bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aberrant calcium signaling in astrocytes inhibits neuronal excitability in a human Down syndrome stem cell model
Authors: Mizuno Grace O. , Wang Yinxue , Shi Guilai , Wang Yizhi , Sun Junqing , Papadopoulos Stelios , Broussard Gerard J. , Unger Elizabeth K. , Deng Wenbin , Weick Jason , Bhattacharyya Anita , Chen Chao-Yin , Yu Guoqiang , Looger Loren L. , Tian Lin
Published: January 2018

Down syndrome (DS) is a devastating genetic disorder causing severe cognitive impairment. The staggering array of effects associated with an extra copy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21) complicates mechanistic understanding of DS pathophysiology. We developed an in vitro system to examine the interplay of neurons and astrocytes in a fully recapitulated HSA21 trisomy model differentiated from DS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By combining calcium imaging with genetic approaches, we utilized this system to investigate the functional defects of DS astroglia and their effects on neuronal excitability. We found that, compared with control isogenic astroglia, DS astroglia exhibited more-frequent spontaneous calcium fluctuations, which reduced the excitability of co-cultured neurons. DS astrocytes exerted this effect on both DS and healthy neurons. Neuronal activity could be rescued by abolishing astrocytic spontaneous calcium activity either chemically by blocking adenosine-mediated astrocyte–neuron signaling or genetically by knockdown of inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptors or S100β, a calcium binding protein coded on HSA21. Our results suggest a novel mechanism by which DS alters the function of astrocytes, which subsequently disturbs neuronal excitability. Furthermore, our study establishes an all-optical neurophysiological platform for studying human neuron-astrocyte interactions associated with neurological disorders.

Significant statement

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic disorder caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 (HSA21). Problems with cognitive impairment, have not been properly addressed due to the inability to fully recapitulate HSA21, which is further confounded by the snapshot views of morphological changes of brain cells in isolation obtained from current studies. The brain develops neural networks consisting of neurons and glial cells that work together. To understand how DS affects the neural networks, we used DS patient-derived stem cells and calcium imaging to investigate functional defects of DS astrocytes and their effects on neuronal excitability. Our study has significant implication in understanding functional defects during brain development underlying DS.
Microfluidic device for on-chip mixing and encapsulation of lysates
Authors: Jui-Chia Chang , Zoe Swank , Oliver Keiser , Sebastian Maerkl , Esther Amstad
Published: January 2018

Emulsion drops are often employed as picoliter-sized containers to perform screening assays. These assays usually entail the formation of drops encompassing discrete objects such as cells or microparticles and reagents to study interactions between the different encapsulants. Drops are also used to screen influences of reagent concentrations on the final product. However, these latter assays are less frequently performed because it is difficult to change the reagent concentration over a wide range with high precision within a single experiment. In this paper, we present a microfluidic double emulsion drop maker containing pneumatic valves that enable injection of different reagents using pulsed width modulation and subsequent mixing. This device can produce drops from reagent volumes as low as 10 μl with minimal sample loss, thereby enabling experiments that would be prohibitively expensive using droplet generators that do not contain valves. We employ this device to monitor the kinetics of cell free synthesis of green fluorescent proteins inside double emulsions. To demonstrate the potential of this device, we perform DNA titration experiments in double emulsion drops to test the influence of the DNA concentration on the amount of green fluorescence proteins produced.
Corporate events’ performance and corporate governance: the Brazilian evidence
Authors: Funchal Bruno , Pinto Jedson Pereira
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between corporate governance and corporate events’ performance. Firms that engage in corporate events seem to perform at least as bad as similar firms that did not. Based on agency theory, the authors hypothesize that lower corporate performance is associated to differences in governance levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Bessembinder and Zhang’s (2013) approach to evaluate the performance of corporate events has been expanded by considering unique corporate governance features from Brazilian stock market.

Findings

The results suggest that after controlling for governance levels, event rms and control rms have similar performance. A number of analyses were performed to rule out alternative explanations.

Originality/value

The results call attention for the role of agency costs in evaluating corporate events’ performance.
Female expatriates’ motivations and challenges: the case of oil and gas
Authors: Shortland Susan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This case study is designed as a teaching exercise and this paper aims to highlight the key issues for organisations’ expatriating women within masculine industry sectors and/or into challenging international environments.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study draws together key published findings relating to women’s expatriation in the oil and gas exploration and production sector. It demonstrates a triangulated research design, drawing upon organisational policy from two oil and gas firms, semi-structured interviews with 14 human resource professionals and 26 female expatriates, as well as from 71 female assignees’ questionnaire responses.

Findings

Career and financial drivers underpin women’s motivations for accepting organisationally assigned expatriation. Women expatriates engage in satisficing and career compromise. The main challenges women face in masculine industries include access to expatriate roles because of limited female networks, family concerns, managing working time and work-life balance and coping with loneliness.

Research limitations/implications

The oil and gas case findings are based on a cross-sectional research design. The majority of female expatriates undertook long-term assignments; limited numbers engaged in flexpatriation.

Practical implications

While organisational policy supporting expatriation does not usually address gendered expatriate concerns specifically, inclusion of interventions that are identified by women as helpful to their expatriate participation can assist in increasing expatriate gender diversity.

Originality/value

This oil and gas research case brings together and presents a summary of the motivations, problems and challenges faced by women in male-dominated expatriate environments, together with relevant theoretical approaches and organisational interventions to help us understand and increase expatriate gender diversity.
Modeling perceived quality of haptic impressions based on various sensor data sources
Authors: Schlegel Peter , Gussen Lars C. , Frank Daniel , Schmitt Robert H.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an approach of modeling haptic impressions of surfaces over a wide range of applications by using multiple sensor sources.

Design/methodology/approach

A multisensory measurement experiment was conducted using various leather and artificial leather surfaces. After processing of measurement data and feature extraction, different learning algorithms were applied to the measurement data and a corresponding set of data from a sensory study. The study contained evaluations of the same surfaces regarding descriptors of haptic quality (e.g. roughness) by human subjects and was conducted in a former research project.

Findings

The research revealed that it is possible to model and project haptic impressions by using multiple sensor sources in combination with data fusion. The presented method possesses the potential for an industrial application.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new approach to predict haptic impressions of surfaces by using multiple sensor sources.
Plant functional groups regulate soil respiration responses to nitrogen addition and mowing over a decade
Authors: Du Yue , Han Hongyan , Wang Yanfen , Zhong Mingxing , Hui Dafeng , Niu Shuli , Wan Shiqiang
Published: January 2018

Nitrogen (N) deposition and land‐use practice (e.g. mowing) could have profound effects on soil respiration. However, the changes in other ecosystem components, such as plant functional groups (PFGs), may control soil carbon (C) efflux response to long term global change.

A 10‐year (2005–2014) field experiment was conducted with both N addition (10 g N m−2 year−1) and mowing (once a year) in a northern Chinese temperate grassland. We collected continuous data on soil respiration over 10 years accompanied with data on abiotic and biotic factors, and attempted to determine (i) the temporal variation in soil respiration and its responses to N addition and mowing, (ii) the regulation of soil respiration by PFGs and the underlying long‐term mechanisms of control.

Soil respiration varied significantly among years. This was mainly caused by changes in precipitation pattern (e.g. frequency and distribution) during the growing‐season rather than total rainfall. N addition significantly suppressed soil respiration by 10.4% whereas mowing stimulated it by 8.4% over the 10 years. The interaction of N addition with mowing had little effect on soil respiration. However, the significant effects of both N addition and mowing appeared only in the third year and thereafter, indicating the differences between long‐ and short‐term responses. These long‐term effects of N addition and mowing were mainly caused by changes in the PFGs of covers (e.g. grasses and forbs) and in soil pH rather than in soil microclimate. Forb‐dominant patches had greater soil respiration than grass patches owing to their higher litter quality and photosynthetic capacity.

Our results highlight that shifts in above‐ground plant community could play an important role in regulating soil respiration responses to N addition and mowing in the long‐term. This is potentially important for improving our understanding of the link between above‐ and below‐ground ecological processes.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Active farmsteads are year‐round strongholds for farmland birds
Authors: Šálek Martin , Bažant Miroslav , Żmihorski Michał
Published: January 2018

Farmland birds have experienced substantial declines over recent decades and various conservation measures have been designed to halt their massive decrease. The effectiveness of these measures is however limited, due to inappropriate identification of crucial breeding and wintering habitats. Identification of appropriate habitats, like farmsteads, and understanding seasonal changes in species richness and abundance of farmland birds within these habitats may therefore be key for farmland bird conservation.

We investigated the effect of variation in farmstead management on alpha and gamma diversity of all farmland birds and red‐listed farmland birds in the Czech Republic. In particular, we evaluated the diversity of wintering and breeding birds at over 200 sites to explore: (1) differences in bird communities in three types of farmsteads and open farmland; (2) changes in species‐specific habitat preferences between winter and spring; and (3) effect of landscape composition, ruderal vegetation and altitude on bird assemblages.

Farmsteads with animal production harboured the highest, whereas open farmland areas had the lowest, species richness and abundance of all farmland birds and red‐listed farmland birds. The decline of species richness in winter was more pronounced in farmland and abandoned farmsteads compared to farmsteads with plant and animal production.

Single bird species showed different habitat preferences but the majority of species including red‐listed farmland birds changed preferences towards animal farmsteads during winter. Bird species richness was negatively correlated with altitude and positively with representation of ruderal vegetation. Rarefied gamma diversity confirmed local patterns for both all species and red‐listed species: the highest total species richness was observed in active animal farmsteads but differences among types were significant only during winter.

Synthesis and applications. Active farmsteads are local bird diversity hotspots in agricultural landscapes, and host species of conservation concern. Our results highlight the importance of farmsteads during winter, which is a critical period for several wintering farmland species. Our research thus indicates that recent conservation measures for farmland birds should also focus on conservation within non‐farmed habitats, such as actively used farmsteads.
Effects of reciprocal teaching on reading comprehension of low‐achieving adolescents. The importance of specific teacher skills
Authors: Okkinga Mariska , van Steensel Roel , van Gelderen Amos J. S. , Sleegers Peter J. C.
Published: January 2018

Low‐achieving adolescents are known to have difficulties with reading comprehension. This article discusses how reciprocal teaching can improve low‐achieving adolescents' reading comprehension in whole‐classroom settings (as opposed to small‐group settings) and to what extent intervention effects are dependent on teacher behaviour. Over the course of 1 year, experimental teachers (n = 10) were given extensive training and coaching aimed at using principles of reciprocal teaching, while control teachers (n = 10) used their regular teaching method. Observations of teacher behaviour were focused on instruction of reading strategies, modelling and support of group work and were performed in both experimental and control classes, comprising a total of 369 students (mean age = 13.01). Our study shows that reciprocal teaching contributed to adolescent low achievers' reading comprehension only when experimental teachers provided high‐quality strategy instruction. In addition, results suggest that the quality of implementation of reciprocal teaching in whole‐classroom settings should receive more research attention.

Highlights

What is already known about this topic

Reciprocal teaching is a method of instructing and guiding learners in reading comprehension.

It consists of a set of three related instructional principles: (a) teaching comprehension‐fostering reading strategies; (b) expert modelling, scaffolding and fading; and (c) students practising and discussing reading strategies with other students, guided and coached by the teacher.

High quality of implementation of reciprocal teaching by teachers in classrooms is difficult.

What this paper adds

After 1 year of implementing reciprocal teaching, no main effects of the treatment were established.

Intervention effects were moderated by quality of instruction: strategy instruction led to higher scores on reading comprehension in the treatment condition but not in the control condition.

Implementation of the instructional principles was by no means optimal: teachers were unable to provide detailed guidance to students working in small groups and modelling of strategies requires more experience and theoretical insight in the use and nature of reading strategies.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Extensive training and coaching are needed for teachers to become experts in reciprocal teaching.

Teachers need hands‐on tools to be able to guide students in their collaborative group work and to fade the teachers' role in order to allow more individual self‐regulation by students in their use of strategies.

Implementation quality has to be taken into account when doing effectiveness research and when adopting new, theory‐based didactic approaches.
When individual cultural orientation and mediated portrayal of risk intersect: Effects of individualism–collectivism and media framing on risk perception and attribution of responsibility
Authors: Xu Sifan
Published: January 2018

Using the cultural theory of risk, this study examines the effects of individualism–collectivism and media framing on individuals’ risk perception and attribution of responsibility. The findings of a between‐subjects experiment suggest that media framing (episodic vs. thematic framing) is a significant moderator of the effect of individualism–collectivism on risk perception (the perceived magnitude of the risk), and that collectivists have more intense emotions and perceive a more serious risk than individualists. The results of path analysis further show that individualism–collectivism and media framing influence individuals’ attribution of responsibility through emotion and the perceived magnitude of the risk. This study contributes to an increased understanding of risk perception with an emphasis on the interaction between culture and mediated portrayal of a risk.
Euthanasia and the nature of suffering in addiction
Authors: Ashcroft Richard E.
Published: January 2018

Commentary to: The need to exercise caution in accepting addiction as a reason for performing euthanasia
Diminished alternative reinforcement as a mechanism linking conduct problems and substance use in adolescence: a longitudinal examination
Authors: Khoddam Rubin , Cho Junhan , Jackson Nicholas J. , Leventhal Adam M.
Published: January 2018

Aims

To determine whether diminished alternative reinforcement (i.e. engagement and enjoyment from substance‐free activities) mediated the longitudinal association of conduct problems with substance use in early–mid‐adolescence.

Design

Structural equation modeling tested whether the association between wave 1 (baseline) conduct problems and wave 3 (24‐month follow‐up) substance use outcomes was mediated by diminished alternative reinforcement at wave 2 (12‐month follow‐up). Additional analyses tested whether sex and socio‐economic status moderated this association.

Setting

Ten high schools in Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2013–15.

Participants

Students (n = 3396, 53.5% female, mean [standard deviation (SD)] age at wave 1 baseline = 14.1 (0.42) years).

Measurements

Self‐reported conduct problems (11‐item questionnaire), alternative reinforcement (44‐item questionnaire) and use of alcohol, marijuana and combustible cigarettes during the past 6 months (yes/no) and the past 30 days (nine‐level ordinal response based on days used in past 30 days).

Results

Significant associations of wave 1 conduct problems with wave 3 marijuana use during the past 6 months (β = 0.25) and past 30 days (β = 0.26) were mediated by wave 2 diminished alternative reinforcement (βindirect effect: 6 months = 0.013, 30 days = 0.017, Ps < 0.001). Associations of conduct problems with alcohol or combustible cigarette use were not mediated by alternative reinforcement. All associations did not differ by sex and socio‐economic status.

Conclusions

Diminished alternative reinforcement may be a modifiable mechanism linking early adolescent conduct problems and subsequent marijuana use that could be targeted in prevention programs to offset the adverse health and social sequelae associated with comorbid conduct problems and marijuana use in early‐mid adolescence.
Multidimensional endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis and their association with treatment outcomes
Authors: Liao B. , Liu J.‐X. , Li Z.‐Y. , Zhen Z. , Cao P.‐P. , Yao Y. , Long X.‐B. , Wang H. , Wang Y. , Schleimer R. , Liu Z.
Published: January 2018

Background

The expression of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is multidimensional. Disease heterogeneity in patients with CRS remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify endotypes of CRS using cluster analysis by integrating multidimensional characteristics and to explore their association with treatment outcomes.

Methods

A total of 28 clinical variables and 39 mucosal cellular and molecular variables were analyzed using principal component analysis. Cluster analysis was performed on 246 prospectively recruited Chinese CRS patients with at least 1‐year postoperative follow‐up. Difficult‐to‐treat CRS was characterized in each generated cluster.

Results

Seven subject clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (13.01%) was comparable to the classic well‐defined eosinophilic CRS with polyps, having severe disease and the highest proportion of difficult‐to‐treat CRS. Patients in cluster 2 (16.26%) and cluster 4 (13.82%) had relatively lower proportions of presence of polyps and presented mild inflammation with moderate proportions of difficult‐to‐treat cases. Subjects in cluster 2 were highly atopic. Cluster 3 (7.31%) and cluster 6 (21.14%) were characterized by severe or moderate neutrophilic inflammation, respectively, and with elevated levels of IL‐8 and high proportions of difficult‐to‐treat CRS. Cluster 5 (4.07%) was a unique group characterized by the highest levels of IL‐10 and lacked difficult‐to‐treat cases. Cluster 7 (24.39%) demonstrated the lowest symptom severity, a low proportion of difficult‐to‐treat CRS, and low inflammation load. Finally, we found that difficult‐to‐treat CRS was associated with distinct clinical features and biomarkers in the different clusters.

Conclusions

Distinct clinicopathobiologic clusters of CRS display differences in clinical response to treatments and characteristics of difficult‐to‐treat CRS.
The changing relationship between bronchopulmonary dysplasia and cognition in very preterm infants
Authors: Brumbaugh Jane E. , Colaizy Tarah T. , Patel Neel M. , Klein Jonathan M.
Published: January 2018

Aim

To characterise the relationship between bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) severity and cognition in the post‐surfactant era.

Methods

This was a single‐centre retrospective analysis of a cohort of infants born 2009–2012. Inclusion criteria were as follows: admission within 48 hours of birth, gestational age 22‐0/7–31‐6/7 weeks, birthweight 400–1500 g and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development‐III testing at 18–26 months corrected age. Infants (n = 151) were classified by BPD severity with the NIH Workshop definition. Generalised linear modelling and multivariate logistic regression were performed.

Results

Bayley cognitive score was not associated with BPD severity in univariate (p = 0.053) or multivariate (p = 0.503) analysis. About 27% of infants with no/mild BPD, 33% of infants with moderate BPD and 40% of infants with severe BPD had a cognitive score <85. There was no difference in the odds of cognitive score <85 based on BPD severity in univariate (p = 0.485) or multivariate analysis (p = 0.225). All infants with cognitive score <70 had severe BPD, although the association between cognitive score <70 and BPD severity was not significant.

Conclusion

We found no independent effect of BPD severity level on cognition. The likelihood of a cognitive score <85 was not associated with BPD severity.
Metabolic acidosis and anaemia associated with dorzolamide in a patient with impaired renal function
Authors: Hoffmanová Iva , Sánchez Daniel
Published: January 2018

Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI), used for treatment of glaucoma, are generally regarded as safe and unconnected with systemic side effects. We report an unusual case of fatigue, metabolic acidosis, and normocytic anaemia associated with ocular administration of the CAI, dorzolamide, in a patient with impaired renal function. In chronic kidney disease, where CAI elimination may be decreased, and patients prone to develop metabolic acidosis, systemic absorption of ocular administered CAI could lead to rare, but potentially serious adverse reaction, that are a consequence of inhibition of extraocular carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes.
British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document for the management of male genital emergencies – penile amputation
Authors: Shukla Chitranjan J. , Brown Gareth , Dorkin Trevor , Lucky Marc , Pearcy Richard , Rees Rowland W. , Shabbir Majid , Summerton Duncan J. , Muneer Asif ,   BAUS Section of Andrology and Genitourethral Surgery (AGUS)
Published: January 2018

Male genital emergencies relating to the penis and scrotum are rare and require prompt investigation and surgical intervention. Clinicians are often unfamiliar with the management of these conditions and may not work in a specialist centre with on‐site expertise in genitourethral surgery. A series of consensus statements have been developed by an expert consensus committee comprising members of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Andrology and Genitourethral Surgery together with experts from urology units throughout the UK. Penile amputation is a rare genital emergency, which requires prompt intervention and microsurgical reconstruction. The consensus statements will outline the management of these cases for non‐specialist units, as well as recommendations for reconstruction for specialists.
Molecular epidemiology of Trichophyton quinckeanum – a zoophilic dermatophyte on the rise
Authors: Uhrlaß Silke , Schroedl Wieland , Mehlhorn Carolin , Krüger Constanze , Hubka Vit , Maier Thomas , Gräser Yvonne , Paasch Uwe , Nenoff Pietro
Published: January 2018

Background

Formerly only referred to as a subspecies (T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum), T. quinckeanum once again constitutes a distinct species according to the updated taxonomy of dermatophytes.

Patients and methods

During routine diagnostic tests conducted at the Mycology Laboratory, Mölbis, Germany, between 11/2013 to 1/2017 (three years and three months), all specimens sent in were examined for T. quinckeanum. Molecular biology methods employed included: 1) DNA hybridization (PCR ELISA), 2) gene sequencing of the ITS region and TEF‐1α, and 3) in some cases, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry.

Results

Overall, 62 strains of T. quinckeanum were found. Sixty‐eight percent of patients were female; 43 % were children and adolescents (≤ 19 years of age). Cats were a frequent source of infection. Sequencing of all 62 strains revealed a concordance of 100 % with T. quinckeanum sequences contained in the NCBI database. Isolates analyzed by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry showed specific spectra.

Conclusions

In Germany, the zoophilic dermatophyte T. quinckeanum currently appears to be more prevalent than expected. T. quinckeanum strains were isolated from children and adults with dermatomycosis and tinea capitis. Sources of infection with T. quinckeanum include small rodents (mice), horses, and – remarkably commonly –  cats. Given that unequivocal morphological identification of this dermatophyte is not always possible, molecular methods have to be employed in the diagnosis.
Dapson für die topische Therapie in magistralen Rezepturen
Authors: Wohlrab Johannes , Michael Julia
Published: January 2018

Hintergrund:

Das Sulfon Dapson ist ein aus der Systemtherapie gut bekannter und pharmakologisch‐toxikologisch bewährter Wirkstoff. In der topischen Therapie wird Dapson in Form von Gel‐Zubereitungen für die Indikation Acne vulgaris eingesetzt. Es existieren zudem Einzelfallberichte zur Wirksamkeit topischer Dapsonzubereitungen bei verschiedenen neutrophilen Dermatosen. In Deutschland ist bisher kein Fertigarzneimittel als Topikum verfügbar.

Material und Methodik:

Vor diesem Hintergrund wurden magistrale Rezepturen enthaltend 5 % Dapson entwickelt, die den Qualitätsanforderungen des Europäischen Arzneibuchs und den Herstellungsanforderungen der Apothekenbetriebsordnung entsprechen. So wurde Dapson in hydrophober Basiscreme DAC sowie als Kombinationspräparat in Methylprednisolonaceponat 0,1 % Salbe (alternativ in die wirkstofffreie Grundlage) eingearbeitet.

Ergebnisse:

Untersuchungen zur physikalischen, chemischen und mikrobiologischen Stabilität konnten darstellen, dass die Rezepturen die genannten Qualitätsanforderungen erfüllen.

Schlussfolgerung:

Die entwickelten magistralen Rezepturen sollen die Optionen für die topische Therapie insbesondere bei chronisch entzündlichen Dermatosen mit neutrophiler Pathogenese erweitern.
Prognostic significance of arterial stiffness and osteoprotegerin in patients with stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Siasos Gerasimos , Oikonomou Evangelos , Maniatis Konstantinos , Georgiopoulos Georgios , Kokkou Eleni , Tsigkou Vasiliki , Zaromitidou Marina , Antonopoulos Alexis , Vavuranakis Manolis , Stefanadis Christodoulos , Papavassiliou Athanasios G. , Tousoulis Dimitris
Published: January 2018

Background

Arterial stiffness and vascular calcification significantly contribute to coronary atherosclerosis progression. The prognostic value of increased arterial stiffness and vascular calcification in subjects with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) is currently under question.

Materials and Methods

We randomly enrolled 262 patients with stable CAD 1 month after successful PCI. Carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as a well‐established index of central aortic stiffness. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) plasma levels were measured as a biomarker of vascular calcification. Patients were followed up prospectively up to 52 months. The primary endpoint was the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes.

Results

During the follow‐up period, 48 patients presented the primary composite endpoint. Subjects who presented the primary endpoint, compared to subjects free of cardiovascular events, had significantly increased PWV (9.45 ± 2.19 m/s vs 8.73 ± 2.07 m/s, P = .04) and OPG levels (4.21 ± 2.19 pmol/L vs 3.18 ± 1.74 pmol/L, P = .003). Survival analysis indicated that PWV predicted adverse cardiac events MACE (Hazard ratio = 1.29 95%CI: 1.07‐1.57, P = .008) independently from confounders such as age, sex, smoking habits, ejection fraction, extent of coronary artery disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Interestingly, for every increase in pulse wave velocity by 1 m/s, there is an anticipated increase in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) by 29%.

Conclusions

These findings extend the current knowledge concerning the role of arterial stiffness as powerful biomarkers in cardiovascular disease. Measurement of PWV might have a role in ascertaining prognosis and managing treatment in patients with stable CAD after PCI.
Regulation of phosphate uptake reveals cyanobacterial bloom resilience to shifting N:P ratios
Authors: Aubriot  Luis , Bonilla Sylvia
Published: January 2018

The resilience of cyanobacterial blooms challenges lake restoration programmes based on nutrient load reduction. The survival of organisms may depend on episodic short‐term fluctuations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Insight into physiological responses to shifts in nutrient limitation will improve our understanding of cyanobacterial bloom resilience.

This study investigated the resilience and collapse of a long‐term cyanobacterial bloom dominated by Planktothrix agardhii and Raphidiopsis mediterranea, subjected to different periods of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and phosphorus (SRP) inputs in Lago Rodó, a polymictic, hypereutrophic (6.0 ± 1.6 μmol total P/L) and turbid lake (attenuation coefficient: 4.7 ± 1.7 m−1). Phytoplankton composition, nutrient dynamics and physiological monitoring of [32P] phosphate uptake kinetics were studied over four summers.

The influence of environmental nutrient supply on phytoplankton net phosphate uptake kinetics was analysed with a flow–force model that gives the threshold value of phosphate uptake ([Pe]A), a limiting concentration below which incorporation is not energetically possible by organisms, and the membrane conductivity coefficient (LP). The [Pe]A reflects the affinity and LP the activity of the cellular uptake systems.

Nutrient supply into the lake sustained high DIN:SRP ratios and high cyanobacterial biomass that showed P‐deficiency features characterised by low [Pe]A (5.4 ± 0.5 nm [32P] phosphate) and high LP.

High cyanobacterial biomass persisted after external nutrient inflows were interrupted for 14 months, which resulted in low dissolved DIN:SRP ratios; however, N2‐fixers did not develop. The collapse of cyanobacterial populations occurred under the lowest N:P ratios, low affinity and activity of phosphate uptake systems and strong water outflows.

Our study suggests that the alleviation of N‐deficiency under high N:P ratios enhances the activation of phosphate uptake systems by cyanobacteria. The flexible physiological response results in more efficient exploitation of limiting nutrients favouring cyanobacterial resilience under suboptimal conditions.
Microbially mediated aluminosilicate formation in acidic anaerobic environments: A cell‐scale chemical perspective
Authors: Sánchez‐España J. , Wang K. , Falagán C. , Yusta I. , Burgos W. D.
Published: January 2018

Through the use of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combined with other complementary techniques (SEM, cryo‐TEM, HRTEM, and EELS), we have studied the interaction of microorganisms inhabiting deep anoxic waters of acidic pit lakes with dissolved aluminum, silica, sulfate, and ferrous iron. These elements were close to saturation (Al, SiO2) or present at very high concentrations (0.12 m Fe(II), 0.12–0.22 m SO42−) in the studied systems. The anaerobic conditions of these environments allowed investigation of geomicrobial interactions that are difficult to see in oxidized, Fe(III)‐rich environments. Detailed chemical maps and through‐cell line scans suggest both extra‐ and intracellular accumulation of Al, Si, S, and Fe(II) in rod‐like cells and other structures (e.g., spherical particles and bacteriomorphs) of probable microbial origin. The bacterial rods showed external nanometric coatings of adsorbed Fe(II) and Al on the cell surface and cell interiors with significant presence of Al, Si, and S. These microbial cells coexist with spherical particles showing similar configuration (Fe(II) external coatings and [Al, Si, S]‐rich cores). The Al:Si and Al:S ratios and the good Al–Si correlation in the cell interiors suggest the concurrent formation of two amorphous phases, namely a proto‐aluminosilicate with imogolite‐like composition and proto‐hydrobasaluminite. In both cases, the mineralization appears to comprise two stages: a first stage of aluminosilicate and Al‐hydroxysulfate precipitation within the cell or around cellular exudates, and a second stage of SO42− and Fe(II) adsorption on surface sites existing on the mineral phases in the case of (SO42−) or on presumed organic molecules [in the case of Fe(II)]. These microbially related solids could have been formed by permineralization and mineral replacement of senescent microbial cells. However, these features could also denote biomineralization by active bacterial cells as a detoxification mechanism, a possibility which should be further explored. We discuss the significance of the observed Al/microbe and Si/microbe interactions and the implications for clay mineral formation at low pH.
Is salinity an obstacle for biological invasions?
Authors: Paiva Filipa , Barco Andrea , Chen Yiyong , Mirzajani Alireza , Chan Farrah T. , Lauringson Velda , Baltazar‐Soares Miguel , Zhan Aibin , Bailey Sarah A. , Javidpour Jamileh , Briski Elizabeta
Published: January 2018

Invasions of freshwater habitats by marine and brackish species have become more frequent in recent years with many of those species originating from the Ponto‐Caspian region. Populations of Ponto‐Caspian species have successfully established in the North and Baltic Seas and their adjoining rivers, as well as in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River region. To determine if Ponto‐Caspian taxa more readily acclimatize to and colonize diverse salinity habitats than taxa from other regions, we conducted laboratory experiments on 22 populations of eight gammarid species native to the Ponto‐Caspian, Northern European and Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River regions. In addition, we conducted a literature search to survey salinity ranges of these species worldwide. Finally, to explore evolutionary relationships among examined species and their populations, we sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) from individuals used for our experiments. Our study revealed that all tested populations tolerate wide ranges of salinity, however, different patterns arose among species from different regions. Ponto‐Caspian taxa showed lower mortality in fresh water, while Northern European taxa showed lower mortality in fully marine conditions. Genetic analyses showed evolutionary divergence among species from different regions. Due to the geological history of the two regions, as well as high tolerance of Ponto‐Caspian species to fresh water, whereas Northern European species are more tolerant of fully marine conditions, we suggest that species originating from the Ponto‐Caspian and Northern European regions may be adapted to freshwater and marine environments, respectively. Consequently, the perception that Ponto‐Caspian species are more successful colonizers might be biased by the fact that areas with highest introduction frequency of NIS (i.e., shipping ports) are environmentally variable habitats which often include freshwater conditions that cannot be tolerated by euryhaline taxa of marine origin.
Eudaimonism, Human Nature, and the Burdened Virtues
Authors: Harvey Celeste
Published: January 2018

This article explores the prospects for a eudaimonist moral theory that is both feminist and Aristotelian. Making the moral philosophy developed by Aristotle compatible with a feminist moral perspective presents a number of philosophical challenges. Lisa Tessman offers one of the most sustained feminist engagements with Aristotelian eudaimonism (Tessman 2005). However, in arguing for the account of flourishing that her eudaimonist theory invokes, Tessman avoids taking a stand either for or against the role Aristotle assigned to human nature. She draws her account of flourishing instead from the beliefs about flourishing implicit in the feminist and black freedom movements. I examine the implicit conception of flourishing in the writings of two prominent leaders of the black freedom movement—Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X—and argue that Tessman's attempt to avoid the “sticky issue” of human nature is not successful. Tessman's defense of the burdened virtues depends on a particular reading of human nature as does a eudaimonist account of the virtues more generally.
Diagnosis and management of hyponatraemia in the older patient
Authors: Woodward Michael , Gonski Peter , Grossmann Mathis , Obeid John , Scholes Ron , Topliss Duncan J.
Published: January 2018

Hyponatraemia (serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/L) is the most common electrolyte disturbance and occurs commonly in older people. The causes can be complex to diagnose and treat and many published guidelines do not focus on the issues in an older patient group. Here, we are principally concerned with diagnosis and management of euvolaemic and hypervolaemic hyponatraemia in hospitalised patients over 70 years old. We also aim to increase awareness of hyponatraemia in residential aged care facilities and the community. Hyponatraemia can have many causes; in older people, chronic hyponatraemia can often be the result of medications used to treat chronic disease, particularly thiazide or thiazide‐like drugs (such as indapamide) or drugs acting on the central nervous system. Where a reversible trigger (such as drug‐induced hyponatraemia) can be identified, hyponatraemia may be treated relatively simply. Chronic hyponatraemia due to an irreversible cause will require ongoing treatment. Fluid restriction can be an effective therapy in dilutional hyponatraemia, although poor compliance and the burdensome nature of the restrictions are important considerations. Tolvaptan is an oral vasopressin receptor antagonist that can increase serum sodium concentrations by increasing electrolyte‐free water excretion. Tolvaptan use is supported by clinical trial evidence in patients with hypervolaemic or euvolaemic hyponatraemia below 125 mmol/L. Clinical trial evidence also supports its use after a trial of fluid restriction in patients with symptomatic hyponatraemia above 125 mmol/L. The use of tolvaptan is affected by regulatory restriction of chronic therapy due to safety concern and the non‐subsidised cost of treatment.
The Steppe Hypothesis of Indo-European Origins Remains to be Proven
Authors: Klejn Leo S.
Published: January 2018

Recent genetic studies have claimed to reveal a massive migration of the bearers of the Yamnaya culture (Pit-grave culture) to the Central and Northern Europe. This migration has supposedly lead to the formation of the Corded Ware cultures and thereby to the dispersal of Indo-European languages in Europe. The article is a summary presentation of available archaeological, linguistic, genetic and cultural data that demonstrates many discrepancies in the suggested scenario for the transformations caused by the Yamnaya “invasion” some 5000 years ago.
Rock Art Sites in Jamaica and their Ethnographic Interpretation
Authors: Allsworth-Jones Philip
Published: January 2018

26 sites with Pre-Columbian (Taíno) rock art are known in Jamaica, most with petroglyphs only, but there are four with painted images, and three of these are discussed: Mountain River Cave, Potoo Hole, and Spot Valley Cave. In addition, an account is given of the Warminster rock shelter, which has petroglyphs described as among the best remaining in Jamaica. Spot Valley Cave was newly surveyed in 2005, with the help of the Jamaican Caves Organization, and in the same year a rescue operation to restore the Warminster petroglyphs was carried out, in cooperation with Dr Johannes Loubser. Comparisons are made, where appropriate, to Taíno artefacts in different materials, and also to Pre-Columbian images on other islands in the Caribbean, notably Puerto Rico. The interpretation of the Taíno images, in Jamaica and elsewhere, relies to a considerable extent on the “Account of the Antiquities of the Indians”, compiled by Fray Ramón Pané in 1494-1498, on the express instructions of Columbus. Whatever the shortcomings of a narrative compiled by an outsider, we would be much worse off without it.
Intriguing role of TiO2 in glass‐ceramics: Bioactive and magneto‐structural properties
Authors: Danewalia Satwinder Singh , Singh Kulvir
Published: January 2018

We report on the structural, magnetic, and bioactive properties of TiO2‐modified silicate glasses. Addition of TiO2 and heat treatment, shows remarkable and distinguishable effect on the properties of the glasses. Growth of titania‐modified magnetic nanocrystals played effective role in the evolution of magnetic properties of the glass‐ceramics. Some of the samples exhibit superparamagnetic nature, while others are found to be antiferromagnetic. Interestingly, after heat treatment the magnetization trend of the samples reversed. The in vitro bioactivity of these glass‐ceramics was accessed by the formation of bone‐ like apatite structures on their surfaces after immersion in simulated body fluid. The magnetic properties along with the bioactivity of present glass‐ceramics indicate their usefulness in the magnetically induced hyperthermia treatment of cancer.
Integrating chemical control with sterile insect releases in an integrated pest management programme for Thaumatotibia leucotreta
Authors: Nepgen E. S. , Moore S. D. , Hill M. P.
Published: January 2018

False codling moth Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is an important indigenous pest of citrus in southern Africa. Successful control is dependent upon integration of area‐wide sterile insect releases and other suppression methods. The aim of this work was to test pyrethroid and organophosphate‐based insecticides (tau‐fluvalinate and chlorpyrifos) for their residual effect on mortality of released irradiated T. leucotreta male moths. Both of these insecticides were effective in killing irradiated T. leucotreta for 7 days after application on leaves, after which degradation of the active ingredient resulted in a marked reduction in efficacy after 14 days and rendering them harmless. Mortality was found to be similar for irradiated and non‐irradiated male T. leucotreta after treatment. Consequently, even though these insecticides might have an effect on moths in the field, ratios of sterile:wild moths should not be altered. Supporting field data from six sites in the Sundays River Valley over a season of sterile insect releases showed the conventional chemical crop protection programme to be as effective as an integrated pest management programme in facilitating effective control of T. leucotreta through sterile insect releases. The study also confirmed that the ratios of sterile:wild male moths in the commercial citrus orchards were not affected by the application of insecticides. These findings confirm the high potential of sterile insect releases for control of T. leucotreta in citrus.
Incidence, species and antimicrobial resistance of naturally occurring Campylobacter isolates from quail carcasses sampled in a commercial processing facility
Authors: Cox N. A. , Cosby D. E. , Thippareddi H. , Ritz C. W. , Berrang M. E. , Jackson J. S. , Mize S. C. , Kumar S. , Howard A. K. , Rincon A. M. , Ukidwe M. S. , Landrum M. A. , Frye J. G. , Plumblee Lawrence J. R. , Hiott L. M. , Jackson C. R. , Hinton A. , Cook K. L.
Published: January 2018

There is limited information about Campylobacter in commercially processed quail (Coturnix coturnix). The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Campylobacter on carcasses in a commercial quail processing plant. Carcasses were collected prior to chilling and/or the application of any antimicrobials, transported to the laboratory, and individually bagged. Following the standard protocol for recovering Campylobacter, three typical colonies were selected, confirmed as Campylobacter and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Nine replicates were conducted. Of the 85 carcasses obtained (n = 5 for first visit, n = 10 for 8 subsequent visits), 28 (32.9%) carcasses were found to be positive for Campylobacter. On four visits, no Campylobacter was found; on two visits, all samples were positive; and 1/5, 1/10, and 6/10 samples were positive for the remaining visits. Of the 28 isolates recovered, 18 (64%) were C. jejuni and 10 (36%) were C. coli. Tetracycline resistance was detected in all 28 isolates. Future work in the breeder flocks, hatchery, and grow‐out houses is planned to further understand Campylobacter ecology in quail production and processing which could also be useful to the broiler industry.

Practical applications

Very little published information exists for the presence of Campylobacter spp. on processed quail. Most of the studies involve cloacal swabs and ceca from samples obtained from hunters. This study involves sampling processed quail carcasses from a large commercial integrated company and also determined the species and antibiotic resistance profile of the Campylobacter isolates. There is considerable debate concerning the ecology of Campylobacter on poultry and perhaps our data can be used by the broiler industry to develop a better understanding of the ecology and to assist in the application of effective intervention strategies. Presently, there is slightly under 100,000 million commercially processed and domestically grown quails in the United States each year, most of which is marketed in Europe as a frozen product. So the presence of an important foodborne pathogen on this food is significant information.