bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synchronous genetic turnovers across Western Eurasia in Late Pleistocene collared lemmings
Authors: Palkopoulou Eleftheria , Baca Mateusz , Abramson Natalia I. , Sablin Mikhail , Socha Paweł , Nadachowski Adam , Prost Stefan , Germonpré Mietje , Kosintsev Pavel , Smirnov Nickolay G. , Vartanyan Sergey , Ponomarev Dmitry , Nyström Johanna , Nikolskiy Pavel , Jass Christopher N. , Litvinov Yuriy N. , Kalthoff Daniela C. , Grigoriev Semyon , Fadeeva Tatyana , Douka Aikaterini , Higham Thomas F.G. , Ersmark Erik , Pitulko Vladimir , Pavlova Elena , Stewart John R. , Węgleński Piotr , Stankovic Anna , Dalén Love
Published: February 2016

Recent palaeogenetic studies indicate a highly dynamic history in collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx spp.), with several demographical changes linked to climatic fluctuations that took place during the last glaciation. At the western range margin of D. torquatus, these changes were characterized by a series of local extinctions and recolonizations. However, it is unclear whether this pattern represents a local phenomenon, possibly driven by ecological edge effects, or a global phenomenon that took place across large geographical scales. To address this, we explored the palaeogenetic history of the collared lemming using a next‐generation sequencing approach for pooled mitochondrial DNA amplicons. Sequences were obtained from over 300 fossil remains sampled across Eurasia and two sites in North America. We identified five mitochondrial lineages of D. torquatus that succeeded each other through time across Europe and western Russia, indicating a history of repeated population extinctions and recolonizations, most likely from eastern Russia, during the last 50 000 years. The observation of repeated extinctions across such a vast geographical range indicates large‐scale changes in the steppe‐tundra environment in western Eurasia during the last glaciation. All Holocene samples, from across the species' entire range, belonged to only one of the five mitochondrial lineages. Thus, extant D. torquatus populations only harbour a small fraction of the total genetic diversity that existed across different stages of the Late Pleistocene. In North American samples, haplotypes belonging to both D. groenlandicus and D. richardsoni were recovered from a Late Pleistocene site in south‐western Canada. This suggests that D. groenlandicus had a more southern and D. richardsoni a more northern glacial distribution than previously thought. This study provides significant insights into the population dynamics of a small mammal at a large geographical scale and reveals a rather complex demographical history, which could have had bottom‐up effects in the Late Pleistocene steppe‐tundra ecosystem.
Harvest management affects biomass composition responses of C4 perennial bioenergy grasses in the humid subtropical USA
Authors: Na Chae‐In , Fedenko Jeffrey R. , Sollenberger Lynn E. , Erickson John E.
Published: February 2016

Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and energycane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) are high‐yielding C4 grasses that are attractive biofuel feedstocks in the humid subtropics. Determining appropriate harvest management practices for optimal feedstock chemical composition is an important precursor to their successful use in production systems. In this research, we have investigated the effects of harvest timing and frequency on biomass nutrient, carbohydrate and lignin composition of UF1 and cv. Merkeron elephantgrasses and cv. L 79‐1002 energycane. Biomass properties under increased harvest frequency (twice per year) and delayed harvest (once per year after frost) were compared with a control (once per year prior to frost). There were no differences between elephantgrass entries in structural carbohydrates; however, elephantgrasses had greater structural hexose concentration than energycane for single‐harvest treatments (avg. 398 vs. 366 mg g−1), a trait that is preferred for biofuel production. Delayed harvest of energycane decreased structural hexose compared with the control (374 vs. 357 mg g−1) because nonstructural components accumulated in energycane stem as harvest was delayed. Frequent defoliation (2X) increased N, P, and ash concentrations (75% for N and P and 58% for ash) in harvested biomass compared with single‐harvest treatments. We conclude that multiple harvests per year increase the harvest period during which feedstock is available for processing, but they do not result in optimal feedstock composition. In contrast, extending the period of feedstock supply by delaying a single harvest to after first freeze did not negatively affect cell wall constituent properties, while it increased length of the harvest period by ~30 days in the southeast USA.
The Local as Colonial Subject: Imperialism and Ethnography in Gerhart Hauptmann's Novellas Bahnwärter Thiel and Fasching
Authors: Howards Alyssa
Published: February 2016

Situated amid the stately pine forests of the Spreewald, Gerhart Hauptmann's Brandenburg novellas Bahnwärter Thiel (1888) and Fasching (1887) could hardly offer a more “German” setting. Yet rather than present an intimate depiction of a quaint corner of Germany, these naturalistically candid tales of family tragedies offer imagery that extends beyond their geographic boundaries. Given the imperial context of the novellas, as well as Hauptmann's anthropologically flavored descriptions of his characters and their milieu, they are due for a thicker reading, one that is mindful of nineteenth‐century Germany's collective ethnographic curiosity and the period's colonial discourse on exotic locales and their perceived primitive inhabitants. By foregrounding the distinctive, if not alien, characteristics of the protagonists and their families, as well as the region's geographic and cultural isolation, Hauptmann reveals the heightened ethnographic awareness that pervaded imperial Germany, and reveals a connection between colonialism and Social Darwinism that was not limited to overseas colonies.
The Price of Freedom: Identifying the Narrator of Hermann Hesse's Das Glasperlenspiel
Authors: Drapela Nathan
Published: February 2016

The abrupt and shocking conclusion of Hermann Hesse's final novel, Das Glasperlenspiel, calls out for an explanation. Unfortunately, existing interpretations do little to provide a satisfying understanding of the novel. However, a close examination of the novel's narrative structure and the character of its protagonist lends good reason to doubt the reliability of the narrator—thus allowing for the possibility of a radical reinterpretation. Namely, the implied author of the biography can be identified as Knecht himself. Only then is it possible to see the biography that constitutes the main portion of the novel not as the rise and fall of Josef Knecht, but rather as his quest for and attainment of absolute freedom. In this way, Das Glasperlenspiel can truly be seen as the crowning achievement and fitting conclusion of Hesse's literary career.
Drosophila SETDB1 and caspase cooperatively fine‐tune cell fate determination of sensory organ precursor
Authors: Shinoda Natsuki , Obata Fumiaki , Zhang Liu , Miura Masayuki
Published: February 2016

Drosophila produce a constant number of mechanosensory bristles called macrochaetae (MC), which develop from sensory organ precursor (SOP) cells within a proneural cluster (PNC). However, what ensures the precise determination of SOP cells remains to be elucidated. In this study, we conducted RNAi screening in PNC for genes involved in epigenetic regulation. We identified a H3K9 histone methyltransferase, SETDB1/eggless, as a regulator of SOP development. Knockdown of SETDB1 in PNC led to additional SOPs. We further tested the relationship between SETDB1 and non‐apoptotic function of caspase on SOP development. Reinforcing caspase activation by heterozygous Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (DIAP1) mutation rescued ectopic SOP development caused by SETDB1 knockdown. Knockdown of SETDB1, however, had little effect on caspase activity. Simultaneous loss of SETDB1 and caspase activity resulted in further increase in MC, indicating that the two components work cooperatively. Our study suggests the fine‐tuning mechanisms for SOP development by epigenetic methyltransferase and non‐apoptotic caspase function.
A Finite Layer Formulation for Groundwater Flow to Horizontal Wells
Authors: Xu Jin , Wang Xudong
Published: February 2016

A finite layer approach for the general problem of three‐dimensional (3D) flow to horizontal wells in multilayered aquifer systems is presented, in which the unconfined flow can be taken into account. The flow is approximated by an integration of the standard finite element method in vertical direction and the analytical techniques in the other spatial directions. Because only the vertical discretization is involved, the horizontal wells can be completely contained in one specific nodal plane without discretization. Moreover, due to the analytical eigenfunctions introduced in the formulation, the weighted residual equations can be decoupled, and the formulas for the global matrices and flow vector corresponding to horizontal wells can be obtained explicitly. Consequently, the bandwidth of the global matrices and computational cost rising from 3D analysis can be significantly reduced. Two comparisons to the existing solutions are made to verify the validity of the formulation, including transient flow to horizontal wells in confined and unconfined aquifers. Furthermore, an additional numerical application to horizontal wells in three‐layered systems is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the present method in modeling flow in more complex aquifer systems.
Analysis of Gastric Microbiota by Pyrosequencing: Minor Role of Bacteria Other Than Helicobacter pylori in the Gastric Carcinogenesis
Authors: Jo Hyun Jin , Kim Jaeyeon , Kim Nayoung , Park Ji Hyun , Nam Ryoung Hee , Seok Yeong‐Jae , Kim Yeon‐Ran , Kim Joo Sung , Kim Jung Mogg , Kim Jung Min , Lee Dong Ho , Jung Hyun Chae
Published: February 2016

Background

Little is known about the role of gastric microbiota except for Helicobacter pylori (HP) in human health and disease. We compared the differences of human gastric microbiota according to gastric cancer or control and HP infection status and assessed the role of bacteria other than HP.

Methods

Gastric microbiota of 63 antral mucosal and 18 corpus mucosal samples were analyzed by bar‐coded 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Antral samples were divided into four subgroups based on HP positivity in pyrosequencing and the presence of cancer. The analysis was focused on bacteria other than HP, especially nitrosating or nitrate‐reducing bacteria (NB). The changes of NB in antral mucosa of 16 subjects were followed up.

Results

The number of NB other than HP (non‐HP‐NB) was two times higher in the cancer groups than in the control groups, but it did not reach statistical significance. The number of non‐HP‐NB tends to increase over time, but this phenomenon was prevented by HP eradication in the HP‐positive control group, but not in the HP‐positive cancer group.

Conclusion

We could not find the significant role of bacteria other than HP in the gastric carcinogenesis.
How are UK Academics Engaging the Public with their Research? A Cross‐Disciplinary Perspective
Authors: Chikoore Lesley , Probets Steve , Fry Jenny , Creaser Claire
Published: February 2016

This paper takes a cross‐disciplinary perspective in examining the views and practices of public engagement with research by UK academics. Using a mixed method approach consisting of a survey questionnaire and interviews, the paper identifies the range of audience groups that can potentially be engaged with by academics, and shows that some audiences are more relevant to particular disciplinary groups than others. The paper also identifies the various public engagement activities undertaken by academics and finds that some academics are using creative ways of engaging the public, such as using the services of public relations firms to help in disseminating their research in traditional media outlets, and also by using social media. Essentially, the study reveals that some academics feel the pressure of engaging particular audiences at the expense of those that are relevant to them and that, academics in the main, are opposed to the notion of mandating public engagement as part of appraisal systems.
Mutually exclusive extracellular signal‐regulated kinase pathway mutations are present in different stages of multi‐focal pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis supporting clonal nature of the disease
Authors: Kamionek Michal , Ahmadi Moghaddam Parnian , Sakhdari Ali , Kovach Alexandra E , Welch Matthew , Meng Xiuling , Dresser Karen , Tomaszewicz Keith , Cosar Ediz F , Mark Eugene J , Fraire Armando E , Hutchinson Lloyd
Published: February 2016

Aims

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is an idiopathic cigarette smoking‐related disorder of the lung. Molecular changes in cellular or fibrotic stages of PLCH have not been investigated. We studied the prevalence of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) pathway mutations in different PLCH stages and other non‐PLCH smoking‐related lung diseases.

Methods and results

The cohort included 28 PLCH with cellular (n = 10), mixed cellular/fibrotic (n = 4) and fibrotic histology (n = 14). Seven cases had concurrent multi‐focal/multi‐lobar tumours. Respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease (RB‐ILD, n = 2), desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP, n = 4) and mixed RB‐ILD/DIP (n = 2) were included for comparison. BRAFV600Eimmunohistochemistry, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) clamp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with high analytical sensitivity (<0.1–0.2%) were used to analyse RAS, BRAF and MAP2K1 genes. Of 26 cases with gene mutation data, BRAFV600E was identified in eight of 12 (67%) cellular cases and in one of 14 (7%) fibrotic cases. MAP2K1 or KRAS mutations were observed in four of 14 (29%) fibrotic cases and three of the 12 (25%) cellular cases. Multi‐focal/multi‐lobar specimens carried identical BRAF (n = 5) or non‐hotspot MAP2K1 (n = 2) mutations. The other smoking‐related disorders were negative for mutations. Patients with cellular lesions or BRAF mutation were significantly younger than patients with fibrotic or BRAF wild‐type PLCH.

Conclusion

The presence of identical but mutually exclusive ERK pathway mutations in multi‐focal PLCH supports a neoplastic/clonal origin for this disease. Patient age and mutation type differed between cellular and fibrotic histology and may indicate a natural progression or a mutation‐specific pathogenicity.
Identification of adenosine deaminase inhibitors from Tofu wastewater and litchi peel and their synergistic anticancer and antibacterial activities with cordycepin
Authors: Ni He , Li Yue‐Hong , Hao Rui‐Lin , Li Hui , Hu Song‐Qing , Li Hai‐Hang
Published: February 2016

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitors regulate cellular levels of adenosine and deoxyadenosine and can be used as anti‐inflammatory and anticancer drugs or degradation inhibitors of adenosine drugs. Screening of natural ADA inhibitors indicated crude extracts from Tofu wastewater and litchi peel showed strong ADA inhibition. Genistin, genistein and daidzein from Tofu wastewater and cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside from litchi peel were purified with simple processes and identified as ADA inhibitors. Structure–activity investigation indicated genistein and cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside had high ADA inhibition at IC50 of 0.4 and 0.6 mg mL−1, respectively. Genistein and cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside showed synergistic anticancer and antibacterial activities with cordycepin. Docking simulation suggested that genistein and cyanidin‐3‐rutinoside can enter into ADA active site, bind with its functional amino acids through H‐bonds and competitively inhibit the enzyme. This work indicated the extracts from Tofu wastewater and litchi peel, and their active flavonoids from food processing wasters can be used as health food.
HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies of 8333 Chinese Han from the Zhejiang province, China
Authors: He Y. , Zhang W. , Chen N. , Wang W. , He J. , Han Z. , Tao S. , Dong L. , He J. , Zhu F. , Lv H.
Published: February 2016

The distribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) allele and haplotype is varied among different ethnic populations. In this study, HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies were determined in 8333 volunteer bone marrow donors of Zhejiang Han population using the polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing. A total of 52 HLA‐A, 96 HLA‐B and 61 HLA‐DRB1 alleles were found. Of these, the top three frequent alleles in HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 loci, respectively, were A*11:01 (24.53%), A*24:02 (17.35%), A*02:01 (11.58%); B*40:01 (15.67%), B*46:01 (11.87%), B*58:01 (9.05%); DRB1*09:01 (17.54%),DRB1*12:02 (9.64%) and DRB1*08:03 (8.65%). A total of 171 A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes with a frequency of >0.1% were presented and the five most common haplotypes were A*33:03‐B*58:01‐ DRB1*03:01, A*02:07‐B*46:01‐DRB1*09:01, A*30:01‐B*13:02‐DRB1*07:01, A*33:03‐B*58:01‐RB1*13:02 and A*11:01‐B*15:02‐DRB1*12:02. The information will be useful for selecting unrelated bone marrow donors and for anthropology studies and pharmacogenomics analysis.
The effectiveness of individual rehabilitation on health status in patients with heart failure: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Larsen Palle , Pedersen Preben U
Published: February 2016

Patients with heart failure (HF) live with a serious disease, and need long‐term rehabilitation care. Elements in rehabilitation for patients with HF are based on the recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology and focuses on self‐care and adherence in general. The aim of this study is to test the effect of individually prepared rehabilitation plans measured on health status (HS). The study design is quasi‐experimental. Patients in the control group follow the conventional rehabilitation. For the patients in the intervention group. an individual rehabilitation plan was prepared and followed up by telephone after 4 and 12 weeks. For all patients, HS was measured with Short Form‐36. One hundred sixty‐two patients are included in the study, of which 137 (84.6%) consented. There were no differences in HS before and after the intervention. There are no significant differences by use of a systematically prepared intervention compared with usual care for patients with HF measured on HS 3 months after discharge from the outpatient clinic.
The association among skeletal muscle phosphocreatine recovery, adiposity, and insulin resistance in children
Authors: Wells Greg D. , Banks Laura , Caterini Jessica E. , Thompson Sara , Noseworthy Michael D. , Rayner Tammy , Syme Catriona , McCrindle Brian W. , Hamilton Jill
Published: February 2016

Background

Obesity is associated with cardiometabolic disturbances, which may have significant implications for musculoskeletal health and exercise tolerance.

Objective

We sought to determine the association between muscle structure, function, and metabolism in adolescents across the weight spectrum.

Methods

This cross‐sectional case–control study included overweight and obese participants (n = 24) 8–18 years of age with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 85th percentile for age and gender, and non‐obese participants (n = 24) with a BMI < 85th percentile. Body composition, physical activity, peak aerobic capacity, cardiometabolic blood markers and insulin resistance (measured by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA‐IR), skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity (via 31Phosphorous‐Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, 31P‐MRS, to assess phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery after exercise), and extramyocellular and intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) levels (via 1Hydrogen‐MRS) were assessed. Stepwise regression was performed to examine the factors associated with oxidative capacity.

Results

bese and overweight patients had similar age, height, and physical activity to non‐obese controls, but obese and overweight participants exhibited higher insulin resistance. Obese and overweight participants had longer PCr recovery than non‐obese controls following 5x30s of moderate‐intensity exercise (51.2 ± 20.1 s vs. 23.9 ± 7.5 s, p = 0.004). In univariate correlation analysis, impaired PCr recovery was associated with a higher BMI z‐score (rs = 0.51, p < 0.001), circulating triglycerides (rs = 0.41, p = 0.005), and HOMA‐IR (rs = 0.46, p = 0.001). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, impaired PCr recovery was associated with a higher BMI z‐score (β = 0.47, p = 0.002), but not insulin resistance (β = 0.07, p = 0.07) or circulating triglycerides (β = 0.16 p = 0.33).

Conclusion

A slower phosphocreatine recovery following aerobic exercise is strongly associated with increasing adiposity. A slower metabolic recovery following aerobic exercise stress suggests that endurance exercise training in obese adolescents may be an optimal strategy to target exercise intolerance in this cohort.
Provision of travel medicine advice through community pharmacies: assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of pharmacists in Malaysia
Authors: Taha Nur Akmar , See Yee Lian
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The risk for travel-related illnesses has increased with significant growth in international travel, but very few travellers seek travel advice. Community pharmacists can play a vital role in the provision of travel medicine advice due to their accessibility. This study aimed to assess travel medicine knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among community pharmacists in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods

A self-administered KAP questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of pharmacists in Kuala Lumpur identified from the list of licensed community pharmacists in Malaysia year 2014.

Key findings

Questionnaires were returned by 111 pharmacists of 143 distributed (response rate, 78%). Most of the respondents (82%) were not trained in travel medicine. Overall, mean knowledge score was 4.4 ( ± 1.7), indicating a moderate level of knowledge on a variety of travel-related health issues. Community pharmacists who graduated from foreign universities possessed significantly higher knowledge scores than did those who graduated locally (P < 0.05). The majority had a positive attitude towards travel medicine. A vast majority provided travel medicine advice mainly to adults who travel as tourists, and the primary travel advice given was on traveller’s diarrhoea.

Conclusion

There are gaps in the knowledge and practice of travel medicine among Malaysian pharmacists. Positive attitudes of pharmacists towards travel medicine and appropriate interventions, such as incorporation of travel medicine in local pharmacy curricula, continuous pharmacy education or certified training may improve the quality of travel advice given and allow pharmacists to be recognised as a credible source of information on travel medicine.
Assessment of tick antioxidant responses to exogenous oxidative stressors and insight into the role of catalase in the reproductive fitness of the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum
Authors: Kumar D. , Budachetri K. , Meyers V. C. , Karim S.
Published: February 2016

As obligate blood‐sucking ectoparasites, to avoid tissue damage, ticks must neutralize the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from uptake and digestion of a bloodmeal. Consequently, ticks utilize a battery of antioxidant molecules, including catalase (CAT), an enzyme that converts hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water and oxygen. Here, we investigated the tick antioxidant machinery by exogenous injection of sublethal doses of H2O2 or paraquat. The relative transcript levels of selected Amblyomma maculatum antioxidant targets in tissues were determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR following treatment. The results showed 2–16‐fold increases in target antioxidant gene transcripts, signifying the ability of Am. maculatum to regulate its antioxidant machinery when exposed to increased ROS levels. Next, RNA interference was used to determine the functional role of CAT in haematophagy, redox homeostasis and reproductive fitness. CAT gene silencing was confirmed by transcript depletion within tick tissues; however, CAT knockdown alone did not interfere with tick haematophagy or phenotype, as confirmed by the resulting differential expression of antioxidant genes, thereby indicating an alternative mechanism for ROS control. Interestingly, double stranded RNA of CAT gene (dsCAT) and the CAT inhibitor, 3‐aminotriazole, together reduced tick reproductive fitness via a marked reduction in egg mass and larval eclosion rates, highlighting a role for CAT in tick redox‐homeostasis, making it a potential target for tick control.
Are Inter-Minority Contacts Guided by the Same Mechanisms as Minority–Majority Contacts? A Comparative Study of Two Types of Inter-Ethnic Ties in the Netherlands
Authors: Koops Judith , Martinovic Borja , Weesie Jeroen
Published: February 2016

Research on inter-ethnic contacts in European countries has mainly focused on the interaction between ethnic minorities and the native majority. Our contribution is to examine inter-minority contacts and compare them to minority–majority contacts. Drawing on a theory of preferences, opportunities, and third parties, we expected some determinants of contacts with natives to relate similarly and others differently to inter-minority contacts. Using data on four non-Western minorities in the Netherlands, we found that education, Dutch language proficiency, and outgroup size are positively associated with both inter-minority and minority–majority contacts. Further, occupational status relates positively to contacts with natives and negatively to contacts with other minorities, whereas ingroup identification is positively associated with inter-minority contacts and negatively with contacts with natives. These diverging findings underline the importance of studying interaction between minorities as a separate phenomenon.
The Effect of Diversification on Tail Risk: Evidence from US Equity Mutual Fund Portfolios
Authors: Xu Simon , Hwang Inchang , In Francis
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the effect of diversification on the tail risk of US equity mutual fund portfolios by utilizing classical higher‐moment measures and robust tail weight measures. Empirical results show that market standard portfolios based on the mean‐variance framework are exposed to greater tail risk than benchmark portfolios are and diversification further intensifies this exposure.
An improved mixed integer program for single allocation hub location problems with stepwise cost function
Authors: Meier J. Fabian
Published: February 2016

Recently, a new model for the uncapacitated single allocation p‐hub median problem was defined, which uses a more realistic cost structure. Instead of measuring the transport costs as a linear function of the volume, integer variables for the number of used vehicles are introduced. This leads to a more precise model if the number of vehicles is low and capacity utilization plays a major role. We will introduce a new mixed integer program formulation of the problem that uses fewer variables but more constraints. This study shows its numerical advantages.
Nocturia and prevalence of erectile dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Dogo Study
Authors: Furukawa Shinya , Sakai Takenori , Niiya Tetsuji , Miyaoka Hiroaki , Miyake Teruki , Yamamoto Shin , Maruyama Koutatsu , Tanaka Keiko , Ueda Teruhisa , Senba Hidenori , Torisu Masamoto , Minami Hisaka , Onji Morikazu , Tanigawa Takeshi , Matsuura Bunzo , Hiasa Yoichi , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: February 2016

Aims/Introduction

Several epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between nocturia and erectile dysfunction (ED). Yet only limited evidence exists regarding the association between nocturia and ED among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, although nocturia and ED are common among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Material and Methods

Study participants were 332 male Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 19–70 years, who had undergone blood tests at our institutions. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the variables under study. Adjustment was made for age, body mass index, hypertension, stroke, ischemic heart disease, glycated hemoglobin and diabetic neuropathy. ED, moderate to severe ED and severe ED were defined as present when a participant had a Sexual Health Inventory for Men score <22, <12 and <8, respectively. Study participants were considered to have nocturia if they answered ‘once or more’ to the question: ‘Within 1 week, how many times do you typically wake up to urinate from sleeping at night until waking in the morning?’

Results

The prevalence of nocturia was 79.8%. Nocturia was independently positively associated with ED and moderate to severe ED: the adjusted odds ratios were 7.86 (95% confidence interval 2.11–33.56) and 2.17 (95% confidence interval 1.16–4.12), respectively. The positive association between nocturia and severe ED fell just short of significance.

Conclusions

In Japanese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, nocturia might be associated with ED and moderate to severe ED.
Testing for a genetic response to sexual selection in a wild Drosophila population
Authors: Gosden T. P. , Thomson J. R. , Blows M. W. , Schaul A. , Chenoweth S. F.
Published: February 2016

In accordance with the consensus that sexual selection is responsible for the rapid evolution of display traits on macroevolutionary scales, microevolutionary studies suggest sexual selection is a widespread and often strong form of directional selection in nature. However, empirical evidence for the contemporary evolution of sexually selected traits via sexual rather than natural selection remains weak. In this study, we used a novel application of quantitative genetic breeding designs to test for a genetic response to sexual selection on eight chemical display traits from a field population of the fly, Drosophila serrata. Using our quantitative genetic approach, we were able to detect a genetically based difference in means between groups of males descended from fathers who had either successfully sired offspring or were randomly collected from the same wild population for one of these display traits, the diene (Z,Z)‐5,9‐C27 : 2. Our experimental results, in combination with previous laboratory studies on this system, suggest that both natural and sexual selection may be influencing the evolutionary trajectories of these traits in nature, limiting the capacity for a contemporary evolutionary response.
Dynamics of piscine francisellosis differs amongst tilapia species (Oreochromis spp.) in a controlled challenge with Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis
Authors: Klinger‐Bowen R , Tamaru C , McGovern‐Hopkins K , Li Y , Sithole F , Kearney M T , Francis S , Soto E
Published: February 2016

A 25‐week immersion challenge was conducted exposing Oreochromis mossambicus, Oreochromis aureus and Oreochromis urolepis hornorum to Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno). Two populations were compared for each fish species; ‘resident fish’ were defined as fish maintained in tanks since week 0 of challenge, whereas ‘naïve fish’ were defined as fish added to tanks once temperature in water reached <26 °C at 21 weeks post‐challenge. Fno genome equivalents (GEs) in water were similar in all treatments 1 h post‐challenge; however, significantly lower Fno GEs were detected 2 weeks post‐challenge in all tanks, and the only treatment with detectable Fno GE after 4 weeks of challenge were the O. mossambicus tanks. Twenty‐one weeks post‐challenge, naïve fish were stocked with ‘resident’ cohorts. Over a 4‐week period, mortalities occurred consistently only in O. mossambicus naïve cohorts. Overall presence of granulomas in spleen of survivors was similar (>55%) in all resident populations; however, in naïve populations, only O. mossambicus presented granulomas. Similarly, only O. mossambicus presented viable Fno in the spleen of survivors, and Fno GEs were only detected in O. mossambicus, and in resident O. aureus. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest different susceptibility of tilapia species to piscine francisellosis.
Louis Sokoloff (1921–2015)
Authors: Agranoff Bernard W.
Published: February 2016

image

This is an obituary to Louis Sokoloff (1921–2015), an outstanding neurochemist and neuroscientist, whose groundbreaking work on the use of [14C]deoxyglucose in brain imaging was a milestone among many achievements throughout his career. Picture taken by the author, June 1974, Ann Arbor.
Gonadotrophin‐Inhibitory Hormone in the Cichlid Fish Cichlasoma dimerus: Structure, Brain Distribution and Differential Effects on the Secretion of Gonadotrophins and Growth Hormone
Authors: Di Yorio M. P. , Pérez Sirkin D. I. , Delgadin T. H. , Shimizu A. , Tsutsui K. , Somoza G. M. , Vissio P. G.
Published: February 2016

The role of gonadotrophin‐inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in the inhibition of the reproductive axis has been well‐established in birds and mammals. However, its role in other vertebrates, such as the teleost fish, remains controversial. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate whether GnIH modulates the release of gonadotrophins and growth hormone (GH) in the cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus. First, we partially sequenced the precursor polypeptide for GnIH and identified three putative GnIH peptides. Next, we analysed the expression of this precursor polypeptide via a polymerase chain reaction in the reproductive axis of both sexes. We found a high expression of the polypeptide in the hypothalamus and gonads of males. Immunocytochemistry allowed the observation of GnIH‐immunoreactive somata in the nucleus posterioris periventricularis and the nucleus olfacto‐retinalis, with no differences between the sexes. GnIH‐immunoreactive fibres were present in all brain regions, with a high density in the nucleus lateralis tuberis and at both sides of the third ventricle. Finally, we performed in vitro studies on intact pituitary cultures to evaluate the effect of two doses (10−6 m and 10−8 m) of synthetic C. dimerus (cd‐) LPQRFa‐1 and LPQRFa‐2 on the release of gonadotrophins and GH. We observed that cd‐LPQRFa‐1 decreased β‐luteinising hormone (LH) and β‐follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and also increased GH release to the culture medium. The release of β‐FSH was increased only when it was stimulated with the higher cd‐LPQRFa‐2 dose. The results of the present study indicate that cd‐LPQRFa‐1, the cichlid fish GnIH, inhibits β‐LH and β‐FSH release and stimulates GH release in intact pituitary cultures of C. dimerus. The results also show that cd‐LPQRF‐2 could act as an β‐FSH‐releasing factor in this fish species.
Novel insights into early neuroanatomical evolution in penguins from the oldest described penguin brain endocast
Authors: Proffitt J. V. , Clarke J. A. , Scofield R. P.
Published: February 2016

Digital methodologies for rendering the gross morphology of the brain from X‐ray computed tomography data have expanded our current understanding of the origin and evolution of avian neuroanatomy and provided new perspectives on the cognition and behavior of birds in deep time. However, fossil skulls germane to extracting digital endocasts from early stem members of extant avian lineages remain exceptionally rare. Data from early‐diverging species of major avian subclades provide key information on ancestral morphologies in Aves and shifts in gross neuroanatomical structure that have occurred within those groups. Here we describe data on the gross morphology of the brain from a mid‐to‐late Paleocene penguin fossil from New Zealand. This most basal and geochronologically earliest‐described endocast from the penguin clade indicates that described neuroanatomical features of early stem penguins, such as lower telencephalic lateral expansion, a relatively wider cerebellum, and lack of cerebellar folding, were present far earlier in penguin history than previously inferred. Limited dorsal expansion of the wulst in the new fossil is a feature seen in outgroup waterbird taxa such as Gaviidae (Loons) and diving Procellariiformes (Shearwaters, Diving Petrels, and allies), indicating that loss of flight may not drastically affect neuroanatomy in diving taxa. Wulst enlargement in the penguin lineage is first seen in the late Eocene, at least 25 million years after loss of flight and cooption of the flight stroke for aquatic diving. Similar to the origin of avian flight, major shifts in gross brain morphology follow, but do not appear to evolve quickly after, acquisition of a novel locomotor mode. Enlargement of the wulst shows a complex pattern across waterbirds, and may be linked to sensory modifications related to prey choice and foraging strategy.
Refusal to participate in heart failure studies: do age and gender matter?
Authors: Harrison Jordan M , Jung Miyeon , Lennie Terry A , Moser Debra K , Smith Dean G , Dunbar Sandra B , Ronis David L , Koelling Todd M , Giordani Bruno , Riley Penny L , Pressler Susan J
Published: February 2016

Aims and objectives

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate reasons heart failure patients decline study participation, to inform interventions to improve enrollment.

Background

Failure to enrol older heart failure patients (age > 65) and women in studies may lead to sampling bias, threatening study validity.

Design

This study was a retrospective analysis of refusal data from four heart failure studies that enrolled 788 patients in four states.

Methods

Chi‐Square and a pooled t‐test were computed to analyse refusal data (n = 300) obtained from heart failure patients who were invited to participate in one of the four studies but declined.

Results

Refusal reasons from 300 patients (66% men, mean age 65·33) included: not interested (n = 163), too busy (n = 64), travel burden (n = 50), too sick (n = 38), family problems (n = 14), too much commitment (n = 13) and privacy concerns (n = 4). Chi‐Square analyses showed no differences in frequency of reasons (p > 0·05) between men and women. Patients who refused were older, on average, than study participants.

Conclusions

Some reasons were patient‐dependent; others were study‐dependent. With ‘not interested’ as the most common reason, cited by over 50% of patients who declined, recruitment measures should be targeted at stimulating patients’ interest. Additional efforts may be needed to recruit older participants. However, reasons for refusal were consistent regardless of gender.

Relevance to clinical practice

Heart failure researchers should proactively approach a greater proportion of women and patients over age 65. With no gender differences in type of reasons for refusal, similar recruitment strategies can be used for men and women. However, enrolment of a representative proportion of women in heart failure studies has proven elusive and may require significant effort from researchers. Employing strategies to stimulate interest in studies is essential for recruiting heart failure patients, who overwhelmingly cited lack of interest as the top reason for refusal.
Nurses’ clinical decision‐making for preserving nursing home residents’ remaining abilities
Authors: Kim Hyun Ju , Choi Jung Eun , Kim Mi So , Kim Su Jin , Chang Sung Ok
Published: February 2016

Aims and objectives

This study was conducted to clarify and conceptualise nurses’ clinical decision‐making for preserving the remaining abilities of nursing home residents suffering from physical‐cognitive functional decline.

Background

Older adults experience physical, psychological and social changes, but their remaining abilities differ across individuals.

Design

This study used a qualitative research to gain a deeper understanding of nursing homes nurses’ clinical decision‐making.

Methods

In‐depth interviews with 32 experienced nurses were undertaken. The data were analysed using conventional content analysis.

Results

Six categories and 58 subcategories of nursing practice related to managing the remaining abilities of residents with physical‐cognitive functional decline were generated. The results of this study revealed five themes: (1) seeing residents’ potential, (2) physical, emotional and psychosocial care in daily routines, (3) keeping personalised charts, (4) encouraging, promoting and physical and emotional support and (5) preparing residents for more independent living. The results were categorised into nurses’ personal strategies based on their experience, practical nursing knowledge, nursing interventions and nursing evaluation criteria.

Conclusions

The themes reflected positive views on the residents’ functional abilities and the nursing homes nurses’ perception that their goal was to help residents achieve their highest level of independence.

Relevance to clinical practice

Preserving nursing home residents’ remaining abilities represents nurses’ optimistic view of residents’ functional status. Routine care tailored for preserving the remaining abilities of individual nursing home residents with physical‐cognitive functional decline is needed. Preserving the remaining abilities of nursing home resident is supported by therapeutic interactions including close contact as well as physical and emotional support. Nurses’ main goal in working with residents with remaining abilities is improving their independence.
Combined reconstructive surgery involving uterosacral colpopexy and anterior vaginal mesh implantation for pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Hamuro A. , Tachibana D. , Wang H. , Hayashi M. , Yanai S. , Kurihara Y. , Misugi T. , Katayama H. , Nakano A. , Koyama M.
Published: February 2016

Aim

The optimal treatment for pelvic organ prolapse has been the subject of much discussion. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a combination of uterosacral colpopexy and anterior vaginal mesh implantation.

Methods

A single‐center prospective cohort study was conducted. Twenty‐eight patients with stage III–IV cystocele and uterine prolapse underwent reconstructive surgery. A combination of vaginal hysterectomy, McCall culdeplasty, and trocar‐guided anterior vaginal mesh implantation was performed, and the patients' postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Patient satisfaction was investigated using the modified Short Form 12 version 2 (SF‐12v2) questionnaire, and interviews regarding sexual behavior were conducted at 1 postoperative year.

Results

A bladder injury occurred during the dissection in one case (3.6%). Recurrent vaginal vault prolapse beyond the hymen was observed in one patient (cure rate: 96.4%), and further mesh augmentation was required in this case. Another patient developed mild cystocele (Ba = 0), but was simply observed because she did not complain of any symptoms caused by vaginal descent. We did not experience any other mesh‐related complications, such as protrusion, chronic pain, or chronic inflammation, during the follow‐up period. The patients' modified SF‐12 scores at 12 months were significantly better than their preoperative scores in all eight domains.

Conclusion

The satisfactory correction of pelvic organ prolapse was achieved using a combination of vaginal hysterectomy and uterosacral ligament colpopexy augmented by anterior vaginal mesh implantation. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Long‐term outcome of patients with persistent low‐level elevation of human chorionic gonadotrophin
Authors: Qian Xue‐qian , Chen Li‐li , Li Bao‐hua , Cheng Xiao‐dong , Wan Xiao‐yun
Published: February 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate a series of patients with sustained low‐level elevated human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and explore the management of these patients.

Methods

A total of 47 patients with persistent low levels of hCG were selected for analysis between January 2002 and January 2014 at the Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Data were retrospectively reviewed for patient characteristics, therapeutic strategies, and follow‐ups. We compared the characteristics of patients who were and were not eventually considered to have malignancies.

Results

Among the 47 patients, 17 with persistent low‐level elevated hCG and no detectable lesions were considered to have no active malignancy. Fifteen of the 17 patients had hCG levels that returned to normal range by the end of follow‐up, while the remaining two did not. The other 30 patients were eventually diagnosed as having active malignancies due to detected lesions or increasing elevation of hCG. A large proportion of these patients were diagnosed with placental site trophoblastic tumor or epithelioid trophoblastic tumor.

Conclusion

For patients with persistent low‐level elevated hCG, frequent follow‐up rather than any therapy is recommended. Treatment was considered effective and safe once diagnosis of active malignancy was confirmed.
Vaginal cancer possibly caused by pessary and immunocompromised condition: Multiple risk factors may influence vaginal cancer development
Authors: Akino Nana , Wada‐Hiraike Osamu , Matsumoto Yoko , Arimoto Takahide , Oda Katsutoshi , Kawana Kei , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki
Published: February 2016

Primary cancer of the vagina is a rare entity, comprising only 1–2% of all gynecologic malignancies. Infection of human papillomavirus, immunocompromised condition, and chronic irritation of the vagina by prolonged pessary usage are known to contribute to the development of vaginal cancer. We experienced a rare case of vaginal cancer that occurred after usage of a vaginal pessary while the patient was prescribed with oral prednisolone for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Previous reports of vaginal cancer that occurred after pessary usage are mostly neglected pessaries, but in this case the patient was managed properly. We suspect that her immunocompromised condition, as well as her pessary usage, may have accelerated the development of vaginal cancer. The presence of multiple risk factors could be related to the pathogenesis of vaginal cancer, and therefore proper management is required after pessary insertion for uterine prolapse treatment.
Urinary retention and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) secondary to impacted gravid uterus
Authors: Irani M. , Fisher N. , Mor A. , Bensinger G.
Published: February 2016

Urinary retention is an emergency that rarely occurs during pregnancy. Previous case reports have suggested multiple risk factors that can cause the gravid uterus to become impacted in the pelvis leading to lower bladder or urethral compression with subsequent urinary retention. However, no cases of urinary obstruction in a pregnancy that was complicated with severe electrolyte imbalance have been reported. To our knowledge, we report the first case of a 31‐year‐old woman presenting at 8 weeks’ gestation with acute urinary retention caused by a retroflexed, retroverted uterus with a 6‐cm posterior uterine fibroid leading to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and severe hyponatremia requiring intensive care unit admission. The cornerstones of effective management of urinary retention should include: (i) urgent bladder catheterization; (ii) assessment of sodium levels to rule out syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, and prompt treatment before neurological damage occurs; (iii) reduction of the impacted uterus; and (iv) monitoring for post‐obstructive diuresis.