bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids are directly associated with cognition in overweight children but not in normal weight children
Authors: Haapala EA , Viitasalo A , Venäläinen T , Eloranta A‐M , Ågren J , Lindi V , Lakka TA
Published: September 2016

Aim

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential nutrients for the normal development of the brain. We investigated the associations between plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids and cognition in normal weight and overweight children.

Methods

The study recruited 386 normal weight children and 58 overweight children aged six to eight years and blood samples were drawn after a 12‐hour fast. We assessed plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids using gas chromatography, cognition using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices, and overweight and obesity using the age‐specific and sex‐specific cut‐offs from the International Obesity Task Force. The data were analysed by linear regression analyses adjusted for age and sex.

Results

Higher proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid in plasma triacylglycerols (β = 0.311, p = 0.020, p = 0.029 for interaction) and docosahexaenoic acid in plasma triacylglycerols (β = 0.281, p = 0.038, p = 0.049 for interaction) were both associated with higher Raven's scores in overweight children but not in normal weight children. Higher eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid ratios in triacylglycerols (β = 0.317, p = 0.019) and phospholipids (β = 0.273, p = 0.046) were directly associated with the Raven's score in overweight children but not in normal weight children.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that increasing the consumption of fish and other sources of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid may improve cognition among overweight children.
Practice of skin‐to‐skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding and other newborn care interventions in Ethiopia following promotion by facility and community health workers: results from a prospective outcome evaluation
Authors: Callaghan‐Koru Jennifer A. , Estifanos Abiy Seifu , Sheferaw Ephrem Daniel , de Graft‐Johnson Joseph , Rosado Carina , Patton‐Molitors Rachel , Worku Bogale , Rawlins Barbara , Baqui Abdullah
Published: September 2016

Aim

To assess the effects of a facility and community newborn intervention package on coverage of early skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) and exclusive breastfeeding – the therapeutic components of kangaroo mother care.

Methods

A multilevel community and facility intervention in Ethiopia trained health workers in 10 health centres and the surrounding communities to promote early SSC and exclusive breastfeeding for all babies born at home or in the facility. Changes in SSC and exclusive breastfeeding were assessed by comparing baseline and endline household surveys.

Results

Overall practice of SSC at any time following delivery increased significantly from 13.1 to 44.1% of mothers. Coverage of immediate SSC also increased significantly from 8.4 to 24.1%. Breastfeeding within the first hour increased from 51.4 to 67.9% and exclusive breastfeeding within the first three days increased from 86 to 95.8%. At endline, SSC was significantly higher among facility births than home births and community health workers had limited contact with mothers.

Conclusion

While targeted behaviours improved overall, the programme did not achieve adequate increases in SSC and exclusive breastfeeding among home deliveries to expect a reduction in mortality for low birthweight babies. Newborn care programs in Ethiopia should continue to encourage facility delivery while strengthening coverage of community programmes.
fMRI brain activation changes following treatment of a first bipolar manic episode
Authors: Strakowski Stephen M , Fleck David E , Welge Jeffrey , Eliassen James C , Norris Matthew , Durling Michelle , Komoroski Richard A , Chu Wen‐Jang , Weber Wade , Dudley Jonathan A , Blom Thomas J , Stover Amanda , Klein Christina , Strawn Jeffrey R , DelBello Melissa P , Lee Jing‐Huei , Adler Caleb M
Published: September 2016

Objectives

We tested the hypothesis that, with treatment, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) regional brain activation in first‐episode mania would normalize – i.e., that differences from healthy subjects would diminish over time, and would be associated with clinical remission status, potentially identifying neuroanatomic treatment response markers.

Methods

Forty‐two participants with bipolar I disorder were recruited during their first manic episode, pseudo‐randomized to open‐label lithium or quetiapine, and followed for 8 weeks. fMRI scans were obtained at baseline and then after 1 and 8 weeks of treatment, while participants performed a continuous performance task with emotional distracters. Healthy participants received fMRI scans at these same intervals. Specific region‐of‐interest (ROI) activations within prefrontal emotional networks were assessed as potential measures of treatment response.

Results

ROI data were reduced using exploratory factor analysis, which identified five factors that were organizationally consistent with functional anatomic models of human emotion modulation. Half of the participants with bipolar disorder achieved remission by Week 8 and were contrasted with the other half that did not. Analyses demonstrated that, in the bipolar disorder group in general, treatment led to decreases in activation across brain regions toward healthy subject values. However, differences in activation changes were observed between subjects with bipolar disorder who did or did not achieve remission in subcortical and amygdala factors.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence for potential neuroanatomic treatment response markers in first‐episode bipolar disorder.
Fashion students choose how to learn by constructing videos of pattern making
Authors: Cavanagh Michaella , Peté Marí
Published: September 2016

This paper analyses new learning experiences of first year pattern technology students at a university of technology, in the context of selected characteristics of authentic learning theories. The paper contributes to existing knowledge by proposing a method that could be followed for design‐based subjects in a vocational education setting. Students were competent when replicating demonstrated pattern making procedures, but struggled to transfer knowledge to different situations. Therefore, a project asked students to create their own pattern‐making video tutorials in an effort to deepen authentic learning. Examining the learning activity and its results through action research reflection, the lecturer recognised authentic learning characteristics. For example, students grasped the work, displaying a range of original responses that presented more than one correct answer. By creating their own practice‐based content, students were able to learn more in the same period, compared to other cohorts in past years. Students were better equipped to utilise this knowledge in later projects and tests, demonstrating deeper understanding and knowledge transfer to other environments. Ultimately active knowledge production deepened learners' motivation, engagement in the learning process, and increased performance.
Synchronous pattern of moisture availability on the southern Tibetan Plateau since 17.5 cal. ka BP – the Tangra Yumco lake sediment record
Authors: Ahlborn Marieke , Haberzettl Torsten , Wang Junbo , Henkel Karoline , Kasper Thomas , Daut Gerhard , Zhu Liping , Mäusbacher Roland
Published: September 2016

A possible asynchronicity of the spatial and temporal moisture availability on the Tibetan Plateau has been a controversial subject of discussion in recent years. Here we present the first attempt to systematically investigate possible spatial and temporal variations in moisture availability by examining two lakes, Tangra Yumco and Nam Co, on an east–west transect on the southern Tibetan Plateau using identical proxies for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. In this study, an independent record from Tangra Yumco was analysed applying a multi‐proxy approach to reconstruct variations in moisture availability since the Lateglacial. Results were subsequently compared with previously published records from Nam Co and additional records from Tso Moriri (northwestern Himalaya) and Naleng Co (southeastern Tibetan Plateau). Our results show that Tangra Yumco was at least partially ice covered prior to 17.1 cal. ka BP. A temperature rise after 17.1 cal. ka BP probably resulted in thawing of the permafrost. At 16.0 cal. ka BP moisture availability increased, representing an initial monsoonal intensification. Warmer conditions between 13.0 and 12.4 cal. ka BP and cooler conditions between 12.4 cal. ka BP and the onset of the Holocene reflect the Bølling‐Allerød and Younger Dryas. At the onset of the Holocene moisture availability rapidly increased, with moisture highest prior to 8.5 cal. ka BP when temperatures were also highest. After 8.5 cal. ka BP the moisture availability gradually decreased and showed only minor amplitude variations. These findings are consistent with the records from large lakes like Nam Co, Tso Moriri, and Naleng Co, revealing a synchronous pattern of moisture availability on the southern Tibetan Plateau.
Effects of anthocyanins on the prevention and treatment of cancer
Authors: Lin Bo‐Wen , Gong Cheng‐Chen , Song Hai‐Fei , Cui Ying‐Yu
Published: September 2016

Anthocyanins are a class of water‐soluble flavonoids, which show a range of pharmacological effects, such as prevention of cardiovascular disease, obesity control and antitumour activity. Their potential antitumour effects are reported to be based on a wide variety of biological activities including antioxidant; anti‐inflammation; anti‐mutagenesis; induction of differentiation; inhibiting proliferation by modulating signal transduction pathways, inducing cell cycle arrest and stimulating apoptosis or autophagy of cancer cells; anti‐invasion; anti‐metastasis; reversing drug resistance of cancer cells and increasing their sensitivity to chemotherapy. In this review, the latest progress on the anticancer activities of anthocyanins and the underlying molecular mechanisms is summarized using data from basic research in vitro and in vivo, from clinical trials and taking into account theory and practice.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc
In silico prediction of chemical mechanism of action via an improved network‐based inference method
Authors: Wu Zengrui , Lu Weiqiang , Wu Dang , Luo Anqi , Bian Hanping , Li Jie , Li Weihua , Liu Guixia , Huang Jin , Cheng Feixiong , Tang Yun
Published: September 2016

Background and Purpose

Deciphering chemical mechanism of action (MoA) enables the development of novel therapeutics (e.g. drug repositioning) and evaluation of drug side effects. Development of novel computational methods for chemical MoA assessment under a systems pharmacology framework would accelerate drug discovery and development with greater efficiency and low cost.

Experimental Approach

In this study, we proposed an improved network‐based inference method, balanced substructure‐drug‐target network‐based inference (bSDTNBI), to predict MoA for old drugs, clinically failed drugs and new chemical entities. Specifically, three parameters were introduced into network‐based resource diffusion processes to adjust the initial resource allocation of different node types, the weighted values of different edge types and the influence of hub nodes. The performance of the method was systematically validated by benchmark datasets and bioassays.

Key Results

High performance was yielded for bSDTNBI in both 10‐fold and leave‐one‐out cross validations. A global drug‐target network was built to explore MoA of anticancer drugs and repurpose old drugs for 15 cancer types/subtypes. In a case study, 27 predicted candidates among 56 commercially available compounds were experimentally validated to have binding affinities on oestrogen receptor α with IC50 or EC50 values ≤10 μM. Furthermore, two dual ligands with both agonistic and antagonistic activities ≤1 μM would provide potential lead compounds for the development of novel targeted therapy in breast cancer or osteoporosis.

Conclusion and Implications

In summary, bSDTNBI would provide a powerful tool for the MoA assessment on both old drugs and novel compounds in drug discovery and development.
Proanthocyanidins and hydrolysable tannins: occurrence, dietary intake and pharmacological effects
Authors: Smeriglio Antonella , Barreca Davide , Bellocco Ersilia , Trombetta Domenico
Published: September 2016

Tannins are a heterogeneous group of high MW, water‐soluble, polyphenolic compounds, naturally present in cereals, leguminous seeds and, predominantly, in many fruits and vegetables, where they provide protection against a wide range of biotic and abiotic stressors. Tannins exert several pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity as well as antimicrobial, anti‐cancer, anti‐nutritional and cardio‐protective properties. They also seem to exert beneficial effects on metabolic disorders and prevent the onset of several oxidative stress‐related diseases. Although the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic data for these phytochemicals are still sparse, gut absorption of these compounds seems to be inversely correlated with the degree of polymerization. Further studies are mandatory to better clarify how these molecules and their metabolites are able to cross the intestinal barrier in order to exert their biological properties. This review summarizes the current literature on tannins, focusing on the main, recently proposed mechanisms of action that underlie their pharmacological and disease‐prevention properties, as well as their bioavailability, safety and toxicology.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc
English Language Proficiency and Early School Attainment Among Children Learning English as an Additional Language
Authors: Whiteside Katie E. , Gooch Debbie , Norbury Courtenay F.
Published: September 2016

Children learning English as an additional language (EAL) often experience lower academic attainment than monolingual peers. In this study, teachers provided ratings of English language proficiency and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning for 782 children with EAL and 6,485 monolingual children in reception year (ages 4–5). Academic attainment was assessed in reception and Year 2 (ages 6–7). Relative to monolingual peers with comparable English language proficiency, children with EAL displayed fewer social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties in reception, were equally likely to meet curriculum targets in reception, and were more likely to meet targets in Year 2. Academic attainment and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning in children with EAL are associated with English language proficiency at school entry.
Pharmaceutically inhibiting polo‐like kinase 1 exerts a broad anti‐tumour activity in retinoblastoma cell lines
Authors: Schwermer Melanie , Dreesmann Sabine , Eggert Angelika , Althoff Kristina , Steenpass Laura , Schramm Alexander , Schulte Johannes H , Temming Petra
Published: September 2016

Background

Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant cancer of the eye in children. Although metastatic retinoblastoma is rare, cure rates for this advanced disease remain below 50%. High‐level polo‐like kinase 1 expression in retinoblastomas has previously been shown to be correlated with adverse outcome parameters. Polo‐like kinase 1 is a serine/threonine kinase involved in cell cycle regulation at the G2/M transition. Polo‐like kinase 1 inhibition has been demonstrated to have anti‐tumour effects in preclinical models of several paediatric tumours. Here, we assessed its efficacy against retinoblastoma cell lines.

Methods

Expression of polo‐like kinase 1 was determined in a panel of retinoblastoma cell lines by polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. We analysed viability (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT assay), proliferation (5‐bromo‐2'‐deoxyuridine enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay), cell cycle progression (propidium iodid staining) and apoptosis (cell death enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) in three retinoblastoma cell lines after treatment with two adenosine triphosphate‐competitive polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors, BI6727 or GSK461364. Activation of polo‐like kinase 1 downstream signalling components including TP53 were assessed.

Results

Treatment of retinoblastoma cells with either BI6727 or GSK461364 reduced cell viability and proliferative capacity and induced both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Polo‐like kinase 1 inhibition also induced the p53 signalling pathway. Analysis of key players in cell cycle control revealed that low nanomolar concentrations of either polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitor upregulated cyclin B1 and increased activated cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (phosphorylated at Y15) in retinoblastoma cell lines.

Conclusions

These preclinical data indicate that polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors could be useful as components in rationally designed chemotherapy protocols to treat patients with metastasized retinoblastoma in early phase clinical trials.
Miller‐Dieker Syndrome with unbalanced translocation 45, X, psu dic(17;Y)(p13;p11.32) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization and G‐banding analysis using high resolution banding technique
Authors: Mishima Takashi , Watari Michiko , Iwaki Yutaka , Nagai Takumi , Kawamata‐Nakamura Miho , Kobayashi Yukako , Fujieda Satoko , Oikawa Mamoru , Takahashi Nobuhiro , Keira Mitsuaki , Yoshida Hiroshi , Tonoki Hidefumi
Published: September 2016

Lissencephaly is one of the central nervous system anomalies of Miller‐Dieker Syndrome (MDS). Fetuses with lissencephaly have an abnormal smooth brain with fewer folds and grooves that will be detected by ultrasounds or fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 30 weeks of gestation. We report a fetus with lissencephaly diagnosed as Miller‐Dieker Syndrome postnatally. G banded chromosome analysis revealed 45,X,psu dic(17;Y)(p13;p11.32).ish dic (17;Y)(LIS1‐,RARA+, SRY+, DYZ3+) by G‐banding analysis using high resolution banding technique. Fetal delayed cortical development will be the findings to perform further investigations including fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for MDS, a 17p13.3 microdeletion syndrome, pre/postnatally. This will be the first case of MDS with unbalanced translocation between deleted short arm of chromosome 17 and Y chromosome.
Group Modeling: A Unified Velocity‐Based Approach
Authors: Ren Z. , Charalambous P. , Bruneau J. , Peng Q. , Pettré J.
Published: September 2016

Crowd simulators are commonly used to populate movie or game scenes in the entertainment industry. Even though it is crucial to consider the presence of groups for the believability of a virtual crowd, most crowd simulations only take into account individual characters or a limited set of group behaviors. We introduce a unified solution that allows for simulations of crowds that have diverse group properties such as social groups, marches, tourists and guides, etc. We extend the Velocity Obstacle approach for agent‐based crowd simulations by introducing Velocity Connection; the set of velocities that keep agents moving together while avoiding collisions and achieving goals. We demonstrate our approach to be robust, controllable, and able to cover a large set of group behaviors.
Developing and assessing a cadaveric training model for transanal total mesorectal excision: initial experience in the UK and USA
Authors: Penna M. , Whiteford M. , Hompes R. , Sylla P.
Published: September 2016

Aim

Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) has become one of the most promising technical advancements in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer, with rising numbers of surgeons seeking training. We describe our experience with human cadaveric courses for taTME delivered in two countries.

Method

Four fresh human cadaveric workshops conducted in Oxford, UK, in 2015 and two in Chicago, USA, in 2013−2014, trained a total of 52 surgeons. Parameters of operative performance for each delegate were recorded. Previous surgical experience and uptake of taTME in the surgeons’ clinical setting were surveyed.

Results

Forty‐seven taTME cases were performed on cadaveric models. Participating surgeons had previous experience in laparoscopic TME surgery and transanal approaches but limited taTME exposure. The purse‐string remained occluded throughout in 93% of UK and 60% of US cases. Operative timings for key procedural steps were similar between the two countries with a mean time from start of circumferential dissection to peritoneal entry of 79.5 min (range 25–155). 96% of surgeons dissected transanally to a level S2 or above. The TME specimen quality was complete or near complete in 81%, with improvements noted between the first and second procedure performed. 81% of surgeons surveyed are currently performing taTME in their local hospitals.

Conclusion

Fresh‐frozen cadavers provide excellent teaching models for complex pelvic surgery. A structured training curriculum including reading material, dry‐lab purse‐string practice and postcourse mentorship will provide surgeons with a more complete training package and ongoing support, to ultimately ensure the safe introduction of taTME in the clinical setting.
PCL‐PEG‐PCL film promotes cartilage regeneration in vivo
Authors: Fu Na , Liao Jinfeng , Lin Shiyu , Sun Ke , Tian Taoran , Zhu Bofeng , Lin Yunfeng
Published: September 2016

Objective

Management of chondral defects has long been a challenge due to poor self‐healing capacity of articular cartilage. Many approaches, ranging from symptomatic treatment to structural cartilage regeneration, have obtained very limited satisfactory results. Cartilage tissue engineering, which involves optimized combination of novel scaffolds, cell sources and growth factors, has emerged as a promising strategy for cartilage regeneration and repair. In this study, the aim was to investigate the role of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL‐PEG‐PCL, PCEC) PCEC scaffold in cartilage repair.

Materials and methods

First, PCEC film was fabricated, and its characteristics were tested using SEM and AFM. Cell (rASC – rat adipose‐derived stem cells, and mASCs – green fluorescent mouse adipose‐derived stem cells) morphologies on PCEC film were observed using SEM and fluorescence microscopy, after cell seeding. Tests of cell viability on PCEC film were conducted using the CCK‐8 assay. Furthermore, full cartilage defects in rats were created, and PCEC films were implanted, to evaluate their healing effects, over 8 weeks.

Results

It was found that PCEC film, as a biomaterial implant, possessed good in vitro properties for cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. Importantly, in the in vivo experiment, PCEC film exhibited desirable healing outcomes.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that PCEC film was a good scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering for improving cell proliferation and adhesion and could lead to excellent repair of cartilage defects.
Low vitamin D levels are not a contributing factor to higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Hoorn study
Authors: Westra S. , Simsek S. , Rutters F. , Krul‐Poel Y. M. H. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Dekker J. M. , Pouwer F.
Published: September 2016

Aim

To test whether a low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level explains the greater prevalence of depression among people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 527 people, aged 60–87 years, who participated in a population‐based cohort study. Type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance were defined according to the 2006 WHO criteria. The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression questionnaire was administered, using a cut‐off score of ≥ 16 to determine clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

Results

Logistic regression analysis confirmed that women with impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose and people with Type 2 diabetes did have a higher risk of depressive symptoms [unadjusted odds ratios 3.66 (95% CI 1.59 to 8.43) and 3.04 (95% CI 1.57 to 5.88), respectively], compared with people with normal glucose tolerance. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level was not a mediating factor in the association between impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose or Type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms [unstandardized indirect effect 0.001 (95% CI −0.063 to 0.079) and 0.004 (95% CI −0.025 to 0.094), respectively].

Conclusions

The study found no evidence that low vitamin D levels are a contributing factor to higher depression scores in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Risk of future microvascular and macrovascular disease in people with Type 1 diabetes of very long duration: a national study with 10‐year follow‐up
Authors: Adamsson Eryd S. , Svensson A.‐M. , Franzén S. , Eliasson B. , Nilsson P. M. , Gudbjörnsdottir S.
Published: September 2016

Aims

To describe factors associated with prevalence or absence of microvascular and macrovascular complications in people with Type 1 diabetes of very long duration and to investigate the risk factors associated with the incidence of such complications.

Methods

We included individuals with Type 1 diabetes who had been entered in the Swedish National Diabetes Register between 2002 and 2004 (n = 18 450). First, risk factor distribution in people with diabetes duration of ≥ 50 years was compared between people with and without complications. Second, the incidence of complications during a 10‐year follow‐up period was studied in all individuals who had no complications at baseline.

Results

Among people with a diabetes duration of ≥ 50 years (n = 1023), 453 (44%) had macrovascular disease, 534 (52%) had microvascular disease and 319 (31%) did not have either of the diagnoses. Factors that differed significantly between people with and without macrovascular disease were gender, age, HbA1c, BMI, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, antihypertensive medication and lipid‐lowering medication. The same factors differed significantly between people with and without microvascular disease, with the exception of gender and HDL cholesterol. During the follow‐up period, 6.1% of the study cohort were diagnosed with macrovascular disease and 19.6% with microvascular disease. Incidence of macrovascular disease was significantly associated with HbA1c levels. Hazard ratios decreased with longer diabetes duration.

Conclusions

People with Type 1 diabetes who have survived ≥ 50 years without complications are significantly younger, and have significantly lower HbA1c levels, BMI and triglyceride levels than survivors with complications. HbA1c level is a predictor of macrovascular disease, independently of diabetes duration.
Risk Preferences and the Role of Emotions
Authors: Conte Anna , Levati M. Vittoria , Nardi Chiara
Published: September 2016

There is a large volume of research showing that emotions have relevant effects on decision‐making. We contribute to this literature by experimentally investigating the impact of four specific emotional states—joviality, sadness, fear and anger—on risk attitudes. In order to do so, we fit two models of behaviour under risk: the expected utility model and the rank dependent expected utility model, assuming several functional forms of the weighting function. Our results indicate that all emotional states mitigate risk aversion. Furthermore, we show that there are some differences across gender and participants’ experience in laboratory experiments.
Ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter neurotransmission modulates cardiac baroreflex activity
Authors: Lagatta Davi C. , Ferreira‐Junior Nilson C. , Deolindo Milena , Corrêa Fernando M. A. , Resstel Leonardo B. M.
Published: September 2016

Baroreflex activity is a neural mechanism responsible for short‐term adjustments in blood pressure (BP). Several supramedullary areas, which send projections to the medulla, are able to control this reflex. In this context, the ventrolateral part of the periaqueductal grey matter (vlPAG), which is a mesencephalic structure, has been suggested to regulate the cardiovascular system. However, its involvement in baroreflex control has never been addressed. Therefore, our hypothesis is that the vlPAG neurotransmission is involved in baroreflex cardiac activity. Male Wistar rats had stainless steel guide cannulae unilaterally or bilaterally implanted in the vlPAG. Afterward, a catheter was inserted into the femoral artery for BP and HR recording. A second catheter was implanted into the femoral vein for baroreflex activation. When the nonselective synaptic blocker cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was unilaterally injected into the vlPAG, in either the left or the right hemisphere, it increased the tachycardic response to baroreflex activation. However, when CoCl2 was bilaterally microinjected into the vlPAG it decreased the tachycardic response to baroreflex stimulation. This work shows that vlPAG neurotransmission is involved in modulation of the tachycardic response of the baroreflex. Moreover, we suggest that the interconnections between the vlPAG of both hemispheres are activated during baroreflex stimulation. In this way, our work helps to improve the understanding about brain–heart circuitry control, emphasizing the role of the autonomic nervous system in such modulation.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal‐assisted phytoremediation of soil contaminated with persistent organic pollutants: a review
Authors: Lenoir I. , Lounes‐Hadj Sahraoui A. , Fontaine J.
Published: September 2016

Concern about soil contamination by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that originate from intensive anthropogenic activities has now become a priority in industrialized countries. Some of these compounds can accumulate in the environment and threaten the development of living organisms because of their acute toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogeneity. Among remediation methods for polluted soil, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)‐assisted phytoremediation is an attractive approach to plant‐based environmental remediation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations are important in the restoration of degraded ecosystems because of the benefits to their symbiotic partners. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are not only able to facilitate plant establishment and survival inPOP‐contaminated soil by protecting plants against the phytotoxicity ofPOPs, but also enhance soil bioremediation by stimulating telluric microbial activity and by improving soil structure. This phytotechnology, however, is still in its infancy and there has been little research on aged‐contaminated soils. Itsin situeffectiveness remains to be proved. This review summarizes current knowledge about the effect ofPOPson the establishment and functioning of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and its contribution to the phytoremediation ofPOP‐polluted soil. It focuses on recent developments that aim to improve the efficiency ofAMF‐assisted phytoremediation in the dissipation ofPOPsand future directions.

Highlights

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provide a means of plant‐based environmental clean‐up.

AMF‐assisted phytoremediation is based on the synergistic actions of plants and telluric microorganisms.

Research is in progress to improve efficiency of this phytotechnology and management of the biomass produced.

Development of integrated approaches that combine land remediation with biomass conversion processes is required.
Accurate measurement of resistant soil organic matter and its stoichiometry
Authors: Kirkby C. A. , Richardson A. E. , Wade L. J. , Batten G. D. , Blanchard C. L. , Mclaren G. , Zwart A. B. , Kirkegaard J. A.
Published: September 2016

Research suggests that relatively stable, fine fraction soil organic matter (FF‐SOM) has almost constant concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur (NPS) per unit of carbon (C), although there are considerable differences in the datasets used. Such differences could, in agricultural situations in particular (where inorganic nutrients are often added), result from substantial concentrations of inorganic‐N, inorganic‐Pand inorganic‐Sthat remain in the soil. We assessed the efficacy of removal of inorganic nutrients with different washing procedures (0.1 or 0.5 mhydrochloric acid solution). Even after repeated additions of inorganic‐N, inorganic‐Sand inorganic‐Pto soil as part of a long‐term incubation experiment, washing soil with 0.1 mHClwas effective at removing residual inorganic‐Nand inorganic‐S, but not effective at removing inorganic‐P. We demonstrate that estimates ofC:N,C:SandC:Pratios inFF‐SOMcan be substantially underestimated when these washing procedures are not carried out as part of the soil analyses. This leads to overestimation of the amounts ofN,PandSthat are required for co‐sequestration ofCduring the formation ofFF‐SOM. BecausePis essential for the formation ofFF‐SOM, more research is needed to obtain an accurate measure of thePrequired per unit ofFF‐SOM. Although washing with 0.1 mHClalso removed someFF‐C, we suggest a method to compensate for this. We tested the procedure on soil with clay contents ranging from 8 to 60%; however, the stronger acid might be more suitable for soil with larger clay contents.

Highlights

What is the best method to measure the size and stoichiometry of the stable soil organic matter pool?

Enlarging this soil organic matter pool could help restore fertility and mitigate climate change.

Washing soil with dilute acid can remove excess inorganic nutrients, but it also removes organic carbon.

We recommend the size of the pool on unwashed soil and the stoichiometry on washed soil is measured.
Health‐related quality‐of‐life outcome in patients with idiopathic normal‐pressure hydrocephalus – a 1‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Junkkari A. , Häyrinen A. , Rauramaa T. , Sintonen H. , Nerg O. , Koivisto A. M. , Roine R. P. , Viinamäki H. , Soininen H. , Luikku A. , Jääskeläinen J. E. , Leinonen V.
Published: September 2016

Background and purpose

This prospective study explored the factors affecting the health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) outcome in patients with idiopathic normal‐pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) 1 year after the installation of the cerebrospinal fluid shunt.

Methods

The HRQoL outcome was evaluated using a 15D instrument, in which the minimum clinically significant change/difference has been estimated to be ±0.015. The follow‐up data (15D, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Beck Depression Inventory, iNPH Grading Scale), frontal cortical biopsy, Charlson Age Comorbidity Index and body mass index of 145 patients diagnosed with iNPH by clinical and radiological examination were analyzed.

Results

At 1‐year follow‐up, 63 (43%) patients had experienced a clinically significant improvement in HRQoL. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the absence of amyloid‐β and hyperphosphorylated tau pathology in the frontal cortical biopsy (53% vs. 33%; absolute risk difference, 20%; adjusted odds ratio, 2.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–4.84; P < 0.05) and lower body mass index (adjusted odds ratio, 0.90, 95% confidence interval, 0.82–0.98; P < 0.05) predicted favorable HRQoL outcome 1 year after the shunting.

Conclusions

Less than half of the patients with iNPH experienced clinically significant favorable HRQoL outcome, partly explained by the patient's characteristics and comorbidities. The HRQoL approach reveals aspects that are important for the patient's well‐being, but may also improve the quality of the outcome assessment of cerebrospinal fluid shunting. Study results may help clinicians to estimate which patients will benefit shunt surgery.
Describing ecosystem contexts with single‐species models: a theoretical synthesis for fisheries
Authors: Burgess Matthew G , Giacomini Henrique C , Szuwalski Cody S , Costello Christopher , Gaines Steven D
Published: September 2016

Fished populations exist within complex ecosystems but are typically assessed using single‐species models. It is often lamented that stock assessments rarely account for other ecosystem components explicitly, but in most fisheries there are clear difficulties in implementing data‐intensive ecosystem‐based assessment approaches. Addressing these competing challenges requires prioritizing investments in expanded assessment frameworks. To provide high‐level conceptual guidance to such prioritization, here we use general analytical theory to identify (i) characteristics of fish stocks that tend to facilitate or inhibit the precision and accuracy of reference points from single‐species assessments, (ii) characteristics of ecosystem components that introduce the greatest bias/imprecision into single‐species reference points and (iii) warning signs within single‐species frameworks that important ecosystem components may not be adequately accounted for. We synthesize and expand on theories from various branches of applied mathematics addressing analogous questions. Our theory suggests that (i) slow population dynamics (relative to the dynamics of other ecosystem components) and a wide range of abundance observations promote precision and accuracy of single‐species reference points; (ii) ecosystem components that strongly influence the focal stock's growth, and change on similar timescales as the focal stock's abundance, introduce the greatest bias/imprecision to single‐species reference points; and (iii) signs of potential challenges for single‐species assessment include fast population dynamics, ‘hydra effects’ (i.e. abundance and fishing pressure simultaneously increase), and recently detected extinctions, invasions or regime shifts in closely connected ecosystem components. Our results generalize to other levels of abstraction and provide strategic insights complementing tactical simulation approaches such as management strategy evaluation.
Strong fisheries management and governance positively impact ecosystem status
Authors: Bundy Alida , Chuenpagdee Ratana , Boldt Jennifer L , de Fatima Borges Maria , Camara Mohamed Lamine , Coll Marta , Diallo Ibrahima , Fox Clive , Fulton Elizabeth A , Gazihan Ayse , Jarre Astrid , Jouffre Didier , Kleisner Kristin M , Knight Ben , Link Jason , Matiku Patroba P , Masski Hicham , Moutopoulos Dimitrios K , Piroddi Chiara , Raid Tiit , Sobrino Ignacio , Tam Jorge , Thiao Djiga , Torres Maria Angeles , Tsagarakis Konstantinos , van der Meeren Gro I , Shin Yunne‐Jai
Published: September 2016

Fisheries have had major negative impacts on marine ecosystems, and effective fisheries management and governance are needed to achieve sustainable fisheries, biodiversity conservation goals and thus good ecosystem status. To date, the IndiSeas programme (Indicators for the Seas) has focussed on assessing the ecological impacts of fishing at the ecosystem scale using ecological indicators. Here, we explore fisheries ‘Management Effectiveness’ and ‘Governance Quality’ and relate this to ecosystem health and status. We developed a dedicated expert survey, focused at the ecosystem level, with a series of questions addressing aspects of management and governance, from an ecosystem‐based perspective, using objective and evidence‐based criteria. The survey was completed by ecosystem experts (managers and scientists) and results analysed using ranking and multivariate methods. Results were further examined for selected ecosystems, using expert knowledge, to explore the overall findings in greater depth. Higher scores for ‘Management Effectiveness’ and ‘Governance Quality’ were significantly and positively related to ecosystems with better ecological status. Key factors that point to success in delivering fisheries and conservation objectives were as follows: the use of reference points for management, frequent review of stock assessments, whether Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) catches were being accounted for and addressed, and the inclusion of stakeholders. Additionally, we found that the implementation of a long‐term management plan, including economic and social dimensions of fisheries in exploited ecosystems, was a key factor in successful, sustainable fisheries management. Our results support the thesis that good ecosystem‐based management and governance, sustainable fisheries and healthy ecosystems go together.
Potential of contemporary evolution to erode fishery benefits from marine reserves
Authors: Villegas‐Ríos David , Moland Even , Olsen Esben Moland
Published: September 2016

Marine reserves are valued for their ecological role: protecting fish populations from overharvesting while, at the same time, potentially maintaining fisheries yields via recruitment effects (net export of pelagic eggs and larvae) and spillover (net export of post‐settled juveniles and mature fish) across reserve borders. Focussing on the spillover effect, we argue that when fitness of the protected individuals depends on the relative size of their home ranges compared to the reserve size, and home range size is a property of the individuals, rapid local adaptation might occur in favour of individuals with smaller home ranges. Individuals that avoid fishing mortality by spending most of the time inside the reserve limits (i.e. with smaller home ranges) will experience a fitness advantage, whereas individuals that move beyond boundaries (i.e. with larger home ranges) will increase their risk of being harvested by spillover fisheries. We use empirical data on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) home ranges within and around a coastal marine reserve in south Norway as a case to illustrate our idea. Broadly, we highlight how protection‐induced selection and contemporary evolution could fundamentally alter our perspective of marine reserve functioning and recommend quantifying behavioural variability and behavioural consistency of protected populations.
The influence of FKBP5 genotype on expression of FKBP5 and other glucocorticoid‐regulated genes, dependent on trauma exposure
Authors: Yeo S. , Enoch M.‐A. , Gorodetsky E. , Akhtar L. , Schuebel K. , Roy A. , Goldman D.
Published: September 2016

The FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP5), an intrinsic regulator of the glucocorticoid receptor, has been associated with pathological behaviors particularly in the context of childhood trauma (CT), via a putatively regulatory polymorphism, rs1360780. However, trans‐ and cis‐acting effects of this locus and its interaction with CT are incompletely understood. To study its effects on the expression of glucocorticoid‐regulated genes including FKBP5, we used lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from 16 CT‐exposed patients with greater than two substance dependence/suicidal behavior diagnoses (casesCT+) and 13 non‐CT‐exposed controls (controlsCT−). This study in LCLs measures long‐term trait‐like differences attributable to genotype or lasting epigenetic modification. Through analysis of differential allelic expression (DAE) using an FKBP5 3′‐UTR reporter single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs3800373, that is in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs1360780, we confirmed that the rs1360780 risk allele (A) (or conceivably that of a linked SNP) leads to higher FKBP5 expression in controlsCT−. Intriguingly, casesCT+ did not show DAE, perhaps because of a genotype‐predicted difference in FKBP5 DNA methylation restricted to casesCT+. Furthermore, through correlation analyses on FKBP5 expression at baseline and after induction by dexamethasone, we observed that casesCT+ had lower induction of FKBP5 expression, indicating that overall they may have strong ultra‐short negative‐feedback. Only casesCT+ showed an effect of rs1360780 genotype on expression of FKBP5 and other glucocorticoid‐regulated genes. Together, these results confirm that the rs1360780 locus alters FKBP5 expression and further that in trans‐fashion this locus affects the expression of other glucocorticoid‐regulated genes after a glucocorticoid challenge. The CT exposure appears to be essential for trans‐effects of rs1360780 on glucocorticoid‐regulated genes.
Indications, complications and outcomes of elderly patients undergoing retrievable inferior vena cava filter placement
Authors: Rottenstreich Amihai , Kleinstern Geffen , Bloom Allan I. , Klimov Alexander , Kalish Yosef
Published: September 2016

Aim

The utilization of inferior vena cava filter placement for pulmonary embolism prevention in elderly patients has not been well characterized. The present study aimed to review indications, complications and follow‐up data of elderly patients undergoing inferior vena cava filter placement.

Methods

A retrospective review was carried out of consecutive admitted patients who underwent inferior vena cava filter insertion at a large university hospital with a level I trauma center.

Results

Overall, 455 retrievable filters were inserted between 2009 and 2014. A total of 133 patients (29.2%) were aged ≥70 years. Elderly patients were less likely to have their filter retrieved compared with non‐elderly patients (5.3% vs 21.4%, P < 0.001). Filter‐related complications occurred in 13% of non‐elderly patients and 14.3% of elderly patients (P = 0.72), most of them occurring in the first 3 months after filter placement. Survival among elderly patients with no evidence of active malignancy was similar to the non‐elderly patients with a 1‐year survival rate of 76.3% versus 82% in non‐elderly patients (P = 0.22), and a 2‐year survival rate of 73.1% versus 78.6% in non‐elderly patients (P = 0.27). Although decreased, survival rates among elderly patients with active cancer were still substantial, with a 1‐year survival rate of 45% and 2‐year survival rate of 40%.

Conclusions

Elderly patients had significantly lower rates of filter retrieval with similar complication rate. Survival rates among elderly patients were substantial, and in elderly patients with no active cancer were even comparable with non‐elderly patients. When feasible, filter retrieval should be attempted in all elderly patients in order to prevent filter‐related complications. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1508–1514.
Four domains of Ada1 form a heterochromatin boundary through different mechanisms
Authors: Kamata Kazuma , Shinmyozu Kaori , Nakayama Jun‐ichi , Hatashita Masanori , Uchida Hiroyuki , Oki Masaya
Published: September 2016

In eukaryotic cells, there are two chromatin states, silenced and active, and the formation of a so‐called boundary plays a critical role in demarcating these regions; however, the mechanisms underlying boundary formation are not well understood. In this study, we focused on S. cerevisiae ADA1, a gene previously shown to encode a protein with a robust boundary function. Ada1 is a component of the histone modification complex Spt–Ada–Gcn5–acetyltransferase (SAGA) and the SAGA‐like (SLIK) complex, and it helps to maintain the integrity of these complexes. Domain analysis showed that four relatively small regions of Ada1 (Region I; 66–75 aa, II; 232–282 aa, III; 416–436 aa and IV; 476–488 aa) have a boundary function. Among these, Region II could form an intact SAGA complex, whereas the other regions could not. Investigation of cellular factors that interact with these small regions identified a number of proteasome‐associated proteins. Interestingly, the boundary functions of Region II and Region III were affected by depletion of Ump1, a maturation and assembly factor of the 20S proteasome. These results suggest that the boundary function of Ada1 is functionally linked to proteasome processes and that the four relatively small regions in ADA1 form a boundary via different mechanisms.