bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species delimitation, global phylogeny and historical biogeography of the parasitoid wasp genus Spathius (Braconidae: Doryctinae) reveal multiple Oligocene–Miocene intercontinental dispersal events
Authors: Zaldívar-Riverón Alejandro , Belokobylskij Sergey A , Meza-Lázaro Rubi , Pedraza-Lara Carlos , García-París Mario , Meseguer Andrea S
Published: June 2017

Phylogenetic studies of globally distributed taxa are crucial to estimate the mode and tempo of common intercontinental biogeographic processes. However, few of these studies have focused on invertebrates, mainly because their taxonomy and species richness generally are highly neglected. Here we performed a morphological and mtDNA sequence-based species delineation analysis for 111 specimens of the cosmopolitan, speciose parasitoid wasp genus Spathius (Braconidae) and assessed its phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography adding two nuclear markers. Seventy-one species of Spathius were delimited. Neither the monophyly of Spathiini, Spathius, nor its species groups were recovered. Based on the relaxed molecular clock and ancestral area reconstruction analyses, the Oriental appears as the most plausible region of origin for Spathius, whereas various intercontinental dispersal events probably played an important role in its species diversification. At least three and two dispersal events from the Oriental to the Ethiopian and Australian regions, respectively, were estimated to occur during the late Oligocene to mid-Miocene, c. 25–15 Mya. Dispersal to the Palaearctic and Nearctic from the Ethiopian region probably occurred during the early Miocene, c. 20 Mya. Our results overall reflect that the worldwide distribution of Spathius was acquired early in the evolutionary history of the lineage.
Trends in Otitis Media Incidence After Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccination
Authors: Gisselsson-Solen Marie
Published: June 2017

Background:

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced in 2000. The first 7-valent vaccine (PCV7) was followed by a 13-valent vaccine (PCV13) with the same conjugate, and a 10-valent vaccine (PCV10), conjugated to protein D from Haemophilus influenzae. The vaccines offer some protection against pneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM), and, with PCV10, possibly also some protection against H. influenzae AOM. PCV7 was introduced in Sweden in 2009, but from 2010, Swedish counties were free to use either PCV13 or PCV10. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of AOM-related diagnoses and surgical procedures before and after the introduction of PCV in Sweden, but also to compare the areas using PCV13 and PCV10.

Methods:

Data showing the number of AOM diagnoses, ventilation tube insertions, myringotomies, acute mastoiditis cases and mastoidectomies between 2005 and 2014 were extracted from the National Board of Health and Welfare database. Yearly national incidences were calculated, and areas using PCV13 and PCV10 were compared.

Results:

AOM incidence decreased, both in outpatients (39%) and hospital admissions (42%). Ventilation tube insertions decreased by 18%, and myringotomies by 15%. The decline in outpatient AOM and ventilation tube insertions was more pronounced in areas that used PCV10, but geographical differences were large also before vaccine introduction.

Conclusion:

Otitis media–related diagnoses have decreased in Sweden since the introduction of PCV. Though some decreases were more pronounced in areas where PCV10 were used, figures should be interpreted with great caution, because considerable geographical differences were obvious also before vaccine introduction.
Healthcare Affiliation Networks: A Unique Quality Partnership to Aid in Making Communities Healthier
Authors: Frush Karen , Phillips Harry , Nordlund Cynthia , Holman Russell
Published: June 2017

As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, many community hospitals of all sizes are finding it difficult to thrive and grow in the headwinds of increasing regulatory requirements, decreased reimbursements amidst healthcare reform efforts, increased requirements for efficiency, demands for improvement in the patient experience, and increasing penalties for lagging performance in patient safety and quality metrics. A unique partnership, involving an organization built upon expertise in operating community hospitals and an academic center with expertise in patient safety, quality, innovation, and care delivery, has provided a successful solution for a growing number of challenged community facilities. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how using standardized patient safety, quality improvement processes, and high-reliability strategies in community hospitals has been supported and enhanced through the development of a healthcare affiliation network with an academic medical center. By developing this type of quality affiliation, hospitals across a broad spectrum of sizes and locations can achieve significant improvement in safety culture while demonstrating measureable advances in quality and safety and supporting their mission of “making communities healthier, together.”
Exploring Explanatory Models of Risk in Breast Cancer Risk Counseling Discussions
Authors: Gunn Christine M. , Bokhour Barbara , Parker Victoria A. , Parker Patricia A. , Blakeslee Sarah , Bandos Hanna , Holmberg Christine
Published: June 2017

Background:

Explanatory models represent patient understanding of etiology, pathophysiology, illness, symptoms, and treatments, but little attention has been paid to how they are used by patients “at risk” for future disease.

Objective:

The aims of this study were to elucidate what constitutes an explanatory model of risk and to describe explanatory models of risk related to developing breast cancer.

Methods:

Thirty qualitative interviews with women identified as at an increased risk for breast cancer were conducted. Interviews were coded to identify domains of explanatory models of risk using a priori codes derived from the explanatory model of illness framework. Within each domain, a grounded thematic analysis described participants’ explanatory models related to breast cancer risk.

Results:

The domains of treatment and etiology remained similar in a risk context compared with illness, whereas course of illness, symptoms, and pathophysiology differed. We identified a new, integrative concept relative to other domains within explanatory models of risk: social comparisons, which was dominant in risk perhaps due to the lack of physical experiences associated with being “at risk.”

Conclusions:

Developing inclusive understandings of risk and its treatment is key to developing a framework for the care of high-risk patients that is both evidence based and sensitive to patient preferences.

Implications for Practice:

The concept of “social comparisons” can assist healthcare providers in understanding women’s decision making under conditions of risk. Ensuring that healthcare providers understand patient perceptions of risk is important because it relates to patient decision making, particularly due to an increasing focus on risk assessment in cancer.
An Integrated Review of Research Using Clinical Decision Support to Improve Advance Directive Documentation
Authors: Folarinde Bunmi Yemisi , Alexander Gregory Lynn
Published: June 2017

The Patient Self-determination Act requires that health care institutions inform patients of their right to make health care preferences known through advance directives. However, actual advance directive documentation remains low. This study’s purpose is to identify and analyze research studies incorporating clinical decision support to improve rates of advance directive documentation. In addition, variables impacting advance directive documentation are identified. Literature searches were performed in the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, and Scopus between 1998 and 2015. Search criteria yielded more than 2000 results using various search engines, yielding 34 articles with 35 studies total. Articles included 17 studies describing electronic health record–based decision support interventions for advance directive documentation (Supplemental Digital Content 1). In addition, 18 studies assessed factors influencing advance directive documentation (Supplemental Digital Content 2). Findings suggest that decision support–based reminders are effective in improving advance directive documentation. Use of e-mail reminders for patients before patient visits through electronic health record portals provides a mechanism to improve advance directive documentation rates. Furthermore, major factors influencing advance directive documentation include inconsistencies in end-of-life preferences between patients and providers and inconsistencies in patients’ preferences over time.
A Novel Noncontact Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy Device for Assessing Blood Flow in Mastectomy Skin Flaps: A Prospective Study in Patients Undergoing Prosthesis-Based Reconstruction
Authors: Agochukwu Nneamaka B. , Huang Chong , Zhao Mingjun , Bahrani Ahmed A. , Chen Li , McGrath Patrick , Yu Guoqiang , Wong Lesley
Published: June 2017

A new advanced technology, noncontact diffuse correlation spectroscopy, has been recently developed for the measurement of tissue blood flow through analyzing the motions of red blood cells in deep tissues. This technology is portable, inexpensive, and noninvasive, and can measure up to 1.5-cm tissue depth. In this prospective study, the authors aimed to explore the use of this novel device in the prediction of mastectomy skin flap necrosis. The noncontact diffuse correlation spectroscopy device was used to measure mastectomy skin flap flow in patients undergoing mastectomy and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction before and immediately after mastectomy, and after placement of the prosthesis. Patients were tracked for the development of complications, including skin necrosis and the need for further surgery. Nineteen patients were enrolled in the study. Four patients (21 percent) developed skin necrosis, one of which required additional surgery. The difference in relative blood flow levels immediately after mastectomy in patients with or without necrosis was statistically significant, with values of 0.27 ± 0.11 and 0.66 ± 0.22, respectively (p = 0.0005). Relative blood flow measurements immediately after mastectomy show a significant high accuracy in prediction of skin flap necrosis, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.81 to 1). The noncontact diffuse correlation spectroscopy device is a promising tool that provides objective information regarding mastectomy skin flap viability intraoperatively, allowing surgeons early identification of those compromised and ischemic flaps with the hope of potentially salvaging them.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Diagnostic, IV.
Involvement of the Interosseous and Lumbrical Muscle-Tendon Units in the Lateral and Spiral Cords in Dupuytren’s Disease of the Middle Fingers
Authors: Thoma Achilleas , Karpinski Marta
Published: June 2017

Background:

The nature of intrinsic muscle involvement in Dupuytren’s disease of the middle fingers (long and ring) remains poorly characterized. Over the years, the authors have observed that both the spiral and lateral digital cords in the middle fingers receive contribution from intrinsic muscle-tendon units. This report describes the anatomical characteristics and frequency of intrinsic muscle-tendon unit involvement in Dupuytren’s disease of the middle fingers.

Methods:

Intrinsic muscle involvement in the middle digits was recorded in the operative reports of patients undergoing Dupuytren’s surgery between October of 2013 and February of 2016. The anatomical variations of diseased fascia were delineated and classified.

Results:

Of the 113 digits with Dupuytren’s contracture operated on during this period, 52 involved the middle fingers (12 long and 40 ring fingers). Intrinsic muscles were found to be involved in the contracture of 14 of these digits. Two unique contracture patterns were identified: type I contracture, which involves a lateral digital cord originating from intrinsic muscle-tendon units and contracting only the proximal interphalangeal joint; and type II contracture, which involves a spiral cord receiving contribution from intrinsic muscle-tendon units and contracting both the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. The frequency of type I and type II contractures was 6 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

Conclusion:

Intrinsic hand muscles may contribute to Dupuytren’s disease in the middle digits, and the authors suggest resecting cords as close as possible to their musculotendinous origin to improve postoperative outcomes.
PYR-41, A Ubiquitin-Activating Enzyme E1 Inhibitor, Attenuates Lung Injury in Sepsis
Authors: Matsuo Shingo , Sharma Archna , Wang Ping , Yang Weng-Lang
Published: June 2017

During sepsis, systemic inflammation is observed and is associated with multiple organ failure. Activation of NF-κB is crucial for inducing inflammation, which is controlled by degradation of inhibitor molecules (IκB). The ubiquitination proteasome pathway is responsible for the regulation of protein turnover. In this study, we hypothesized that administration of 4[4-(5-nitro-furan-2-ylmethylene)-3, -dioxo-pyrazolidin-1-yl]-benzoic acid ethyl ester (PYR-41), an inhibitor of ubiquitination, could reduce inflammation and organ injury in septic mice. PYR-41 prevented the reduction of IκB protein levels and inhibited release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells at 4 h after lipopolysaccharide stimulation dose-dependently. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce sepsis. PYR-41 (5 mg/kg) or dimethyl sulfoxide in saline (vehicle) was injected intravenously immediately after CLP. At 20 h after CLP, PYR-41 treatment significantly decreased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6) and organ injury markers (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase). PYR-41 significantly improved microscopic structure, and reduced myeloperoxidase activity, number of apoptotic cells and caspase-3 degradation in the lungs of septic mice. The reduced protein levels of IκB in the lungs after CLP were restored by PYR-41 treatment. PYR-41 inhibited the expression of cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), chemokines (keratinocyte-derived chemokine and macrophage inflammatory protein 2), and inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase) in the lungs of septic mice. Importantly, PYR-41 significantly increased 10-day survival in septic mice from 42% to 83%. Therefore, targeting ubiquitination by PYR-41 to inhibit NF-κB activation may represent a potential strategy of sepsis therapeutics.
How do prosthetic stiffness, height and running speed affect the biomechanics of athletes with bilateral transtibial amputations?
Authors: Beck Owen N. , Taboga Paolo , Grabowski Alena M.
Published: June 2017

Limited available information describes how running-specific prostheses and running speed affect the biomechanics of athletes with bilateral transtibial amputations. Accordingly, we quantified the effects of prosthetic stiffness, height and speed on the biomechanics of five athletes with bilateral transtibial amputations during treadmill running. Each athlete performed a set of running trials with 15 different prosthetic model, stiffness and height combinations. Each set of trials began with the athlete running on a force-measuring treadmill at 3 m s−1, subsequent trials incremented by 1 m s−1until they achieved their fastest attainable speed. We collected ground reaction forces (GRFs) during each trial. Prosthetic stiffness, height and running speed each affected biomechanics. Specifically, with stiffer prostheses, athletes exhibited greater peak and stance average vertical GRFs (β= 0.03;p< 0.001), increased overall leg stiffness (β= 0.21;p< 0.001), decreased ground contact time (β= −0.07;p< 0.001) and increased step frequency (β= 0.042;p< 0.001). Prosthetic height inversely associated with step frequency (β= −0.021;p< 0.001). Running speed inversely associated with leg stiffness (β= −0.58;p< 0.001). Moreover, at faster running speeds, the effect of prosthetic stiffness and height on biomechanics was mitigated and unchanged, respectively. Thus, prosthetic stiffness, but not height, likely influences distance running performance more than sprinting performance for athletes with bilateral transtibial amputations.
Non-reciprocal wave propagation in modulated elastic metamaterials
Authors: Nassar H. , Chen H. , Norris A. N. , Haberman M. R. , Huang G. L.
Published: June 2017

Time-reversal symmetry for elastic wave propagation breaks down in a resonant mass-in-mass lattice whose inner-stiffness is weakly modulated in space and in time in a wave-like fashion. Specifically, one-way wave transmission, conversion and amplification as well as unidirectional wave blocking are demonstrated analytically through an asymptotic analysis based on coupled mode theory and numerically thanks to a series of simulations in harmonic and transient regimes. High-amplitude modulations are then explored in the homogenization limit where a non-standard effective mass operator is recovered and shown to take negative values over unusually large frequency bands. These modulated metamaterials, which exhibit either non-reciprocal behaviours or non-standard effective mass operators, offer promise for applications in the field of elastic wave control in general and in one-way conversion/amplification in particular.
Ultrafast comparison of personal genomes
Authors: Glusman Gustavo , Mauldin Denise , Hood Leroy , Robinson Max
Published: June 2017

We present an ultra-fast method for comparing personal genomes. We transform the standard genome representation (lists of variants relative to a reference) into ‘genome fingerprints’ that can be readily compared across sequencing technologies and reference versions. Because of their reduced size, computation on the genome fingerprints is fast and requires little memory. This enables scaling up a variety of important genome analyses, including quantifying relatedness, recognizing duplicative sequenced genomes in a set, population reconstruction, and many others. The original genome representation cannot be reconstructed from its fingerprint; the method thus has significant implications for privacy-preserving genome analytics.
De novo discovery of structural motifs in RNA 3D structures through clustering
Authors: Ge Ping , Islam Shahidul , Zhong Cuncong , Zhang Shaojie
Published: June 2017

As functional components in three-dimensional conformation of an RNA, the RNA structural motifs provide an easy way to associate the molecular architectures with their biological mechanisms. In the past years, many computational tools have been developed to search motif instances by using the existing knowledge of well-studied families. Recently, with the rapidly increasing number of resolved RNA 3D structures, there is an urgent need to discover novel motifs with the newly presented information. In this work, we classify all the loops in non-redundant RNA 3D structures to detect plausible RNA structural motif families by using a clustering pipeline. Compared with other clustering approaches, our method has two benefits: first, the underlying alignment algorithm is tolerant to the variations in 3D structures; second, sophisticated downstream analysis has been performed to ensure the clusters are valid and easily applied to further research. The final clustering results contain many interesting new variants of known motif families, such as GNAA tetraloop, kink-turn, sarcin-ricin, and T-loop. We have also discovered potential novel functional motifs conserved in ribosomal RNA, sgRNA, SRP RNA, riboswitch, and ribozyme.
Polygenic hazard scores in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tan Chin Hong , Sugrue Leo P. , Broce Iris J. , Tong Elizabeth , Tan Jacinth J. X. , Hess Christopher P. , Dillon William P. , Bonham Luke W. , Yokoyama Jennifer S. , Rabinovici Gil D. , Rosen Howard J. , Miller Bruce L. , Hyman Bradley T. , Schellenberg Gerard D. , Besser Lilah M. , Kukull Walter A. , Karch Celeste M. , Brewer James B. , Kauppi Karolina , McEvoy Linda K. , Andreassen Ole A. , Dale Anders M. , Fan Chun Chieh , Desikan Rahul S.
Published: June 2017

Identifying asymptomatic older individuals at elevated risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is of clinical importance. Among 1,081 asymptomatic older adults, a recently validated polygenic hazard score (PHS) significantly predicted time to AD dementia and steeper longitudinal cognitive decline, even after controlling forAPOEε4 carrier status. Older individuals in the highest PHS percentiles showed the highest AD incidence rates. PHS predicted longitudinal clinical decline among older individuals with moderate to high CERAD (amyloid) and Braak (tau) scores at autopsy, even amongAPOEε4 non-carriers. BeyondAPOE, PHS may help identify asymptomatic individuals at highest risk for developing Alzheimer’s neurodegeneration.
Mutation rates in seeds and seed-banking influence substitution rates across the angiosperm phylogeny
Authors: Dann Marcel , Bellot Sidonie , Schepella Sylwia , Schaefer Hanno , Tellier Aurélien
Published: June 2017

1)

Background

Seed-banking (the ability to persist in the soil over many generations) is usually considered as a dormant stage where genotypes are “stored” as a bet-hedging strategy in response to unpredictable environments. However, seed dormancy may instead have consequences for the integrity of the DNA and generate novel mutations.

2)

Methods

We address this paradox by building phylogenies based on the plastomes and nuclear ITS of species belonging to ten angiosperm clades. In each clade, the substitution rate (branch-length) of a seed-banking species is compared with that of a closely-related non-seed-banking species.

3)

Results

Seed-banking species show as high or higher substitution rates than non-seedbanking species, and therefore mutations occur in dormant seeds at a rate at least as high as in above-ground plants. Moreover, seed born mutations have the same probability to reach fixation as those from above ground. Our results are robust to differences in selection, generation time, and polymorphism.

4)

Conclusions

Mutations occurring in seeds, and thus seed-banking, affect the population diversity of plant species, and are observable at the macro-evolutionary scale. Our study has consequences for seed storage projects, since the stored seeds are likely to accumulate mutations at a higher rate than previously thought.
Ethical food labels in consumer preferences
Authors: Bissinger Katharina , Leufkens Daniel
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Since fairtrade labels are upcoming market instruments, the purpose of this paper is to identify and quantify consumers’ willingness to pay for fairtrade coffee products and tea. Thereby, this paper contributes to the discussion in favour of a non-private regulation of ethical food labels (FLs). Moreover, the paper provides information about the consumer behaviour of the German buying public.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on homescan panel data of 13,000 representative German households, which includes actual purchase data of ground coffee, single-serve coffee, espresso, and tea for a five-year sample period from 2004 to 2008. As a methodological approach, the hedonic technique is used to model coffee and tea prices as a function of time, store, and product characteristics.

Findings

Regarding the variables of interest branding a product leads to an average price premium of 22.1 per cent, while the organic FL achieves an average price premium of 34.3 per cent. The highest average price premium of 43.1 per cent is ceteris paribus paid for fairtrade labels. In the case of fairtrade labels, tea products earn the highest implicit prices with 74.0 per cent, followed by ground coffee (54.9 per cent), espresso (24.7 per cent), and single-serve coffee (18.9 per cent).

Originality/value

The present analysis supplements the discussions around the willingness to pay for fairtrade certified products by the German buying public, a product differentiation between coffee products and the introduction of labelled tea. As the data set includes daily purchases, it allows analysis of consumer behaviour on a disaggregated level, given detailed information on prices, stores, origins, FLs, and so on.
Consumer behaviour and corporate social responsibility: an empirical study of Expo 2015
Authors: Civero Gennaro , Rusciano Vincenzo , Scarpato Debora
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the attitudes of people towards issues of food safety, food security and sustainability. For this, an empirical study was conducted on visitors to the event Milan Expo 2015. Particular attention was paid to any greater propensity to purchase products from socially responsible agri-food companies and whether the event might have contributed to enrich the baggage of their knowledge on the issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and to influence future buying behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Different groups of visiting consumers were identified through cluster analysis in order to segment and divide visitors into groups based on their approach to food safety, food security and sustainability, their willingness to pay for products from companies practising CSR, and the impact of the event on their future buying behaviour.

Findings

The results showed a positive attitude of respondents towards issues of food safety, food security and sustainability in general and to the purchase of sustainable food products. However, due to shortcomings in the communication strategy used by companies attending the event, the sample of visitors did not enrich their knowledge on sustainability and CSR. The impact of Expo 2015 on future buying behaviour was far from impressive.

Originality/value

The findings are particularly useful for the future development of the reputation and profitability of food companies, for the enrichment of knowledge concerning CSR-oriented food companies and to increase the price of products from socially responsible agri-food companies.
Following Snowden, German uncertainty about monitoring
Authors: Adams Andrew A. , Hosell Sarah , Murata Kiyoshi
Published: June 2017

Purpose

As part of an international study of knowledge of and attitudes to Snowden’s revelations about the activities of the National Security Agency/Government Communications Headquarters, this paper aims to deal with Germany, taking its socio-cultural and political environment surrounding privacy and state surveillance into account.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was answered by 76 German University students. The quantitative responses to the survey were statistically analysed as well as qualitative considerations of free text answers.

Findings

Snowden’s revelations have had an important influence over German students’ attitudes toward privacy and state surveillance, and show concerns over the privacy risks associated with Internet activity.

Practical implications

The study results imply a need to build a collective awareness of the importance of the right to privacy and its responsibilities, the available technological options for individuals to exert their own privacy and security and the democratic means to agree and enforce appropriate legal restrictions on state surveillance.

Social implications

Young Germans support Snowden’s actions and would be more willing to emulate him in Germany than in the USA. While many believe that people must give up some privacy and freedom for security, few seem to believe that current US or German approaches are valid and justified.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to investigate the social impact of Snowden’s revelations on German students’ attitudes toward privacy and state surveillance as part of cross-cultural analyses between eight countries.
Snowden’s revelations and the attitudes of students at Swedish universities
Authors: Kavathatzopoulos Iordanis , Asai Ryoko , Adams Andrew A. , Murata Kiyoshi
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study aims to map Swedish students’ attitudes towards Snowden’s revelations and their effects in the political and socio-cultural environment of Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was answered by 190 Swedish university students. The quantitative responses to the survey and qualitative considerations of free text answers were statistically analysed.

Findings

Swedish students had a high level of knowledge about the Snowden revelations; they actively searched for information, gave a positive judgement of Snowden’s actions and were willing to follow his example in Sweden, although not in the USA. They trusted their country and most of its institutions and authorities except for secret service agencies and the internet and computer software companies.

Practical implications

This study could be used as a design of education for university students, especially in information technology programmes.

Social implications

The study can be used for developing and applying policies on privacy, surveillance and whistle-blowing.

Originality/value

This study is part of a bigger international study to map students’ attitudes towards Snowden’s revelations and their opinions about privacy, surveillance and whistle-blowing opening up for cross-cultural analyses.
Energy saving and the use of “green” bank products: the views of the citizens
Authors: Manolas Evangelos , Tsantopoulos Georgios , Dimoudi Kyriaki
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the views of citizens on issues related to energy saving and the realization of bank products in buildings under renovation such as energy saving interventions in the building envelope, installment of maximum efficiency air-conditioning systems, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

The collection of data was done through a structured questionnaire. The data are important because they show the attitudes of citizens while they simultaneously assess the effectiveness of the program after the application for many years of the energy saving program by the state.

Findings

The results of the research show that with regard to responsible actions by citizens as far as impacts on climate change are concerned, cognitive factors are more important than behavioral factors. The most important reason with regard to citizens restricting the consumption of electrical energy is saving money. Finally, the vast majority of citizens declare that they know about the existence of “green” bank financial programs and claim that these contribute to environmental protection. Despite all this, a very small percentage of citizens have realized some sort of financial program in order to save energy claiming that the main reason for their choice was the country’s economic crisis.

Originality/value

This investigation of the views of citizens may constitute a tool both for designing of effective environmental policy but also for the assessment of energy saving programs such as the one discussed in this paper.
Contribution to the investment evaluation in terms of the forest fires prevention using the cost-benefit analysis method
Authors: Mokhtari Samah , Djebabra Mebarek , Bellaala Djamel , Boulagouas Wafa
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to valorize the contribution of the cost-benefit analysis (CBA) method in the evaluation of the prevention measures of forest fires.

Design/methodology/approach

The suggested approach is based on the economic analysis of the forest fires’ risks using the CBA which has become inevitable in risk analysis’ domain.

Findings

The suggested approach shows the interest of the CBA method in the sense that each reduction measure of the forest fires’ risk eliminates the potential damages and, therefore, it is likely to generate benefits for the company in terms of avoided damages on the territory that is concerned by these measures.

Practical implications

It consists in comparing on time, the benefit generated by a reduction measure of a forest fires’ risk and its implementation cost. This comparison gives an important focus on the economic relevance of such a reduction measure of forest fires’ risk.

Originality/value

The question is to highlight the importance of both: the investment in terms of forest fires and the allocation of this investment on various preventive measures of forest fires.
Life histories and conservation of long‐lived reptiles, an illustration with the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
Authors: Briggs‐Gonzalez Venetia , Bonenfant Christophe , Basille Mathieu , Cherkiss Michael , Beauchamp Jeff , Mazzotti Frank
Published: June 2017

Successful species conservation is dependent on adequate estimates of population dynamics, but age‐specific demographics are generally lacking for many long‐lived iteroparous species such as large reptiles. Accurate demographic information allows estimation of population growth rate, as well as projection of future population sizes and quantitative analyses of fitness trade‐offs involved in the evolution of life‐history strategies.

Here, a long‐term capture–recapture study was conducted from 1978 to 2014 on the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) in southern Florida. Over the study period, 7,427 hatchlings were marked and 380 individuals were recaptured for as many as 25 years. We estimated survival to be strongly age dependent with hatchlings having the lowest survival rates (16%) but increasing to nearly 90% at adulthood based on mark–recapture models. More than 5% of the female population were predicted to be reproductive by age 8 years; the age‐specific proportion of reproductive females steadily increased until age 18 when more than 95% of females were predicted to be reproductive. Population growth rate, estimated from a Leslie–Lefkovitch stage‐class model, showed a positive annual growth rate of 4% over the study period.

Using a prospective sensitivity analysis, we revealed that the adult stage, as expected, was the most critical stage for population growth rate; however, the survival of younger crocodiles before they became reproductive also had a surprisingly high elasticity. We found that variation in age‐specific fecundity has very limited impact on population growth rate in American crocodiles.

We used a comparative approach to show that the original life‐history strategy of American crocodiles is actually shared by other large, long‐lived reptiles: while adult survival rates always have a large impact on population growth, this decreases with declining increasing growth rates, in favour of a higher elasticity of the juvenile stage.

Crocodiles, as a long‐lived and highly fecund species, deviate from the usual association of life histories of “slow” species. Current management practices are focused on nests and hatchling survival; however, protection efforts that extend to juvenile crocodiles would be most effective for conservation of the species, especially in an ever‐developing landscape.
Salinomycin overcomes acquired tamoxifen resistance through AIB1 and inhibits cancer cell invasion in endocrine resistant breast cancer
Authors: Manmuan Suwisit , Sakunrangsit Nithidol , Ketchart Wannarasmi
Published: June 2017

Salinomycin is a monocarboxylic polyether ionophore isolated from Streptomyces albus. It has been widely used as an antibiotic in veterinary medicine in poultry. A recent study demonstrated that salinomycin selectively inhibits human breast cancer stem cells; one possible mechanism of tamoxifen resistance. Our results show that salinomycin is effective in inhibiting MCF‐7/LCC2 and MCF‐7/LCC9 cell lines which are well‐established endocrine resistant cells and has a synergistic effect in combination with tamoxifen using MTT proliferation assay. The inhibitory effect of salinomycin on the reduction of critical ER co‐activator; amplified breast 1 (AIB1) mRNA and protein expression is overcoming tamoxifen resistance. Moreover, salinomycin significantly inhibits cell invasion in Matrigel invasion assay. The effect was mediated at least in part by the decrease of matrix metalopeptidase 9 (MMP‐9) which is one critical enzyme facilitated in the cell invasion process. In conclusion, salinomycin should be developed as a novel agent used alone or in combination for endocrine‐resistant breast cancer.
karmoisin and cardinal ortholog genes participate in the ommochrome synthesis of Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Liu Shu‐Hua , Luo Ju , Yang Bao‐Jun , Wang Ai‐Ying , Tang Jian
Published: June 2017

Ommochrome is the major source for eye coloration of all insect species so far examined. Phenoxazinone synthetase (PHS) has always been regarded as the terminal step enzyme for ommochrome formation, which is encoded by cardinal or karmoisin genes. Our previous study indicated that the karmoisin ortholog gene (Nl‐karmoisin) product in the brown planthopper (BPH) was a monocarboxylate transporter, while not a PHS. Here, based on full‐length complementary DNA, the cardinal ortholog gene in BPH (Nl‐cardinal) product was predicted to be a haem peroxidase rather than a PHS. We suggest for the first time that neither karmoisin nor cardinal encodes the PHS, but whether PHS participates in BPH eye pigmentation needs further research. Nymphal RNA interference (RNAi) experiments showed that knockdown Nl‐cardinal transcript led the BPH ocelli and compound eye to color change from brown to red, while knockdown Nl‐karmoisin only made the ocelli present the red phenotype. Notably, not only the Nl‐cardinal transcript, dscd injection (Nl‐cardinal targeting double‐stranded DNA (dsRNA)) also significantly reduced the Nl‐karmoisin transcript by 33.7%, while dska (Nl‐karmoisin targeting dsRNA) injection did not significantly change the Nl‐cardinal transcript. Considering the above RNAi and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction results, we propose that Nl‐cardinal plays a more important role in ommochrome synthesis than Nl‐karmoisin, and it may be an upstream gene of Nl‐karmoisin. The present study suggested that both karmoisin and cardinal ortholog genes play a role in ommochrome synthesis in a hemimetabolous insect.
CB1 and ethanol effects on glutamatergic transmission in the central amygdala of male and female msP and Wistar rats
Authors: Kirson Dean , Oleata Christopher Shaun , Parsons Loren Howell , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Roberto Marisa
Published: June 2017

The central amygdala (CeA) is involved in the processing of anxiety and stress and plays a role in ethanol consumption. Chronic ethanol recruits stress systems in the CeA, leading to aversive withdrawal symptoms. Although primarily GABAergic, CeA contains glutamatergic afferents, and we have reported inhibitory effects of ethanol on locally evoked glutamatergic responses in CeA of Wistar and Marchigian Sardinian alcohol‐preferring (msP) rats. Notably, msP rats display enhanced anxiety, stress and alcohol drinking, simulating the alcohol‐dependent phenotype. Endocannabinoids are also involved in regulation of stress, and we previously demonstrated that cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) activation decreases CeA GABAergic signaling and blocks ethanol enhancement of GABAergic signaling. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of CB1 activation (WIN 55,212–2; Win) and antagonism (AM251) with and without acute ethanol on glutamatergic synapses in CeA of female and male Wistar and msP rats. Using intracellular sharp pipette electrophysiology, we examined the effects of CB1 compounds on locally evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in CeA and compared effects between strains, gender and estrous cycle. Acute ethanol decreased EPSP amplitudes in Wistars, and in male but not female msPs. Win decreased EPSP amplitudes in msPs, and in male but not female Wistars. Combined application of Win and ethanol resulted in strain‐specific effects in female rats. We found no tonic CB1 signaling at glutamatergic synapses in CeA of any groups, and no interaction with ethanol. Collectively, these observations demonstrate sex–strain‐specific differences in ethanol and endocannabinoid effects on CeA glutamatergic signaling.
Long‐term subregion‐specific encoding of enhanced ethanol intake by D1DR medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens
Authors: Renteria Rafael , Buske Tavanna R. , Morrisett Richard A.
Published: June 2017

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a critical component of the mesocorticolimbic system and is involved in mediating the motivational and reinforcing aspects of ethanol consumption. Chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure is a reliable model to induce ethanol dependence and increase volitional ethanol consumption in mice. Following a CIE‐induced escalation of ethanol consumption, NMDAR (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor)‐dependent long‐term depression in D1 dopamine receptor expressing medium spiny neurons of the NAc shell was markedly altered with no changes in plasticity in D1 dopamine receptor medium spiny neurons from the NAc core. This disruption of plasticity persisted for up to 2 weeks after cessation of ethanol access. To determine if changes in AMPA receptor (AMPAR) composition contribute to this ethanol‐induced neuroadaptation, we monitored the rectification of AMPAR excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). We observed a marked decrease in the rectification index in the NAc shell, suggesting the presence of GluA2‐lacking AMPARs. There was no change in the amplitude of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs), but there was a transient increase in sEPSC frequency in the NAc shell. Using the paired pulse ratio, we detected a similar transient increase in the probability of neurotransmitter release. With no change in sEPSC amplitude, the change in the rectification index suggests that GluA2‐containing AMPARs are removed and replaced with GluA2‐lacking AMPARs in the NAc shell. This CIE‐induced alteration in AMPAR subunit composition may contribute to the loss of NMDAR‐dependent long‐term depression in the NAc shell and therefore may constitute a critical neuroadaptive response underlying the escalation of ethanol intake in the CIE model.
Reverse pharmacogenomics: carbamazepine normalizes activation and attenuates thermal hyperexcitability of sensory neurons due to Nav1.7 mutation I234T
Authors: Yang Yang , Adi Talia , Effraim Philip R , Chen Lubin , Dib‐Hajj Sulayman D , Waxman Stephen G
Published: June 2017

Background and Purpose

Pharmacotherapy for pain currently involves trial and error. A previous study on inherited erythromelalgia (a genetic model of neuropathic pain due to mutations in the sodium channel, Nav1.7) used genomics, structural modelling and biophysical and pharmacological analyses to guide pharmacotherapy and showed that carbamazepine normalizes voltage dependence of activation of the Nav1.7‐S241T mutant channel, reducing pain in patients carrying this mutation. However, whether this approach is applicable to other Nav channel mutants is still unknown.

Experimental Approach

We used structural modelling, patch clamp and multi‐electrode array (MEA) recording to assess the effects of carbamazepine on Nav1.7‐I234T mutant channels and on the firing of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons expressing these mutant channels.

Key Results

In a reverse engineering approach, structural modelling showed that the I234T mutation is located in atomic proximity to the carbamazepine‐responsive S241T mutation and that activation of Nav1.7‐I234T mutant channels, from patients who are known to respond to carbamazepine, is partly normalized with a clinically relevant concentration (30 μM) of carbamazepine. There was significantly higher firing in intact sensory neurons expressing Nav1.7‐I234T channels, compared with neurons expressing the normal channels (Nav1.7‐WT). Pre‐incubation with 30 μM carbamazepine also significantly reduced the firing of intact DRG sensory neurons expressing Nav1.7‐I234T channels. Although the expected use‐dependent inhibition of Nav1.7‐WT channels by carbamazepine was confirmed, carbamazepine did not enhance use‐dependent inhibition of Nav1.7‐I234T mutant channels.

Conclusion and Implications

These results support the utility of a pharmacogenomic approach to treatment of pain in patients carrying sodium channel variants.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Recent Advances in Targeting Ion Channels to Treat Chronic Pain. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.12/issuetoc
A homozygous I684T in GLE1 as a novel cause of arthrogryposis and motor neuron loss
Authors: Paakkola T. , Vuopala K. , Kokkonen H. , Ignatius J. , Valkama M. , Moilanen J.S. , Fahiminiya S. , Majewski J. , Hinttala R. , Uusimaa J.
Published: June 2017

Mutations in GLE1, RNA export mediator (GLE1) gene have previously been shown to cause motor neuron diseases such as lethal congenital contracture syndrome 1 (LCCS1) and lethal arthrogryposis with anterior horn cell disease (LAAHD), including arthrogryposis, fetal akinesis and motor neuron loss as common clinical features. The homozygous FinMajor mutation p.T144_E145insPFQ has been described as one of the causes for LCCS1 whereas LAAHD is caused by a heterocompound FinMajor mutation together with p.R569H, p.V617M or p.I684T missense mutation. None of these heterocompound missense mutations have previously been reported as homozygous states. Here we present the clinical features of 2 siblings with a homozygous p.I684T mutation in GLE1. The patients suffered from similar, but milder symptoms than in LCCS1 and LAAHD, surviving up to 6 months before they died due to a progressive disease course including respiratory failure. Arthrogryposis, lack of spontaneous movements, and epilepsy were notable in both cases and lack of anterior horn cells was identified in autopsy samples. Our studies on patient‐derived fibroblasts show that the homozygous p.I684T impairs the nuclear localization of GLE1 further confirming the pathogenic role of this mutation.
Allergic contact dermatitis caused by (meth)acrylates in long‐lasting nail polish – are we facing a new epidemic in the beauty industry?
Authors: Gatica‐Ortega Maria‐Elena , Pastor‐Nieto Maria‐Antonia , Mercader‐García Pedro , Silvestre‐Salvador Juan‐Francisco
Published: June 2017

Background

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by (meth)acrylates has been described both in occupational and in non‐occupational settings.

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical patterns, the most frequent allergens and the prognosis in patients sensitized to (meth)acrylates in long‐lasting nail polish.

Methods

The files of patients with ACD caused by (meth)acrylates in long‐lasting nail polish diagnosed between January 2013 and June 2016 in four dermatology departments in Spain were reviewed. Patients were followed up by telephone interview.

Results

Overall, 2353 patients were patch tested. Forty‐three (1.82%) were diagnosed with ACD caused by (meth)acrylates in long‐lasting nail polish during that period; all were female, and all had hand dermatitis. Patients were mostly less than 40 years old (72.1%), non‐atopic (95.4%) and had an occupational cause of their dermatitis (93%), which developed ∼10.1 months after they had started to use this technique. The most frequent positive allergens were: 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate. Eight of the 22 interviewed patients were able to improve their working technique and used 4H® protective material (fingerstalls/gloves).

Conclusions

Long‐lasting nail polishes have become widespread, and it is a matter of concern that we may be facing a new epidemic of ACD caused by these. Policies regulating their use are urgently needed.