bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secular Stagnation: Determinants and Consequences for Australia
Authors: Taylor Grace , Tyers Rod
Published: September 2017

Slack OECD economic performance and weaker macroeconomic policy support Summers's reuse of the phrase ‘secular stagnation’. Globalisation has redirected growth towards emerging economies, and anticipated rates of return on investment are impaired by perceived risk, institutionalised risk aversion, ageing and dependency, declining commitments to public investment and research and development with rising shares directed to health, retained trade distortions, industrial concentration and slower human capital accumulation, not to mention unexpected global abundance of fossil fuels and a slower Chinese economy. The information and literature supporting these concerns is reviewed and implications for global and Australian policy are inferred.
The role of herbivore‐ and plant‐related experiences in intraspecific host preference of a relatively specialized parasitoid
Authors: Morawo Tolulope , Fadamiro Henry
Published: September 2017

Parasitoids use odor cues from infested plants and herbivore hosts to locate their hosts. Specialist parasitoids of generalist herbivores are predicted to rely more on herbivore‐derived cues than plant‐derived cues. Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a relatively specialized larval endoparasitoid of Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is a generalist herbivore on several crops including cotton and soybean. Using M. croceipes/H. virescens as a model system, we tested the following predictions about specialist parasitoids of generalist herbivores: (i) naive parasitoids will show innate responses to herbivore‐emitted kairomones, regardless of host plant identity and (ii) herbivore‐related experience will have a greater influence on intraspecific oviposition preference than plant‐related experience. Inexperienced (naive) female M. croceipes did not discriminate between cotton‐fed and soybean‐fed H. virescens in oviposition choice tests, supporting our first prediction. Oviposition experience alone with either host group influenced subsequent oviposition preference while experience with infested plants alone did not elicit preference in M. croceipes, supporting our second prediction. Furthermore, associative learning of oviposition with host‐damaged plants facilitated host location. Interestingly, naive parasitoids attacked more soybean‐fed than cotton‐fed host larvae in two‐choice tests when a background of host‐infested cotton odor was supplied, and vice versa. This suggests that plant volatiles may have created an olfactory contrast effect. We discussed ecological significance of the results and concluded that both plant‐ and herbivore‐related experiences play important role in parasitoid host foraging.
Characteristics and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Japanese Patients Undergoing Dialysis
Authors: Toyoda Hidenori , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Toshifumi , Michitaka Kojiro , Takaguchi Koichi , Tsuji Kunihiko , Itobayashi Ei , Takizawa Daichi , Hirooka Masashi , Koizumi Yohei , Ochi Hironori , Joko Koji , Kisaka Yoshiyasu , Shimizu Yuko , Tajiri Kazuto , Tani Joji , Taniguchi Tatsuya , Toshimori Akiko , Fujioka Shinichi , Kumada Takashi
Published: September 2017

Patients with end‐stage renal disease who are undergoing dialysis may be at high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the characteristics and prognosis of HCC in patients undergoing dialysis in Japan. Patients characteristics, progression of HCC at diagnosis, and survival rates after diagnosis were compared between 108 HCC patients undergoing dialysis and 526 non‐dialysis patients followed up at liver center. The comparisons were also performed after adjusting for patient age, gender, platelet count, and etiology using propensity‐score matching. HCC was more advanced in patients undergoing dialysis than in non‐dialysis controls. The 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates of patients undergoing dialysis were 56.3% and 38.3%, respectively, which were lower than those of non‐dialysis controls (66.5% and 52.7%, respectively, P = 0.0026). The results were the same after propensity score matching (P = 0.0014). In Japan, HCC was more advanced at diagnosis in patients undergoing dialysis in comparison to HCC in patients at liver centers, resulting in a lower survival rate after diagnosis.
Characterization of a d‐Lactate Dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus fermentum JN248 with High Phenylpyruvate Reductive Activity
Authors: Chen Lixia , Bai Yajun , Fan Tai‐Ping , Zheng Xiaohui , Cai Yujie
Published: September 2017

Phenyllactic acid (PLA) is a novel antimicrobial compound. A novel NADH‐dependent d‐lactate dehydrogenase (d‐LDH), named as LF‐d‐LDH0653, with high phenylpyruvate (PPA) reducing activity was isolated from Lactobacillus fermentum JN248. Its optimum pH and temperature were 8.0 and 50 °C, respectively. The Michaelis–Menten constant (Km), turnover number (kcat), and catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for NADH were 1.20 mmol/L, 67.39 s−1, and 56.16 (mmol/L)−1 s−1, respectively. The (Km), (kcat), and (kcat/Km) for phenylpyruvate were 1.68 mmol/L, 122.66 s−1, and 73.01 (mmol/L)−1 s−1, respectively. This enzyme can catalyze phenylpyruvate and the product presented excellent optical purity (enantioselectivity >99%). The results suggest that LF‐d‐LDH0653 is a promising biocatalyst for the efficient synthesis of optically pure d‐PLA.

Practical Application

A novel d‐LDH with phenylpyruvate reducing activity has been isolated and identified. It could be used as a reference for improving the production of optically pure d‐PLA. d‐PLA has a potential for application as antimicrobial an agent in dairy industry and baking industry, pharmaceutical agent in medicine and cosmetics.
Setting research priorities in tobacco control: a stakeholder engagement project
Authors: Lindson Nicola , Richards‐Doran Dan , Heath Laura , Hartmann‐Boyce Jamie ,   on behalf of the CTAG taps team
Published: September 2017

Background and Aims

The Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group (TAG) conducts systematic reviews of the evidence for tobacco cessation and prevention interventions. In 2016 TAG conducted a priority‐setting, stakeholder engagement project to identify where further research is needed in the areas of tobacco control and smoking cessation.

Design

The project comprised two surveys and a workshop. A range of stakeholders participated, including members of the public (smokers and ex‐smokers), clinicians, researchers, research funders, health‐care commissioners and public health organizations. The first survey phase identified unanswered research questions in the field of tobacco control. The second phase asked participants to rank these, with overall rankings calculated by combining scores across participants. The workshop allowed attendees to discuss prioritization of topics and questions in more depth. Workshop discussions were transcribed and analysed thematically, and a final voting activity at the close of the workshop allowed participants to choose topics to prioritize and to de‐prioritize.

Findings

A total of 304 stakeholders (researchers, health professionals, smokers and ex‐smokers, guideline developers, research funders and policymakers, representing 28 countries) identified 183 unanswered research questions. These were categorized into 15 research categories. A total of 175 participants prioritized categories and questions in the second survey phase, with ‘electronic cigarettes’; ‘addressing inequalities’; and ‘mental health and other substance abuse’ prioritized as the top three categories. Forty‐three stakeholders attended the workshop and discussed reasons for and against category prioritization. Prioritized research categories largely mirrored those in the survey stage, although ‘treatment delivery’ also emerged as a key category. Five cross‐cutting themes emerged: efficacy; relative efficacy; cost effectiveness; addressing inequalities; and different types of evidence.

Conclusions

There are many unanswered questions in the field of tobacco control. Stakeholders highlighted electronic cigarettes, addressing inequalities and mental health and other substance abuse as key areas for further research, and efficacy, relative efficacy, cost‐effectiveness and use of non‐randomized studies as important themes cutting across research areas. Future prioritization work would benefit from targeting non‐US and non‐UK stakeholders explicitly and from examining where priorities may differ based on stakeholder group.
Complete response in a patient with stage IV adrenocortical carcinoma treated with adjuvant trans‐catheter arterial chemo‐embolization (TACE)
Authors: Wong Eugene , Jacques Sarah , Bennett Michael , Gorolay Vineet , Lee Adrian , Clarke Stephen
Published: September 2017

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare cancer, with estimate population incidence of 0.7–2.0 cases per 1 million each year. It also carries poor prognosis with estimated 5‐year survival of less than 15% of those with metastatic disease and has a poor response to cytotoxic treatment. A randomized controlled trial published in 2012 by Fassnacht et al. demonstrated improved progression‐free survival with first‐line etoposide‐doxirubicin‐cisplatin‐mitotane (EDP‐M) compared to first‐line streptozocin–mitotane in patients with stage III–IV disease.

We report a case of a 25‐year‐old female diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma with liver and lung metastases treated with adjuvant EDP‐M chemotherapy. During her treatment, the patient experienced ongoing significant liver‐associated burden of disease, which prompted a trial of trans‐hepatic arterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin and mitomycin. The patient subsequently experienced complete remission of disease at 18 months with no fludeoxyglucose (FDG) avid lesions on PET/CT.
Preschool children living in joint physical custody arrangements show less psychological symptoms than those living mostly or only with one parent
Authors: Bergström Malin , Fransson Emma , Fabian Helena , Hjern Anders , Sarkadi Anna , Salari Raziye
Published: September 2017

Aim

Joint physical custody (JPC), where children spend about equal time in both parent's homes after parental separation, is increasing. The suitability of this practice for preschool children, with a need for predictability and continuity, has been questioned.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, we used data on 3656 Swedish children aged three to five years living in intact families, JPC, mostly with one parent or single care. Linear regression analyses were conducted with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, completed by parents and preschool teachers, as the outcome measure.

Results

Children in JPC showed less psychological problems than those living mostly (adjusted B 1.81; 95% CI [0.66 to 2.95]) or only with one parent (adjusted B 1.94; 95% CI [0.75 to 3.13]), in parental reports. In preschool teacher reports, the adjusted Betas were 1.27, 95% CI [0.14 to 2.40] and 1.41, 95% CI [0.24 to 2.58], respectively. In parental reports, children in JPC and those in intact families had similar outcomes, while teachers reported lower unadjusted symptom scores for children in intact families.

Conclusion

Joint physical custody arrangements were not associated with more psychological symptoms in children aged 3–5, but longitudinal studies are needed to account for potential preseparation differences.
Editorial: subgroups in irritable bowel syndrome—more than just diarrhoea and constipation?
Authors: Black C. J. , Ford A. C.
Published: September 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Polster et al and Patel et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14260 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13074.
Letter: the potential risk of HBV reactivation in patients with resolved HBV infection during direct‐acting antiviral therapy – authors' reply
Authors: Mücke M. M. , Mücke V. T. , Vermehren J.
Published: September 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Huang et al, and Mücke et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14227 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14177.
Letter: the importance of dosing and baseline haemoglobin when establishing the relative efficacy of intravenous iron therapies—authors' reply
Authors: Aksan A. , Işık H. , Radeke H. H. , Dignass A. , Stein J.
Published: September 2017

Linked Content

This article is linked to Reinisch and Lindgren, and Aksan et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14236 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14043.
Introduced and native herbivores have different effects on plant composition in low productivity ecosystems
Authors: Travers Samantha K. , Eldridge David J. , Dorrough Josh , Val James , Oliver Ian
Published: September 2017

Questions

Understanding how livestock grazing alters plant composition in low productivity environments is critical to managing livestock sustainably alongside native and introduced wild herbivore populations. We asked four questions: (1) does recent livestock and rabbit grazing reduce some plant attributes more strongly than others; (2) does grazing by introduced herbivores (i.e. livestock and rabbits) affect plants more strongly than native herbivores (i.e. kangaroos); (3) do the effects of recent livestock grazing differ from the legacy effects of livestock grazing; and (4) does the probability of occurrence of exotic plants increase with increasing net primary productivity (NPP)?

Location

South‐eastern Australia.

Methods

We measured the recent grazing activity of co‐occurring livestock (cattle, sheep, goats), rabbits and kangaroos by counting faecal pellets; historic grazing activity by measuring livestock tracks; and derived NPP from satellite imagery. We used a hierarchical GLMM to simultaneously model the presence or absence (i.e. probability of occurrence) of all plant species as a function of their attributes (growth form, lifespan and origin) to assess their average response to recent grazing, historic grazing and productivity in a broad‐scale regional study.

Results

Recent and historic livestock grazing, rabbit grazing and increasing NPP reduced the average probability of occurrence of plant species, although responses varied among plant attributes. Both recent and historic livestock grazing strongly reduced the average probability of occurrence of native species, and forbs and geophytes, but differed in their relative effects on other growth forms. Recent livestock grazing, rabbit grazing and NPP had similar effects, strongly reducing native species and forbs, geophytes, shrubs and sub‐shrubs. The overall effects of recent kangaroo grazing were relatively weak, with no clear trends for any given plant attribute.

Conclusion

Our results highlight the complex nature of grazing by introduced herbivores compared with native herbivores on different plant attributes. Land managers need to be aware that domestic European livestock, rabbits and other free‐ranging introduced livestock such as goats have detrimental impacts on native plant communities. Our results also show that kangaroo grazing has a relatively benign effect on plant occurrence.
Are the assemblages of tree pollination modes being recovered by tropical forest restoration?
Authors: Montoya‐Pfeiffer Paula María , Rodrigues Ricardo Ribeiro , Metzger Jean Paul , da Silva Claudia Inês , Santos Baquero Oswaldo , Alves dos Santos Isabel
Published: September 2017

Questions

Do the assemblages of pollination modes in restored (tree plantings) and secondary (naturally regenerated) forests change in comparison to primary forests, and how do these assemblages relate to species turnover at regional scale?

Location

Southeast region of Brazil.

Methods

We classified tree species found in a total of 40 forest sites (18 primary, 11 restored, 11 secondary) according to pollination mode, based on the literature. We calculated and compared functional dissimilarity distances, amounts of species and accumulated abundance of pollination modes, and functional indices of richness and evenness between forest types.

Results

Functional dissimilarity distances were much smaller than species dissimilarity distances within forest types (mean <20%, >80%, respectively), indicating a small variation in pollination modes between sites. Functional indices of richness and evenness did not differ between forest types. However, significant changes were found in the species and abundance proportions of several pollination modes. Primary forests were characterized by the predominance of generalized insect‐pollinated species, followed by secondary proportions of bee, wind and moth pollination; other pollination modes were underrepresented. In restored forests, reductions were found in generalized insect, moth, wind, fly, pollen‐consuming insect and very‐small insect pollination, whereas the species pollinated by bees and bats more than doubled. Smaller changes were found among secondary forests, including reductions in moth, fly and fig‐wasp pollination, whereas there were incremental changes in bee, beetle, big animal and small insect pollination.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a rather stable assemblage of pollination modes and also high ecological redundancy among trees regardless of the species replacement at the regional scale. Major changes among restored forests are probably in response to larger disturbance effects and/or restoration practices conducted in these sites. In contrast, smaller changes among secondary forests could be in response to smaller disturbance effects and natural selection processes, and also seem to suggest that highly resilient degraded areas are more likely to recuperate their functional diversity through natural regeneration alone. In both cases, however, efforts to recover such patterns should be encouraged to avoid possible negative effects in plant–pollinator interactions.
Formyl Peptide Receptors in Mice and Men: Similarities and Differences in Recognition of Conventional Ligands and Modulating Lipopeptides
Authors: Winther Malene , Dahlgren Claes , Forsman Huamei
Published: September 2017

The pattern recognition formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) belong to the class of G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest group of cell surface receptors involved in a range of physiological processes and pathologies. The FPRs have regulatory function in the initiation as well as resolution of inflammatory reactions, making them highly interesting as targets for drug development. Recent research in the GPCR/FPR fields has uncovered novel receptor biology concepts, including biased signalling/functional selectivity, allosteric modulation, receptor reactivation and receptor cross‐talk. When it comes to allosteric modulators, ‘tailor‐made’ lipopeptides (pepducins and lipopeptoids) represent a novel concept of GPCR/FPR regulation. This MiniReview is focused on the basis for recognition of conventional ligands and immunomodulating lipopeptides, novel allosteric modulators for the FPRs, receptors that are highly expressed by both human and mouse neutrophils. The FPRs play key roles in host defence against microbial infections, tissue homeostasis and the initiation as well as resolution of inflammation but there are both similarities and differences in ligand recognition between mice and men. Thus, identification and functional characterization of activating and inhibiting ligands should provide insights into future design of FPR‐based animal models of human diseases and development of therapeutics for treating inflammatory diseases.
Melatonin: does it have utility in the treatment of haematological neoplasms?
Authors: Li Tian , Yang Zhi , Jiang Shuai , Di Wencheng , Ma Zhiqiang , Hu Wei , Chen Fulin , Reiter Russel J , Yang Yang
Published: September 2017

Melatonin, discovered in 1958 in the bovine pineal tissue, is an indoleamine that modulates circadian rhythms and has a wide variety of other functions. Haematological neoplasms are the leading cause of death in children and adolescents throughout the world. Research has demonstrated that melatonin is a low‐toxicity protective molecule against experimental haematological neoplasms, but the mechanisms remain poorly defined. Here, we provide an introduction to haematological neoplasms and melatonin, especially as they relate to the actions of melatonin on haematological carcinogenesis. Secondly, we summarize what is known about the mechanisms of action of melatonin in the haematological system, including its pro‐apoptotic, pro‐oxidative, anti‐proliferative and immunomodulatory actions. Thirdly, we discuss the advantages of melatonin in combination with other drugs against haematological malignancy, as well as its other benefits on the haematological system. Finally, we summarize the findings that are contrary to the suppressive effects of melatonin on cancers of haematological origin. We hope that this information will be helpful in the design of studies related to the therapeutic efficacy of melatonin in haematological neoplasms.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Recent Developments in Research of Melatonin and its Potential Therapeutic Applications. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.16/issuetoc
A hot lunch for herbivores: physiological effects of elevated temperatures on mammalian feeding ecology
Authors: Beale Phillipa K. , Marsh Karen J. , Foley William J. , Moore Ben D.
Published: September 2017

Mammals maintain specific body temperatures (Tb) across a broad range of ambient temperatures. The energy required for thermoregulation ultimately comes from the diet, and so what animals eat is inextricably linked to thermoregulation. Endothermic herbivores must balance energy requirements and expenditure with complicated thermoregulatory challenges from changing thermal, nutritional and toxicological environments. In this review we provide evidence that plant‐based diets can influence thermoregulation beyond the control of herbivores, and that this can render them susceptible to heat stress. Notably, herbivorous diets often require specialised digestive systems, are imbalanced, and contain plant secondary metabolites (PSMs). PSMs in particular are able to interfere with the physiological processes responsible for thermoregulation, for example by uncoupling mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, binding to thermoreceptors, or because the pathways required to detoxify PSMs are thermogenic. It is likely, therefore, that increased ambient temperatures due to climate change may have greater and more‐specific impacts on herbivores than on other mammals, and that managing internal and external heat loads under these conditions could drive changes in feeding ecology.
Diabetic retinopathy screening using deep neural network
Authors: Ramachandran Nishanthan , Hong Sheng Chiong , Sime Mary J , Wilson Graham A
Published: September 2017

Importance

There is a burgeoning interest in the use of deep neural network in diabetic retinal screening.

Background

To determine whether a deep neural network could satisfactorily detect diabetic retinopathy that requires referral to an ophthalmologist from a local diabetic retinal screening programme and an international database.

Design

Retrospective audit.

Participants

Diabetic retinal photos from Otago database photographed during October 2016 (485 photos), and 1200 photos from Messidor international database.

Methods

Receiver operating characteristic curve to illustrate the ability of a deep neural network to identify referable diabetic retinopathy (moderate or worse diabetic retinopathy or exudates within one disc diameter of the fovea).

Main Outcome Measures

Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity and specificity.

Results

For detecting referable diabetic retinopathy, the deep neural network had an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.901 (95% confidence interval 0.807–0.995), with 84.6% sensitivity and 79.7% specificity for Otago and 0.980 (95% confidence interval 0.973–0.986), with 96.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity for Messidor.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study has shown that a deep neural network can detect referable diabetic retinopathy with sensitivities and specificities close to or better than 80% from both an international and a domestic (New Zealand) database. We believe that deep neural networks can be integrated into community screening once they can successfully detect both diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema.
Misdiagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients receiving no local‐regional therapy prior to liver transplant: An analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network explant pathology form
Authors: Mehta Neil , Dodge Jennifer L. , Roberts John P. , Hirose Ryutaro , Yao Francis Y.
Published: September 2017

Patients with T1 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not eligible for Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) exception for liver transplant (LT) in part due to a high rate of misdiagnosis (no HCC on explant). The likelihood of misdiagnosis for T2 HCC and factors associated with misdiagnosis are unknown. We analyzed the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database including 5664 adults who underwent LT from 2012 to 2015 with MELD exception for T2 HCC, and searched for no evidence of HCC in the explant pathology file. We focused on those (n = 324) receiving no local‐regional therapy (LRT) to evaluate the probability of no HCC found in explant. Median waiting time was short at 1.7 months, and 35 (11%) had no HCC on explant. On multivariable logistic regression, factors associated with no HCC on explant were age <50 (OR: 17.3, P < .001), non‐HCV (OR: 5.4, P = .001), and alpha‐fetoprotein <10 (OR: 2.9, P = .04). Tumor size and number were not different between groups. The proportion of misdiagnosis did not change significantly after implementation of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI‐RADS) for HCC diagnosis. Conclusion: The rate of misdiagnosis was 11% among T2 HCC patients who underwent LT without receiving LRT prior to LT and did not change significantly after implementation of LI‐RADS. More efforts are needed to eliminate unnecessary LT for patients without HCC.
Outcome of kidney transplant in primary, repeat, and kidney‐after‐nonrenal solid‐organ transplantation: 15‐year analysis of recent UNOS database
Authors: El‐Husseini A. , Aghil A. , Ramirez J. , Sawaya B. , Rajagopalan N. , Baz M. , Mei X. , Davenport D. L. , Gedaly R.
Published: September 2017

The number of nonrenal solid‐organ transplants increased substantially in the last few decades. Many of these patients develop renal failure and receive kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and kidney allograft survival in primary, repeat, and kidney‐after‐nonrenal organ transplantation using national data reported to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) from January 2000 through December 2014. Survival time for each patient was stratified into the following: Group A (comparison group)—recipients of primary kidney transplant (178 947 patients), Group B—recipients of repeat kidney transplant (17 819 patients), and Group C—recipients of kidney transplant performed after either a liver, heart, or lung transplant (2365 patients). We compared survivals using log‐rank test. Compared to primary or repeat kidney transplant, patient and renal allograft survival was significantly lower in those with previous nonrenal organ transplant. Renal allograft and patient survival after liver, heart, or lung transplants are comparable. Death was the main cause of graft loss in patients who had prior nonrenal organ transplant.
How alcohol industry organisations mislead the public about alcohol and cancer
Authors: Petticrew Mark , Maani Hessari Nason , Knai Cécile , Weiderpass Elisabete
Published: September 2017

Introduction and Aims

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of several types of cancer, including several common cancers. As part of their corporate social responsibility activities, the alcohol industry (AI) disseminates information about alcohol and cancer. We examined the information on this which the AI disseminates to the public through its ‘social aspects and public relations organizations’ and related bodies. The aim of the study was to determine its comprehensiveness and accuracy.

Design and Methods

Qualitative analysis of websites and documents from 27 AI organisations. All text relating to cancer was extracted and analysed thematically.

Results

Most of the organisations were found to disseminate misrepresentations of the evidence about the association between alcohol and cancer. Three main industry strategies were identified: (i) denial/omission: denying, omitting or disputing the evidence that alcohol consumption increases cancer risk; (ii) distortion: mentioning cancer, but misrepresenting the risk; and (iii) distraction: focussing discussion away from the independent effects of alcohol on common cancers. Breast cancer and colorectal cancer appeared to be a particular focus for this misrepresentation.

Discussion and Conclusions

The AI appears to be engaged in the extensive misrepresentation of evidence about the alcohol‐related risk of cancer. These activities have parallels with those of the tobacco industry. This finding is important because the industry is involved in developing alcohol policy in many countries, and in disseminating health information to the public, including schoolchildren. Policymakers, academics, public health and other practitioners should reconsider the appropriateness of their relationships to these AI bodies.
Elevated seasonal temperatures eliminate thermal barriers of reproduction of a dominant invasive species: A community state change for northern communities?
Authors: Dijkstra Jennifer A. , Westerman Erica L. , Harris Larry G.
Published: September 2017

Aim

Couple field and modelling studies to evaluate the effects of rising water temperature on reproduction of a dominant marine species and how temperature induced changes in a species' phenology may affect fouling communities that occur along a temperature gradient.

Location

North western Atlantic.

Methods

We examined the interaction between maximum and seasonal elevations in seawater temperature and reproductive phenology of a global invader to forecast the effect of climate warming on traits associated with the spread and establishment (i.e., growth and reproduction) of an invasive species. We then coupled these data with a study of early succession along a temperature gradient to forecast invasion success in species assemblages across a range of latitudes.

Results

Elevated seasonal temperature will lead to greater asexual reproduction and to multi‐annual sexual reproduction in areas that currently have bi‐annual or annual reproduction. The output from our model combined with our field studies of early succession in communities suggest that in colder environments, communities may be more affected by climate‐induced shifts in reproductive phenology as they have more free space at the beginning of the growing season and fewer competitively superior species.

Main conclusions

Predicted elevated water temperature will eliminate the thermal barriers that limit reproductive success of a cosmopolitan invasive species. Increased reproduction combined with limited biological resistance in regions with cooler water temperatures may lead to a community state change.
Assessing land‐use effects on European plant diversity using a biome‐specific countryside species–area model
Authors: Gerstner Katharina , Levers Christian , Kuemmerle Tobias , Václavík Tomáš , Pereira Henrique M. , Seppelt Ralf
Published: September 2017

Aim

Land‐use change is considered a major threat to biodiversity. Species–area relationships (SARs), which are often used to assess biodiversity changes, assume that land use leads to the loss of natural habitats. Yet, in regions with long land‐use histories, such as Europe, many species have persisted in, or even depend on, landscapes heavily influenced by land use (i.e., countryside landscapes). Here, we develop a SAR model that considers the conservation value of such landscapes, and we assess how land use affects plant‐species richness at broad spatial scales.

Location

Countries in the European Union (EU‐27).

Methods

We first predicted species richness at a 50 × 50 km resolution using a biome‐specific SAR and used these predictions as a baseline estimate for (semi‐)natural vegetation. Then, we parameterized a countryside SAR (sensu Pereira & Daily, 2006) with habitat affinities derived from a meta‐analysis. We estimated changes in species richness as the difference in predictions between the two SAR models.

Results

At a 50 × 50 km resolution, predicted species richness has increased by up to 184 species due to land use in 73% of all cells across Europe compared to the (semi‐)natural baseline. However, our model also highlights regions with dramatic species losses (in 25% of cells, losses of up to 900 species) due to an unfavourable combination of land‐use changes. Averaged across all cells, we predict a loss of 26 plant species (SD = 119, median = 49).

Main conclusions

Adopting the countryside SAR model to broader spatial scales overcomes the unrealistic assumptions of previous approaches about generally negative effects of land use. Our approach predicts how local‐scale land‐use effects translate to biodiversity changes at broader geographic scales. Thus, it allows land‐use scenarios being studied in relation to their trade‐offs with biodiversity and can be used to target conservation efforts across large areas.
Role of G‐proteins in islet function in health and diabetes
Authors: Kowluru Anjaneyulu
Published: September 2017

Glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) involves interplay between metabolic and cationic events. Seminal contributions from multiple laboratories affirm essential roles for small G‐proteins (Rac1, Cdc42, Arf6, Rab27A) in GSIS. Activation of these signalling proteins promotes cytoskeletal remodeling, transport and docking of insulin granules on the plasma membrane for exocytotic secretion of insulin. Evidence in rodent and human islets suggests key roles for lipidation (farnesylation and geranylgeranylation) of these G‐proteins for their targeting to appropriate cellular compartments for optimal regulation of effectors leading to GSIS. Interestingly, however, inhibition of prenylation appears to cause mislocalization of non‐prenylated, but (paradoxically) activated G‐proteins, in “inappropriate” compartments leading to activation of stress kinases and onset of mitochondrial defects, loss in GSIS and apoptosis of the islet β‐cell. This review highlights our current understanding of roles of G‐proteins and their post‐translational lipidation (prenylation) signalling networks in islet function in normal health, metabolic stress (glucolipotoxicity and ER stress) and diabetes. Critical knowledge gaps that need to be addressed for the development of therapeutics to halt defects in these signalling steps in β‐cells in models of impaired insulin secretion and diabetes are also highlighted and discussed.
NMDAR antagonists for the treatment of diabetes mellitus—Current status and future directions
Authors: Welters Alena , Klüppel Carina , Mrugala Jessica , Wörmeyer Laura , Meissner Thomas , Mayatepek Ertan , Heiss Christian , Eberhard Daniel , Lammert Eckhard
Published: September 2017

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronically elevated blood glucose levels accelerated by a progressive decline of insulin‐producing β‐cells in the pancreatic islets. Although medications are available to transiently adjust blood glucose to normal levels, the effects of current drugs are limited when it comes to preservation of a critical mass of functional β‐cells to sustainably maintain normoglycemia. In this review, we recapitulate recent evidence on the role of pancreatic N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in β‐cell physiology, and summarize effects of morphinan‐based NMDAR antagonists that are beneficial for insulin secretion, glucose tolerance and islet cell survival. We further discuss NMDAR‐mediated molecular pathways relevant for neuronal cell survival, which may also be important for the preservation of β‐cell function and mass. Finally, we summarize the literature for evidence on the role of NMDARs in the development of diabetic long‐term complications, and highlight beneficial pharmacologic aspects of NMDAR antagonists in diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy as well as neuropathy.
Clinical psychopathology in youth at familial high risk for psychosis
Authors: Shah Jai L. , Tandon Neeraj , Montrose Debra M. , Mermon Diana , Eack Shaun M. , Miewald Jean , Keshavan Matcheri S.
Published: September 2017

Aim

While the course of psychopathology has been explored from an index mental health diagnosis onwards, there are few detailed, prospective studies of the occurrence of clinical psychopathology in youth with familial risk for severe mental illnesses such as psychosis. We sought to describe the appearance of Axis I psychopathology in a unique sample of adolescents with a family history of schizophrenia (FHR).

Methods

One hundred and sixty two first‐ and second‐degree relatives (mean age 15.7 ± 3.6; range 8‐25) of probands with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were assessed at baseline and annual intervals for up to 3 years, focusing on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM‐IV‐TR) Axis I psychopathology.

Results

Fourteen individuals (8.6%) developed a psychotic disorder. One hundred and five subjects (65%) met criteria for an Axis I disorder over the course of the study, the most common of which was a depressive episode (40 subjects; 25%). Of the 148 individuals who did not develop psychosis, 91 (61%) had one or more Axis I disorders compared with 10/14 converters who had a comorbid Axis I disorder (71%). Ordered by increasing age of onset, diagnoses included cognitive and externalizing disorders, anxiety disorders, affective disorders, substance use disorders and psychotic disorders.

Conclusions

In addition to an elevated risk of psychosis, young FHR relatives manifest a broad range of non‐psychotic Axis I psychopathology in childhood and adolescence. This breadth of diagnoses has implications for the structure and function of mental health services for young people.
Stereo‐EEG: Diagnostic and therapeutic tool for periventricular nodular heterotopia epilepsies
Authors: Mirandola Laura , Mai Roberto F. , Francione Stefano , Pelliccia Veronica , Gozzo Francesca , Sartori Ivana , Nobili Lino , Cardinale Francesco , Cossu Massimo , Meletti Stefano , Tassi Laura
Published: September 2017

Objective

Periventricular nodular heterotopias (PNHs) are malformations of cortical development related to neuronal migration disorders, frequently associated with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). Stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) is considered a very effective step of the presurgical evaluation, providing the recognition of the epileptogenic zone (EZ). At the same time, via the intracerebral electrodes it is possible to perform radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SEEG‐guided RF‐TC) with the aim of ablating and/or disrupting the EZ. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the relationships between PNH and the EZ, and the efficacy of SEEG‐guided RF‐TC.

Methods

Twenty patients with DRE related to PNHs were studied. Inclusion criteria were the following: (1) patients with epilepsy and PNHs (unilateral or bilateral, single or multiple nodules) diagnosed on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (2) SEEG recordings available as part of the presurgical investigations, with at least one intracerebral electrode inside the heterotopia; (3) complete surgical workup with SEEG‐guided RF‐TC and/or with traditional neurosurgery, with a follow‐up of at least 12 months.

Results

Complex and heterogenic epileptic networks were found in these patients. SEEG‐guided RF‐TC both into the nodules and/or the cortex was efficacious in the 76% of patients. Single or multiple, unilateral or bilateral PNHs are the most suitable for this procedure, whereas patients with PNHs associated with complex cortical malformations obtained excellent outcome only with traditional resective surgery.

Significance

Each patient had a specific epileptogenic network, independent from the number, size, or location of nodules and from the cortical malformation associated with. SEEG‐guided RF‐TC appears as a new and very effective diagnostic and therapeutic approach for DRE related to PNHs.
“At Such a Good School, Everybody Needs It”: Contested Meanings of Prescription Stimulant Use in College Academics
Authors: Cooper Amy , McGee Lisa
Published: September 2017

Approximately 15% of US college students have used Adderall or other stimulant medications without a prescription or not as prescribed. The development of college academics into a field of practice amenable to unauthorized pharmaceutical intervention suggests a growing acceptance of pharmaceutical self‐fashioning among young people in the United States. However, analyzing illicit stimulant use from college students’ perspectives, we documented significant contestation over the practice's acceptability. For some, unauthorized stimulant use violated the rules of fair play, but for others it was an understandable strategy to gain an edge and maximize one's “return on investment.” Viewing college academics in market‐oriented terms encouraged students to understand illicit stimulant use as an expectable (if not always morally acceptable) strategy for managing the competition of college life and a postrecession job market. This analysis shows how the moral valence of unauthorized stimulant use is strongly shaped by the sociocultural context that shapes people's realities.
Leaving Family to Return to Family: Roots Migration Among Second‐Generation Italian‐Australians
Authors: Sala Emanuela , Baldassar Loretta
Published: September 2017

This article examines “roots migration” (visits and repatriations) of second‐generation Italian‐Australians to their ancestral homeland. Despite the current economic climate, these young adults have moved to Italy, hence their motivation for migration goes beyond economic drivers and is best explained by psychosocial factors. Drawing on ethnographic analysis, our aim is to highlight the importance of the dimension of the family, which has tended to be implicitly rather than explicitly studied, within the transnational social field and imaginary. Family is a somewhat contradictory factor that generates ties to the ancestral homeland, leading us to apply a psychosocial approach comprising an analysis of affective and relational dimensions through the lens offamilial habitus. Our findings highlight how family is the major motivation for roots migration involving an interconnected process of moving away from (the migrant) family and of moving to (the homeland) family as a culturally appropriate way of gaining independence.
Treatment of mycotic tracheitis in a horse with fluconazole and systemic iodine
Authors: Wallace M. A.
Published: September 2017

Fungal infections of the equine trachea have been rarely reported. This case report describes the successful treatment of a mare with fungal infection of the trachea that had severe diffuse granulomatous thickening, erosions and haemorrhage of the proximal half of the trachea. The horse was treated with oral fluconazole and systemic iodine therapy. Serial endoscopic examinations confirmed rapid resolution of the condition.
Influence of filler size on the mechanical properties of cement‐based composites
Authors: Restuccia L. , Ferro G.A.
Published: September 2017

Nano inclusion of various particles in cement‐based materials has been widely investigated during the last decade, as they have the capability to enhance several properties of composites. However, obtaining nano‐sized particles means a high expenditure of energy, related to their functionalization and grinding process.

The main theme of this research is to evaluate the mechanical properties of cement‐based composites with coarse particles of pyrolyzed hazelnut shells, already investigated at the nanoscale. In this research activity, the particle size distribution used is in the range from some micron up to 140 μm. The experimental results demonstrate that it is possible to use pyrolyzed materials with coarser particle size, guaranteeing the improvement of the mechanical properties in terms of flexural and compressive strength, but not in terms of ductility, as obtained by using smaller particles.
Natural disturbances are spatially diverse but temporally synchronized across temperate forest landscapes in Europe
Authors: Senf Cornelius , Seidl Rupert
Published: September 2017

Natural disturbance regimes are changing substantially in forests around the globe. However, large‐scale disturbance change is modulated by a considerable spatiotemporal variation within biomes. This variation remains incompletely understood particularly in the temperate forests of Europe, for which consistent large‐scale disturbance information is lacking. Here, our aim was to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of forest disturbances across temperate forest landscapes in Europe using remote sensing data and determine their underlying drivers. Specifically, we tested two hypotheses: (1) Topography determines the spatial patterns of disturbance, and (2) climatic extremes synchronize natural disturbances across the biome. We used novel Landsat‐based maps of forest disturbances 1986–2016 in combination with landscape analysis to compare spatial disturbance patterns across five unmanaged forest landscapes with varying topographic complexity. Furthermore, we analyzed annual estimates of disturbances for synchronies and tested the influence of climatic extremes on temporal disturbance patterns. Spatial variation in disturbance patterns was substantial across temperate forest landscapes. With increasing topographic complexity, natural disturbance patches were smaller, more complex in shape, more dispersed, and affected a smaller portion of the landscape. Temporal disturbance patterns, however, were strongly synchronized across all landscapes, with three distinct waves of high disturbance activity between 1986 and 2016. All three waves followed years of pronounced drought and high peak wind speeds. Natural disturbances in temperate forest landscapes of Europe are thus spatially diverse but temporally synchronized. We conclude that the ecological effect of natural disturbances (i.e., whether they are homogenizing a landscape or increasing its heterogeneity) is strongly determined by the topographic template. Furthermore, as the strong biome‐wide synchronization of disturbances was closely linked to climatic extremes, large‐scale disturbance episodes are likely in Europe's temperate forests under climate changes.