bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sialyltransferase ST3Gal IV deletion protects against temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Srimontri Paitoon , Endo Shogo , Sakamoto Toshiro , Nakayama Yoshiaki , Kurosaka Akira , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Hirabayashi Yoshio , Kato Keiko
Published: July 2014

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often becomes refractory, and patients with TLE show a high incidence of psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is necessary to identify molecules that were previously unknown to contribute to epilepsy and its associated disorders. We previously found that the sialyltransferase ST3Gal IV is up‐regulated within the neural circuits through which amygdala‐kindling stimulation propagates epileptic seizures. In contrast, this study demonstrated that kindling stimulation failed to evoke epileptic seizures in ST3Gal IV‐deficient mice. Furthermore, approximately 80% of these mice failed to show tonic–clonic seizures with stimulation, whereas all littermate wild‐type mice showed tonic–clonic seizures. This indicates that the loss of ST3Gal IV does not cause TLE in mice. Meanwhile, ST3Gal IV‐deficient mice exhibited decreased acclimation in the open field test, increased immobility in the forced swim test, enhanced freezing during delay auditory fear conditioning, and sleep disturbances. Thus, the loss of ST3Gal IV modulates anxiety‐related behaviors. These findings indicate that ST3Gal IV is a key molecule in the mechanisms underlying anxiety – a side effect of TLE – and may therefore also be an effective target for treating epilepsy, acting through the same circuits.

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Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often becomes refractory, and the patients show a high incidence of psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and depression. We indicate that the loss of sialyltransferase ST3Gal IV protects against TLE in mice, while exhibits decreased acclimation in the open field, increased immobility in the forced swim, and enhanced freezing during delay auditory fear conditioning. These findings indicate that ST3Gal IV is an effective target for treating epilepsy, and is a key molecule in the mechanisms underlying anxiety.
Changes over Time in College Student Credit Card Attitudes and Debt: Evidence from One Campus
Authors: NORVILITIS JILL M.
Published: July 2014

Over the past 10 years, both public awareness of, and research about, college student credit card debt have increased. This study examined changes in college students' debt and possession of credit cards, as well as attitudes toward debt and credit cards over that time at one American college campus. Results indicate that the number of credit cards held and the amount of credit card debt both decreased in the time following the 2009 Credit CARD Act. Attitudes toward debt gradually became more negative over the past 10 years, whereas perceived personal financial well‐being increased. Although debt is decreasing, some students continue to report high levels of debt and correlates of higher levels of debt continue to include year in school, decreased ability to delay gratification, and lower levels of perceived financial well‐being. Overall, it appears that students' relationship with credit cards is changing, but many still have difficulty managing credit.
Effects of Surface Treatments and Cement Types on the Bond Strength of Porcelain‐to‐Porcelain Repair
Authors: Mohamed Fatma Faiez , Finkelman Matthew , Zandparsa Roya , Hirayama Hiroshi , Kugel Gerard
Published: July 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of four surface treatments and two resin cements on the repair bond strength of a ceramic primer.

Materials and Methods

Eighty‐eight pairs of disks (10 and 5 mm in diameter, 3 mm thickness) were prepared from heat‐pressed feldspar ceramics (GC Initial IQ). After being stored in mucin‐artificial saliva for 2 weeks, the 10‐mm disks were divided into four surface treatment groups (n = 22) and then treated as follows: (1) no treatment (control); (2) 40% phosphoric acid; (3) 5% hydrofluoric acid + acid neutralizer + 40% phosphoric acid; (4) silica coating (CoJet‐sand) + 40% phosphoric acid. The 5‐mm disks were treated with 5% hydrofluoric acid + 40% phosphoric acid. The two sizes of porcelain disks, excluding the control group, were primed with Clearfil Ceramic Primer. The specimens in each group were further divided into two subgroups of 11 each, and bonded with Clearfil Esthetic Cement (CEC) or Panavia F 2.0 Cement (PFC). The specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours, thermocycled for 3000 cycles at 5 to 55°C, and stored at 37°C for an additional 7 days. Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured with a universal testing machine at a 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed until fracture. Statistical analysis of the results was carried out with a two‐way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test (α = 0.05). Debonded specimen surfaces were examined under an optical microscope to determine the mode of failure.

Results

The statistical analysis showed that the SBS was significantly affected by surface treatment and resin cement (p < 0.05). For treatment groups bonded with CEC, the SBS (MPa) values were (1) 2.64 ± 1.1, (2) 13.31 ± 3.6, (3) 18.88 ± 2.6, (4) 14.27 ± 2.7, while for treatment groups cemented with PFC, the SBS (MPa) values were (1) 3.04 ± 1.1, (2) 16.44 ± 3.3, (3) 20.52 ± 2.2, and (4) 16.24 ± 2.9. All control specimens exhibited adhesive failures, while mixed types of failures were observed in phosphoric acid‐treated groups. The other groups revealed mainly cohesive and mixed failures.

Conclusions

Combined surface treatment of etching with hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid provides the highest bond strengths to porcelain. Also, PFC exhibited higher SBS than CEC did.
Microtensile Bond Strength of Different Acrylic Teeth to High‐Impact Denture Base Resins
Authors: Colebeck Amanda C. , Monaco Edward A. , Pusateri Christopher R. , Davis Elaine L.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

This study evaluated the effect of denture base acrylic, denture tooth composition, and ridge‐lap surface treatment on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of three commercially available denture teeth and two injection denture processing systems.

Materials and Methods

Sixteen experimental groups were formed (n = 3), according to denture tooth surface treatment (no treatment or surface treatment recommended by the manufacturer), denture base processing technique and acrylic (SR‐Ivocap‐Ivocap Plus or Success‐Lucitone 199), and tooth type‐composition at bonding interface (BlueLine DCL‐PMMA, Portrait IPN‐PMMA, Phonares II‐PMMA, Phonares II‐NHC). Rectangular bar specimens with a 1 mm2 cross sectional area were fabricated and subsequently thermocycled at 10,000 cycles between 5°C and 55°C with a 15‐second dwell time. Select specimens underwent μTBS testing in a universal testing machine with a 1 kN load cell at 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed. Data were analyzed statistically by two and three‐way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05).

Results

Mean μTBS ranged between 56.2 ± 5.6 and 60.8 ± 5.0 N/mm2 for the Ivocap Plus specimens and 13.3 ± 5.12 to 60.1 ± 6.0 N/mm2 for the Lucitone 199 specimens. Among the Ivocap specimens, BlueLine DCL and Phonares II NHC had significantly higher μTBS than Portrait IPN to Ivocap Plus acrylic. There were no statistically significant differences among Blueline, Phonares II PMMA, and Phonares II NHC, or between Phonares II PMMA and Portrait IPN. Within the Luctione 199 specimens, there was a significantly higher μTBS for BlueLine DCL and Phonares II NHC denture teeth with the manufacturer‐recommended surface treatment when compared to control surface. BlueLine, Portrait, and Phonares II PMMA groups achieved significantly higher mean μTBS than the Phonares II NHC group. There were no statistically significant differences among BlueLine, Portrait, and Phonares II PMMA groups.

Conclusion

When evaluating the μTBS of PMMA and NHC denture teeth to base resins, a stronger bond was achieved using materials produced by the same manufacturer. Within the Luctione 199 specimens, the Phonares II NHC group demonstrated significantly lower bond strength than other specimens, suggesting that gross ridge‐lap reduction of NHC denture teeth is not recommended if a base acrylic by a different manufacturer from the tooth is going to be used.
An Innovative and Simple Approach to Functional Salivary Reservoir Fabrication
Authors: Shah Ronak Mukundkumar , Ajay Aras Meena , Chitre Vidya
Published: July 2014

Saliva is a valuable oral fluid that is often taken for granted. Impaired salivary function is a major and a debilitating sequela of radiation treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. It can persist for years and thereby increases the risk of oral infection significantly. Moreover, it has a notably negative impact on the quality of life of such patients. To help overcome this problem, a number of techniques have been proposed for incorporating a reservoir containing salivary substitute into a removable prosthesis. A new design for a functional salivary reservoir is presented here. This design is simple to construct and easily maintained by the wearer. Details of its design, construction, and other potential advantages are presented.
A Technique for Retrofitting a Metal Ceramic Crown to an Attachment‐Retained Removable Partial Denture: A Clinical Report
Authors: Uludag Bulent , Gonuldas Fehmi , Tokar Emre , Sahin Volkan
Published: July 2014

In dental applications, precision attachments have been used to retain removable partial dentures (RPDs) for several decades. Various types of extracoronal attachments are commonly used in combination with fixed partial dentures and RPDs to achieve retention and stability. Fracture of the framework, fracture of the roots or teeth, and irretrievable decrease of retention are common reasons for a failed attachment‐retained RPD. Another complication of metal ceramic crowns with precision attachment is decementation of the crowns. When fixed components of the attachment‐retained RPD fail, the traditional treatment approach requires remaking both the fixed and removable components of the attachment‐retained RPD. This technique describes retrofitting of a metal ceramic crown to a resilient attachment‐retained RPD.
Exploratory Study of the Influence of the Sensory Channel in Perception of Environments
Authors: Alcántara‐Alcover Enrique , Artacho‐Ramírez Miguel Ángel , Zamora‐Álvarez Tomás , Martinez Natividad
Published: July 2014

Interest in the multisensory perception of products is growing in different realms of science and industry. This paper applies differential semantics to investigate the influence of sensory channels on the semantic structure of perception. The study consists of four experiments in which volunteers report their perception of a sample of visual, acoustic, olfactory and tactile stimuli. The semantic space for each sense is obtained and differences in structure and meaning are analyzed.

The results show that the concepts that people use to express perception depend on the sense used. Some concepts appear for one sense only, while other concepts are stimulated through more than one sense, although the meaning is not always the same. The semantic structure shows that the main source of variability in perception using the four senses studied is due to the emotional dimension followed by symbolic value for vision, hearing and smell – and by sensorial attributes for touch.

Practical Applications

The results of this work may be useful for researchers and practitioners in the realms of sensorial sciences, sensorial design and sensorial marketing. The multisensory perceptual map produced can help designers and marketers in the design of products and services. Designers could proceed by first selecting the concepts to transmit and then follow an iterative process with three steps:

Choose the order in which senses interact with products.

Stimulate the senses that dominate in the perception of the concepts chosen.

Assess the congruence of meanings.

Researchers can use the semantic for each sense as the basis for more complex studies. There are few independent concepts for assessing stimulus perception by each sense. This type of study enables experiments to be conducted in which people can evaluate a greater number of stimuli within the time period of a normal experimental session.
Effects of micro‐amounts of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide on rabbit inflammatory immune response and development of atherosclerosis
Authors: Lin G. , Shi X. , Chen S. , Lei L. , You X. , Huang M. , Luo L. , Li Y. , Zhao X. , Yan F.
Published: July 2014

Background and Objective

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) lipopolysaccharide is associated with the immune response and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of micro‐amounts of Pg‐lipopolysaccharide on rabbit inflammatory immune response and the development of atherosclerosis.

Material and Methods

Twenty‐four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6). Group A was fed a regular diet and normal saline. Group B was supplied with a high‐fat diet and normal saline. Group C was treated with a normal diet and Pg‐lipopolysaccharide. Group D was given a high‐fat diet and Pg‐lipopolysaccharide. After 14 wk, the rabbits were killed to determine the changes in pathological indices.

Results

The serum lipid levels of groups B and D were significantly higher than that of group A (p < 0.01), and that of group C was higher (p < 0.05). Serum interleukin‐6, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels were significantly elevated by individual high‐fat diets or Pg‐lipopolysaccharide stimulation (p < 0.05). Groups A and C did not undergo evident aortic pathological damages, while foam cells appeared in the other two groups. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction detection showed that toll‐like receptor‐2, interleukin‐6, matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 were highly expressed in groups B and D (p < 0.05), and toll‐like receptor‐4, C‐reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels were higher than those of group A (p < 0.05). Western blotting showed that transcription factor NF‐κB p65 was expressed more highly in the three experimental groups than in group A (t = 9.26, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Micro‐amounts of Pg‐lipopolysaccharide induced the high expressions of inflammatory factors and mediated the inflammatory response. Pg‐lipopolysaccharide elevated the blood lipid level less significantly than the high‐fat diet did, but it may promote atherosclerosis.
Region of Birth, Sex, and Reproductive Health in Rural Immigrant Latino Farmworkers: The MICASA Study
Authors: McCurdy Stephen A. , Stoecklin‐Marois Maria T. , Tancredi Daniel J. , Hennessy‐Burt Tamara E. , Schenker Marc B.
Published: July 2014

Purpose

Characterize sexual and reproductive health among immigrant Latino farmworkers.

Methods

We surveyed 806 immigrant Latino farmworkers from Mexico and Central America in a rural agricultural community in California's Central Valley.

Findings

A total of 556 respondents were born in Mexico (272 men, 284 women) and 250 in Central America (135 men, 115 women). The majority entered the United States as young adults, with median age at immigration ranging from 20 (Mexican‐born men) to 24 (Central American‐born women). Nearly 95% of respondents were married or cohabiting. Median age for sexual debut was 18 for women and was younger for men (adjusted mean difference: –2.1 years, 95% CI: –2.6 to –1.7). Median number of lifetime sexual partners was 1 for women and greater for men (adjusted mean difference: 2.0 partners, 95% CI: 1.3‐2.7). Contraception use was less likely among men and among Central American women compared to Mexico‐born women. Among sexually active persons not using contraception, the most common reasons for nonuse were “Don't want to”/”Don't like any” followed by desire to become or being pregnant. Women reported a median of 3 pregnancies; there were no significant differences based on respondents’ region of birth.

Conclusions

This group of Latino immigrants demonstrated behaviors conducive to reproductive health: late sexual debut, few lifetime sexual partners, and high prevalence of marriage. Preventive education campaigns should focus on maintaining healthy behaviors, especially in men. Identifying groups with common provenance and cultural heritage may aid in maximizing acceptability and effectiveness of prevention programs.
Sociodemographic and Environmental Correlates of Active Commuting in Rural America
Authors: Fan Jessie X. , Wen Ming , Kowaleski‐Jones Lori
Published: July 2014

Purpose

This research investigated participation rates in 3 modes of active commuting (AC) and their sociodemographic and physical environmental correlates in rural America.

Methods

The 2000 Census supplemented with other data sets were used to analyze AC rates in percentage of workers walking, biking, and taking public transportation to work in 14,209 nonmetropolitan rural tracts identified by RUCA codes, including 4,067 small rural and 10,142 town‐micropolitan rural tracts. Sociodemographic and physical environmental variables were correlated with 3 AC modes simultaneously using Seemingly Unrelated Regression for nonmetro rural, and for small rural and town‐micropolitan rural separately.

Findings

The average AC rates in rural tracts were 3.63%, 0.26%, and 0.56% for walking, biking, and public transportation to work, respectively, with small rural tracts having a higher rate of walking but lower rates of biking and public transportation to work than town‐micropolitan tracts. In general, better economic well‐being was negatively associated with AC but percentage of college‐educated was a positive correlate. Population density was positively associated with AC but greenness and proximity to parks were negative correlates. However, significant differences existed for different AC modes, and between small rural and town‐micropolitan rural tracts.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic factors explained more variance in AC than physical environmental factors but the detailed relationships were complex, varying by AC mode and by degree of rurality. Any strategy to promote AC in rural America needs to be sensitive to the population size of the area and assessed in a comprehensive manner to avoid a “one size fits all” approach.
Phylogenetic analyses and chromosome counts reveal multiple cryptic species in Bupleurum commelynoideum (Apiaceae)
Authors: MA Xiang‐Guang , ZHAO Cai , WANG Chang‐Bao , LIANG Qian‐Long , HE Xing‐Jin
Published: July 2014

Bupleurum commelynoideum H. Boissieu is a perennial herb occurring throughout the Hengduan Mountains region. This species was found to have more than one chromosome number in our previous chromosomal study. For a better understanding of its intraspecific genetic differentiation and interspecific relationships with other Bupleurum members, phylogenetic relationships among 15 populations of B. commelynoideum and 22 other Bupleurum members were investigated using the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments (trnL‐F, rps16, and rpl32‐trnL). Both phylogenetic analyses of the ITS region and combined cpDNA data indicated that B. commelynoideum has more than one geographically delimited lineage. Among them, accessions from Shangri‐La and other regions were considered as different cryptic species according to the unified species concept. Our analyses also revealed that a complex pattern of reticulate relationship exists in B. commelynoideum and its allied species. The chromosome numbers of four populations of B. commelynoideum and a closely related species B. rockii H. Wolff are reported. The results showed that the chromosome number of B. commelynoideum has abundant variations in both chromosome ploidy (2x; 4x; 6x) and basic chromosome number (x = 5; x = 6). Population DXS (x = 6), which has the different basic chromosome number, should represent a different kind of cryptic speciation in B. commelynoideum. The karyological evidence, together with the molecular data, indicated that the existence of at least three cryptic species in B. commelynoideum. This kind of genetic differentiation without morphological divergence might be caused by stabilizing selection imposed by the extreme environmental conditions of the alpine area.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of xylazine administered by the intravenous or intra‐osseous route in adult horses
Authors: Santonastaso A. , Hardy J. , Cohen N. , Fajt V.
Published: July 2014

In certain situations, an alternate route for parenteral drug administration in horses may be useful. The intra‐osseous (IO) route may provide a safe alternative to the intravenous (i.v.) route for administration of sedatives to horses when the i.v. route is inaccessible or undesirable. Six adult horses were administered xylazine i.v. or IO in a block‐randomized crossover design. For the i.v. trial, both jugular veins were catheterized, and one was used for xylazine administration, while the other was used for blood collection. For the IO trial, one jugular vein was catheterized for blood collection and an intra‐osseous device was placed in the tuber coxae using a powered driver for xylazine administration. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and head position were measured, and concentration of sedation was assessed at various times up to 90 min. Xylazine concentrations were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography and noncompartmental analysis was performed. General linear mixed modeling and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were used for statistical analysis, with P ≤ 0.05. There were no significant differences in heart rate, respiratory rate, head position, concentration of sedation, Cmax, Tmax, half‐life, or AUC between the i.v. and the IO routes of drug administration. No complications were observed following placement of the intra‐osseous device. Intra‐osseous xylazine administration provides a useful option in emergent and other settings in which i.v. access is difficult or contraindicated.
Toxicokinetics and absolute oral bioavailability of melamine in broiler chickens
Authors: Poapolathep S. , Klangkaew N. , Arreesrisom P. , Isariyodom S. , Sugita‐Konishi Y. , Kumagai S. , Poapolathep A.
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the toxicokinetic characteristics of melamine in broilers due to the limited information available for livestock. Melamine was then administered to broiler chickens at an intravenous (i.v.) or oral (p.o.) dosage of 5.5 mg/kg of body weight, and plasma samples were collected up to 48 h. The concentration of melamine in each plasma sample was analyzed using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). Melamine was measurable up to 24 h after i.v. and p.o. administration. A one‐compartment model was developed to describe the toxicokinetics of melamine in broilers. Following i.v. administration, the values for the elimination half‐life (t1/2β), the volume of distribution (Vd), and the clearance (CL) were 4.42 ± 1.02 h, 00.52 ± 0.18 L/kg, and 0.08 ± 0.01 L/h/kg, respectively. The absolute oral bioavailability (F) was 95.63 ± 3.54%. The results suggest that most of the administered melamine is favorably absorbed from the alimentary tract and rapidly cleared by the kidneys in broiler chickens.
Blockade of interleukin 6 signalling ameliorates systemic insulin resistance through upregulation of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and improves hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet fed mice
Authors: Yamaguchi Kanji , Nishimura Takeshi , Ishiba Hiroshi , Seko Yuya , Okajima Akira , Fujii Hideki , Tochiki Nozomi , Umemura Atsushi , Moriguchi Michihisa , Sumida Yoshio , Mitsuyoshi Hironori , Yasui Kohichiroh , Minami Masahito , Okanoue Takeshi , Itoh Yoshito
Published: July 2014

Background & Aims

Mice fed high‐fat diet (HFD) demonstrate obesity‐related systemic insulin resistance (IR). Aim of this study is to clarify the role of interleukin (IL)‐6 in IR in vivo focusing on skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and liver.

Methods

Plasma markers of IR and hepatic IL‐6 signalling were examined in eight‐week HFD feeding C57/BL6 mice. Furthermore, IR‐related molecules in skeletal muscles, adipose tissues and livers were investigated following a single injection of anti‐ IL‐6 receptor neutralizing antibody (MR16‐1) in two‐week HFD feeding mice. To investigate the role of IL‐6 in hepatic steatosis by prolonged HFD, hepatic triglyceride accumulation was assessed in eight‐week HFD feeding mice with continuous MR16‐1 treatment.

Results

High‐fat diet for both 2 and 8 weeks elevated plasma IL‐6, insulin and leptin, which were decreased by MR16‐1 treatment. A single injection of MR16‐1 ameliorated IR as assessed by glucose and insulin tolerance test, which may be attributable to upregulation of glucose transporter type 4 via phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase as well as upregulation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha in livers and, particularly, in skeletal muscles. MR16‐1 also decreased mRNA expression of leptin and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and increased that of adiponectin in adipose tissue. High‐fat diet for 8 weeks, not 2 weeks, induced hepatic steatosis and increased hepatic triglyceride content, all of which were ameliorated by MR16‐1 treatment.

Conclusions

Blockade of excessive IL‐6 stimulus ameliorated HFD‐induced IR in a skeletal muscle and modulated the production of adipokines from an early stage of NAFLD, leading to prevention of liver steatosis for a long term.
Direct/Inverse Systems
Authors: Jacques Guillaume , Antonov Anton
Published: July 2014

This article proposes an idealized model of direct‐inverse systems inspired by canonical morphology, against which attested systems are then evaluated in terms of their deviation from it. A language‐independent definition of obviation is provided, and then applied to language families other than Algonquian. Referential hierarchies are shown not to be the only way of accounting for direct‐inverse systems. Finally, the article surveys the attested origins of inverse systems and the ways in which they can be further reanalyzed, ultimately leading to their decay.
Language, Discourse, and New Media: A Linguistic Anthropological Perspective
Authors: Akkaya Aslihan
Published: July 2014

Over the last few decades, an increasing number of scholarly articles and books have been published on language and new media. This article provides a brief overview of socioculturally informed studies on language and new media in addition to providing further directions for future scholarship. In this article, I show that it is promising to take an ethnographic and discourse‐centered approach to new media to demonstrate actual discursive practices and performances that are taking place in new media environments. Furthermore, I demonstrate that it is social actors/performers who mediate and negotiate (deploy and play with) various ideologies and semiotic resources in a given discursive encounter to accomplish artful performances. Thus, instead of primarily focusing on the already designed and constructed (a medium and its boundedness), we should focus on social actors and their playful performances. By employing an ethnographic/discourse analytic approach to language and new media, we can look at the circulation of discourses to better understand what new media mean for those who use them and how new media are localized into everyday practices and performances of social actors in their diverse geographical localities.
Patterns and drivers of asteroid abundances and assemblages on the continental margin of Atlantic Canada
Authors: Gale Katie S. P. , Gilkinson Kent , Hamel Jean‐François , Mercier Annie
Published: July 2014

Although continental shelf and slope environments typically exhibit high epifaunal biomass and have been subjected to increasing fishing pressure, ecological information on assemblages of non‐commercial invertebrate species from subtidal and bathyal areas remains limited. Sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), which are known to influence communities through their feeding habits, have received less attention than structural taxa such as corals and sponges. To better understand the ecological roles of asteroids on continental shelves, we investigated ~30 species and assessed their distributions and co‐occurrence with other benthic invertebrates on the shelf and slope of Eastern Canada. Using fisheries data and in situ video footage, we compiled a large dataset covering ~600,000 km2 that included over 350,000 individual asteroid records (37–2243 m depth). Multivariate analyses revealed geographically distinct asteroid assemblages, with a maximal overall density at 400–500 m and the highest diversity at 500–700 m. The most abundant and densely occurring species was Ctenodiscus crispatus. We found that asteroids associate with corals, sponges, bivalves, and other echinoderms, and that depth and substrate influence these assemblages. We identified species likely to affect coexisting organisms by their burrowing behavior that can disrupt epi‐ and infauna (C. crispatus) and through predation on ecologically important corals (Hippasteria phrygiana). In addition to providing baseline distribution and ecological information for many bathyal asteroid species in the Northwest Atlantic, this work highlights the abundance and diversified roles of asteroids within continental shelf and slope ecosystems.
Microbial biomass response to different quantities and sources of organic matter in Brazilian coastal sediments
Authors: Quintana Cintia O. , de Moraes Paula C. , Yoshinaga Marcos Y. , Wakeham Stuart G. , Sumida Paulo Y. G.
Published: July 2014

This study investigates the benthic microbial responses to organic matter (OM) variations in quantity and sources in two shallow water bays (Fortaleza and Ubatuba Bays) on the SE coast of Brazil on six occasions during the year. The pelagic and benthic compartments of the bays were evaluated by: (i) nutrients and chlorophyll a (Chl a) in the water column; (ii) quantity and sources of OM in the sediment (Chl a, total organic carbon and total nitrogen and lipid biomarker composition); and (iii) microbial biomass in sediments as an indicator of active benthic response. Although there were changes in water‐column nutrients during the year, Chl a was fairly constant, suggesting a regular supply of microalgae‐derived OM to the sea bottom. Based on the composition of lipid biomarkers in sediments, OM sources were classified as mostly marine and with high contributions of labile (microalgae‐derived) OM. Labile OM composition varied from diatoms in the summer to phytoflagellates in the winter and tended to accumulate in areas protected by physical disturbances in one of the bays. Microbial biomass followed this trend and was 160% higher in protected than in exposed areas. This study suggests that the coupling between labile OM and benthic microbial biomass occurs primarily in protected areas, irrespective of the time of the year. Since meio‐ and macrofaunal assemblages depend upon secondary microbial production within the sediments, this coupling may have an important role for the benthic food‐web.
Do agonistic behaviours bias baited remote underwater video surveys of fish?
Authors: Dunlop Katherine M. , Marian Scott E. , Parsons Darren , Bailey David M.
Published: July 2014

Marine environments require monitoring to determine the effects of impacts such as climate change, coastal development and pollution and also to assess the effectiveness of conservation measures. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are being established globally and require periodic monitoring to determine whether their objectives are being met. Baited underwater video systems are becoming a popular method for monitoring change within protected fish populations, because they are less damaging to habitats than bottom trawling and allow for more statistical powerful comparisons to determine spatial and temporal patterns in the relative abundances, lengths and biomass of demersal and pelagic fishes. However, much remains uncertain about how interactions between the fish and bait and between the fish themselves affect the results obtained. Agonistic behaviours are frequently observed around the bait of the camera and potentially bias fish density estimates by altering the number and size classes seen at cameras. Here we counted the number of agonistic behaviours between pink snappers (Pagrus auratus), the size of fish involved and whether the fish left the field of view following such behaviours. The study consisted of 20 baited underwater video deployments inside a New Zealand marine reserve and 20 in adjacent open areas. We observed a significant relationship between the peak number of fish observed at the camera and the total number of agonistic behaviours, as well as the number of both aggressor and subordinate fish leaving the camera field of view following interactions. The slope of the latter relationship and thus the absolute numbers of fish leaving were higher for subordinate fish. As subordinates were significantly smaller than aggressors, the apparent size frequency distribution is likely skewed away from smaller size classes. The staying time of the fish and thus the maximum number of fish present at the camera will be reduced by agonistic behaviours and the absolute magnitude of this effect appears to be greater at high fish densities. Our results suggest that an overall effect of these phenomena is to underestimate the differences in abundance between MPAs and open areas, but also to overestimate differences in average size.
Mycobiota associated with the rhodophyte alien species Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan de Saint‐Léon in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Garzoli Laura , Gnavi Giorgio , Varese Giovanna C. , Picco Anna M.
Published: July 2014

This study is the first to investigate and characterize the mycobiota associated with the alien species Asparagopsis taxiformis, a rhodophyte classified as one of the ‘100 worst invasive species’ in the Mediterranean Sea by the Hellenic Center for Marine Research, as it threatens biodiversity. Fungal endophyte and epiphyte communities were investigated on algal specimens from two sampling sites on the island of Linosa (Marine Protected Area Isole Pelagie, Italy). 87% of the 24 specimens that were analysed for epiphytes displayed a microfungal colonization. No endophytes were found. Only a small amount of microfungi was found to be associated with this alga. Only five fungal taxa were isolated; two of which are sporadically associated with the alga, while three, Eurotium rubrum, Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides, seem to be related to A. taxiformis. This scarcity could be related to algal chemical composition.
Genomics of the divergence continuum in an African plant biodiversity hotspot, I: drivers of population divergence in Restio capensis (Restionaceae)
Authors: Lexer C. , Wüest R. O. , Mangili S. , Heuertz M. , Stölting K. N. , Pearman P. B. , Forest F. , Salamin N. , Zimmermann N. E. , Bossolini E.
Published: July 2014

Understanding the drivers of population divergence, speciation and species persistence is of great interest to molecular ecology, especially for species‐rich radiations inhabiting the world's biodiversity hotspots. The toolbox of population genomics holds great promise for addressing these key issues, especially if genomic data are analysed within a spatially and ecologically explicit context. We have studied the earliest stages of the divergence continuum in the Restionaceae, a species‐rich and ecologically important plant family of the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa, using the widespread CFR endemic Restio capensis (L.) H.P. Linder & C.R. Hardy as an example. We studied diverging populations of this morphotaxon for plastid DNA sequences and >14 400 nuclear DNA polymorphisms from Restriction site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing and analysed the results jointly with spatial, climatic and phytogeographic data, using a Bayesian generalized linear mixed modelling (GLMM) approach. The results indicate that population divergence across the extreme environmental mosaic of the CFR is mostly driven by isolation by environment (IBE) rather than isolation by distance (IBD) for both neutral and non‐neutral markers, consistent with genome hitchhiking or coupling effects during early stages of divergence. Mixed modelling of plastid DNA and single divergent outlier loci from a Bayesian genome scan confirmed the predominant role of climate and pointed to additional drivers of divergence, such as drift and ecological agents of selection captured by phytogeographic zones. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of population genomics for disentangling the effects of IBD and IBE along the divergence continuum often found in species radiations across heterogeneous ecological landscapes.
Understanding process in group cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis
Authors: Lecomte Tania , Leclerc Claude , Wykes Til , Nicole Luc , Abdel Baki Amal
Published: July 2014

Background

Group cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis (GCBTp) has shown to be effective in diminishing symptoms, as well as in improving other psychosocial dimensions such as self‐esteem. But little is known regarding the processes that generate these therapeutic improvements and might be harnessed to further improve its effectiveness.

Objectives

The current study aimed at investigating these processes, particularly those linked to interpersonal relationships.

Design

The participants were all assessed at baseline, were given 24 sessions of GCBTp over the course of 3 months and were assessed again at post‐treatment as well as 6 months later (9 months from baseline).

Method

Sixty‐six individuals with early psychosis took part in a study of GCBTp where therapist alliance and group cohesion were assessed at three time points during the therapy, and punctual (each session) self‐perceptions on symptoms and optimism were collected.

Results

Improvements in symptoms (BPRS), self‐esteem (SERS‐SF) and in self‐perceived therapeutic improvements (CHOICE) were linked to specific aspects of the alliance, group cohesion, as well as optimism. The variables retained were not always overall scores, suggesting the importance of the variables at key moments during the therapy.

Conclusions

The results clearly demonstrate the importance of the alliance and group cohesion, together significantly explaining improvements measured at post‐therapy or follow‐up.

Practitioner points

This study has attempted to focus mostly on relational aspects, as well as on self‐perceptions, in the context of a GCBTp for individuals with early psychosis.

This study also showed that these therapeutic relationships are especially useful when they are more stable and at specific moments during the therapy, namely when more difficult psychological work is done.
Redirection of metabolic flux for high levels of omega‐7 monounsaturated fatty acid accumulation in camelina seeds
Authors: Nguyen Huu Tam , Park Hyunwoo , Koster Karen L. , Cahoon Rebecca E. , Nguyen Hanh T. M. , Shanklin John , Clemente Thomas E. , Cahoon Edgar B.
Published: July 2014

Seed oils enriched in omega‐7 monounsaturated fatty acids, including palmitoleic acid (16:1∆9) and cis‐vaccenic acid (18:1∆11), have nutraceutical and industrial value for polyethylene production and biofuels. Existing oilseed crops accumulate only small amounts (<2%) of these novel fatty acids in their seed oils. We demonstrate a strategy for enhanced production of omega‐7 monounsaturated fatty acids in camelina (Camelina sativa) and soybean (Glycine max) that is dependent on redirection of metabolic flux from the typical ∆9 desaturation of stearoyl (18:0)‐acyl carrier protein (ACP) to ∆9 desaturation of palmitoyl (16:0)‐acyl carrier protein (ACP) and coenzyme A (CoA). This was achieved by seed‐specific co‐expression of a mutant ∆9‐acyl‐ACP and an acyl‐CoA desaturase with high specificity for 16:0‐ACP and CoA substrates, respectively. This strategy was most effective in camelina where seed oils with ~17% omega‐7 monounsaturated fatty acids were obtained. Further increases in omega‐7 fatty acid accumulation to 60–65% of the total fatty acids in camelina seeds were achieved by inclusion of seed‐specific suppression of 3‐keto‐acyl‐ACP synthase II and the FatB 16:0‐ACP thioesterase genes to increase substrate pool sizes of 16:0‐ACP for the ∆9‐acyl‐ACP desaturase and by blocking C18 fatty acid elongation. Seeds from these lines also had total saturated fatty acids reduced to ~5% of the seed oil versus ~12% in seeds of nontransformed plants. Consistent with accumulation of triacylglycerol species with shorter fatty acid chain lengths and increased monounsaturation, seed oils from engineered lines had marked shifts in thermotropic properties that may be of value for biofuel applications.
A melanocyte–melanoma precursor niche in sweat glands of volar skin
Authors: Okamoto Natsuko , Aoto Takahiro , Uhara Hisashi , Yamazaki Satoshi , Akutsu Hidenori , Umezawa Akihiro , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Miyachi Yoshiki , Saida Toshiaki , Nishimura Emi K.
Published: July 2014

Determination of the niche for early‐stage cancer remains a challenging issue. Melanoma is an aggressive cancer of the melanocyte lineage. Early melanoma cells are often found in the epidermis around sweat ducts of human volar skin, and the skin pigmentation pattern is an early diagnostic sign of acral melanoma. However, the niche for melanoma precursors has not been determined yet. Here, we report that the secretory portion (SP) of eccrine sweat glands provide an anatomical niche for melanocyte–melanoma precursor cells. Using lineage‐tagged H2B‐GFP reporter mice, we found that melanoblasts that colonize sweat glands during development are maintained in an immature, slow‐cycling state but renew themselves in response to genomic stress and provide their differentiating progeny to the epidermis. FISH analysis of human acral melanoma expanding in the epidermis revealed that unpigmented melanoblasts with significant cyclin D1 gene amplification reside deep in the SP of particular sweat gland(s). These findings indicate that sweat glands maintain melanocyte–melanoma precursors in an immature state in the niche and explain the preferential distribution of early melanoma cells around sweat glands in human volar skin.
Abnormal interactions between context, memory structure, and mood in schizophrenia: An ERP investigation
Authors: Pinheiro Ana P. , Del Re Elisabetta , Nestor Paul G. , Mezin Jenna , Rezaii Neguine , McCarley Robert W. , Gonçalves Óscar F. , Niznikiewicz Margaret
Published: July 2014

This study used event‐related potentials to examine interactions between mood, sentence context, and semantic memory structure in schizophrenia. Seventeen male chronic schizophrenia and 15 healthy control subjects read sentence pairs after positive, negative, or neutral mood induction. Sentences ended with expected words (EW), within‐category violations (WCV), or between‐category violations (BCV). Across all moods, patients showed sensitivity to context indexed by reduced N400 to EW relative to both WCV and BCV. However, they did not show sensitivity to the semantic memory structure. N400 abnormalities were particularly enhanced under a negative mood in schizophrenia. These findings suggest abnormal interactions between mood, context processing, and connections within semantic memory in schizophrenia, and a specific role of negative mood in modulating semantic processes in this disease.
The Asymptotic and Numerical Inversion of the Marcum Q‐Function
Authors: Gil Amparo , Segura Javier , Temme Nico M.
Published: July 2014

The generalized Marcum functions appear in problems of technical and scientific areas such as, for example, radar detection and communications. In mathematical statistics and probability theory these functions are called the noncentral gamma or the noncentral chi‐squared cumulative distribution functions. In this paper, we describe a new asymptotic method for inverting the generalized Marcum Q‐function and for the complementary Marcum P‐function. Also, we show how monotonicity and convexity properties of these functions can be used to find initial values for reliable Newton or secant methods to invert the function. We present details of numerical computations that show the reliability of the asymptotic approximations.
Predictors of valued everyday occupations, empowerment and satisfaction in day centres: implications for services for persons with psychiatric disabilities
Authors: Eklund Mona , Sandlund Mikael
Published: July 2014

This study addresses predictors of occupational value, empowerment and satisfaction with the rehabilitation received in day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities. These outcomes represent varying aspects of relevance for the day centre context and together create a manifold outcome picture. This was a longitudinal study with approval from the regional research vetting board. Self‐report instruments were used, and the investigated predictors motivation for going to the day centre, occupational engagement, socio‐demographic factors and self‐reported diagnosis. Attendees (N = 108) at 8 day centres participated and filled in self‐report questionnaires regarding the predictor and outcome variables. A baseline measurement and a 14‐month follow‐up composed the data. Occupational engagement at baseline could predict all three outcomes at the follow‐up. Motivation for the day centre activities and not preferring work before attending the day centre were positive for satisfaction with the day centre. A low participation rate, although comparable with previous studies on the target group, was a limitation of this study. To conclude, both occupational engagement and motivation are factors that can be stimulated by the staff in day centres. Actions for how to accomplish that, and thereby also more positive outcomes of the day centre services, are proposed, such as a system of freedom of choice among day centres, and between day centres and supported employment.
Optimal Reserves and Short‐Term Interest Rates in a Model of Bank Runs
Authors: Selvaretnam Geethanjali
Published: July 2014

A global game framework of bank runs is used to analyse a bank's choice of its reserve level and short‐term interest rate. Higher level of reserves and a lower short‐term interest rate would decrease the probability of bank runs. When the bank's reserve policy is transparent, it will hold excess reserves to discourage withdrawals by patient depositors. This inefficiency of excess reserves increases with the proportion of impatient depositors. When the bank has private information about its reserve level, it will follow a more risky strategy of choosing lower reserves and higher early return than what maximizes depositor welfare and increases the probability of bank runs.
The Effects of Early Institutionalization and Foster Care Intervention on Children's Social Behaviors at the Age of Eight
Authors: Almas Alisa N. , Degnan Kathryn A. , Walker Olga L. , Radulescu Anca , Nelson Charles A. , Zeanah Charles H. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: July 2014

The present study compared the social behaviors of eight‐year‐old previously institutionalized Romanian children from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP) in two groups: (1) children randomized to foster care homes (FCG), and (2) children randomized to care as usual (remaining in institutions) (CAUG). Children were observed interacting with an age‐ and gender‐matched unfamiliar, non‐institutionalized peer from the community during six interactive tasks, and their behavior was coded for speech reticence, social engagement, task orientation, social withdrawal, and conversational competence. Group comparisons revealed that FCG children were rated as significantly less reticent during a speech task than CAUG children. For CAUG children, longer time spent in institutional care was related to greater speech reticence and lower social engagement. Using an actor–partner interdependence model, CAUG children's behaviors, but not FCG, were found to influence the behavior of unfamiliar peers. These findings are the first to characterize institutionalized children's observed social behaviors toward new peers during middle childhood and highlight the positive effects of foster care intervention in the social domain.