bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of faecal volatile organic metabolites as novel diagnostic biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ahmed I. , Greenwood R. , Costello B. , Ratcliffe N. , Probert C. S.
Published: January 2016

Background

The aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests an important role of gut microbial dysbiosis in IBD, and this may be associated with changes in faecal volatile organic metabolites (VOMs).

Aim

To describe the changes in the faecal VOMs of patients with IBD and establish their diagnostic potential as non‐invasive biomarkers.

Methods

Faecal samples were obtained from 117 people with Crohn's disease (CD), 100 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 109 healthy controls. Faecal VOMs were extracted using solid‐phase micro‐extraction and analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Data analysis was carried out using partial least squares‐discriminate analysis (PLS‐DA) to determine class membership based on distinct metabolomic profiles.

Results

The PLS‐DA model showed clear separation of active CD from inactive disease and healthy controls (P < 0.001). Heptanal, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, 2‐piperidinone and 6‐methyl‐2‐heptanone were up‐regulated in the active CD group [variable important in projection (VIP) score 2.8, 2.7, 2.6 and 2.4, respectively], while methanethiol, 3‐methyl‐phenol, short‐chain fatty acids and ester derivatives were found to be less abundant (VIP score of 3.5, 2.6, 1.5 and 1.2, respectively). The PLS‐DA model also separated patients with small bowel CD from healthy controls and those with colonic CD from UC (P < 0.001). In contrast, less distinct separation was observed between active UC, inactive UC and healthy controls.

Conclusions

Analysis of faecal volatile organic metabolites can provide an understanding of gut metabolomic changes in IBD. It has the potential to provide a non‐invasive means of diagnosing IBD, and can differentiate between UC and CD.
Association of rumen fill score and energy status during the close‐up dry period with conception at first artificial insemination in dairy cows
Authors: Kawashima Chiho , Karaki Chihiro , Munakata Megumi , Matsui Motozumi , Shimizu Takashi , Miyamoto Akio , Kida Katsuya
Published: January 2016

Recent studies have shown significant associations between prepartum energy status and postpartum fertility in dairy cows; therefore, the assessment of energy status by blood metabolites and metabolic hormones and suitable improvement of management during the prepartum period may enhance reproductive performance. Rumen fill score (RFS) is associated with feed intake; however, it is unknown whether RFS is also related to blood parameters. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between RFS and energy status during the prepartum period, and their associations with conception at first artificial insemination (AI) after parturition. In 42 multiparous Holstein cows, RFS assessment and blood sampling were carried out twice a week during 3 weeks of the peripartum period. Ovarian cycles until AI were evaluated by measuring milk progesterone levels. Before calving, positive correlations were observed between RFS and total cholesterol, and RFS did not change in pregnant cows at first AI after parturition, whereas in non‐pregnant cows, RFS decreased gradually as the calving day approached. After calving, non‐pregnant cows showed lower energy status compared with pregnant cows, and some non‐pregnant cows showed anovulation and cessation of estrous cycle. In conclusion, RFS during the close‐up dry period is related to real‐time energy status, and is associated with postpartum energy status and conception at first AI in dairy cows. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake, nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture
Authors: Ueda Koichiro , Mitani Tomohiro , Kondo Seiji
Published: January 2016

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake, nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows. In experiment 1, nine lactating cows were grazed in the morning and evening sessions (2.5 h each). The cows were allocated to treatments of three concentrate allotment levels before the evening grazing session by altering proportions to daily total offered; 25%, 50% and 75%. Daily herbage dry matter intake quadratically decreased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels (P < 0.05). Nitrogen utilization was similar among treatments. To investigate diurnal changes in rumen fermentation, a second experiment was conducted where six ruminally cannulated non‐lactating dairy cows grazed in the morning and evening sessions (3 h each) were subjected to the same treatments as experiment 1. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen linearly increased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels throughout the pre‐evening grazing session to the post‐morning grazing session (P < 0.01). The results indicate that dairy cows reduce daily herbage intake but do not alter nitrogen utilization with increasing concentrate allotment before evening grazing. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science
Worries About Labor and Birth: A Population‐Based Study of Outcomes for Young Primiparous Women
Authors: Henderson Jane , Redshaw Maggie
Published: January 2016

Background

Pregnancy at a young age is a continuing public health concern strongly associated with socioeconomic deprivation, social isolation, and stigma. The objectives were to see whether, compared with women aged 21 or more, women aged 20 years or younger worried more about labor and birth, and had poorer maternal outcomes. Another objective was to investigate the extent to which worries about labor and birth mediated the associations between young age and outcomes.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data was conducted relating to 2,598 primiparous women's experience of maternity care in England in 2010. The survey collected data on care in the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods, and sociodemographic factors. A validated checklist measured worries about labor and birth.

Results

Compared with women aged 21 or more, women aged 20 years or younger worried more about labor and birth. The pain and duration of labor worried all women and those aged 20 years or younger were particularly worried about the uncertainty of labor onset, cesarean section birth, and about embarrassment. In logistic regression, after adjusting for potential confounders, young age was a significant independent risk factor for worries about pain and distress in labor, and self‐reported depression at 1 and 3 months. However, young age was also significantly associated with having a normal vaginal delivery.

Conclusions

It may be appropriate to focus support on women experiencing multiple disadvantage, rather than young age alone.
Risk of prostate cancer‐specific death in men with baseline metabolic aberrations treated with androgen deprivation therapy for biochemical recurrence
Authors: Rudman Sarah M. , Gray Kathryn P. , Batista Julie L. , Pitt Michael J. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Harper Peter G. , Loda Massimo , Mucci Lorelei A. , Sweeney Christopher J.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To investigate the associations of host metabolic factors and metabolic syndrome on prostate cancer‐specific death (PCSD) and overall survival (OS) in patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for biochemically recurrent disease.

Patients and Methods

The analysis included 273 patients with prostate cancer treated withADTfor rising prostate‐specific antigen level after surgery or radiotherapy. Patients were assessed for the presence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity before commencingADT, and Adult Treatment PanelIIIcriteria were used to assess the presence of the composite diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. A competing risks regression model was used to assess associations of time toPCSDwith the metabolic conditions, while a multivariable Cox regression model was used to assess associations ofOSwith metabolic syndrome and metabolic conditions.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 11.6 years, 157 patients (58%) died, of whom 58 (21%) died from prostate cancer. At the start ofADTthe median (range) patient age was 74 (46–92) years and the medianPSAlevel was 3.0 ng/mL. Metabolic syndrome was observed in 31% of patients; hypertension (68%) and dyslipidaemia (47%) were the most common metabolic conditions. No association ofPCSDand metabolic syndrome status was observed. Patients with hypertension tended to have a higher cumulative incidence ofPCSDthan those without hypertension (sub‐distribution hazard ratio [HR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89, 2.84;P= 0.11) although the difference was not statistically significant. Patients with metabolic syndrome had an increased risk of death from all causes (HR1.56, 95%CI1.07, 2.29;P= 0.02) when compared with patients without metabolic syndrome, as did patients with hypertension (HR1.72, 95%CI1.18, 2.49;P= 0.004).

Conclusions

No association ofPCSDand metabolic syndrome was observed in this cohort of men receivingADTfor biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of death from all causes and a similar effect was also observed for patients with prostate cancer with hypertension alone.
The acute and long‐term L‐DOPA effects are independent from changes in the activity of dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons in 6‐OHDA lesioned rats
Authors: Miguelez C , Navailles S , De Deurwaerdère P , Ugedo L
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose

L‐DOPA is still the most efficacious pharmacological treatment for Parkinson's disease. However, in the majority of patients receiving long‐term therapy with L‐DOPA, its efficacy is compromised by motor complications, notably L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia. Evidence suggests that the serotonergic system is involved in the therapeutic and the side effects of L‐DOPA. Here, we investigate if long‐term L‐DOPA treatment alters the activity of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and its responses to serotonergic drugs.

Experimental Approach

We measured the responses of serotonergic neurons to acute and chronic L‐DOPA treatment using in vivo electrophysiological single unit‐extracellular recordings in the 6‐OHDA‐lesion rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Key Results

The results showed that neither acute nor chronic L‐DOPA administration (6 mg·kg−1 s.c.) altered the properties of serotonergic‐like neurons. Furthermore, no correlation was found between the activity of these neurons and the magnitude of L‐DOPA‐induced dyskinesia. In dyskinetic rats, the inhibitory response induced by the 5‐HT1A receptor agonist 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.0625–16 μg·kg−1, i.v.) was preserved. Nonetheless, L‐DOPA impaired the ability of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (0.125–8 mg·kg−1, i.v) to inhibit DRN neuron firing rate in dyskinetic animals.

Conclusions and Implications

Although serotonergic neurons are involved in the dopaminergic effects of L‐DOPA, we provide evidence that the effect of L‐DOPA is not related to changes of the activity of DRN neurons. Rather, L‐DOPA might reduce the efficacy of drugs that normally enhance the extracellular levels of serotonin.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Updating Neuropathology and Neuropharmacology of Monoaminergic Systems. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v173.13/issuetoc
Shikonin Derivative DMAKO‐05 Inhibits Akt Signal Activation and Melanoma Proliferation
Authors: Yang Yao‐yao , He Hui‐qiong , Cui Jia‐hua , Nie Yun‐juan , Wu Ya‐xian , Wang Rui , Wang Gang , Zheng Jun‐Nian , Ye Richard D. , Wu Qiong , Li Shao‐shun , Qian Feng
Published: January 2016

DMAKO‐05((S)‐1‐((5E,8E)‐5,8‐bis(hydroxyimino)‐1,4‐dimethoxy‐5,8‐dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpent‐3‐enyl 3‐methylbutanoate) is a novel oxime derivative of shikonin, the major component extracted from Chinese herb Lithospermun erythrorhizon. Here, we report that DMAKO‐05 had an antitumor activity against mouse melanoma cell line B16F0. Our studies indicated that DMAKO‐05 not only inhibited B16F0 proliferation and migration but also led to cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and cell apoptosis, in which DMAKO‐05 triggered mitochondrial‐mediated apoptosis signal including caspase‐9/3 and PARP. In response to DMAKO‐05 treatment, the Akt‐mediated survival signals were remarkably attenuated in B16F0 cells. Collectively, DMAKO‐05 has a strong cytotoxicity in B16F0 cells via inhibiting Akt activation, inducing G1 arrest, and promoting B16F0 cell apoptosis. DMAKO‐05 might serve as a potential candidate lead compound for melanoma.
Phenylbutazone, a New Long‐Acting Agent that can Improve the Peptide Pharmacokinetic Based on Serum Albumin as a Drug Carrier
Authors: Zhou Jie , Li Xue , Zhu Xiaoyun , Sun Jian , Qiu Qianqian , Huang Wenlong , Qian Hai
Published: January 2016

As aNPY‐2 receptor agonist,PYY24–36‐Leu31is reported to suppress appetite and has a potential in obesity treatment, but its short half‐life limits the clinical application. The use of chemical modification to improve interactions with human serum albumin (HSA) is an effective strategy for prolonging the half‐lives of peptide analogues. So based on the characteristics that phenylbutazone has a good combination withHSA, we selected a proper linker to link withPYY24–36‐Leu31to create long‐acting and highly biologically activePYY24–36‐Leu31conjugates, and successfully find a novel, long‐actingPYY24–36‐Leu31conjugate8that, when dosed every other day in diet induce obese (DIO) mice for 2 weeks, results in a significant reduction in food intake and body weight and improvement in blood parameter and hepatic steatosis.
Synthesis, Activity, and Docking Study of Novel Phenylthiazole‐Carboxamido Acid Derivatives as FFA2 Agonists
Authors: Ma Liang , Wang Taijin , Shi Min , Fu Ping , Pei Heying , Ye Haoyu
Published: January 2016

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2), also known as GPR43, is activated by short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that are mainly produced by the gut microbiota through the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates and dietary fibers. FFA2 currently appears to be a potential target in the management of obesity, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. In the study, a series of novel phenylthiazole‐carboxamido acid derivatives has been synthesized and evaluated as potential orthosteric FFA2 ligands for the study of structure–activity relationships. Compound 6e was found to exhibit the twofold potent agonistic activity in the stable hFFA2‐transfected CHO‐K1 cells (EC50 = 23.1 μm) as that of positive control propionate (EC50 = 43.3 μm). We also reported the results of mutagenesis studies based on the crystal structure of hFFA1 bound to TAK‐875 at 2.3 Å resolution to identify important residues for orthosteric agonist 6e inducing FFA2 activation.
Synthesis, Biological Activity, and NMR‐Based Structural Studies of Deltorphin I Analogs Modified in Message Domain with a Newα,α‐Disubstituted Glycines
Authors: Lasota Anika , Frączak Oliwia , Muchowska Adriana , Nowakowski Michał , Maciejczyk Maciej , Ejchart Andrzej , Olma Aleksandra
Published: January 2016

This article describes new deltorphin I analogs in which phenylalanine residues were replaced by the corresponding (R) or (S)‐α‐benzyl‐β‐azidoalanine,α‐benzyl‐β‐(1‐pyrrolidinyl)alanine,α‐benzyl‐β‐(1‐piperidinyl)alanine, andα‐benzyl‐β‐(4‐morpholinyl)‐alanine residues. The potency and selectivity of the new analogs were evaluated by a competitive receptor binding assay in the rat brain using [3H]DAMGO (aμligand) and [3H]DELT (aδligand). The affinity of analogs containing (R) or (S)‐α‐benzyl‐β‐azidoalanine in position 3 toδ‐receptors strongly depended on the chirality of theα,α‐disubstituted residue. The conformational behavior of peptides modified with (R) or (S)‐α‐benzyl‐β‐(1‐piperidinyl)Ala, which displays the opposite selectivity, was analyzed by1H and13C NMR. Theμ‐selective Tyr‐d‐Ala‐(R)‐α‐benzyl‐β‐(1‐piperidinyl)Ala‐Asp‐Val‐Val‐Gly‐NH2lacks the helical conformation observed in theδ‐selective Tyr‐d‐Ala‐(S)‐α‐benzyl‐β‐(1‐piperidinyl)Ala‐Asp‐Val‐Val‐Gly‐NH2. Our results support the proposal that differences betweenδ‐ andμ‐selective opioid peptides are attributable to the presence or absence of a spatial overlap between theN‐terminal message domain and theC‐terminal address domain.
Multi‐Modal Perception for Selective Rendering
Authors: Harvey Carlo , Debattista Kurt , Bashford‐Rogers Thomas , Chalmers Alan
Published: January 2016

A major challenge in generating high‐fidelity virtual environments (VEs) is to be able to provide realism at interactive rates. The high‐fidelity simulation of light and sound is still unachievable in real time as such physical accuracy is very computationally demanding. Only recently has visual perception been used in high‐fidelity rendering to improve performance by a series of novel exploitations; to render parts of the scene that are not currently being attended to by the viewer at a much lower quality without the difference being perceived. This paper investigates the effect spatialized directional sound has on the visual attention of a user towards rendered images. These perceptual artefacts are utilized in selective rendering pipelines via the use of multi‐modal maps. The multi‐modal maps are tested through psychophysical experiments to examine their applicability to selective rendering algorithms, with a series of fixed cost rendering functions, and are found to perform significantly better than only using image saliency maps that are naively applied to multi‐modal VEs.
Whose Business is it Anyway: Children and Corporate Social Responsibility in the International Business Agenda
Authors: Berlan Amanda
Published: January 2016

Children's rights in business have become a controversial topic in the public arena where cases of child labour in the supply chain tend to dominate discussions. This review takes a wider perspective on children as producers, consumers, stakeholders and generally agents in, rather than passive recipients of, business processes. It eschews questions surrounding the ethics of the international business agenda as regards children in order to focus on the child's right to expression and to be heard. This, it is argued, is a much more neglected debate which, if better understood and more widely acted upon, would drive forward policy action as regards children's rights in business.
Contact allergy to essential oils cannot always be predicted from allergy to fragrance markers in the baseline series
Authors: Sabroe Ruth A. , Holden Catherine R. , Gawkrodger David J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Essential oils are fragrance substances that are labelled on cosmetic products by their INCI names, potentially confusing consumers.

Objectives

To establish whether contact allergy to essential oils might be missed if not specifically tested for.

Methods

We tested 471 patients with 14 essential oils and 2104 patients with Melaleuca alternifolia oil between January 2008 and June 2014. All patients were tested with fragrance mix I, fragrance mix II, hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, and Myroxylon pereirae. Three hundred and twenty‐six patients were tested with hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool.

Results

Thirty‐four patients had a +/++/+++ reaction to at least one essential oil. Eleven had no reaction to any of the six marker fragrance substances. Thus, 4 of 11 positive reactions to M. alternifolia oil, 2 of 7 reactions to Cymbopogon flexuosus oil, 1 of 5 reactions to Cananga odorata oil, 3 of 4 reactions to Santalum album oil and 2 of 3 reactions to Mentha piperita oil would have been missed without individual testing.

Conclusion

A small number of patients who are allergic to essential oils could be missed if these are not specifically tested. Labelling by INCI names means that exposure may not be obvious. Careful inspection of so‐called ‘natural’ products and targeted testing is recommended.
Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Heart Transplant Patients: Two‐Year Follow‐Up of Right and Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Moñivas Palomero Vanessa , Mingo Santos Susana , Goirigolzarri Artaza Josebe , Rodriguez Gonzalez Elena , Restrepo Córdoba María Alejandra , Jiménez Sanchez Diego , Rivero Arribas Betsaida , Garcia Lunar Inés , Mitroi Cristina D. , Sayago Silva Ines , Cavero Gibanel Miguel A. , Gómez Bueno Manuel , Alonso Pulpón Luis A. , Segovia Cubero Javier
Published: January 2016

Background

Evolution of left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function after heart transplantation (HT) has not been well described. Our objective was to evaluate the evolution of echocardiographic parameters of both ventricles along the first 2 years after HT.

Methods

We followed 31 HT recipients with serial echocardiograms for up to 2 years. Echocardiograms with AR ≥2R were excluded. We analyzed LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) by speckle tracking in 12 segments in four‐ and two‐chamber views and RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) in four‐chamber view. Control group included 25 healthy volunteers.

Results

Even though LVEF was preserved, LV GLS was reduced early post‐HT (−17.7 ± 3.0 in HT vs. −20.7 ± 2.8 in controls, P = 0.02), improving progressively until its complete normalization 2 years after HT (−20.0 ± 3.7 vs. −20.7 ± 2.8, P = 0.60). TAPSE was impaired in the early post‐HT period and increased progressively (11.9 ± 2.9 mm at baseline vs. 19.0 ± 3.6 mm at 2 years, P < 0.001). RV GLS rose during follow‐up as well (−17.4 ± 3.5 at baseline vs. −22.6 ± 3.3 at 2 years, P = 0.001), reaching normal values 1 year after HT.

Conclusion

In this series of HT recipients with uneventful postoperative course, LV and RV GLS values were significantly reduced early after HT and improved progressively until their complete normalization two and 1 year after HT, respectively. This is the first study to show a full recovery of LV and RV deformation parameters and offers “normal” strain values that, if confirmed in larger studies, could be useful for monitoring the evolution of HT recipients.
Mechanisms of carbohydrate‐fuelled ecological dominance in a tropical rainforest canopy‐foraging ant
Authors: MCGLYNN TERRENCE P. , PARRA ERICA L.
Published: January 2016

1. Canopy‐foraging ants have carbohydrate‐rich diets and the stoichiometric excess of carbon may result in energetic allocation decisions that facilitate ecological dominance.

2. If dietary carbohydrates facilitate ecological dominance in canopy ants, then the mechanism for this relationship is unknown.

3. Four hypotheses were posit that may explain how a carbohydrate‐rich diet might facilitate ecological dominance in canopy ants: Aggressive Defense, Metabolic Fuel, Foraging Success, and Prey Acquisition.

4. To assess these hypotheses, experiments were conducted on the canopy‐foraging bullet ant, Paraponera clavata (Fabricius), an omnivorous species that demonstrates high variability in the relative contribution of carbohydrates to the diets of colonies.

5. No support was found for the Aggressive Defense, Metabolic Fuel and Prey Acquisition hypotheses.

6. The Foraging Success hypothesis was supported, as the proportion of nectar in the diet predicted the overall foraging success.

7. It was argued that there is no explicit advantage in the exploitation of nectar over other food resources, other than the fact that it is the most accessible food resource in the rainforest canopy.
Unusual presentations in patients with E200K familial Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease
Authors: Cohen O. S. , Kimiagar I. , Korczyn A. D. , Nitsan Z. , Appel S. , Hoffmann C. , Rosenmann H. , Kahana E. , Chapman J.
Published: January 2016

Background and propose

Familial Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease (fCJD) in Jews of Libyan ancestry is caused by an E200K mutation in the PRNP gene. The typical presenting symptoms include cognitive decline, behavioral changes and gait disturbances; however, some patients may have an unusual presentation such as a stroke‐like presentation, alien hand syndrome or visual disturbances. The aim of this paper is to describe uncommon presentations in our series of consecutive patients with E200K fCJD.

Methods

The study group included consecutive fCJD patients followed up as part of a longitudinal prospective study ongoing since 2003 or hospitalized since 2005. The clinical diagnosis of probable CJD was based on accepted diagnostic criteria and supported by typical magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalographic findings, elevated cerebrospinal fluid tau protein levels and by genetic testing for the E200K mutation. Disease symptoms and signs were retrieved from the medical files.

Results

The study population included 77 patients (42 men) with a mean age of disease onset of 60.6 ± 7.2 years. The most prevalent presenting symptoms were cognitive decline followed by gait impairment and behavioral changes. However, six patients had an unusual presentation including auditory agnosia, monoparesis, stroke‐like presentation, facial nerve palsy, pseudobulbar syndrome and alien hand syndrome.

Conclusions

Our case series illustrates the wide phenotypic variability of the clinical presentation of patients with fCJD and widens the clinical spectrum of the disease. A high level of clinical suspicion may prove useful in obtaining early diagnosis and therefore avoiding costly and inefficient diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Context‐ and State‐Dependent Male Mate Choice in a Sexually Cannibalistic Spider
Authors: Schneider Jutta M. , Zimmer Stefanie M. , Gatz Anna L. , Sauerland Kristin
Published: January 2016

High male mating investment may favor selection on male mate choice particularly if females vary in quality. Terminal investment strategies constitute a maximal mating effort and have evolved independently in the absence of paternal investment in several spider taxa including the genus Argiope. To test for male mate preferences in the above context, we used the sexually cannibalistic spider A. bruennichi. We varied male state (mating status and post‐maturation age) as well as the competitive context and quantified male mate choice decisions between females of different states and developmental stages in binary choice tests. We found an overall adaptive preference for the virgin against the mated female regardless of male mating state. Furthermore, we demonstrated that older males paid more attention to female fecundity‐related traits than to mating status. In a second set of experiments, we offered males a choice between a virgin and a subadult female and varied the competitive context which had no effect on male decisions. Curiously, a preference for the virgin adult female was only apparent after exclusion of females that matured <3 d prior to the test. Repeated tests of males supported the hypothesis that males do not distinguish between a freshly matured virgin female and a subadult female. Our results show that male spiders execute mate choice based on information collected from female silk strands and that they integrate their own state into mating decisions.
Age validation, growth and mortality of introduced Tilapia zillii in Crater Lake Nkuruba, Uganda
Authors: Efitre J. , Murie D. J. , Chapman L. J.
Published: January 2016

Periodicity and timing of opaque zone formation in otoliths of introduced redbelly tilapia, Tilapia zillii (Gervais), in Crater Lake Nkuruba, Uganda, were validated using marginal increment. Age and growth were assessed through readings of biannuli in thin‐sectioned sagittal otoliths. Deposition of opaque zone formation in T. zillii otoliths was bimodal (March–May and September–November), corresponding to two seasonal peaks of precipitation characteristic of this equatorial region. Ages of T. zillii ranged from 2 to 8 years, with fish gillnetted offshore having a faster growth and attaining larger size‐at‐age than fish captured inshore in minnow traps, suggesting that use of multiple gears is needed when estimating the growth of T. zillii. Total instantaneous mortality (Z), estimated using catch curve analysis, was 0.74 for gillnetted fish and 0.71 for trapped fish. These estimates were at the low end of the total mortality reported for other tilapia species. Natural mortality (M) was estimated as 0.52–0.54 by applying Rikhter and Efanov's maximum age at maturity and Hoenig's maximum age methods, respectively. Fishing mortality (F) in Lake Nkuruba was 0.17–0.22, indicating a low exploitation level in the lake.
Modeling of hydrogen production by serpentinization in ultramafic‐hosted hydrothermal systems: application to the Rainbow field
Authors: Mügler C. , Jean‐Baptiste P. , Perez F. , Charlou J. L.
Published: January 2016

The production of hydrogen by serpentinization in ultramafic‐hosted hydrothermal systems is simulated by coupling thermodynamic and dynamic modeling in the framework of a thermo‐hydraulic single‐pass model where a high‐temperature hydrothermal fluid moves preferentially through a main canal of high permeability. The alteration of ultramafic rocks is modeled with a first‐order kinetic formulation, wherein the serpentinization rate coefficient, Kr, takes the form: Kr = A exp(−α(T − T0)2). In this formulation, α determines the temperature range of the reaction and T0 is the temperature at which the serpentinization rate reaches its maximum. This model is applied to the Rainbow hydrothermal system, which is situated on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, and characterized by a high temperature, a high mass flux, and a very high hydrogen concentration. The results show that a first‐order kinetic law gives a useful representation of the kinetics of serpentinization. The estimated value for the parameter A in the temperature‐dependent formulation of the serpentinization rate coefficient lies in the range (1–5) × 10−11 s−1. This effective parameter is several orders of magnitude lower than the values obtained from small grain‐size experiments, but in agreement with other published modeling studies of natural systems. Numerical simulations show that the venting site is able to produce the observed high concentration of hydrogen during the whole continuous lifetime of the Rainbow site.
Heteroglossic ideologies in world Englishes: an examination of the Hong Kong context
Authors: Jenks Christopher J. , Lee Jerry Won
Published: January 2016

Much research in world Englishes centers on examining the linguistic features of a particular region. Such work can give the false impression of a collective homogeneous ideology of English within a geographic space. We refer to this limiting monolithic perspective of language ideology as ‘the single linguistic narrative.’ The present study builds on this body of work by investigating how often competing ideologies of English can circulate within a region. Focusing on the Hong Kong context, we adapt the concept of Bakhtinian heteroglossia to consider the simultaneous co‐presence of varying ideologies of English. Through an analysis of self‐narratives, we examine how Hong Kong university students construct expectations regarding how English should be used and what the colonial language means to their regional identity.
Adapting and remodelling the US Institute for Safe Medication Practices’ Medication Safety Self-Assessment tool for hospitals to be used to support national medication safety initiatives in Finland
Authors: Celikkayalar Ercan , Myllyntausta Minna , Grissinger Matthew , Airaksinen Marja
Published: January 2016

Background

The US Institute for Safe Medication Practices’ (ISMP) Medication Safety Self-Assessment (MSSA) tool for hospitals is a comprehensive tool for assessing safe medication practices in hospitals.

Aims

To adapt and remodel the ISMP MSSA tool for hospitals so that it can be used in individual wards in order to support long-term medication safety initiatives in Finland.

Methods

The MSSA tool was first adapted for Finnish hospital settings by a four-round (applicability, desirability and feasibility were evaluated) Delphi consensus method (14 panellists), and then remodelled by organizing the items into a new order which is consistent with the order of the ward-based pharmacotherapy plan recommended by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The adapted and remodelled tool was pilot tested in eight central hospital wards.

Key findings

The original MSSA tool (231 items under ten key elements) was modified preliminarily before the Delphi rounds and 117 items were discarded, leaving 114 items for Delphi evaluation. The panel suggested 36 new items of which 23 were accepted. A total of 114 items (including 91 original and 23 new items) were accepted and remodelled under six new components that were pilot tested. The pilot test found the tool time-consuming but useful.

Conclusion

It was possible to adapt the ISMP's MSSA tool for another hospital setting. The modified tool can be used for a hospital pharmacy coordinated audit which supports long-term medication safety initiatives, particularly the establishment of ward-based pharmacotherapy plans as guided by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
The differential role of human capital and health in explaining welfare exit‐route and labour outcomes
Authors: Achdut Netta
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the differential effects of human capital and health on welfare exit‐route, earnings and working hours among female welfare recipients in Israel. The study also examined whether higher human capital mediates the effect of health problems on the different outcomes. The data were obtained from a national panel survey of 2,700 single mothers who were receiving welfare when the Israeli welfare reform was implemented. The effect of health was found to be more consistent than the effect of human capital. Formal education had no effect on welfare exit‐route, while health did. The effect of health on working hours was more profound than the effect of human capital, while the reverse applied to earnings. Richer human capital did not mediate the effect of health problems. These findings suggest that the prediction power of human capital on labour and welfare decisions has weakened under welfare reform provision.
Working Together in a Community Garden: Justice in CTC, EG, TTL
Authors: Bacon Nathanael
Published: January 2016

From the context of ministry in Guatemala, the author explores themes of injustice and loving service, need and promise in the Lausanne Movement document known as The Cape Town Commitment, the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, and the ecumenical text on mission and evangelism Together towards Life, with a particular focus on justice and Christian mission. Common elements are depicted through the image of a community garden exhibiting biodiversity and requiring a diversity of talents to flourish.
Evangelism in Evangelii Gaudium, The Cape Town Commitment, and Together towards Life
Authors: Währisch‐Oblau Claudia
Published: January 2016

The term “evangelization” has a very broad meaning in Evangelii Gaudium, encompassing everything that is subsumed under “mission” in The Cape Town Commitment and Together towards Life. For those two documents, “evangelism” is just one aspect of mission, namely the verbal communication of the gospel message. In their underlying theological propositions, the three documents are very similar. There is one fundamental difference, though: Evangelii Gaudium focuses on affective transformation, while the other two stress ethical renewal.
Inter‐religious Dialogue in EG, TTL, and CTC
Authors: Kee‐Fook Chia Edmund
Published: January 2016

This article explores how the theme of inter‐religious dialogue is addressed in Evangelii Gaudium, in comparison with Together towards life and also The Cape Town Commitment. Its thesis is that these mission documents of the three main global Christian denominations, drafted within three years of each other, address almost similar contextual concerns in the contemporary era. In particular, the reality and challenge of religious and cultural pluralism leave the churches with little choice but to attend to them, especially given that Christianity has become a post‐Western religion while at the same time the West is also becoming post‐Christian.
Migrants and Refugees: Christian Faith and the Globalization of Solidarity
Authors: Groody Daniel
Published: January 2016

This article examines how Pope Francis's Evangelii Gaudium, the WCC's Together towards Life, and the Third Lausanne Congress’ Cape Town Commitment bring out three interrelated and overlapping dimensions of mission. When viewed in the age of migration, these include a three‐fold process of denunciation, annunciation, and promotion. Evangelii Gaudium speaks of the denunciation of a globalization of indifference that has made us unresponsive to the plight of the migrant poor. Together towards Life speaks about the annunciation of the God of life through a renewed commitment to justice and peace. The Cape Town Commitment speaks about the promotion of the reign of Jesus’ kingdom through love and service, especially for those like migrants who are poor and marginalized. Underneath the collective vision of these three voices, a more fundamental migration urges the churches to move from established institutional comfort zones into new territories of risk, vulnerability, and possibility. While divisions remain, new strategies are emerging to engage in a common faith, a common humanity, and a common care for those considered least and last in the human community.
Evangelii Gaudium and the Prospects for Ecumenical Mission
Authors: Kim Kirsteen
Published: January 2016

Evangelii Gaudium (EG) is addressed to the “bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful” of the Catholic Church. It comes out of an internal discussion of “the new evangelization” and devotes considerable space to particular concerns of the Catholic Church, such as its pastoral activity, preaching ministry, and devotion to Mary. Out of 288 sections, it devotes only three near the end to “ecumenical dialogue.” So it would not seem at first sight to offer much prospect for ecumenical mission. However, this impression is deceptive. This article compares EG with the main concerns of the World Council of Churches’ statement on mission and evangelism in changing landscapes, Together towards Life (TTL), which was published earlier the same year, and finds a remarkable extent of common ground. It also finds that both documents share an inclusive and holistic understanding of mission/evangelization.
Toward Epistemic Decolonial Turn in Missio‐Formation in African Christianity
Authors: Kaunda Chammah J. , Hewitt Roderick R.
Published: January 2016

This article is framed with the World Council of Churches' (WCC) mission statementTogether towards Life: Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscapes, which seems to be reviving academic interests in missio‐formation as an interdisciplinary field study. The mission statement, which is framed in a postcolonial missional discourse, seems to show interest in how missio‐formation as academic discipline can expose the intersectionality of questions of power, politics, and culture in Africa. The matters of agency, subjectivity, pedagogy, and rhetoric are perceived as central to the envisaged public missio‐formation discourse. Hence, this article argues that the nature of the mission statement must also be comprehended as means for decolonizing missio‐formation paradigm in Africa within a decolonial framework which gives critical attention to how missions have functioned as a colonialist mechanism for colonializing African Christian minds and subjectivity.
Nanoscratching of Optical Glass Surfaces Near the Elastic–Plastic Load Boundary to Mimic the Mechanics of Polishing Particles
Authors: Shen Nan , Suratwala Tayyab , Steele William , Wong Lana , Feit Michael D. , Miller Philip E. , Dylla‐Spears Rebecca , Desjardin Richard
Published: January 2016

The nanomechanical deformations on glass surfaces near the elastic–plastic load boundary have been measured on various glasses by nanoscratching using an atomic force microscope (AFM) to mimic the mechanical interactions of polishing particles during optical polishing. Nanoscratches were created in air and aqueous environments using a 150‐nm radius diamond‐coated tip on polished fused silica, borosilicate, and phosphate glass surfaces; the topology of the nanoscratches were then characterized by AFM. Using load ranges expected on slurry particles during glass polishing (0.05–200 μN), plastic‐type scratches were observed with depths in the nm range. Nanoscratching in air generally showed deeper & narrower scratches with more pileup compared to nanoscratching in water, especially on fused silica glass. The critical load needed to observe plastic deformation was determined to range from 0.2–1.2 μN for the three glasses. For phosphate glass, the load dependence of the removal depth was consistent with that expected from Hertzian mechanics. However, for fused silica and borosilicate glass in this load range, the deformation depth showed a weak dependence with load. Using a sub‐Tg annealing technique, material relaxation was observed on the nanoscratches, suggesting that a significant fraction of the deformation was due to densification on fused silica and borosilicate glass. Repeated nanoscratching at the same location was utilized for determining the effective incremental plastic removal depth. The incremental removal depth decreased with increase in number of passes, stabilizing after ~10 passes. In water, the removal depths were determined as 0.3–0.55 nm/pass for fused silica, 0.85 nm/pass for borosilicate glass, and 2.4 nm/pass for phosphate glass. The combined nanoscratching results were utilized to define the composite removal function (i.e., removal depth) for a single polishing particle as a function of load, spanning the chemical to the plastic removal regimes. This removal function serves as an important set of parameters in understanding material removal during polishing and the resulting workpiece surface roughness.
The role of wet‐zone fragmentation in shaping biodiversity patterns in peninsular India: insights from the caecilian amphibianGegeneophis
Authors: Gower David J. , Agarwal Ishan , Karanth K. Praveen , Datta‐Roy Aniruddha , Giri Varad B. , Wilkinson Mark , San Mauro Diego
Published: January 2016

Aim

Indian biodiversity is concentrated in the wet zone, which is disjunctly distributed in the north‐east and in the peninsular Western and Eastern Ghats. The Eastern Ghats region is smaller and less well explored biologically and the affinities and origins of its biota poorly understood. Our aim was to assess whether divergence between east and west lineages might have been caused by fragmentation of the wet zone during Pleistocene climatic fluctuations, by Late Miocene wet‐zone contraction or by more ancient events. We present the first dated phylogenetic test of these alternatives by inferring relationships and dating divergences within a wet‐zone‐restricted lineage endemic to the Eastern and Western Ghats.

Location

The Eastern and Western Ghats regions of peninsular India.

Methods

Molecular genetic data (one nuclear and four mitochondrial genes) were newly generated for the only known Eastern Ghats teresomatan caecilian amphibian (Gegeneophis orientalis) and the only Western Ghats congener (G. pareshi) for which molecular data were not previously available. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred for Indian indotyphlids using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Divergence times within the inferred phylogeny were estimated using a Bayesian relaxed clock method, with the Seychelles versus Indian indotyphlid divergence calibrated based on the geological separation of their respective continental land masses.

Results

The single Eastern Ghats species ofGegeneophisis sister to all other (Western Ghats)Gegeneophis. The basalmost (and east–west) split withinGegeneophislikely occurred > 35 Ma.

Main conclusions

Divergence between Eastern and Western GhatsGegeneophisis too ancient to have been caused by wet‐zone contraction in the Miocene or by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations. Our results are consistent with a relatively ancient origin of wet‐zone lineages in the Eastern Ghats and a lack of gene flow between Eastern and Western GhatsGegeneophisfor tens of millions of years.
The impact of national accreditation reform on survey reliability: a 2‐year investigation of survey coordinators’ perspectives
Authors: Greenfield David , Hogden Anne , Hinchcliff Reece , Mumford Virginia , Pawsey Marjorie , Debono Deborah , Westbrook Johanna I , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: January 2016

Rationale, aims and objective

Accrediting health care organizations against standards is a recognized safety and quality intervention. The credibility of an accreditation programme relies on surveying reliability. We investigated accreditation survey coordinators’ perceptions of reliability issues and their continued relevancy, during a period of national accreditation reform.

Method

In 2013 and 2014, questionnaire surveys were developed using survey coordinators’ feedback of their experiences and concerns regarding the accreditation process. Each year, a purpose‐designed questionnaire survey was administered during the accrediting agency survey coordinator training days.

Results

Participants reported that survey reliability was informed by five categories of issues: the management of the accreditation process, including standards and health care organizational issues; surveyor workforce management; survey coordinator role; survey team; and individual surveyors. A new accreditation system and programme did not alter the factors reported to shape survey reliability. However, across the reform period, there was a noted change within each category of the specific issues that were of concern. Furthermore, consensus between coordinators that existed in 2013 appears to have diminished in 2014. Across all categories, in 2014 there was greater diversity of opinion than in 2013.

Conclusions

The known challenges to the reliability of an accreditation programme retained their potency and relevancy during a period of reform. The diversity of opinion identified across the coordinator workforce could potentially place the credibility and reliability of the new scheme at risk. The study highlights that reliability of an accreditation scheme is an ongoing achievement, not a one‐off attainment.
Sleep Bruxism and Sleep‐Disordered Breathing
Authors: Bender Steven D
Published: January 2016

Sleep bruxism (SB) is a repetitive jaw muscle activity with clenching or grinding of the teeth during sleep. SB is characterized by what is known as rhythmic masticatory muscle activity (RMMA). RMMA is the laboratory polysomnographic finding that differentiates SB from other oromandibular movements seen during sleep. Most often RMMA episodes are associated with sleep arousal. Some patients will report similar complaints related to both SB and sleep disordered breathing (SDB). There are some reports that would suggest that SB is a result of SDB. It has has been postulated that SB is a compensatory mechanism to re establish muscle tone of the upper airway. While these disorders do in fact often present concomitantly, the relationship between the two is yet to be fully elucidated. This Critical Appraisal reviews 3 recent publications with the intent to better define what relationships may exists between SDB and SB. While the current evidence appears to support the notion that these are often concomitant disorders, it also makes clear that evidence to support the hypothesis that SDB is causative for SB is currently lacking. (J Esthet Restor Dent 00:000–000, 2016)