bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A ‘striking’ relationship: scorpion defensive behaviour and its relation to morphology and performance
Authors: Coelho Pedro , Kaliontzopoulou Antigoni , Rasko Mykola , van der Meijden Arie
Published: April 2017

Like many other venomous organisms, scorpions use their venom in defence against predators. Scorpions apply their venomous stinger by extending the caudal part of the body, the metasoma, forward towards the attacker. There are considerable differences in metasoma morphology among scorpion species, and these may afford differences in defensive strike performance.

We investigated the movement trajectory and kinematics of the defensive strike in seven species of scorpions, and how these variables are related to each other, and to morphology.

We recorded defensive strikes using high‐speed video, and reconstructed the trajectory of the telson. From these trajectories, we calculated velocity, acceleration and other kinematic variables. To compare strike trajectory shapes, we used geometric morphometrics.

We have shown that the defensive strike differs in trajectory shape, speed, path length and duration between scorpion species. Body size is also an important factor affecting strike characteristics. Relative metasoma length and girth may also influence strike performance, as well as strike trajectory shape. Strikes with different trajectories have different kinematic properties: those with open trajectory shapes attain higher speeds.

Our results show that performance differences in defensive behaviour between different scorpion species may be partly mediated by morphology, binding together phenotypic, functional and behavioural diversity.

Alay summaryis available for this article.
Multi‐modal defences in aphids offer redundant protection and increased costs likely impeding a protective mutualism
Authors: Martinez Adam J. , Doremus Matthew R. , Kraft Laura J. , Kim Kyungsun L. , Oliver Kerry M.
Published: April 2017

The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, maintains extreme variation in resistance to its most common parasitoid wasp enemy, Aphidius ervi, which is sourced from two known mechanisms: protective bacterial symbionts, most commonly Hamiltonella defensa, or endogenously encoded defences. We have recently found that individual aphids may employ each defence individually, occasionally both defences together, or neither.

In field populations, Hamiltonella‐infected aphids are found at low to moderate frequencies and while less is known about the frequency of resistant genotypes, they show up less often than susceptible genotypes in field collections. To better understand these patterns, we sought to compare the strengths and costs of both types of defence, individually and together, in order to elucidate the selective pressures that maintain multi‐modal defence mechanisms or that may favour one over the other.

We experimentally infected five aphid genotypes (two lowly and three highly resistant), each with two symbiont strains, Hamiltonella‐APSE8 (moderate protection) and Hamiltonella‐APSE3 (high protection). This resulted in three sublines per genotype: uninfected, +APSE8 and +APSE3. Each of the 15 total sublines was first subjected to a parasitism assay to determine its resistance phenotype and in a second experiment, a subset was chosen to compare fitness (fecundity and survivorship) in the presence and absence of parasitism.

In susceptible aphid genotypes, parasitized sublines infected with Hamiltonella generally showed increased protection with direct fitness benefits, but clear infection costs to fitness in the absence of parasitism. In resistant genotypes, Hamiltonella infection rarely conferred additional protection, often further reduced fecundity and survivorship when enemy challenged, and resulted in constitutive fitness costs in the absence of parasitism. We also identified strong aphid genotype × symbiont–strain interactions, such that the best defensive strategy against parasitoids varied for each aphid genotype; one performed best with no protective symbionts, the others with particular strains of Hamiltonella.

This surprising variability in outcomes helps explain why Hamiltonella infection frequencies are often intermediate and do not strongly track parasitism frequencies in field populations. We also find that variation in endogenous traits, such as resistance, among host genotypes may offer redundancy and generally limit the invasion potential of mutualistic microbes in insects.
Yield reductions in agricultural grasslands in Norway after springtime grazing by pink‐footed geese
Authors: Bergjord Olsen Anne Kari , Bjerke Jarle W. , Tombre Ingunn M.
Published: April 2017

A large population increase of the Svalbard‐breeding pink‐footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus over recent decades has intensified the conflict with agriculture at the spring‐staging sites in Norway. Knowledge of the yield loss caused by goose grazing in these northern areas is lacking, and the motivation behind the study was to quantify a relationship between grazing pressure and yield loss of agricultural grasslands and corresponding changes in vegetation composition.

Field trials were established on agricultural grasslands at four sites in central Norway. Eight plots were established at each site; four with exclosures to exclude or reduce grazing from geese and four with access for the geese. The exact same plots were followed for 2–4 years. Dropping density, used as a measure of grazing pressure, and compressed sward height were recorded throughout the goose staging periods, and dry matter yield was determined at first and second harvests. Plant samples from first harvests were analysed for vegetation composition.

Grazing pressure varied between both years and sites. Exclosures reduced grazing pressure by 75–78% during high‐pressure grazing periods and increased first harvest yields by up to 31%. At lower grazing pressure, exclosures prevented grazing completely. Grazing pressure was inversely correlated with dry matter yield at first harvest, but second harvest yields were unaffected.

The fraction of sown species declined while the fraction of weeds increased during the study both in open plots and exclosures, but level of grazing pressure did not have any significant influence on the overall fraction of sown species, or in any specific year.

Synthesis and applications. As the same plots were measured over several years, it was possible to quantify goose‐grazing effects beyond one season. In the context of the wildlife‐agriculture conflict, the results demonstrate that some farmers always suffer disproportionately with yearly variations. The relationship between grazing pressure and yield loss may provide knowledge to a regional goose grazing subsidy scheme in the study area, identifying the most affected areas and distributing the subsidies correspondingly. However, the seasonal variations in grazing pressure demonstrate the difficulty of targeting exact areas on a yearly basis. On the other hand, the observed variations may promote another management tool in the form of delayed ploughing of stubble fields before spring sowing, as stubble fields may attract more geese, reducing the grazing pressure on agricultural grasslands and hence the overall conflicts with agricultural interests.
Restoration of endangered fen communities: the ambiguity of iron–phosphorus binding and phosphorus limitation
Authors: Emsens W.‐J. , Aggenbach C.J.S. , Smolders A.J.P. , Zak D. , van Diggelen R.
Published: April 2017

Low phosphorus (P) availability limits plant biomass production in fens, which is a prerequisite for the persistence of many endangered plant species. We hypothesized that P limitation is linked to soil iron (Fe) content and soil Fe : P ratios as iron compounds provide binding sites for dissolved P, presumably reducing P availability to plants.

We sampled 30 fens in a trans‐European field survey to determine how soil Fe pools relate to pools of P and Fe‐bound P, and we measured vegetation P uptake and N : P ratio to assess where P limitation occurs. Next, we determined P uptake by Carex rostrata in experimental fen mesocosms to investigate interactive effects of soil Fe and P pools (and fractions) and water levels (drained or rewetted).

The field survey revealed that soil P pools correlate positively with soil Fe pools, regardless of fen degradation level, location or sampling depth. Moreover, soil Fe and P pools correlated positively with P uptake by the vegetation and negatively with vegetation N : P ratios. Generally, N : P ratios dropped below 10 g g−1 whenever thresholds of 15 mmol Fe L−1 soil and 3·3 mmol P L−1 soil were exceeded. Endangered fen species mainly thrived in Fe‐ (and thus P‐) poor fens.

The mesocosm experiment further showed that interactions between water levels and P pools determined plant P uptake: although fen rewetting led to an overall increase in P uptake, plants that had grown on drained Fe‐rich soils with large acid‐extractable P pools (>1·6 mmol Pacid L−1) could still sequester large quantities of P. Soil Fe : P ratio had no effect on P uptake.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings have important implications for the management and restoration of endangered fen communities. We demonstrated the existence of an iron–phosphorus (Fe–P) binding ambiguity in fens: large Fe pools ‘trap’ mobile P, thereby enhancing overall P availability to plants rather than diminishing it. For P limitation, we suggest an empirical threshold of <3·3 mmol P L−1 soil, which is mainly found in Fe‐poor fens. Restoring fens by rewetting increases the relative availability of P and may not always result in favourable conditions for endangered fen communities. Rewetting of drained fens is most likely to be successful if soil P and Fe pools are well below 3·3 and 15 mmol L−1 respectively.
Fixation of CO2 using the ethylmalonyl‐CoA pathway in the photoheterotrophic marine bacterium Dinoroseobacter shibae
Authors: Bill Nelli , Tomasch Jürgen , Riemer Alexander , Müller Katrin , Kleist Sarah , Schmidt‐Hohagen Kerstin , Wagner‐Döbler Irene , Schomburg Dietmar
Published: April 2017

The ability of aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophs (AAPs) to gain additional energy from sunlight represents a competitive advantage, especially in conditions where light has easy access or under environmental conditions may change quickly, such as those in the world´s oceans. However, the knowledge about the metabolic consequences of aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis is very limited. Combining transcriptome and metabolome analyses, isotopic labelling techniques, measurements of growth, oxygen uptake rates, flow cytometry, and a number of other biochemical analytical techniques we obtained a comprehensive overview on the complex adaption of the marine bacterium Dinoroseobacter shibae DFL12T during transition from heterotrophy to photoheterotrophy (growth on succinate). Growth in light was characterized by reduced respiration, a decreased metabolic flux through the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and the assimilation of CO2 via an enhanced flux through the ethylmalonyl‐CoA (EMC) pathway, which was shown to be connected to the serine metabolism. Adaptation to photoheterotrophy is mainly characterized by metabolic reactions caused by a surplus of reducing potential and might depend on genes located in one operon, encoding branching point enzymes of the EMC pathway, serine metabolism and the TCA cycle.
Methylphosphonate metabolism by Pseudomonas sp. populations contributes to the methane oversaturation paradox in an oxic freshwater lake
Authors: Wang Qian , Dore John E. , McDermott Timothy R.
Published: April 2017

The ‘CH4 oversaturation paradox’ has been observed in oxygen‐rich marine and lake waters, and viewed to significantly contribute to biosphere cycling of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Our study focused on the intriguing well‐defined pelagic methane enriched zone (PMEZ) in freshwater lakes. Spiking Yellowstone Lake PMEZ samples with 13C‐labeled potential methanogenesis substrates found only 13C‐methylphosphonate (MPn) resulted in 13CH4 generation. In 16S rRNA gene Illumina libraries, four Pseudomonas sp. operational taxonomic units surprisingly accounted for ∼11% abundance in the PMEZ community. Pseudomonas sp. isolates were also obtained from MPn enrichments with PMEZ water; they were most aggressive in MPn metabolism and their 16S rRNA gene sequences matched 35% of the Illumina PMEZ Pseudomonas reads. Further, two key genes encoding C‐P lyase (phnJL, an important enzyme for dealkylation of MPn), were only amplifiable from PMEZ DNA and all PCR generated phnJL clones matched those of the Pseudomonas sp. isolates. Notably, methanogen 16S rRNA signatures were absent in all Illumina libraries and mcrA was not detected via PCR. Collectively, these observations are consistent with the conclusion that MPn metabolism contributes significantly to CH4 oversaturation in Yellowstone Lake and likely other oxic freshwater lake environments, and that Pseudomonas sp. populations are critical participants.
Leucine, starch and bicarbonate utilization by specific bacterial groups in surface shelf waters off Galicia (NWSpain)
Authors: Teira E. , Hernando‐Morales V. , Guerrero‐Feijóo E. , Varela M. M.
Published: April 2017

The capability of different bacterial populations to degrade abundant polymers, such as algal‐derived polysaccharides, or to utilize preferentially polymers over monomers, remains largely unknown. In this study, microautoradiography was combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization (MAR‐FISH) to evaluate the ability of Bacteroidetes, SAR11, Roseobacter spp., Gammaproteobacteria and SAR86 cells to use bicarbonate, leucine and starch under natural light conditions at two locations in shelf surface waters off NW Spain. The percentage of cells incorporating bicarbonate was relatively high (mean 32% ± 4%) and was positively correlated with the intensity of solar radiation. The proportion of cells using starch (mean 56% ± 4%) or leucine (mean 47% ± 4%) was significantly higher than that using bicarbonate. On average, SAR11, Roseobacter spp. and Gammaproteobacteria showed a similarly high percentage of cells using leucine (47%–65% of hybridized cells) than using starch (51%–64% of hybridized cells), while Bacteroidetes and SAR86 cells preferentially used starch (53% of hybridized cells) over leucine (34%–40% of hybridized cells). We suggest that the great percentage of bacteria using starch is related to a high ambient availability of polymers associated to algal cell lysis, which, in turn, weakens the short‐term coupling between phytoplankton release and bacterial production.
Advertising magic: The paradox of keeping‐while‐giving
Authors: de Waal Malefyt Timothy
Published: April 2017

Magic is alive in advertising industries through the organized assemblages of magicians, formulas and rites that perform magically. Creatives (the magicians) employ mystic formulas in creative processes and in rites of awards ceremonies and business pitches, where they transform ephemeral ideas into broad marketing campaigns. Transformative ideas are esteemed as agency assets and celebrated of creatives in their names, but are also disseminated as essential tools for building economic value and maintaining client relationships. As such, advertising presents a paradoxical system of exchange which overlays political strategies of power and authority. Advertisers are both producers and distributors of ideas that transform culture but which also sustain practices of status and power that play a major role in reproducing culture.
Proteolysis and antioxidant activity of peptic, tryptic and chymotryptic hydrolysates of cow, buffalo, goat and camel caseins
Authors: Assem Fayza M , Abd El‐Gawad Mona A M , Kassem Jihan M , Abd El‐Salam Mohamed H
Published: April 2017

Caseins of cow, buffalo, goat and camel milks were hydrolysed using pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The rate and degree of casein hydrolysis and the antioxidant activity (AA) of the casein hydrolysates (CH) were followed. Camel casein showed the highest rate and degree of hydrolysis with pepsin and trypsin, while cow casein was more rapidly hydrolysed with chymotrypsin than other caseins studied. The AA of all CH increased to a maximum after 24 h of hydrolysis. The AA of tryptic hydrolysates was higher (P < 0.002) than that of peptic hydrolysates. Camel CH exhibited higher AA than hydrolysates of other caseins.
Feasibility and acceptability of introducing routine antenatal contraceptive counselling and provision of contraception after delivery: the APPLES pilot evaluation
Authors: Cameron ST , Craig A , Sim J , Gallimore A , Cowan S , Dundas K , Heller R , Milne D , Lakha F
Published: April 2017

Objective

To determine the feasibility and acceptability of routine antenatal contraceptive counselling and contraception provision including long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) postpartum.

Design

Health service research evaluation.

Setting

Community antenatal clinics and hospital maternity settings in National Health Service, Scotland UK.

Population

Women booked for antenatal care.

Methods

Contraceptive counselling with a community midwife (22 weeks’ gestation) and provision of contraception (with facilitated access to LARC methods) prior to discharge from maternity hospital. Evaluation consisted of (i) self administered questionnaire (32–34 weeks) of women's views of antenatal contraceptive counselling, (ii) database review of contraceptive methods provided at discharge, and (iii) focus groups with midwives and obstetricians.

Main outcome measures

Women's views on antenatal contraceptive counselling. Secondary outcomes included (i) uptake of LARC methods and (ii) barriers and facilitators to providing antenatal counselling and contraception.

Results

There were 1369 women in the cohort. Questionnaires were distributed to 1064 women (78%) and completed by 794 (75%). In all, 78% of respondents (n = 621) discussed contraception antenatally with a community midwife and 74% (n = 461) found this helpful. Although 43% of respondents (n = 341) were planning to use LARC, only 9% of the cohort (118 of 1369) received LARC prior to discharge. Community midwives indicated that antenatal contraceptive counselling was now embedded in their role, but hospital staff indicated that workloads impacted upon ability to provide contraception for women.

Conclusions

Antenatal contraceptive counselling, delivered by community midwives, is feasible and highly acceptable to women. However, providing contraception and LARC for women before they are discharged home remains a challenge.

Tweetable abstract

Giving contraceptive advice antenatally is feasible and acceptable.
The Effect of Access to Electronic Health Records on Throughput Efficiency and Imaging Utilization in the Emergency Department
Authors: Knepper Matthew M. , Castillo Edward M. , Chan Theodore C. , Guss David A.
Published: April 2017

Study Objective

To evaluate whether the availability of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) reduces throughput time and utilization of advanced imaging for patients in an academic ED.

Data Sources

All patients arriving at an academic Emergency Department (ED) via ambulance between June 1, 2011, and June 4, 2012, were included in the study. This accounted for 9,970 unique ambulance patient visits.

Study Design

Retrospective noninterventional analysis of patients in an academic ED. The primary independent variable was whether the patient had a prior EHR at the study hospital. Main outcomes were throughput time, number of advanced diagnostic imaging studies (CT, MRI, ultrasound), and the associated cost of these imaging studies. A set of controls, including age, gender, ICD9 codes, acuity measures, and NYU ED algorithm case severity classifications, was used in an ordinary least‐squares (OLS) regression framework to estimate the association between EHR availability and the outcome measures.

Principal Findings

A patient with a prior EHR experienced a mean reduction in CT scans of 13.9 percent ([4.9, 23.0]). There was no material change in throughput time for patients with a prior EHR and no difference in utilization of other imaging studies across patients with a prior EHR and those without. Cost savings associated with prior EHRs are $22.52 per patient visit.

Conclusion

EHR availability for ED patients is associated with a reduction in CT scans and cost savings but had no impact on throughput time or order frequency of other imaging studies.
Trends in Officer‐involved Firearm Deaths in Oklahoma from 2000 to 2015
Authors: Jorgenson Kyla M. , Wiens Andrea L. , Pfeifer Eric A. , Lanter Joshua
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to collect data and disseminate trends in officer‐involved firearm deaths in Oklahoma from 2000 to 2015. The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) database was searched for civilian decedents with gunshot wounds inflicted by law enforcement officers and officer decedents with gunshot wounds inflicted by civilians. Five decedents were law enforcement officers, while 274 decedents were civilians. The number of civilian decedents throughout the study followed a quadratic trend. Civilian decedents were most commonly males (95%) between the ages of 20 and 39 (64%), had one or two gunshot wounds (46%), and had an increasing number of gunshot wounds over time. Postmortem toxicology testing most commonly detected ethanol, methamphetamine, cocaine, and PCP. Efforts toward increased tracking by various agencies and more scientific studies like this are needed to facilitate future analysis of trends in officer‐involved firearm deaths.
Comparative assessment of the thermal tolerance of spotted stemborer, Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and its larval parasitoid, Cotesia sesamiae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Mutamiswa Reyard , Chidawanyika Frank , Nyamukondiwa Casper
Published: April 2017

Under stressful thermal environments, insects adjust their behavior and physiology to maintain key life‐history activities and improve survival. For interacting species, mutual or antagonistic, thermal stress may affect the participants in differing ways, which may then affect the outcome of the ecological relationship. In agroecosystems, this may be the fate of relationships between insect pests and their antagonistic parasitoids under acute and chronic thermal variability. Against this background, we investigated the thermal tolerance of different developmental stages of Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and its larval parasitoid, Cotesia sesamiae Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) using both dynamic and static protocols. When exposed for 2 h to a static temperature, lower lethal temperatures ranged from −9 to 6 °C, −14 to −2 °C, and −1 to 4 °C while upper lethal temperatures ranged from 37 to 48 °C, 41 to 49 °C, and 36 to 39 °C for C. partellus eggs, larvae, and C. sesamiae adults, respectively. Faster heating rates improved critical thermal maxima (CTmax) in C. partellus larvae and adult C. partellus and C. sesamiae. Lower cooling rates improved critical thermal minima (CTmin) in C. partellus and C. sesamiae adults while compromising CTmin in C. partellus larvae. The mean supercooling points (SCPs) for C. partellus larvae, pupae, and adults were −11.82 ± 1.78, −10.43 ± 1.73 and −15.75 ± 2.47, respectively. Heat knock‐down time (HKDT) and chill‐coma recovery time (CCRT) varied significantly between C. partellus larvae and adults. Larvae had higher HKDT than adults, while the latter recovered significantly faster following chill‐coma. Current results suggest developmental stage differences in C. partellus thermal tolerance (with respect to lethal temperatures and critical thermal limits) and a compromised temperature tolerance of parasitoid C. sesamiae relative to its host, suggesting potential asynchrony between host–parasitoid population phenology and consequently biocontrol efficacy under global change. These results have broad implications to biological pest management insect–natural enemy interactions under rapidly changing thermal environments.
treespace: Statistical exploration of landscapes of phylogenetic trees
Authors: Jombart Thibaut , Kendall Michelle , Almagro‐Garcia Jacob , Colijn Caroline
Published: April 2017

The increasing availability of large genomic data sets as well as the advent of Bayesian phylogenetics facilitates the investigation of phylogenetic incongruence, which can result in the impossibility of representing phylogenetic relationships using a single tree. While sometimes considered as a nuisance, phylogenetic incongruence can also reflect meaningful biological processes as well as relevant statistical uncertainty, both of which can yield valuable insights in evolutionary studies. We introduce a new tool for investigating phylogenetic incongruence through the exploration of phylogenetic tree landscapes. Our approach, implemented in the R package treespace, combines tree metrics and multivariate analysis to provide low‐dimensional representations of the topological variability in a set of trees, which can be used for identifying clusters of similar trees and group‐specific consensus phylogenies. treespace also provides a user‐friendly web interface for interactive data analysis and is integrated alongside existing standards for phylogenetics. It fills a gap in the current phylogenetics toolbox in R and will facilitate the investigation of phylogenetic results.
Discussion of “Are Related Party Transactions Red Flags?”
Authors: Jorgensen Bjorn N. , Morley Julia
Published: April 2017

Kohlbeck and Mayhew () create a new data set featuring two types of related party transactions. They use empirical‐archival methods to investigate the effect of such transactions on the likelihood of restatements and on audit fees. Their findings suggest that related party transactions related to directors, officers and major shareholders are associated with poor “tone at the top” and that this leads management to negotiate for lower‐quality audits to minimize monitoring costs. To offer avenues for future research, we focus our discussion on three aspects of their paper related to causality, definitions of variables, and generalizability to non‐U.S. jurisdictions.
Post‐operative pain relief using local infiltration analgesia during open abdominal hysterectomy: a randomized, double‐blind study
Authors: Hayden J. M. , Oras J. , Karlsson O. I. , Olausson K. G. , Thörn S.‐E. , Gupta A.
Published: April 2017

Background

Post‐operative pain is common and often severe after open abdominal hysterectomy, and analgesic consumption high. This study assessed the efficacy of local infiltration analgesia (LIA) injected systematically into different tissues during surgery compared with saline on post‐operative pain and analgesia.

Methods

Fifty‐nine patients were randomized to Group LIA (n = 29) consisting of 156 ml of a mixture of 0.2% ropivacaine + 30 mg ketorolac + 0.5 mg (5 ml) adrenaline, where the drugs were injected systematically in the operating site, around the proximal vagina, the ligaments, in the fascia and subcutaneously, or to saline and intravenous ketorolac, Group C (Control, n = 28), in a double‐blind study. Post‐operative pain, analgesic consumption, side‐effects, and home discharge were analysed.

Results

Median dose of rescue morphine given 0–24 h after surgery was significantly lower in group LIA (18 mg, IQR 5–25 mg) compared with group C (27 mg, IQR 15–43 mg, P = 0.028). Median time to first analgesic injection was significantly longer in group LIA (40 min, IQR 20–60 min) compared with group C (20 min, IQR 12–30 min, P = 0.009). NRS score was lower in the group LIA compared with group C in the direct post‐operative period (0–2 h). No differences were found in post‐operative side‐effects or home discharge between the groups.

Discussion

Systematically injected local infiltration analgesia for pain management was superior to saline in the primary endpoint, resulting in significantly lower rescue morphine requirements during 0–24 h, longer time to first analgesic request and lower early post‐operative pain intensity.
Changes from 2012 to 2015 in intravenous fluid solutions issued to hospital departments
Authors: Jonsson A. B. , Perner A.
Published: April 2017

Background

In recent years, large trials have increased the level of evidence for intravenous (IV) fluid therapy, at least in the intensive care setting. It is less clear whether this change in the evidence base has been associated with changes in IV fluid use in different hospital departments.

Methods

We obtained details from the regional pharmacy regarding IV fluids issued to hospital departments in the Danish Capitol Region from January 2012 to May 2015. We used paired Wilcoxon's signed‐rank test to analyse changes in the issuing in different departments.

Results

Total regional issuing of IV fluids showed increase in crystalloid solutions (9%; P = 0.001) and decrease in colloid solutions (59%; P = 0.005). Subtype analysis showed increased issuing of buffered crystalloids (36%; P = 0.001), human albumin (30%; P < 0.0001) and decreased issuing in synthetic colloid solutions (82%; P < 0.0001) from Q1 2012 to Q2 2015. At the departmental level, the issuing of synthetic colloid solutions decreased markedly to all settings. The issuing of buffered crystalloids increased to orthopaedic (226%; P = 0.03) and to general surgery departments (686%; P = 0.002). Albumin solutions were increasingly issued to anaesthesia departments (63%; P = 0.005) and was rarely issued to general surgery and orthopaedic departments.

Conclusions

The issuing of IV fluid solutions to hospital departments has changed markedly over the last years to less colloid, in particular the synthetic solutions, and relatively more issuing of crystalloids, in particular the buffered solutions.
The acute‐phase mediator serum amyloid A is associated with symptoms of depression and fatigue
Authors: Bryleva E. Y. , Keaton S. A. , Grit J. , Madaj Z. , Sauro‐Nagendra A. , Smart L. , Halstead S. , Achtyes E. , Brundin L.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Establish whether inflammatory biomarkers—serum amyloid A (SAA), C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)—are related to key symptoms of depression, including anxiety and fatigue, in a cross‐sectional, out‐patient setting to identify biomarkers that reflect psychiatric symptomatology in a naturalistic, real‐life population.

Methods

We measured SAA, CRP, IL‐6, and TNF‐α in plasma samples from 89 adult psychiatric out‐patients by multiplex, high‐sensitivity electrochemiluminescent assays. Psychiatric symptoms were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD‐17), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D).

Results

Plasma SAA was most robustly associated with depressive symptoms across diagnostic boundaries in this cohort of out‐patients. Elevated SAA was significantly associated with higher total scores on the HAMD‐17 scale and correlated with multiple scale items that rated symptoms of fatigue and depressed mood, but not with anxiety‐related items.

Conclusions

SAA might constitute a cross‐diagnostic marker indicative of depressed mood and fatigue in a naturalistic patient setting. Because SAA activates Toll‐like receptors 2 and 4, present on macrophages and glial cells, its association with depression severity could also implicate this inflammatory mediator in the pathogenesis of mood disorders.
Recovery from alcohol dependence: Do smoking indicators predict abstinence?
Authors: Hufnagel Anna , Frick Ulrich , Ridinger Monika , Wodarz Norbert
Published: April 2017

Background and Objectives

There is inconsistent evidence about the potential influence of smoking on recovery from alcohol dependence. Our study aimed at assessing the impact of smoking‐behavior on relapse during a 12 months follow‐up period following a detoxification in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

Methods

Three hundred Patients with AUD (74.9% smoking) were recruited from two inpatient detoxification units in psychiatric hospitals in Germany and their alcohol consumption was prospectively followed for 1 year. Data on different indicators of smoking behavior was gathered. Cox regression model was used to evaluate potential risk factors on time to relapse of alcohol consumption. Two hundred seventy‐nine participants (n = 279) were included in the final analysis.

Results

Smoking increased the risk for alcohol relapse (hazard ratio = 3.962, 95% CI 1.582–9.921). However, this increased risk is slightly reduced with higher numbers of daily consumed cigarettes (hazard ratio per cigarette = .986, 95% CI .976–.995).

Conclusion

Smoking reduced the probability of maintaining alcohol abstinence significantly, whereas higher number of cigarettes smoked daily diminished the increased risk of alcohol relapse in alcohol‐dependent patients.

Scientific Significance

Coordinated psychiatric and substance abuse interventions for different subgroups of patients with AUD in the post‐acute treatment phase are necessary. Individualized treatment planning is especially important in smoking patients with AUD who are vulnerable for a relapse to alcohol drinking and for somatic complications. Our findings might support individualized treatment plans. (Am J Addict 2017;26:366–373)
Multiple cutaneous reticulohistiocytosis with T‐cell large granular lymphocyte clonopathy
Authors: Papadantonakis Pavlos , Kaparou Maria , Papadaki Helen A , Marinos Leonidas , Krasagakis Konstantin
Published: April 2017

A 63‐year‐old Caucasian man presented with a 4‐month history of disseminated asymptomatic reddish‐brown papulonodular lesions. A skin biopsy showed dermal infiltration with CD68+ histiocytes, predominantly with eosinophilic cytoplasm, some with a ground‐glass cytoplasm, and a small number of giant cells. The diagnosis of multiple cutaneous reticulohistiocytosis was made. Bone marrow immunophenotyping due to peripheral blood lymphocytosis revealed the presence of a monoclonal population of CD3+, CD8+ CD57+ large granular lymphocytes. The present case suggests the coexistence of multiple cutaneous reticulohistiocytosis with an underlying disorder.
Molecular displaying of differential immunoresponse to various infections of amniotic epithelia
Authors: Nemr Waleed , Bashandy Monem , Araby Eman , Khamiss Omaima
Published: April 2017

Problem

Molecular displaying for the interaction of innate immune cells against pathogen is important for knowing their defense mechanism. This study aimed to visualize the differential gene expression profiles of amniotic epithelium, in response to various infections, using simple reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) techniques.

Method of study

Antimicrobial activity of human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) was verified against three different models of pathogenic microorganisms. RNA was extracted from infected and non‐infected cells. Transcripts were visualized by two methods of RT‐PCR; one of them targets β‐defensin 2 (BDEF2). The other is a novel design method of RNA fingerprinting based on differential length amplification of transcripts (DifLAT) to polymorphism more than 69 coding sequences for antimicrobial proteins.

Results

The semiquantitative gel analysis indicated that BDEF2 was upregulated during all infections. DifLAT experiment visualized different patterns of HAECs transcripts for each case of infection.

Conclusion

This study proved that HAECs uses alternative gene expression profiles for fighting different pathogens.
Computer‐Assisted Keyword and Document Set Discovery from Unstructured Text
Authors: King Gary , Lam Patrick , Roberts Margaret E.
Published: April 2017

The (unheralded) first step in many applications of automated text analysis involves selecting keywords to choose documents from a large text corpus for further study. Although all substantive results depend on this choice, researchers usually pick keywords in ad hoc ways that are far from optimal and usually biased. Most seem to think that keyword selection is easy, since they do Google searches every day, but we demonstrate that humans perform exceedingly poorly at this basic task. We offer a better approach, one that also can help with following conversations where participants rapidly innovate language to evade authorities, seek political advantage, or express creativity; generic web searching; eDiscovery; look‐alike modeling; industry and intelligence analysis; and sentiment and topic analysis. We develop a computer‐assisted (as opposed to fully automated or human‐only) statistical approach that suggests keywords from available text without needing structured data as inputs. This framing poses the statistical problem in a new way, which leads to a widely applicable algorithm. Our specific approach is based on training classifiers, extracting information from (rather than correcting) their mistakes, and summarizing results with easy‐to‐understand Boolean search strings. We illustrate how the technique works with analyses of English texts about the Boston Marathon bombings, Chinese social media posts designed to evade censorship, and others.
AhR mediates an anti‐inflammatory feedback mechanism in human Langerhans cells involving FcεRI and IDO
Authors: Koch S. , Stroisch T. J. , Vorac J. , Herrmann N. , Leib N. , Schnautz S. , Kirins H. , Förster I. , Weighardt H. , Bieber T.
Published: April 2017

Background

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), an important regulator of immune responses, is activated by UVB irradiation in the skin. Langerhans cells (LC) in the epidermis of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) carry the high‐affinity receptor for IgE, FcεRI, and are crucially involved in the pathogenesis of AD by inducing inflammatory responses and regulating tolerogenic processes.

Objectives

We investigated AhR and AhR repressor (AhRR) expression and functional consequences of AhR activation in human ex vivo skin cells and in in vitro‐generated LC.

Methods

Epidermal cells from healthy skin were analyzed for their expression of AhR and AhRR. LC generated from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (CD34LC) were treated with the UV photoproduct and AhR ligand 6‐formylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (FICZ). Cell surface receptors, transcription factors, and the tolerogenic tryptophan‐degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) were analyzed using flow cytometry and quantitative PCR.

Results

Epidermal LC and CD34LC express AhR and AhRR. AhR was also found in keratinocytes, which lack AhRR. AhR activation of LC by FICZ caused downregulation of FcεRI in CD34LC without affecting their maturation. AhR‐mediated regulation of FcεRI did not involve any known transcription factors related to this receptor. Furthermore, we could show upregulation of IDO mediated by AhR engagement.

Conclusions

Our study shows that AhR activation by FICZ reduces FcεRI and upregulates IDO expression in LC. This AhR‐mediated anti‐inflammatory feedback mechanism may dampen the allergen‐induced inflammation in AD.
RNase 7 downregulates TH2 cytokine production by activated human T cells
Authors: Kopfnagel V. , Wagenknecht S. , Brand L. , Zeitvogel J. , Harder J. , Hofmann K. , Kleine M. , Werfel T.
Published: April 2017

Background

The antimicrobial peptide (AMP) RNase 7 is constitutively expressed in the epidermis of healthy human skin and has been found to be upregulated in chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Activated T cells in lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (PSO) might be directly exposed to RNase 7. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, immunoregulatory functions have been published for several AMPs. In this study, we investigated immunoregulatory effects of the antimicrobial peptide RNase 7 on activated T cells.

Methods

Isolated human CD3+T cells were stimulated with RNase 7 and screened for possible effects by mRNA microarray analysis. The results of the mRNA microarray were confirmed in isolated CD4+T cells and in polarized TH2 cells using skin‐derived native RNase 7 and a recombinant ribonuclease‐inactive RNase 7 mutant. Activation of GATA3 was analysed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Results

Treatment of activated human CD4+T cells and TH2 cells with RNase 7 selectively reduced the expression of TH2 cytokines (IL‐13, IL‐4 and IL‐5). Experiments with a ribonuclease‐inactive recombinant RNase 7 mutant showed that RNase 7 ribonuclease activity is dispensable for the observed regulatory effect. We further demonstrate that CD4+T cells from AD patients revealed a significantly less pronounced downregulation of IL‐13 in response to RNase 7 compared to healthy control. Finally, we show that GATA3 activation was diminished upon cultivation of T cells with RNase 7.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that RNase 7 has immunomodulatory functions on TH2 cells and decreases the production of TH2 cytokines in the skin.
Serum levels of 9α,11β‐PGF2 and apolipoprotein A1 achieve high predictive power as biomarkers of anaphylaxis
Authors: Wittenberg M. , Nassiri M. , Francuzik W. , Lehmann K. , Babina M. , Worm M.
Published: April 2017

Anaphylaxis is a life‐threatening hypersensitivity reaction. To identify biomarkers for the condition, we assessed serum levels of apolipoprotein (Apo)A and ApoE. We found a reduction of both lipoproteins in anaphylactic mice as well as in orally challenged food allergic patients. We then compared patients after acute anaphylaxis with several control groups (nonallergic, history of allergen‐triggered anaphylaxis, acute cardiovascular/febrile reactions). In this unpaired setting, ApoE levels were unaltered, while ApoA1 was reduced in the anaphylactic group. Although unable to discriminate between anaphylaxis and cardiovascular/febrile reactions, ROC curve analysis revealed a reasonably high area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 for ApoA1. Serum 9α,11ß‐PGF2, recently identified as a suitable biomarker for anaphylaxis, outperformed ApoA1 with AUC=0.95. Intriguingly however its power further increased upon combination of both mediators reaching AUC=1. Our data suggest that ApoA1 combined with 9α,11ß‐PGF2 represents a useful composite biomarker of anaphylaxis, achieving superior diagnostic power over either factor alone.
Postoperative complications following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy are common in children
Authors: Hansen E , Qvist N , Rasmussen L , Ellebæk MB
Published: April 2017

Aim

Inserting a feeding tube using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be necessary to ensure that children with eating problems receive sufficient enteral nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the perioperative and postoperative complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy when the pull‐through method was the standard procedure.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of 229 children (50.7% male) who underwent a gastrostomy procedure at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2012. The median age of the children was 1.6 years (range: 0–14.9), and the follow‐up period was 36 months. Complications were graded according to the Clavien‐Dindo classification.

Results

A total of 167 postoperative complications occurred in 118 of the 229 patients (51.5%). Of these, 89 were grade 1 complications, 49 were grade 2 complications, and 29 were grade 3b complications. No gastrostomy‐related deaths were observed, and no single preoperative risk factor was identified. Perioperative complications were experienced by 2.6% of the patients.

Conclusion

Gastrostomy feeding tube placement was associated with a high rate of postoperative complications of various grades when the pull‐through method was the standard procedure. A consensus on how to report and grade complications arising from this procedure is warranted.
The role of neuropeptide W in energy homeostasis
Authors: Li H. , Kentish S. J. , Wittert G. A. , Page A. J.
Published: April 2017

Neuropeptide W is the endogenous ligand for G‐protein‐coupled receptors GPR7 and GPR8. In this review, we summarize findings on the distribution of neuropeptide W and its receptors in the central nervous system and the periphery, and discuss the role of NPW in food intake and energy homeostasis.
Editorial: latent class analysis to improve confidence in the diagnosis of IBS
Authors: Ballou S. , Lembo A.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Sood et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14012 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13949.
Editorial: further evidence for the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques to monitor NAFLD
Authors: Mansour D. , McPherson S.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Lin and Loomba, and Lin et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14037 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13951.
Editorial: are earlier referrals to transplant centres responsible for improved outcomes in patients with acute liver failure?
Authors: Brandman D.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Donnelly et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14009 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13943.
Editorial: international consensus in clinical trial end‐points in ulcerative colitis – clarity or just a step in clearing the fog?
Authors: Christensen B. , Sparrow M. P.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Vuitton et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13948.
Editorial: latent class analysis to improve confidence in the diagnosis of IBS – authors’ reply
Authors: Sood R. , Gracie D. J. , Gold M. J. , To N. , Pinto‐Sanchez M. I. , Bercik P. , Moayyedi P. , Ford A. C. , Law G. R.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Ballou and Lembo, and Sood et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14002 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13949.
Editorial: diet, inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Quigley E. M. M.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Cremon et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13958.
Editorial: infliximab trough cut‐off for perianal Crohn's disease – another piece of the therapeutic drug monitoring‐guided infliximab dosing puzzle
Authors: Mitrev N. , Kariyawasam V. , Leong R. W.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Yarur et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13970.
Editorial: rethinking predictors of response to the low FODMAP diet – should we retire fructose and lactose breath‐hydrogen testing and concentrate on visceral hypersensitivity?
Authors: Tuck C. J. , McNamara L. S. , Gibson P. R.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Wilder‐Smith et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14041 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13978.
Letter: is nucleoside analogue treatment associated with a reduction in overall liver cancer incidence?
Authors: Xuan Y. , Li G. , Yang N.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Seto et al paper. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13895.
Letter: hepatocellular carcinoma risk after hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance – authors’ reply
Authors: Gounder P. P. , Mosites E. M. , McMahon B. J.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Jiang et al and Gounder et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13983 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13621.
Editorial: combining elastography with blood test for fibrosis assessment in chronic hepatitis C – authors’ reply
Authors: Calès P. , Boursier J.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Trivedi and Lai, and Calès et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14011 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13954.
Editorial: further evidence for the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques to monitor NAFLD – authors’ reply
Authors: Lin S. C. , Loomba R.
Published: April 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Mansour and McPherson, and Lin et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14005 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13951.