bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on tree population structure and diversity of a rain forest biosphere reserve in Ghana, West Africa
Authors: Attua Emmanuel Morgan , Awanyo Louis , Antwi Effah Kwabena
Published: June 2017

We evaluated the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on community structure and diversity along three management zones of the Bia biosphere reserve in Ghana. Sixty sample plots were distributed among the core, buffer and transition zones. We estimated the degree of disturbances from discernible indicators on the field and satellite images. All tree species ≥10 cm dbh (diameter at breast height) were identified and enumerated. Inventory data were compared across the zones and related to intensity of disturbances. A total of 1176 individual trees from 108 species and 33 families were encountered. Number of species varied from 27 in the highly disturbed (HD) to 61 in the least disturbed (LD) zone. Mean basal area (BA) varied from 11.71 in the HD to 28.26 in the LD. Both Margalef's species richness and Shannon‐Weiner's α‐diversity were highest in the moderately disturbed (MD) than either the least and most disturbed zones. Our study revealed significant differences in tree abundance, stem density, BA and species diversity, attributable to differences in degree of anthropogenic disturbances among zones. Given the different levels of anthropogenic disturbance and corresponding impacts across the reserve, we recommend an integrated management strategy for the conservation of biodiversity in the Bia biosphere reserve.
A randomised, controlled trial evaluating a low cost, 3D‐printed bronchoscopy simulator
Authors: Pedersen T. H. , Gysin J. , Wegmann A. , Osswald M. , Ott S. R. , Theiler L. , Greif R.
Published: June 2017

Low‐fidelity, simulation‐based psychomotor skills training is a valuable first step in the educational approach to mastering complex procedural skills. We developed a cost‐effective bronchial tree simulator based on a human thorax computed tomography scan using rapid‐prototyping (3D‐print) technology. This randomised, single‐blind study evaluated how realistic our 3D‐printed simulator would mimic human anatomy compared with commercially available bronchial tree simulators (Laerdal® Airway Management Trainer with Bronchial Tree and AirSim Advance Bronchi, Stavanger, Norway). Thirty experienced anaesthetists and respiratory physicians used a fibreoptic bronchoscope to rate each simulator on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 mm = completely unrealistic anatomy, 100 mm = indistinguishable from real patient) for: localisation of the right upper lobe bronchial lumen; placement of a bronchial blocker in the left main bronchus; aspiration of fluid from the right lower lobe; and overall realism. The 3D‐printed simulator was rated most realistic for the localisation of the right upper lobe bronchial lumen (p = 0.002), but no differences were found in placement of a bronchial blocker or for aspiration of fluid (p = 0.792 and p = 0.057) compared with using the commercially available simulators. Overall, the 3D‐printed simulator was rated most realistic (p = 0.021). Given the substantially lower costs for the 3D‐printed simulator (£85 (€100/US$110) compared with > ~ £2000 (€2350/US$2590) for the commercially available simulators), our 3D‐printed simulator provides an inexpensive alternative for learning bronchoscopy skills, and offers the possibility of practising procedures on patient‐specific models before attempting them in clinical practice.
Seeking and Finding Positive Youth Development Among Zulu Youth in South African Townships
Authors: Schwartz Kelly D. , Theron Linda C. , Scales Peter C.
Published: June 2017

A cross‐sectional study explored the presence and power of developmental assets in a sample of youth from rural South African townships. Learners (female = 58%; Mage = 17.1; N = 505) attending three township high schools completed self‐report measures of developmental assets and thriving outcomes. Participants reported contextual assets (e.g., family, school, community) in the vulnerable ranges, with gender, family structure, and school type accounting for some differences. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that five asset contexts (family, school, community, personal, social) were uniquely predictive of thriving outcomes. Discussion focuses on contextual expressions of positive youth development among Zulu township youth in challenging environments.
Phaeochromocytoma in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2: RET codon‐specific penetrance and changes in management during the last four decades
Authors: Mucha L. , Leidig‐Bruckner G. , Frank‐Raue K. , Bruckner Th. , Kroiss M. , Raue F. ,   the German study group for rare thyroid cancer
Published: June 2017

Objectives

We describe phaeochromocytoma (phaeo) penetrance in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) according to RET protooncogene‐specific mutations and report changes in phaeo diagnosis and management from 1968 to 2015.

Design

This retrospective chart review included 309 MEN2 patients from one specialized ambulatory care centre. Phaeo patients were categorized by diagnosis date: early, 1968‐1996, n=40, and recent, 1997‐2015, n=45.

Results

Phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed in 85/309 patients with RET mutations in the following exons (phaeos/all carriers, %): exon 11 (56/120, 46.6%); exon 16 (7/17, 41.2%), exon 10 (14/47, 29.8%), and exon 13‐15 (2/116, 1.7%). Age at phaeo diagnosis differed according to affected exon: 21.9±1.5 years, exon 16; 34.1±11.6 years, exon 11; and 41.8±8.8 years, exon 10. Age‐related phaeo penetrance differed among five amino acid substitutions at codon 634 and was highest for Cys634Arg and Cys634Tyr. Age at diagnosis was 34.4±11.6 years in the early and recent groups. Phaeochromocytoma and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) were diagnosed synchronously in 21/40 (early) vs 8/45 (recent) and metachronously in 19/40 vs 37/45 cases. Diagnostic methods significantly changed from clinical (22/40 vs 4/45) to biochemical and/or imaging based (14/40 vs 35/45). Phaeochromocytoma diameter at diagnosis was 4.6 vs 2.6 cm.

Conclusion

Phaeochromocytoma penetrance and age of diagnosis are highly correlated with MTC aggressiveness based on RET mutation status, with higher penetrance and younger age of diagnosis associated with more aggressive MTC. Penetrance steadily increases with age. At‐risk patients require lifelong follow‐up.
Do laryngoscopic findings reflect the characteristics of reflux in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux?
Authors: Lee Y.C. , Kwon O.E. , Park J.M. , Eun Y.G.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To analyse the association between 24‐hour multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH (24‐h MII‐pH) parameters and each item of the reflux finding score (RFS) to determine whether the laryngoscopic findings of the RFS could reflect the characteristics of reflux in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Settings

Tertiary care referral medical centre.

Participants

Patients complaining of LPR symptoms were evaluated via a 24‐hour MII‐pH. Among them, 99 patients whose LPR was confirmed via 24‐hour MII‐pH were enrolled in this study.

Main outcome measures

Correlations between RFS ratings and 24‐hour MII‐pH parameters were evaluated and compared between patients with or without each laryngoscopic finding used in the RFS.

Results

Subglottic oedema had a statistically significant positive correlation with number of non‐acid LPR and non‐acid full column reflux events. Ventricular obliteration and posterior commissure hypertrophy showed a significant correlation with non‐acid exposure time and total reflux exposure time. We also found a significant correlation between granuloma/granulation score and number of acid LPR events. The numbers of non‐acid LPR and full column reflux events in patients with subglottic oedema were significantly higher than those without subglottic oedema.

Conclusion

Among the laryngoscopic findings used in the RFS, subglottic oedema is specific for non‐acid reflux episodes, and granuloma/granulation is specific for acid reflux episodes.
Citizen Science: Exploring the Potential of Natural Resource Monitoring Programs to Influence Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors
Authors: Chase Sarah K. , Levine Arielle
Published: June 2017

Citizen science programs monitoring ecosystems and natural resources are promoted for their potential to foster environmental awareness and stewardship. We surveyed volunteers in natural resource monitoring programs to determine whether they perceived changes in their environmental attitudes and decision‐making. The majority of participants perceived changes in their attitude toward the resource being monitored, but not in their decision‐making toward the resource they monitored or toward the environment more broadly. While the resources volunteers monitored in this study were diverse, program volunteers themselves were not. Participants were largely white, older, affluent, well‐educated, held strong preexisting environmental attitudes, and were involved in other conservation, research, or management efforts. While engaging this narrow range of self‐selected volunteers has the potential to reinforce existing pro‐environmental attitudes through strengthening social networks, citizen science programs can increase their potential to promote attitude and behavioral change by making a concerted effort to engage a more diverse “citizenry.”
Incorporating Land Tenure Security into Conservation
Authors: Robinson Brian E. , Masuda Yuta J. , Kelly Allison , Holland Margaret B. , Bedford Charles , Childress Malcolm , Fletschner Diana , Game Edward T. , Ginsburg Chloe , Hilhorst Thea , Lawry Steven , Miteva Daniela A. , Musengezi Jessica , Naughton‐Treves Lisa , Nolte Christoph , Sunderlin William D. , Veit Peter
Published: June 2017

Insecure land tenure plagues many developing and tropical regions, often where conservation concerns are highest. Conservation organizations have long focused on protected areas as tenure interventions, but are now thinking more comprehensively about whether and how to incorporate other land tenure strategies into their work, and how to more soundly ground such interventions on evidence of both conservation and human benefits. Through a review of the literature on land tenure security as it relates to conservation practice, predominantly in the tropics, we aim to help conservation practitioners consider and incorporate more appropriate land tenure security interventions into conservation strategies. We present a framework that identifies three common ways in which land tenure security can impact human and conservation outcomes, and suggest practical ways to distill tenure and tenure security issues for a given location. We conclude with steps for considering tenure security issues in the context of conservation projects and identify areas for future research.
Ultrastructural aspects of primary anetoderma
Authors: Göebel‐Pinto Joice B. , de Almeida Hiram L. , de Castro Luis Antônio S. , Rocha Nara M.
Published: June 2017

Anetoderma is a rare cutaneous disorder characterized by focal loss of dermal elastic tissue due to unknown mechanisms. Primary anetoderma develops on clinical normal skin, without any preceding dermatosis and it can be associated with autoimmune conditions. Secondary anetoderma develops on the same area of a previous disorder, such as infectious, neoplastic or inflammatory diseases. A 37‐year‐old female patient noticed for 4 years circumscribed, normochromic, asymptomatic herniated plaques on the trunk and upper limbs. Family history was negative. Only a positive antinuclear factor (ANF) test, with titer of 1:160 and nuclear homogeneous pattern was found. Light microscopy with Weigert staining showed a lessening of elastic fibers with fragmentation; the oxytalanic fibers were also affected or absent. Transmission electron microscopy showed fragmentation and granular degeneration of elastic fibers. With greater magnification, fragments similar to those seen with optical microscopy were identified. The collagen fibers did not present any alteration. The examination of the dermis with scanning electron microscopy also identified fragmentation and significant fissures of the elastic tissue, granular degeneration was also observed. With greater magnification fragmented elastic fibers were seen.
Adrenergic Modification of Glucose‐Induced Biphasic Insulin Release from Perifused Rat Pancreas
Authors: Burr Ian M. , Balant Luc , Stauffacher Werner , Renold Albert E.
Published: June 2017

Immediate and deferred effects of agents stimulating or inhibiting α or β adrenergic receptors have been studied in a perifusion preparation of rat pancreas in which glucose induces a biphasio pattern of IRI release. Epinephrine directly inhibited both the primary and the secondary phases of IRI release during the period of glucose stimulation. Propranolol inhibited only the secondary response. Low concentrations of isoproterenol stimulated, yet high concentrations inhibited both primary and secondary glucose‐induced IRI responses. Prestimulation with either epinephrine or nor‐epinephrine, followed by replacement of the adrenergic agent with stimulating concentrations of glucose, produced a marked enhancement of the glucose‐induced primary response. This deferred enhancement was abolished by the further addition of either α or β receptor blocking agents during prestimulation. — These results suggests that adrenergic stimulation may both enhance and depress glucose‐stimulated IRI release and that the suppressive α‐type effect is exerted at a point distal to the enhancing β‐type effect in the chain of events leading to IRI release; that α and β types of effects are not mutualy exclusive; that adrenergic suppression of IRI release may act to ‘prime’ the B‐cell such that subsequent immediate responses become more marked. Since adrenergic ‘priming’ of B‐cells selectively affects the primary phase of glucose‐stimulated IRI release, the possibility that inadequate function of this priming mechanism may contribute to the delayed response in diabetes must be considered.
Relationship between the Biliary Excretion of Bile Acids and the Excretion of Water, Lecithin, and Cholesterol in Man
Authors: SCHERSTÉN T. , NILSSON S. , CAHLIN E. , FILIPSON MARGARETA , BRODIN-PERSSON GUNILLA
Published: June 2017

The relationship between the biliary excretion of bile acids and the excretion of water, lecithin, and cholesterol was studied within a wide range of bile acid excretion rates in 5 patients operated on for nonobstructive gallstone disease. The bile acid excretion rate was varied by interruption of the enterohepatic circulation (EHC) and by duodenal refeeding of bile acids during interrupted EHC. A linear relationship between the bile acid excretion rate and the water excretion rate was found. In 2 of the patients the cholesterol excretion rate seemed to be independent of the bile acid excretion rate and in two of the remaining cases a linear relationship between the excretion rates of these lipids was broken at bile acid ex cretion rates below 5 μmoles/min. The biliary excretion rate of lecithin was related to the bile acid excretion rate in a nonlinear way. This relationship suggests that the determining role of bile acids in the EHC for the biliary excretion of lecithin cannot be related primarily to the excretory mechanism in the hepatocytes. However, the findings are compatible with the hypothesis that the bile acids in the EHC affect primarily the synthesis of lecithin in the biliary excretion pool.
Concentration of Triglycerides, Phospholipids and Glycogen in Skeletal Muscle and of Free Fatty Acids and β‐Hydroxybutyric Acid in Blood in Man in Response to Exercise
Authors: Carlson Lars A. , Göran Ekelund Lars- , Fröberg Sven O.
Published: June 2017

Twenty‐four fasting male subjects exercised until exhaustion on a bicycle at a relative workload of about 70% of the workload at heart rate 170 per min. Muscle tissue was obtained by needle biopsy from the lateral femoral muscle before and after exercise.—The average work time was 99 min. The muscle triglyceride concentration decreased during the exercise from 10.4 to 7.8 μmoles per gram and that of glycogen from 10.4 to 3.4 mg per gram. The concentration of phospholipids in the muscle remained unchanged.‐The amount of fatty acids and of glucose which were oxidized during the exercise was calculated from the oxygen uptake and the respiratory quotient and found to be 39 % and 61 % respectively of the caloric output. It was estimated that the muscle triglyceride and plasma free fatty acids (FFA) contributed about 2/3 and 1/3 respectively of the fatty acids oxidized. Similar calculations showed that muscle glycogen covered about 2/3 of the amount of glucose oxidized.—A number of correlation coefficients were calculated between the various parameters studied. There was no correlation between the triglyceride and glycogen content of the muscle. The amount of work performed was correlated to the glycogen (r= 0.60) and to the triglyceride (r= − 0.53) content of the muscle. These two muscle substrates could be used to predict the work performance by multiple linear regression analysis with an error of only 17 % and with a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.774.—The work performance was positively correlated to the amount of fatty acids oxidized but negatively correlated to the decrease in muscle triglycerides which suggests that the capacity to perform aerobic work is related to the utilization and mobilization of fatty acids from extramuscular sources.The obvious importance of local tissue stores of substrate such as glycogen and triglycerides for the energy metabolism was discussed.
Urinary Immunoglobulin Components in Normal, Tubular, and Glomerular Proteinuria: Quantities and Characteristics of Free Light Chains, IgG, IgA, and Fcγ Fragment
Authors: PETERSON PER A. , BERGGÅRD INGEMAR
Published: June 2017

The urinary excretion of free light immunoglobulin chains IgG, IgA, and Fcγ fragment material has been estimated in 12 healthy individuals and 7 subjects with tubular or glomerular proteinuria. Measurements were carried out by immunochemical methods after separation of concentrated urinary immunoglobulin components by gel chromatography. Various components were isolated and their sedimentation constants, Stokes’ radii, diffusion coefficients, molecular weights, and frictional ratios were determined.—Twenty‐four hour urine volumes from the healthy subjects contained, on average, 3.3 mg of free light chains, 3.0 mg of IgG, approximately 2.0 mg of IgA, and 0.19 mg of Fey fragment Material. Normal urinary IgA included about 90% 11.5 S IgA of molecular weight 370000 and about 10% 7.0 S of molecular Weight 165000.—Patients with tubular proteinuria excreted relatively more of immunoglobulin components of small size than the patients with glomerular proteinuria. In particular, urine from patients with tubular proteinuria contained more free light chains than IgG whereas urine from patients with glomerular proteinuria contained more IgG than free light chains. The excretion of free light chains in the patients with tubular proteinuria was 8 to 33 times the average normal value. The results indicate an excess normal production of light chains assuming that all or most of the free chains originate from de novo synthesis. The relative amounts of urinary 11.5 S and 7.0 S IgA were similar in tubular proteinuria and normal proteinuria, whereas relatively more urinary 7.0 S IgA was found in glomerular proteinuria. This observation and the properties of the two IgA species suggest that the 11.5 S IgA is secretory IgA from the urinary tract and that most or all of the 7.0 S IgA originates from plasma.
Atopic skin: In vivo Raman identification of global molecular signature, a comparative study with healthy skin
Authors: Verzeaux Laurie , Vyumvuhore Raoul , Boudier David , Le Guillou Maud , Bordes Sylvie , Essendoubi Mohammed , Manfait Michel , Closs Brigitte
Published: June 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common skin inflammatory disease, affecting up to 3% of adults and 20% of children. Skin barrier impairment is thought to be the primary factor in this disease. Currently, there is no method proposed to monitor non‐invasively the different molecular disorders involved in the upper layer of AD skin. Raman microspectroscopy has proved to be a powerful tool to characterize some AD molecular descriptors such as lipid content, global hydration level, filaggrin and its derivatives. Our investigations aimed to extend the use of in vivo Raman microspectroscopy as a rapid and non‐invasive diagnostic technique for lipid conformation and organization, protein secondary structure and bound water content analysis in atopic skin. Our approach was based on the analysis of Raman data collected on the stratum corneum (SC) of 11 healthy and 10 mild‐to‐moderate atopic patients. Atopic skin revealed a modification of lipid organization and conformation in addition to the decrease of the lipid‐to‐protein ratio. This study also highlighted a reduction of the bound water and an increase in protein organized secondary structure in atopic skin. All these descriptors worsen the barrier function, state and appearance of the skin in AD. This precise and relevant information will allow an in vivo follow‐up of the pathology and a better evaluation of the pharmacological activity of therapeutic molecules for the treatment of AD.
REGγ accelerates melanoma formation by regulating Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Hui , Gao Xiao , Sun Zhengwang , Wang Qingwei , Zuo Di , Pan Linian , Li Kun , Chen Jiwei , Chen Geng , Hu Kewen , Li Ke , Shah Abdus Saboor , Huang Tingmei , Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti , Tong Lu , Jiao Chan , Liu Jian , Chen Tenghui , Yao Liangfang , Dang Yongyan , Liu Tielong , Li Lei
Published: June 2017

It has been reported that the proteasome activator REGγ is associated with multiple oncogenic pathways in human cancers. However, the role of REGγ in the development of melanoma and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we attempted to investigate the effects of REGγ on human melanoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that knockdown of REGγ inhibited melanoma cell growth and arrested melanoma cell at G1 phase. Furthermore, depletion of REGγ also inhibited the xenograft growth of human melanoma. Mechanistically, REGγ activates Wnt/β‐catenin signal pathway by degrading GSK‐3β in melanoma cell lines and mouse models. Transient knockdown of β‐catenin effectively blocked cell proliferation in REGγ wild‐type melanoma cells. In human melanoma samples, REGγ was overexpressed and positively correlated with β‐catenin levels. This study demonstrates that REGγ is a central molecule in the development of melanoma by regulating Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. This suggests that targeting REGγ could be an alternative therapeutic approach for melanoma.
Histone methyltransferase 1 regulates the encystation process in the parasite Giardia lamblia
Authors: Salusso Agostina , Zlocowski Natacha , Mayol Gonzalo F. , Zamponi Nahuel , Rópolo Andrea S.
Published: June 2017

In eukaryotes, histone lysine methylation is associated with either active or repressed chromatin states, depending on the status of methylation. Even when the amino‐terminus of Giardia lamblia histones diverges from other organisms, these regions contain lysine residues that are potential targets for methylation. When we examined the role of the histone methyltransferase 1 (HMT1) in the regulation of the encystation process by giardial histone methyltransferase 1 (GlHMT1) overexpression or downregulation, we observed an increase or a decrease in cyst production, respectively, compared to wild‐type trophozoites. A time‐lapse analysis of encystation showed that overexpression of GlHMT1 induced an earlier and faster process than in wild‐type cells together with an upregulation of mRNA expression of cyst wall proteins. Subcellular localization studies indicated that GlHMT1‐hemaglutinin was mainly associated with the nuclear and perinuclear region in both growing and encysting parasites, in agreement with bioinformatics analyses showing that GlHMT‐1 possesses nuclear localization signals in addition to the classical SU(var)3‐9, Enhancer‐of‐Zeste, Trithorax (SET), and post‐SET domains. Altogether, these findings suggest that the function of HMT1 is critical for the success and timing of the encystation process, and reinforce the idea that epigenetic marks are critical for cyst formation in G. lamblia.
Managing service facilities with endogenous arrival and service rates
Authors: Delgado Alvarez Carlos A. , van Ackere Ann , Larsen Erik R.
Published: June 2017

We conduct a simulation‐based experiment to analyze how past experiences in a service facility system affect customers’ and service providers’ behavior. We study the problem faced by service providers in deciding by how much to adjust the capacity of their facility when captive repeat customers choose which facility to join based on their expected sojourn times. The customers’ decision‐making process differs from that of service providers in that the former is based on the customers’ experience, whereas the latter is based on the most recent information service providers have regarding demand. Customers use their previous experience and that of their neighbors to update their perceptions of the future average sojourn time, whereas service providers form perceptions of the future arrival rate. We use cellular automata to model the interaction between customers and service providers. We perform simulations to assess the way the customers’ and service providers’ decisions evolve and affect system behavior. Our findings demonstrate that the system we study possesses a certain degree of path dependence. The primary conclusion is that the more conservative service providers are regarding new information, the larger the market share they achieve, and the lower the probability that their facility will shut down.
Book Reviews
Authors: Laugesen Thor C.
Published: June 2017

IMPROVING PURCHASING EFFECTIVENESS THROUGH SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT By MICHIEL R. LEENDERS (Boston: Division of Research, Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1965. 152 pp. $3.00)
Book Reviews
Authors: Littlefield James E.
Published: June 2017

BUSINESS LOGISTICS: MANAGEMENT OF PHYSICAL SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION By J. L. HESKETT, ROBERT M. IVIE NICHOLAS A. GLASKOWSKY, JR. (New York: The Ronald Press Company, 1964. 557 pp. $9.00)
Associations of Bullying and Cyberbullying With Substance Use and Sexual Risk Taking in Young Adults
Authors: Kritsotakis George , Papanikolaou Maria , Androulakis Emmanouil , Philalithis Anastas E.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study aims at identifying the sex‐stratified associations of involvement in traditional bullying during middle and high school years and in cyberbullying during college years with multiple health risk behaviors in undergraduate students.

Design

This cross‐sectional analysis draws on the data of the second wave of the LATO study (Lifestyle & Attitudes in a Student Population) in Greece.

Methods

During November and December 2013, 812 second‐year undergraduate students (mean age = 19.3 years; girls = 66.1%) provided data on substance use (smoking, alcohol abuse or drunkenness, illegal drug use including marijuana, hashish, and cannabis) and sexual risk taking (paying for sex and not using condoms) and completed the Cyberbullying and its Effects and the Retrospective Bullying Questionnaires. Logistic regression models performed were adjusted for potential confounders.

Findings

Both male and female late adolescents who were victims of bullying during middle and high school were less likely to use condoms during college years when compared to uninvolved students. Among males, being a bully or victim at school doubled the odds for past month drunkenness and tripled the odds of paying for sex. Greater likelihood to pay for sex was also evident in bullying victims. Cyberbully or cybervictim male students were more likely to report smoking. In female bullying victims, alcohol abuse associations were somewhat conflicting, with decreased lifetime but increased past month likelihood for drunkenness.

Conclusions

Engagement in bullying and cyberbullying is associated with the manifestation of gender‐specific health risk behaviors for the different involvement groups in college students.

Clinical Relevance

Involvement in bullying and cyberbullying is a major public health concern due to the associations with multiple health risk behaviors. Nurses and healthcare professionals should adopt multifaceted prevention interventions tailored according to bullying status and gender that extend through all educational levels.
Pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration to rabbits
Authors: Marín P. , García‐Martínez F. , Hernándis V. , Escudero E.
Published: June 2017

The disposition kinetics of norfloxacin, after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration was determined in rabbits at a single dose of 10 mg/kg. Six New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes were treated with aqueous solution of norfloxacin (2%). A cross‐over design was used in three phases (2 × 2 × 2), with two washout periods of 15 days. Plasma samples were collected up to 72 hr after treatment, snap‐frozen at −45°C and analysed for norfloxacin concentrations using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The terminal half‐life for i.v., i.m. and s.c. routes was 3.18, 4.90 and 4.16 hr, respectively. Clearance value after i.v. dosing was 0.80 L/h·kg. After i.m. administration, the absolute bioavailability was (mean ± SD) 108.25 ± 12.98% and the Cmaxwas 3.68 mg/L. After s.c. administration, the absolute bioavailability was (mean ± SD) 84.08 ± 10.36% and the Cmaxwas 4.28 mg/L. As general adverse reactions were not observed in any rabbit and favourable pharmacokinetics were found, norfloxacin at 10 mg/kg after i.m. and s.c. dose could be effective in rabbits against micro‐organisms withMIC≤0.14 or 0.11 μg/mL, respectively.
Contribution of the tricellular tight junction to paracellular permeability in leaky and tight epithelia
Authors: Krug Susanne M.
Published: June 2017

The tricellular tight junction (tTJ) is a potential weak point of the paracellular barrier. For solving the proportional contribution of the tTJ, ion conductances and macromolecule permeabilities were analyzed in cell lines of different leakiness. MDCK II, Caco‐2, and HT‐29/B6 cells were subjected to two‐path impedance spectroscopy and morphological analyses in order to calculate the contribution of the tTJ to paracellular and total ion conductivity. The contribution to macromolecule permeability was evaluated by tricellulin overexpression or knockdown. Tricellulin‐dependent macromolecule passage was comparably regulated in leaky and tight epithelia, but relative and absolute ion permeabilities of the tTJs were different. Assuming a minimal (50 pS) and maximal (146 pS) conductivity per single tTJ, the possible range of contribution of the tTJ to paracellular ion conductance amounted to only 0.3–1.1% in the leaky cell line MDCK II, but 3–25% in the moderately tight cell line Caco‐2, and not less than 29% in the tight cell line HT‐29/B6. In these cells, this resulted in a contribution to total epithelial conductance of 9–32%. In conclusion, in leaky epithelia the bicellular TJ accounts for nearly the entire paracellular ion conductance, whereas in tight epithelia the low bicellular TJ conductance has large impact on the tTJ.
A toolkit for Nannochloropsis oceanica CCMP1779 enables gene stacking and genetic engineering of the eicosapentaenoic acid pathway for enhanced long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid production
Authors: Poliner Eric , Pulman Jane A. , Zienkiewicz Krzysztof , Childs Kevin , Benning Christoph , Farré Eva M.
Published: June 2017

Nannochloropsis oceanica is an oleaginous microalga rich in ω3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFAs) content, in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). We identified the enzymes involved in LC‐PUFA biosynthesis in N. oceanica CCMP1779 and generated multigene expression vectors aiming at increasing LC‐PUFA content in vivo. We isolated the cDNAs encoding four fatty acid desaturases (FAD) and determined their function by heterologous expression in S. cerevisiae. To increase the expression of multiple fatty acid desaturases in N. oceanica CCMP1779, we developed a genetic engineering toolkit that includes an endogenous bidirectional promoter and optimized peptide bond skipping 2A peptides. The toolkit also includes multiple epitopes for tagged fusion protein production and two antibiotic resistance genes. We applied this toolkit, towards building a gene stacking system for N. oceanica that consists of two vector series, pNOC‐OX and pNOC‐stacked. These tools for genetic engineering were employed to test the effects of the overproduction of one, two or three desaturase‐encoding cDNAs in N. oceanica CCMP1779 and prove the feasibility of gene stacking in this genetically tractable oleaginous microalga. All FAD overexpressing lines had considerable increases in the proportion of LC‐PUFAs, with the overexpression of Δ12 and Δ5 FAD encoding sequences leading to an increase in the final ω3 product, EPA.
Graft reduction using a powered stapler in pediatric living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Yoshimaru Koichiro , Matsuura Toshiharu , Kinoshita Yoshiaki , Hayashida Makoto , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Yanagi Yusuke , Harimoto Norifumi , Ikegami Toru , Uchiyama Hideaki , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Maehara Yoshihiko , Taguchi Tomoaki
Published: June 2017

Large‐for‐size syndrome is defined by inadequate tissue oxygenation, which results in vascular complications and graft compression after abdominal closure in living donor liver transplantation recipients. An accurate graft reduction that matches the optimal liver volume for the recipient is essential. We herein initially present the feasibility and safety of graft reduction using a powered stapler to obtain an optimal graft size. From October 1996 to October 2015, a total of eight graft reductions were performed using a powered stapler (group A; n=4) or by the conventional method using a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator and portal triad suturing (group B; n=4). The background, intraoperative findings and the post‐operative outcomes of these eight patients were retrospectively investigated. There were no statistically significant differences in the background of the patients in the two groups. Graft reduction was successfully achieved without any intraoperative complications in group A, whereas intraoperative complications, such as bleeding and bile leakage, occurred in two patients of group B. No post‐operative surgical complications were detected on computed tomography; moreover, the serum aspartate aminotransferase level normalized significantly earlier in group A (P<.05). In summary, graft reduction using a powered stapler was feasible and safe in comparison with the conventional method.
Primary hepatic choriocarcinoma in an 83‐year‐old woman
Authors: Fukagawa Akihiko , Fujita Naoto , Ohira Kenji , Fujimoto Hajime , Goto Nobuaki , Nozawa Akinori
Published: June 2017

We present a case of primary hepatic choriocarcinoma in an 83‐year‐old Japanese woman with gastric wall and lymph node metastases and a splenic vein tumor thrombus. Multiple irregular hepatic tumors with massive necrosis and hemorrhage were observed during autopsy. Syncytiotrophoblast‐like and mononucleated cytotrophoblast‐like cell morphology with focal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)‐like trabecular structures was observed. In immunohistochemical analyses, the tumor cells expressed human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and cytokeratins (AE1/AE3, CK7, CK19) but were negative for alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), glypican‐3, and vimentin. Immunohistochemical findings did not reveal evidence of HCC or angiosarcoma. We concluded the liver tumor was primary hepatic choriocarcinoma.
Grafting response to excess boron and expression analysis of genes coding boron transporters in tomato
Authors: Di Gioia F. , Aprile A. , Sabella E. , Santamaria P. , Pardossi A. , Miceli A. , De Bellis L. , Nutricati E.
Published: June 2017

Boron (B) is essential for plant growth, however its excess in soil and/or in irrigation water can severely compromise plant growth and yield.

The goal of this work was to determine whether grafting onto ‘Arnold’, a commercial interspecific hybrid (Solanum lycopersicum × S. habrochaites) rootstock, which in a previous study was found to be tolerant to salt stress, could improve tomato (S. lycopersicum L. ‘Ikram’) tolerance to excess B, and whether this effect is associated with an exclusion mechanism. Non‐grafted, self‐grafted and grafted plants were hydroponically grown in a greenhouse with B concentration in the nutrient solution of 0.27 (control), 5, 10 and 15 mg·l−1. A transcription analysis was carried out on SlNIP5 and SlBOR1 genes, which encode putative B transporters.

Grafting ‘Ikram’ onto ‘Arnold’ rootstock reduced B concentration in leaf tissue of plants exposed to B concentrations of 10–15 mg·l−1. At high B levels, SlNIP5 was down‐regulated in all grafting combinations, while SlBOR1 was down‐regulated only in the roots of plants grafted onto ‘Arnold’.

We conclude that grafting the susceptible tomato cultivar ‘Ikram’ onto the commercial rootstock ‘Arnold’ improved tolerance to excess B by reducing expression of genes encoding for B transporters at the root level, thus partially reducing the root uptake of B and its accumulation in the shoot.
Perforation of the gallbladder in a patient with acute cytomegalovirus cholecystitis shortly following renal transplantation
Authors: Imaoka Yuki , Ohira Masahiro , Ishiyama Kohei , Ide Kentaro , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Tahara Hiroyuki , Ohdan Hideki
Published: June 2017

A 74‐year‐old man with end‐stage renal failure secondary to diabetes received a living donor renal transplant (cytomegalovirus [CMV]‐seropositive recipient from a CMV‐seropositive donor). Computed tomography scan revealed a gallbladder with hemorrhage. On postoperative day 27, cholecystography revealed gallbladder perforation; he underwent an emergency operation. Histological examination of the gallbladder wall was positive for multiple viral inclusion bodies. We report a very rare case of both hemorrhagic and perforated CMV cholecystitis within a month following renal transplantation.
External diversity is restrained by internal conservatism: New nudibranch mollusc contributes to the cryptic species problem
Authors: Korshunova Tatiana , Martynov Alexander , Bakken Torkild , Picton Bernard
Published: June 2017

Cryptic species are an important concept of modern biodiversity studies and a potential basis for immensely increasing the amount of biological diversity worldwide; however, the conceptual grounds of cryptic species still need to be refined. Here, using a remarkable example from marine invertebrates, the case of a species complex of common large‐sized nudibranchs of the genus Dendronotus in European waters is presented, which is relevant for the ongoing cryptic species discussion. Based on extensive sampling in the seas of Northern Hemisphere from United Kingdom to the Sea of Japan, a morphological and molecular framework is constructed for understanding the diversity of European Dendronotus nudibranchs. The present study discovered notable multilevel character diversity within the common Dendronotus “frondosus” species complex. This implies the highest degree of variation of external characters with parallel colour patterns among different species and significantly constrained conservatism of internal characters. The molecular data are congruent with the stable differences in the internal features and confirm the presence of three distinct species in this complex. While two species were already known, the third species is evidently new, based on morphological and molecular evidence and is described here as Dendronotus europaeus sp. n. In the light of multilevel character diversity, the general problem of plausibility of the distinction and practical usage of the terms “cryptic” and “pseudocryptic” species is discussed.
Shifting Awareness: Recycled Plastic Bag Art
Authors: Song Young Imm Kang
Published: June 2017

This paper considers how educators can raise the issue of plastic bag usage to spark creative thinking about environmental issues, while educating students on the science and history of plastic bag usage and how to reduce, use, and re-use properly. Using the arts in this curriculum can compel engagement by students and encourage creativity and spontaneity, which may lead to unforeseen conclusions and potential solutions. This paper illustrates four environmental artists’ works created using recycled plastic bags, as possible examples for teachers to incorporate into the K-12 curricula. It also discusses a middle school project called “Why Not Plastic Bag Art”, where students explored the environmental issues of plastic bag use by creating environmental artworks. The students became motivated about promoting environmental awareness and becoming environmental stewards.
Exit Strategy for Aid Programs: Planning Exit before Entering
Authors: Lee Hyejin
Published: June 2017

As aid interventions by nature are temporary, they will eventually be withdrawn. Reasons and circumstances of withdrawals vary since withdrawals can be part of a strategic approach to long-term sustainability, a change in organizational priorities, or a political decision made at a higher level. A growing international demand for effective and sustainable outcomes of aid programs emphasizes a proper exit and exit strategy. However, a successful exit takes a well-planned strategy at early stages of aid programs and significant amounts of resources. This study reviews approaches to exit and exit strategies at a program level, and common elements of a viable exit strategy including setting an exit timeline, establishing specific criteria and indicators, identifying key actors, and building a monitoring and evaluation system. These elements need to be guided by transparency, inclusion, predictability, obligation, and flexibility.
An optical flow-based state-space model of the vocal folds
Authors: Granados Alba , Brunskog Jonas
Published: June 2017

High-speed movies of the vocal fold vibration are valuable data to reveal vocal fold features for voice pathology diagnosis. This work presents a suitable Bayesian model and a purely theoretical discussion for further development of a framework for continuum biomechanical features estimation. A linear and Gaussian nonstationary state-space model is proposed and thoroughly discussed. The evolution model is based on a self-sustained three-dimensional finite element model of the vocal folds, and the observation model involves a dense optical flow algorithm. The results show that the method is able to capture different deformation patterns between the computed optical flow and the finite element deformation, controlled by the choice of the model tissue parameters.
Psychophysical and modeling approaches towards determining the cochlear phase response based on interaural time differences
Authors: Tabuchi Hisaaki , Laback Bernhard
Published: June 2017

The cochlear phase response is often estimated by measuring masking of a tonal target by harmonic complexes with various phase curvatures. Maskers yielding most modulated internal envelope representations after passing the cochlear filter are thought to produce minimum masking, with fast-acting cochlear compression as the main contributor to that effect. Thus, in hearing-impaired (HI) listeners, reduced cochlear compression hampers estimation of the phase response using the masking method. This study proposes an alternative approach, based on the effect of the envelope modulation strength on the sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITDs). To evaluate the general approach, ITD thresholds were measured in seven normal-hearing listeners using 300-ms Schroeder-phase harmonic complexes with nine different phase curvatures. ITD thresholds tended to be lowest for phase curvatures roughly similar to those previously shown to produce minimum masking. However, an unexpected ITD threshold peak was consistently observed for a particular negative phase curvature. An auditory-nerve based ITD model predicted the general pattern of ITD thresholds except for the threshold peak, as well as published envelope ITD data. Model predictions simulating outer hair cell loss support the feasibility of the ITD-based approach to estimate the phase response in HI listeners.
A Marchenko equation for acoustic inverse source problems
Authors: van der Neut Joost , Johnson Jami L. , van Wijk Kasper , Singh Satyan , Slob Evert , Wapenaar Kees
Published: June 2017

From acoustics to medical imaging and seismology, one strives to make inferences about the structure of complex media from acoustic wave observations. This study proposes a solution that is derived from the multidimensional Marchenko equation, to learn about the acoustic source distribution inside a volume, given a set of observations outside the volume. Traditionally, this problem has been solved by backpropagation of the recorded signals. However, to achieve accurate results through backpropagation, a detailed model of the medium should be known and observations should be collected along a boundary that completely encloses the volume of excitation. In practice, these requirements are often not fulfilled and artifacts can emerge, especially in the presence of strong contrasts in the medium. On the contrary, the proposed methodology can be applied with a single observation boundary only, without the need of a detailed model. In order to achieve this, additional multi-offset ultrasound reflection data must be acquired at the observation boundary. The methodology is illustrated with one-dimensional synthetics of a photoacoustic imaging experiment. A distribution of simultaneously acting sources is recovered in the presence of sharp density perturbations both below and above the embedded sources, which result in significant scattering that complicates the use of conventional methods.
Testing two crackle criteria using modified jet noise waveforms
Authors: Swift S. Hales , Gee Kent L. , Neilsen Tracianne B.
Published: June 2017

The jet sound quality “crackle” has historically been studied and quantified using the statistics of the pressure waveform. Some investigators have suggested crackle, and its associated shock content, may be better quantified using the statistics of the time derivative of the waveform. Modified waveforms are used to evaluate crackle prediction criteria based on the skewness of each variable. The resultant waveforms are provided as direct evidence that the pressure distribution does not directly predict or quantify a crackling sound quality while the statistics of the derivative appear to do so.