bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA metabarcoding of unfractionated water samples relates phyto‐, zoo‐ and bacterioplankton dynamics and reveals a single‐taxon bacterial bloom
Authors: Wurzbacher Christian , Attermeyer Katrin , Kettner Marie Therese , Flintrop Clara , Warthmann Norman , Hilt Sabine , Grossart Hans‐Peter , Monaghan Michael T.
Published: April 2017

Most studies of aquatic plankton focus on either macroscopic or microbial communities, and on either eukaryotes or prokaryotes. This separation is primarily for methodological reasons, but can overlook potential interactions among groups. Here we tested whether DNA metabarcoding of unfractionated water samples with universal primers could be used to qualitatively and quantitatively study the temporal dynamics of the total plankton community in a shallow temperate lake. Significant changes in the relative proportions of normalized sequence reads of eukaryotic and prokaryotic plankton communities over a 3‐month period in spring were found. Patterns followed the same trend as plankton estimates measured using traditional microscopic methods. The bloom of a conditionally rare bacterial taxon belonging to Arcicella was characterized, which rapidly came to dominate the whole lake ecosystem and would have remained unnoticed without metabarcoding. The data demonstrate the potential of universal DNA metabarcoding applied to unfractionated samples for providing a more holistic view of plankton communities.
rptR: repeatability estimation and variance decomposition by generalized linear mixed‐effects models
Authors: Stoffel Martin A. , Nakagawa Shinichi , Schielzeth Holger
Published: April 2017

Intra‐class correlations (ICC) and repeatabilities (R) are fundamental statistics for quantifying the reproducibility of measurements and for understanding the structure of biological variation. Linear mixed effects models offer a versatile framework for estimating ICC and R. However, while point estimation and significance testing by likelihood ratio tests is straightforward, the quantification of uncertainty is not as easily achieved.

A further complication arises when the analysis is conducted on data with non‐Gaussian distributions because the separation of the mean and the variance is less clear‐cut for non‐Gaussian than for Gaussian models. Nonetheless, there are solutions to approximate repeatability for the most widely used families of generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs).

Here, we introduce the R package rptR for the estimation of ICC and R for Gaussian, binomial and Poisson‐distributed data. Uncertainty in estimators is quantified by parametric bootstrapping and significance testing is implemented by likelihood ratio tests and through permutation of residuals. The package allows control for fixed effects and thus the estimation of adjusted repeatabilities (that remove fixed effect variance from the estimate) and enhanced agreement repeatabilities (that add fixed effect variance to the denominator). Furthermore, repeatability can be estimated from random‐slope models. The package features convenient summary and plotting functions.

Besides repeatabilities, the package also allows the quantification of coefficients of determination R2 as well as of raw variance components. We present an example analysis to demonstrate the core features and discuss some of the limitations of rptR.
Pooled analysis of three randomized, double‐blind, placebo controlled trials with rimonabant for smoking cessation
Authors: Robinson Jason D. , Cinciripini Paul M. , Karam‐Hage Maher , Aubin Henri‐Jean , Dale Lowell C. , Niaura Raymond , Anthenelli Robert M. ,   the STRATUS Group
Published: April 2017

Despite the withdrawal of CB1 antagonists, such as rimonabant, from the market and from active clinical development because of concerns about their side effect profiles, research suggests that the endocannabinoid system may play an important role in modulating nicotine's effects. We report the combined results, using a pooled analysis, of three previously unpublished trials assessing rimonabant as a smoking cessation pharmacotherapy conducted between 2002 and 2004. Smokers (n = 2097) motivated to quit were enrolled in three randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials, STRATUS EU, US, and META, which consisted of a 10‐week treatment period with either rimonabant 20 mg (n = 789), 5 mg (n = 518; used in only two of the three studies), or placebo (n = 790), in conjunction with brief counseling. The impact of drug on prolonged abstinence and adverse events was examined at 8 weeks (end‐of‐treatment) and at 48 weeks (available for STRATUS EU and US) after the targeted quit date. Rimonabant 20 mg resulted in significantly higher abstinence at end‐of‐treatment and at 48 weeks post‐targeted quit date compared with placebo, while rimonabant 5 mg and placebo did not differ. Serious AEs did not differ by drug group. The 20 mg rimonabant dose, compared with placebo, produced increased nausea, diarrhea, anxiety symptoms, hyporexia, and vomiting, and decreased headache, constipation, and cough. These results support rimonabant 20 mg as a modestly effective aid for smoking cessation. Although work on CB1 antagonists such as rimonabant has mostly been stopped because of unacceptable adverse events, these results may inform and spur the development of other endocannabinoids for smoking cessation.
Intravenous self‐administration of benzydamine, a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug with a central cannabinoidergic mechanism of action
Authors: Avvisati Riccardo , Meringolo Maria , Stendardo Emiliana , Malavasi Elisa , Marinelli Silvia , Badiani Aldo
Published: April 2017

Benzydamine (BZY) is a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug used for the topical treatment of inflammations of the oral and vaginal mucosae. Virtually nothing is known about the central pharmacological actions of BZY. Yet there are reports of voluntary systemic overdosage of BZY in drug addicts, resulting in a euphoric, hallucinatory state. In the present study, we investigated the reinforcing properties of BZY in a rat self‐administration paradigm. We found that BZY has a powerful reinforcing effect and that this effect is greatly facilitated in animals that already had substance experience, having previously self‐administered heroin and cocaine, indicating cross sensitization between BZY and other common drugs of abuse. We then assessed the effect of BZY on prelimbic cortex‐to‐nucleus accumbens glutamatergic transmission, using field recordings in rat parasagittal brain slices. BZY dose‐dependently reduced both field excitatory post synaptic potential amplitude and paired pulse ratio, suggesting a presynaptic mechanism of action. Similarly to the in vivo paradigm, also the electrophysiological effects of BZY were potentiated in slices from animals that had undergone cocaine and heroin self‐administration. Furthermore, BZY‐induced Long Term Depression (LTD)‐like responses in the prelimbic cortex‐to‐nucleus accumbens circuitry were significantly reduced in the presence of the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251. These findings provide firm evidence of the abuse liability of BZY and suggest a possible cannabinoidergic mechanism of action. Further research is needed in order to give insights into the molecular mechanism underlying BZY psychoactive and reinforcing effects, to better understand its abuse potential.
Scuba diving, patent foramen ovale and heart rhythm disturbances: The role of underwater Holter monitoring—Case report
Authors: Olędzki Szymon , Wojtarowicz Andrzej , Płońska‐Gościniak Edyta , Lewandowski Maciej , Gorący Jarosław
Published: April 2017

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is thought to be a risk factor for decompression illness (DCI). Catheter‐based closure procedure reduces the risk of DCI in selected scuba divers with PFO. Major complication of invasive approach are rare, minor, especially heart rhythm disturbances are reported relatively often. We describe a case of 41‐year‐old diver, who underwent PFO closure due to recurrent DCI events. Afterward, he experienced no DCI symptoms; however, he complained about feeling of the heart beating during a submersion. Arrhythmia should be considered as a life‐threatening for scuba diver, thus we performed underwater ECG monitoring and exclude the arrhythmia.
Pursuing the second ipsilateral gland during minimally invasive video‐assisted parathyroidectomy
Authors: Bendinelli Cino , Gray Andrew , Suradi Hassan , Weber Dieter G. , Acharya Shamasunder , Price Anna , McGrath Shaun
Published: April 2017

Background

In patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and preoperative imaging suggesting a solitary parathyroid adenoma (SPA), focused parathyroidectomy is most often curative. Even so, large studies show up to 3% of patients experience persistent or recurrent PHPT. Unilateral neck exploration (UNE) aiming to identify the SPA and the other ipsilateral parathyroid may reduce this failure rate. We hypothesized that: (i) minimally invasive video‐assisted (MIVA) approach would facilitate UNE and (ii) this would be a clinically relevant strategy.

Methods

Prospective case series of a consecutive cohort of PHPT patients (with preoperative diagnosis of SPA), who underwent MIVA‐UNE. A 15 mm collar incision and endoscopic magnification were utilized to both excise the SPA and seek the ipsilateral parathyroid gland.

Results

From 2009 to 2014, 132 patients were offered MIVA‐UNE (age: 63.0 (interquartile range: 11.2); females: 94 (71.2%); symptomatic: 89 (67.4%); mean serum corrected calcium: 2.7 (standard deviation: 0.9) mmol/L; mean serum parathyroid hormone: 16.8 (standard deviation: 11.8) pmol/L). Conversion from MIVA‐UNE to open UNE was required in 14 (10.6%) patients (excluded from subsequent analysis). MIVA‐UNE was concluded in 118 patients. The second ipsilateral parathyroid was identified in 62 (52.5%) patients and in 13 (11.0%) it appeared enlarged and was excised. Histopathology confirmed five (4.2%) of these glands to be hyperplastic.

Conclusion

MIVA‐UNE allows identification of the second ipsilateral parathyroid in about half the patients. This approach helped to diagnose and treat unexpected multigland disease in almost 5% of patients.
Race and the Pitfalls of Emotional Democracy: Primary Schools and the Critique of Black Pete in the Netherlands
Authors: Coenders Yannick , Chauvin Sébastien
Published: April 2017

A centrepiece of the Dutch festival of Sinterklaas, the blackface character Black Pete, has met with growing contestation in the past decade over its caricatural representation of people of African descent. Attacks on this national “happy object” elicited a host of majority responses that converged in professing non‐racism. As the celebration is primarily thought of as a children's festival, schools across the Netherlands had to decide whether to maintain, alter or suppress the Black Pete character. This article considers the spatial politics of race that informed school decisions about the festival. We show geographical variation in the distribution between change and non‐change. However, we find that both strategies were justified in the name of respect for “black feelings”, even as majority calls for mutual tolerance between proponents and opponents of Black Pete normatively portrayed multicultural society as conflict free and ultimately strove to disarm anti‐racist critique by framing it as anti‐democratic.
FROM DISTANT NEIGHBOURS TO BEDMATES: EXPLORING THE SYNERGIES BETWEEN THE SOCIAL ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: HUDON Marek , HUYBRECHTS Benjamin
Published: April 2017

To introduce this special issue we explore the conceptual and practical synergies between the social economy and sustainable development. New empirical evidence is presented on the emergence of these two research fields and the increasing combination of these fields in the literature. Several avenues through which social enterprises can contribute to the transition towards sustainable development are then identified. This is followed by a discussion of how and why the combination can be particularly fruitful both for the social economy and for sustainability transition movements. We also highlight some important challenges facing the social economy with regard to its contribution to sustainable development. Finally we introduce the papers that constitute this special issue and show how they contribute, individually and collectively, to a better understanding of the increasing linkage between the social economy and sustainable development.
Body weight, gender and pregnancy affect enantiomer‐specific ketorolac pharmacokinetics
Authors: Välitalo Pyry A. , Kemppainen Heidi , Kulo Aida , Smits Anne , van Calsteren Kristel , Olkkola Klaus T. , de Hoon Jan , Knibbe Catherijne A. J. , Allegaert Karel
Published: April 2017

Aims

Although ketorolac analgesia is linked only to the S‐enantiomer, there is limited information on the stereo‐selective pharmacokinetics of this agent. We studied the stereo‐selective pharmacokinetics of ketorolac in a pooled dataset of two studies, with women at delivery and 4–5 months postpartum, and males and nonpregnant females.

Methods

Nonlinear mixed‐effect modelling was used to evaluate the stereo‐selective pharmacokinetics of ketorolac tromethamine after a single intravenous injection immediately after delivery (n = 41), 4–5 months postpartum (n = 8, paired), and in male (n = 12) and nonpregnant female (n = 14) subjects. All of the males and six of the nonpregnant females were recruited from another study, in which they were undergoing blood sampling for 24 h. All remaining cases underwent blood sampling for 8 h.

Results

For both the R‐ and S‐enantiomers, body weight affected ketorolac clearance. In addition, clearance for both enantiomers was 36% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15%, 58%] higher in male than in female subjects of the same body weight, and 55% (95% CI 33%, 78%) higher in women at delivery than in nonpregnant women of the same body weight. Women at delivery also had a 27% (95% CI 8%, 46%) higher distribution volume than nonpregnant women. The proportional effects of the covariates were not significantly different for the two ketorolac enantiomers.

Conclusions

Besides the anticipated impact of body weight on clearance, R‐ and S‐ketorolac clearance is increased in male subjects and in women at delivery. To reach an exposure equivalent to that in nonpregnant women, males should receive a 36% increased ketorolac dose and pregnant women a 55% increased dose, in addition to a dose adjustment by body weight.
Influence of leaf trichomes on boundary layer conductance and gas‐exchange characteristics in Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Amada Gaku , Onoda Yusuke , Ichie Tomoaki , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: April 2017

The amount of trichomes on the leaves of Metrosideros polymorpha varies enormously, ranging from 0 to ca 150 g/m2 across environmental gradients on the island of Hawaii. Pubescent individuals are abundant in dry areas or on young lava flows, whereas glabrous individuals are abundant in wet areas or on developed soils. To understand the adaptive advantages of pubescent individuals in arid environments, we addressed the following questions: (1) whether leaf trichomes increase the boundary layer resistance to gas diffusion, which in turn reduces the transpiration rate and increases water‐use efficiency (WUE); and (2) whether pubescent individuals have other associated leaf and shoot traits that have adaptive significance in arid environments. We made detailed ecophysiological measurements on M. polymorpha in three populations in habitats that varied in aridity. We found a large allocation of leaf mass to trichomes, up to 33 percent at the arid site, but our analyses showed that trichomes had small effects (1–9%) on gas exchange and negligible effects on WUE, suggesting the trichomes may have roles beyond increasing WUE. However, pubescent individuals did have higher Rubisco amount and a lower leaf‐to‐ sapwood area ratio, which are considered adaptive in arid environments. These results suggest that pubescent individuals of M. polymorpha are indeed adapted to arid environments with changes in a suite of traits. The adaptive significance of the enormous variation in amounts of trichomes remains unclear and may be related to functions other than increasing boundary layer resistance.
The contribution of epiphyton to the primary production of tropical floodplain wetlands
Authors: Adame Maria F. , Pettit Neil E. , Valdez Dominic , Ward Doug , Burford Michele A. , Bunn Stuart E.
Published: April 2017

Tropical floodplains are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. Studies on floodplain productivity have primarily focused on trees and macrophytes, rather than algae, due to their greater biomass. However, epiphyton—algae and bacteria attached to the submerged portion of aquatic macrophytes—is a major source of energy in many tropical floodplains. Epiphyton productivity rates are unknown for most tropical floodplain wetlands, and spatial variability is not well understood. In this study, we measured primary productivity of epiphyton in Kakadu National Park in northern Australia. We estimated the relative contribution of epiphyton to aquatic production (epiphyton, + phytoplankton + macrophytes). We sampled sites dominated by different macrophyte structural types: vertical emerging grasses, horizontal emerging grasses, submerged macrophytes, and macrophytes with floating leaves. Epiphyton productivity was highly influenced by the structural type of the macrophyte. Highest potential productivity per weight was measured from epiphyton growing on macrophytes with floating leaves and horizontal grasses (1.52 ± 0.53 and 1.82 ± 0.61 mgC/dw g epiphyton/h, respectively) and lowest in submerged macrophytes and vertical grasses (0.57 ± 0.26 and 0.66 ± 0.47 mgC/dw g epiphyton/h, respectively). When considering the areal biomass of the macrophyte and the amount of epiphyton attached, epiphyton on horizontal grasses and submerged macrophytes had productivity values approximately ten times higher (45–219 mgC/m2/d) compared to those on vertical grasses and macrophytes with floating leaves (2–18 mgC/m2/d). Epiphyton contributed between 2 to 13 percent to the aquatic production of these tropical floodplain wetlands.
Immediate implant placement and restoration in the anterior maxilla: Tissue dimensional changes after 2‐5 year follow up
Authors: Arora Himanshu , Khzam Nabil , Roberts David , Bruce William L , Ivanovski Saso
Published: April 2017

Background

Immediate implant placement followed by an immediate restoration has proven to be a viable technique in the anterior maxillary region.

Purpose

This prospective study evaluated the mid‐long term (2‐5 years) tissue changes around immediately placed and restored implants in the anterior maxilla using flapless surgery and simultaneous hard tissue augmentation.

Materials and methods

Thirty AstraTech implants were immediately placed in 30 patients, followed by the delivery of an immediate provisional restoration on the same day. All participating 30 patients underwent the same treatment strategy that involved flapless removal of a failing maxillary anterior tooth, immediate implant placement, simultaneous augmentation with a deproteinized particulate xenograft, followed by the connection of a screw‐retained provisional restoration. Radiographs and photographs were used to measure hard and soft tissue changes. Aesthetic evaluation was performed using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES).

Results

All implants remained osseointegrated during the follow up period of 2‐5 years (mean 47 ± 15 months). Twelve of the thirty patients completed the 5 year follow up. Radiographic evaluation revealed average gains in bone levels of 0.18 and 0.34 mm mesially and distally, respectively. Soft tissue evaluation showed a mean tissue loss of 0.05 ± 0.64 mm and 0.16 ± 0.63 mm at the mesial and distal papillae, respectively, while mid‐facial mucosal recession was 0.29 ± 0.74 mm. A significant improvement in the Pink Esthetic Scores was seen at the final follow‐up (mean PES 11.50), as compared to the baseline (mean PES 10.27) (P = .001).

Conclusions

In addition to a favorable implant success rate and peri‐implant bony response, the soft tissue levels and overall aesthetics around single immediately placed and restored implants can also be maintained in the mid‐long term.
A cross‐circulated bicephalic model of head transplantation
Authors: Li Peng‐Wei , Zhao Xin , Zhao Yun‐Long , Wang Bing‐Jian , Song Yang , Shen Zi‐Long , Jiang Hong‐Jun , Jin Hai , Canavero Sergio , Ren Xiao‐Ping
Published: April 2017

Aims

A successful cephalosomatic anastomosis (“head transplant”) requires, among others, the ability to control long‐term immune rejection and avoidance of ischemic events during the head transference phase. We developed a bicephalic model of head transplantation to study these aspects.

Methods and Results

The thoracic aorta and superior vena cava of a donor rat were anastomosed with the carotid artery and extracorporeal veins of a recipient rat by vascular grafts. Before thoracotomy in the donor rat, the axillary artery and vein of the donor were connected to the carotid and the extracranial vein of the third rat through a silicone tube. The silicone tube was passed through a peristaltic pump to ensure donor brain tissue blood supply. There is no ischemia reperfusion injury in donor brain tissue analyzed by electroencephalogram. Postoperative donor has pain reflex and corneal reflex.

Conclusions

Peristaltic pump application can guarantee the blood supply of donor brain tissue per unit time, while the application of temperature change device to the silicone tube can protect the brain tissue hypothermia, postoperative experimental data show that there is no brain tissue ischemia during the whole operation. The application of vascular grafting can also provide the possibility of long‐term survival of the model.
Investigating general medication prescription by general practitioners during a 12‐month randomized controlled weight loss trial
Authors: Fuller N. R. , Lau N. S. , Markovic T. P. , Caterson I. D.
Published: April 2017

Much healthcare expenditure is on pharmaceutical drugs. Expenditure on medications has increased both in absolute terms, and as a proportion of total health expenditure. No previous studies have investigated the prescribing costs by general practitioners when managing patients during a weight loss intervention. This study evaluated the medication costs by individual class during a 1‐year study in which 268 participants were randomized to one of two weight loss programmes, either standard care (SC) as defined by national guidelines, or a commercial provider (Weight Watchers) (CP). The baseline body mass index of participants (mean ± standard deviation) was 32.0 ± 2.5 kg m−2, their body weight was 87.5 ± 11.8 kg, and age 47.4 ± 11.7 years. Weight loss for the SC and CP groups was −2.6 and −6.1 kg, respectively (between group difference; P < 0.0001). The greater weight loss in the CP group compared to SC was accompanied by larger reductions in waist circumference and fat mass. The CP group also had significantly greater improvements than SC in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Despite SC participants being prescribed and spending more on medications than the CP group with no better weight or metabolic outcomes, this was not of statistical significance. For both groups the highest proportion of prescriptions (≥30% of medications) was for control of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In conclusion, this study indicates that obesity treatment via a shared care approach with a CP results in greater weight loss and some better clinical outcomes, but despite lower medication costs overall, this was not significant when compared to SC treatment.
Effectiveness of community‐based interventions for reducing alcohol‐related harm in two metropolitan and two regional sites in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Curtis Ashlee , Coomber Kerri , Droste Nicolas , Hyder Shannon , Palmer Darren , Miller Peter G.
Published: April 2017

Introduction and Aims

The relationship between alcohol intoxication and harm is well known, and many community‐based interventions have been introduced in an attempt to reduce the rates of alcohol‐related harm. The current paper uses two metropolitan and two regional Australian cities as sites to investigate the impact of community‐based interventions on the reduction of alcohol‐related harms.

Design and Methods

Data for injury‐related emergency department (ED) presentations and police attended assaults during high‐alcohol hours (i.e. 20:00–06:00 h, Friday and Saturday nights) were obtained for each site from 2000 to 2015 for ED presentations and from 2000 to 2016 for police assaults. Autoregressive integrated moving average time series analyses were conducted to determine the impact of the community‐based interventions introduced at each site for reducing these rates of ED injury presentations and police attended assaults.

Results

None of the community‐level interventions that were introduced across the four sites resulted in a reduction in ED presentation rates or assault rates.

Discussion and Conclusions

The majority of interventions introduced across the four sites were proposed and implemented by local liquor accords. Given none of the interventions demonstrated a reduction in ED injury presentation rates or police attended assault rates, it is argued that local liquor accords may not be best placed to propose alcohol‐related harm reduction measures, and instead, there should be a focus on the implementation of evidence‐based regulatory strategies, such as restricted trading hours. [Curtis A, Coomber K, Droste N, Hyder S, Palmer D, Miller PG. Effectiveness of community‐based interventions for reducing alcohol‐related harm in two metropolitan and two regional sites in Victoria, Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:359‐368]
Regulation of axon arborization pattern in the developing chick ciliary ganglion: Possible involvement of caspase 3
Authors: Katow Hidetaka , Kanaya Teppei , Ogawa Tomohisa , Egawa Ryo , Yawo Hiromu
Published: April 2017

During a certain critical period in the development of the central and peripheral nervous systems, axonal branches and synapses are massively reorganized to form mature connections. In this process, neurons search their appropriate targets, expanding and/or retracting their axons. Recent work suggested that the caspase superfamily regulates the axon morphology. Here, we tested the hypothesis that caspase 3, which is one of the major executioners in apoptotic cell death, is involved in regulating the axon arborization. The embryonic chicken ciliary ganglion was used as a model system of synapse reorganization. A dominant negative mutant of caspase‐3 precursor (C3DN) was made and overexpressed in presynaptic neurons in the midbrain to interfere with the intrinsic caspase‐3 activity using an in ovo electroporation method. The axon arborization pattern was 3‐dimensionally and quantitatively analyzed in the ciliary ganglion. The overexpression of C3DN significantly reduced the number of branching points, the branch order and the complexity index, whereas it significantly elongated the terminal branches at E6. It also increased the internodal distance significantly at E8. But, these effects were negligible at E10 or later. During E6–8, there appeared to be a dynamic balance in the axon arborization pattern between the “targeting” mode, which is accompanied by elongation of terminal branches and the pruning of collateral branches, and the “pathfinding” mode, which is accompanied by the retraction of terminal branches and the sprouting of new collateral branches. The local and transient activation of caspase 3 could direct the balance towards the pathfinding mode.
Exploring why young people with Type 1 diabetes decline structured education with a view to overcoming barriers
Authors: Coates V. E. , Horigan G. , Davies M. , Davies M. T.
Published: April 2017

Aims

To identify factors that influence lack of engagement of young adults with Type 1 diabetes (aged 13–21 years) with structured diabetes education (SDE) to inform and broaden the reach of future SDE.

Methods

A quantitative, cross‐sectional survey was undertaken of 227 young people with Type 1 diabetes drawn from 11 health trusts across Northern Ireland and England, deemed to be representative of the wider population. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring non‐attendance, along with the Diabetes Care Profile, the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (Short Form), the Diabetes Knowledge Test and the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire. Demographic, health and diabetes‐specific variables including HbA1c were also collected.

Results

The five most commonly cited reasons for non‐attendance were ‘Had other things to do’ (68.3%), ‘No time’ (62.2%), ‘Could not get time off school/college or work’ (60.8%), ‘Learnt about diabetes from other sources’ (55.5%) and ‘Feel able to cope on own’ (52.9%).

Conclusions

Greater emphasis is required on communication with young people about the benefits of SDE. In addition, efforts need to be directed to making diabetes education more accessible without losing the quality of structured programmes.
Outcome of individuals “not at risk of psychosis” and prognostic accuracy of the Basel Screening Instrument for Psychosis (BSIP)
Authors: Papmeyer Martina , Aston Jacqueline , Everts‐Graber Judith , Heitz Ulrike , Studerus Erich , Borgwardt Stefan J. , Stieglitz Rolf‐Dieter , Riecher‐Rössler Anita
Published: April 2017

Background

We aimed to determine the prognostic accuracy of the Basel Screening Instrument for Psychosis (BSIP) in terms of specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive value by following up individuals that were initially not considered to be at increased risk of psychosis based on the BSIP. Moreover, clinical characteristics of these individuals were examined given the relative lack of such information in the literature.

Methods

As part of the “Früherkennung von Psychosen” (FePsy) study, 87 individuals were screened with the BSIP. Of these, 64 were classified at baseline as being in an at‐risk mental state (ARMS+) for psychosis using the BSIP and followed up at regular time intervals for at least 2 years to determine a putative transition to psychosis. Twenty‐three individuals were classified at baseline as not being in an at‐risk mental state (ARMS–) using the BSIP and re‐assessed after 4 years. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the BSIP were computed. Clinical characteristics of the ARMS– group were analysed descriptively.

Results

During the follow‐up period, none of the ARMS– individuals, but 21 of ARMS+ had developed psychosis. Sensitivity of the BSIP was 1.0, specificity was 0.35. The majority of ARMS– individuals showed depressive disorders or anxiety disorders and varying levels of functioning.

Conclusions

The BSIP has good prognostic accuracy for detecting the prodromal phase of psychosis with an excellent sensitivity and a specificity similar to other risk instruments and the advantage of a relatively short duration. Depressive and anxiety symptoms commonly develop in ARMS– individuals.
Invest more and die faster: The life history of a parasite on intensive farms
Authors: Mennerat Adèle , Ugelvik Mathias Stølen , Håkonsrud Jensen Camilla , Skorping Arne
Published: April 2017

Organisms are expected to respond to alterations in their survival by evolutionary changes in their life history traits. As agriculture and aquaculture have become increasingly intensive in the past decades, there has been growing interest in their evolutionary effects on the life histories of agri‐ and aquacultural pests, parasites, and pathogens. In this study, we used salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) to explore how modern farming might have affected life history evolution in parasites. We infected salmon hosts with lice from either farmed or unfarmed locations, and monitored life history traits of those parasites in laboratory conditions. Our results show that compared to salmon lice from areas unaffected by salmon farming, those from farmed areas produced more eggs in their first clutch, and less eggs later on; they achieved higher infestation intensities in early adulthood, but suffered higher adult mortality. These results suggest that salmon lice on farms may have been selected for increased investment in early reproduction, at the expense of later fecundity and survival. This call for further empirical studies of the extent to which farming practices may alter the virulence of agricultural parasites.
From Infantilizing to World Making: Safe Spaces and Trigger Warnings on Campus
Authors: Byron Katie
Published: April 2017

Student requests for trigger warnings and safe spaces have emerged following widespread concern over the mishandling of cases of sexual violence on college campuses. Recent media attention to such interventions has been critical, framing them as coddling students and failing to prepare them for the real world. These criticisms conflate the desire for safety with the feeling of comfort or freedom from offense or challenge. Student requests for trigger warnings and safe spaces bring trauma into the public sphere and create spaces in academic settings for students to exist without expectations that they are fully healed. This article examines student requests for safe spaces or trigger warnings in the United States in discussions about trauma and healing in academia and shifts the dialogue to provide a queer feminist theoretical framework for understanding these requests as world‐making projects that provide an account of public trauma and a sense of collective vulnerability.
The crystal structure of a new O‐demethylase from Sphingobium sp. strain SYK‐6
Authors: Harada Ayaka , Kamimura Naofumi , Takeuchi Koh , Yu Hong Yang , Masai Eiji , Senda Toshiya
Published: April 2017

In the cell, tetrahydrofolate (H4folate) derivatives with a C1 unit are utilized in various ways, such as for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleic acids. While H4folate derivatives with the C1 unit are typically produced in the glycine cleavage system, Sphingobium sp. strain SYK‐6, which can utilize lignin‐derived aromatic compounds as a sole source of carbon and energy, lacks this pathway, probably due to its unique nutrient requirements. In this bacterium, H4folate‐dependent O‐demethylases in catabolic pathways for lignin‐derived aromatic compounds seem to be involved in the C1 metabolism. LigM is one of the O‐demethylases and catalyzes a C1‐unit transfer from vanillate (VNL) to H4folate. As the primary structure of LigM shows a similarity to T‐protein in the glycine cleavage system, we hypothesized that LigM has evolved from T‐protein, acquiring its unique biochemical and biological functions. To prove this hypothesis, structure‐based understanding of its catalytic reaction is essential. Here, we determined the crystal structure of LigM in apo form and in complex with substrates and H4folate. These crystal structures showed that the overall structure of LigM is similar to T‐protein, but LigM has a few distinct characteristics, particularly in the active site. Structure‐based mutational analysis revealed that His60 and Tyr247, which are not conserved in T‐protein, are essential to the catalytic activity of LigM and their interactions with the oxygen atom in the methoxy group of VNL seem to facilitate a methyl moiety (C1‐unit) transfer to H4folate. Taken together, our structural data suggest that LigM has evolved divergently from T‐protein.

Databases

All atomic coordinates of the crystal structures determined in this study have been deposited to PDB. LigM: 5X1I, LigM‐VNL complex: 5X1J, LigM‐3‐O‐methylgallate complex: 5X1K, LigM‐H4folate complex: 5X1IL, LigM‐H4folate‐protocatechuate (PCA) complex (P21212): 5X1M, LigM‐H4folate‐PCA complex (P3121): 5X1N.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaf photosynthesis in relation to nitrogen content and temperature: implications for hemp as a bio‐economically sustainable crop
Authors: Tang Kailei , Struik Paul C. , Amaducci Stefano , Stomph Tjeerd‐Jan , Yin Xinyou
Published: April 2017

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) may be a suitable crop for the bio‐economy as it requires low inputs while producing a high and valuable biomass yield. With the aim of understanding the physiological basis of hemp's high resource‐use efficiency and yield potential, photosynthesis was analysed on leaves exposed to a range of nitrogen and temperature levels. Light‐saturated net photosynthesis rate (Amax) increased with an increase in leaf nitrogen up to 31.2 ± 1.9 μmol m−2 s−1 at 25 °C. The Amax initially increased with an increase in leaf temperature (TL), levelled off at 25–35 °C and decreased when TL became higher than 35 °C. Based on a C3 leaf photosynthesis model, we estimated mesophyll conductance (gm), efficiency of converting incident irradiance into linear electron transport under limiting light (κ2LL), linear electron transport capacity (Jmax), Rubisco carboxylation capacity (Vcmax), triose phosphate utilization capacity (Tp) and day respiration (Rd), using data obtained from gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements at different leaf positions and various levels of incident irradiance, CO2 and O2. The effects of leaf nitrogen and temperature on photosynthesis parameters were consistent at different leaf positions and among different growth environments except for κ2LL, which was higher for plants grown in the glasshouse than for those grown outdoors. Model analysis showed that compared with cotton and kenaf, hemp has higher photosynthetic capacity when leaf nitrogen is <2.0 g N m−2. The high photosynthetic capacity measured in this study, especially at low nitrogen level, provides additional evidence that hemp can be grown as a sustainable bioenergy crop over a wide range of climatic and agronomic conditions.
Air pollution, weight loss and metabolic benefits of bariatric surgery: a potential model for study of metabolic effects of environmental exposures
Authors: Ghosh R. , Gauderman W. J. , Minor H. , Youn H. A. , Lurmann F. , Cromar K. R. , Chatzi L. , Belcher B. , Fielding C. R. , McConnell R.
Published: April 2017

Background

Emerging experimental evidence suggests that air pollution may contribute to development of obesity and diabetes, but studies of children are limited.

Objectives

We hypothesized that pollution effects would be magnified after bariatric surgery for treatment of obesity, reducing benefits of surgery.

Methods

In 75 obese adolescents, excess weight loss (EWL), high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were measured prospectively at baseline and following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Residential distances to major roads and the average two‐year follow‐up exposure to particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone were estimated. Associations of exposure with change in outcome and with attained outcome two years post‐surgery were examined.

Results

Major‐roadway proximity was associated with reduced EWL and less improvement in lipid profile and ALP after surgery. NO2 was associated with less improvement in HbA1c and lower attained HDL levels and change in triglycerides over two years post‐surgery. PM2.5 was associated with reduced EWL and reduced beneficial change or attained levels for all outcomes except HbA1c.

Conclusions

Near‐roadway, PM2.5 and NO2 exposures at levels common in developed countries were associated with reduced EWL and metabolic benefits of LAGB. This novel approach provides a model for investigating metabolic effects of other exposures.
Child body mass index, genotype and parenting in the prediction of restrictive feeding
Authors: Bost K. K. , Teran‐Garcia M. , Donovan S. M. , Fiese B. H. ,   the STRONG Kids Team
Published: April 2017

Background

Restrictive feeding is implicated in pediatric obesity, and caregivers increase controlling feeding practices on the basis of higher child weight status. However, few studies have examined how child genetic and parenting characteristics together impact restrictive feeding.

Objectives

We examined whether child body mass index (BMI) status predicts caregiver use of restrictive feeding and if this association is moderated by (i) caregiver strategies to manage their children's distress and (ii) child variations in the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene (Val158Met, rs4680).

Methods

Participants included 126 Caucasian children (50% girls) and their caregivers who were participating in a larger study in the USA. Caregivers reported on their feeding practices and responses to child distress when children were 2.5–3.5 years of age. Child anthropometric measurements were also obtained. Restrictive feeding was assessed again 1–1.5 years later. Genomic DNA was obtained from saliva samples, and COMT‐rs4680 was genotyped using TaqMan® methodology.

Results

Child BMI percentile predicted subsequent caregiver restrictive feeding for children who were Met/Met and who had caregivers reporting higher use of negative responses to child distress. For Val carriers, BMI percentile predicted restrictive feeding when caregivers were below the mean on these responses.

Conclusions

Caregivers are at risk for use of restrictive feeding practices when their children are at higher BMI percentiles, and this association increases when caregivers use more ineffective stress regulation practices and their children are homozygous for the Met allele. Prevention programmes might focus on parenting behaviours that foster emotion regulation and consider variation in child responses to parenting.
Sealing glass‐ceramics with near‐linear thermal strain, part III: Stress modeling of strain and strain rate matched glass‐ceramic to metal seals
Authors: Dai Steve , Elisberg Brenton , Calderone James , Lyon Nathan
Published: April 2017

Thermal mechanical stresses of glass‐ceramic to stainless steel (GCtSS) seals are analyzed using finite element modeling over a temperature cycle from a set temperature (Tset) 500°C to −55°C, and then back to 600°C. Two glass‐ceramics having an identical coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) at ~16 ppm/°C but very different linearity of thermal strains, designated as near‐linear NL16 and step‐like SL16, were formed from the same parent glass using different crystallization processes. Stress modeling reveals much higher plastic strain in the stainless steel using SL16 glass‐ceramic when the GCtSS seal cools from Tset. Upon heating tensile stresses start to develop at the GC‐SS interface before the temperature reaches Tset. On the other hand, the much lower plastic deformation in stainless steel accumulated during cooling using NL16 glass‐ceramic allows for radially compressive stress at the GC‐SS interface to remain present when the seal is heated back to Tset. The qualitative stress comparison suggests that with a better match of thermal strain rate to that of stainless steel, the NL16 glass‐ceramic not only improves the hermeticity of the GCtSS seals, but would also improve the reliability of the seals exposed to high‐temperature and/or high‐pressure abnormal environments.
Microwave dielectric properties and crystal structures of Mg0.7Al2.2O4 and Mg0.4Al2.4O4 ceramics with defect structures
Authors: Takahashi Susumu , Kan Akinori , Ogawa Hirotaka
Published: April 2017

Mg0.7Al2.2O4 and Mg0.4Al2.4O4 ceramics with cation vacancies were synthesized using the molten salt method, and the relationships between the microwave dielectric properties and crystal structures of these materials were investigated. The 27Al NMR spectra of these ceramics indicate that the preferential occupation of tetrahedral sites by Al3+ cations was enhanced by the introduction of cation vacancies. The λ values of Mg0.7Al2.2O4 and Mg0.4Al2.4O4 ceramics fired at 1600°C, which correspond to the fraction of Al3+ cations in tetrahedral sites, were 0.37 and 0.60, respectively. Crystal structure refinements using the Rietveld method suggest that cation vacancies are preferentially located at octahedral sites in both ceramics. The εr and Q·f values of a Mg0.7Al2.2O4 ceramic fired at 1600°C were 7.7 and 201 111 GHz, respectively, while those of a Mg0.4Al2.4O4 ceramic fired at 1600°C were 7.5 and 232 301 GHz, respectively. These data demonstrate that the preferential occupation of tetrahedral sites by Al3+ cations following the introduction of cation vacancies enhances the Q·f value.
Dielectric and electric relaxations induced by the complex defect clusters in (Yb+Nb) co‐doped rutile TiO2 ceramics
Authors: Zhao Xiao‐gang , Liu Peng
Published: April 2017

The effect of the Yb+Nb substitution for Ti on the microstructure, crystal structures, and dielectric properties of (Yb1/2Nb1/2)xTi1−xO2 (0.01≤x≤0.1) ceramics is investigated in this study. The results reveal that the solid solubility limit of the (Yb1/2Nb1/2)xTi1−xO2 ceramics is x=0.07, and the average grain sizes considerably decrease from 12 μm to 6 μm with x increasing from 0.01 to 0.1. Three types of dielectric relaxations are observed at temperature ranges of 10‐30 K, 80‐180 K, and 260‐300 K, caused by the electron‐pinned defect dipoles, polaron hopping, and interfacial polarizations, respectively. The conduction mechanism changes from nearest‐neighbor‐hopping to polaron hopping mechanism, which is confirmed by ac conductivity measurements. The present work indentifies the correlation between the colossal permittivity and polaron hopping process in the titled compound.
Long persistent properties of CaGa2O4:Bi3+ at different ambient temperature
Authors: Wang Shaobo , Chen Wenbo , Zhou Dacheng , Qiu Jianbei , Xu Xuhui , Yu Xue
Published: April 2017

A yellow long persistent luminescence (LPL) phosphor of CaGa2O4:Bi3+ (CGO:Bi) is developed, of which the LPL can be visually recognized (0.32 mcd m−2) over 36 hours after the removal of the excitation source. Furthermore, an excellent LPL performance above the room temperature and unusual thermal quenching behavior are observed. The thermoluminescence (TL) curves indicate that the continuity of the traps structure with different depths is a key factor in ensuring that carriers could be released from deep traps above room temperature successively. The work verifies unambiguously that the continuous defect‐state structure is beneficial to the LPL temperature resistant abilities, which would provide a reasonable approach to design new LPL phosphors in extreme environments.
Phase transitions and glass transition in a hyperquenched silica‐alumina glass
Authors: Zhang Yanfei , Zhao Donghui , Yue Yuanzheng
Published: April 2017

We investigate phase transitions, glass transition, and dynamic behavior in the hyperquenched 69SiO2–31Al2O3 (mol%) glass (SA glass). Upon reheating, the SA glass exhibits a series of thermal responses. Subsequent to the sub‐Tg enthalpy release, the glass undergoes a large jump in isobaric heat capacity (ΔCp) during glass transition, implying the fragile nature of the SA glass. The mullite starts to form before the end of glass transition, indicating that the SA glass is extremely unstable against crystallization. After the mullite formation, the remaining glass phase exhibits an increased Tg and a suppressed ΔCp. The formation of cristobalite at 1553 K indicates the dominance of silica in the remaining glass matrix. The cristobalite gradually re‐melts as the isothermal heat‐treatment temperature is raised from 1823 to 1853 K, which is well below the melting point of cristobalite, while the amount of the mullite remains unchanged.