bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alanine aminotransferase course, serum hepatitis B virus DNA, and liver stiffness measurement for therapeutic decisions in hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai , Phisalprapa Pochamana , Pausawasdi Nonthalee , Rungkaew Pimpattana , Kajornvuthidej Sorrayut , Bandidniyamanon Wimolrak , Chotiyaputta Watcharasak , Chainuvati Siwaporn , Tanwandee Tawesak
Published: March 2016

Aim

To evaluate the utility of the combination of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) course, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level, and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) for determining significant liver disease in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative patients.

Methods

Three hundred and ninety nine consecutive HBeAg‐negative patients with HBV DNA >2000 IU/mL and documented serial measurements of ALT were enrolled to undergo LSM followed by liver biopsy.

Results

Using ALT <40 IU/L as a normal value, 142 patients had persistently normal ALT (PNALT), whereas 257 had persistently or intermittently elevated ALT (PIEALT) in the prior year. Among patients with HBV DNA of 2000–19 999, 20 000–199 999, and ≥200 000 IU/mL, significant pathological lesions defined as the presence of moderate to severe necroinflammation and/or significant fibrosis by METAVIR scoring was present in 40%, 45%, and 71% of the PIEALT group, and 15%, 31%, and 36% of the PNALT group, respectively. In PNALT patients with HBV DNA <20 000 IU/mL, liver biopsy could be avoided in 88% when LSM <7 kPa is used as an indicator of non‐significant liver histology but 12% of those who indeed had significant pathological lesions would be missed. In PIEALT patients with HBV DNA ≥20 000 IU/mL, the need for liver biopsy could be reduced by 53% with a false positive rate of 14% when LSM ≥7 kPa is used as a predictor of significant pathological lesions.

Conclusion

The combination of serial ALT, viral load, and LSM appears to be a promising non‐invasive tool. A management algorithm for HBeAg‐negative patients comprising these non‐invasive measures is proposed with liver biopsy being pursued in selected cases.
Nontoxic Processing of Reliable Macro‐Porous Ceramics
Authors: Salvini Vânia R. , Lasso Paulo R. O. , Luz Ana P. , Pandolfelli Victor C.
Published: March 2016

A direct‐foaming technique to produce macro‐porous ceramics is presented considering three key aspects: (i) a processing route without toxic additives, (ii) optimizing particle packing and dispersion of ceramic suspensions to obtain denser struts, and (iii) processing reliability for large‐scale production. To achieve the latter goal, specific foaming equipment was designed. Ceramics with large dimensions (250 × 60 × 110 mm3), high porosity level (>70%), homogeneous and narrower pore‐size distribution, high Weibull modulus (8 to 11), improved mechanical strength (3 to 15 MPa) for different compositions and low thermal conductivity at 1200°C (0.3 to 0.9 W/mK) were attained.
Characterisation of chickpea flour‐based gluten‐free batters and muffins with added biopolymers: rheological, physical and sensory properties
Authors: Herranz Beatriz , Canet Wenceslao , Jiménez María José , Fuentes Raúl , Alvarez María Dolores
Published: March 2016

Chickpea flour (CF)‐based muffin formulations were made with CF alone and with added biopolymers [whey protein (WP), xanthan gum (XG) and inulin (INL)] to evaluate their suitability to be a wheat flour (WF) substitute in muffins. Structural characteristics of the batters and muffins were studied by means of rheometry, microscopy, physicochemical properties, and texture and sensory analysis. Partial replacement of CF with XG, alone (at 0.5 and 1%) or blended with either WP or INL, significantly increased the batter viscoelasticity as denser matrices developed; moreover, the muffins with XG added at 1% had similar hardness to wheat gluten muffins. The replacement of WF decreased the springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, resilience and specific volume of the muffin. However, baked muffins with added XG also showed higher sensory sponginess and moisture associated with numerous air bubbles in the batter and were perceived to be easier to swallow and to have better general appearance.
Exploring complex pheromone biosynthetic processes in the bumblebee male labial gland by RNA sequencing
Authors: Buček A. , Brabcová J. , Vogel H. , Prchalová D. , Kindl J. , Valterová I. , Pichová I.
Published: March 2016

Male marking pheromones (MPs) are used by the majority of bumblebee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae), including a commercially important greenhouse pollinator, the buff‐tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), to attract conspecific females. MP biosynthetic processes in the cephalic part of the bumblebee male labial gland (LG) are of extraordinary complexity, involving enzymes of fatty acid and isoprenoid biosynthesis, which jointly produce more than 50 compounds. We employed a differential transcriptomic approach to identify candidate genes involved in MP biosynthesis by sequencing Bombus terrestris LG and fat body (FB) transcriptomes. We identified 12 454 abundantly expressed gene products (reads per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads value > 1) that had significant hits in the GenBank nonredundant database. Of these, 876 were upregulated in the LG (> 4‐fold difference). We identified more than 140 candidate genes potentially involved in MP biosynthesis, including esterases, fatty acid reductases, lipases, enzymes involved in limited fatty acid chain shortening, neuropeptide receptors and enzymes involved in biosynthesis of triacylglycerols, isoprenoids and fatty acids. For selected candidates, we confirmed their abundant expression in LG using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR (qRT‐PCR). Our study shows that the Bombus terrestris LG transcriptome reflects both fatty acid and isoprenoid MP biosynthetic processes and identifies rational gene targets for future studies to disentangle the molecular basis of MP biosynthesis. Additionally, LG and FB transcriptomes enrich the available transcriptomic resources for Bombus terrestris.
Commemorating the Rising: History, democracy and violence in Ireland
Authors: Jones Heather
Published: March 2016

As Ireland prepares to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, Heather Jones traces how this failed military insurrection against British rule – mounted by a small, unrepresentative minority of Irish republicans – has evolved as a source of pride, division and controversy across the island over the course of a tumultuous century.
Peeling the electoral onion: The many layers of the UK's May 2016 elections
Authors: Curtice John
Published: March 2016

This May, British voters will cast ballots for a smorgasbord of different institutions under a plethora of different systems. Given that politicians of all stripes will make claims of vindication and accusations of failure on the basis of these election results, pollster John Curtice explains what, if anything, the numbers will actually tell us.
Learnt and perceived professional roles of a new type of nurse specialized in Gerontology and Geriatrics, a qualitative study
Authors: Huizenga Petra , Finnema Evelyn , Roodbol Petrie
Published: March 2016

Aim

To gain insight into a new type of nurse specialized in gerontology and geriatrics, how they find meaning in the care of older persons and how this relates to the seven professional roles derived from the CanMEDS theoretical framework.

Background

To promote the quality of care for older persons in the Netherlands, one of the measures taken is the training and deployment of Registered Nurses specialized in Gerontology and Geriatrics. We focus on their professional roles in this study, to gain insight into the extent to which they fulfil their professional standards.

Design

A qualitative study, consisting of seven focus group interviews.

Methods

The study population included 67 Registered Nurses. Data were collected between October 2011–May 2013.

Findings

Nurses work in all seven CanMEDS roles, but not with all competences associated with these seven roles. The more distant the role is from patient activities, the less frequently competences such as social networks; design; research; innovation of care; legal, financial and organizational frameworks; professional ethics and professional innovation are mentioned.

Conclusion

Nurses engage in activities consistent with nursing care for older people; however, despite their training, they are mainly focused on direct‐patient care.

Their limited awareness of the complete range of professional competences risks the stagnation of their development in professional roles such as health advocate, scholar and professional, which will not lead to an improvement in the care for older persons.
What's So Bad About Killer Robots?
Authors: Leveringhaus Alex
Published: March 2016

Robotic warfare has now become a real prospect. One issue that has generated heated debate concerns the development of ‘Killer Robots’. These are weapons that, once programmed, are capable of finding and engaging a target without supervision by a human operator. From a conceptual perspective, the debate on Killer Robots has been rather confused, not least because it is unclear how central elements of these weapons can be defined. Offering a precise take on the relevant conceptual issues, the article contends that Killer Robots are best seen as executors of targeting decisions made by their human programmers. However, from a normative perspective, the execution of targeting decisions by Killer Robots should worry us. The article argues that what is morally bad about Killer Robots is that they replace human agency in warfare with artificial agency, a development which should be resisted. Finally, the article contends that the issue of agency points to a wider problem in just war theory, namely the role of moral rights in our normative reasoning on armed conflict.
Saplings or Caterpillars? Trying to Understand Children's Wellbeing
Authors: Tomlin Patrick
Published: March 2016

Is childhood valuable? And is childhood as, less, or more, valuable than adulthood? In this article I first delineate several different questions that we might be asking when we think about the ‘value of childhood’, and I explore some difficulties of doing so. I then focus on the question of whether childhood is good for the person who experiences it. I argue for two key claims. First, if childhood wellbeing is measured by the same standards as adulthood, then children are worse off than adults. Second, if childhood and adulthood wellbeing are measured by different standards, then we cannot compare them, and children are neither better off nor worse off than adults. This has some counter‐intuitive implications, such as that we do not harm persons by depriving them of a childhood, nor by keeping them as children for elongated periods.
Practitioner Review: On the trustworthiness of clinical practice guidelines – a systematic review of the quality of methods used to develop guidelines in child and youth mental health
Authors: Bennett Kathryn , Gorman Daniel A. , Duda Stephanie , Brouwers Melissa , Szatmari Peter
Published: March 2016

Background

Numerous practice guidelines (PGs) relevant to child and youth mental health (CYMH) are available, but their quality is uncertain. We used systematic review methodology to identify the methods employed to develop PGs in CYMH and assess whether they align with international quality standards.

Methods

We used prespecified inclusion criteria to search for CYMH PGs (2009–2014) in journals of professional associations or websites of organizations who produce or house PGs. Eligible PGs and organization websites were screened to identify PG development methods. Two reviewers assessed the alignment of the PG development methods with PG quality criteria using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) domains and Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards.

Results

Five sets of eligible development methods were identified in 70 eligible PGs. Three sets adhered to all (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) or most (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) AGREE II domains and IOM standards, and were used to develop 31.4% of PGs. The two remaining sets of development methods had important weaknesses (e.g. lack of mandatory rigorous systematic reviews, multidisciplinary development groups, or transparent conflict of interest methods) and were associated with 21.4% of PGs. No development methods could be identified in 40.0% of PGs; ineligible development methods were referenced in 7.1% of PGs.

Conclusions

Up to 69% of available CYMH PGs may have been developed using methods that do not align with AGREE II quality criteria or IOM standards. The quality of available CYMH PGs needs to be assessed, and strategies designed to guide practitioners to high quality PGs and facilitate adherence by PG developers to international quality standards are needed.
Model to Predict Growth/No Growth Interfaces of Enterococcus as A Function of NACl and NANO2
Authors: Lee Heeyoung , Gwak EunjI , Lee Soomin , Kim Sejeong , Lee Jeeyeon , Ha Jimyeong , Oh Mi‐hwa , Park Beom‐young , Yang Mihi , Choi Kyoung‐hee , Yoon Yohan
Published: March 2016

This study developed growth/no growth models to describe the effect of NaNO2 and NaCl on Enterococcus growth. Enterococcus spp. were incubated in deMan, Rogosa and Sharpe broth formulated with NaNO2 (0–210 ppm) and NaCl (0–1.75%) at 4–15C up to 1,080 h under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Growth responses (growth: 1 or no growth: 0) for all the combinations were collected. The growth response data (NaNO2 × NaCl × storage time) for each temperature and packaging condition were analyzed by logistic regression. The developed model showed that NaNO2 and NaCl influenced Enterococcus growth, but a combination effect of NaNO2 and NaCl was observed at 7C and 15C, and at 7C, 10C and 12C under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. Under the conditions at which a combination effect was observed, the antimicrobial effect of NaNO2 increased as NaCl concentration increased. Validation showed a high concordance rate (90%). The results indicate that the developed models may be useful for describing the effect of NaNO2 and NaCl on Enterococcus growth.

Practical Application

NaCl and NaNO2 are widely used as preservative agents in meat processing, but Enterococcus are resistant to antimicrobial activities of NaCl and NaNO2. Thus, Enterococcus may cause spoilage in meat products such as frankfurters. The developed growth/no growth model can be used to predict the growth probabilities of Enterococcus in the combination of NaCl and NaNO2, which may be useful in predicting Enterococcus growth in meat products.
Ameliorating effect of antioxidants and pregabalin combination in pain recurrence after ductal clearance in chronic pancreatitis: Results of a randomized, double blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Talukdar Rupjyoti , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Reddy D Nageshwar , Rao G Venkat , Pradeep Rebala , Banerjee Rupa , Gupta Rajesh , Ramchandani Mohan , Tandan Manu , Murthy H Vivekananda
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of antioxidant–pregabalin combination on pain recurrence in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis.

Methods

In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, chronic calcific pancreatitis patients with pain recurrence following pancreatic ductal clearance of stones received either antioxidant‐pregabalin combination or matching placebo for 2 months followed by open‐label antioxidants for the next 4 months in both groups. Compliance, daily pain, and adverse events were recorded weekly and at the end of study by a coordinator blinded to treatment status. Primary outcome was pain improvement (visual analog scale and Izbicki score); secondary outcomes were as follows: complete pain resolution, painful days, and adverse events. Number needed‐to‐treat was calculated.

Results

We randomized 42 and 45 patients (mean age 29.3 years) to treatment and placebo arms, respectively. Baseline characteristics, including pain scores, were similar for both groups. No patients received high‐potency narcotic. At 2 months, a significant improvement in the treatment arm was observed in percent reduction of visual analog scale (−50 [−80.0; −32.1] vs −29.5 [−64.5; 0]; P = 0.01), Izbicki score (14.5 [0; 21.3] vs 30.0 [11.8; 41.3]; P = 0.001), complete pain resolution (20 [47.6%] vs 12 [26.7%]; P = 0.04), and number of painful days (10.0 [2.0; 16.0] vs 18.0 [7.0; 34.0]; P = 0.01). Needed‐to‐treat was 4.8. Pain reduction persisted at 6 months in the original treatment group (20.0 [15.0; 28.0] vs 36.0 [20.0; 50.0]; P = 0.006). A total of 33 patients in the treatment arm experienced mild to moderate self‐limiting nausea/vomiting and drowsiness, respectively and did not require any change in study protocol.

Conclusion

Antioxidant–pregabalin combination results in significant relief in pain recurrence after ductal clearance in narcotic naïve patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis.
Serum models accurately predict liver‐related clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Huang Yi , Adams Leon A , MacQuillan Gerry , Speers David , Joseph John , Bulsara Max K , Jeffrey Gary P
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

This study developed liver outcome scores in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) that directly predict liver‐related death, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver decompensation.

Methods

Six hundred seventeen CHC patients were followed up for a mean of 6 years and randomized into a training set (n = 411) and a validation set (n = 206). Clinical outcomes were determined using a population‐based data linkage system.

Results

In the training set, albumin, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, hyaluronic acid, age, and sex were in the final model to predict 5‐year liver‐related death (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.95). Two cut points (4.0 and 5.5) defined three risk groups with an incidence rate for liver‐related death of 0.1%, 2%, and 13.2%, respectively (P < 0.001). Albumin, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, hyaluronic acid, age, and sex were used to predict 5‐year liver decompensation (AUROC 0.90). A cut point of 4.5 gave a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 84% to predict 5‐year decompensation and defined two groups with an incidence rate for decompensation of 0.2% and 5.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Alkaline phosphatase, α2‐macroglobulin, age, and sex were used to predict 5‐year HCC occurrence (AUROC 0.95). A cut‐point of eight had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 88% to predict 5‐year HCC occurrence and defined two groups with an incidence rate for HCC of 0.2% and 5.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained using the validation set.

Conclusions

All three liver outcome scores had excellent predictive accuracy and were able to stratify risk into clinical meaningful categories for CHC patients.
Effects of low‐fat milk consumption on metabolic and atherogenic biomarkers in Korean adults with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lee Y. J. , Seo J. A. , Yoon T. , Seo I. , Lee J. H. , Im D. , Lee J. H. , Bahn K.‐N. , Ham H. S. , Jeong S. A. , Kang T. S. , Ahn J. H. , Kim D. H. , Nam G. E. , Kim N. H.
Published: March 2016

Background

Previous studies of the health effects of low‐fat milk or dairy consumption on the metabolic syndrome have yielded inconsistent results. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low‐fat milk consumption on traits associated with the metabolic syndrome, as well as inflammatory and atherogenic biomarkers, in Korean adults with the metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Overweight Koreans with the metabolic syndrome (n = 58) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the low‐fat milk or control group. The low‐fat milk group was instructed to consume two packs of low‐fat milk per day (200 mL twice daily) for 6 weeks, and the control group was instructed to maintain their habitual diet. Clinical investigations were conducted during the screening visit, on study day 0, and after 6 weeks.

Results

No significant differences in changes in body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profile and adiponectin levels, as well as levels of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers and atherogenic markers, were found between the low‐fat milk and control groups. However, compared to the controls, significant favourable decreases in serum soluble vascular adhesion molecule‐1 and endothelin‐1 levels were found in the 12 subjects with high blood pressure and in the 18 subjects with hypertriglyceridaemia in the low‐fat milk group.

Conclusions

The present study did not demonstrate an overall beneficial effect of low‐fat milk consumption in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. However, low‐fat milk consumption may have a favourable effect on atherogenic markers in subjects with high blood pressure or hypertriglyceridaemia.
pH-dependent complexation of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin with chlorin e6: effect on solubility and aggregation in relation to photodynamic efficacy
Authors: Paul Shubhajit , Heng Paul Wan Sia , Chan Lai Wah
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The activity of chlorin e6 (Ce6) in photodynamic therapy of cancers is significantly reduced by its propensity to form aggregates. It was postulated that disaggregation of Ce6 could be achieved with the use of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) through solubility enhancement.

Methods

An initial phase solubility study of Ce6 was conducted with various concentrations of HP-β-CD at three different pH conditions, i.e. pH 3, pH 5 and pH 7. Solubility-induced disaggregation of Ce6 was illustrated by fluorescence spectroscopy and singlet oxygen generation studies. Interaction between Ce6 and HP-β-CD was further demonstrated by solid-state characterization techniques. Inclusion complex formulations were tested for improved efficacy on squamous cancer cell lines.

Key findings

Increase in Ce6 solubility was observed, especially at pH 7, indicating the formation of inclusion complex between Ce6 and HP-β-CD. This resulted in disaggregation of Ce6 aggregates illustrated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The mode of binding was predominated by H-bonding supported by temperature-dependent binding studies and molecular simulation work. The inclusion complex demonstrated improved photodynamic efficacy through enhanced singlet oxygen generation and phototoxicity on human oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Conclusions

pH-dependent complexation between Ce6- and HP-β-CD-induced disaggregation of Ce6 aggregates and the resultant formulations facilitated improved PDT efficacy on tested cancer cell lines.
HLA‐C and KIR combined genotype as new response marker for HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with interferon‐based combination therapy
Authors: Stelma F. , Jansen L. , Sinnige M. J. , van Dort K. A. , Takkenberg R. B. , Janssen H. L. A. , Reesink H. W. , Kootstra N. A.
Published: March 2016

Current treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) consists of interferon‐based therapy. However, for unknown reasons, a large proportion of patients with CHB do not respond to this treatment. Hence, there is a pressing need to establish response markers to select patients who will benefit from therapy and to spare potential nonresponders from unnecessary side effects of antiviral therapy. Here, we assessed whether HLA‐C and KIR genotypes were associated with treatment outcome for CHB. Twelve SNPs in or near the HLA‐C gene were genotyped in 86 CHB patients (41 HBeAg positive; 45 HBeAg negative) treated with peginterferon alfa‐2a + adefovir. Genotyping of killer immunoglobin‐like receptors (KIRs) was performed by SSP‐PCR. One SNP in HLA‐C (rs2308557) was significantly associated with combined response in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients (P = 0.003). This SNP is linked to the HLA‐C group C1 or C2 classification, which controls KIR binding. The combination of KIR2DL1 with its ligand HLA‐C2 was observed significantly more often in HBeAg‐positive patients with a combined response (13/14) than in nonresponders (11/27, P = 0.001). Patients with the KIR2DL1/C2 genotype had significantly higher baseline ALT levels (136 vs 50 U/L, P = 0.002) than patients without this combination. Furthermore, KIR2DL1‐C2 predicted response independent of HBV genotype and ALT at baseline. HLA‐C and KIR genotype is strongly associated with response in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients treated with interferon‐based therapy. In combination with other known response markers, HLA‐C/KIR genotype could enable the selection of patients more likely to respond to interferon‐based therapy.
Mechanical and Thermal Sensory Testing in Normal Chondrodystrophoid Dogs and Dogs with Spinal Cord Injury caused by Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniations
Authors: Gorney A.M. , Blau S.R. , Dohse C.S. , Griffith E.H. , Williams K.D. , Lim J.‐H. , Knazovicky D. , Lascelles B.D.X. , Olby N.J.
Published: March 2016

Background

Intervertebral disc herniation is a common cause of spinal cord injury (SCI) causing paralysis and sensory loss. Little quantitative information is available on the loss and recovery of sensation in dogs with SCI.

Objectives

To determine whether quantitative sensory testing (QST) can be used to establish thermal and mechanical sensory thresholds in chrondrodystrophoid dogs and compare thresholds among normal dogs and dogs with different grades of SCI.

Animals

Thirty‐three client‐owned chondrodystrophoid dogs: 15 normal and 18 SCI dogs.

Methods

Thermal testing was performed by placing a hot (49°C) and cold (5°C) probe on the dorsal metatarsus and mechanical thresholds were tested using calibrated forceps to apply force to the lateral digit. Stimuli were applied until acknowledged, and response rate, latency, and force applied to response were recorded. Test‐retest repeatability was determined by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Response rates were compared using logistic regression and thresholds were compared using Kaplan–Meier Survival curves.

Results

Testing was feasible with moderate repeatability. Thresholds and response rates were significantly different between normal and SCI dogs for all modalities (P < .001). When dogs were grouped by their clinical grade, each grade was significantly different from normal dogs, and cold stimuli differentiated among all grades.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Sensory thresholds can be measured reliably in chondrodystrophoid dogs and are altered by SCI. The differences in sensation among neurologic grades indicate that these techniques can be used to further characterize recovery of SCI dogs.
Vaccination of Full‐sib Channel Catfish Families Against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish with an Oral Live Attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri Vaccine
Authors: Peterson Brian C. , Flora Corrin , Wood Monica , Bosworth Brian G. , Quiniou Sylvie M. , Greenway Terrence E. , Byars Todd S. , Wise David J.
Published: March 2016

This study evaluated the efficacy of an oral live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine against enteric septicemia of catfish in 20 full‐sib fingerling channel catfish families. The vaccine was delivered orally by feeding fish a diet coated with an attenuated E. ictaluri isolate. Sixty‐nine days postvaccination, control and vaccinated fish were challenged with virulent E. ictaluri and mortality was examined for 21 d postchallenge. Vaccinated fish had significantly lower mortality than nonvaccinated fish following challenge (P < 0.001). Mortality of vaccinated fish was 1.7 ± 1.4% as opposed to 47.8 ± 28.7% in nonvaccinated fish. Relative percent survival ranged from 87.7 to 100% with an average of 95.2 ± 4.0% (±SE) among the 20 families of fish. There were significant differences in mortality among families in nonvaccinated fish (P < 0.01) while there were no differences among vaccinated families of fish. Results indicate that the live attenuated E. ictaluri vaccine is effective at reducing mortality in channel catfish exposed to virulent E. ictaluri. These data demonstrate that genetic differences among healthy families of channel catfish are not major considerations in developing an effective vaccination program utilizing the oral vaccination platform described in this study.
Effects of Dietary DHA/EPA Ratios on Fatty Acid Composition, Lipid Metabolism‐related Enzyme Activity, and Gene Expression of Juvenile Grass Carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus
Authors: Lei Caixia , Ji Hong , Zhang Jianlu , Li Jie
Published: March 2016

To determine the effects of docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) ratios on grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, a 38‐d feeding trial was conducted using six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semi‐purified diets containing constant n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC‐PUFA) (0.5% of dry matter), but varying ratios of DHA to EPA and a control diet (no n‐3 LC‐PUFA was included). The results revealed higher final weight and specific growth rate in the DHA/EPA 0.21 group. The n‐3 LC‐PUFA content increased in the CK (control) groups compared with that in the control diet. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity increased in the treatment groups. Malate dehydrogenase showed lower activity in the DHA/EPA 1.08 group, as well as to the change in the level of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). The gene expressions of LPL increased in the treatment groups and that of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α gene showed higher expressions in DHA/EPA 1.08, 0.49, and 0.21 groups. However, no remarkable differences were found among the six groups in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ gene expression. Our findings indicated that dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFA affected fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism of grass carp. Further, fish achieved the best effect in decreasing the lipid accumulation when dietary DHA/EPA ratio was not greater than 1.
A Differentiated Approach to Plant Variety Protection in Africa
Authors: De Jonge Bram , Munyi Peter
Published: March 2016

Several African countries and regional organizations are investing in the establishment of a plant variety protection system modeled on the UPOV 1991 Convention, which currently provides the strongest, international standard for plant variety protection. Whereas proponents argue that strong protection of breeder's rights will incentivize breeding and the introduction of new varieties for farmers, opponents fear that the proposed legal framework is unsuitable for African countries as it may hamper traditional farming practices of using and exchanging farm‐saved seed. These informal or farmer‐managed seed systems supply more than 80% of the total food crop seed used by farmers. The challenge for African countries is to strike a balance between protecting the interests of breeders through the incentive function of plant breeder's rights for the commercial market, and the leeway that needs to be provided to smallholder farmers that depend on informal sources for their seed security and survival. And to do so in a practical and legally enforceable manner. This paper explores how African countries and regional organizations can establish such balance through a differentiated approach to plant variety protection, which sets different levels of protection for different crops in relation to different categories of farmers.
Species discovery and validation in a cryptic radiation of endangered primates: coalescent‐based species delimitation in Madagascar's mouse lemurs
Authors: Hotaling Scott , Foley Mary E. , Lawrence Nicolette M. , Bocanegra Jose , Blanco Marina B. , Rasoloarison Rodin , Kappeler Peter M. , Barrett Meredith A. , Yoder Anne D. , Weisrock David W.
Published: March 2016

Implementation of the coalescent model in a Bayesian framework is an emerging strength in genetically based species delimitation studies. By providing an objective measure of species diagnosis, these methods represent a quantitative enhancement to the analysis of multilocus data, and complement more traditional methods based on phenotypic and ecological characteristics. Recognized as two species 20 years ago, mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus) now comprise more than 20 species, largely diagnosed from mtDNA sequence data. With each new species description, enthusiasm has been tempered with scientific scepticism. Here, we present a statistically justified and unbiased Bayesian approach towards mouse lemur species delimitation. We perform validation tests using multilocus sequence data and two methodologies: (i) reverse‐jump Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling to assess the likelihood of different models defined a priori by a guide tree, and (ii) a Bayes factor delimitation test that compares different species‐tree models without a guide tree. We assess the sensitivity of these methods using randomized individual assignments, which has been used in bpp studies, but not with Bayes factor delimitation tests. Our results validate previously diagnosed taxa, as well as new species hypotheses, resulting in support for three new mouse lemur species. As the challenge of multiple researchers using differing criteria to describe diversity is not unique to Microcebus, the methods used here have significant potential for clarifying diversity in other taxonomic groups. We echo previous studies in advocating that multiple lines of evidence, including use of the coalescent model, should be trusted to delimit new species.
Characterization of pollen and bacterial community composition in brood provisions of a small carpenter bee
Authors: McFrederick Quinn S. , Rehan Sandra M.
Published: March 2016

Many insects obtain gut microbes from their diet, but how a mother's foraging patterns influence the microbes found in her offspring's food remains an open question. To address this gap, we studied a bee that forages for pollen from multiple species of plants and may therefore acquire diverse bacteria from different plants. We tested the hypothesis that pollen diversity correlates with bacterial diversity by simultaneously characterizing these two communities in bee brood provisions for the first time. We used deep sequencing of the plant RBCL gene and the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to characterize pollen and bacterial diversity. We then tested for associations between pollen and bacterial species richness and community composition, as well as co‐occurrence of specific bacteria and pollen types. We found that both pollen and bacterial communities were extremely diverse, indicating that mother bees visit a wide variety of flowers for pollen and nectar and subsequently bring a diversity of microbes back into their nests. Pollen and bacterial species richness and community composition, however, were not correlated. Certain pollen types significantly co‐occurred with the most proportionally abundant bacteria, indicating that the plants these pollen types came from may serve as reservoirs for these bacteria. Even so, the overall diversity of these communities appears to mask these associations at a broader scale. Further study of these pollen and bacteria associations will be important for understanding the complicated relationship between bacteria and wild bees.
MET immunolabelling is a useful predictive tool for MET gene amplification in glioblastoma
Authors: Burel‐Vandenbos F. , Ngo‐Mai M. , Dadone B. , Di Mauro I. , Gimet S. , Saada‐Bouzid E. , Bourg V. , Almairac F. , Fontaine D. , Virolle T. , Pedeutour F.
Published: March 2016

Aims

MET gene amplification is rare in glioblastoma (GBM) and represents a potential target for MET inhibitors. An immunohistochemical screening may be useful to identify MET amplification. The aim of our study was to establish how MET immunolabelling correlates with MET amplification.

Methods

Three cohorts including 108 GBM (cohort 1, prospective), 104 GBM (cohort 2, retrospective) and 52 GBM (cohort 3, prospective) were investigated for MET expression by immunohistochemistry. MET amplification was assessed by comparative genomic hybridization on microarray (CGH‐array) in all cohorts and by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in cohorts 2 and 3. Active form of MET was assessed using p‐MET (Y1349) immunohistochemistry.

Results

Diffuse MET amplification detectable by CGH‐array was associated with diffuse, strong MET immunolabelling (four cases in cohort 1 and one case in cohort 2). Focal MET amplification detectable only by FISH was observed in small foci of strongly immunopositive cells in two GBM (cohort 2). In both cohorts, MET amplification was never detected in GBM devoid of strongly immunopositive cells. MET overexpression, observed in 23% of unamplified GBM, was associated with a predominant weak‐to‐moderate staining intensity and with necrosis (P < 0.005). p‐MET was detected in all MET‐amplified GBM and in perinecrotic areas of nonamplified GBM. A strong MET immunostaining intensity, at least focal and distant from necrosis, showed 100% sensitivity and 84% specificity for predicting MET amplification in cohort 3.

Conclusions

MET amplification is characterized by strongly immunopositive cells. Only GBM showing strong MET immunostaining is appropriate for the assessment of MET amplification.
National narratives and the Oslo peace process: How peacebuilding paradigms address conflicts over history
Authors: Khoury Nadim
Published: March 2016

National narratives are an essential part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Little is said, however, on how the Oslo Peace Process sought to address these narratives. Conventional wisdom argues that the peace process initiated in the 1990s largely ignored the matter. This article challenges this view, arguing instead that the peace process was and continues to be actively engaged in solving the narrative wars that divide Israelis and Palestinians. To shed light on these solutions, this article looks beyond the agreements of the Oslo Peace Process and focuses on the peacebuilding paradigms that informed it, more specifically, the national partition and the liberal peace paradigms. These prescribe two solutions to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict over history: narrative partition and evasion. In their implementation, the article concludes, these solutions imposed greater identity costs on the Palestinian narrative than on the Israeli one.
Developing the “Skippu‐Mama” program for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Niinomi Kazuteru , Asano Midori , Kadoma Akiko , Yoshida Kumiko , Ohashi Yukimi , Furuzawa Ayako , Yamamoto Mami , Yamakita Naoko , Mori Akiko
Published: March 2016

The “Skippu‐Mama” peer support program was developed to improve quality of life and reduce parental stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. The program was designed to improve these variables by refreshing and healing participants’ minds and bodies. Twenty‐four mothers of 26 children diagnosed with ASD in Japan were included in the study and completed measures of quality of life and parental stress before, during, and after participation in the Skippu‐Mama program. Our results demonstrated that time was a significant main effect. Further, multiple comparisons with Bonferroni corrections indicated a significant increase in World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 scores three months into the program and at its conclusion six months after commencement. Overall, the Skippu‐Mama program improved the quality of life of mothers of children with ASD, and we believe that the intervention's focus on both individual and family variables may be especially effective in this population.
Developing effective countermeasures against acute hydrogen sulfide intoxication: challenges and limitations
Authors: Haouzi Philippe , Sonobe Takashi , Judenherc‐Haouzi Annick
Published: March 2016

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a chemical hazard in the gas and farming industry. As it is easy to manufacture from common chemicals, it has also become a method of suicide. H2S exerts its toxicity through its high affinity with metalloproteins, such as cytochrome c oxidase and possibly via its interactions with cysteine residues of various proteins. The latter was recently proposed to acutely alter ion channels with critical implications for cardiac and brain functions. Indeed, during severe H2S intoxication, a coma, associated with a reduction in cardiac contractility, develops within minutes or even seconds leading to death by complete electromechanical dissociation of the heart. In addition, long‐term neurological deficits can develop owing to the direct toxicity of H2S on neurons combined with the consequences of a prolonged apnea and circulatory failure. Here, we review the challenges impeding efforts to offer an effective treatment against H2S intoxication using agents that trap free H2S, and present novel pharmacological approaches aimed at correcting some of the most harmful consequences of H2S intoxication.
The human gut microbiome and its dysfunctions through the meta‐omics prism
Authors: Mondot Stanislas , Lepage Patricia
Published: March 2016

The microorganisms inhabiting the human gut are abundant (1014 cells) and diverse (approximately 500 species per individual). It is now acknowledged that the microbiota has coevolved with its host to achieve a symbiotic relationship, leading to physiological homeostasis. The gut microbiota ensures vital functions, such as food digestibility, maturation of the host immune system, and protection against pathogens. Over the last few decades, the gut microbiota has also been associated with numerous diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and metabolic diseases. In most of these pathologies, a microbial dysbiosis has been found, indicating shifts in the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiota and changes in its functionality. Our understanding of the influence of the gut microbiota on human health is still growing. Working with microorganisms residing in the gut is challenging since most of them are anaerobic and a vast majority (approximately 75%) are uncultivable to date. Recently, a wide range of new approaches (meta‐omics) has been developed to bypass the uncultivability and reveal the intricate mechanisms that sustain gut microbial homeostasis. After a brief description of these approaches (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics), this review will discuss the importance of considering the gut microbiome as a structured ecosystem and the use of meta‐omics to decipher dysfunctions of the gut microbiome in diseases.
Weak olfaction increases seed scatter‐hoarding by Siberian chipmunks: implication in shaping plant–animal interactions
Authors: Yi Xianfeng , Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Hongmao , Zhang Zhibin
Published: March 2016

Scatter‐hoarding of seeds by animals plays an essential role in seed dispersal of plants and in shaping plant–animal interactions in forest ecosystems, but the function of scatter‐hoarding behavior is still unclear. We hypothesize that weak olfactory cues between seeds and scatter‐hoarding animals would increase scatter‐hoarding. Using a rodent–plant system of Siberian chipmunks Tamias sibiricus and Korean pines Pinus koraiensis, we tested the effects on seed scatter‐hoarding intensity by measuring and modifying the seed odor intensities and the abilities of the animals to detect seed odor. Siberian chipmunks seemed to scatter‐hoard more seeds with weaker odor signals, and Siberian chipmunks with reduced olfactory ability scatter‐hoarded more seeds, supporting our hypothesis. Our studies suggest that olfaction may have played an important role in the evolution of the strength of seed odor and scatter‐hoarding behavior of animals, and in shaping plant–animal interactions.
Evaluation of Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II and Clinical Risk Index for Babies with additional parameters
Authors: Asker Hüseyin Selim , Satar Mehmet , Yıldızdaş Hacer Yapıcıoğlu , Mutlu Birgül , Özyurt Banu Mutlu , İpek Mehmet Şah , Sivaslı Ercan , Taviloğlu Şafak , Çelik Yalçın , Özcan Kenan , Burgut Refik , Ünal İlker
Published: March 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to determine mortality risk by calculating Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II (SNAP‐PE‐II) and Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score, and evaluate prediction of the effects of antenatal corticosteroid and surfactant treatment on mortality.

Methods

This multicenter study was conducted simultaneously in five different centers in four different provinces in Southern Turkey between July 2012 and July 2013. A total of 1668 inborn subjects hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit within the first 12 h of delivery, and meeting the selection criteria, were included in the study, and CRIB and SNAP‐PE‐II were used to determine mortality.

Results

The SNAP‐PE‐II scoring system was applied to all patients, and the CRIB scoring system was used for 310 newborns with gestational age <32 weeks and weighing <1500 g. Of the 1668 patients, 188 died (mortality rate, 11.3%). Cut‐off was found to vary with center, which changed specificity and sensitivity of the mortality scores. SNAP‐PE‐II significantly predicted mortality (P < 0.05) compared with CRIB. SNAP‐PE‐II also successfully predicted mortality in the group receiving antenatal corticosteroid compared with the group not receiving antenatal corticosteroid.

Conclusion

SNAP‐PE‐II was a significant predictor of mortality in newborns with birthweight <1500 g compared with CRIB, and assessment of antenatal corticosteroid use in conjunction with SNAP‐PE‐II increased the accuracy of the prediction of mortality.
High Temperature Affects Photosynthetic and Molecular Processes in Field‐Cultivated Vitis vinifera L. × Vitis labrusca L.
Authors: Zha Qian , Xi Xiaojun , Jiang Aili , Tian Yihua
Published: March 2016

High‐temperature stress markedly influences grape growth and development. However, how high‐temperature stress response differs between controlled and field‐cultivated grape is poorly understood. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on grapevines were studied for changes in photosystem II (PSII) activity and expression levels of heat‐responsive genes and heat shock protein HSP21. July 31st, 2015 was considered as the post high‐temperature treatment (“42°C”; temperatures above 40°C for a period of time each day ranging from 1–7 h) under field cultivation in our experiment. The recovery of chlorophyll fluorescence indicators and the increasing expression of heat‐responsive genes and the heat shock protein HSP21 suggested the development of heat tolerance in the form of acclimation in grape. Changes in various parameters of photosynthetic pigment fluorescence and of the electron transport chain (Fv/Fm, PIABS, Wk, RCQA, ΦPo, and ΦEo) between “42°C” and the 45°C treatment demonstrated that the donor side, reaction center, and acceptor side of PSII were influenced by a critical high temperature. Furthermore, the difference between the two cultivation conditions studied was attributed to other environmental factors and inherent tree vigor.
Intrinsic Value and the Last Last Man
Authors: Weber Zach
Published: March 2016

Even if you were the last person on Earth, you should not cut down all the trees—or so goes the Last Man thought experiment, which has been taken to show that nature has intrinsic value. But ‘Last Man’ is caught on a dilemma. If Last Man is too far inside the anthropocentric circle, so to speak, his actions cannot be indicative of intrinsic value (a Local problem). If Last Man is cast too far outside the anthropocentric circle, though, then value terms lose their cogency (a Global problem). The experiment must satisfy conditions in a seemingly impossible ‘goldilocks’ zone. To this end I propose a new version, the Ultramodal Last Man, which appeals to Routley's work in metaphysics and non‐classical logic. With this ‘Last Last Man’, I argue that the Local/Global dilemma is resolved: impossible equations balance in ultramodal space. For defenders and critics alike, this helps to clarify the demands of intrinsic value, and renews a role for non‐standard logics in value theory.