bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological Evidence that Histamine H3 Receptors Mediate Histamine‐Induced Inhibition of the Vagal Bradycardic Out‐flow in Pithed Rats
Authors: García Mónica , García‐Pedraza José Ángel , Villalón Carlos M. , Morán Asunción
Published: August 2015

In vivo stimulation of cardiac vagal neurons induces bradycardia by acetylcholine (ACh) release. As vagal release of ACh may be modulated by autoreceptors (muscarinic M2) and heteroreceptors (including serotonin 5‐HT1), this study has analysed the pharmacological profile of the receptors involved in histamine‐induced inhibition of the vagal bradycardic out‐flow in pithed rats. For this purpose, 180 male Wistar rats were pithed, artificially ventilated and pre‐treated (i.v.) with 1 mg/kg atenolol, followed by i.v. administration of physiological saline (1 ml/kg), histamine (10, 50, 100 and 200 μg/kg) or the selective histamine H1 (2‐pyridylethylamine), H2 (dimaprit), H3 (methimepip) and H4 (VUF 8430) receptor agonists (1, 10, 50 and 100 μg/kg each). Under these conditions, electrical stimulation (3, 6 and 9 Hz; 15 ± 3 V and 1 ms) of the vagus nerve resulted in frequency‐dependent bradycardic responses, which were (i) unchanged during the infusions of saline, 2‐pyridylethylamine, dimaprit or VUF 8430; and (ii) dose‐dependently inhibited by histamine or methimepip. Moreover, the inhibition of the bradycardia caused by 50 μg/kg of either histamine or methimepip (which failed to inhibit the bradycardic responses to i.v. bolus injections of acetylcholine; 1–10 μg/kg) was abolished by the H3 receptor antagonist JNJ 10181457 (1 mg/kg, i.v.). In conclusion, our results suggest that histamine‐induced inhibition of the vagal bradycardic out‐flow in pithed rats is mainly mediated by pre‐junctional activation of histamine H3 receptors, as previously demonstrated for the vasopressor sympathetic out‐flow and the vasodepressor sensory CGRPergic (calcitonin gene‐related peptide) out‐flow.
Sample Size Methods for Estimating HIV Incidence from Cross-sectional Surveys
Authors: Konikoff Jacob , Brookmeyer Ron
Published: August 2015

Understanding HIV incidence, the rate at which new infections occur in populations, is critical for tracking and surveillance of the epidemic. In this article, we derive methods for determining sample sizes for cross-sectional surveys to estimate incidence with sufficient precision. We further show how to specify sample sizes for two successive cross-sectional surveys to detect changes in incidence with adequate power. In these surveys biomarkers such as CD4 cell count, viral load, and recently developed serological assays are used to determine which individuals are in an early disease stage of infection. The total number of individuals in this stage, divided by the number of people who are uninfected, is used to approximate the incidence rate. Our methods account for uncertainty in the durations of time spent in the biomarker defined early disease stage. We find that failure to account for this uncertainty when designing surveys can lead to imprecise estimates of incidence and underpowered studies. We evaluated our sample size methods in simulations and found that they performed well in a variety of underlying epidemics. Code for implementing our methods in R is available with this article at the Biometrics website on Wiley Online Library.
The Facilitating Function of the Setting
Authors: O'Neill Sylvia
Published: August 2015

This paper addresses the issue of what facilitates creativity in psychoanalytic work. Although creativity may seem to imply a creatively interpreting analyst/therapist, dictionary usage of the term ‘creativity’ supports an alternative reading. The author finds a more apt standpoint in the theory of the analytic site that Donnet has extrapolated from Freud's papers on technique. From this viewpoint, creativity in psychoanalysis is the autonomous or spontaneously flowing analytic process, and the factor that facilitates it is the carefully constructed and maintained setting, or site, and the patient's transformational introjection of it. A comparable standpoint applies to creativity in psychotherapy and psychodynamic social work. Provided that the setting/site proper to that treatment modality is adequately constructed and maintained, the psychoanalytical psychotherapy site and the even more radically different psychodynamic social work site can both be comparably introjected, resulting in each case in a spontaneously flowing or autonomous therapeutic process that is analogous to the analytic process. The author discusses the uniqueness of each ‘site’, and illustrates, from a once weekly psychotherapy, the patient's gradual, created/found encounter with elements of the psychoanalytical psychotherapy site and cumulative introjection of them to a critical point of metamorphosis that ushered in an autonomous therapeutic process.
‘Button type’ bipolar plasma vaporisation of the prostate compared with standard transurethral resection: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of short‐term outcome studies
Authors: Wroclawski Marcelo L. , Carneiro Arie , Amarante Rodrigo Dal Moro , Oliveira Carlos E.B. , Shimanoe Victor , Bianco Bianca A.V. , Sakuramoto Paulo K. , Pompeo Antonio C.L.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the surgical morbidity and effectiveness in improving symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), comparing ‘button‐type’ bipolar plasma vaporisation (BTPV) vs transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Methods

We conducted a literature search of published articles until November 2014. Only prospective and randomised studies with comparative data between BTPV and conventional TURP (mono‐ or bipolar) were included in this review.

Results

Six articles were selected for the analyses. In the 871 patients evaluated, 522 underwent TURP and 349 BTPV. There was a tendency for a higher transfusion rate in the TURP group, with two BTPV cases (0.006%) and 16 TURP cases (0.032%) requiring transfusions (P = 0.06). The number of complications was similar between the groups (odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8–1.31; P = 0.12; I2 = 86%). When subdivided by severity, 10.7% (14/131) and 14.6% (52/355) of complications were classified as severe (Clavien 3 or 4) in patients who underwent BTPV and TURP, respectively (P = 0.02). The average duration of indwelling catheterisation was significantly less in patients who underwent BTPV (standardised mean difference [SMD] −0.84; 95% CI −1.54 to 0.14; P = 0.02; I2 = 81%). Both treatments significantly improved symptoms and the postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score was similar in both groups (SMD 0.09, 95% CI −1.56 to 1.73; P = 0.92).

Conclusion

BTPV is an effective and safe treatment for BPH. The improvement of urinary symptoms and overall complications are comparable to conventional TURP. However, BTVP appears to be associated with a lower rate of major complications and duration of indwelling catheterisation.
The Development of Executive Function: Toward More Optimal Coordination of Control With Age
Authors: Chevalier Nicolas
Published: August 2015

Emerging executive function, which allows children to control their thoughts and actions, predicts success in life. A key challenge for children is to engage control in a way that matches ever‐changing demands of tasks. In addition to engagement of more control resources and more mature control strategies, developing executive function also requires that children coordinate available control strategies more flexibly as they age. More optimal coordination of control (or meta‐control) ensures dynamic adjustment of control engagement to match more effectively moment‐to‐moment variations in the demands of tasks and results in more economic cognitive functioning.
The Role of Classroom Peer Ecology and Bystanders’ Responses in Bullying
Authors: Saarento Silja , Salmivalli Christina
Published: August 2015

Over the last few decades, research on the role of classroom peer ecologies in student‐to‐student bullying has widened our understanding of this phenomenon. Bullying functions not only for individual perpetrators but also for the whole peer group by, for instance, providing a common goal and a semblance of cohesion for the group members. Bullying is more likely in classrooms characterized by poor climate, strong status hierarchy, and probullying norms. Bystanders’ responses contribute to the bullying dynamic by either rewarding or sanctioning the behavior of the perpetrators. Bystanders’ responses to bullying can be changed through school‐based programs, mediating the effects of the programs on bullying. Further efforts are needed to transform evidence into schools’ preventive practices encompassing the peer ecologies.
Elementary School Children's Reasoning About Social Class: A Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Mistry Rashmita S. , Brown Christia S. , White Elizabeth S. , Chow Kirby A. , Gillen‐O'Neel Cari
Published: August 2015

The current study examined children's identification and reasoning about their subjective social status (SSS), their beliefs about social class groups (i.e., the poor, middle class, and rich), and the associations between the two. Study participants were 117 10‐ to 12‐year‐old children of diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds attending a laboratory elementary school in Southern California. Results indicated that children's SSS ratings correlated with indicators of family socioeconomic status and were informed by material possessions, lifestyle characteristics, and social and societal comparisons. Children rated the poor as having fewer positive attributes and more negative attributes than the middle class, and fewer positive attributes than the rich. Lower SSS children held less positive attitudes toward the poor than children with middle SSS ratings.
Infants Prefer Tunes Previously Introduced by Speakers of Their Native Language
Authors: Soley Gaye , Sebastián‐Gallés Núria
Published: August 2015

Infants show attentional biases for certain individuals over others based on various cues. However, the role of these biases in shaping infants' preferences and learning is not clear. This study asked whether infants' preference for native speakers (Kinzler, Dupoux, & Spelke, 2007) would modulate their preferences for tunes. After getting equal exposure to two different tunes introduced by two speakers, 7‐month‐olds (N = 32) listened longer to the tune that was introduced by a native speaker compared to the tune that was introduced by a foreign speaker. This suggests that the social‐emotional context in which exposure to stimuli occurs influences auditory preferences, and that the early emerging attentional biases might have important ramifications regarding social learning in early infancy.
β‐Blocker withdrawal is preferable for accurate interpretation of the aldosterone–renin ratio in chronically treated hypertension
Authors: Browne Gerard A. , Griffin Tomás P. , O'Shea Paula M. , Dennedy Michael Conall
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of β‐adrenoreceptor antagonists (β‐blockers) on the aldosterone–renin ratio (ARR) in the context of antihypertensive polypharmacy in chronic hypertension. To determine the optimal duration of β‐blocker withdrawal required to normalize the ARR.

Design

A prospective, longitudinal study design was employed investigating two groups whom either remained on or withdrew from β‐blocker therapy.

Methods

Hypertensive individuals taking β‐blockers and a combination of thiazide diuretics, α1‐blockers, calcium channel antagonists and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker were recruited and followed over 10–12 weeks. β‐Blockers were withdrawn at the first visit. Blood pressure (BP) was measured at each visit and blood drawn serially for measurement of plasma renin activity (PRA), direct renin concentration (DRC) and aldosterone. BP was optimized by maximizing non‐renin‐suppressing antihypertensives. Main outcomes were ARR, DRC, PRA and aldosterone. Plasma renin activity was calculated from angiotensin I measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA), DRC was measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay assay, and aldosterone was measured using both RIA and Chemilluminescence Assay (CIL).

Results

False‐positive ARR for primary aldosteronism (PA) occurred in 31% of patients taking β‐blockers. ARR returned to normal following β‐blocker withdrawal resulting from an increase in the DRC and PRA without affecting aldosterone. The optimum time for β‐blocker withdrawal was 2 weeks when using DRC and 3 weeks for PRA. β‐Blocker withdrawal did not adversely affect blood pressure.

Conclusion

Raised ARR consequent to β‐blocker therapy causes false‐positive screening for PA. Where β‐blockers can be safely withdrawn, this effect is reversed within 2–3 weeks depending on whether DRC or PRA is used to calculate ARR.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder developing 40 years after myasthenia gravis remission
Authors: Caetano André , Mendonça Marcelo , Pinto Miguel , Correia Ana S. , Pelejão Rita
Published: August 2015

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and myasthenia gravis are antibody‐mediated diseases that frequently occur in patients with other autoimmune systemic or organ‐specific diseases. We report the case of a Portuguese woman diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis in her mid 20s, and who remained symptom‐free after undergoing thymectomy. Approximately 40 years later, at the age of 74 years, the patient presented with recurrent episodes of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis within a period of 4 months. The work‐up showed positive antibodies to aquaporin‐4, and a NMO spectrum disorder was diagnosed. Under treatment with high‐dose oral corticosteroids and azathioprine, there were no further relapses. As far as we know, this is one of the longest latency periods reported between the two diagnoses, highlighting that NMO should be kept in mind in any patient with myasthenia gravis developing central nervous system signs and/or loss of visual acuity.
Factors influencing mortality and morbidity following colorectal resection in France. Analysis of a national database (2009–2011)
Authors: Parc Y. , Reboul‐Marty J. , Lefevre J. H. , Shields C. , Chafai N. , Tiret E.
Published: August 2015

Aim

Correlation between outcome and hospital volume regarding colorectal resection (CRR) has been described, but it suggests that provider variability may have an impact. Our aim was to analyse the influence of institutional characteristics and the impact of volume [high volume (HV) or low volume (LV)] on mortality and morbidity after CRR at a national level.

Method

Data from 2009–2012, including patient demographics, diagnosis, procedure, mode of admission and discharge and hospital type, were obtained. Each hospital admission was classified as one of four levels of severity.

Results

Of 176 444 patients included, 5408 (3.06%) died and 41 240 (23.37%) had a complication. Multivariate analysis showed that factors influencing morbidity were age over 80 years, severity level, pathology other than diverticular disease, male gender, demanding surgery, open surgery and surgery in an HV institution. Factors influencing mortality were the same except for the impact of volume. In HV centres, surgery was significantly more demanding (54.66% vs 47.17%, P < 0.0001), morbidity more frequent (26.59% vs 22.07%, P < 0.0001), but mortality was lower (2.17% vs 3.43%, P < 0.0001). In total, 6038 (3.4%) patients were transferred after surgery. Transfer rate and mortality after transfer were significantly higher in LV institutions (respectively: 4.3% vs 2.5%, P < 0.0001; and 12% vs 10.3%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

High volume centres have higher morbidity, but lower mortality. Six per cent of patients in LV centres required transfer. A national mortality rate after CRR of 3.5% can be expected. Transfer rate and mortality after transfer should be included in the evaluation of institutional mortality. Volume of institution, regardless of type, influences mortality after CRR.
Multidisciplinary management of colorectal adenocarcinoma associated with anal fistula: an Indian series
Authors: Pai V. D. , Jatal S. , Engineer R. , Ostwal V. , Saklani A. P.
Published: August 2015

Aim

Adenocarcinomas associated with anal fistula are rare and often present at an advanced stage. They are often mistaken for commonly occurring benign diseases, leading to delayed diagnosis. Previous reports have predicted inferior oncological outcomes for these cases compared with sporadic rectal cancers. We are presenting our series of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma associated with anal fistula who were treated with multimodality therapy at a tertiary cancer centre in India.

Method

This was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients treated at our centre between 1 July 2013 and 31 March 2015. Of the 15 patients included in the study, 11 had prior intervention in the form of seton placement or fistulotomy. Fourteen patients had circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement at initial workup and hence were given neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT). None of the patients had distant metastasis and only 15% had regional nodal involvement.

Results

All 13 patients included in the final analysis underwent abdominoperineal excision (APE). Ten patients (73%) underwent extralevator APE. Plastic reconstruction in the form of a V–Y advancement flap for perineal closure was required in six patients (46%). On histopathological examination, a mucinous component was found to be present in 11 patients (73%). The quality of total mesorectal excision was complete in 92% patients. The CRM was free in 92% of patients. Median overall survival and disease‐free survival were not reached.

Conclusion

Colorectal adenocarcinomas associated with fistula are locally aggressive malignancies with a low incidence of lymph node involvement and distant metastasis. NACRT, wider resection in the form of extralevator APE, and liberal use of plastic reconstruction may result in favourable outcomes.
Examining the Influence of the Social Cognitive Factors and Relative Autonomous Motivations on Employees’ Knowledge Sharing Behaviors
Authors: Wang Wei‐Tsong
Published: August 2015

By incorporating the perspectives of social cognitive theory and relative autonomous motivations, this study examines a model that depicts the influence of personal and environmental factors on employees’ knowledge sharing behaviors (KSBs). Data that were collected from 294 professionals in the industry were analyzed using component‐based structural equation modeling to examine the proposed model. The research results indicate that trust, relationship orientation, knowledge sharing self‐efficacy, and relative autonomous motivation regarding KSBs are the key influencing factors of KSBs of professionals. A key implication is that managers must consider the impact of the level of employee‐perceived autonomous motivation when they seek to facilitate KSBs. Finally, the theoretical and practical contributions are discussed, followed by the suggestions for future research directions.
Decision Making and the Price Setting Newsvendor: Experimental Evidence
Authors: Kocabıyıkoğlu Ayşe , Göğüş Celile Itır , Gönül M. Sinan
Published: August 2015

We present an experimental study of the price‐setting newsvendor problem, which extends the traditional framework by allowing the decision maker to determine both the selling price and the order quantity of a given item. We compare behavior under this model with two benchmark conditions where subjects have a single decision to make (price or quantity). We observe that subjects deviate from the theoretical benchmarks when they are tasked with a single decision. They also exhibit anchoring behavior, where their anchor is the expected demand when quantity is the decision variable and is the initial inventory level when price is the decision variable. When decision makers set quantity and price concurrently, we observe no significant difference between the normative (i.e., expected profit‐maximizing) prices and the decision makers’ price choices. Quantity decisions move further from the normative benchmarks (compared to when subjects have a single decision to make) when the ratio of cost to price is less than half. When this ratio is reversed, there is no significant difference between order levels in single‐ and multi‐task settings. In the multidecision framework, we also observe a tendency to match orders and expected demand levels, which subjects can control using prices.
Differences in health‐related quality of life and caregiver burden after hip and spine surgery in non‐ambulatory children with severe cerebral palsy
Authors: Difazio Rachel L , Vessey Judith A , Zurakowski David , Snyder Brian D
Published: August 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in caregivers' perceptions of health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and caregiver impact in children with severe, non‐ambulatory cerebral palsy after orthopedic surgery to correct hip or spine deformities.

Method

A prospective longitudinal cohort study (n=44) design was used to measure changes before and after surgery. Caregivers completed the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) and the Assessment of Caregiver Experience with Neuromuscular Disease (ACEND). Data collection was between February 2011 and February 2014. Caregivers were included if their child was 3 to 25 years old, had cerebral palsy in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V, and was scheduled for orthopedic surgery. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to assess changes before and at four time points after surgery.

Results

Forty‐four caregivers participated. Caregivers' perceptions of their child's HRQOL demonstrated an improvement from baseline to 12 months (p<0.001). Patients who had spine surgery demonstrated a steady improvement over time, whereas patients who had hip surgery had a decrease at 6 weeks followed by steady improvement. Improvements were noted in five of six of the CPCHILD domains, with no changes in the quality of life domain. No changes were noted in any of the ACEND domains.

Interpretation

Caregivers report an improvement in a variety of domains of HRQOL 1 year after orthopedic surgery.
Trade Negotiations under Alternative Bargaining Structure
Authors: Sen Neelanjan , Biswas Rajit
Published: August 2015

We build a bargaining model, in which a country (leader) decides whether or not to form a free trade agreement with other nations (followers), either through a sequential or a multilateral bargaining procedure. Unlike Aghion et al. (, Journal of International Economics, 73, 1–30), in our specification of multilateral bargaining, the leader can collude with all those follower countries who agree to its offer. This has important implications for the choice of sequential and multilateral bargaining by the leader in presence of coalition externalities. Moreover, this bargaining procedure ensures that “stumbling block” equilibrium will never occur.
Known and unexpected constraints evoke different kinematic, muscle, and motor cortical neuron responses during locomotion
Authors: Stout Erik E. , Sirota Mikhail G. , Beloozerova Irina N.
Published: August 2015

During navigation through complex natural environments, people and animals must adapt their movements when the environment changes. The neural mechanisms of such adaptations are poorly understood, especially with respect to constraints that are unexpected and must be adapted to quickly. In this study, we recorded forelimb‐related kinematics, muscle activity, and the activity of motor cortical neurons in cats walking along a raised horizontal ladder, a complex locomotion task requiring accurate limb placement. One of the crosspieces was motorized, and displaced before the cat stepped on the ladder or at different points along the cat's progression over the ladder, either towards or away from the cat. We found that, when the crosspiece was displaced before the cat stepped onto the ladder, the kinematic modifications were complex and involved all forelimb joints. When the crosspiece displaced unexpectedly while the cat was on the ladder, the kinematic modifications were minimalistic and primarily involved distal joints. The activity of M. triceps and M. extensor digitorum communis differed based on the direction of displacement. Out of 151 neurons tested, 69% responded to at least one condition; however, neurons were significantly more likely to respond when crosspiece displacement was unexpected. Most often they responded during the swing phase. These results suggest that different neural mechanisms and motor control strategies are used to overcome constraints for locomotor movements depending on whether they are known or emerge unexpectedly.
Ultrasound‐guided lipoaspiration for mesenchymal stromal cell harvest in the horse
Authors: Lawver J. , Thaler R.
Published: August 2015

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are being used to treat a variety of conditions in the horse. Traditional lipectomy and bone marrow aspiration for MSC harvest have disadvantages including cosmetic issues with lipectomy and extensive time for cell expansion after bone marrow harvests. This article describes a new technique of adipose harvest in the horse, utilising ultrasound and liposuction that can be safely and effectively performed in an ambulatory environment. Ultrasound‐guided lipoaspiration offers a minimally invasive technique using small portals and a diffuse area of collection significantly improving aesthetic outcome and increasing the likelihood of treating within a matter of days vs. a matter of weeks.
Investigation of the antifibrillatory drug interactions between Amiodarone and Ibutilide in isolated, perfused Rabbit hearts
Authors: Almotrefi Abdulrahman A. , Bukhari Ishfaq A. , Alhumayyd Mohammad S.
Published: August 2015

In view of the reliability of the serial‐shock method of measuring ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) in quantitatively assessing the antifibrillatory potency of many anti‐arrhythmic drugs and the alarming reports of the proarrhythmic effects of several anti‐arrhythmic agents, it was decided to use the above technique to study the possible interactions that may occur when anti‐arrhythmic drugs from different classes are combined. Hearts isolated from New Zealand white rabbits of either sex weighing 1.5–2 kg were perfused by the Langendorff method with McEwen's solution. In six hearts, measurement of VFT was made in the absence of any drug throughout the experiments. Perfusion with either amiodarone or ibutilide produced significant, dose‐dependent increase in VFT. In addition, there was no significant difference in the increase in VFT produced by the combined infusion of 1 μmol of amiodarone and 0.01 μmol of ibutilide and the summation of the increases produced by the separate infusion of these two concentrations. This is in contrast to a significant synergistic antifibrillatory effect of the combined use of lidocaine and propranolol that was reported previously. The lack of antifibrillatory interactions between amiodarone and Ibutilide may suggest the safety of combining the two drugs in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. However, further studies are required to establish this in the clinical setup.
Global change pressures on soils from land use and management
Authors: Smith Pete , House Joanna I. , Bustamante Mercedes , Sobocká Jaroslava , Harper Richard , Pan Genxing , West Paul C. , Clark Joanna M. , Adhya Tapan , Rumpel Cornelia , Paustian Keith , Kuikman Peter , Cotrufo M. Francesca , Elliott Jane A. , McDowell Richard , Griffiths Robert I. , Asakawa Susumu , Bondeau Alberte , Jain Atul K. , Meersmans Jeroen , Pugh Thomas A. M.
Published: August 2015

Soils are subject to varying degrees of direct or indirect human disturbance, constituting a major global change driver. Factoring out natural from direct and indirect human influence is not always straightforward, but some human activities have clear impacts. These include land‐use change, land management and land degradation (erosion, compaction, sealing and salinization). The intensity of land use also exerts a great impact on soils, and soils are also subject to indirect impacts arising from human activity, such as acid deposition (sulphur and nitrogen) and heavy metal pollution. In this critical review, we report the state‐of‐the‐art understanding of these global change pressures on soils, identify knowledge gaps and research challenges and highlight actions and policies to minimize adverse environmental impacts arising from these global change drivers. Soils are central to considerations of what constitutes sustainable intensification. Therefore, ensuring that vulnerable and high environmental value soils are considered when protecting important habitats and ecosystems, will help to reduce the pressure on land from global change drivers. To ensure that soils are protected as part of wider environmental efforts, a global soil resilience programme should be considered, to monitor, recover or sustain soil fertility and function, and to enhance the ecosystem services provided by soils. Soils cannot, and should not, be considered in isolation of the ecosystems that they underpin and vice versa. The role of soils in supporting ecosystems and natural capital needs greater recognition. The lasting legacy of the International Year of Soils in 2015 should be to put soils at the centre of policy supporting environmental protection and sustainable development.
Winter oilseed production for biofuel in the US Corn Belt: opportunities and limitations
Authors: Sindelar Aaron J. , Schmer Marty R. , Gesch Russell W. , Forcella Frank , Eberle Carrie A. , Thom Matthew D. , Archer David W.
Published: August 2015

Interest from the US commercial aviation industry and commitments established by the US Navy and Air Force to use renewable fuels has spurred interest in identifying and developing crops for renewable aviation fuel. Concern regarding greenhouse gas emissions associated with land‐use change and shifting land grown for food to feedstock production for fuel has encouraged the concept of intensifying current prominent cropping systems through various double cropping strategies. Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) and field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) are two winter oilseed crops that could potentially be integrated into the corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cropping system, which is the prominent cropping system in the US Corn Belt. In addition to providing a feedstock for renewable aviation fuel production, integrating these crops into corn–soybean cropping systems could also potentially provide a range of ecosystem services. Some of these include soil protection from wind and water erosion, soil organic C (SOC) sequestration, water quality improvement through nitrate reduction, and a food source for pollinators. However, integration of these crops into corn–soybean cropping systems also carries possible limitations, such as potential yield reductions of the subsequent soybean crop. This review identifies and discusses some of the key benefits and constraints of integrating camelina or field pennycress into corn–soybean cropping systems and identifies generalized areas for potential adoption in the US Corn Belt.
Structural analysis of the mechanism of phosphorylation of a critical autoregulatory tyrosine residue in FGFR1 kinase domain
Authors: Kobashigawa Yoshihiro , Amano Shinjiro , Yokogawa Mariko , Kumeta Hiroyuki , Morioka Hiroshi , Inouye Masayori , Schlessinger Joseph , Inagaki Fuyuhiko
Published: August 2015

Receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are enzymes that play important roles in regulating signal transduction pathways in a variety of normal cellular process and in many pathological conditions. Ordered phosphorylation is required for receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation, a process mediated by transient dimer formation of the kinase domains. This process is triggered by the tyrosine phosphorylation in the activation loop. Here, we report structural and biochemical analyses of the tyrosine kinase domain interaction of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) required for the initial phosphorylation step. On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and covalent cross‐linking experiments, we propose a parallel symmetric dimer model where specific contacts are formed between the N‐lobes and C‐lobes, respectively, in the FGFR1 kinase domains. Moreover, assignment of the contact sites between two FGFR1 kinase domains are supported by a trans‐phosphorylation assay and by mutational analyses. The present report shows the molecular mechanism underlying the control of trans‐phosphorylation of a critical auto‐regulatory site in FGF receptors’ catalytic domain.
Study of pulsed light inactivation and growth dynamics during storage of Escherichia coli ATCC 35218, Listeria innocua ATCC 33090, Salmonella Enteritidis MA44 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae KE162 and native flora in apple, orange and strawberry juices
Authors: Ferrario Mariana , Alzamora Stella Maris , Guerrero Sandra
Published: August 2015

The response of some inoculated strains and native flora to PL treatment (Xenon lamp, 3 pulses s−1, 10 cm distance from the lamp, 71.6 J cm−2) in apple, orange and strawberry fresh juices with different absorbance, turbidity and particle size was investigated. Microbial growth dynamics during 12‐day storage (5 °C) of PL‐treated juices was also evaluated. PL treatments provoked 0.3–2.6 log reductions for inoculated microorganisms and 0.1–0.7 for native flora. High turbidity and particles with high UV absorbance seemed to play a major role in the PL efficiency compared to particle size. Cold storage of PL‐processed juices provoked an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria innocua inactivation, achieving 5.0–8.0 log reductions, while no recovery of Escherichia coli and retardation for yeast growth was observed, compared to untreated samples. This study gives valuable information regarding the influence of juice variables on PL effectiveness and emphasises the beneficial effect of a postcold storage on microbial safety of PL‐treated juices.
Protection against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection in mice treated with modulated dendritic cells relies on inhibition of interleukin‐10 production by CD8+ T cells
Authors: Alves da Costa Thiago , Di Gangi Rosária , Martins Paula , Longhini Ana Leda Figueiredo , Zanucoli Fábio , de Oliveira Alexandre Leite Rodrigues , Stach‐Machado Dagmar Ruth , Burger Eva , Verinaud Liana , Thomé Rodolfo
Published: August 2015

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic infection prevalent in Latin American countries. Disease develops after inhalation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia followed by an improper immune activation by the host leucocytes. Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen‐presenting cells with the unique ability to direct the adaptive immune response by the time of activation of naive T cells. This study was conducted to test whether extracts of P. brasiliensis would induce maturation of DCs. We found that DCs treated with extracts acquired an inflammatory phenotype and upon adoptive transfer conferred protection to infection. Interestingly, interleukin‐10 production by CD8+ T cells was ablated following DC transfer. Further analyses showed that lymphocytes from infected mice were high producers of interleukin‐10, with CD8+ T cells being the main source. Blockage of cross‐presentation to CD8+ T cells by modulated DCs abolished the protective effect of adoptive transfer. Collectively, our data show that adoptive transfer of P. brasiliensis‐modulated DCs is an interesting approach for the control of infection in paracoccidioidomycosis.
Relationship between female genital tract infections, mucosal interleukin‐17 production and local T helper type 17 cells
Authors: Masson Lindi , Salkinder Amy L. , Olivier Abraham Jacobus , McKinnon Lyle R. , Gamieldien Hoyam , Mlisana Koleka , Scriba Thomas J. , Lewis David A. , Little Francesca , Jaspan Heather B. , Ronacher Katharina , Denny Lynette , Abdool Karim Salim S. , Passmore Jo‐Ann S.
Published: August 2015

T helper type 17 (Th17) cells play an important role in immunity to fungal and bacterial pathogens, although their role in the female genital tract, where exposure to these pathogens is common, is not well understood. We investigated the relationship between female genital tract infections, cervicovaginal interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) concentrations and Th17 cell frequencies. Forty‐two cytokines were measured in cervicovaginal lavages from HIV‐uninfected and HIV‐infected women. Frequencies of Th17 cells (CD3+ CD4+ IL‐17a+) were evaluated in cervical cytobrushes and blood by flow cytometry. Women were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis and herpes simplex virus 2 by PCR, and candidal infections and bacterial vaginosis by Gram stain. Women with bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs), specifically chlamydia and gonorrhoea, had higher genital IL‐17 concentrations than women with no STI, whereas women with candidal pseudohyphae/spores had lower IL‐17 concentrations compared with women without candidal infections. Viral STIs (herpes simplex virus 2 and HIV) were not associated with significant changes in genital IL‐17 concentrations. Genital IL‐17 concentrations correlated strongly with other inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Although Th17 cells were depleted from blood during HIV infection, cervical Th17 cell frequencies were similar in HIV‐uninfected and HIV‐infected women. Cervical Th17 cell frequencies were also not associated with STIs or candida, although few women had a STI. These findings suggest that IL‐17 production in the female genital tract is induced in response to bacterial but not viral STIs. Decreased IL‐17 associated with candidal infections suggests that candida may actively suppress IL‐17 production or women with dampened IL‐17 responses may be more susceptible to candidal outgrowth
Nursing interventions for substance use during psychiatric hospital admissions: Clinical context and predictors
Authors: Stewart Duncan , Warren Jonathan , Odubanwo Adewunmi , Bowers Len
Published: August 2015

Empirical information about how nurses manage substance use on psychiatric wards is lacking. The aims of the study were to identify the frequency and clinical features of incidents among a sample of inpatients over a 12‐month period and how nursing staff intervened. Electronic, anonymized inpatient records were searched for incidents of substance use on 17 acute psychiatric wards in four hospitals in London. Searches were conducted for all patients admitted during 2012 and details of incidents and patient characteristics were extracted for analysis. Substance use was reported for 291 patients, with 25 incidents per 100 patients admitted to hospital. Only half of the incidents were followed by a response that specifically addressed the patients’ substance use behaviour. These interactions usually concerned the circumstances and reasons for use, but rarely involved specific support for patients’ substance use problems. The likelihood of staff taking any form of action was increased if the patient had been formally admitted, and was reduced if the patient was subject to containment during the shift or had a history of self‐harm. The results demonstrate that nurses require specific training and guidance on supporting substance using patients.
Robust molecular phylogeny and palaeodistribution modelling resolve a complex evolutionary history: glacial cycling drove recurrent mtDNA introgression among Pelophylax frogs in East Asia
Authors: Komaki Shohei , Igawa Takeshi , Lin Si‐Min , Tojo Koji , Min Mi‐Sook , Sumida Masayuki
Published: August 2015

Aim

Pelophylax frogs in East Asia provide an opportunity to explore the impact of glacial cycling on demographic and genetic dynamics, because it has been suggested that they experienced distribution shifts and subsequent mtDNA introgression from Pelophylax plancyi to Pelophylax nigromaculatus in association with climatic oscillations. However, their evolutionary history, including the pattern of introgression, is incompletely understood. We used phylogenetic analyses based on multiple markers to address their evolutionary history, and palaeodistribution modelling to test whether the predicted distribution can explain the pattern of introgression suggested by molecular phylogenetics.

Location

East Asia, including far‐eastern Russia, mainland China, the Japanese archipelago, the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan.

Methods

Ninety‐nine samples of the Pelophylax nigromaculatus species complex were collected from 75 localities throughout the distributional range of each species. Phylogenetic analyses were performed with the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene and six nuclear genes using two European Pelophylax frogs as outgroups. Additionally, palaeodistributions of P. nigromaculatus and P. plancyi were predicted using bioclimatic variables.

Results

Differences were observed between the mitochondrial and nuclear DNA trees in the phylogenetic position of P. plancyi. Similar phylogenetic discordance was also observed within P. nigromaculatus. Distribution modelling suggested that a considerable distributional shift of P. nigromaculatus occurred in association with glacial cycling and that the distributional range of P. plancyi was relatively narrow during glacial periods.

Main conclusions

The analyses detected five historical mtDNA introgression events and determined their directions, none of which had been deduced in previous studies. In association with glacial cycling, the distributional ranges of P. nigromaculatus and P. plancyi appear to have shifted repeatedly, resulting in multiple complex introgressions. By combining phylogenetic analyses with palaeodistribution modelling, our results supported the hypothesis that the history of mtDNA introgression among Pelophylax frogs was shaped by glacial cycling.
Mitochondrial phylogeography and cryptic divergence in the stickleback genusPungitius
Authors: Wang Cui , Shikano Takahito , Persat Henri , Merilä Juha
Published: August 2015

Aim

Stickleback fish exhibit considerable morphological variation within and between species, and similar armour phenotypes are often found in different taxonomic groups. Although severalPungitiusspecies and subspecies have been recognized, their evolutionary history and relationships remain poorly known. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and phenotypic divergence in this genus with a particular focus onP. pungitiusandP. laevis.

Location

Northern Hemisphere.

Methods

Nucleotide variation was analysed in five mitochondrial regions (control region, cytochromeb,ATPase 6, 12SrRNAand 16SrRNA) covering a total of 3236 bp in 194 individuals from five recognized species (P. pungitius, P. laevis, P. platygaster,P. tymensisandP. kaibarae).

Results

Six highly divergent lineages were identified, including those corresponding toP. pungitius,P. platygaster,P. tymensisandP. kaibarae. However,P. laeviswas found to be polyphyletic, consisting of three divergent lineages. Two of them were independent monophyletic groups, whereas the third one clustered together withP. pungitius. All of theP. laevislineages, as well as oneP. pungitiuslineage, were found in the central and southern parts of France. Divergence within this genus was indicated to have begun about 4.4 Ma in the Pliocene epoch. All divergences in the Western Palaearctic were estimated to have occurred during the Pleistocene (≤ 2.6 Ma). No correspondence was found between the molecular phylogeny and the occurrence of distinct armour phenotypes within this genus.

Main conclusions

The results suggest that glacial events during the Pleistocene are likely to have strongly impacted the diversification of this genus in the Western Palaearctic, implying that the central and southern parts of France were important glacial refugia for the ancestralPungitiusfish. It also appears that similar armour phenotypes have evolved independently in differentPungitiuslineages, questioning the utility of these traits as diagnostic taxonomic characters.
Fat‐free mass and calf circumference as body composition indices to determine non‐exercise activity thermogenesis in patients with diabetes
Authors: Isobe Yuki , Sakurai Masaru , Kita Yuki , Takeshita Yumie , Misu Hirofumi , Kaneko Shuichi , Takamura Toshinari
Published: August 2015

Aims/Introduction

To investigate the clinical and anthropometrical parameters that are associated with non‐exercise activity thermogenesis that is composed of basal energy expenditure (BEE) and diet‐induced thermogenesis (DIT) in patients with diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance, and BEE and DIT were measured using indirect calorimetry in 40 Japanese patients with diabetes.

Results

BEE correlated positively with bodyweight, body mass index, fat mass, and fat‐free mass, and correlated negatively with age in both men and women. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, BEE correlated positively with both fat mass and fat‐free mass independently of sex and age. In addition, DIT correlated positively with bodyweight, body mass index, fat mass and fat‐free mass, and correlated negatively with age in women, but not men. Fat‐free mass contributed to DIT at least partly, and an aging‐related decrease in DIT was observed. The best anthropometric parameter that reflected fat mass and fat‐free mass was hip circumference (HC) and calf circumference (CC), respectively, in both men and women. Indeed, both HC (men β = 0.600, P < 0.001; women β = 0.752, P < 0.001) and CC (men β = 0.810, P = 0.012; women β = 0.821, P = 0.002) were correlated with BEE independently of age and sex. In addition, CC (β = 0.653, P = 0.009), but not HC was correlated with DIT significantly only in females, independently of age.

Conclusions

HC reflects fat mass and was positively associated with BEE, but not with DIT. In contrast, CC reflects fat‐free mass, and was positively associated with BEE in both men and women, and with DIT in women.
Fixed, low radiant exposure vs. incremental radiant exposure approach for diode laser hair reduction: a randomized, split axilla, comparative single‐blinded trial
Authors: Pavlović M.D. , Adamič M. , Nenadić D.
Published: August 2015

Background

Diode lasers are the most commonly used treatment modalities for unwanted hair reduction. Only a few controlled clinical trials but not a single randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared the impact of various laser parameters, especially radiant exposure, onto efficacy, tolerability and safety of laser hair reduction.

Objective

To compare the safety, tolerability and mid‐term efficacy of fixed, low and incremental radiant exposures of diode lasers (800 nm) for axillary hair removal, we conducted an intrapatient, left‐to‐right, patient‐ and assessor‐blinded and controlled trial.

Methods

Diode laser (800 nm) treatments were evaluated in 39 study participants (skin type II–III) with unwanted axillary hairs. Randomization and allocation to split axilla treatments were carried out by a web‐based randomization tool. Six treatments were performed at 4‐ to 6‐week intervals with study subjects blinded to the type of treatment. Final assessment of hair reduction was conducted 6 months after the last treatment by means of blinded 4‐point clinical scale using photographs. The primary endpoint was reduction in hair growth, and secondary endpoints were patient‐rated tolerability and satisfaction with the treatment, treatment‐related pain and adverse effects.

Results

Excellent reduction in axillary hairs (≥76%) at 6‐month follow‐up visit after receiving fixed, low and incremental radiant exposure diode laser treatments was obtained in 59% and 67% of study participants respectively (Z value: 1.342, P = 0.180). Patients reported lower visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score on the fixed (4.26) than on the incremental radiant exposure side (5.64) (P < 0.0003). The only side‐effect was mild and transient erythema. Subjects better tolerated the fixed, low radiant exposure protocol (P = 0.03). The majority of the study participants were satisfied with both treatments.

Conclusion

Both low and incremental radiant exposures produced similar hair reduction and high and comparable patient satisfaction. However, low radiant exposure diode laser treatments were less painful and better tolerated.