bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic review: pre‐ and post‐operative prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in liver transplant candidates
Authors: Ney M. , Haykowsky M. J. , Vandermeer B. , Shah A. , Ow M. , Tandon P.
Published: August 2016

Background

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold standard for the objective assessment of functional status. In many conditions, CPET outperforms the traditional variables in predicting mortality.

Aim

In patients with cirrhosis listed for liver transplantation, our primary aim was to determine the prognostic value of CPET for pre‐and post‐transplant mortality and, in particular, whether CPET remained predictive after adjustment for liver disease severity.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted in databases Medline, Scopus, Embase and PubMed. Where possible, data were pooled for meta‐analyses using a DerSimonian and Laird random effects model.

Results

A total of seven studies were retrieved, including 1107 patients with a mean MELD of 14.2 (standard deviation 1.6) and peak baseline VO2 of 17.4 mL/kg/min. In all of the studies in which multivariable analysis was performed, CPET variables were independent predictors of pre‐transplant mortality (three studies) and post‐transplant mortality (four studies). In the three studies where we could aggregate post‐transplant mortality data, post‐transplant mortality was predicted by AT with a mean difference of 2.0 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.42–3.59; Z = 2.48, P = 0.01) between survivors and nonsurvivors. The peak VO2 was not significant (0.77 95% CI: −1.36 to 2.90; Z = 0.71, P = 0.48).

Conclusions

Patient's listed for liver transplant have significant functional limitations, with a weighted mean VO2 below the threshold level required for independent living. Although heterogeneity in study designs with respect to timing, CPET variables, and cut‐off values precluded the determination of CPET mortality thresholds, the studies support CPET as an objective and independent predictor of pre‐ and post‐transplant mortality.
Hodgkin lymphoma: a negative interim‐PET cannot circumvent the need for end‐of‐treatment‐PET evaluation
Authors: Mesguich Charles , Cazeau Anne‐Laure , Bouabdallah Krimo , Soubeyran Pierre , Guyot Martine , Milpied Noël , Bordenave Laurence , Hindié Elif
Published: August 2016

We examined the outcome of a cohort of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in order to assess if fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET/CT) at the end of treatment (end‐PET) can be omitted when the interim PET (int‐PET) is negative. Seventy‐six ABVD(adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine)‐treated patients were retrospectively included. No change in treatment was made on the basis of int‐PET results. Suspicious foci on end‐PET received biopsy confirmation whenever possible. Median follow‐up was 58·9 months. Uptake on int‐PET higher than liver (scores 4–5) was rated positive according to the Lugano classification, while a positive end‐PET corresponded to scores 3, 4 and 5. Fifteen patients had treatment failure. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value and accuracy of int‐PET were 46·7%, 85·2%, 43·8%, 86·7% and 77·6%, respectively. For end‐PET the figures were: 80%, 93·4%, 75%, 95% and 90·8%. Eight patients with negative int‐PET had treatment failure; six of them were identified as non‐responders with end‐PET. The 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 87% for patients with negative int‐PET versus 56% with positive int‐PET. The 5‐year PFS was 96% with negative end‐PET versus 23% with positive end‐PET. The prognostic information from int‐PET as regards PFS (log‐rank test P = 0·0048) was lower than that provided by end‐PET (P < 0·0001). Int‐PET predicted only half of the failures. When used in clinical routine, a negative int‐PET study cannot obviate the need for end‐PET examination.
Addressing Uncertainty in Marine Resource Management; Combining Community Engagement and Tracking Technology to Characterize Human Behavior
Authors: Metcalfe Kristian , Collins Tim , Abernethy Kirsten E. , Boumba Richard , Dengui Jean‐Claude , Miyalou Ricky , Parnell Richard J. , Plummer Kate E. , Russell Debbie J.F. , Safou Gilbert Koumba , Tilley Dominic , Turner Rachel A. , VanLeeuwe Hilde , Witt Matthew J. , Godley Brendan J.
Published: August 2016

Small‐scale fisheries provide an essential source of food and employment for coastal communities, yet the availability of detailed information on the spatiotemporal distribution of fishing effort to support resource management at a country level is scarce. Here, using a national‐scale study in the Republic of Congo, we engaged with fishers from 23 of 28 small‐scale fisheries landing sites along the coast to demonstrate how combining community engagement and relatively low cost Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers can rapidly provide fine‐scale information on: (1) the behavioral dynamics of the fishers and fleets that operate within this sector; and (2) the location, size and attributes of important fishing grounds upon which communities are dependent. This multidisciplinary approach should be considered within a global context where uncertainty over the behavior of marine and terrestrial resource‐users can lead to management decisions that potentially compromise local livelihoods, conservation, and resource sustainability goals.
The present status of xeroderma pigmentosum in Japan and a tentative severity classification scale
Authors: Nakano Eiji , Masaki Taro , Kanda Fumio , Ono Ryusuke , Takeuchi Seiji , Moriwaki Shinichi , Nishigori Chikako
Published: August 2016

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease. Patients with XP have severe hypersensitivity to sunlight, resulting in skin cancers, and some patients have neurological symptoms. In Japan, XP complementation group A (XP‐A) is the most common form, and it is associated with severe neurological symptoms. We performed a nationwide survey on XP to determine the present status of XP in Japan. The distribution of complementation groups in Japan was considerably different from that in other countries, but there was a higher frequency in group A and the variant type, which is similar to previous reports in Japan. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent skin cancer that patients with XP developed, followed by squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The frequency of these skin cancers in patients with XP‐A has decreased, and these skin cancers have been occurring in much older people than those previously observed. Diagnosing XP in patients at younger ages seems to encourage patients and their parents to use sun protection, which helps prevent skin cancer. We also created a tentative scale for classifying the severity of XP, and we evaluated the neurological symptoms of XP‐A using this severity scale. Our classification correlated well with patients' age, suggesting that it may be useful and feasible in clinical practice to assess the progression of symptoms of each patient with XP and evaluate the effects of treatment in the future.
Epithelial–mesenchymal interaction mechanisms leading to the over‐expression of neprilysin are involved in the UVB‐induced formation of wrinkles in the skin
Authors: Imokawa Genji
Published: August 2016

In clinical studies, the formation of facial wrinkles has been closely linked to the loss of elastic properties of the skin. Repetitive UVB irradiation of animal skin at suberythemal doses significantly reduces its elastic properties, resulting in the formation of wrinkles. That also elicits a marked alteration in the three‐dimensional structure of elastic fibres, which is closely associated with a subsequent reduction in the elastic properties of the skin. While UVB irradiation stimulates the activity of skin fibroblast‐derived elastase in the dermis, a synthetic inhibitor specific for skin fibroblast‐derived elastase as well as an extract of Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose capable of inhibiting skin fibroblast‐derived elastase, but not neutrophil elastase, prevented wrinkle formation in our studies of animal and human facial skin, respectively. The close interrelationship among wrinkle formation, elastic properties and elastic fibre linearity is revealed by the effects of different concentrations of the elastase inhibitor, which indicates that enhanced elastase activity by dermal fibroblasts plays a pivotal role in the UVB wrinkling mechanism. Fortunately, we were able to identify human skin fibroblast‐derived elastase as the previously known enzyme neprilysin/neutral endopeptidase. Using both a UVB‐conditioned medium assay and a co‐culture system, we characterized the epithelial–mesenchymal interaction between keratinocytes and fibroblasts which leads to increased expression of neprilysin at the transcriptional, translational and enzymatic levels. Our results demonstrate that interleukin‐1α and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor are intrinsic cytokines secreted by UVB‐exposed keratinocytes that stimulate the expression of neprilysin by skin fibroblasts.
Increased susceptibility to oxidative stress‐ and ultraviolet A‐induced apoptosis in fibroblasts in atypical progeroid syndrome/atypical Werner syndrome with LMNA mutation
Authors: Motegi Sei‐ichiro , Uchiyama Akihiko , Yamada Kazuya , Ogino Sachiko , Yokoyama Yoko , Perera Buddhini , Takeuchi Yuko , Ishikawa Osamu
Published: August 2016

Atypical progeroid syndrome (APS), including atypical Werner syndrome (AWS), is a disorder of premature ageing caused by mutation of the lamin A gene, the same causal gene involved in Hutchinson‐Gilford syndrome (HGS). We previously reported the first Japanese case of APS/AWS with a LMNA mutation (p.D300N). Recently, it has been reported that UVA induced abnormal truncated form of lamin A, called progerin, as well as HGS‐like abnormal nuclear structures in normal human fibroblasts, being more frequent in the elderly, suggesting that lamin A may be involved in the regulation of photoageing. The objective of this study was to elucidate the sensitivity to cell damage induced by oxidative stress or UVA in fibroblasts from APS/AWS patient. Using immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry analysis, the amount of early apoptotic cells and degree of intra‐cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were higher in H202‐ or UVA‐treated APS/AWS fibroblasts than in normal fibroblasts, suggesting that repeated UV exposure may induce premature ageing of the skin in APS/AWS patients and that protecting against sunlight is possibly important for delaying the emergence of APS/AWS symptoms. In addition, we demonstrated that H2O2‐, or UVA‐induced apoptosis and necrosis in normal and APS/AWS fibroblasts were enhanced by farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) treatment, indicating that FTI might not be useful for treating our APS/AWS patient.
Climate, history and life‐history strategies interact in explaining differential macroecological patterns in freshwater zooplankton
Authors: Henriques‐Silva Renato , Pinel‐Alloul Bernadette , Peres‐Neto Pedro R.
Published: August 2016

Aim

We investigated how freshwater microcrustaceans with different susceptibilities to Allee effects differ in the distribution of their geographical range size (GRS) and diversity along latitudinal gradients, evaluating the importance of climatic and historical factors in explaining these differences. We hypothesized that sexual copepods would have a smaller GRS and that their distribution would be linked to historical processes due to mate‐finding Allee effects during colonization. Given that cyclic parthenogenetic cladocerans avoid these Allee effects, we predicted that they would exhibit a larger GRS and their distribution would be related to climatic factors rather than dispersal limitation.

Location

Canadian watersheds, North America.

Methods

We used a database containing the presence–absence of freshwater zooplankton across 1665 Canadian lakes along a latitudinal gradient of 40°. We computed GRS using minimum convex polygons encompassing all lakes in which each species was present. We pooled the diversity of lakes within watersheds, and computed linear regressions models between watershed diversity and average GRS with the average latitude, distance from a glacial refugium and environmental variables of the watershed. All analyses were performed separately for cladocerans and copepods.

Results

Cladocerans exhibited, on average, a GRS 70% larger than that of copepods. We found a strong relationship between diversity (negative) and average GRS (positive) with latitude for cladocerans but not for copepods. Cladoceran macroecological patterns were mainly explained by climatic factors, whereas the lack of latitudinal gradients in copepods was potentially due to the influence of a northern glacial refuge and dispersal limitation.

Main conclusions

Our results show that Allee effects are strongly and negatively associated with GRS, influencing the relative importance of environmental filtering and dispersal limitation on species diversity patterns. We suggest that studies should avoid lumping species with large differences in their susceptibility to Allee effects in order to better disentangle the multiple processes affecting large‐scale patterns.
Liability to Deception and Manipulation: The Ethics of Undercover Policing
Authors: Nathan Christopher
Published: August 2016

Does undercover police work inevitably wrong its targets? Or are undercover activities justified by a general security benefit? In this article I argue that people can make themselves liable to deception and manipulation. The debate on undercover policing will proceed more fruitfully if the tactic can be conceptualised along those lines, rather than as essentially ‘dirty hands’ activity, in which people are wronged in pursuit of a necessary good, or in instrumentalist terms, according to which the harms of undercover work are straightforwardly overcome by its benefits. This article motivates the ‘liability view’ and describes its attractions, challenges, and implications.
‘Them Two Things are What Collide Together’: Understanding the Sexual Identity Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People Labelled with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Dinwoodie Robert , Greenhill Beth , Cookson Alex
Published: August 2016

Background

Previous research aiming to understand the lives of lesbian, gay bisexual and trans (LGBT) people labelled with intellectual disabilities is limited. There are few recent studies and available findings are often contradictory and inconsistent.

Method

This study aimed to explore how LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities experienced their sexual identities. Five LGBT people labelled with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, and data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology.

Results

Four superordinate themes represented the following: common experiences of bullying/abuse, understanding sexualities, other's responses to intellectual disabilities and sexualities, and navigating acceptance.

Conclusions

Strategies for coping with abuse maintained participant's engagement in local communities. Sexuality was often problematized by others despite being generally accepted by participants. Coming out was a continual process of decision‐making to facilitate safety and acceptance. To feel fully supported, participants desired holistic service provision sensitive to their sexuality and intellectual disability needs. Clinical and research implications are suggested.
‘Stability on the Borders’: The Ukraine Crisis and the EU's Constrained Policy Towards the Eastern Neighbourhood
Authors: Howorth Jolyon
Published: August 2016

The Ukraine crisis itself is, to some extent, the result of a flawed approach on the part of the EU to the strategic question of its relationships with its Eastern neighbours, an approach rendered more fraught by the parallel American enlargement of NATO. The EU has found itself constrained in its reaction to the Ukraine crisis by policies adopted over previous decades. In the first part, this article will situate the crisis in the historical context of the twin enlargements of the EU and NATO. Secondly, it will assess the consequences of the European neighbourhood policy in fostering the crisis. In the third part, this article will argue that, during the crisis itself, the EU acted in ways that were more constraining than enabling. Finally, the article will evaluate the EU's response in terms of the criteria laid out in the Introductory Framework to this Special Issue.
Local flood risk management strategies in England: patterns of application
Authors: Benson D. , Fritsch O. , Langstaff L.
Published: August 2016

In England, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 provides specific roles for Lead Local Flood Authorities in flood and coastal erosion risk management. Under Section 9 of the Act, authorities are responsible for preparing, applying, and monitoring a local flood risk management strategy that balances community input into flood management with national policy objectives. Authorities are legally obliged to consider specified requirements in strategy production, including consultation with the public. Using an evaluative framework based on legal requirements and local government guidelines, this study assesses the extent to which these requirements have been met in a sample of 43 strategies. Our findings suggest that strategies generally meet minimal legal requirements, although variance exists in approaches adopted, particularly in respect of consultation and links to other environmental management aspects. Recommendations for enhancing future practice are provided.
Petrological constraints on the tectonic setting of the Kathmandu Nappe in the Langtang–Gosainkund–Helambu regions, Central Nepal Himalaya
Authors: Rapa G. , Groppo C. , Mosca P. , Rolfo F.
Published: August 2016

The Gosainkund–Helambu region in central Nepal occupies a key area for the development of Himalayan kinematic models, connecting the well‐investigated Langtang area to the north with the Kathmandu Nappe (KN), whose interpretation is still debated, to the south. In order to understand the structural and metamorphic architecture of the Greater Himalayan Sequence (GHS) in this region, a detailed petrological study was performed, focusing on selected metapelite samples from both the Gosainkund–Helambu and Langtang transects. The structurally lowest sample investigated belongs to the Lesser Himalayan Sequence; its metamorphic evolution is characterized by a narrow hairpin P–T path with peak P–T conditions of 595 ± 25 °C, 7.5 ± 1 kbar. All of the other samples here investigated belong to the GHS. Along the Langtang section, two tectono‐metamorphic units have been distinguished within the GHS: the Lower Greater Himalayan Sequence (L‐GHS), characterized by peak P–T conditions at 728 ± 11 °C, 10 ± 0.5 kbar (corresponding to a T/depth ratio of 22 ± 1 °C km−1), and the structurally higher Upper Greater Himalayan Sequence, with peak metamorphic conditions at 780 ± 20 °C, 7.8 ± 0.8 kbar (corresponding to a T/depth ratio of 31 ± 4 °C km−1). This confirms the existence of a main tectono‐metamorphic discontinuity within the GHS, as previously suggested by other authors. The results of petrological modelling of the metapelites from the Gosainkund–Helambu section show that this region is entirely comprised within a sub‐horizontal and thin L‐GHS unit: the estimated peak metamorphic conditions of 734 ± 19 °C, 10 ± 0.8 kbar correspond to a uniform T/depth ratio of 23 ± 3 °C km−1. The metamorphic discontinuity identified along the Langtang transect and dividing the GHS in two tectono‐metamorphic units is located at a structural level too high to be intersected along the Gosainkund–Helambu section. Our results have significant implications for the interpretation of the KN and provide a contribution to the more general discussion of the Himalayan kinematic models. We demonstrate that the structurally lower unit of the KN (known as Sheopuri Gneiss) can be correlated with the L‐GHS unit; this result strongly supports those models that correlate the KN to the Tethyan Sedimentary Sequence and that suggest the merging of the South Tibetan Detachment System and the Main Central Thrust on the northern side of the KN. Moreover we speculate that, in this sector of the Himalayan chain, the most appropriate kinematic model able to explain the observed tectono‐metamorphic architecture of the GHS is the duplexing model, or hybrid models which combine the duplexing model with another end‐member model.
Reduction of coherent artefacts in super‐resolution fluorescence localisation microscopy
Authors: GEORGIADES PANTELIS , ALLAN VIKI J. , DICKINSON MARK , WAIGH THOMAS A.
Published: August 2016

Super‐resolution localisation microscopy techniques depend on uniform illumination across the field of view, otherwise the resolution is degraded, resulting in imaging artefacts such as fringes. Lasers are currently the light source of choice for switching fluorophores in PALM/STORM methods due to their high power and narrow bandwidth. However, the high coherence of these sources often creates interference phenomena in the microscopes, with associated fringes/speckle artefacts in the images. We quantitatively demonstrate the use of a polymer membrane speckle scrambler to reduce the effect of the coherence phenomena. The effects of speckle in the illumination plane, at the camera and after software localisation of the fluorophores, were characterised. Speckle phenomena degrade the resolution of the microscope at large length scales in reconstructed images, effects that were suppressed by the speckle scrambler, but the small length scale resolution is unchanged at ∼30 nm.
Applications of Ultrasound in the Resection of Brain Tumors
Authors: Sastry Rahul , Bi Wenya Linda , Pieper Steve , Frisken Sarah , Kapur Tina , Wells William , Golby Alexandra J.
Published: August 2016

Neurosurgery makes use of preoperative imaging to visualize pathology, inform surgical planning, and evaluate the safety of selected approaches. The utility of preoperative imaging for neuronavigation, however, is diminished by the well‐characterized phenomenon of brain shift, in which the brain deforms intraoperatively as a result of craniotomy, swelling, gravity, tumor resection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, and many other factors. As such, there is a need for updated intraoperative information that accurately reflects intraoperative conditions. Since 1982, intraoperative ultrasound has allowed neurosurgeons to craft and update operative plans without ionizing radiation exposure or major workflow interruption. Continued evolution of ultrasound technology since its introduction has resulted in superior imaging quality, smaller probes, and more seamless integration with neuronavigation systems. Furthermore, the introduction of related imaging modalities, such as 3‐dimensional ultrasound, contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, high‐frequency ultrasound, and ultrasound elastography, has dramatically expanded the options available to the neurosurgeon intraoperatively. In the context of these advances, we review the current state, potential, and challenges of intraoperative ultrasound for brain tumor resection. We begin by evaluating these ultrasound technologies and their relative advantages and disadvantages. We then review three specific applications of these ultrasound technologies to brain tumor resection: (1) intraoperative navigation, (2) assessment of extent of resection, and (3) brain shift monitoring and compensation. We conclude by identifying opportunities for future directions in the development of ultrasound technologies.
Intercontinental disjunctions between eastern Asia and western North America in vascular plants highlight the biogeographic importance of the Bering land bridge from late Cretaceous to Neogene
Authors: Wen Jun , Nie Ze‐Long , Ickert‐Bond Stefanie M.
Published: August 2016

This review shows a close biogeographic connection between eastern Asia and western North America from the late Cretaceous to the late Neogene in major lineages of vascular plants (flowering plants, gymnosperms, ferns and lycophytes). Of the eastern Asian–North American disjuncts, conifers exhibit a high proportion of disjuncts between eastern Asia and western North America. Several lineages of ferns also show a recent disjunct pattern in the two areas. In flowering plants, the pattern is commonly shown in temperate elements between northeastern Asia and northwestern North America, as well as elements of the relict boreotropical and Neogene mesophytic and coniferous floras. The many cases of intercontinental biogeographic disjunctions between eastern Asia and western North America in plants supported by recent phylogenetic analyses highlight the importance of the Bering land bridge and/or the plant migrations across the Beringian region from the late Cretaceous to the late Neogene, especially during the Miocene. The Beringian region has permitted the filtering and migration of certain plant taxa since the Pliocene after the opening of the Bering Strait, as many conspecific taxa or closely related species occur on both sides of Beringia.
Rare or cryptic? The first report of an Omura's whale (Balaenoptera omurai) in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Cypriano‐Souza Ana Lúcia , de Meirelles Ana Carolina Oliveira , Carvalho Vitor Luz , Bonatto Sandro Luis
Published: August 2016

The Omura's whale (Balaenoptera omurai), previously referred to as a small form of Bryde's whale, was described in 2003 as a distinct baleen whale species of the family Balaenopteridae. Omura's whales are currently confirmed to occur in three of the world's oceans; the western Pacific, Indian, and northeastern Atlantic. Here we report the genetic identification and a morphological description of a 4.16 m female calf of an Omura's whale found stranded in Pecém beach (03°32′11.6″S, 38°47′51.8″W), northeastern Brazil, in 2010. The three mitochondrial DNA markers (control region, cytochrome b, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) unequivocally identified the specimen as a B. omurai, providing the first report of this species in the South Atlantic Ocean. The morphological identification of the specimen was limited due to the absence of the skull and loss of color pattern, but the proportions of the body were not consistent with the other balenopterid species and a single rostrum ridge distinguished it from Bryde's whales. This, together with the record of another juvenile in Mauritania, suggests the existence of an autochthonous Atlantic population of Omura's whales and indicates a necessity of reassessment of specimens indicated as Bryde's whale in the region.
T‐cell epitope‐containing hypoallergenic β‐lactoglobulin for oral immunotherapy in milk allergy
Authors: Ueno Hiroshi M. , Kato Teruhiko , Ohnishi Hidenori , Kawamoto Norio , Kato Zenichiro , Kaneko Hideo , Kondo Naomi , Nakano Taku
Published: August 2016

Background

Optimally hydrolyzed β‐Lactoglobulin (βLg) is a promising milk oral immunotherapy (OIT) candidate with respect to showing reduced B‐cell reactivity but retaining the T‐cell epitope. To demonstrate that an edible hypoallergenic βLg hydrolysate containing the T‐cell epitope is suitable for OIT. We tested how chymotrypsin affected the retention of the T‐cell epitope of βLg when preparing βLg hydrolysates using food‐grade trypsin.

Methods

We investigated the effect of chymotrypsin activity on the formation of the T‐cell epitope‐containing peptide of βLg (βLg102–124) and prepared an edible βLg hydrolysate containing βLg102–124 using screened food‐grade trypsins. B‐cell reactivity was determined using immunoassays in which ELISA was performed with anti‐βLg rabbit IgG and Western blotting was performed with a milk‐specific IgE antiserum.

Results

In βLg hydrolysis performed by varying the activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin, chymotrypsin activity inhibited the formation of βLg102–124 with an increase in hydrolysis time in a dose‐dependent manner. βLg102–124 was generated by two of five food‐grade trypsins used at a ratio of 1:50 (w/w, enzyme/substrate) for 20 h at 40°C. The edible βLg hydrolysate retained βLg102–124 and showed a reduction in molecular weight distribution and antigenicity against IgG and IgE.

Conclusions

Chymotrypsin activity inhibited the formation of βLg102–124 in the trypsin hydrolysate of βLg. This βLg trypsin hydrolysate is a novel candidate for peptide‐based OIT in cow's milk allergy for safely inducing desensitization.
Nervous System Sensitization as a Predictor of Outcome in the Treatment of Peripheral Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review
Authors: O'Leary Helen , Smart Keith M. , Moloney Niamh A. , Doody Catherine M.
Published: August 2016

Background

Research suggests that peripheral and central nervous system sensitization can contribute to the overall pain experience in peripheral musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. It is unclear, however, whether sensitization of the nervous system results in poorer outcomes following the treatment. This systematic review investigated whether nervous system sensitization in peripheral MSK conditions predicts poorer clinical outcomes in response to a surgical or conservative intervention.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched to identify the relevant studies. Eligible studies had a prospective design, with a follow‐up assessing the outcome in terms of pain or disability. Studies that used baseline indices of nervous system sensitization were included, such as quantitative sensory testing (QST) or questionnaires that measured centrally mediated symptoms.

Results

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which six were at a high risk of bias. The peripheral MSK conditions investigated were knee and hip osteoarthritis, shoulder pain, and elbow tendinopathy. QST parameters indicative of sensitization (lower electrical pain thresholds, cold hyperalgesia, enhanced temporal summation, lower punctate sharpness thresholds) were associated with negative outcome (more pain or disability) in 5 small exploratory studies. Larger studies that accounted for multiple confounders in design and analysis did not support a predictive relationship between QST parameters and outcome. Two studies used self‐report measures to capture comorbid centrally mediated symptoms, and found higher questionnaire scores were independently predictive of more persistent pain following a total joint arthroplasty.

Conclusion

This systematic review found insufficient evidence to support an independent predictive relationship between QST measures of nervous system sensitization and treatment outcome. Self‐report measures demonstrated better predictive ability. Further high‐quality prognostic research is warranted.
Fine mapping of a day‐length‐sensitive dwarf gene in rice
Authors: Wang Min , Chen Liping , Qin Ruizhen , Zhang Haitao , Shi Yingrao , Chen Qinquan , Luo Sheng , Wang Fan , Cheng Zhijun
Published: August 2016

Dwarf mutants are valuable and crucial resources for genetic research and crop breeding programme in rice. In this study, we identified a dwarf mutant derive from tissue culture, which exhibited a delayed heading date and dwarfism under long‐day growth conditions, suggesting the heading date of dwarf mutant was sensitive to day length. Based on 2000 F2 mutant‐like individuals from the cross of the mutant and a Japonica var. ‘IRAT129’, the dwarf gene was finally narrowed into a 512‐kb region near the centromere on chromosome 9. According to the sequence analysis of a delimited region, 21 genes had base alternations either in promoters (15 SNPs) or in coding regions (6 InDels) among 73 annotated genes, and five genes were confirmed sequence alternations resulting from their expression mainly in the vegetative organs. Given to the RNAi plants of the five genes incapable to mimic dwarf and late heading date phenotype, the candidate gene remains to be identified by other genetic or molecular methods. Therefore, all these results give us informative foundation for the day‐length‐sensitive dwarf gene isolation.
Combined use of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles and sex pheromones for mate location in braconid parasitoids
Authors: Xu Hao , Desurmont Gaylord , Degen Thomas , Zhou Guoxin , Laplanche Diane , Henryk Luka , Turlings Ted C.J.
Published: August 2016

Herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) are important cues for female parasitic wasps to find hosts. Here, we investigated the possibility that HIPVs may also serve parasitoids as cues to locate mates. To test this, the odour preferences of four braconid wasps – the gregarious parasitoid Cotesia glomerata (L.) and the solitary parasitoids Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson), Microplitis rufiventris Kokujev and Microplitis mediator (Haliday) – were studied in olfactometers. Each species showed attraction to pheromones but in somewhat different ways. Males of the two Cotesia species were attracted to virgin females, whereas females of M. rufiventris were attracted to virgin males. Male and female M. mediator exhibited attraction to both sexes. Importantly, female and male wasps of all four species were strongly attracted by HIPVs, independent of mating status. In most cases, male wasps were also attracted to intact plants. The wasps preferred the combination of HIPVs and pheromones over plant odours alone, except M. mediator, which appears to mainly use HIPVs for mate location. We discuss the ecological contexts in which the combined use of pheromones and HIPVs by parasitoids can be expected. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that braconid parasitoids use HIPVs and pheromones in combination to locate mates.
Depressive symptoms and attribute type moderate effects of partner feedback among college couples
Authors: WU KAREN , CHEN CHUANSHENG , GREENBERGER ELLEN
Published: August 2016

Previous findings on the effects of partner feedback (about the self) have been mixed, potentially due to moderating roles of individuals' prior well‐being and the type of attributes appraised. This experimental study of 118 college‐student couples examined whether depressive symptoms moderated responses to partner feedback that was either enhancing or verifying of either social (communion‐related) or personal (agency‐related) attributes. Results showed that individuals with fewer depressive symptoms reported higher relationship quality after receiving partner feedback (particularly when it was enhancing) on their personal (vs. social) attributes. Conversely, individuals with more depressive symptoms reported higher relationship quality after receiving social partner feedback (particularly when it was enhancing). Thus, individuals' prior well‐being and communion‐related versus agency‐related attributes should be considered in studies of interpersonal feedback.
Cross‐national comparisons of attitudes towards suicide and suicidal persons in university students from 12 countries
Authors: Eskin Mehmet , Kujan Omar , Voracek Martin , Shaheen Amira , Carta Mauro Giovanni , Sun Jian‐Min , Flood Chris , Poyrazli Senel , Janghorbani Mohsen , Yoshimasu Kouichi , Mechri Anwar , Khader Yousef , Aidoudi Khouala , Bakhshi Seifollah , Harlak Hacer , Ahmead Muna , Moro Maria Francesca , Nawafleh Hani , Phillips Louise , Abuderman Abdulwahab , Tran Ulrich S. , Tsuno Kanami
Published: August 2016

This paper reports the results of a comparative investigation of attitudes to suicide and suicidal persons in 5,572 university students from 12 countries. Participants filled out two scales measuring attitudes towards suicide and suicidal persons, a measure of psychological distress together with the questions about suicidal behavior. Results showed that the highest suicide acceptance scores were observed in Austrian, UK, Japanese and Saudi Arabian samples and the lowest scores were noted in Tunisian, Turkish, Iranian and Palestinian samples. While the highest social acceptance scores for a suicidal friend were noted in Turkish, US, Italian and Tunisian samples, the lowest scores were seen in Japanese, Saudi Arabian, Palestinian and Jordanian samples. Compared to participants with a suicidal past, those who were never suicidal displayed more internal barriers against suicidal behavior. Men were more accepting of suicide than women but women were more willing to help an imagined suicidal peer. Participants with accepting attitudes towards suicide but rejecting attitudes towards suicidal persons reported more suicidal behavior and psychological distress, and were more often from high suicide rate countries and samples than their counterparts. They are considered to be caught in a fatal trap in which most predominant feelings of suicidality such as hopelessness or helplessness are likely to occur. We conclude that in some societies such as Japan and Saudi Arabia it might be difficult for suicidal individuals to activate and make use of social support systems.
Modeling the Longitudinal Direct and Indirect Effects of Attitudes, Self‐Efficacy, and Behavioral Intentions on Practice Behavior Outcomes of Suicide Intervention Training
Authors: Osteen Philip , Frey Jodi M. , Woods MaKenna N. , Ko Jungyai , Shipe Stacey
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was to use a longitudinal path analysis to test attitudes toward suicide prevention, self‐efficacy, and behavioral intentions as mediators/moderators of clinical skill development over time following suicide intervention training. Results support a direct effect of attitudes on practice behaviors and self‐efficacy, but no moderating effect. Self‐efficacy performed as a mediator of practice behaviors over time. Behavioral intention had a direct effect on practice behaviors and mediated the relationship between attitudes and practice behaviors. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Suicidality, Self‐Harm, and Body Dissatisfaction in Transgender Adolescents and Emerging Adults with Gender Dysphoria
Authors: Peterson Claire M. , Matthews Abigail , Copps‐Smith Emily , Conard Lee Ann
Published: August 2016

Prevalence of suicide attempts, self‐injurious behaviors, and associated psychosocial factors were examined in a clinical sample of transgender (TG) adolescents and emerging adults (n = 96). Twenty‐seven (30.3%) TG youth reported a history of at least one suicide attempt and 40 (41.8%) reported a history of self‐injurious behaviors. There was a higher frequency of suicide attempts in TG youth with a desire for weight change, and more female‐to‐male youth reported a history of suicide attempts and self‐harm behaviors than male‐to‐female youth. Findings indicate that this population is at a high risk for psychiatric comorbidities and life‐threatening behaviors.
Increase in passive muscle tension of the quadriceps muscle heads in jumping athletes with patellar tendinopathy
Authors: Zhang Z. J. , Ng G. Y. F. , Lee W. C. , Fu S. N.
Published: August 2016

To investigate the passive muscle tension of the quadriceps muscle heads in male athletes clinically diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy (PT) with those of healthy controls and explore the interplay between passive muscle tension and patellar tendon stiffness. Between November 2012 and December 2013, 66 male athletes (mean age of 21.1 ± 4.4 years) were examined using supersonic shear wave imaging technology. The passive tension of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles and patellar tendon stiffness were assessed. The shear elastic modulus of the VL muscle was increased by 26.5% (P < 0.001) in the subjects with PT when compared with the controls. Greater passive tension in the VL was associated with higher patellar tendon stiffness (r = 0.38; P = 0.001). The vastus lateralis muscle of the quadriceps shows increase in passive muscle tension in jumping athletes with patellar tendinopathy. These findings suggest that increase in muscle tension is not similar in the individual muscles of the quadriceps muscle. Traditional stretching of the whole quadriceps muscle might not be targeted to the tight muscle heads.
Rapid proliferation and nucleolar organizer targeting centromeric retrotransposons in cotton
Authors: Han Jinlei , Masonbrink Rick E. , Shan Wenbo , Song Fengqin , Zhang Jisen , Yu Weichang , Wang Kunbo , Wu Yufeng , Tang Haibao , Wendel Jonathan F. , Wang Kai
Published: August 2016

Centromeric chromatin in most eukaryotes is composed of highly repetitive centromeric retrotransposons and satellite repeats that are highly variable even among closely related species. The evolutionary mechanisms that underlie the rapid evolution of centromeric repeats remain unknown. To obtain insight into the evolution of centromeric repeats following polyploidy, we studied a model diploid progenitor (Gossypium raimondii, D‐genome) of the allopolyploid (AD‐genome) cottons, G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. Sequence analysis of chromatin‐immunoprecipitated DNA showed that the G. raimondii centromeric repeats originated from retrotransposon‐related sequences. Comparative analysis showed that nine of the 10 analyzed centromeric repeats were absent from the centromeres in the A‐genome and related diploid species (B‐, F‐ and G‐genomes), indicating that they colonized the centromeres of D‐genome lineage after the divergence of the A‐ and D‐ ancestral species or that they were ancestrally retained prior to the origin of Gossypium. Notably, six of the nine repeats were present in both the A‐ and D‐subgenomes in tetraploid G. hirsutum, and increased in abundance in both subgenomes. This finding suggests that centromeric repeats may spread and proliferate between genomes subsequent to polyploidization. Two repeats, Gr334 and Gr359 occurred in both the centromeres and nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in D‐ and AD‐genome species, yet localized to just the NORs in A‐, B‐, F‐, and G‐genome species. Contained within is a story of an established centromeric repeat that is eliminated and allopolyploidization provides an opportunity for reinvasion and reestablishment, which broadens our evolutionary understanding behind the cycles of centromeric repeat establishment and targeting.
Arabidopsis phosphatidylglycerophosphate phosphatase 1 involved in phosphatidylglycerol biosynthesis and photosynthetic function
Authors: Lin Ying‐Chen , Kobayashi Koichi , Hung Chun‐Hsien , Wada Hajime , Nakamura Yuki
Published: August 2016

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is an indispensable lipid constituent of photosynthetic membranes, whose function is essential in photosynthetic activity. In higher plants, the biological function of the last step of PG biosynthesis remains elusive because an enzyme catalyzing this reaction step, namely phosphatidylglycerophosphate phosphatase (PGPP), has been a missing piece in the entire glycerolipid metabolic map. Here, we report the identification and characterization of AtPGPP1 encoding a PGPP in Arabidopsis thaliana. Heterologous expression of AtPGPP1 in yeast Δgep4 complemented growth phenotype and PG‐producing activity, suggesting that AtPGPP1 encodes a functional PGPP. The GUS reporter assay showed that AtPGPP1 was preferentially expressed in hypocotyl, vasculatures, trichomes, guard cells, and stigmas. A subcellular localization study with GFP reporter indicated that AtPGPP1 is mainly localized at chloroplasts. A T‐DNA‐tagged knockout mutant of AtPGPP1, designated pgpp1‐1, showed pale green phenotype with reduced PG and chlorophyll contents but no defect in embryo development. In the pgpp1‐1 mutant, ultrastructure of plastids indicated defective development of chloroplasts and measurement of photosynthetic parameters showed impaired photosynthetic activity. These results suggest that AtPGPP1 is a primary plastidic PGPP required for PG biosynthesis and photosynthetic function in Arabidopsis.
Operating strategies for acid phase digestion: an industrial case study
Authors: Gomes Vincent G. , Rabines Mayra , Bustamante Heri
Published: August 2016

Acid phase digestion was investigated for enhanced operation in an industrial wastewater treatment plant. In particular, sludge retention time (SRT), temperature and pH were assessed for determining optimal conditions under operating constraints. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) were the key process parameters used to assess system performance. Increase in SRT from 0.8 to 1.4 days (at 22°C) had moderate effect on VFA production (approximately 15% increase), achieving a maximum VFA production of 3600 mg/L. High VFA production rate (0.101 ± 0.035 mg/mgVS.d) was obtained at the highest operating retention time during summer (27°C). The degree of solubilisation of particulate organic matter increased with temperature and retention time. Despite an increase in SCOD (6472 ± 873 mg/L max.), a corresponding increase in VFA was not observed. SCOD showed a linear correlation with decrease in pH, while acidogenesis (SCOD conversion to VFA) was found to be favourable at a pH of 4.5.
An approach to investigate the costs of herbicide‐resistant Alopecurus myosuroides
Authors: Gerhards R , Dentler J , Gutjahr C , Auburger S , Bahrs E
Published: August 2016

Herbicide resistance in Alopecurus myosuroides causes severe problems in Western European cropping systems. Costs of herbicide resistance were investigated in this study by analysing variable production costs and sales revenues. Three farms were selected for this study, with winter wheat as the dominating crop in all farms. Resistance in A. myosuroides populations was verified at all locations. Four farming approaches were simulated over a period of 20 years: (i) continuing the actual cropping system without increase of resistance, (ii) continuing the actual cropping system with increase of resistance, (iii) changing cropping practice to overcome resistance and (iv) changing cropping practice to prevent resistance. Contribution margins representing the proportion of sales revenue that is not consumed by variable costs were calculated for all approaches. Comparative static simulations showed that average contribution margins in a cropping system with more than 60% winter cereals and reduced tillage practice dropped from 807 € ha−1 a−1 without herbicide resistance to 307 € ha−1 a−1 with herbicide resistance. Alopecurus myosuroides population densities increased to more than 1000 plants m−2. Diverse crop rotations, including spring crops, clover–grass leys and intensive tillage, suppressed A. myosuroides populations, and average contribution margin was 630 € ha−1 a−1. Preventive methods with rotations of winter cereals and spring crops with less clover–grass leys resulted in an average contribution margin of 691 € ha−1 a−1. In conclusion, rotations of winter cereals and spring crops combined with inversion tillage and herbicides provide stable yields and can prevent weed population increase.
Auditory sensitivity to local stimulation of the head surface in a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
Authors: Popov Vladimir V. , Sysueva Evgeniya V. , Nechaev Dmitry I. , Lemazina Alena A. , Supin Alexander Ya.
Published: August 2016

Using the auditory evoked response technique, sensitivity to local acoustic stimulation of the ventro-lateral head surface was investigated in a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). The stimuli were tone pip trains of carrier frequencies ranging from 16 to 128 kHz with a pip rate of 1 kHz. For higher frequencies (90–128 kHz), the low-threshold point was located next to the medial side of the middle portion of the lower jaw. For middle (32–64 kHz) and lower (16–22.5 kHz) frequencies, the low-threshold point was located at the lateral side of the middle portion of the lower jaw. For lower frequencies, there was an additional low-threshold point next to the bulla-meatus complex. Based on these data, several frequency-specific paths of sound conduction to the auditory bulla are suggested: (i) through an area on the lateral surface of the lower jaw and further through the intra-jaw fat-body channel (for a wide frequency range); (ii) through an area on the ventro-lateral head surface and further through the medial opening of the lower jaw and intra-jaw fat-body channel (for a high-frequency range); and (iii) through an area on the lateral (near meatus) head surface and further through the lateral fat-body channel (for a low-frequency range).