bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latent IgA deposition from donor kidneys does not affect transplant prognosis, irrespective of mesangial expansion
Authors: Sofue Tadashi , Inui Masashi , Hara Taiga , Moritoki Masahiro , Nishioka Satoshi , Nishijima Yoko , Moriwaki Kumiko , Hayashida Yushi , Ueda Nobufumi , Kushida Yoshio , Haba Reiji , Nishiyama Akira , Kakehi Yoshiyuki , Kohno Masakazu
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Latent mesangial immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposition in the donated kidney has been investigated in the context of kidney transplantation. However, few studies have examined the impact of mesangial expansion accompanied with IgA deposition. Therefore, we investigated the effects of latent IgA deposition and mesangial expansion on transplant prognosis following living‐donor kidney transplantation.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 68 consecutive adult living‐donor kidney transplantations performed at Kagawa University Hospital. Biopsies were performed at pre‐implantation and at one yr after transplantation.

Results

Twenty kidneys exhibited latent IgA deposition in pre‐implantation biopsies, including 14 with mesangial expansion. Latent IgA deposition was not associated with renal function or donor urinalysis after donation, irrespective of mesangial expansion. Latent IgA deposition was not significantly associated with graft survival rate, allograft function, abnormal urinalysis, or the recurrence of IgA nephropathy, irrespective of mesangial expansion. At one yr after transplantation, IgA deposition had disappeared in 14/20 allografts. Estimated glomerular function rate >40 mL/min/1.73 m2 was significantly associated with the disappearance of IgA deposition.

Conclusions

The present study showed that latent IgA deposition from the donor kidney, irrespective of mesangial expansion, does not affect transplant prognosis following living‐donor kidney transplantation.
Status dystonicus: a practice guide
Authors: Allen Nicholas M , Lin Jean‐Pierre , Lynch Tim , King Mary D
Published: December 2013

Status dystonicus is a rare, but life‐threatening movement disorder emergency. Urgent assessment is required and management is tailored to patient characteristics and complications. The use of dystonia action plans and early recognition of worsening dystonia may potentially facilitate intervention or prevent progression to status dystonicus. However, for established status dystonicus, rapidly deployed temporizing measures and different depths of sedation in an intensive care unit or high dependency unit are the most immediate and effective modalities for abating life‐threatening spasms, while dystonia‐specific treatment takes effect. If refractory status dystonicus persists despite orally active anti‐dystonia drugs and unsuccessful weaning from sedative or anaesthetic agents, early consideration of intrathecal baclofen or deep brain stimulation is required. During status dystonicus, precise documentation of dystonia sites and severity as well as the baseline clinical state, using rating scales and videos is recommended. Further published descriptions of the clinical nature, timing of evolution, resolution, and epidemiology of status dystonicus are essential for a better collective understanding of this poorly understood heterogeneous emergency. In this review, we provide an overview of the clinical presentation and suggest a management approach for status dystonicus.
The development of a species‐specific test to detect Hymenoschyphus pseudoalbidus in ash tissues
Authors: Gherghel F. , Fussi B. , Donges K. , Haustein M. , Jakob K. M. , Müller K. , Piškur B. , Hauptman T. , Lenz H. D. , Konnert M. , Kost G. , Rexer K.‐H.
Published: December 2013

Ash dieback, caused by the pathogen Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus, is an emerging lethal disease of Fraxinus excelsior in large parts of Europe. To develop a method for the early detection of H. pseudoalbidus, we designed primers for 46 microsatellites (simple sequence repeats, SSRs) of the pathogen. Seven pairs of primers (SSR38, SSR58, SSR114, SSR198, SSR206, SSR211 and SSR212) were found to bind only to the genome of H. pseudoalbidus, but not to the genome of H. albidus or to 52 different fungal endophytes isolated from F. excelsior and F. angustifolia. Using these seven primer pairs, H. pseudoalbidus was identified in fruiting bodies and different types of ash tissues including dead leaves, dead petioles and discoloured or non‐discoloured wood. Along one twig, H. pseudoalbidus was detected at different levels of intensity, which depended on the distance from symptomatic tissue. The detection limit was 0.9–1.8 pg of genomic DNA per PCR. Of 50 analysed commercially available seedlings, six were infected with H. pseudoalbidus. Two SSR loci (SSR198 and SSR211) showed fragment length polymorphism. Our results showed that the new primers not only provide an easy and inexpensive means of detecting H. pseudoalbidus in ash tissues, but can also provide information on the genetic heterogeneity of the species.
ATP P2Y1 receptors control cognitive deficits and neurotoxicity but not glial modifications induced by brain ischemia in mice
Authors: Carmo Marta R. S. , Simões Ana Patrícia , Fonteles Analu A. , Souza Carolina M. , Cunha Rodrigo A. , Andrade Geanne M.
Published: December 2013

ATP is a pleiotropic cell‐to‐cell signaling molecule in the brain that functions through activation of the P2 receptors (P2R), encompassing ionotropic P2XR or metabotropic P2YR. Noxious brain insults increase the extracellular levels of ATP and previous studies have implicated different P2R, namely P2Y1R, in the control of ischemic brain damage, but it remains to be defined if P2Y1R antagonists also alleviate the behavioral impairments associated with brain ischemia. Furthermore, as P2Y1R can control neuronal and glial functions, we explored if P2Y1R antagonist‐mediated protection would mainly involve neuronal and/or glial processes. Adult male mice subject to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) displayed an infarcted cortical area (2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining), decreased neurological score with decreased working and reference memory performance (Y‐maze, object recognition and aversive memory), accompanied by neuronal damage (FluoroJade C), astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and microgliosis (CD11b). All of these changes were attenuated by intracerebroventricular pre‐treatment (10 min before pMCAO) with the generic P2R antagonist 4‐[(E)‐{4‐formyl‐5‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐[(phosphono‐oxy)methyl]pyridin‐2‐yl}diazenyl]benzene‐1,3‐disulfonic acid (PPADS, 0.5–1.0 nmol/μL). In contrast, the selective P2Y1R antagonist (1R*,2S*)‐4‐[2‐Iodo‐6‐(methylamino)‐9H‐purin‐9‐yl]‐2‐(phosphono‐oxy)bicycle[3.1.0] hexane‐1‐methanol dihydrogen phosphate ester (MRS2500, 1.0–2.0 nmol/μL) afforded equivalent behavioral benefits but only prevented neuronal damage but not astrogliosis or microgliosis upon pMCAO. These results indicated that P2Y1R‐associated neuroprotection mainly occurred through neuronal mechanisms, whereas other P2R were also involved in the control of astrocytic reactivity upon brain injury.
Diurnal rhythm of male–male combat behavior in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Heteroptera: Alydidae)
Authors: Suzaki Yû , Miyatake Takahisa
Published: December 2013

In many insects, mating is affected by the day–night cycle, i.e., diurnal rhythm. Although there are many reports that mating and other reproductive behaviors are controlled by daily rhythms in various taxonomic insect species, little attention has been paid to the effect of daily rhythms on male fighting behavior. Here, we investigate whether the frequency and escalation of male–male aggressive interaction exhibit diurnal rhythms under a long‐day condition in the bean bug Riptortus pedestris. Despite the fact that male aggressive behaviors were most often observed in the middle of the later half of light periods, no interaction was found between escalation of fighting and the time period. The results, at least, suggest that male aggressive behaviors are influenced by diurnal rhythms like other reproductive behaviors in R. pedestris.
Surgical versus medical treatment for refractory epilepsy: Outcomes beyond seizure control
Authors: Perry M. Scott , Duchowny Michael
Published: December 2013

Nearly one third of patients with epilepsy become medically intractable, and the likelihood of achieving seizure freedom decreases with each additional medication trial. For appropriately chosen patients, epilepsy surgery affords the opportunity to achieve seizure freedom and potentially wean off medications. Epilepsy surgery, as with medical management, is not without adverse effects; to counsel patients wisely, practitioners need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of both. Randomized controlled trials in temporal lobe epilepsy reveal that epilepsy surgery achieves superior outcome compared to continued medical management. Although seizure freedom is the ultimate goal of any therapy, it represents a single outcome measure among a variety of other domains that affect patient welfare. It is imperative that providers understand the patient variables that affect these outcome measures and how these measures impact each other. Because the data comparing surgical therapy versus medical management for refractory epilepsy are limited, we review the available evidence comparing outcomes beyond seizure freedom including quality of life, cognition, psychosocial function, mortality, and financial costs.
Identification of a novel component C2ORF3 in the lariat–intron complex: lack of C2ORF3 interferes with pre‐mRNA splicing via intron turnover pathway
Authors: Yoshimoto Rei , Okawa Katsuya , Yoshida Minoru , Ohno Mutsuhito , Kataoka Naoyuki
Published: December 2013

To identify the novel factors involved in the postsplicing intron turnover pathway, we carried out immunoprecipitation with known postsplicing factors, hPrp43 and TFIP11. As an interacting factor, we identified C2ORF3 protein by mass spectrometry. We found that C2ORF3 protein is present in the previously characterized Intron Large (IL) complex with an excised lariat intron. In vitro splicing using C2ORF3‐depleted nuclear extracts showed significant repression of splicing, suggesting that C2ORF3 protein is required for pre‐mRNA splicing through its presumable role in efficient intron turnover. Interestingly, C2ORF3 protein is localized in both the nucleoplasm and nucleoli, which suggests a potential function in rRNA processing.
Insertion of long interspersed element‐1 in theMitfgene is associated with altered neurobehavior of the black‐eyed whiteMitfmi‐bwmouse
Authors: Takeda Kazuhisa , Hozumi Hiroki , Nakai Kunihiko , Yoshizawa Miki , Satoh Hiroshi , Yamamoto Hiroaki , Shibahara Shigeki
Published: December 2013

Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (Mitf) is required for the differentiation of melanoblasts of the neural crest origin. The mouse homozygous for theblack‐eyed white(Mitfmi‐bw) allele is characterized by white‐coat color and deafness with black eye, due to the loss of melanoblasts during embryonic development. TheMitfmi‐bwallele carries an insertion of long interspersed element‐1 (L1) in intron 3 of theMitfgene, which may cause the deficiency of melanocyte‐specificMitf‐M. Here, we show that theL1 insertion results in the generation of alternatively splicedMitf‐MmRNAspecies, such asMitf‐MmRNAlacking exon 3, exon 4 or both exons 3 and 4, each of which encodesMitf‐Mprotein with an internal deletion. Transient expression assays showed the loss of or reduction in function of each aberrantMitf‐Mprotein and the dominant negative effect ofMitf‐Mlacking exon 4 that encodes an activation domain. Thus, theL1 insertion may decrease the expression level of functionalMitf‐M. Importantly,Mitf‐MmRNAis expressed in the wild‐type mouse brain, with the highest expression level in the hypothalamus. Likewise, aberrantMitf‐MmRNAs are expressed in the bw mouse brain. The bw mice show the altered neurobehavior under a stressful environment, suggesting the role ofMitf‐Min sensory perception.
Range collapse in the Diana fritillary,Speyeria diana(Nymphalidae)
Authors: Wells Carrie N. , Tonkyn David W.
Published: December 2013

Global warming can affect the distributions, phenology and, ultimately, conservation status of species worldwide, but most published studies on its biological effects have focused on higher latitude species. We extended this work to the Diana fritillary, a butterfly which once ranged throughout the Southeastern United States but now is severely restricted in range.

We searched for all scientific records of this species, from publications, catalogued and uncatalogued specimens in public and private collections in theUnited Statesand Europe, online databases, contemporary field surveys by scientists and amateurs, and our own field surveys. We analysed these records for shifts in latitude, longitude, elevation and phenology.

We found that the Diana fritillary has disappeared entirely from the Atlantic coastal plain, where it was first described, and from interior lowland sites. It now persists in two disjunct parts of its former range, the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Interior Highlands of Oklahoma and Arkansas, and is shifting to higher elevations at about 18 m per decade. In addition, females are being collected 4.3 days earlier per decade though males, which emerge first, have not shifted their phenology. All these patterns are weakly dependent on latitude.

These shifts in distribution and phenology are consistent with the predicted effects of global warming, but we review other large scale changes to the region which also might contribute singly or jointly to these patterns. We also comment on the implications for the conservation of this species.
The applied pretreatment (blanching, ascorbic acid) at the manufacture process affects the quality of nectarine purée processed by hydrostatic high pressure
Authors: García‐Parra Jesús , Contador Rebeca , Delgado‐Adámez Jonathan , González‐Cebrino Francisco , Ramírez Rosario
Published: December 2013

A nectarine purée was manufactured with different pretreatments (thermal blanching or ascorbic acid – AA – addition), and then, the purée was processed by high‐pressure treatment to evaluate the effect of the initial manufacture conditions in the stability of the processed purées. A thermal treatment was also carried out to compare the effect with the high‐pressure processing (HPP). All applied processes were effective to ensure the microbiological safety of the purées. However, the pretreatment (thermal blanching or AA addition) applied during the manufacture affected the final quality of the processed purées. Initially, the AA addition had a protective effect on colour degradation during the manufacture of the purées; however, when these purées were treated by HPP showed less colour stability during storage, lower bioactive compounds content, and antioxidant activity. In contrast, purées with an initial thermal blanching maintained better the quality after HPP and during storage.
New Tool, New Function? Toddlers' Use of Mutual Exclusivity When Mapping Information to Objects
Authors: Casler Krista
Published: December 2013

Prior research has suggested that 24‐month‐old toddlers will rapidly map the function of a novel object but that, unlike preschoolers and adults, they will use the tool for other purposes as well. Here, this nonexclusive pattern of object use was explored. Because it has been unclear whether a mature “one tool, one function” bias in assigning object functions is rooted in deployment of general learning principles or artifact‐specific thinking, Study 1 explored 24‐month‐olds' exploitation of social‐pragmatic cues when mapping labels, facts, and functions to novel objects. Results demonstrated that toddlers readily used a principle of mutual exclusivity to constrain assignments of labels and facts but not functions. This performance was corroborated in Study 2. It appears that 24‐month‐olds have a developing understanding that artifacts have specialized functions but that mutual exclusivity does not guide this development.
Reduction of Oxalate Content of Foods by the Oxalate Degrading Bacterium, Eubacterium Lentum WYH‐1
Authors: Ito Haruo , Miura Naoto , Masai Motoyuki , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Hara Takahiro
Published: December 2013

Background: Urinary oxalate may contribute far more than urinary calcium to the pathogenesis of urinary calculi. Urinary oxalate may be reduced by restricting the intake of foods high in oxalate. The oxalate content of foods might be reduced by oxalate‐degrading bacteria. The purpose of this experiment was to reduce the oxalate content of foods with an oxalate‐degrading bacterium which was isolated from the feces of a Japanese male.

Methods: An artificial intestinal juice was prepared by modifying Rogosa medium. An infusion of black tea was prepared from a commercial tea bag. The oxalate‐degrading bacteria used were Eubacterium lentum WYH‐1 which we have isolated. To 5 mL of the above oxalate‐containing artificial intestinal juice and infusion of black tea, 0.5 mL of the bacterial culture was added and incubated anaerobically at 37°C. Oxalic acid in the supernatant of the culture medium was assayed by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results: In 24 hours, 1 × 106 cells/mL of Eubacterium lentum WYH‐1 decomposed 100% of 1 mg/mL oxalate in the artificial intestinal juice. The oxalate in the black tea infusion (1 mg/mL) was also decomposed completely within 48 hours by 1 × 107 cells/mL of the bacteria.

Conclusion: Eubacterium lentum WYH‐1 was able to efficiently decompose the oxalate in foods.
Primary Adenocarcinoma in an Ileal Conduit
Authors: Tsuboniwa Naoki , Miki Tsuneharu , Kuroda Masao , Maeda Osamu , Saiki Shigeru , Kinouchi Toshiaki , Usami Michiyuki , Kotake Toshihiko
Published: December 2013

Reports of primary small intestine malignancies are rare. Even more uncommon is primary carcinoma in an ileal conduit. Here, we report a case of primary adenocarcinoma in an ileal conduit that developed 14 years after radical cystectomy and diversion to an ileal conduit for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. To our knowledge, only one case of primary adenocarcinoma developing in an ileal conduit after a radical surgery for bladder cancer has been reported previously.
Incisional hernia repair in horses: A cadaveric study of endoscopic component separation
Authors: Caron John P.
Published: December 2013

Objective

To report a technique for endoscopic component separation in horses and quantify the amount of body wall advancement obtained.

Study Design

Descriptive study.

Animals

Fresh cadaveric horses (n = 14).

Methods

After a preliminary anatomic study, 7 horses had unilateral endoscopic component separation involving transection of the external abdominal oblique fascia lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle. A laparoscope, placed using a balloon dissector, was used to create an intermuscular working space between the external abdominal oblique fascia and internal abdominal oblique muscle. A single instrument portal was created 10–12 cm medial to the laparoscope portal. Laparoscopic scissors were used to transect the external abdominal oblique fascia, lateral to its insertion to the external rectus sheath, from ∼20 cm cranial to the costochondral junction to the level of the superficial inguinal ring. Subsequently, a 30 cm ventral median celiotomy was created and the myofascial advancement was quantified at points 10 and 20 cm cranial to the umbilicus.

Results

Endoscopic component separation was successfully completed in all horses. Component separation provided a net mean (±SD) abdominal wall advancement of 3.5 ± 1.3 cm and 3.4 ± 0.5 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm cranial to the umbilicus, respectively.

Conclusion

Endoscopic component separation in horses is technically feasible but, as conducted, results in modest abdominal wall advancement.
“Generationed” space: Societal restructuring and young adults' changing residential location patterns
Authors: Moos Markus
Published: December 2013

Considering Vancouver and Montreal as case studies, this article demonstrates the increasing centralization of the young adult population since the early 1980s. Gentrification, which brings higher income earners to the inner city, is often explained as a class‐based process associated with post‐industrial, post‐Fordist, and, more recently, neo‐liberal restructuring. However, delays in child‐bearing, increasing educational attainment, and the growing amenity and housing component in inner cities have also sharpened the division of space by demographic variables such as age and household size—variables that relate to life‐cycle stage, consumption practices, and generational differences. This article contributes to the understanding of the factors delineating urban space by considering residential location patterns of two different generations of young adults in two metropolitan areas. The findings show that today's young adult residential ecology is increasingly defined by proximity to transit, high‐density housing, and walkability to urban amenities. Due to the higher‐priced housing market and land use planning policies emphasizing densification, the residential pattern is one of concentrated decentralization in Vancouver. In Montreal, centralization of young adults is mostly associated with changing household profiles. In both metropolitan areas, the inner city residential ecology is increasingly delineated by young adults.
Determining factors of residential migration from the central city to the suburbs in the metropolitan region of Montreal: The linguistic divide and flight of the French‐speaking population
Authors: Marois Guillaume , Bélanger Alain
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study is to gain a greater understanding of residential migration within the metropolitan region of Montreal by examining what factors determine flows between the central city and the suburbs. Using a life‐cycle perspective, a logistic regression model was developed. The results call attention to the critical factors that shape migration patterns from the central city to the suburbs: living in a two‐person household, with or without children; being 20 to 39 years of age; speaking French at home; being employed; and not being poor. The results also showed that belonging to a visible minority is not a significant factor in favour of migrating to the suburbs. However, since studies have found that the odds of Francophones leaving Montreal for the suburbs are much greater than for Anglophones or allophones, even after controlling for the other characteristics, residential mobility seems to be associated with spatial segregation based on language, rather than membership in an ethnic group. If “White flight” does not really exist in Montreal, a similar phenomenon with respect to Francophones is taking place which could be labelled “French flight.”
Shaky foundations: Refugees in Vancouver's housing market
Authors: Francis Jenny , Hiebert Daniel
Published: December 2013

Our purpose in this article is to examine refugees' access to housing in metropolitan Vancouver. How are refugees faring in Vancouver's housing market relative to non‐humanitarian immigrants? Is there evidence that their housing circumstances change over time? Following from this, can we detect systematic differences in housing experiences between refugees selected and supported by the Canadian government versus those who come to Canada seeking asylum? Finally, what are the most important barriers for refugees in Vancouver's housing market and how are they addressed? Our study involved three main forms of data collection: focus groups with representatives of organizations that support newcomers, focus groups with newcomers, and a systematic survey exploring the housing experience of immigrants and refugees. While this article focuses on the survey results, we also draw upon the contextual knowledge obtained through the focus groups. We find that refugees are more likely than economic immigrants to lack the resources needed to access adequate and affordable housing. Many inhabit inadequately maintained, overcrowded, and unaffordable housing units and experience increased risk of homelessness. Therefore, we conclude that there is a need for greater coordination between housing and settlement policy to enable all newcomers to meet their housing needs.
Geographic analysis of the impacts of mountain pine beetle infestation on forest fire ignition
Authors: Bourbonnais Mathieu L. , Nelson Trisalyn A. , Wulder Michael A.
Published: December 2013

In British Columbia, Canada, the largest mountain pine beetle outbreak on record has resulted in changes to fuel complexes that may alter fire regimes. The goal of this study is to analyze the relative importance of mountain pine beetle infestations as a determinant of forest fire ignition density in British Columbia. Fire ignitions data for the years 2000 to 2007 were modelled with covariates (weather, topography, ignition source, and the nature of the mountain pine beetle infestation) in 1km by 1km cells in the Montane Cordillera ecozone. Kernel density estimation was conducted for each fire season to illustrate broad scale trends in fire occurrence and regression trees were used to analyze the relative importance of each covariate. Results indicate precipitation, temperature, and Seasonal Severity Rating were the most influential determinants of fire ignition densities. While mountain pine beetle covariates were of lesser importance, moderate stand level tree mortality was more important for predicting the highest modelled fire ignition density values than high or extreme level mountain pine beetle mortality. Elevated fire ignition density was also associated with forests attacked by mountain pine beetle both one and six years previous, while other years were less important predictors.
Great expectations: Examining the designation effect of marine protected areas in coastal Arctic and sub‐Arctic communities in Canada
Authors: Lemelin Raynald H. , Dawson Jackie
Published: December 2013

Marine protected area (MPA) proponents suggest that local communities can benefit from the designation effect that ensues from the creation of protected areas. Few studies, however, have examined the designation effect of MPAs. In order to illustrate the existing and potential designation effect of MPA establishment in Northern Canada, case studies and exploratory research instruments consisting of the following indicators—(i) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area category; (ii) natural heritage (wildlife, landscapes, seascapes); (iii) cultural heritage (authenticity of cultural heritage and sites); (iv) visitor accessibility (air, road); (v) existing service industry and product development (accommodations, restaurants, shops, guiding, information availability); (vi) existing tourism industry and site popularity; (vii) tourism funding opportunities for marketing and product development; (viii) double branding effect from the existence of parks and/or other type of protected area, and (ix) the designation effect—are used to examine the impacts of MPA designation (existing and proposed) in Northern Canada. The analysis suggests that the potential designation effect from four MPAs in Northern Canada is rather limited. Proponents and managers of MPAs would be best served to downplay the role of tourism and examine the role of other factors of local importance like livelihood during MPA designation.
Toponymic constraints in Wemindji
Authors: Eades Gwilym Lucas
Published: December 2013

Research by Eugene Hunn (1996) suggested that toponymic density and population density are roughly equal for a range of indigenous groups across North America. In Wemindji, Quebec, historic and current toponymic and population data support Hunn's observation. I demonstrate that toponymic constraints are real by holding the number of traditional toponyms (898) as a background constant, and estimating the growth of Wemindji's population from 1960 to 2010 based on knowledge held by local experts. Measurements from historic air photographs assumed toponymic growth proportional to the area within the limits of Wemindji town development. A set of 78 new town place names provide a baseline for that measurement. Relative to toponymic density, population density steadily increased from 1960 to 2010, with a graph depicting the two densities suggesting equality in approximately 1995.
Anatomical bases of sex‐ and size‐related acoustic variation in herring gull alarm calls
Authors: Hardouin Loïc A. , Thompson Richard , Stenning Martyn , Reby David
Published: December 2013

The hypothesis that anatomical or physiological factors can constrain the production of vocalizations is supported by an increasing number of examples from a range of taxa, where acoustic variation is related to sex, body‐size or condition. In this study, we combine anatomical and acoustic investigations in herring gulls Larus argentatus to 1) identify co‐variation between sex, body size and the dimensions of the vocal apparatus and 2) test the possible effect of this co‐variation on interindividual variation in the acoustics of alarm calls. We found that the vocal apparatus was sexually dimorphic, with males having longer trachea and bigger vibratile membranes than females. We also identified a relationship between the head–bill length – a secondary sexual trait – and the length of the trachea in males only. However, we failed to identify corresponding sex‐ and body‐size related variation in the acoustic components of alarm calls. We suggest that this absence of a relationship between anatomical and acoustic dimensions may reflect the lack of biomechanical constraints exerted during the production of alarm calls, and that such relationships are more likely to be expressed in this species’ sexual calls, whose production is characterised by more pronounced, ritualised postures that are more likely to highlight inter‐individual size variation.
Honesty of a dynamic female aggressive status signal: baseline testosterone relates to bill color in female American goldfinches
Authors: Pham T. T. , Queller P. S. , Tarvin K. A. , Murphy T. G.
Published: December 2013

Status signals are linked to fighting ability and enable competitors to gain access to resources without risking injury in aggressive combat. The relationship between testosterone (T), a hormone that mediates aggression, and signals of status is well studied in males, but little is known about the relationship between T and female signals of status. Female and male American goldfinches Spinus tristis express a dynamic carotenoid‐based orange bill color during the breeding season and previous work has demonstrated that females use orange bill color to communicate competitive ability during intrasexual competition. We test the hypothesis that female bill color reflects baseline T, which would allow receivers to directly assess a competitor's aggressive potential. We found a positive relationship between T and bill coloration in females, indicating that bill color has the ability to signal female competitive status. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that female bill color is a reliable signal of fighting ability, and indicates that females, like males, may use coloration to signal their hormonally mediated aggressive potential.
A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of planning strategies in the adherence to medication for coronary artery disease
Authors: Lourenço Laura Bacelar de Araujo , Rodrigues Roberta Cunha Matheus , Ciol Marcia Aparecida , São‐João Thaís Moreira , Cornélio Marilia Estevam , Dantas Rosana Aparecida Spadoti , Gallani Maria‐Cecília
Published: December 2013

Aim

To examine the effect of action and coping planning strategies in the adherence to medication among outpatients with coronary artery disease.

Background

Action and coping planning strategies are based on implementation intention, which requires self‐regulation by the individual, to prioritize intentionally planned responses over learned or habitual ones, from daily routines to stressful situations.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Participants (n = 115) were randomized into intervention (use of action and coping planning strategies, n = 59) or control (usual care, n = 56) groups. The study was conducted between June 2010–May 2011 in two in‐person visits: baseline and 2‐month follow‐up. Participants in the intervention group received telephone reinforcement between baseline and 2‐month follow‐up. Adherence to medication for cardioprotection and symptoms relief was evaluated by proportion of adherence, global measure of adherence evaluation and Morisky Self‐Reported Measure of Medication Adherence Scale at both baseline and 2‐month follow‐up.

Findings

When using the measure of global measure of adherence, participants in the intervention group reported adherence to therapy more often than controls (odds ratio = 5·3), but no statistically significant change was observed in the other two outcome measures.

Conclusion

This study has shown that individuals who use action and coping planning report higher adherence to drug treatment, when measured by the global adherence evaluation. Further studies with longer follow‐ups are needed to assess if the effect of planning strategies has long‐term duration.
Integrating phylogeography, physiology and habitat modelling to explore species range determinants
Authors: Eme David , Malard Florian , Colson‐Proch Céline , Jean Pauline , Calvignac Sébastien , Konecny‐Dupré Lara , Hervant Frédéric , Douady Christophe J.
Published: December 2013

Aim

Disentangling the roles of the interacting processes that shape species' ranges requires independent measurements of dispersal, physiological traits and habitat use. Multifaceted approaches of range determinants are, however, still rare, despite the widespread recognition that correlative modelling approaches alone are not sufficient to understand and predict species' distributions. Here, we combined genetic, distributional and physiological data to reveal the processes that cause the disjunct distribution of the groundwater isopod Proasellus valdensis in isolated Alpine mountains previously covered by Pleistocene glaciers.

Location

The Alps and Jura Mountains, France.

Methods

Phylogenetic/phylogeographical methods based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes were used to test for recent dispersal between mountains. A logistic regression on presence–absence data was performed to quantify variation in the probability of occurrence with temperature. Variation in survival and respiration over a range of temperatures was measured within four populations to test for a causal effect of temperature on species distribution.

Results

Despite the disjunct distribution, genetic analyses supported recent dispersal between mountains, as indicated by weak divergence among sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), a single haplotype network showing no spatial structuring, and a small proportion of molecular variance distributed between mountains. The probability of occurrence of P. valdensis decreased significantly with increasing temperature, although physiological experiments indicated that occurrence in warmer habitats was probably restricted by thermally dependent biotic interactions rather than by temperature itself. All populations maintained a high survival rate over a wide range of temperatures (3–15 °C), with a weak but detectable tendency for local adaptation.

Main conclusions

Combining phylogeographical, physiological and habitat modelling methods reveals the interacting processes that drive range dynamics. A broad thermal tolerance helps P. valdensis to colonize vacant habitats during the onset of glacial melting, but range fragmentation and local adaptation, leading to thermal niche narrowing, proceed during warmer interglacials as biotic interactions progressively intensify.
Avian species composition across the Amazon River: the roles of dispersal limitation and environmental heterogeneity
Authors: Pomara Lars Y. , Ruokolainen Kalle , Young Kenneth R.
Published: December 2013

Aim

The roles of dispersal limitation and environmental heterogeneity in structuring tropical species composition can be better understood by accounting for dispersal barriers and possible niche differentiation effects. We make ecological and historical interpretations of dissimilarity in avian species composition across a riverine dispersal boundary in the light of environmental characteristics, species and subspecies range limits, and geographical distances.

Location

Lowland rain forest, western Amazon River Basin, Peru.

Methods

We surveyed all birds and one plant family, collected soil samples and measured forest structural characteristics and fragmentation in surrounding landscapes, at sites to the north and south of the Amazon River flood plain. We used Mantel tests, multiple regression on distance matrices, indicator species analysis and ordination methods to assess the relationships among dissimilarities in species composition, geographical distance, position relative to the river and environmental characteristics. We examined compositional variation for all bird species, for only species without range limits between sites, and for species with and without subspecies limits at the Amazon River.

Results

Dissimilarity in avian species composition across the river was large, despite a lack of environmental differences. Most of this dissimilarity was accounted for by species and subspecies range limits at the river. Plant species composition did not show any dissimilarity across the river. Plant species composition and forest fragmentation explained additional components of avian compositional dissimilarity not associated with the riverine boundary and involving different bird species.

Main conclusions

The riverine dispersal boundary, floristic heterogeneity and forest fragmentation were associated with distinctive components of avian species compositional dissimilarity, collectively explaining three‐quarters of the total dissimilarity among sites. Compositional dissimilarity was consistent with historical and continuing isolation of avian populations on opposite sides of the river, and may be partly driven by niche differentiation between subspecies. Geographical distance as a measure of dispersal limitation would not have accounted for these relationships. The use of rivers in biogeographical region delineation should address their variable importance for different taxa.
Temporal dynamics of areas of endemism under climate change: a case study of Mexican Bursera (Burseraceae)
Authors: Gámez Niza , Escalante Tania , Espinosa David , Eguiarte Luis E. , Morrone Juan. J.
Published: December 2013

Aim

Our aim was to analyse the temporal dynamics of areas of endemism of Bursera species (Burseraceae), a dominant element of the Mexican tropical dry forest, between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the present day. We aimed to identify stable core sectors that have held permanent populations of endemic species.

Location

Mexican dry forest.

Methods

We modelled the geographical distributions of 81 species of Bursera and identified their areas of endemism at the LGM and at present. For each area of endemism, changes in time, species composition and distribution were analysed, and a spatially explicit temporal hypothesis was formulated.

Results

Three areas of endemism supported by geographically congruent elements were identified: the Central Mexican Pacific Coast, Western Balsas, and Eastern Balsas–Tehuacán/Cuicatlán–Tehuantepec. Within them we identified stable core sectors (refugia).

Main conclusions

The areas of endemism identified represent distinct evolutionary biotic components of the Mexican dry forest. Their stable core sectors may facilitate phylogeographical predictions at the level of species or species assemblages. The framework adopted allows us to formulate spatially explicit temporal hypotheses about biotic processes, based exclusively on geographical data.
Cryoablation of AVNRT in Children and Adolescents: Early Intervention Leads to a Better Outcome
Authors: DRAGO FABRIZIO , PLACIDI SILVIA , RIGHI DANIELA , DI MAMBRO CORRADO , RUSSO MARIO SALVATORE , SILVETTI MASSIMO STEFANO , PALMIERI ROSALINDA , PROSPERI MONICA
Published: December 2013

Cryoablation of AVNRT in Children and Adolescents

Introduction

Currently, transcatheter cryoablation is a well‐established technique for the treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) in children. In the past decade, many studies have focused on identifying factors that may affect acute and long‐term outcome, but none has been shown to be strongly predictive of treatment success. The aim of our study was to determine whether patient age and cryoablation method correlate with acute and long‐term success.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively reviewed 202 consecutive patients (98 male, mean age 11.5 years; range: 4–20 years) who underwent cryoablation for AVNRT at our institution from October 2002 to August 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age: group A <12 years (n = 101) and group B ≥12 years (n = 101). A single lesion or linear lesion technique was employed. A total of 217 cryoablation procedures were performed: 106 (49%) in group A and 111 (51%) in group B. All patients were evaluated in our postoperative follow‐up program. The overall recurrence rate was 10.9% (22/202). AVNRT recurrence was significantly lower in group A than in group B (4.95% vs 16.8%, P = 0.000). No significant differences in recurrence rate were observed between groups when using the single lesion versus linear lesion technique. There were no permanent cryoablation‐related complications.

Conclusion

Our findings show that cryoablation had no complications and a very good success rate. Type of cryolesion is not predictive of long‐term success, whereas lower recurrence rate is achieved when cryoablation is performed at a younger age.
Advanced tissue engineering scaffold design for regeneration of the complex hierarchical periodontal structure
Authors: Costa Pedro F. , Vaquette Cédryck , Zhang Qiyi , Reis Rui L. , Ivanovski Saso , Hutmacher Dietmar W.
Published: December 2013

Aim

This study investigated the ability of an osteoconductive biphasic scaffold to simultaneously regenerate alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and cementum.

Materials and Methods

A biphasic scaffold was built by attaching a fused deposition modelled bone compartment to a melt electrospun periodontal compartment. The bone compartment was coated with a calcium phosphate (CaP) layer for increasing osteoconductivity, seeded with osteoblasts and cultured in vitro for 6 weeks. The resulting constructs were then complemented with the placement of PDL cell sheets on the periodontal compartment, attached to a dentin block and subcutaneously implanted into athymic rats for 8 weeks. Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, alkaline phosphatase and DNA content quantification, confocal laser microscopy, micro computerized tomography and histological analysis were employed to evaluate the scaffold's performance.

Results

The in vitro study showed that alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly increased in the CaP‐coated samples and they also displayed enhanced mineralization. In the in vivo study, significantly more bone formation was observed in the coated scaffolds. Histological analysis revealed that the large pore size of the periodontal compartment permitted vascularization of the cell sheets, and periodontal attachment was achieved at the dentin interface.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that the combination of cell sheet technology together with an osteoconductive biphasic scaffold could be utilized to address the limitations of current periodontal regeneration techniques.
Near equality in quality for medication utilization among older adults with diabetes with universal medication insurance in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Shah Baiju R. , Booth Gillian L. , Lipscombe Lorraine L. , Feig Denice S. , Bhattacharyya Onil K. , Bierman Arlene S.
Published: December 2013

Rationale, aims and objectives

To determine whether demographic, community or health status disparities in cardioprotective medication utilization by diabetes patients exist under a universal drug insurance programme, and whether they narrow or widen during periods of increasing drug utilization.

Methods

We examined all prescriptions filled by all people with diabetes aged ≥65 years in Ontario, Canada in annual cohorts from 1996 (n = 175 345) to 2010 (n = 504 093). We ascertained whether any disparities in use of three classes of cardioprotective medication (statins, all antihypertensives and renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system inhibitors) existed, and whether disparities changed over time.

Results

Utilization of all three cardioprotective medication classes increased substantially over time, particularly statins (rate ratio per year: 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.11–1.15). We found no disparities associated with many of the demographic or community characteristics examined (including sex, income or rural residence). Use of statins was lower in those aged ≥80 compared with younger age groups, although this disparity narrowed during the study. Persistently lower use of antihypertensives by minorities and by recent immigrants may be due to lower quality of care, barriers to access, or other patient or provider factors, which highlights the need for ongoing monitoring for disparities even in populations with universal drug insurance. Differences in medication utilization based on health status characteristics such as previous cardiovascular disease were medically indicated.

Conclusions

Although a universal drug insurance programme was reasonably successful in ensuring few disparities in cardioprotective medication use by older patients with diabetes, disparities persisted for some subpopulations, so additional interventions continue to be needed to ensure equitable care.
Colonization of the deep sea by fishes
Authors: Priede I. G. , Froese R.
Published: December 2013

Analysis of maximum depth of occurrence of 11 952 marine fish species shows a global decrease in species number (N) with depth (x; m): log10N = −0·000422x + 3·610000 (r2 = 0·948). The rate of decrease is close to global estimates for change in pelagic and benthic biomass with depth (−0·000430), indicating that species richness of fishes may be limited by food energy availability in the deep sea. The slopes for the Classes Myxini (−0·000488) and Actinopterygii (−0·000413) follow this trend but Chondrichthyes decrease more rapidly (−0·000731) implying deficiency in ability to colonize the deep sea. Maximum depths attained are 2743, 4156 and 8370 m for Myxini, Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii, respectively. Endemic species occur in abundance at 7–7800 m depth in hadal trenches but appear to be absent from the deepest parts of the oceans, >9000 m deep. There have been six global oceanic anoxic events (OAE) since the origin of the major fish taxa in the Devonian c. 400 million years ago (mya). Colonization of the deep sea has taken place largely since the most recent OAE in the Cretaceous 94 mya when the Atlantic Ocean opened up. Patterns of global oceanic circulation oxygenating the deep ocean basins became established coinciding with a period of teleost diversification and appearance of the Acanthopterygii. Within the Actinopterygii, there is a trend for greater invasion of the deep sea by the lower taxa in accordance with the Andriashev paradigm. Here, 31 deep‐sea families of Actinopterygii were identified with mean maximum depth >1000 m and with >10 species. Those with most of their constituent species living shallower than 1000 m are proposed as invasive, with extinctions in the deep being continuously balanced by export of species from shallow seas. Specialized families with most species deeper than 1000 m are termed deep‐sea endemics in this study; these appear to persist in the deep by virtue of global distribution enabling recovery from regional extinctions. Deep‐sea invasive families such as Ophidiidae and Liparidae make the greatest contribution to fish fauna at depths >6000 m.