bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To each its own: differential response of specialist and generalist herbivores to plant defence in willows
Authors: Volf Martin , Hrcek Jan , Julkunen‐Tiitto Riitta , Novotny Vojtech
Published: February 2015

Plant–insect food webs tend to be dominated by interactions resulting from diffuse co‐evolution between plants and multiple lineages of herbivores rather than by reciprocal co‐evolution and co‐cladogenesis. Plants therefore require defence strategies effective against a broad range of herbivore species. In one extreme, plants could develop a single universal defence effective against all herbivorous insects, or tailor‐made strategies for each herbivore species. The evolution and ecology of plant defence has to be studied with entire insect assemblages, rather than small subsets of pairwise interactions.

The present study examines whether specialists and generalists in three coexisting insect lineages, forming the leaf‐chewing guild, respond uniformly to plant phylogeny, secondary metabolites, nutrient content and mechanical antiherbivore defences of their hosts, thus permitting universal plant defence strategies against specialized and generalist folivorous insects from various taxa.

The extensive data on folivorous assemblages comprising three insect orders and 193 species are linked with plant phylogeny, secondary chemistry (salicylates, flavonoids and tannins), leaf morphological traits [specific leaf area (SLA) and trichome coverage], nutrient (C : N) content and growth form of eight willow (Salix) and one aspen (Populus) species growing in sympatry.

Generalists responded to overall host plant chemistry and trichomes, whilst specialists responded to host plant phylogeny and secondary metabolites that are unique to willows and that are capable of being utilized as an antipredator protection. We did not find any significant impact of other plant traits, that is SLA, C : N ratio, flavonoids, tannins and growth form, on the composition of leaf‐chewing communities.

Our results show that the response to plant traits is differential among specialists and generalists. This finding constrains the ability of plants to develop defensive traits universally effective against herbivores and may lead to diversification of plant defensive mechanisms into several complementary syndromes, required for effective protection against generalists and specialists from multiple insect taxa comprising most leaf‐chewing assemblages. These results point to the necessity of broad studies of plant–herbivore interactions, across multiple insect taxa and guilds.
Impact of fortification with iron salts and vitamin A on the physicochemical properties of laboratory‐pasteurised toned milk and bioaccessibility of the added nutrients
Authors: Sachdeva Bhawana , Kaushik Ravinder , Arora Sumit , Indumathi Kangampalayam P
Published: February 2015

The sensory and physicochemical attributes of pasteurised milk fortified with soluble ferric pyrophosphate (FPP) (25 mg/L iron) and vitamin A (2500 IU) were comparable to unfortified control samples. The heat coagulation time (HCT) of fortified milks was comparable to the control and exhibited a type A curve with HCT–pH maxima at the acidic side of the natural pH. The distribution pattern of iron in different milk fractions was similar in control and fortified milk samples. The bioaccessibility of iron, estimated through in vitro digestibility of milk fortified with vitamin A and iron, was found to be slightly higher than that of milk fortified with iron alone.
In vitro evaluation of Pediococcus acidilactici NCDC 252 for its probiotic attributes
Authors: Attri Pooja , Jodha Drukshakshi , Gandhi Dimpi , Chanalia Preeti , Dhanda Suman
Published: February 2015

In vitro probiotic attributes of Pediococcus acidilactici, viz. tolerance to acidity and bile salt, phenol resistance, lactic acid production, antioxidant activity, cell surface hydrophobicity, lysozyme resistance and the presence of β‐galactosidase, proteolytic, lipase and peptidoglycan hydrolase activities, were studied. The strain was found to be rich in different proteolytic activities, β‐galactosidase and antioxidant activities, and produced lactic acid. The studies conducted support that P. acidilactici national collection of dairy cultures (NCDC) 252 is a potential probiotic for humans with all the essential basic probiotic properties. This testing is useful to gain insight into this strain and its mechanism of action. All these attributes add to its therapeutic importance and industrial significance.
The effects of consuming probiotic‐fermented milk on the immune system: A review of scientific evidence
Authors: Santiago‐López Lourdes , Hernández‐Mendoza Adrián , Garcia Hugo S , Mata‐Haro Verónica , Vallejo‐Cordoba Belinda , González‐Córdova Aarón F
Published: February 2015

Fermented dairy products are commonly used as the most efficient delivery vehicle for probiotics. These foods are well known for promoting the positive health benefits of consuming probiotics. Among their beneficial effects, their immunomodulatory properties have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years. Reports, both in vitro and in vivo, on the beneficial effects of consuming fermented milks containing probiotics have demonstrated the enhancement of various parameters in animal (e.g. rats and mice) and human immune systems, such as the production of cytokines and mediators by antigen‐presenting cells and cellular markers for different cell populations. Hence, the purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the scientific literature concerning the potential of probiotic‐fermented milks to influence the host's immune system, thereby modulating the immune response in a positive fashion.
Pre‐pregnant body mass index and recreational physical activity: effects on perinatal mortality in a prospective pregnancy cohort
Authors: Sorbye LM , Klungsoyr K , Samdal O , Owe KM , Morken N‐H
Published: February 2015

Objective

To examine the effect of maternal pre‐pregnant body mass index (BMI) and recreational physical activity on perinatal mortality.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort (MoBa), 1999–2008.

Population

Singleton pregnancies without congenital anomalies (n = 77 246).

Methods

Pre‐pregnant BMI was classified as underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–24.9), overweight (25–29.9), obese (30–34.9) or morbidly obese (BMI ≥35). Risk estimates were obtained by logistic regression and adjusted for confounders.

Main outcome measures

Perinatal death (stillbirth ≥22 weeks plus early neonatal death 0–7 days after birth).

Results

An increased risk of perinatal death was seen in obese [odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% CI (confidence interval) 1.7–3.4] and morbidly obese women (OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.1–5.1) as compared with normal weight women. In the group participating in recreational physical activity during pregnancy, obese women had an OR of 3.2 (95% CI 2.2–4.7) for perinatal death relative to non‐obese women. In the non‐active group the corresponding OR was 1.8 (95% CI 1.1–2.8) for obese women compared with non‐obese women. The difference in perinatal mortality risk related to obesity between the active and non‐active groups was statistically significant (P‐value for interaction = 0.046, multiplicative model).

Conclusions

Maternal obesity was associated with a two‐ to three‐fold increased risk of perinatal death when compared with normal weight. For women with a BMI <30 the lowest perinatal mortality was seen in those performing recreational physical activity at least once a week.
Collecting in collections: a PCR strategy and primer set for DNA barcoding of decades‐old dried museum specimens
Authors: Mitchell Andrew
Published: February 2015

Natural history museums are vastly underutilized as a source of material for DNA analysis because of perceptions about the limitations of DNA degradation in older specimens. Despite very few exceptions, most DNA barcoding projects, which aim to obtain sequence data from all species, generally use specimens collected specifically for that purpose, instead of the wealth of identified material in museums, constrained by the lack of suitable PCR methods. Any techniques that extend the utility of museum specimens for DNA analysis therefore are highly valuable. This study first tested the effects of specimen age and PCR amplicon size on PCR success rates in pinned insect specimens, then developed a PCR primer set and amplification strategy allowing greatly increased utilization of older museum specimens for DNA barcoding. PCR success rates compare favourably with the few published studies utilizing similar aged specimens, and this new strategy has the advantage of being easily automated for high‐throughput laboratory workflows. The strategy uses hemi‐nested, degenerate, M13‐tailed PCR primers to amplify two overlapping amplicons, using two PCRs per amplicon (i.e. four PCRs per DNA sample). Initial PCR products are reamplified using an internal primer and a M13 primer. Together the two PCR amplicons yield 559 bp of the COI gene from Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Odonata and presumably also other insects. BARCODE standard‐compliant data were recovered from 67% (56 of 84) of specimens up to 25 years old, and 51% (102 of 197) of specimens up to 55 years old. Given the time, cost and specialist expertise required for fieldwork and identification, ‘collecting in collections’ is a viable alternative allowing researchers to capitalize on the knowledge captured by curation work in decades past.
Mobile task management tool that improves workflow of an acute general surgical service
Authors: Foo Elizabeth , McDonald Rod , Savage Earle , Floyd Richard , Butler Anthony , Rumball‐Smith Alistair , Connor Saxon
Published: February 2015

Background

Understanding and being able to measure constraints within a health system is crucial if outcomes are to be improved. Current systems lack the ability to capture decision making with regard to tasks performed within a patient journey. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a mobile task management tool on clinical workflow within an acute general surgical service by analysing data capture and usability of the application tool.

Methods

The Cortex iOS application was developed to digitize patient flow and provide real‐time visibility over clinical decision making and task performance. Study outcomes measured were workflow data capture for patient and staff events. Usability was assessed using an electronic survey.

Results

There were 449 unique patient journeys tracked with a total of 3072 patient events recorded. The results repository was accessed 7792 times. The participants reported that the application sped up decision making, reduced redundancy of work and improved team communication. The mode of the estimated time the application saved participants was 5–9 min/h of work. Of the 14 respondents, nine discarded their analogue methods of tracking tasks by the end of the study period.

Conclusion

The introduction of a mobile task management system improved the working efficiency of junior clinical staff. The application allowed capture of data not previously available to hospital systems. In the future, such data will contribute to the accurate mapping of patient journeys through the health system.
Hyperbilirubinaemia alone cannot distinguish a perforation in acute appendicitis
Authors: Silva Fábio R. , da Rosa Maria Inês , Silva Bruno R. , Simon Carla , Alexandre Maria Cecília , Medeiros Lidia R. , Bitencourt Fabrício S. , Fernandes dos Reis Maria Eduarda
Published: February 2015

Background

The objective of the study was to verify the accuracy of hyperbilirubinaemia as a marker for acute perforated appendicitis.

Methods

A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, IBECS, BIOSIS, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Congress Abstracts and Grey literature from January 1969 to July 2014. We included cross‐sectional and cohort studies, prospective and retrospective, which evaluated hyperbilirubinaemia level in perforated appendicitis and compared them with histological analysis of all appendectomy specimens.

Results

Eleven studies were analysed, which included 5395 patients. Pooled sensitivity was 54.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 42.8–65.8) and specificity was 70.0% (95% CI, 54.7–81.9%) using STATA. The diagnostic odds ratio was 2.82 (95% CI, 1.38–5.72%). Summary receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. The area under the curve was 0.65.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis showed that the value of hyperbilirubinaemia alone cannot predict acute perforated appendicitis.
Chromium released from leather – I: exposure conditions that govern the release of chromium(III) and chromium(VI)
Authors: Hedberg Yolanda S. , Lidén Carola , Odnevall Wallinder Inger
Published: February 2015

Background

Approximately 1–3% of the adult population in Europe is allergic to chromium (Cr). A new restriction in REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) based on the ISO 17075 standard has recently been adopted in the EU to limit Cr(VI) in consumer and occupational leather products.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to critically assess key experimental parameters in this standard on the release of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and their relevance for skin exposure.

Material and methods

Four differently tanned, unfinished, leather samples were systematically investigated for their release of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in relation to surface area, key exposure parameters, temperature, ultraviolet irradiation, and time.

Results

Although the total release of Cr was largely unaffected by all investigated parameters, except exposure duration and temperature, the Cr oxidation state was highly dynamic, with reduced amounts of released Cr(VI) with time, owing to the simultaneous release of reducing agents from the leather. Significantly more Cr(III) than Cr(VI) was released from the Cr‐tanned leather for all conditions tested, and it continued to be released in artificial sweat up to at least 1 week of exposure.

Conclusions

Several parameters were identified that influenced the outcome of the ISO 17075 test.
Shortfalls and Solutions for Meeting National and Global Conservation Area Targets
Authors: Butchart Stuart H.M. , Clarke Martin , Smith Robert J. , Sykes Rachel E. , Scharlemann Jörn P.W. , Harfoot Mike , Buchanan Graeme M. , Angulo Ariadne , Balmford Andrew , Bertzky Bastian , Brooks Thomas M. , Carpenter Kent E. , Comeros‐Raynal Mia T. , Cornell John , Ficetola G. Francesco , Fishpool Lincoln D.C. , Fuller Richard A. , Geldmann Jonas , Harwell Heather , Hilton‐Taylor Craig , Hoffmann Michael , Joolia Ackbar , Joppa Lucas , Kingston Naomi , May Ian , Milam Amy , Polidoro Beth , Ralph Gina , Richman Nadia , Rondinini Carlo , Segan Daniel B. , Skolnik Benjamin , Spalding Mark D. , Stuart Simon N. , Symes Andy , Taylor Joseph , Visconti Piero , Watson James E.M. , Wood Louisa , Burgess Neil D.
Published: February 2015

Governments have committed to conserving ≥17% of terrestrial and ≥10% of marine environments globally, especially “areas of particular importance for biodiversity” through “ecologically representative” Protected Area (PA) systems or other “area‐based conservation measures”, while individual countries have committed to conserve 3–50% of their land area. We estimate that PAs currently cover 14.6% of terrestrial and 2.8% of marine extent, but 59–68% of ecoregions, 77–78% of important sites for biodiversity, and 57% of 25,380 species have inadequate coverage. The existing 19.7 million km2 terrestrial PA network needs only 3.3 million km2 to be added to achieve 17% terrestrial coverage. However, it would require nearly doubling to achieve, cost‐efficiently, coverage targets for all countries, ecoregions, important sites, and species. Poorer countries have the largest relative shortfalls. Such extensive and rapid expansion of formal PAs is unlikely to be achievable. Greater focus is therefore needed on alternative approaches, including community‐ and privately managed sites and other effective area‐based conservation measures.
Heterogeneity and proliferation of invasive cancer subclones in game theory models of the Warburg effect
Authors: Archetti M.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The Warburg effect, a switch from aerobic energy production to anaerobic glycolysis, promotes tumour proliferation and motility by inducing acidification of the tumour microenvironment. Therapies that reduce acidity could impair tumour growth and invasiveness. I analysed the dynamics of cell proliferation and of resistance to therapies that target acidity, in a population of cells, under the Warburg effect.

Materials and methods

The dynamics of mutant cells with increased glycolysis and motility has been assessed in a multi‐player game with collective interactions in the framework of evolutionary game theory. Perturbations of the level of acidity in the microenvironment have been used to simulate the effect of therapies that target glycolysis.

Results

The non‐linear effects of glycolysis induce frequency‐dependent clonal selection leading to coexistence of glycolytic and non‐glycolytic cells within a tumour. Mutants with increased motility can invade such a polymorphic population and spread within the tumour. While reducing acidity may produce a sudden reduction in tumour cell proliferation, frequency‐dependent selection enables it to adapt to the new conditions and can enable the tumour to restore its original levels of growth and invasiveness.

Conclusions

The acidity produced by glycolysis acts as a non‐linear public good that leads to coexistence of cells with high and low glycolysis within the tumour. Such a heterogeneous population can easily adapt to changes in acidity. Therapies that target acidity can only be effective in the long term if the cost of glycolysis is high, that is, under non‐limiting oxygen concentrations. Their efficacy, therefore, is reduced when combined with therapies that impair angiogenesis.
Kidney clamp, perfuse, re‐implant: a useful technique for graft salvage after vascular complications during kidney transplantation
Authors: Mekeel Kristin L. , Halldorson Jeffery B. , Berumen Jennifer A. , Hemming Alan W.
Published: February 2015

Although intra‐operative vascular complications during renal transplantation are rare, injuries associated with prolonged ischemia may lead to graft threatening early and late complications. This series describes a novel technique for intra‐operative repair of vascular complications in five patients over a three‐yr period. The method consists of rapid graft nephrectomy and re‐preservation of the graft with cold University of Wisconsin solution, which allows for controlled/precise back table repair of the vascular injury without incurring prolonged warm ischemia time. In three cases, the donor renal vein (2) and donor renal artery (1) were damaged and required back table reconstruction. In two cases, the recipient iliac artery needed reconstruction. Three of the five cases used deceased donor iliac vessels from another donor for reconstruction. Two patients required postoperative dialysis for delayed graft function for three to nine d (average six d) and two patients had slow graft function. All grafts were functioning at 17 months (mean) after transplant, with a median serum of 1.61 mg/dL (0.74–3.69). This series demonstrates the effectiveness of kidney clamp, perfuse, resuscitate as an effective intra‐operative technique to salvage grafts after vascular injury. Although the grafts may suffer from delayed or slow graft function, excellent long‐term function is attainable.
Long‐term change and spatial variation in butterfly communities over an elevational gradient: driven by climate, buffered by habitat
Authors: Nieto‐Sánchez Susana , Gutiérrez David , Wilson Robert J.
Published: February 2015

Aim

Efforts to adapt conservation to climate change are hampered by a scarcity of studies of community‐level ecological responses. We examined temporal (40 years) and spatial (1700 m elevational gradient) variation in butterfly communities, aiming to test whether the composition of communities in terms of species' thermal envelopes tracked regional warming, and whether local habitat influenced community responses to climate variation.

Location

Sierra de Guadarrama (central Spain).

Methods

Butterfly assemblages were sampled at sites between 550 and 2250 m elevation, in 1967–1973 and 2006–2012. Changes in community composition over time and space were evaluated using the community temperature index, or CTI, which reflects for local assemblages the balance between species whose geographic ranges occupy regions of low vs. high temperatures. We used multiple regressions and an information‐theoretic approach to test: (1) whether relationships of CTI with elevation or temperature remained consistent after an estimated 1.78 °C regional warming; and (2) how spatial variation in CTI was related to air temperature and land cover.

Results

Community temperature index decreased consistently with increasing elevation and increased after 40 years of warming, as communities were increasingly composed by species with warmer geographic ranges. Long‐term CTI change represented a c. 160 m uphill shift in community thermal composition, whereas isotherms shifted 307 m upwards. In 2006–2012, CTI was influenced positively by temperature, and negatively by forest and meadow cover.

Main conclusions

Variation in community composition over space and time suggested a role of climate in structuring butterfly assemblages. Despite this, changing spatial patterns of community composition (CTI) did not appear to keep pace with climate change. In addition, lower values of CTI recorded for sites with greater forest and meadow/pasture cover suggested a role for local habitat in buffering the effects of climate change on community composition.
Armillaria novae‐zelandiae and other basidiomycete wood decay fungi in New Zealand Pinus radiata thinning stumps
Authors: Hood I. A. , Oliva J. , Kimberley M. O. , Arhipova N. , Bakys R.
Published: February 2015

Two studies were undertaken in a young New Zealand Pinus radiata stand to find a biological control agent for armillaria root disease caused by Armillaria novae‐zelandiae. Fresh thinning stumps were inoculated with saprophytic basidiomycete species as wooden dowel cultures or as homogenized aqueous mycelial suspensions, while all stumps were also inoculated with dowel cultures of A. novae‐zelandiae. After a period of between one and two years, no differences were found among test fungi in the percentage of Armillaria species isolated from stumps. However, inoculation of Stereum sanguinolentum as homogenate, and of Phlebiopsis gigantea, Sistotrema brinkmannii, Hypholoma acutum and Rigidoporus concrescens as dowel cultures, significantly increased their isolation incidence in comparison with stumps not treated by these species. Phlebiopsis gigantea, Resinicium bicolor and R. concrescens were also isolated with greater frequency nearer to their dowel inoculation points. Results suggest that P. gigantea and S. sanguinolentum should be included in further testing. However, a future trial is likely to be more effective if evaluation is directed towards the portion of the stump below the soil surface, particularly the root system.
Nucleus accumbens shell and core dopamine responsiveness to sucrose in rats: role of response contingency and discriminative/conditioned cues
Authors: Bassareo V. , Cucca F. , Musio P. , Lecca D. , Frau R. , Di Chiara G.
Published: February 2015

This study investigated by microdialysis the role of response contingency and food‐associated cues in the responsiveness of dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens shell and core to sucrose feeding. In naive rats, single‐trial non‐contingent presentation and feeding of sucrose pellets increased dialysate shell dopamine and induced full habituation of dopamine responsiveness to sucrose feeding 24 and 48 h later. In rats trained to respond for sucrose pellets on a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) schedule, dialysate dopamine increased in the shell but not in the core during active responding as well as under extinction in the presence of sucrose cues. In rats yoked to the operant rats, the presentation of sucrose cues also increased dialysate dopamine selectively in the shell. In contrast, non‐contingent sucrose presentation and feeding in FR1‐trained and in yoked rats increased dialysate dopamine to a similar extent in the shell and core. It is concluded that, whereas non‐contingent sucrose feeding activated dopamine transmission in the shell and core, response‐contingent feeding activated, without habituation, dopamine transmission selectively in the shell as a result of the action of sucrose conditioned cues. These observations are consistent with a critical role of conditioned cues acquired during training and differential activation of shell vs. core dopamine for response‐contingent sucrose feeding.
Rethinking equine gastric ulcer syndrome: Part 2 – Equine squamous gastric ulcer syndrome (ESGUS)
Authors: Sykes B. W. , Jokisalo J. M.
Published: February 2015

It has recently been highlighted that significant differences in prevalence, risk factors and the response to treatment exist between ulceration of the squamous gastric mucosa and ulceration of the glandular gastric mucosa in the horse. In the first article in the series, the term equine squamous gastric ulcer syndrome (ESGUS)was used to describe disease of the squamous gastric mucosa with clinical signs and diagnosis discussed. The purpose of this article is to review the pathophysiology, risk factors, prevalence, treatment and prevention ofESGUS.
Acute normovolaemic haemodilution in a Clydesdale gelding prior to partial resection of the left ventral concha under general anaesthesia
Authors: Thompson K. R. , Rioja E. , Bardell D. , Dugdale A.
Published: February 2015

A 16‐year‐old Clydesdale gelding underwent oral extraction of tooth 210 under standing sedation with partial resection of the left ventral concha under general anaesthesia 4 days later. Due to the highly vascular nature of the surgical site, significant intraoperative haemorrhage was anticipated. A lack of compatible donor horses confirmed by crossmatching prompted an autologous donation of 6 l of blood and acute normovolaemic haemodilution using a gelatine solution immediately prior to surgery. Intraoperative haemorrhage was estimated at 5% circulating volume and autologous transfusion was commenced once haemostasis was confirmed. The horse recovered uneventfully from general anaesthesia and surgery. To our knowledge this is the first report of acute normovolaemic haemodilution used in a clinical equine case.
Novel TGM5 mutations in acral peeling skin syndrome
Authors: van der Velden Jaap J. A. J. , van Geel Michel , Nellen Ruud G. L. , Jonkman Marcel F. , McGrath John A. , Nanda Arti , Sprecher Eli , van Steensel Maurice A. M. , McLean W. H. Irwin , Cassidy Andrew J.
Published: February 2015

Acral peeling skin syndrome (APSS, MIM #609796) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by superficial exfoliation and blistering of the volar and dorsal aspects of hands and feet. The level of separation is at the junction of the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. APSS is caused by mutations in the TGM5 gene encoding transglutaminase‐5, which is important for structural integrity of the outermost epidermal layers. The majority of patients originate from Europe and carry a p.(Gly113Cys) mutation in TGM5. In this study, we report both European and non‐European families carrying other mutations in the TGM5 gene. In 5 patients, we found 3 novel mutations: c.1001+2_1001+3del, c.1171G>A and c.1498C>T. To confirm their pathogenicity, we performed functional analyses with a transglutaminase activity assay, determined alternative splicing by reverse‐transcribed PCR analysis and used databases and in silico prediction tools.
From crystal structure to in silico epitope discovery in the Burkholderia pseudomallei flagellar hook‐associated protein FlgK
Authors: Gourlay Louise J. , Thomas Rachael J. , Peri Claudio , Conchillo‐Solé Oscar , Ferrer‐Navarro Mario , Nithichanon Arnone , Vila Jordi , Daura Xavier , Lertmemongkolchai Ganjana , Titball Richard , Colombo Giorgio , Bolognesi Martino
Published: February 2015

Melioidosis, caused by the Gram‐negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a potentially fatal infection that is endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia that is poorly controlled by antibiotics. Research efforts to identify antigenic components for a melioidosis vaccine have led to the identification of several proteins, including subunits forming the flagella that mediate bacterial motility, host colonization, and virulence. This study focuses on the B. pseudomallei flagellar hook‐associated protein (FlgKBp), and provides the first insights into the 3D structure of FlgK proteins as targets for structure‐based antigen engineering. The FlgKBp crystal structure (presented here at 1.8‐Å resolution) reveals a multidomain fold, comprising two small β‐domains protruding from a large elongated α‐helical bundle core. The evident structural similarity to flagellin, the flagellar filament subunit protein, suggests that, depending on the bacterial species, flagellar hook‐associated proteins are likely to show a conserved, elongated α‐helical bundle scaffold coupled to a variable number of smaller domains. Furthermore, we present immune serum recognition data confirming, in agreement with previous findings, that recovered melioidosis patients produce elevated levels of antibodies against FlgKBp, in comparison with seronegative and seropositive healthy subjects. Moreover, we show that FlgKBp has cytotoxic effects on cultured murine macrophages, suggesting an important role in bacterial pathogenesis. Finally, computational epitope prediction methods applied to the FlgKBp crystal structure, coupled with in vitro mapping, allowed us to predict three antigenic regions that locate to discrete protein domains. Taken together, our results point to FlgKBp as a candidate for the design and production of epitope‐containing subunits/domains as potential vaccine components.
Is the island biogeography model a poor predictor of biodiversity patterns in shallow lakes?
Authors: Nolby Luke E. , Zimmer Kyle D. , Hanson Mark A. , Herwig Brian R.
Published: February 2015

The classic island biogeography model (IBM) predicts highest species richness in large, connected habitats due to colonisation and reduced risk of extinction. Promoting large, connected habitats has subsequently become a common theme in conservation biology.

However, the IBM does not account for direct and indirect interactions among species. For example, planktivorous and benthivorous fish may reduce biodiversity in shallow lakes by inducing shifts to a turbid‐water lake state with low habitat complexity.

We assessed relationships between species richness, landscape features, fish biomass and lake state in 104 shallow lakes in Minnesota, U.S.A. First, we tested whether lake size and connectivity influenced species richness of fish and biomass of planktivores and benthivores (fish biomass). We subsequently tested whether fish biomass affected the probability that lakes were in turbid versus clear‐water states. Finally, we tested whether species richness of macrophytes and taxon richness of aquatic invertebrates showed stronger relationships with lake size and connectivity or with fish biomass and lake state.

Fish richness and biomass both increased with lake size and were higher in connected basins. Fish biomass, in turn, increased the probability that lakes would be turbid. In contrast, macrophyte and invertebrate richness were unrelated to lake size or connectivity. Instead, macrophyte richness was best predicted by lake state, while invertebrate richness was predicted by lake state and fish biomass. Richness of both macrophytes and invertebrates was higher in clear lakes, and invertebrate richness was inversely related to fish biomass.

Our results indicate the IBM poorly explains the diversity of macrophytes and invertebrates in shallow lakes, with diversity more strongly driven by biotic interactions and influences associated with fish. We suggest that ecological implications of increased connectivity and lake size should be considered in future conservation strategies for shallow lakes.
Reef‐coral refugia in a rapidly changing ocean
Authors: Cacciapaglia Chris , van Woesik Robert
Published: February 2015

This study sought to identify climate‐change thermal‐stress refugia for reef corals in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. A species distribution modeling approach was used to identify refugia for 12 coral species that differed considerably in their local response to thermal stress. We hypothesized that the local response of coral species to thermal stress might be similarly reflected as a regional response to climate change. We assessed the contemporary geographic range of each species and determined their temperature and irradiance preferences using ak‐fold algorithm to randomly select training and evaluation sites. That information was applied to downscaled outputs of global climate models to predict where each species is likely to exist by the year 2100. Our model was run with and without a 1 °C capacity to adapt to the rising ocean temperature. The results show a positive exponential relationship between the current area of habitat that coral species occupy and the predicted area of habitat that they will occupy by 2100. There was considerable decoupling between scales of response, however, and with further ocean warming some ‘winners’ at local scales will likely become ‘losers’ at regional scales. We predicted that nine of the 12 species examined will lose 24–50% of their current habitat. Most reductions are predicted to occur between the latitudes 5–15°, in both hemispheres. Yet when we modeled a 1 °C capacity to adapt, two ubiquitous species,Acropora hyacinthusandAcropora digitifera, were predicted to retain much of their current habitat. By contrast, the thermally tolerantPorites lobatais expected to increase its current distribution by 14%, particularly southward along the east and west coasts of Australia. Five areas were identified as Indian Ocean refugia, and seven areas were identified as Pacific Ocean refugia for reef corals under climate change. All 12 of these reef‐coral refugia deserve high‐conservation status.
Polytolerance to abiotic stresses: how universal is the shade–drought tolerance trade‐off in woody species?
Authors: Laanisto Lauri , Niinemets Ülo
Published: February 2015

Aims

According to traditional ecophysiological theories stress tolerance of plants is predominately determined by universal physiochemical constraints. Plant acclimation to environmental stress therefore compromises plant performance under a different stress, hindering successful toleration of several abiotic stress factors simultaneously. Yet recent studies have shown that these trade‐offs are less exclusive than postulated so far, leaving more wiggle room for gaining polytolerance through adaptations. We tested whether polytolerance to shade and drought depends on cold and waterlogging tolerances – hypothesizing that polytolerance patterns in different species groups (angiosperms versus gymnosperms; deciduous versus evergreen; species originating from North America, Europe and East Asia) depend on the length of the vegetation period and species dormancy through limiting the duration of favourable growing season.

Location

Northern Hemisphere.

Methods

Our study analysed four main abiotic stress factors – shade, drought, cold and waterlogging stress – for 806 Northern Hemisphere woody species using cross‐calibrated tolerance rankings. The importance of trade‐offs among species ecological potentials was evaluated using species‐specific estimates of polytolerance to chosen factors.

Results

We found that both cold and waterlogging tolerance are negatively related to species capabilities of simultaneously tolerating low‐light and low‐water conditions. While this pattern was different in angiosperms and gymnosperms, species region of origin and leaf type had no effect on this relationship.

Main conclusions

Our results demonstrate that adaptation to different abiotic stress factors in woody plants is highly complex. The length of the vegetation period and dormancy are the key factors explaining why woody plants are less capable of tolerating both shade and drought in habitats where vegetation period is relatively short and the water table high. While dormancy enables angiosperms to more successfully face additional stress factors besides shade and drought, gymnosperms have lower polytolerance, but can better tolerate of shade and drought when other environmental factors are favourable.
Hospital admissions of older people for oral health‐related conditions: implications for the future
Authors: Kruger Estie , Tennant Marc
Published: February 2015

Objective

This study analysed all hospitalisations of persons over the age of 65 years for oral health‐related conditions, over a decade, and projected future hospitalisation rates.

Background

The proportion of older Australians is increasing, and their oral health is improving. At the same time, there is concern about the increasing burden that hospitalisations place on government health budgets.

Methods

Hospitalisation data of all patients older than 65 years, admitted to hospital for an oral health‐related condition in Western Australia over a decade, were analysed.

Results

Over a ten‐year period, a total of 11608 people over the age of 65 were admitted to hospital, with 10% 85 years and older, 52% were men, and 0.1% were Aboriginal patients. The highest rates of hospitalisation were for those from the most disadvantaged areas. Over ten years, there was a significant annual increase in rates of hospitalisation (4.4%). Overall, most admissions were for ‘Malignant neoplasms’ (16.6%), ‘Dental caries’ (15.4%) and ‘Other disorders of the teeth and supporting structures’ (14.3%). These three conditions accounted for almost half of all admissions (46.4%). Projections indicate high future burdens of hospitalisation.

Conclusions

It is of concern that hospitalisations for oral health‐related reasons among the oldest patients include high numbers with potentially preventable conditions such as dental caries. Projections indicate that if current trends are set to continue, hospitalisations for oral health‐related conditions among Western Australians older than 65 years will place a considerable burden on the health system.
Generation of 3D Spatially Variable Anisotropy for Groundwater Flow Simulations
Authors: Borghi Andrea , Renard Philippe , Courrioux Gabriel
Published: February 2015

Sedimentary units generally present anisotropy in their hydraulic properties, with higher hydraulic conductivity along bedding planes, rather than perpendicular to them. This common property leads to a modeling challenge if the sedimentary structure is folded. In this paper, we show that the gradient of the geological potential used by implicit geological modeling techniques can be used to compute full hydraulic conductivity tensors varying in space according to the geological orientation. For that purpose, the gradient of the potential, a vector normal to the bedding, is used to construct a rotation matrix that allows the estimation of the 3D hydraulic conductivity tensor in a single matrix operation. A synthetic 2D cross section example is used to illustrate the method and show that flow simulations performed in such a folded environment are highly influenced by this rotating anisotropy. When using the proposed method, the streamlines follow very closely the folded formation. This is not the case with an isotropic model.
Hemodialysis decreases carotid‐brachial and carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocities: A 5‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Cabrera Fischer Edmundo I. , Bia Daniel , Galli Cintia , Valtuille Rodolfo , Zócalo Yanina , Wray Sandra , Armentano Ricardo L.
Published: February 2015

Aortic stiffness is a prognostic parameter associated with patient mortality. Vascular access creation has been shown to have effects on arterial stiffness both in the aorta and in the upper limb arteries in chronically hemodialyzed patients (CHPs). However, no longitudinal studies have been conducted in order to characterize the evolution of arterial stiffness in CHPs. The aims of this work were (a) to measure baseline pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the carotid‐femoral and in right and left carotid‐brachial pathways in a cohort of CHP and (b) to conduct a 5‐year prospective study on the same cohort to determine possible time‐related differences. Pulse wave velocity was measured both in the carotid‐femoral and in the carotid‐brachial pathways, and clinical and biochemical parameters were collected in 25 CHPs, which were followed up after a 5‐year lapse. Right and left carotid‐brachial pathway PWV values showed significant decreases after the 5‐year follow‐up, independently of the presence of the vascular access (P < 0.001). Additionally, baseline carotid‐brachial PWV was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than values measured 5 years later for upper limbs with vascular access (11.97 ± 2.97 m/sec vs. 6.76 ± 1.48 m/sec, respectively) and without vascular access (12.25 ± 2.38 m/sec vs. 7.18 ± 1.88 m/sec, respectively). Similarly, PWV values in the carotid‐femoral pathway decreased significantly (P < 0.001) over the same period (13.27 ± 2.96 m/sec vs. 9.75 ± 2.99 m/sec, respectively). The 5‐year follow‐up of PWV showed significant decreases in both carotid‐brachial and carotid‐femoral pathways. The general changes in arterial stiffness could be related to the vascular access creation, hemodialysis therapy, and to the improvement of arterial pressure management.
Serum sulfatide abnormality is associated with increased oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Yuzhe Huang , Kamijo Yuji , Hashimoto Koji , Harada Makoto , Kanno Taro , Sugiyama Eiko , Kyogashima Mamoru , Oguchi Tomomasa , Nakajima Takero , Kanno Yutaka , Aoyama Toshifumi
Published: February 2015

Sulfatides are major glycosphingolipids of lipoproteins that influence atherosclerosis and blood coagulation. Our previous cross‐sectional study of hemodialysis patients showed that serum sulfatide levels decreased markedly with increasing duration of hemodialysis treatment, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. However, this past study could not demonstrate the time‐dependent change in serum sulfatide levels in each patient, and the underlying mechanism is unknown. To confirm the time‐dependent aggravation of serum sulfatide abnormality, 95 stable hemodialysis outpatients were followed up for 3 years. To show the underlying mechanisms, we statistically analyzed correlations between serum sulfatide levels and clinical factors, including an oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde. Serum sulfatides were quantified by mass spectrometry after conversion to lysosulfatides. Malondialdehyde was measured using a colorimetric assay. The results showed a time‐dependent decrease in serum sulfatide levels associated with increased malondialdehyde levels, although the absolute level of serum malondialdehyde does not determine the baseline level of serum sulfatides. Multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation only between the time‐dependent change in serum sulfatide levels and the time‐dependent change in serum malondialdehyde levels. This study demonstrated, for the first time, a time‐dependent aggravation of serum sulfatide abnormality in hemodialysis patients, as well as the potential relationship between serum sulfatide abnormality and increasing oxidative stress. These findings suggest that oxidative stress might be an aggravating factor in serum sulfatide abnormality. As continuation of hemodialysis treatment hardly improves abnormal serum sulfatide levels or increased oxidative stress, development of novel therapeutic strategies may be important.
Onabotulinum ToxinAfor the Treatment of Headache in Service Members With a History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Cohort Study
Authors: Yerry Juanita A. , Kuehn Devon , Finkel Alan G.
Published: February 2015

Objective

Post‐traumatic headache (PTH) of the migraine type is a common complication of mild traumatic brain injury (including blast injuries) in active duty service members. Persistent and near‐daily headache occur. Usual preventive medications may have unacceptable side effects. Anecdotal reports suggest that onabotulinum toxinA(OBA) might be an effective treatment in these patients.

Methods

This study is a real‐time retrospective consecutive case series of all patients treated withOBAat the Concussion Care Clinic of Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg,NC, betweenAugust 2008 andAugust 2012. Clinical treatment and pharmacy records were corroborated with the electronic medical records in the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application to determine demographics, current headache and treatment characteristics, and clinical and occupational outcomes.

Results

Sixty‐four subjects (63 male) with mean age of 31.3 + 7.5 (range 20‐59) years were evaluated and treated. Blast injuries were most common (n = 36; 56.3%) and 7 patients (11%) reported a prior history of headache. Most patients (36; 56.3%) described more than 1 headache type and 48 (75%) patients had continuous pain. The most prevalent treating diagnosis was mixed continuous headache with migraine features on more than 15 days per month (n = 26; 40.6%). The mean time from injury to the first injections was 10.8 + 21.9 (1‐96) months. Forty (62.5%) patients received theFood andDrugAdministration‐approved chronic migraine injection protocol. Forty‐one (64%) patients reported being better. Two patients discontinued for side effects. Twenty‐seven (41%) remained on active duty.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that active duty military patients with headaches related to concussions may benefit from treatment withOBA. Further studies are indicated.
No Microstructural White Matter Alterations in Chronic and Episodic Migraineurs: A Case–Control Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Neeb Lars , Bastian Kaili , Villringer Kersten , Gits Hunter C. , Israel Heike , Reuter Uwe , Fiebach Jochen B.
Published: February 2015

Background

In patients with episodic migraine (EM), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed microstructural white matter alterations in various brain regions related to pain processing. Some of these changes were correlated with migraine duration and attack frequency, suggesting that migraine is a progressive disease with proceeding structural alterations of the brain. This study aimed to identify possible microstructural white matter alterations in patients with chronic migraine (CM) using DTI. We hypothesized that alterations in DTI are more pronounced in patients with CM compared with EM.

Methods

Individually, age‐ and sex‐matched subjects with CM without aura, EM without aura, and healthy controls (n = 21 per group) underwent conventional head magnetic resonance imaging and DTI imaging in a 3T MRI scanner and were included in analysis. DTI data were analyzed using a tract‐based spatial statistics approach. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and axial diffusivity were compared between subjects with CM and EM, CM and controls, EM and controls, as well as between all subjects with migraine (EM + CM) and controls.

Results

In chronic migraineurs (mean age 49 ± 7.5 years), we did not find any statistically significant difference (P < .05, threshold‐free cluster enhancement corrected for multiple comparison) in DTI‐derived parameters in comparison with episodic migraineurs (FA: P > .245) and healthy controls (FA: P > .099). In contrast to previous DTI studies, we did not find alterations in DTI‐derived indices in subjects with EM compared with healthy controls (FA: P > .486).

Conclusions

No microstructural white matter changes could be observed in middle‐aged chronic and episodic migraineurs using DTI. CM does not seem to be a risk factor for progressive microstructural changes in DTI.