bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Gallbladder Mucocele Histologic Diagnosis with Selected Drug Use in Dogs: A Matched Case‐Control Study
Authors: Gookin J.L. , Correa M.T. , Peters A. , Malueg A. , Mathews K.G. , Cullen J. , Seiler G.
Published: October 2015

Background

The cause of gallbladder mucocele (GBM) formation in dogs currently is unknown. Many available drugs represent a newer generation of xenobiotics that may predispose dogs to GBM formation.

Objective

To determine if there is an association between the histologic diagnosis of GBM in dogs and administration of selected drugs.

Animals

Eighty‐one dogs with a histologic diagnosis of GBM and 162 breed, age, and admission date‐matched control dogs from a single referral institution.

Methods

Medical records of dogs with GBM and control dogs from 2001 to 2011 were reviewed. Owner verification of drug history was sought by a standard questionnaire. Reported use of heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives as well as nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, analgesics, corticosteroids, or medications for treatment of osteoarthritis was recorded.

Results

Dogs with GBM were 2.2 times as likely to have had reported use of thyroxine (as a proxy for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism) as control dogs (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.949–5.051), 3.6 times as likely to have had reported treatment for Cushing's disease (95% CI, 1.228–10.612), and 2.3 times as likely to have had reported use of products containing imidacloprid (95% CI, 1.094–4.723). Analysis of a data subset containing only Shetland sheepdogs (23 GBM and 46 control) indicated that Shetland sheepdogs with GBM formation were 9.3 times as likely to have had reported use of imidacloprid as were control Shetland sheepdogs (95% CI, 1.103–78.239).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study provides evidence for an association between selected drug use and GBM formation in dogs. A larger epidemiologic study of Shetland sheepdogs with GBM formation and exposure to imidacloprid is warranted.
Molecular Genetic Characterization of Thyroid Dyshormonogenesis in a French Bulldog
Authors: Major S. , Pettigrew R.W. , Fyfe J.C.
Published: October 2015

Background

A case of congenital hypothyroidism with goiter (CHG) in a juvenile French bulldog was identified and hypothesized to be caused by dyshormonogenesis of genetic etiology.

Objectives

To describe case management, unusual phenotypic aspects, and a CHG‐causing mutation in a French bulldog.

Animals

Thyroid tissue and blood from a CHG‐affected French bulldog and 4 normal control dogs and buccal brush samples of 125 French bulldogs were studied.

Methods

Standard clinical assessment and laboratory tests were applied. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) iodide oxidation activity was measured in vitro, and TPO protein was assessed on Western blots. Thyroid peroxidase exons and flanking splice sites were amplified from genomic DNA and sequenced. Thyroid peroxidase cDNA was amplified from thyroid RNA and sequenced.

Results

At 9 months of age, the affected dog had signs of cretinism, but near‐normal skeletal maturation. The enlarged thyroid glands exhibited noninflammatory fibrosis and aberrant follicular organization. Thyroid peroxidase activity and immunocrossreactive protein were undetectable. There was a T>C mutation of the intron 12 splice donor consensus that caused abnormally spliced mRNA, consistent with absent TPO function. The mutant allele was not observed in 125 clinically normal French bulldogs.

Conclusions

Presumptive CHG in a French bulldog with unusual clinical presentation is described. Genetic etiology was confirmed by identifying the underlying TPO mutation.
Factors affecting the overwintering of tadpoles in a temperate amphibian
Authors: Walsh P. T. , Downie J. R. , Monaghan P.
Published: October 2015

Temperate anuran amphibians generally complete metamorphosis by the autumn of their natal year, but there are an increasing number of reports of overwintering of the larval tadpole phase. We currently know little about the environmental cues that trigger this change in the temporal pattern of development, or if it has any fitness consequences. In an experimental study in the laboratory, we examined the effects of environmental temperature and food availability on the temporal pattern of larval development and the proportion of individuals that overwintered as larvae, in Rana temporaria from the UK. The proportion of overwintering tadpoles increased with lower temperature and food availability. No overwintering tadpoles appeared to arrest their larval development early in the season, contrary to expectations from field observations. Therefore, other factors beyond mean temperature and food availability may be involved in the overwintering phenomenon observed in the field. Furthermore, all overwintering tadpoles were large enough to commence metamorphosis in the autumn, but this was delayed until spring, and on completion of metamorphosis overwintered tadpoles were larger than individuals that had completed metamorphosis within their first summer. While developmental and growth constraints certainly play a role in overwintering as larvae in the laboratory, the larger size on completion of metamorphosis may represent an adaptive advantage for this phenomenon. The extent to which the larger size of overwintering tadpoles is advantageous would presumably vary with local conditions and individual survival prospects.
The large‐X effect in plants: increased species divergence and reduced gene flow on the Silene X‐chromosome
Authors: Hu Xin‐Sheng , Filatov Dmitry A.
Published: October 2015

The disproportionately large involvement of the X‐chromosome in the isolation of closely related species (the large‐X effect) has been reported for many animals, where X‐linked genes are mostly hemizygous in the heterogametic sex. The expression of deleterious recessive mutations is thought to drive the frequent involvement of the X‐chromosome in hybrid sterility, as well as to reduce interspecific gene flow for X‐linked genes. Here, we evaluate the role of the X‐chromosome in the speciation of two closely related plant species – the white and red campions (Silene latifolia and S. dioica) – that hybridize widely across Europe. The two species evolved separate sexes and sex chromosomes relatively recently (~107 years), and unlike most animal species, most X‐linked genes have intact Y‐linked homologs. We demonstrate that the X‐linked genes show a very small and insignificant amount of interspecific gene flow, while gene flow involving autosomal loci is significant and sufficient to homogenize the gene pools of the two species. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis of the large‐X effect in Silene and comprise the first report of this effect in plants. Nonhemizygosity of many X‐linked genes in Silene males indicates that exposure of recessive mutations to selection may not be essential for the occurrence of the large‐X effect. Several possible causes of the large‐X effect in Silene are discussed.
Evidence for the introduction of the Asian red alga Neosiphonia japonica and its introgression with Neosiphonia harveyi (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Savoie Amanda M. , Saunders Gary W.
Published: October 2015

There is currently conflict in the literature on the taxonomic status of the reportedly cosmopolitan species Neosiphonia harveyi, a common red alga along the coast of Atlantic Canada and New England, USA. Neosiphonia harveyi sensu lato was assessed using three molecular markers: COI‐5P, ITS and rbcL. All three markers clearly delimited three genetic species groups within N. harveyi sensu lato in this region, which we identified as N. harveyi, N. japonica and Polysiphonia akkeshiensis (here resurrected from synonymy with N. japonica). Although Neosiphonia harveyi is considered by some authors to be introduced to the Atlantic from the western Pacific, it was only confirmed from the North Atlantic suggesting it is native to this area. In contrast, Neosiphonia japonica was collected from only two sites in Rhode Island, USA, as well as from its reported native range in Asia (South Korea), which when combined with data in GenBank indicates that this species was introduced to the Northwest Atlantic. The GenBank data further indicate that N. japonica was also introduced to North Carolina, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Despite the fact that all three markers clearly delimited N. harveyi and N. japonica as distinct genetic species groups, the ITS sequences for some N. harveyi individuals displayed mixed patterns and additivity indicating introgression of nuclear DNA from N. japonica into N. harveyi in the Northwest Atlantic. Introgression of DNA from an introduced species to a native species (i.e. ‘genetic pollution’) is one of the possible consequences of species introductions, and we believe this is the first documented evidence for this phenomenon in red algae.
Invited Review: Polycomb group genes in the regeneration of the healthy and pathological skeletal muscle
Authors: Marino S. , Di Foggia V.
Published: October 2015

The polycomb group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic repressors required during key developmental processes, such as maintenance of cell identity and stem cell differentiation. To exert their repressive function, PcG proteins assemble on chromatin into multiprotein complexes, known as polycomb repressive complex 1 and 2. In this review, we will focus on the role and mode of function of PcG proteins in the development and regeneration of the skeletal muscle, both in normal and pathological conditions and we will discuss the emerging concept of modulation of their expression to enhance the muscle‐specific regenerative process for patient benefit.
Erythropoietin concentration in acute kidney injury is associated with insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐1
Authors: Yamashita Tetsushi , Noiri Eisei , Hamasaki Yoshifumi , Matsubara Takehiro , Ishii Takeshi , Yahagi Naoki , Nangaku Masaomi , Doi Kent
Published: October 2015

Aim

Erythropoietin (EPO) production is stimulated by hypoxia in the kidney. Ischaemic injury plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, EPO concentrations in critically ill patients complicated with AKI have not been evaluated sufficiently. This study was conducted to clarify the factors associated with plasma EPO concentrations in AKI.

Methods

This study prospectively enrolled 98 critically ill adult patients treated at the adult mixed ICU. Plasma EPO, insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1), neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and urinary N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (NAG) were measured on ICU admission.

Results

Acute kidney injury occurred in 42 (42.9%) patients. Significantly higher plasma EPO in the AKI group was detected than in the non‐AKI group (16.13 (9.87–28.47) mIU/mL versus 27.81 (10.16–106.02) mIU/mL, P < 0.05). Plasma IGFBP‐1 in the AKI group was also significantly higher than in the non‐AKI group (19 208 (8820–50 780) pg/mL versus 63 199 (25 289–147 489) pg/mL, P < 0.05). Plasma EPO concentration was negatively correlated with haemoglobin in the non‐AKI group with statistical significance, but not in the AKI group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma EPO in the AKI group was associated significantly with plasma IGFBP‐1 and complication of diabetes mellitus, but not the haemoglobin concentration, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2), and IL‐6.

Conclusions

Not low arterial oxygen tension, haemoglobin concentration, and inflammation evaluated by IL‐6 but plasma IGFBP‐1 was significantly associated with plasma EPO concentration in AKI, suggesting an unknown mechanism related to systemic stress conditions for EPO regulation in AKI.
Exogenous isoprene modulates gene expression in unstressed Arabidopsis thaliana plants
Authors: Harvey Christopher M. , Sharkey Thomas D.
Published: October 2015

Isoprene is a well‐studied volatile hemiterpene that protects plants from abiotic stress through mechanisms that are not fully understood. The antioxidant and membrane stabilizing potential of isoprene are the two most commonly invoked mechanisms. However, isoprene also affects phenylpropanoid metabolism, suggesting an additional role as a signalling molecule. In this study, microarray‐based gene expression profiling reveals transcriptional reprogramming of Arabidopsis thaliana plants fumigated for 24 h with a physiologically relevant concentration of isoprene. Functional enrichment analysis of fumigated plants revealed enhanced heat‐ and light‐stress‐responsive processes in response to isoprene. Isoprene induced a network enriched in ERF and WRKY transcription factors, which may play a role in stress tolerance. The isoprene‐induced up‐regulation of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes was specifically confirmed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results support a role for isoprene as a signalling molecule, in addition to its possible roles as an antioxidant and membrane thermoprotectant.
Cysteamine in renal transplantation: A report of two patients with nephropathic cystinosis and the successful re‐initiation of cysteamine therapy during the immediate post‐transplant period
Authors: Berryhill Allison , Bhamre Suvarna , Chaudhuri Abanti , Concepcion Waldo , Grimm Paul C.
Published: October 2015

Nephropathic cystinosis is a rare disorder causing the accumulation of intracellular cystine crystals in tissues. The damage to the proximal tubules of the kidneys results in Fanconi syndrome, and patients with cystinosis experience the progression of chronic kidney disease, resulting in the need for kidney transplantation. Treatment of cystinosis with cysteamine has proven to be effective; however, it has many gastrointestinal side effects that are concerning for transplant specialists during the immediate post‐transplant period. Transplant specialists routinely discontinue cysteamine therapy for up to six weeks to ensure proper immunosuppressant absorption. This practice is worrisome because it communicates the acceptability of lapses of cysteamine treatment to patients. It may be better to re‐initiate cysteamine therapy shortly after transplantation while the patient is followed more closely by the transplant team. This report presents two pediatric patients with nephropathic cystinosis who successfully restarted cysteamine therapy in the immediate post‐transplant period without issue in regard to immunosuppression absorption or gastrointestinal side effects. These cases challenge current practice of discontinuing cysteamine therapy during kidney transplantation, and immediate re‐initiation of cysteamine therapy in cystinosis patients post‐transplant should be considered.
Male aggression, limited female choice and the ontogeny of mating behaviour in the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis
Authors: Dylan Shropshire J. , Moore Darrell , Seier Edith , Joplin Karl H.
Published: October 2015

Previous work has shown that male flesh flies (Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart) exhibit an ontogeny of behaviour from eclosion through sexual maturity that includes extensive changes in the expression of aggressive, non‐aggressive interactive and non‐interactive behaviours. To determine how the presence of a female flesh fly influences the manifestation of these behaviours, male flesh flies of different ages post‐eclosion are paired with same‐age females and their behaviours are monitored in a simple arena during a 50‐min observation period. All flies are socially isolated until pairing. Although the levels of expression of aggressive and non‐aggressive interactive behaviours are depressed relative to previous findings in male‐opponent pairs, the ontogeny of aggression still occurs as indicated by a significant increase, with age, in the agonistic behaviour ‘hold’. Similar to male‐opponent pairs and individual males, the performance by males of the non‐interactive behaviours ‘walking’ and ‘standing’ diminishes, whereas ‘upside‐down’ increases with age. By contrast, ‘grooming’ shows a significant age‐related decline. No courtship behaviours are observed in the males, although the aggressive behaviour ‘hold’ is a significant transition to mating. Females show no obvious courtship or rejection behaviours, although the significant increase in ‘upside‐down’ with age could possibly be a behavioural gateway to mating. The results of this study indicate that extensive age‐related changes encompassing the entire behavioural repertoire are intrinsic to male flesh flies and persist under a variety of different social contexts.
The Impact of Population, Contact, and Spatial Heterogeneity on Epidemic Model Predictions
Authors: Zagmutt Francisco J. , Schoenbaum Mark A. , Hill Ashley E.
Published: October 2015

Our objective was to evaluate the effect that complexity in the form of different levels of spatial, population, and contact heterogeneity has in the predictions of a mechanistic epidemic model. A model that simulates the spatiotemporal spread of infectious diseases between animal populations was developed. Sixteen scenarios of foot‐and‐mouth disease infection in cattle were analyzed, involving combinations of the following factors: multiple production‐types (PT) with heterogeneous contact and population structure versus single PT, random versus actual spatial distribution of population units, high versus low infectivity, and no vaccination versus preemptive vaccination. The epidemic size and duration was larger for scenarios with multiple PT versus single PT. Ignoring the actual unit locations did not affect the epidemic size in scenarios with multiple PT/high infectivity, but resulted in smaller epidemic sizes in scenarios using multiple PT/low infectivity. In conclusion, when modeling fast‐spreading epidemics, knowing the actual locations of population units may not be as relevant as collecting information on population and contact heterogeneity. In contrast, both population and spatial heterogeneity might be important to model slower spreading epidemic diseases. Our findings can be used to inform data collection and modeling efforts to inform health policy and planning.
Development of Dose‐Response Models to Predict the Relationship for Human Toxoplasma gondii Infection Associated with Meat Consumption
Authors: Guo Miao , Mishra Abhinav , Buchanan Robert L. , Dubey Jitender P. , Hill Dolores E. , Gamble H. Ray , Jones Jeffrey L. , Du Xianzhi , Pradhan Abani K.
Published: October 2015

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that is responsible for approximately 24% of deaths attributed to foodborne pathogens in the United States. It is thought that a substantial portion of human T. gondii infections is acquired through the consumption of meats. The dose‐response relationship for human exposures to T. gondii‐infected meat is unknown because no human data are available. The goal of this study was to develop and validate dose‐response models based on animal studies, and to compute scaling factors so that animal‐derived models can predict T. gondii infection in humans. Relevant studies in literature were collected and appropriate studies were selected based on animal species, stage, genotype of T. gondii, and route of infection. Data were pooled and fitted to four sigmoidal‐shaped mathematical models, and model parameters were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. Data from a mouse study were selected to develop the dose‐response relationship. Exponential and beta‐Poisson models, which predicted similar responses, were selected as reasonable dose‐response models based on their simplicity, biological plausibility, and goodness fit. A confidence interval of the parameter was determined by constructing 10,000 bootstrap samples. Scaling factors were computed by matching the predicted infection cases with the epidemiological data. Mouse‐derived models were validated against data for the dose‐infection relationship in rats. A human dose‐response model was developed as P (d) = 1–exp (–0.0015 × 0.005 × d) or P (d) = 1–(1 + d × 0.003 / 582.414)−1.479. Both models predict the human response after consuming T. gondii‐infected meats, and provide an enhanced risk characterization in a quantitative microbial risk assessment model for this pathogen.
The content and effectiveness of home‐based nursing interventions to promote health and well‐being in families with small children: a systematic review
Authors: Tanninen Hanna‐Mari , Häggman‐Laitila Arja , Pietilä Anna‐Maija , Kangasniemi Mari
Published: October 2015

Background

Although the use of preventive family nursing interventions in the home is increased, the literature on the content and effectiveness of these interventions remains fragmented.

Aim

The aim of this review was to identify and describe the content of preventive family nursing interventions in families' homes and the effectiveness they had on the families' health and well‐being.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using searches on the databases CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (2003–2014).

Results

Altogether, 2077 articles were identified, and 11 were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main types of interventions were discussions and practical exercises to help parents cope with parenthood and relationships and interactions in the family, together with health, well‐being, social relations and socio‐economic situations. The effectiveness of family interventions was reported in all the selected studies.

Conclusions

Greater knowledge of interventions is needed in the future, to develop program content and to explore the validity and reliability of used measurements. In addition, more effort is needed to develop quality appraisal tools for preventive interventions in families' homes.
Examining the spatial consistency of palaeosol proxies: Implications for palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions in terrestrial sedimentary basins
Authors: Hyland Ethan G. , Sheldon Nathan D.
Published: October 2015

Terrestrial sediments are a significant archive of past conditions, and the ‘critical zone’ in particular is important for understanding past and ongoing interactions between the atmosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. Understanding the details of a palaeolandscape or palaeocatena record can greatly improve palaeoenvironmental descriptions and palaeoclimate reconstructions during crucial time periods in the past. This article presents multi‐proxy data including palaeosol descriptions, major element geochemistry, magnetic composition and stable isotope geochemistry from an early Eocene palaeosol transect, which show distinct trends in palaeosol features and geochemistry across the landscape, particularly in terms of the differences between A‐horizon and B‐horizon samples. A‐horizon geochemical and physical features are highly variable and reflect other not strictly pedogenic controls, whereas B‐horizon composition is extremely consistent. Given that most palaeoclimatic or palaeoenvironmental proxies based on palaeosols use B‐horizon features, these results highlight the robustness of those proxies. At the same time, the difference between A‐horizons and B‐horizons and the variability within A‐horizons of the same palaeosol in different geomorphic settings underscores the importance of palaeosol description, detailed sampling, and a multi‐proxy approach to produce both precise and accurate reconstructions of past environments and climates using terrestrial sedimentary records.
Nested Models and Model Uncertainty
Authors: Kriwoluzky Alexander , Stoltenberg Christian A.
Published: October 2015

Uncertainty about the appropriate choice among nested models is a concern for optimal policy when policy prescriptions from those models differ. The standard procedure is to specify a prior over the parameter space, ignoring the special status of submodels (e.g., those resulting from zero restrictions). Following Sims (, Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control 32, 2460–2475), we treat nested submodels as probability models, and we formalize a procedure that ensures that submodels are not discarded too easily and do matter for optimal policy. For the United States, we find that optimal policy based on our procedure leads to substantial welfare gains compared to the standard procedure.
Overconfidence in the Markets for Lemons
Authors: Herweg Fabian , Müller Daniel
Published: October 2015

We extend Akerlof's “Market for Lemons” (1970, Quarterly Journal of Economics 84, 488–500) by assuming that some buyers are overconfident. Buyers in our model receive a noisy signal about the quality of the good that is on display for sale. Overconfident buyers do not update according to Bayes' rule but take the noisy signal at face value. We show that the presence of overconfident buyers can stabilize the market outcome by preventing total adverse selection. However, this stabilization comes at a cost: rational buyers are crowded out of the market.
Likelihood‐based Inference with Missing Data Under Missing‐at‐Random
Authors: Yang Shu , Kim Jae Kwang
Published: October 2015

Likelihood‐based inference with missing data is challenging because the observed log likelihood is often an (intractable) integration over the missing data distribution, which also depends on the unknown parameter. Approximating the integral by Monte Carlo sampling does not necessarily lead to a valid likelihood over the entire parameter space because the Monte Carlo samples are generated from a distribution with a fixed parameter value.

We consider approximating the observed log likelihood based on importance sampling. In the proposed method, the dependency of the integral on the parameter is properly reflected through fractional weights. We discuss constructing a confidence interval using the profile likelihood ratio test. A Newton–Raphson algorithm is employed to find the interval end points. Two limited simulation studies show the advantage of the Wilks inference over the Wald inference in terms of power, parameter space conformity and computational efficiency. A real data example on salamander mating shows that our method also works well with high‐dimensional missing data.
Characteristics of Second Graders' Mathematical Writing
Authors: Cohen Jeremy A. , Casa Tutita M. , Miller Heather C. , Firmender Janine M.
Published: October 2015

This study compared the characteristics of second graders' mathematical writing between an intervention and comparison group. Two six‐week Project M2 units were implemented with students in the intervention group. The units position students to communicate in ways similar to mathematicians, including engaging in verbal discourse where they themselves make sense of the mathematics through discussion and debate, writing about their reasoning on an ongoing basis, and utilizing mathematical vocabulary while communicating in any medium. Students in the comparison group learned from the regular school curriculum. Students in both the intervention and comparison groups conveyed high and low levels of content knowledge as indicated in archived data from an open‐response end‐of‐the‐year assessment. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated several differences favoring the intervention group. Both the high‐ and low‐level intervention subgroups outperformed the comparison group in their ability to (a) provide reasoning, (b) attempt to use formal mathematical vocabulary, and (c) correctly use formal mathematical vocabulary in their writing. The low‐level intervention subgroup also outperformed the respective comparison subgroup in their use of (a) complete sentences and (b) linking words. There were no differences between groups in their attempt at writing and attempts at and usage of informal mathematical vocabulary.
Regional trends in Scottish advisory soil acidity and phosphorus results: significance of management history, land use and soil attributes
Authors: Edwards A. C. , Sinclair A. H. , Coull M. , Crooks W. , Rees R. M. , Lumsdon D. G.
Published: October 2015

Four geographically distinct regions of Scotland are used to describe temporal and spatial trends in soil phosphorus (P) using ca. 180 000 routine advisory samples which included information on previous and next crop. Regional differences in Modified Morgan's extractable P concentrations exist primarily in response to differences in land use and particularly the greater role of livestock in the west compared to arable cropping in the east. No obvious or consistent temporal trend in extractable P was apparent, but a very wide range of soil properties and extractable P concentrations was evident. The current (since 2010) target soil P status is moderate (M) for cereal‐based arable rotations and the upper half of moderate (M+) for rotations with potatoes, and more than half the samples fell into this range (with 40% M−). Some ca. 30% of samples fell below this, while 14% had high or very high P status, most noticeably where the previous crop was either potatoes, vegetables or berries. Half (ca. 13 000) of the samples with a low soil P status also had a below optimum pH. An apparent contradiction between the regularly reported long‐term declines in agricultural P surplus not being matched by a drop in extractable soil P status is discussed. This ‘lag effect’ means many Scottish agricultural soils have the capability to buffer change in extractable soil P. We make the first attempt to link advisory P data with information from the National Soil Database of Scotland and explore the value of introducing ‘soil type’ into the P fertilizer recommendation system.
Magnesium Transporter 5 plays an important role in Mg transport for male gametophyte development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Feng , Wang Bo , Lou Yue , Han Wen‐Jian , Lu Jie‐Yang , Li Dan‐Dan , Li Le‐Gong , Zhu Jian , Yang Zhong‐Nan
Published: October 2015

During anther development the male gametophyte develops inside the locule and the tapetal cells provide all nutrients for its development. Magnesium Transporter 5 (MGT5) is a member of the MGT family and has dual functions of Mg export and import. Here, we show that male gametophyte mitosis and intine formation are defective in a mgt5 mutant. The transient expression of GFP‐MGT5 revealed that MGT5 is localized in the plasma membrane. These findings suggest that in the male gametophyte MGT5 plays a role in importing Mg from the locule and that Mg is essential for male gametophyte development. The expression of MGT5 in the knockout ABORTED MICROSPORES (AMS) mutant (AMS being an essential regulator of tapetum) is tremendously reduced. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and mobility shift assay experiments demonstrated that AMS can directly bind the promoter of MGT5. An immunoelectron microscopy assay revealed that MGT5‐His is localized to the plasma membrane of the tapetum. These findings suggest that AMS directly regulates MGT5 in the tapetum and thus induces export of Mg into the locule. The mgt5 plant exhibits severe male sterility while the expression of MGT5 under the tapetum‐specific promoter A9 partly rescued mgt5 fertility. mgt5 fertility was restored under high‐Mg conditions. These findings suggest that the mgt5 tapetum still has the ability to export Mg and that a sufficient supply of Mg from the tapetum can improve the importation of Mg in the mgt5 male gametophyte. Therefore, MGT5 plays an important role in Mg transport from the tapetum to the microspore.
Molecular ecology and phylogenetics of the water beetle genus Ochthebius revealed multiple independent shifts to marine rockpools lifestyle
Authors: Sabatelli Simone , Audisio Paolo , Antonini Gloria , Solano Emanuela , Martinoli Adriano , Trizzino Marco
Published: October 2015

Marine rockpools represent a dynamic ecosystem where inhabiting species usually suffer changeable conditions, with consequent phenomena of local populations’ size expansions and reductions. Nevertheless, a few specialized insect groups are known to live in marine rockpools, and among them, several species belong to the water beetle family Hydraenidae. Three groups of Ochthebius sensu lato (s.l.) live in fact in marine rockpools: the putative subgenus Calobius, the former subgenus Cobalius (both mostly Mediterranean–Macaronesian) and two species of the O. capicola group from South Africa. In this work, we performed a molecular phylogeny of Ochthebius s.l., running molecular clocks, aiming to address the following questions: Are these three groups related? Which is their position within Ochthebius s.l.? How many different times and in how many lineages of Ochthebius s.l. a shift from inland waters to marine rockpools environments happened? Is the current taxonomic status of these three groups supported by genetics? We found that Calobius, Cobalius and the O. capicola group represent three distinct groups, with no sister relationships, suggesting that a shift from fresh/brackish waters to marine rockpools happened independently at least three different times along the diversification of the genus. Cobalius represents an effective separate subgenus, whereas such a rank is not supported by molecular data for Calobius, which represents a monophyletic clade within the nominal subgenus Ochthebius sensu stricto (s.str.). However, as Calobius is monophyletic and characterized by strongly peculiar and distinguishing morphology, we suggest referring to this group as the ‘Calobius’ lineage. Three Mediterranean taxa within this lineage represent likely valid new species, to be described soon. In the same way, the taxonomy of Cobalius should be revised, with two previously formally recognized species found to be paraphyletic, and the possible presence of two additional cryptic species.
Intrinsic fundamental frequency of vowels is moderated by regional dialect
Authors: Jacewicz Ewa , Fox Robert Allen
Published: October 2015

There has been a long-standing debate whether the intrinsic fundamental frequency (IF0) of vowels is an automatic consequence of articulation or whether it is independently controlled by speakers to perceptually enhance vowel contrasts along the height dimension. This paper provides evidence from regional variation in American English that IF0 difference between high and low vowels is, in part, controlled and varies across dialects. The sources of this F0 control are socio-cultural and cannot be attributed to differences in the vowel inventory size. The socially motivated enhancement was found only in prosodically prominent contexts.
Intimal (spindle cell) sarcoma of the left atrium presenting with abnormal neurological examination
Authors: Saith Sunil Evan , Duzenli Anthony , Zavaro Doris , Apergis George
Published: October 2015

A 43-year-old man with an unremarkable medical history presented to our hospital with 2 weeks of headaches, ataxia and confusion. CT of the head revealed a large haemorrhagic cystic lesion. A subsequent chest CT revealed a large left atrial mass. The mass was subsequently biopsied with positive immunohistochemistry staining for MDM2, FLI1 and vimentin. Real-time PCR revealed MDM2 amplification, confirming the diagnosis of intimal sarcoma. The patient underwent surgical resection and reconstruction of the atrium with subsequent discharge to short-term rehabilitation, but his symptoms continued to progress. A repeat CT of the head revealed a new cerebellar mass. He underwent a second resection, but continued to experience worsening symptoms. He was diagnosed with stage IV intimal sarcoma and referred to hospice. The patient died 5 months after initial presentation. Autopsy was performed and revealed the cause of death as pneumonia. There was no involvement of the pulmonic or aortic vessels.
A template for a clinico-pathological audit of medical liver biopsies
Authors: Colling Richard , Fryer Eve , Cobbold Jeremy , Collier Jane , Collantes Elena , Wang Lai Mun , Hubscher Stefan , Wyatt Judith , Fleming Kenneth
Published: October 2015

Aims

With changing indications for performing medical liver biopsies, we aimed to develop a tool to allow pathologists to evaluate the current usefulness, value and impact of their medical liver biopsy service.

Methods

We designed and piloted a questionnaire-based clinico-pathological audit for medical liver biopsies.

Results

The audit tool was simple to implement and provided useful information about our service. Hepatologists felt that 96% of reports were clinically useful. 56% of biopsies confirmed clinical diagnoses, 46% helped differentiate between diagnoses and 42% were able to exclude possible diagnoses. 74% resulted in a change of management and 27% of liver biopsies resulted in a diagnosis which was not clinically suspected.

Conclusions

We demonstrate the usefulness of an audit tool in providing evidence of the value of the liver pathology service in a large UK regional centre.
The Progress of Metabolomics Study in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research
Authors: Wang Pengcheng , Wang Qiuhong , Yang Bingyou , Zhao Shan , Kuang Haixue
Published: October 2015

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played important roles in health protection and disease treatment for thousands of years in China and has gained the gradual acceptance of the international community. However, many intricate issues, which cannot be explained by traditional methods, still remain, thus, new ideas and technologies are needed. As an emerging system biology technology, the holistic view adopted by metabolomics is similar to that of TCM, which allows us to investigate TCM with complicated conditions and multiple factors in depth. In this paper, we tried to give a timely and comprehensive update about the methodology progression of metabolomics, as well as its applications, in different fields of TCM studies including quality control, processing, safety and efficacy evaluation. The herbs investigated by metabolomics were selected for detailed examination, including Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, Atractylodes macrocephala Kidd, Pinellia ternate, etc.; furthermore, some valuable results have been obtained and summarized. In conclusion, although the study of metabolomics is at the early phase and requires further scrutiny and validation, it still provides bright prospects to dissect the synergistic action of multiple components from TCM. Overall, with the further development of analytical techniques, especially multi-analysis techniques, we expect that metabolomics will greatly promote TCM research and the establishment of international standards, which is beneficial to TCM modernization.
Chinese Herbal Products for Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Hung I-Ling , Hung Yu-Chiang , Wang Lin-Yi , Hsu Sheng-Feng , Chen Hsuan-Ju , Tseng Ying-Jung , Kuo Chun-En , Hu Wen-Long , Li Tsai-Chung
Published: October 2015

Traditional Chinese herbal products (CHPs) have been described in ancient medicine systems as treatments for various stroke-associated ailments. This study is aimed to investigate the prescription patterns and combinations of CHPs for ischemic stroke in Taiwan. Prescriptions of CHPs for ischemic stroke were obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. Every prescription with a leading diagnosis of ischemic stroke made during 2000–2010 was analyzed. Descriptive statistics were applied to the pattern of co-prescriptions. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess demographic and risk factors that are correlated with CHP use. The dataset of inpatient claims data contained information on 15,896 subjects who experienced ischemic stroke from 2000 to 2010. There was an average of 5.82 CHPs in a single prescription for subjects with ischemic stroke. Bu-yang-huan-wu-tang (BYHWT) (40.32%) was by far the most frequently prescribed formula CHP for ischemic stroke, and the most commonly used combination of two-formula-CHP was BYHWT with Shu-jin-huo-xue-tang (SJHXT) (4.40%). Dan Shen (16.50%) was the most commonly used single CHP for ischemic stroke, and the most commonly used combination of two single CHPs was Shi Chang Pua with Yuan Zhi (4.79%). We found that BYHWT and Dan Shen were the most frequently prescribed formula and single CHP for ischemic stroke, respectively. These results provide information about individualized therapy and may contribute to further pharmacologic experiments and clinical trials.
Antrodia cinnamomea Extract Inhibits Th17 Cell Differentiation and Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation
Authors: Li Ming-Han , Wu Hsin-Chieh , Yao Hsin-Jan , Lin Chi-Chen , Wen Shu-Fang , Pan I-Horng
Published: October 2015

Antrodia cinnamomea (A. cinnamomea) is a Chinese medicinal herb that possesses a broad range of bioactivities, including anti-inflammation. Given that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, we investigated whether A. cinnamomea could inhibit the development of Th17 cells, the main producer of IL-17, and exhibit therapeutic effects on an animal model of psoriasis. We found that A. cinnamomea extract (AC) inhibited the differentiation of Th17 cells as well as the production of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22 from these cells. This effect was associated with the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation and ROR[Formula: see text]t expression. Notably, the oral administration of AC reduced psoriasis-like inflammation in imiquimod-mediated dermal damage, repressed the expression of IL-17A, IL-22, and TNF-[Formula: see text] in skin lesions, and decreased the infiltration of CD4[Formula: see text] T cells, CD8[Formula: see text] T cells, and neutrophils into the dermis. Finally, serum levels of IL-17A were decreased in AC-treated mice with psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Taken together, these findings indicate that AC inhibits Th17 cell differentiation, suggesting a role for A. cinnamomea in the treatment of psoriasis and other Th17 cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Chloroform Extract of Solanum lyratum Induced G0/G1 Arrest via p21/p16 and Induced Apoptosis via Reactive Oxygen Species, Caspases and Mitochondrial Pathways in Human Oral Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Chiu Chiz-Hao , Chou Yu-Cheng , Lin Jing-Pin , Kuo Chao-Lin , Lu Hsu-Feng , Huang Yi-Ping , Yu Chien-Chih , Lin Meng-Liang , Chung Jing-Gung
Published: October 2015

Solanum lyratum (SLEC) Thunberg (Solanaceae) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in China for centuries. Numerous studies have shown that SLEC Thunberg (Solanaceae) extract inhibited cancer cell growth in vitro. Herein, we investigated cell death-induced by EcoAc, water, chloroform, butanol extract of SLEC in human oral cancer cell lines (HSC-3, SAS, and CAL-27) in vitro. Different SLEC extract induced cytotoxic effects in human oral cancer cells were examined by contrast phase microscopy. We selected the chloroform extract of SLEC to examine the cytotoxic effects by using DAPI staining, comet assays, flow cytometric assay, Western blotting and examination of confocal laser microscopy. SLEC decreased the percentage of viable cells, induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis. These effects were concentration- and time-dependent manners. SLEC increased protein levels of p21, p16, CDK2, and cyclin D1 in HSC-3, SAS, and CAL-27 cells. Also, SLEC increased CDK6 in HSC-3 and CAL-27 cells, but inhibited CDK6 in SAS cells. Cyclin E in HSC-3 and SAS cells was increased by SLEC, but it was inhibited in CAL-27 cells. SLEC suppressed the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, but increased the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad in HSC-3, SAS, and CAL-27 cells. SLEC promoted the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Ca[Formula: see text], decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential [Formula: see text]) and stimulated NO production in HSC-3, SAS, and CAL-27 cells. Specific caspase inhibitors (caspase-8 inhibitor: Z-IETD-FMK; caspase-9 inhibitor: Z-LEHD-FMK and caspase-3 inhibitor: Z-DEVD-FMK) for caspase-8, -9, and -3 blocked SLE-activated caspase-8, -9, and -3 activities which were associated with an increase in the percentage of viable cells. Taken together, SLE induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis via extrinsic- and intrinsic-dependent pathways in HSC-3, SAS, and CAL-27 cells.
Exciton binding energies in GaAs films on AlxGa1−xAs substrates
Authors: Wu Zhenhua , Chen Lei , Tian Qiang
Published: October 2015

We use the fractional–dimensional approach (FDA) to study exciton binding energies in GaAs films on [Formula: see text] substrates. In this approach, the Schrödinger equation for a given anisotropic system is solved in a noninteger-dimensional space where the interactions are assumed to occur in an isotropic effective environment. The heavy-hole and light-hole exciton binding energies are calculated as functions of the film thickness and substrate thickness. The numerical results show that both the heavy-hole and light-hole exciton binding energies decrease monotonously as the film thickness increases. When the film thickness and the substrate thickness is relatively small, the change of substrate thickness has comparatively remarkable influence on both heavy-hole and light-hole exciton binding energies. As the substrate thickness increases, both the heavy-hole and light-hole exciton binding energies increase gradually. When the film thickness or the substrate thickness is relatively large, the change of substrate thickness has no significant influence on both heavy-hole and light-hole exciton binding energies.
Growth of TiO2–Nb2O5mixed thin films by metal–organic decomposition
Authors: Nishimoto Naoki , Yoshino Katsumi , Fujihara Junko
Published: October 2015

The influence of mixed metal–organic decomposition (MOD) coating materials has been studied based on the crystal growth of TiO2and TiO2–Nb2O5mixed thin films. These thin films were grown on quartz substrates using a dip-coating method. The crystal structures of TiO2films are well known to depend on sintering temperature, whereas the surface morphologies are not significantly affected by sintering temperature. Nb2O5was mixed with the TiO2source material as a possible electron donor. The Nb content of the TiO2–Nb2O5mixed thin film depended on the Nb mole ratio in the TiO2–Nb2O5mixed MOD coating material. Large crystal grains were observed with increasing Nb content in the TiO2–Nb2O5mixed thin film, although Nb was inactive as a donor. It can be concluded that Nb enhances the growth of TiO2by MOD. This enhancement of crystal growth by the intentional addition of an impurity can be expected to improve the characteristics of other semiconductor materials grown by wet processes.
A Palmprint Recognition Approach Based on Image Segmentation of Region of Interest
Authors: Wu Qing E , Chen Zhiwu , Han Ruijie , Yang Cunxiang , Du Yuhao , Zheng Yuxin , Cheng Wenfang
Published: October 2015

To carry out an effective recognition for palmprint, this paper presents an algorithm of image segmentation of region of interest (ROI), extracts the ROI of a palmprint image and studies the composing features of palmprint. This paper constructs a coordinate by making use of characteristic points in the palm geometric contour, improves the algorithm of ROI extraction and provides a positioning method of ROI. Moreover, this paper uses the wavelet transform to divide up ROI, extracts the energy feature of wavelet, gives an approach of matching and recognition to improve the correctness and efficiency of existing main recognition approaches, and compares it with existing main approaches of palmprint recognition by experiments. The experiment results show that the approach in this paper has the better recognition effect, the faster matching speed, and the higher recognition rate which is improved averagely by 2.69% than those of the main recognition approaches.