel activity that controls cardiac excitability. Resveratrol may therefore possess antiarrhythmic properties that contribute to the cardiovascular benefits of resveratrol. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, although current therapies are suboptimal. Our laboratory has been studying resveratrol's effects on cardiac ion channels and remodeling pathways, and we initiated a drug development program aimed at generating novel resveratrol derivatives with improved efficacy against AF when compared to currently available therapeutics. This review therefore focuses on the effects of resveratrol and new derivatives on a variety of cardiac ion channels and molecular pathways that contribute to the development and maintenance of atrial fibrillation.
Relationship between Cnm‐positive Streptococcus mutans and cerebral microbleeds in humans
Authors: Miyatani F , Kuriyama N , Watanabe I , Nomura R , Nakano K , Matsui D , Ozaki E , Koyama T , Nishigaki M , Yamamoto T , Mizuno T , Tamura A , Akazawa K , Takada A , Takeda K , Yamada K , Nakagawa M , Ihara M , Kanamura N , Friedland RP , Watanabe Y
Published: July 2015

Objective

Cerebral hemorrhage has been shown to occur in animals experimentally infected with Streptococcus mutans carrying the collagen‐binding Cnm gene. However, the relationship between cerebral microbleeds and oral hygiene, with a focus on Cnm gene‐positive S. mutans infection, remains unclear.

Material and Methods

One hundred and thirty‐nine subjects participated. The presence or absence of Cnm‐positive S. mutans and its collagen‐binding activity were investigated using saliva samples, and relationship with cerebral microbleeds detected on MRI investigated, including clinical information and oral parameters.

Results

Fifty‐one subjects were identified as Cnm‐positive S. mutans carriers (36.7%), with cerebral microbleeds being detected in 43 (30.9%). A significantly larger number of subjects carried Cnm‐positive S. mutans in the cerebral microbleeds (+) group. S. mutans with Cnm collagen‐binding ability was detected in 39 (28.1%) of all subjects, and the adjusted odds ratio for cerebral microbleeds in the Cnm‐positive group was 14.4. Regarding the presence of cerebral microbleeds, no significant differences were noted in the number of remaining teeth, dental caries, or in classic arteriosclerosis risk factors.

Conclusions

The occurrence of cerebral microbleeds was higher in subjects carrying Cnm‐positive S. mutans, indicating that the presence of Cnm‐positive S. mutans increases cerebral microbleeds, and is an independent risk for the development of cerebrovascular disorders.
Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning decoupled: invariant ecosystem functioning despite non‐random reductions in consumer diversity
Authors: Radchuk Viktoriia , De Laender Frederik , Van den Brink Paul J. , Grimm Volker
Published: July 2015

Most research that demonstrates enhancement and stabilization of ecosystem functioning due to biodiversity is based on biodiversity manipulations within one trophic level and measuring changes in ecosystem functions provided by that same trophic level. However, it is less understood whether and how modifications of biodiversity at one trophic level propagate vertically to affect those functions supplied by connected trophic levels or by the whole ecosystem. Moreover, most experimental designs in biodiversity–ecosystem functioning research assume random species loss, which may be of little relevance to non‐randomly assembled communities. Here, we used data from a published ecotoxicological experiment in which an insecticide gradient was applied as an environmental filter to shape consumer biodiversity. We tested how non‐random consumer diversity loss affected gross primary production (an ecosystem function provided by producers) and respiration (an ecosystem function provided by the ecosystem as whole) in species‐rich multitrophic freshwater communities (total of 128 macroinvertebrate and 59 zooplankton species across treatments). The insecticide decreased and destabilized macroinvertebrate and, to a lesser extent, zooplankton diversity. However, these effects on biodiversity neither affected nor destabilized any of the two studied ecosystem functions. The main reason for this result was that species susceptible to environmental filtering were different from those most strongly contributing to ecosystem functioning. The insecticide negatively affected the most abundant species, whereas much less abundant species had the strongest effects on ecosystem functioning. The latter finding may be explained by differences in body size and feeding guild membership. Our results indicate that biodiversity modifications within one trophic level induced by non‐random species loss do not necessarily translate into changes in ecosystem functioning supported by other trophic levels or by the whole community in the case of limited overlap between sensitivity and functionality.
Utility Monsters for the Fission Age
Authors: Briggs Rachael , Nolan Daniel
Published: July 2015

One of the standard approaches to the metaphysics of personal identity has some counter‐intuitive ethical consequences when combined with maximising consequentialism and a plausible (though not uncontroversial) doctrine about aggregation of consequences. This metaphysical doctrine is the so‐called ‘multiple occupancy’ approach to puzzles about fission and fusion. It gives rise to a new version of the ‘utility monster’ problem, particularly difficult problems about infinite utility, and a new version of a Parfit‐style ‘repugnant conclusion’. While the article focuses on maximising consequentialism for simplicity, the problems demonstrated apply more widely to a range of ethical views, especially flavours of consequentialism. This article demonstrates how these problems arise, and discusses a number of options available in the light of these problems for a consequentialist tempted by a multiple occupancy metaphysics.
Presentation of Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia Associated with a GATA‐1 Mutation Mimicking the Eruption of Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder
Authors: Boos Markus D. , Wine Lee Lara , Freedman Jason L. , Novoa Roberto A. , Chu Emily Y. , Perman Marissa J.
Published: July 2015

Children with trisomy 21 are prone to developing hematologic disorders, including transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL). The papulovesicular eruption of TMD provides an important clue to the diagnosis. In contrast, AMKL rarely has associated cutaneous findings. We report the case of a 22‐month‐old child with trisomy 21 who presented with the acute onset of diffusely scattered and crusted papules, plaques, and vesicles. A thorough infectious evaluation was negative and the patient was unresponsive to empiric antibiotic and antiinflammatory therapies. Complete blood count (CBC) was notable for mild pancytopenia, with a normal peripheral smear. Two weeks later he was reassessed and found to have a population of blasts on repeat CBC. Subsequent evaluation ultimately led to a diagnosis of AMKL. This is the first reported case of a cutaneous eruption in a young child with Down syndrome and transformed AMKL. When children with trisomy 21 present with the acute onset of crusted papules and vesicles that cannot be accounted for by an infectious etiology, a diagnosis of AMKL should be considered even in the absence of a history of TMD.
Childhood‐Onset Anti‐Ku Antibody‐Positive Generalized Morphea with Polymyositis: A Japanese Case Study
Authors: Kishi Takayuki , Miyamae Takako , Morimoto Ryoko , Ishiguro Naoko , Hamaguchi Yasuhito , Fujimoto Manabu , Nagata Satoru , Yamanaka Hisashi
Published: July 2015

We report a 16‐year‐old Japanese girl with anti‐Ku antibody‐positive generalized morphea and polymyositis who, at the age of 7 years, developed multiple brownish plaques on her left forearm that gradually extended to her upper arm, back, and left thigh, which a skin biopsy revealed as morphea. Laboratory testing was positive for antinuclear antibody and a high serum creatine kinase level. Although there were no clinical signs of muscular involvement, magnetic resonance imaging revealed findings consistent with myositis. The patient is one of the youngest reported cases positive for anti‐Ku antibody. Anti‐Ku positivity concomitant with generalized morphea is rare.
Congenital Chikungunya—A Cause of Neonatal Hyperpigmentation
Authors: Vasani Resham , Kanhere Sujata , Chaudhari Kushagra , Phadke Varsha , Mukherjee Priyashree , Gupta Swati , Kasliwal Chetan , Poojary Shital
Published: July 2015

A 12‐day‐old neonate presented with ill‐defined dark pigmentation over the centrofacial area with flagellate pigmentation on the trunk and patchy pigmentation on the extremities. The mother had a history of fever starting a week before delivery and continuing for 3 days in the postpartum period. Together these led to consideration of a possible diagnosis of congenital chikungunya, which was confirmed according to the immunoglobulin M antibodies to chikungunya in the mother and child. The rare occurrence of cutaneous pigmentation was the only clue to the retrospective diagnosis of neonatal chikungunya. Chikungunya is an emerging viral disease that can be transmitted maternally during pregnancy and in the peripartum period. It can be added to the list of viral infections that can lead to fetal demise or, when present during labor and delivery, can cause neonatal disease with cutaneous signs.