bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of ventricular assist device implantation in children and young adults: the Melbourne experience
Authors: Shi William Y. , Marasco Silvana F. , Saxena Pankaj , d'Udekem Yves , Yong Matthew S. , Mitnovetski Sergei , Brizard Christian P. , McGiffin David C. , Weintraub Robert G. , Konstantinov Igor E.
Published: November 2015

Background

We evaluated our experience with ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation in children and young adults.

Methods

A total of 64 patients underwent VAD implantation in two centres. The mean age was 15 ± 7.2 years. Thirty‐five (55%) patients were under 18 years of age. Devices implanted included the Thoratec Paracorporeal in 30 (47%) patients, Berlin Heart EXCOR in 11 (17%) and VentrAssist in 14 (22%). The diagnosis was cardiomyopathy in 53, congenital heart disease in 11, and graft failure in four patients.

Results

There were 10 (16%) in‐hospital deaths. Mortality was higher in patients <18 years of age (26% compared with 3.4% for those ≥18 years, P = 0.02). The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to VAD implantation was associated with higher mortality (P = 0.006). Seventeen (27%) patients experienced stroke. Nine patients (14%) required change of VAD because of thrombosis. Transplantation was performed in 44 patients after a mean of 131 ± 141 days on VAD, 11 patients died without transplantation and three patients currently await transplantation. The VAD was explanted in six patients because of recovery. Overall survival from VAD implantation was 69% and 61% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. The 5‐year post‐transplant survival for those bridged with VAD support was 91% and was comparable with a cohort of patients who did not receive a pre‐transplant VAD.

Conclusions

Children requiring pre‐transplant VAD support have a higher mortality and morbidity compared with young adults. Survival after heart transplantation those supported with VADs was similar to patients of similar age who did not require pre‐transplant support.
Seeing Green in San Francisco: City as Resource Frontier
Authors: Knuth Sarah
Published: November 2015

The early 21st century witnessed a boom in green building in San Francisco and similar cities. Major downtown property owners and investors retrofitted office towers, commissioned green certification, and critically, explored how greening might pay. Greening initiatives transcend corporate social responsibility: they represent a new attempt to enclose and speculate upon “green” value within the second nature of cities. However, this unconventional resource discovery requires a highly partial view of buildings’ socio‐natural entanglements in and beyond the city. I illuminate these efforts and their obscurities by exploring the experience of an exemplary green building in San Francisco, an office tower that has successively served as a headquarters organizing a vast resource periphery in the American West, a symbol and driver in the transformation of the city's own second nature, a financial “resource” in its own right, and most recently, an asset in an emerging global market for green property.
Arcangelo Ghisleri and the “Right to Barbarity”: Geography and Anti‐colonialism in Italy in the Age of Empire (1875–1914)
Authors: Ferretti Federico
Published: November 2015

This paper addresses the work of early critics of colonialism and Eurocentrism within Italian geography in the Age of Empire. At that time, a minority but rather influential group of Italian scholars, influenced by the international debates promoted by the anarchist geographers Reclus, Kropotkin and Mečnikov, fumed publicly at Italy's colonial ambitions in Africa. Their positions assumed, at least in the case of Arcangelo Ghisleri, the character of a radical critique of both political and cultural European hegemony. These approaches were linked to a similar critique of “internal colonialism”, both Austrian in the Italian‐speaking regions of Trento and Trieste, and Piedmontese in southern Italy. Based on primary sources, and drawing on the international literature on imperial geography and colonial and postcolonial sciences, this paper conjures up the Italian example to discuss how some European geographers of the Age of Empire were also early critics of racism, colonialism and chauvinism, and how these historical experiences can serve current debates on critical, radical and anarchist geographies.
Investigation of the Characteristics of HeartWare HVAD and Thoratec HeartMate II Under Steady and Pulsatile Flow Conditions
Authors: Noor Mumin R. , Ho Chong H. , Parker Kim H. , Simon Andre R. , Banner Nicholas R. , Bowles Christopher T.
Published: November 2015

The aim of this study was to elucidate the dynamic characteristics of the Thoratec HeartMate II (HMII) and the HeartWare HVAD (HVAD) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) under clinically representative in vitro operating conditions. The performance of the two LVADs were compared in a normothermic, human blood‐filled mock circulation model under conditions of steady (nonpulsatile) flow and under simulated physiologic conditions. These experiments were repeated using 5% dextrose in order to determine its suitability as a blood analog. Under steady flow conditions, for the HMII, approximately linear inverse LVAD differential pressure (H) versus flow (Q) relationships were observed with good correspondence between the results of blood and 5% dextrose under all conditions except at a pump speed of 9000 rpm. For the HVAD, the corresponding relationships were inverse curvilinear and with good correspondence between the blood‐derived and 5% dextrose‐derived relationships in the flow rate range of 2–6 L/min and at pump speeds up to 3000 rpm. Under pulsatile operating conditions, for each LVAD operating at a particular pump speed, an counterclockwise loop was inscribed in the HQ domain during a simulated cardiac cycle (HQ loop); this showed that there was a variable phase relationship between LVAD differential pressure and LVAD flow. For both the HMII and HVAD, increasing pump speed was associated with a right‐hand and upward shift of the HQ loop and simulation of impairment of left ventricular function was associated with a decrease in loop area. During clinical use, not only does the pressure differential across the LVAD and its flow rate vary continuously, but their phase relationship is variable. This behavior is inadequately described by the widely accepted representation of a plot of pressure differential versus flow derived under steady conditions. We conclude that the dynamic HQ loop is a more meaningful representation of clinical operating conditions than the widely accepted steady flow HQ curve.
Proton pump inhibitor associated hypomagnasaemia ‐ a cause for concern?
Authors: Begley Joe , Smith Trevor , Barnett Kirsty , Strike Paul , Azim Adnan , Spake Claire , Richardson Tristan
Published: November 2015

Aims

In recent years, there have been a number of case reports of severe hypomagnesaemia associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, such that both the FDA and MHRA have issued drug safety warnings. They have recommended periodic serum magnesium testing in patients prescribed PPIs but provide no guidance on timing of these measurements.

Methods

To our knowledge, we are the first to perform a prospective study to explore specifically proton pump inhibitor associated hypomagnesaemia (PPIAH). We followed 56 patients new to PPIs prospectively as well as a further 100 patients on long term PPIs cross‐sectionally to identify what factors may be influencing the development of significant hypomagnesaemia.

Results

For the prospective arm of the study, we measured serum magnesium levels prior to starting a PPI and again at regular intervals for the next 8 months. For the cross‐sectional arm of the study we measured serum magnesium levels on patients on PPI therapy ranging from less than 1 year to over 5 years.

Conclusion

We found that, although there was a significant downward trend in serum magnesium levels in patients new to PPI therapy with time, clinically relevant hypomagnesaemia was not readily identifiable on regular blood testing. We did however identify patients on concurrent diuretic therapy as being at higher risk and so would recommend regular serum magnesium testing alongside their regular renal function monitoring on a more frequent basis such as annually.
Effects of a geriatric intervention aiming to improve quality care in nursing homes on benzodiazepine use and discontinuation
Authors: de Souto Barreto Philipe , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Cestac Philippe , Vellas Bruno , Rolland Yves
Published: November 2015

Background

Benzodiazepines and “Z drugs” are often prescribed in residents of nursing homes (NH) despite their well‐known deleterious effects. We aimed to investigate if a general intervention on quality of care led to discontinuation of benzodiazepine, and to examine which NH‐related factors were associated in change of benzodiazepines use.

Methods

IQUARE is a quasi‐experimental study, investigating the impact of an intervention based on a geriatric education with NH staff on several quality indicators of care (including appropriate prescriptions). All participating NH received an initial and 18‐month audit regarding drug prescriptions and other quality of care variables. The analysis included 3973 residents, 2151 subjects (mean age: 84.6 ± 8.5 years; 74.3% women) in the control group and 1822 (mean age: 85.5 ± 8.1 years; 77.4% women) in the intervention group. Outcomes at 18 months were benzodiazepines use, long‐acting benzodiazepines use, new‐use of benzodiazepines, and discontinuation. The effect of the intervention was investigated using mixed‐effect logistic regression models, including NH variables and residents' health status as confounders.

Results

Higher reductions in benzodiazepine use (−2.8% vs. −1.5%) and long‐acting benzodiazepine (−3.7% vs. −3.5%) were observed in intervention group, but not statistically significant. None of the structural and organisational NH‐related variables predicted either discontinuation or new‐use of benzodiazepines; hospitalisations and initial use of meprobamate increased the likelihood of becoming a new‐user of benzodiazepines. Multivariate analysis suggested that living in a particular NH could affect benzodiazepines discontinuation.

Conclusions

A general intervention designed to improve overall NH quality indicators did not succeed in reducing benzodiazepines use. External factors interfered with the intervention. Further studies are needed to examine which NH‐related aspects could impact benzodiazepines discontinuation.
The Myth of the Good Neighbour: Paraguay's Uneasy Relationship with Brazil
Authors: LAMBERT PETER
Published: November 2015

Throughout much of its history and especially over the past 60 years, Paraguay's domestic and foreign policies have been heavily influenced by Brazil. Through analysis of three key issues: (a) Itaipú, (b) Brazilian migration, and (c) Mercosur, this article argues that contrary to the image cultivated by Itamaraty, relations of hegemony and dependency continue to characterise important aspects of the relationship between the two countries. An analysis of Paraguay's troubled relationship with Brazil, offers a fascinating insight into the workings of asymmetrical relations of power from the often overlooked perspective of the smaller nation.
Middle Pleistocene large‐mammal faunas from North Iberia: palaeobiogeographical and palaeoecological implications
Authors: Álvarez‐Lao Diego J.
Published: November 2015

The rich Quaternary fossil record from the Cantabrian region (NW Iberia) is virtually restricted to the Late Pleistocene, with Middle Pleistocene findings very rare. This work presents the study of two Middle Pleistocene palaeontological sites in the Cantabrian region: Llantrales quarry and Mestas de Con mine, both discovered and first described in the 1950s but never studied in detail thereafter. The material was here re‐analysed and re‐evaluated. Taxonomic attributions have been changed in most cases and, consequently, chronological assignments of the fossils have also been changed. This first detailed study of the assemblage from Llantrales quarry revealed the occurrence of the large‐sized deer Praemegaceros solilhacus, which has never been reported previously in North Iberia. Cervus cf. elaphus and Stephanorhinus cf. hundsheimensis were also identified. The age of these fossils was originally regarded as Pontian (late Miocene), but new palaeontological results indicate a much younger age, most likely from around 0.8 to 0.5 Ma. A taxonomic re‐evaluation of the fossils from Mestas de Con provided different results with respect to the 1950s works. The faunal association is composed of a large‐sized deer (probably corresponding to Praemegaceros), Cervus elaphus, Capreolus cf. capreolus, Bison sp. (small sized), Equus sp. (large sized), Stephanorhinus hemitoechus, Ursus sp. and Homotherim latidens. This faunal association was evaluated within a western European context and proves to be highly analogous to other contemporary assemblages there. The chronology was initially regarded as late Villafranchian (in a broader sense). New results, documenting the co‐occurrence of Stephanorhinus hemitoechus and Homotherium latidens, indicate a more precise and younger age, most likely between 0.6 and 0.4 Ma. These two fossil assemblages provide new and relevant information on the Middle Pleistocene faunas from a geographical region where this information, compared with other western European areas, is rare and poorly known.
A Note on Derivatives of Isoniazid, Rifampicin, and Pyrazinamide Showing Activity Against Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Nusrath Unissa Ameeruddin , Hanna Luke Elizabeth , Swaminathan Soumya
Published: November 2015

Drug‐resistant tuberculosis (DR‐TB) is a serious problem that impedes the success of the TB control program. Of note, multidrug‐resistant (MDR)‐TB and extensively drug‐resistant (XDR)‐TB have certainly complicated the scenario. One of the possible strategies to overcome drug resistance in an economic and simple manner would involve modification of existing anti‐TB drugs to obtain derivatives that can work on resistant TB bacilli. These may have improved half‐life and increased bioavailability, be more efficacious, and serve as cost‐effective alternatives, as compared to new drugs identified through conventional methods of drug discovery and development. Although extensive literature is available on the activity of various derivatives of first‐line drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide) on drug‐susceptible Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), reports on the activity of derivatives on resistant MTB are very limited, to our knowledge. In light of this, the present review aims to provide a concise report on the derivatives of first‐line drugs that have the potential to overcome the resistance to the parental drug and could thus serve as effective alternatives.
Synthesis of New Congeners of 1‐methyl‐3‐aminoisoquinolines, Evaluation of Their Cytotoxic Activity, In Silico and In Vitro Study of Their Molecular Targets as PDE4B
Authors: Lapa Gennady B. , Tsunoda Toshiyuki , Shirasawa Senji , Baryshnikova Maria A. , Evseev Gregory G. , Afanasyeva Daria A. , Chigorina Elena A.
Published: November 2015

To examine the cytotoxic activity of congeners of 3‐amino‐isoquinoline, we performed the phenotypic screening using panel of 60 cell lines and found that (N‐(6,7‐dimethoxy‐1‐methyl‐isoquinolin‐3‐yl)‐4‐{[(1‐ethyl‐4‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)methyl]amino}benzamide (4d)) exhibited the significant effect against different tumor cell lines while showing the high activity toward human colorectal cancer HCT‐116 cells (IC50 = 18 μm) and human breast cancer T‐47D cells (GI50 = 1.9 μm). Virtual screening indicated that these compounds target protein kinases and phosphodiesterases (PDE). However, wet screening among panel of protein kinases did not show any significant activity. By contrast, 50 μm of 4c and 4d inhibited the growth of HKe3‐mtKRAS spheroids in the 3D floating (3DF) culture suggesting that 4c and 4d target PDE4B which is selectively upregulated by mtKRAS in 3DF culture.
Diagnostic relevance of direct immunofluorescence in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid
Authors: Mehra Tarun , Guenova Emmanuella , Dechent Frieder , Würth Florian , Zierhut Manfred , Röcken Martin , Schaller Martin , Deuter Christoph
Published: November 2015

Background and objectives

The objective was to determine the diagnostic value of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (ocular MMP), taking into account immunofluorescence patterns and biopsy sites.

Patients and methods

DIF results and medical records of 54 patients with a suspected diagnosis of ocular MMP were reviewed.

Results

There was an overall prevalence of ocular MMP in 70.4 % of cases. Linear deposition of IgA, IgG, or C3 showed a high positive predictive value (84–100 %). Sensitivity and negative predictive value of IgG, IgM, IgG, and C3 in DIF were higher in cutaneous samples than in conjunctival biopsies, thus yielding a higher diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity of DIF in ocular MMP seems to be lower than in bullous pemphigoid.

Conclusions

The diagnostic value of DIF in the workup of ocular MMP was confirmed. However, biopsies taken from non‐conjunctival, cutaneous tissue appear to yield more accurate results.
Systemic therapy of metastatic melanoma
Authors: Rauschenberg Ricarda , Garzarolli Marlene , Dietrich Ursula , Beissert Stefan , Meier Friedegund
Published: November 2015

For patients with metastatic melanoma, there are currently several effective therapeutic options. The BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib are characterized by rapid tumor control and high response rates. In combination with one of the two MEK inhibitors trametinib and cobimetinib, they achieve response rates (CR + PR, complete plus partial remissions) of 70 %, while delaying the development of treatment resistance, as well as a median overall survival of > 2 years with tolerable side effects.

Showing long‐term survival rates of approximately 20 %, the anti‐CTLA‐4 antibody ipilimumab is the first substance that has led to a significant prolongation of overall survival in patients with metastatic melanoma. However, delayed treatment response and severe immune‐mediated side effects may pose limitations to its therapeutic benefit. Usually well tolerated, anti‐PD‐1 antibody monotherapy using nivolumab and pembrolizumab has yielded response rates (CR + PR) of up to 45 % and one‐year survival rates of > 70 %. The combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab has shown response rates of up to 58 % and a median progression‐free survival of > 11 months. While this combination is expected to result in a rapid and long‐lasting response, this potential benefit comes at the expense of a high level of toxicity.

Strategies for treatment sequencing and treatment combinations are currently being investigated in clinical studies. Overall, the prognosis for patients with metastatic melanoma has significantly improved. With long‐term survival a possibility, not only acute but also long‐term therapeutic side effects must be taken into account.
Do research studies in the UK reporting child neurodevelopment adjust for the variability of assessors: a systematic review
Authors: Khalid Rahila , Willatts Peter , Williams Fiona L R
Published: November 2015

Aim

Neurodevelopment is a key outcome for many childhood trials and observational studies. Clinically important decisions may rest on finding relatively small differences in neurodevelopment between groups receiving complex and costly interventions. Our purpose was to determine whether studies which measure neurodevelopment report the numbers, training, and auditing of assessors and, for multiple assessor studies, whether the results were adjusted and if so by which method?

Method

Electronic searches were conducted using Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library. A study was eligible if it reported neurodevelopmental outcome in children resident in the UK, less than or equal to 18 years and was published between 2000 and 2015. Trials and observational studies were included.

Results

Three hundred and seven full papers were reviewed: 52% of papers did not report the number of assessors used; 21% used a single assessor; and 27% used multiple assessors. Thirty‐five per cent mentioned that assessors were trained in the use of the neurodevelopmental tool; 13% of assessors were audited; and only 1% of studies adjusted statistically for the number of assessors.

Interpretation

At the very least, the quality of reporting the use of assessors in these research publications is poor, while at worst, the variability of assessors may mask the true relationship between an intervention/observation and neurodevelopmental outcome.
EVALUATING A BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SPAIN: THE IMPACT BEYOND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING
Authors: Anghel Brindusa , Cabrales Antonio , Carro Jesus M.
Published: November 2015

Bilingual education programs, which consist of doing a substantial part of the instruction in a language different from the native language of the students, exist in several countries like the United States, India, and Spain. While the economic benefits of knowing a second language are well established, the potential effects over the learning of other subjects have received much less attention. We evaluate a program that introduced bilingual education (in English and Spanish) in primary education in a group of public schools of the Madrid region in 2004. Under this program, students not only study English as a foreign language but also some other subjects (at least Science, History, and Geography) are taught in English. In order to evaluate the program, a standardized test for all sixth grade students in Madrid on the skills considered “indispensable” at that age is our measure of the outcome of primary education. Our results indicate that there is a clearly negative effect on the exam results for the subject taught in English, for children whose parents have less than upper secondary education. This negative effect is a composite of two phenomena: the effect of the program on the student's knowledge of the subject and a reflection of the student ability to do the test in their native language when English is the medium of instruction. Although we are not able to separate quantitatively these two effects, the composite effect has a relevant interest, because the results for exams taken in Spanish are the measures that determine academic progression in the Spanish system. In contrast with the previous result, there is no significant effect for anyone on mathematical and reading skills, which were taught in Spanish. (JEL H40, I21, I28)
BANK CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY CREATION IN ASIA PACIFIC
Authors: Fu Xiaoqing (Maggie) , Lin Yongjia (Rebecca) , Molyneux Philip
Published: November 2015

We calculate liquidity creation for a large sample of commercial banks in 14 Asia‐Pacific economies from 2005 to 2012. We find that banks in this region created $7.83 trillion in liquidity in 2012, or approximately 3.24 times the total liquidity created in 2005. Large banks and those based in Developing Asia created the highest liquidity. We also investigate the bicausal relationship between liquidity creation and regulatory capital and find that the trade‐off between the benefits of financial stability induced by enhanced capital requirements and those of higher liquidity creation is applicable to all of the sample banks, regardless of bank size and economic region. (JEL G21, G28)
Individual variation in incentive salience attribution and accumbens dopamine transporter expression and function
Authors: Singer Bryan F. , Guptaroy Bipasha , Austin Curtis J. , Wohl Isabella , Lovic Vedran , Seiler Jillian L. , Vaughan Roxanne A. , Gnegy Margaret E. , Robinson Terry E. , Aragona Brandon J.
Published: November 2015

Cues (conditioned stimuli; CSs) associated with rewards can come to motivate behavior, but there is considerable individual variation in their ability to do so. For example, a lever‐CS that predicts food reward becomes attractive and wanted, and elicits reward‐seeking behavior, to a greater extent in some rats (‘sign‐trackers’; STs) than others (‘goal‐trackers’; GTs). Variation in dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core is thought to contribute to such individual variation. Given that the DA transporter (DAT) exerts powerful regulation over DA signaling, we characterized the expression and function of the DAT in the accumbens of STs and GTs. STs showed greater DAT surface expression in ventral striatal synaptosomes than GTs, and ex vivo fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry recordings of electrically evoked DA release confirmed enhanced DAT function in STs, as indicated by faster DA uptake, specifically in the NAc core. Consistent with this, systemic amphetamine (AMPH) produced greater inhibition of DA uptake in STs than in GTs. Furthermore, injection of AMPH directly into the NAc core enhanced lever‐directed approach in STs, presumably by amplifying the incentive value of the CS, but had no effect on goal‐tracking behavior. On the other hand, there were no differences between STs and GTs in electrically‐evoked DA release in slices, or in total ventral striatal DA content. We conclude that greater DAT surface expression may facilitate the attribution of incentive salience to discrete reward cues. Investigating this variability in animal sub‐populations may help explain why some people abuse drugs while others do not.
Facilitative effect of repetitive presentation of one stimulus on cortical responses to other stimuli in macaque monkeys – a possible neural mechanism for mismatch negativity
Authors: Takaura Kana , Fujii Naotaka
Published: November 2015

The event‐related potential ‘mismatch negativity’ (MMN) is an indicator of a perceiver's ability to detect deviations in sensory signal streams. MMN and its homologue in animals, mismatch activity (MMA), are differential neural responses to a repeatedly presented stimulus and a subsequent deviant stimulus (oddball). Because neural mechanisms underlying MMN and MMA remain unclear, there is a controversy as to whether MMN and MMA arise solely from stimulus‐specific adaptation (SSA), in which the response to a stimulus cumulatively attenuates with its repetitive presentation. To address this issue, we used electrocorticography and the auditory roving‐oddball paradigm in two awake macaque monkeys. We examined the effect of stimulus repetition number on MMA and on responses to repeated stimuli and oddballs across the cerebral cortex in the time–frequency domain. As the repetition number increased, MMA spread across the temporal, frontal and parietal cortices, and each electrode yielded a larger MMA. Surprisingly, this increment in MMA largely depended on response augmentation to the oddball rather than on SSA to the repeated stimulus. Following sufficient repetition, the oddball evoked a spectral power increment in some electrodes on the frontal cortex that had shown no power increase to the stimuli with less or no preceding repetition. We thereby revealed that repetitive presentation of one stimulus not only leads to SSA but also facilitates the cortical response to oddballs involving a wide range of cortical regions. This facilitative effect might underlie the generation of MMN‐like scalp potentials in macaques that potentially shares similar neural mechanisms with MMN in humans.
Freshwater biota and rising pCO2?
Authors: Hasler Caleb T. , Butman David , Jeffrey Jennifer D. , Suski Cory D.
Published: November 2015

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) has caused a suite of environmental issues, however, little is known about how the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in freshwater will be affected by climate change. Freshwater pCO2 varies across systems and is controlled by a diverse array of factors, making it difficult to make predictions about future levels of pCO2. Recent evidence suggests that increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 may directly increase freshwater pCO2 levels in lakes, but rising atmospheric CO2 may also indirectly impact freshwater pCO2 levels in a variety of systems by affecting other contributing factors such as soil respiration, terrestrial productivity and climate regimes. Although future freshwater pCO2 levels remain uncertain, studies have considered the potential impacts of changes to pCO2 levels on freshwater biota. Studies to date have focused on impacts of elevated pCO2 on plankton and macrophytes, and have shown that phytoplankton nutritional quality is reduced, plankton community structure is altered, photosynthesis rates increase and macrophyte distribution shifts with increasing pCO2. However, a number of key knowledge gaps remain and gaining a better understanding of how freshwater pCO2 levels are regulated and how these levels may impact biota, will be important for predicting future responses to climate change.
Limiting opportunities for cheating stabilizes virulence in insect parasitic nematodes
Authors: Shapiro‐Ilan David , Raymond Ben
Published: November 2015

Cooperative secretion of virulence factors by pathogens can lead to social conflict when cheating mutants exploit collective secretion, but do not contribute to it. If cheats outcompete cooperators within hosts, this can cause loss of virulence. Insect parasitic nematodes are important biocontrol tools that secrete a range of significant virulence factors. Critically, effective nematodes are hard to maintain without live passage, which can lead to virulence attenuation. Using experimental evolution, we tested whether social cheating might explain unstable virulence in the nematode Heterorhabditis floridensis by manipulating relatedness via multiplicity of infection (MOI), and the scale of competition. Passage at high MOI, which should reduce relatedness, led to loss of fitness: virulence and reproductive rate declined together and all eight independent lines suffered premature extinction. As theory predicts, relatedness treatments had more impact under stronger global competition. In contrast, low MOI passage led to more stable virulence and increased reproduction. Moreover, low MOI lineages showed a trade‐off between virulence and reproduction, particularly for lines under stronger between‐host competition. Overall, this study indicates that evolution of virulence theory is valuable for the culture of biocontrol agents: effective nematodes can be improved and maintained if passage methods mitigate possible social conflicts.
Interaction of Chlamydiae with human macrophages
Authors: Herweg Jo‐Ana , Rudel Thomas
Published: November 2015

The phylum Chlamydiae contains several members that are well‐known human pathogens, like Chlamydia trachomatis and C. pneumoniae. Establishing a chronic bacterial infection requires the active evasion of the host immune response. A major arm of the innate immune defence is constituted by macrophages, which fight infections by removing bacteria and triggering an adaptive immune response. However, some pathogenic Chlamydia infect and survive in macrophages at least for a certain period of time. Therefore, macrophages can serve as vehicles for the dissemination of bacterial infections from the primary infection site via the urogenital or respiratory tract to distant sites in the body. The capacity to infect macrophages seems to depend on the chlamydial strain and the source of macrophages. In vitro infections of macrophages with C. trachomatis, C. psittaci and C. pneumoniae reveal low efficiency of infection and progeny formation, as well as failure to develop mature inclusions. In contrast, the emerging pathogen, Simkania negevensis, actively replicates in macrophages. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the intracellular and molecular key mechanisms of C. trachomatis, C. pneumoniae and S. negevensis infections in human macrophages.
Failure assessment on offshore girth welded pipelines due to corrosion defects
Authors: Zhang Y. M. , Tan T. K. , Xiao Z. M. , Zhang W. G. , Ariffin M. Z.
Published: November 2015

Corrosion is an electrochemical process in offshore pipelines where the material strength begins to decrease as corrosion advances. Numerous studies have been performed to determine the remaining strengths (failure pressure) of corroded pipelines. Currently the axial corrosions of the girth welded pipelines still leave much to be understood. This study attempted to simulate girth welded pipeline with various corroded depths and lengths in order to compare with offshore pipeline design manuals. Based on the numerical results, the influence of corrosion defects parameters on remaining strengths were investigated for girth welded pipelines. The investigation on the effect of strength mismatch revealed that in the cases of under‐matched, higher failure pressures are obtained. Comparisons of current results with B31G‐2012 and DNV‐RP‐F101 demonstrated that both codes may produce somewhat conservative predictions on the failure pressure. Furthermore, an equation was proposed to evaluate the corrosion progress across girth welded pipelines.
Movements, recapture rate and length increment of tagged pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) – a basis for management in large lakes
Authors: Andersson M. , Degerman E. , Persson J. , Ragnarsson‐Stabo H.
Published: November 2015

Movements, site fidelity, exploitation rate and total length (TL) increment of pikeperch, Sander lucioperca L., were studied by tagging 3977 pikeperch, of 334 mm mean TL, in Lake Mälaren in 1994. Fish were recaptured in gillnets, trap nets and to a lesser extent with rod and line. Total recapture rate was 30.4%, with 50% of the recaptures made within 8.4 km of the release site. Movements were restricted during summer, whereas movements from shallow to deeper basins were frequent in autumn. The yearly TL increment was estimated at 99 mm for fish 300 mm long at release and 42 mm for fish of 400 mm at release. The results have direct implications for future management, as the mortality of undersized fish in the fishery; the strong site fidelity and fast growth indicate that fishery closures may be an effective measure to attain a larger stock of fish above the size limit.
Influences of twine diameter and mesh area on the efficiency and durability of baited hoop nets targeting portunids
Authors: Broadhurst M. K. , Butcher P. A. , Cullis B. R. , Tolhurst D. J.
Published: November 2015

The utility of varying twine diameter (0.5–0.8 mm Ø) and/or mesh area (0.5:1) in south‐eastern Australian recreational hoop nets was assessed in response to concerns over (1) impacts to discarded, undersize Scylla serrata L. and Portunus pelagicus Forskål and (2) marine debris (lost meshes). There was a negative relationship between Ø and breakage, with more in the narrowest (16.16–18.42 meshes deployment−1) than thickest (8.79–4.68) twines. Mesh damage was also affected by interactions between netting area and (1) soak time (only S. serrata) and (2) catches, with all nets similarly damaged during <3.5‐h soaks, or when only one crab was caught, beyond which the large‐area nets incurred more. Irrespective of net, there were consistent positive relationships between mesh damage and water temperature, and more damage overnight. Large crabs took longer to remove, but more so from thicker‐twined and large‐area nets, and some also sustained the most damage. Twine diameter did not affect S. serrata catches, but was negatively associated with catches of P. pelagicus, while the small‐area nets caught proportionally (to area) fewer portunids. The results reflect species‐ and size‐specific behavioural variability, but support using thick twine and limiting deployment durations for hoop nets. Alternatively, other less controversial traps might offer a more holistic solution to the stated concerns.
Efficient spatial models for predicting the occurrence of subarctic estuarine‐associated fishes: implications for management
Authors: Miller K. B. , Huettmann F. , Norcross B. L.
Published: November 2015

In many of the nearshore areas where development is most likely to occur, essential fish habitat data are incomplete and there is little information on species occurrence that can be used to inform management decisions. This research investigated the use of multivariate remotely sensed geomorphic and landscape data to develop accurate predictive models of subarctic, estuarine‐associated fishes. The random forest algorithm was used to predict the occurrence of 26 fish species captured in 49 estuaries in Southeast Alaska. Model prediction accuracy ranged from 100 to 42% for species presence and 87 to 15% for species absence. Model goodness of fit and accuracy were assessed by comparing the number of species occurrences predicted by the model against the observed presences and absences of species in an independent data set. Sixty percent of the models were able to predict species presence with an accuracy of 70% or better. The models were used to predict species occurrence for 521 unsampled Southeast Alaskan estuaries to provide a regional map of predicted species distributions.
Exploitation and length limit evaluation of Alabama bass in a South‐easternUSAreservoir
Authors: Hakala J. P. , Sammons S. M.
Published: November 2015

Alabama bass,Micropterus henshalliHubbs & Bailey, are the dominant sportfish of Allatoona Reservoir, Georgia,USA, but no population assessment has been conducted. Thus, growth and total annual mortality were estimated in spring 2005, and a tagging study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 to estimate angler exploitation. These data were used with an age‐structured model to assess performance of a 356‐mm minimum length limit (MLL), a 406‐mmMLLand a 330‐ to 406‐mm protected slot length limit (SLL) compared to the present harvest regulation of noMLL. Mean annual exploitation varied from 12 to 22% each year and was generally highest for fish > 330 mm; total annual mortality was 44%. Models predicted a 49–153% increase in numbers of Alabama bass reaching 432 mm, a 22–66% decline in numbers harvested and only moderate declines in yield (5–25%) with the alternative harvest regulations compared to current conditions. TheSLLmay be an acceptable compromise to allow Allatoona Reservoir anglers to still harvest fish while also improving Alabama bass size structure.
Population characteristics of channel catfish near the northern edge of their distribution: implications for management
Authors: Carter‐Lynn K. P. , Quist M. C. , Liter M.
Published: November 2015

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), populations in six lakes in northern Idaho, USA, were sampled to describe their population characteristics. During the summers of 2011 and 2012, 4864 channel catfish were sampled. Channel catfish populations had low to moderate catch rates, and length structure was dominated by fish <400 mm. Channel catfish were in good body condition. All populations were maintained by stocking age‐1 or age‐2 fish. Growth of fish reared in thermally enriched environments prior to stocking was fast compared to other North American channel catfish populations. After stocking, growth of channel catfish declined rapidly. Once stocked, cold water temperatures, prey resources and (or) genetic capabilities limited growth. Total annual mortality of age 2 and older channel catfish was generally <40%. Tag returns indicated that angler exploitation was low, varying from 0 to 43% among lakes. This research provides insight on factors regulating channel catfish population dynamics and highlights important considerations associated with their ecology and management.
Climate Change and African Americans in the USA
Authors: Shepherd Marshall , KC Binita
Published: November 2015

Climate change is one of the most challenging geophysical science and policy issues in modern times. The combined anthropogenic and natural forcing on the climate has profound impacts on the major spheres of the Earth system. Scholarly analysis has also revealed a cascading array of effects on the socioeconomic and political fabric. One of the more subtle effects of climate change is how it may affect certain sub‐groups of people. Herein, we draw upon the literature to present the case for why African Americans are particularly vulnerable to climate change. While the focus is on one specific racial group, it is important to note that many of these findings may apply to an array of under‐represented or underserved groups.
Navigating Pop‐up Geographies: Urban Space–Times of Flexibility, Interstitiality and Immersion
Authors: Harris Ella
Published: November 2015

‘Pop‐up’ has become a ubiquitous expression over the past decade and is used to designate a diverse range of temporary and mobile places and events. While pop‐ups are increasingly noted in geographical literature they are rarely given the spotlight, usually mentioned alongside related forms of temporary urbanism. However, I argue that pop‐up demands direct attention as the readiness of diverse groups including retailers, governments, cultural organisations and charities to take up the term suggests its logics have a particular purchase in contemporary cities. Surveying the emerging literature on pop‐up geographies, I propose that pop‐up is an arena in which space–time is being reimagined in ways that are increasingly influential. Specifically, I identify flexibility, interstitiality and immersion as three of pop‐up's key spatiotemporal imaginaries and explore the urban processes which each imaginary implies and enables. I argue that these ways of imagining and distributing space–time have a particular instrumentality in cities characterised by recession and austerity but also widespread redevelopment and gentrification. Against this backdrop, I explore the ambiguous politics of pop‐up's spatiotemporal imaginaries, considering the often contradictory ways in which they are mobilized by a broad range of urban actors.
Facilitating the implementation of pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing of prophylaxis in haemophilia care by discrete choice experiment
Authors: Lock J. , de Bekker‐Grob E. W. , Urhan G. , Peters M. , Meijer K. , Brons P. , van der Meer F. J. M. , Driessens M. H. E. , Collins P. W. , Fijnvandraat K. , Leebeek F. W. G. , Cnossen M. H. ,   the ‘OPTI‐CLOT’ study group
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Patients’, parents’ and providers’ preferences with regard to medical innovations may have a major impact on their implementation.

Aim

To evaluate barriers and facilitators for individualized pharmacokinetic (PK)‐guided dosing of prophylaxis in haemophilia patients, parents of young patients, and treating professionals by discrete choice experiment (DCE) questionnaire.

Patients/Methods

The study population consisted of patients with haemophilia currently or previously on prophylactic treatment with factor concentrate (n = 114), parents of patients aged 12–18 years (n = 19) and haemophilia professionals (n = 91). DCE data analysis was performed, taking preference heterogeneity into account.

Results

Overall, patients and parents, and especially professionals were inclined to opt for PK‐guided dosing of prophylaxis. In addition, if bleeding was consequently reduced, more frequent infusions were acceptable. However, daily dosing remained an important barrier for all involved. ‘Reduction of costs for society’ was a facilitator for implementation in all groups.

Conclusions

To achieve implementation of individualized PK‐guided dosing of prophylaxis in haemophilia, reduction of bleeding risk and reduction of costs for society should be actively discussed as they are motivating for implementation; daily dosing is still reported to be a barrier for all groups. The knowledge of these preferences will enlarge support for this innovation, and aid in the drafting of implementable guidelines and information brochures for patients, parents and professionals.
Mutation analysis of Swedish haemophilia B families – high frequency of unique mutations
Authors: Mårtensson A. , Letelier A. , Halldén C. , Ljung R.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Haemophilia B is caused by a heterogeneous spectrum of mutations. Mutation characterization is important in genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis and to predict risk of inhibitor development.

Aims

To study the mutation spectrum, frequency of unique recurrent mutations, genotype–phenotype association and inhibitor development in a population‐based study of the complete Swedish haemophilia B population.

Methods

The study included, facilitated by centralized DNA diagnostics, the complete registered Swedish haemophilia B population (113 families: 47 severe, 22 moderate and 44 mild), each represented by a single patient. Mutation characterization was performed by conventional sequencing of all exons and haplotyping by genotyping of single nucleotide variants and microsatellites.

Results

A mutation was found in every family: eight had large deletions, three had small deletions (<10 base pair) and 102 had single base pair substitutions (69 missense, 26 nonsense, four splice site and three promoter). Ten novel mutations were found and were predicted to be deleterious. Sixteen mutations (one total gene deletion, 14 substitutions and one acceptor splice site) were present in more than one family. Of the single nucleotide mutations (37/102), 36% arose at CpG sites. Haplotyping of families with identical mutations and present analyses showed that the frequency of unique mutations was at least 65%. Inhibitors developed in 9/47 (19%) patients with severe haemophilia B.

Conclusion

The spectrum of haemophilia B mutations reveals at least 65% of the families carry a unique mutation, but with more inhibitor patients than reported internationally, probably as a result of many ‘null’ mutations.
Relevance of Helicobacter pylori vacA 3ʹ‐end Region Polymorphism to Gastric Cancer
Authors: Bakhti Seyedeh Zahra , Latifi‐Navid Saeid , Mohammadi Shiva , Zahri Saber , Bakhti Fatemeh Sadat , Feizi Farideh , Yazdanbod Abbas , Siavoshi Farideh
Published: November 2015

Background

Helicobacter pylori vacA genotypes play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe gastrointestinal disease.

Materials and Methods

We identified a novel polymorphic site in the 3ʹ‐end region of H. pylori vacA gene, denoted by c1/‐c2 (c1: with deletion of 15 bp), and examined associations of this and the previous four sites as well as cagA status with gastroduodenal diseases, in a total of 217 Iranian H. pylori isolates. Histopathologic evaluations were performed and patients with gastric cancer (GC) were further classified based on the anatomic site of tumor, including cardia and noncardia GC, and the histopathologic type of tumor, including intestinal‐ and diffuse‐type GC.

Results

The vacA m1, i1, d1, c1, and cagA genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of GC, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 4.29 (2.03–9.08), 6.11 (2.63–14.19), 3.18 (1.49–6.76), 15.13 (5.86–39.01), and 2.59 (1.09–6.12), respectively. The vacA c1 genotype had an increased age‐ and sex‐adjusted risk for GC by the multiple logistic regression analysis; the OR was 38.32 (95% CI, 6.60–222.29). This association was independent of and larger than the associations of the m‐, i‐, and d‐type of vacA or cagA status with GC. No significant correlation was found between s1, whether independently or in combination, and the risk of GC or peptic ulcer disease (PUD). The vacA i1 and cagA genotypes were linked to an increased risk of PUD; the OR (95% CI) was 2.80 (1.45–5.40) and 2.62 (1.23–5.61), respectively. The presence of both the vacA i1 and cagA genotypes further increased the risk of PUD; the OR was 5.20 (95% CI, 1.92–14.03).

Conclusion

The H. pylori vacA c1 genotype might therefore be one of the strongest risk predictors of GC in male patients aged ≥55 in Iran.