bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple introductions and recombination in Cryphonectria hypovirus 1: perspective for a sustainable biological control of chestnut blight
Authors: Feau Nicolas , Dutech Cyril , Brusini Jérémie , Rigling Daniel , Robin Cécile
Published: April 2014

Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1) is a mycovirus which decreases the virulence of its fungal host Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight recently introduced in Europe. The understanding of the evolutionary processes which have shaped CHV1 populations in Europe is required to develop a sustainable biocontrol strategy targeting chestnut blight and effective in European chestnut forests. To retrace the evolutionary history of CHV1, we analyzed sequences from two genomic regions on a collection of 55 CHV1 strains from France and northern Spain, two countries where multiple introductions of C. parasitica occurred. Several recombination events and variable selection pressures contributed to CHV1 evolution, agreeing with a non‐clock‐like diversification rate. These two mechanisms may be at the origin of CHV1 population diversity observed in western Europe. Considering the actual prevalence of CHV1 and its association with host genotypes, multiple introductions of CHV1 may have occurred in Europe, some of them directly from Asia and some of them through North America. Although some viral strains remained with low frequency in their introduction area, multiple infections might have allowed homologous recombination within parental sequences. Some of these recombinant lineages are associated with the spread of CHV1 in European regions.
Clonal diversity and turnover in an overwinteringDaphnia pulexpopulation, and the effect of fish predation
Authors: Lampert Kathrin P. , Regmi Bishnu P. , Wathne Ingrid , Larsson Petter
Published: April 2014

Daphniaare key species in lake ecosystems and are a model system in ecology. Their ecological success is very much due to their dual reproductive mode: females reproduce parthenogenetically when environmental conditions are favourable but switch to sexual reproduction and resting egg production in unfavourable conditions such as winter. Phases of clonal reproduction lower the overall genotypic diversity ofDaphniapopulations due to the random loss of genotypes. During phases of sexual reproduction, new genotypes enhance the genotypic variability of the population and compensate for the loss of clonal lineages.

We hypothesised that clonal diversity should be low during the winter months due to high mortality rates (clonal erosion) but will be restored in the spring most likely from the resting egg bank. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the clonal composition of aDaphnia pulexpopulation in a small mesotrophic lake in Norway.Daphniawere sampled every month from September 2007 to September 2010, andc. 60 individuals per month were genotyped using 11 microsatellite markers. Marker resolution was high, and 582 different genotypes could be detected in the 936 individuals analysed.

An unexpected complication for the study was the illegal introduction of planktivorous fish into the lake between autumn 2006 and spring 2007. This led to significant predation pressure on theD. pulexpopulation and shifted the cladoceran community to smaller species. However, while theD. pulexpopulation density declined severely over the study years, the overall genotypic variability increased. We observed very high turnover rates, with many clones being present for only a single month. Nevertheless, and as expected, genotypic diversity was higher during summer and lower during winter, and some parthenogenetic individuals seemed to be able to survive the winter. The large majority of new genotypes came from the resting egg bank.

We conclude that, due to the new predation pressure, the resting egg bank has become much more important in restocking genotypic diversity as well as forD. pulexabundance. However, despite the buffering capacities of the resting egg bank, the predation pressure will most likely lead to the extinction ofD. pulexin Lake Myravatn.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS): peering into the cup of Jamshid
Authors: Valentino L. A.
Published: April 2014

The complex process underlying the development of blood‐induced joint disease remains mysterious. Novel technologies such as matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to examine protein signatures may provide clues into the process.
Hatching order affects offspring growth, survival and adult dominance in the joint‐laying Pukeko Porphyrio melanotus melanotus
Authors: Dey Cody J. , O'connor Constance , Quinn James S.
Published: April 2014

In birds with asynchronous hatching, hatching order is an important factor in determining offspring phenotype. Many previous studies have demonstrated that later‐hatched offspring show reduced growth and survival during development. However, few studies have followed individuals from hatching to adulthood to test whether the effects of hatching order persist into later life. Here, we explore patterns of hatching order and fitness‐related traits in the Pukeko Porphyrio melanotus melanotus, a cooperatively breeding bird that lives in stable social groups that form linear dominance hierarchies. Pukeko groups sometimes contain two breeding females that lay eggs in the same nest (joint‐laying). Thus, competition between nest‐mates can influence the relative fitness of each laying female. We show that in both single‐clutch and joint‐clutch nests, earlier‐hatched Pukeko chicks grow faster and survive better than later‐hatched brood‐mates. Moreover, earlier‐hatched chicks achieve higher dominance ranks as adults, making this study one of the first to find a relationship between hatching order and adult dominance in wild birds. Finally, we show that in groups with two breeding females, the chicks of the primary female hatch earlier than the chicks of the secondary female. As a result, the offspring of the primary female may be at a competitive advantage, which could have important implications for social dynamics in this species.
A global quality control system to check PT‐INR portable monitor for Antivitamin K antagonists
Authors: Testa S. , Paoletti O. , Bassi L. , Dellanoce C. , Morandini R. , Lippi G.
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Although most guidelines for quality assessment of INR PMs recommend specific procedures, no clear regulation or methodology is required for outpatients in our country. We have developed a specific INR portable monitor (PM) quality control system within our telemedicine organization to check over time quality performances and plan corrective actions.

Methods

Based on current guidelines for laboratory QC, the following aspects were assessed: suitability of PM, defined in terms of imprecision and accuracy; intra‐assay imprecision, defined according to monthly revision of Levey–Jennings cards with data from each peripheral healthcare unit (PHU), using an internal QC provided by the manufacturer (CV ± 20% considered as acceptable); quarterly accuracy study, for assessing agreement between analytical instruments, based on duplicate analysis of three samples with INR values reflecting different therapeutic ranges (differences ± 0.5 considered as acceptable); external quality assessment (NEQAS).

Results

In the nine PHU, 18 portable monitors were used to perform 22 929 test during year 2010. Analytical imprecision was low, showing CVs always <5%. Accuracy check showed two of 216 results out of range (0.92%), thus providing timely indication for instrument replacement. The external QC NEQAS showed optimal performance.

Conclusion

The current protocol for INR PMs quality assessment was effective to establish and maintain a reliable control of devices, ensuring the quality of analytical data over time. National authorities should be prompted to guarantee and apply correct protocols for INR‐PM use.
Effect of Backward Walking Treadmill Training on Walking Capacity after Stroke: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Michaelsen Stella Maris , Ovando Angélica Cristiane , Romaguera Fernanda , Ada Louise
Published: April 2014

Rationale

Residual walking deficits are common in people after stroke. Treadmill training can increase walking speed and walking distance. A new way to increase the challenge of walking is to walk backwards. Backward treadmill walking may provide advantages by promoting improvement in balance, walking spatiotemporal parameters and quality that may reflect in improving walking distance.

Aim

This study will test the hypothesis that backward treadmill walking is superior to forward treadmill walking in improving walking capacity, walking parameters, quality and balance in people with stroke.

Design

A prospective, single-blinded, randomized trial will randomly allocate 88 community-dwelling people after stroke into either an experimental or control group. The experimental group will undertake 30-min sessions of backward treadmill walking, three-days/week for six-weeks, while the control group will undertake the same dose of forward treadmill walking. Training will begin at the baseline overground walking speed and will increase each week by 10% of baseline speed.

Study outcomes

The primary outcome will be distance walked in the 6-min Walk Test. Secondary outcomes will be walking speed, step length, cadence, and one-leg stance time. Outcomes will be collected by a researcher blinded to group allocation at baseline (Week 0), at the end of training period (Week 6), and three-months after the cessation of intervention (Week 18).

Discussion

If backward treadmill walking can improve walking capacity more than forward treadmill training in stroke, it may have broader implications because walking capacity has been shown to predict physical activity level and community participation.
Estimating age and ethnic variation in the histological prevalence of prostate cancer to inform the impact of screening policies
Authors: Leal Jose , Hamdy Freddie , Wolstenholme Jane
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To estimate histological prevalence of prostate cancer by age and ethnic group.

Methods

A literature review identified autopsy studies of men without clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer during their lifetime. A total of 25 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and a Bayesian logistic meta‐regression was carried out to examine the association between histological prevalence, age by decade and ethnic group (white, African American and Chinese/Japanese).

Results

Histological cancer was estimated to increase with age from 2% (95% confidence interval 1–3%) between 20–29 years‐of‐age to 69% (95% confidence interval 51–83%) by 90–99 years‐of‐age in the white ethnic group. The African American group was associated with the highest prevalence of cancer, albeit non‐significantly (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.9–1.5), whereas the Chinese/Japanese group was significantly associated with the lowest prevalence relative to the white group (odds ratio 0.6, 95% confidence interval 0.4–0.9).

Conclusions

The present study provides an updated and improved analysis of the histological prevalence of prostate cancer. The results confirm ethnicity as a potential predictor of prevalence, but highlight the need for further research in the area. The findings are valuable for understanding the epidemiology and natural history of prostate cancer across ethnicities, and increasing the body of evidence aimed at estimating benefits and risks associated with prostate cancer screening programs.
Impact of oral mucosal conditions on oral health‐related quality of life in preschool children: a hierarchical approach
Authors: Vieira‐Andrade Raquel Gonçalves , Martins‐Júnior Paulo Antônio , Corrêa‐Faria Patrícia , Marques Leandro Silva , Paiva Saul Martins , Ramos‐Jorge Maria Letícia
Published: April 2014

Objective

To determine the impact of oral mucosal conditions on OHRQoL in preschool children.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out with a selected representative sample of 724 children aged 2–5 years and their parents/caregivers. Data were collected through interviews with parents/caregivers, who also answered the B‐ECOHIS. A clinical oral examination was performed to determine oral mucosal conditions, dental caries, dental trauma, and malocclusion. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality test, the Mann–Whitney U‐test and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models (P < 0.05, 95% CI).

Results

The prevalence of oral mucosal conditions was 50.7%, the most prevalent of which were melanotic macules (17.8%), oral ulcers (11.0%), Fordyce's spots (9.4%), geographic tongue (5.2%), fissured tongue (1.9%), median rhomboid glossitis (1.8%), and fistula (1.4%). In the final multivariate model, child with 5 years of age (RR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08–2.38; P = 0.020), with presence of fistula (RR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.27–2.95; P = 0.002), and with dental caries (RR = 2.58; 95% CI: 2.00–3.35; P < 0.001) had a negative impact on children's OHRQoL.

Conclusion

Child with 5 years of age, presence of fistula, and dental caries were associated with a negative impact on the quality of life of preschool children.
Selfing ability and dispersal are positively related, but not affected by range position: a multispecies study on southernAfricanAsteraceae
Authors: de Waal C. , Rodger J. G. , Anderson B. , Ellis A. G.
Published: April 2014

Dispersal and breeding system traits are thought to affect colonization success. As species have attained their present distribution ranges through colonization, these traits may vary geographically. Although several theories predict associations between dispersal ability, selfing ability and the relative position of a population within its geographic range, there is little theoretical or empirical consensus on exactly how these three variables are related. We investigated relationships between dispersal ability, selfing ability and range position across 28 populations of 13 annual, wind‐dispersedAsteraceae species from theNamaqualand region ofSouthAfrica. Controlling for phylogeny, relative dispersal ability – assessed from vertical fall time of fruits – was positively related to an index of autofertility – determined from hand‐pollination experiments. These findings support the existence of two discrete syndromes: high selfing ability associated with good dispersal and obligate outcrossing associated with lower dispersal ability. This is consistent with the hypothesis that selection for colonization success drives the evolution of an association between these traits. However, no general effect of range position on dispersal or breeding system traits was evident. This suggests selection on both breeding system and dispersal traits acts consistently across distribution ranges.
Cool sperm: why some placental mammals have a scrotum
Authors: Lovegrove B. G.
Published: April 2014

Throughout the Cenozoic, the fitness benefits of the scrotum in placental mammals presumably outweighed the fitness costs through damage, yet a definitive hypothesis for its evolution remains elusive. Here, I present an hypothesis (Endothermic Pulses Hypothesis) which argues that the evolution of the scrotum was driven by Cenozoic pulses in endothermy, that is, increases in normothermic body temperature, which occurred in Boreotheria (rodents, primates, lagomorphs, carnivores, bats, lipotyphylans and ungulates) in response to factors such as cursoriality and climate adaptation. The model argues that stabilizing selection maintained an optimum temperature for spermatogenesis and sperm storage throughout the Cenozoic at the lower plesiomorphic levels of body temperature that prevailed in ancestral mammals for at least 163 million years. Evolutionary stasis may have been driven by reduced rates of germ‐cell mutations at lower body temperatures. Following the extinction of the dinosaurs at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary 65.5 mya, immediate pulses in endothermy occurred associated with the dramatic radiation of the modern placental mammal orders. The fitness advantages of an optimum temperature of spermatogenesis outweighed the potential costs of testes externalization and paved the way for the evolution of the scrotum. The scrotum evolved within several hundred thousand years of the K‐Pg extinction, probably associated initially with the evolution of cursoriality, and arguably facilitated mid‐ and late Cenozoic metabolic adaptations to factors such as climate, flight in bats and sociality in primates.
Serum cytokine/chemokine profiles in acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B: Clinical and mechanistic implications
Authors: Wu Hui‐Lin , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chen Ting‐Chih , Wu Wen‐Hsuan , Liu Chen‐Hua , Su Tung‐Hung , Yang Hung‐Chih , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Chen Pei‐Jer , Liu Chun‐Jen
Published: April 2014

Background and Aims

Acute exacerbation (AE) of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is common and negatively impacts the clinical outcome. Although upsurge of viral load always precedes or coincides with AE, the underlying immunological mechanisms remain unclear and were investigated.

Methods

We prospectively followed the serum cytokine/chemokine profiles, viral load, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in 250 patients and identified 44 consecutive patients (male: 72.7%; age: 40.4 ± 9.7 years; hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] positivity: 63.6%; genotype B/C: 75%/25%) who developed AE during the follow‐up in a medical center. The impact of clinical characteristics (age, gender, HBeAg, ALT, HBV genotype), cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin [IL]‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, and IL‐10), and chemokines (CXCL10/interferon gamma‐induced protein [IP]‐10, CCL2/MCP‐1, CXCL9/MIG, CCL5/RANTES, and CXCL8/IL‐8) on the serum HBV DNA dynamics at different time points (baseline, peak of serum HBV DNA level, peak of serum ALT level, and after AE) were analyzed.

Results

Of 44 patients, serum HBV DNA level surged before the peak of serum ALT level in 23 (52.3%), and coincided with the peak of ALT in 21 (47.7%). The upsurge of serum viral load significantly correlated with the increase of IL‐10 (P = 0.0037) and CXCL10/IP‐10 (P = 0.0044). Upsurge of serum viral load was preceded by an increase in serum IL‐4 (P < 0.05), IL‐6 (P < 0.05), and IL‐10 (P < 0.05). Combination of HBV genotype, IL‐6 level at baseline, and ALT level at the peak of serum HBV DNA reliably predicted subsequent AE pattern (P = 0.0116).

Conclusions

Enhanced Th2 activity is likely involved in the surge of HBV DNA level before hepatitis exacerbation.
Comprehensive profiling and natural variation of flavonoids in rice
Authors: Dong Xuekui , Chen Wei , Wang Wensheng , Zhang Hongyan , Liu Xianqing , Luo Jie
Published: April 2014

Flavonoids constitute a major group of plant phenolic compounds. While extensively studied in Arabidopsis, profiling and naturally occurring variation of these compounds in rice (Oryza sativa), the monocot model plant, are less reported. Using a collection of rice germplasm, comprehensive profiling and natural variation of flavonoids were presented in this report. Application of a widely targeted metabolomics method facilitated the simultaneous identification and quantification of more than 90 flavonoids using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Comparing flavonoid contents in various tissues during different developmental stages revealed tissue‐specific accumulation of most flavonoids. Further investigation indicated that flavone mono‐C‐glycosides, malonylated flavonoid O‐hexosides, and some flavonoid O‐glycosides accumulated at significantly higher levels in indica than in japonica, while the opposite was observed for aromatic acylated flavone C‐hexosyl‐O‐hexosides. In contrast to the highly differential accumulation between the two subspecies, relatively small variations within subspecies were detected for most flavonoids. Besides, an association analysis between flavonoid accumulation and its biosynthetic gene sequence polymorphisms disclosed that natural variation of flavonoids was probably caused by sequence polymorphisms in the coding region of flavonoid biosynthetic genes. Our work paves the way for future dissection of biosynthesis and regulation of flavonoid pathway in rice.
Adolescent Personality: Associations With Basal, Awakening, and Stress‐Induced Cortisol Responses
Authors: Laceulle Odilia M. , Nederhof Esther , van Aken Marcel A. G. , Ormel Johan
Published: April 2014

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations between personality facets and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. Previous studies have mainly focussed on stress‐induced HPA‐axis activation. We hypothesized that other characteristics of HPA‐axis functioning would have a stronger association with personality based on the neuroendocrine literature. Data (n = 343) were used from the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a large prospective cohort study of Dutch adolescents. We studied the association between facets of Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness and basal cortisol, the cortisol awakening response (CAR), and four measures of stress‐induced HPA‐axis activity. Basal cortisol levels were related to facets of all three personality traits. The CAR and stress‐induced cortisol were not related to personality. Possibly due to its more trait‐like nature, basal cortisol seems more informative than stress‐induced cortisol when investigating trait‐like characteristics such as personality facets.
HOW DO SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORKS AFFECT THE RESILIENCE OF FIRMS TO NATURAL DISASTERS? EVIDENCE FROM THE GREAT EAST JAPAN EARTHQUAKE
Authors: Todo Yasuyuki , Nakajima Kentaro , Matous Petr
Published: April 2014

This paper uses firm‐level data to examine how supply chain networks affected the recovery of firms from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Extensive supply chains can negatively affect recovery through higher vulnerability to network disruption and positively through support from trading partners, easier search for new partners, and general benefits of agglomeration. Our results indicate that networks with firms outside of the impacted area contributed to the earlier resumption of production, whereas networks within the region contributed to sales recovery in the medium term. The results suggest that the positive effects of supply chains typically exceed the negative effects.
Antidiabetic plants improving insulin sensitivity
Authors: Eddouks Mohamed , Bidi Amina , El Bouhali Bachir , Hajji Lhoussain , Zeggwagh Naoufel Ali
Published: April 2014

Background

Globally, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate. This chronic pathology gravely troubled the human health and quality of life. Both insulin deficiency and insulin resistance are involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. Moreover, insulin resistance is being diagnosed nowadays in a growing population of diabetic and obese patients, especially in industrialized societies. There are lots of conventional agents available to control and to treat diabetes, but total recovery from this disorder has not been reported up to this date. Plants provided a potential source of hypoglycemic drugs and are widely used in several traditional systems of medicine to prevent diabetes. A few reviews with less attention paid to mechanisms of action have been published on antidiabetic plants.

Objectives

The present review focuses on the various plants that have been reported to be effective in improving insulin sensitivity associated with diabetes.

Key findings

In this work, an updated systematic review of the published literature has been conducted to review the antidiabetic plants improving insulin sensitivity and 111 medicinal plants have been reported to have a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity using several in-vitro and in-vivo animal models of diabetes.

Conclusion

The different metabolic and cellular effects of the antidiabetic plants improving insulin sensitivity are reported indicating the important role of medicinal plants as potential alternative or complementary use in controlling insulin resistance associated with diabetes mellitus.
The incidence and temporal patterning of insomnia: a second study
Authors: Perlis Michael L. , Zee Jarcy , Swinkels Cindy , Kloss Jacqueline , Morgan Kevin , David Beverly , Morales Knashawn
Published: April 2014

Whether subjects with insomnia exhibit good sleep on some interval basis is unclear. Prior research suggests that patients with insomnia are highly variable with respect to night‐to‐night sleep continuity, that more than 40% of patients exhibit temporal patterning of good sleep, and that nearly 90% of patients exhibit better than average sleep following 1 to 3 nights of relatively poor sleep. The aim of the present study was to replicate and extend the above‐noted findings utilizing: (i) a large sample studied over an extended time interval (ii) absolute standards for ‘good’ and ‘poor’ sleep; and (iii) a formal statistical methodology to assess temporal patterning and the association of time in bed with bout duration of poor or average sleep. Thirty‐three subjects with insomnia and 33 good sleepers completed sleep diaries over the course of 110 days. It was found that subjects with insomnia (compared to good sleepers) had more poor nights (e.g. about 39 versus 7% of the assessed nights), a higher probability of a having a poor night on any given occasion (60% greater probability than good sleepers) and more consecutive nights of poor sleep between good sleep nights (median bout duration of approximately three versus one night). Lastly, it was found that (as would be predicted by both the Spielman model and the two‐process model) time in bed moderated bout duration in the insomnia group. That is, longer times in bed were associated with longer bouts of poor sleep.
Detection, quantifications, and pharmacokinetics of ponazuril in healthy swine
Authors: Zou M. , Guo G. , Zhao Y. , Zhang Q.
Published: April 2014

A study on pharmacokinetics of ponazuril in piglets was conducted after a single oral dose of 5.0 mg/kg b.w. Plasma concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography assay with UV detector at 255‐nm wavelength. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived by use of a standard noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Samples from six piglets showed good plasma concentrations of ponazuril, which peaked at 5.83 ± 0.94 μg/mL. Mean ± SD area under the plasma concentration–time curve was 1383.42 ± 363.26 h/μg/mL, and the elimination half‐life was 135.28 ± 19.03 h. Plasma concentration of ponazuril peaked at 42 h (range, 36–48 h) after administration and gradually decreased but remained detectable for up to 33 days. No adverse effects were observed during the study period. The results indicate that ponazuril was relatively well absorbed following a single dose, which makes ponazuril likely to be effective in swine.
The effect of breed and sex on sulfamethazine, enrofloxacin, fenbendazole and flunixin meglumine pharmacokinetic parameters in swine
Authors: Howard J. T. , Baynes R. E. , Brooks J. D. , Yeatts J. L. , Bellis B. , Ashwell M. S. , Routh P. , O'Nan A. T. , Maltecca C.
Published: April 2014

Drug use in livestock has received increased attention due to welfare concerns and food safety. Characterizing heterogeneity in the way swine populations respond to drugs could allow for group‐specific dose or drug recommendations. Our objective was to determine whether drug clearance differs across genetic backgrounds and sex for sulfamethazine, enrofloxacin, fenbendazole and flunixin meglumine. Two sires from each of four breeds were mated to a common sow population. The nursery pigs generated (n = 114) were utilized in a random crossover design. Drugs were administered intravenously and blood collected a minimum of 10 times over 48 h. A non‐compartmental analysis of drug and metabolite plasma concentration vs. time profiles was performed. Within‐drug and metabolite analysis of pharmacokinetic parameters included fixed effects of drug administration date, sex and breed of sire. Breed differences existed for flunixin meglumine (P‐value<0.05; Cl, Vdss) and oxfendazole (P‐value<0.05, AUC0→∞). Sex differences existed for oxfendazole (P‐value < 0.05; Tmax) and sulfamethazine (P‐value < 0.05, Cl). Differences in drug clearance were seen, and future work will determine the degree of additive genetic variation utilizing a larger population.
Efficacy of gallium maltolate against Lawsonia intracellularis infection in a rabbit model
Authors: Sampieri F. , Allen A. L. , Alcorn J. , Clark C. R. , Vannucci F. A. , Pusterla N. , Mapes S. M. , Ball K. R. , Dowling P. M. , Thompson J. , Bernstein L. R. , Gebhart C. J. , Hamilton D. L.
Published: April 2014

Antimicrobial efficacy against Lawsonia intracellularis is difficult to evaluate in vitro, thus, the effects of gallium maltolate's (GaM) were investigated in a rabbit model for equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). Juvenile (5–6‐week‐old) does were infected with 3.0 × 108 L. intracellularis/rabbit and allocated into three groups (n = 8). One week postinfection, one group was treated with GaM, 50 mg/kg; one, with doxycycline, 5 mg/kg; and one with a sham‐treatment (control). Feces and blood were collected daily and weekly, respectively, to verify presence of L. intracellularis fecal shedding using qPCR, and seroconversion using immunoperoxidase monolayer assay. Rabbits were sacrificed after 1 week of treatment to collect intestinal tissues focusing on EPE‐affected sections. Intestinal lesions were confirmed via immunohistochemistry. No difference was noted between treatments regarding EPE‐lesions in jejunum (P = 0.51), ileum (P = 0.74), and cecum (P = 0.35), or in L. intracellularis fecal shedding (P = 0.64). GaM and doxycycline appear to have similar efficacy against EPE in infected rabbits.
Role of PdxR in the activation of vitamin B6 biosynthesis in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Belitsky Boris R.
Published: April 2014

Listeria monocytogenes PdxR is a member of the poorly characterized but widespread group of MocR/GabR‐type chimeric bacterial proteins that have DNA‐binding and aminotransferase‐like domains. Using mutational analysis, real‐time RT‐PCR, transcriptional fusions, gel‐shift assays, DNase I footprinting, and in vitro transcription, it was shown that PdxR is a direct activator of the pdxST operon, transcribed divergently from pdxR and responsible for the de novo synthesis of pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP), the major active form of vitamin B6. PLP acts as an anti‐activator of PdxR and is the only effector required to reduce the activity of PdxR. PdxR is also a negative autoregulator, and its ability to repress is increased by PLP. A dyad‐symmetry sequence, which overlaps the −35 region of the pdxS promoter and lies downstream of the pdxR transcription start point, serves as an important element of the PdxR binding site. Unexpectedly, some mutations in this activator binding site, disrupting the dyad‐symmetry element, caused constitutive, B6‐independent expression from the pdxS promoter. The data suggest that PdxR‐like proteins, for which PLP plays just a signalling role, form a separate functional group among the MocR/GabR‐type proteins.
Acute kidney injury in rats with or without pre‐existing chronic kidney disease: Cytokine/chemokine response
Authors: Skott Martin , Nørregaard Rikke , Birke‐Sørensen Hanne , Palmfeldt Johan , Kwon Tae‐Hwan , Frøkiær Jørgen , Nielsen Søren
Published: April 2014

Aim

Evidence suggests the possibility that pre‐existing chronic kidney (CKD) disease may result in a more severe outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to examine whether CKD enhances the inflammatory response in the kidney, as well as other organs, in response to AKI in rats.

Methods

CKD was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) and AKI by intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion (IIR).

Results

For 6 weeks following Nx there was a progressive increase in serum creatinine with associated development of albuminuria. The increment in creatinine above baseline determination 90 min following IIR was comparable in 5/6 Nx and in the sham 5/6 Nx. Similarly, increased levels of serum alanine transaminase and histomorphological changes in the lungs were observed in the rats exposed to IIR compared with those exposed to sham IIR, with no additional significant impact of 5/6 Nx. In kidney tissue the levels of cytokines/chemokines were equally elevated regardless of exposure to sham IIR or IIR. In lung and liver tissue the levels of cytokines/chemokines were equally elevated in the rats that were exposed to IIR, regardless of exposure to sham Nx or Nx.

Conclusion

We conclude that the immediate severity of AKI induced by IIR in rats with CKD is similar to that induced in rats without CKD. However, the impact of Nx on the cytokine/chemokine response after AKI is not uniform in kidney, lung or liver tissue.
Respect China's Red Lines
Authors: WEIWEI ZHANG
Published: April 2014

Despite grand visions of a cosmopolitan planet living in peace, the first globalization at the turn of the 20th century descended into World War I as the old empires scrambled to preserve themselves as others sought self‐determination. Powers on the losing end of that war reasserted themselves in yet another worldwide calamity within decades.

After World War II, in the early 1950s, with the victorious American‐led alliance in the driver's seat, institutions such as the United Nations and the Bretton Woods arrangements created a global stability that enabled peace, prosperity and the “rise of the rest.”

In 2014, the world order is shifting again with the rise of China reviving in Asia the very kind of nationalist rivalries that led Europe to war twice in the 20th century.

Will we be able to build new institutions that accommodate the new powershift without resorting to war, or will the second globalization collapse as well? Top strategists from the US, Japan and China respond to this momentous question.
Monitoring intraocular pressure changes after intravitreal Ranibizumab injection using rebound tonometry
Authors: Fuest Matthias , Kotliar Konstantin , Walter Peter , Plange Niklas
Published: April 2014

Purpose

Direct drug delivery by intravitreal injection is an essential tool in the treatment of retinal diseases and can trigger transient and intermediate intraocular pressure (IOP) peaks. So far no reliable risk factors for pronounced IOP increments have been outlined, which might be particularly important for patients with increased IOP susceptibility such as glaucoma. In this prospective, interventional study IOP changes were analysed directly before and after injection in sitting and supine positions using the Icare rebound tonometer (RT).

Methods

The IOP of 29 patients with macular oedema, who underwent intravitreal injection of 0.05 mL Ranibizumab, was measured in a sitting position 5 min before and two, five and 10 min after surgery. In addition, IOP was also acquired 30 s before and 10 s after injection in a supine position. The effect of age, gender, pseudophakia, axial length, anterior chamber depth, central corneal thickness, scleral thickness and iridocorneal angle width was analysed.

Results

Mean pre‐injection IOP sitting was 14.3 ± 2.6 mmHg for the treated and 15.5 ± 2.2 mmHg for the control eye. After injection mean IOP rose to 47.2 ± 11.2 mmHg on the treated eye. The IOP of 17 patients returned to values ≤21 mmHg within 10 min. In 12 patients, IOP remained above 21 mmHg after 10 min. No specific risk factor for this group was found. The absolute IOP increase 10 s after injection was significantly correlated to scleral thickness (r = 0.49, p = 0.036) and to the absolute (r = 0.40, p = 0.03) and relative increase (r = 0.39, p = 0.035) of IOP from sitting 5 min before injection to supine position 10 s before injection.

Conclusions

Posture change related IOP increments might have a predictive value for post injection IOP increase. In 40% of the eyes higher IOP‐levels (>21 mmHg) remained persistent for a longer period of time. This should be considered especially for glaucomatous eyes.
Juvenile polyarteritis nodosa associated with toxoplasmosis presenting as Kawasaki disease
Authors: Başaran Özge , Çakar Nilgün , Gür Gökçe , Kocabaş Abdullah , Gülhan Belgin , Çaycı Fatma Şemsa , Çelikel Banu Acar
Published: April 2014

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a vasculitis characterized by inflammatory necrosis of medium‐sized arteries. Juvenile PAN and Kawasaki disease (KD) both cause vasculitis of the medium‐sized arteries, and share common features. They have overlapping clinical features. Treatment should be managed according to the severity of symptoms and persistence of clinical manifestations. Herein is described the case of a 14‐year‐old boy first diagnosed with KD, who then fulfilled the criteria for juvenile PAN due to the development of severe myalgia, persistent fever, polyneuropathy and coronary arterial dilatation. He also had acute toxoplasmosis at the onset of vasculitis symptoms. The final diagnosis was of juvenile PAN associated with toxoplasmosis infection. Toxoplasma infection can be considered as an etiological agent for PAN and other vasculitis syndromes. Awareness of toxoplasmosis‐related PAN facilitates early diagnosis, and instigation of appropriate treatment.
Neonatal leukemoid reaction associated with Candida albicans chorioamnionitis
Authors: Iwatani Sota , Mizobuchi Masami , Sofue Toshiki , Tanaka Satoshi , Sakai Hitomi , Yoshimoto Seiji , Nakao Hideto
Published: April 2014

Chorioamnionitis due to Candida species is relatively rare, despite the high prevalence (20–25%) of Candida vulvovaginitis during pregnancy. We describe a case of neonatal leukemoid reaction (NLR) associated with Candida albicans chorioamnionitis. A male infant was born at 31 weeks' gestation and weighed 1864 g. Laboratory tests at birth indicated marked leukocytosis (i.e. total leukocyte count 89.8 × 109/L including 66% polymorphonuclear leukocytes and 15% band forms). Samples of the infant's pharyngeal mucus and tracheal aspirate were positive for Candida albicans. On further histopathology of the placenta, C. albicans mycelia had invaded the placenta, chorioamniotic membrane, and umbilical cord. Although it is not very common, C. albicans chorioamnionitis should be considered in preterm infants with NLR.
Secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism causing cardiopulmonary arrest and cholelithiasis
Authors: Kibe Tetsuya , Sobajima Takehiro , Yoshimura Ayumi , Uno Yuichi , Wada Naohiro , Ueta Ikuya
Published: April 2014

A 4‐month‐old boy presented with cardiopulmonary arrest on arrival after a brief period of lethargy. Laboratory examination indicated severe hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis, and slightly elevated C‐reactive protein. Whole body computed tomography identified left‐dominant hydronephrosis, hydroureter and cholelithiasis. Despite cardiac arrest >30 min, he was successfully resuscitated and treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Escherichia coli was detected on urine culture. Renal ultrasound showed bilateral hydronephrosis, grade II in the right and grade IV in the left. Retrospective analysis of the blood sample at admission indicated a high level of aldosterone. The patient recovered almost fully with no electrolyte imbalance and normal plasma renin and aldosterone, leading to the diagnosis of secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism associated with bilateral infected hydronephrosis. In this case, cholelithiasis, which may account for chronic dehydration, was a diagnostic clue in the absence of information of pre‐existing situations.
The sub/supra‐optimal temperature‐induced inhibition of photosynthesis and oxidative damage in cucumber leaves are alleviated by grafting onto figleaf gourd/luffa rootstocks
Authors: Li Hao , Wang Feng , Chen Xiao‐Juan , Shi K , Xia Xiao‐Jian , Considine Michael J , Yu Jing‐Quan , Zhou Yan‐Hong
Published: April 2014

Shoot‐root communication is involved in plant stress responses, but its mechanism is largely unknown. To determine the role of roots in stress tolerance, cucumber (Cucumis sativus) shoots from plants with roots of their own or with figleaf gourd (Cucurbita ficifolia, a chilling‐tolerant species) or luffa (Luffa cylindrica (L.) M. Roem., a heat‐tolerant species) rootstocks were exposed to low (18/13°C), optimal (27/22°C) and high (36/31°C) temperatures, respectively. Grafting onto figleaf gourd and luffa rootstocks significantly alleviated chilling and heat‐induced reductions, respectively, in biomass production and CO2 assimilation capacity in the shoots, while levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were decreased. Figleaf gourd and luffa rootstocks upregulated a subset of stress‐responsive genes involved in signal transduction (MAPK1 and RBOH), transcriptional regulation (MYB and MYC), protein protection (HSP45.9 and HSP70), the antioxidant response (Cu/Zn‐SOD, cAPX and GR), and photosynthesis (RBCL, RBCS, RCA and FBPase) at low and high growth temperatures, respectively, and this was accompanied by increased activity of the encoded enzymes and reduced glutathione redox homeostasis in the leaves. Moreover, Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) expression in cucumber leaves was strongly induced by the luffa rootstock at the high growth temperature but slightly induced by the figleaf gourd rootstock at low or high growth temperatures. These results indicate that rootstocks could induce significant changes in the transcripts of stress‐responsive and defense‐related genes, and the ROS scavenging activity via unknown signals, especially at stressful growth temperatures, and this is one of mechanisms involved in the grafting‐induced stress tolerance.
Efficiency of Oestrous Synchronization by GnRH, Prostaglandins and Socio‐Sexual Cues in the North African Maure Goats
Authors: Rekik M , Ben Othmane H , Lassoued N , Sakly C
Published: April 2014

Contents

This study aims to develop at different seasons, for local North African Maure goats, synchronizing protocols simultaneously to the standard ‘S’ protocol using progestagens in association with prostaglandins and gonadotropin. In late May, 40 goats were assigned to either the ‘S’ protocol or to a protocol where oestrus and ovulation were induced by the buck effect in single‐injection progesterone‐treated goats and provoking early luteolysis using prostaglandin 9 days after exposure to bucks ‘B’. During the 72 h after the treatments ended, 15 and 5 goats expressed oestrus in the ‘S’ and ‘B’ protocols (p < 0.01). Mean time to oestrus was shorter for ‘S’ than for ‘B’ goats. Ovulation rate averaged 2.1 ± 0.22 and 1.60 ± 0.35 for, respectively, ‘S’ and ‘B’ goats (p > 0.05). During mid‐September, 60 goats were assigned to either ‘S’ treatment, ‘PGF’ treatment where oestrus and ovulation were synchronized using two injections of prostaglandin 11 days apart or to ‘GnRH’ treatment where the goats had their oestrus and ovulation synchronized with a GnRH (day 0)–prostaglandin (day 6)–GnRH (day 9) sequence. More ‘S’ goats were detected in oestrus over the 96‐h period after the end of the treatments (88.8, 73.7 and 55% in ‘S’, ‘PGF’ and ‘GnRH’ treatments, respectively; p < 0.05). Mean ovulation rates were 2.3 ± 0.27, 1.33 ± 0.27 and 1.33 ± 0.27 for, respectively, ‘S’, ‘PGF’ and ‘GnRH’ goats (p < 0.001). Despite a similar ovulatory response to ‘S’ protocol, efficiency of prostaglandin and GnRH‐based treatments should be tested in mid‐breeding season.
Fitting Age-Specific Fertility Rates by a Flexible Generalized Skew Normal Probability Density Function
Authors: Mazzuco Stefano , Scarpa Bruno
Published: April 2014

Mixture probability density functions have recently been proposed to describe some fertility patterns characterized by a bimodal shape. These functions are adequate when the fertility pattern is actually bimodal, but they appear to be less useful when the shape of age-specific fertility rates is unimodal. A further model is proposed, based on flexible skew symmetric probability density functions. This model can fit symmetric and skew patterns as well as reflect humps that are observed in some fertility patterns. It is more parsimonious than mixture distributions and more flexible, showing a good fit with several shapes (bimodal or unimodal) of fertility patterns. Empirical evaluation of the model proposed and comparisons with other functions for Italian data from 1952 to 2003 and US data from 1933 to 2006 are also discussed.
Diffusion of Innovations in Dynamic Networks
Authors: Greenan Charlotte C.
Published: April 2014

The evolution of a dynamic social network and the diffusion of an innovation are jointly modelled, dependent on one another, by using an extension of a stochastic actor-oriented model developed by Snijders, which is modified so that the adoption times follow a proportional hazards model. The asymptotic behaviour of the method-of-moments estimator is examined. The model is demonstrated on a data set involving the initiation of cannabis smoking among adolescents, and a simulation study is presented.
Modelling Reporting Delays for Outbreak Detection in Infectious Disease Data
Authors: Noufaily Angela , Ghebremichael-Weldeselassie Yonas , Enki Doyo Gragn , Garthwaite Paul , Andrews Nick , Charlett André , Farrington Paddy
Published: April 2014

The delay that necessarily occurs between the emergence of symptoms and the identification of the cause of those symptoms affects the timeliness of detection of emerging outbreaks of infectious diseases, and hence the ability to take preventive action. We study the delays that are associated with the collection of laboratory surveillance data in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, using 12 infections of contrasting characteristics. We use a continuous time spline-based model for the hazard of the delay distribution, along with an associated proportional hazards model. The delay distributions are found to have extremely long tails, the hazard at longer delays being roughly constant, suggestive of a memoryless process, though some laboratories appear to stop reporting after a certain delay. The hazards are found typically to vary strongly with calendar time, and to a lesser extent with season and recent organism frequency. In consequence, the delay distributions cannot be assumed to be stationary. These findings will inform the development of outbreak detection algorithms that take account of reporting delays.
Cognitive decline and brain pathology in aging – need for a dimensional, lifespan and systems vulnerability view
Authors: Walhovd Kristine B , Fjell Anders M , Espeseth Thomas
Published: April 2014

Changes in brain structure and activity as well as cognitive function are commonly seen in aging. However, it is not known when aging of brain and cognition starts, and how much of the changes observed in seemingly healthy older adults that can be ascribed to incipient neurodegenerative disease. Recent research has yielded evidence that the borders between development and aging sometimes can be fuzzy, as can the borders between dementing disease and normal age changes. In this review, we argue that many factors affecting cognitive decline and dementia represents quantitative rather than qualitative differences in characteristics that commonly exist in the population. Further, factors known to affect brain and cognition in aging will often do so through a life‐long accumulation of impact, and does not need to be specific to aging. And finally, a host of environmental and genetic factors and their interplay determine optimal aging, leaving room for potential for environmental interventions to affect the outcome of the aging process. Together, we argue that these factors call for a dimensional rather than categorical, lifespan rather than aging, and multidimensional systems‐vulnerability rather than simple “hypothetical biomarker” model of age‐associated cognitive decline and dementia. This has implications for how we should view lifespan trajectories of change in brain and cognitive function, and how we can study, prevent, diagnose and treat age‐associated cognitive deficits.