bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subspecies and sexual craniofacial size and shape variations in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)
Authors: Yano Wataru , Egi Naoko , Takano Tomo , Ogihara Naomichi
Published: November 2018

In order to investigate craniofacial size and three-dimensional shape variations independently in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) we used a geometric morphometries technique. A total of 55 specimens were CT scanned to generate a three-dimensional model of each cranium, and 57 landmarks were digitized to analyze the craniofacial shape variation in the Japanese macaque. The results showed that four intra-specific groups, consisting of two subspecies and the two sexes, differed in both size and shape space. In size, the cranium of the Macaca fuscata yakui (MFY) was smaller than that of Macaca fuscata fuscata (MFF) in both sexes, and female crania were smaller than male crania in both subspecies. Shape sexual dimorphisms in both subspecies were detected in the first axis of principal component analysis and were related to a relatively broad orbit, smaller neurocranium, enlarged snout, and broader temporal fossa in males. The shape differences between subspecies showed different features than those between sexes. Male subspecies shape differences were detected in the first and third axes, while those for females were in the first and second axes. Subspecies shape differences common to both sexes were a narrower orbit, relatively small neurocranium, longer snout, and postorbital constriction in MFY. Male MFY was specifically characterized by a more anterior and superior direction of snout protrusion. In contrast, female MFY showed an inferior direction of snout protrusion. Female MFY also had a taller orbit. With regard to the relationship between size and shape differences, shape sexual dimorphism for each subspecies was positively associated with size difference, but there was no such association between subspecies in either sex. Size does not seem to play an important role in subspeciation of Macaca fuscata.
Post-terrorism image recovery of tourist destination: a qualitative approach using Fuzzy-VIKOR
Authors: Ali Yousaf , Shah Zainab Ahmed , Khan Amin Ullah
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study aims to cover issues regarding traveling to a tourist destination which has seen war and terrorism. These problems can be addressed altogether, as they are interrelated. Based on tourists’ opinions, this paper aims to focus on measures or steps that can be taken to ensure changing their perceptions about a certain destination.

Design/methodology/approach

This study targets tourism experts for their opinions regarding the measures most necessary to change the perceptions of tourists. Their opinions were extracted through a questionnaire based on three criteria with four alternatives. Furthermore, raw data extracted are studied using the Fuzzy-VIKOR technique to rank the alternatives in order of importance. Moreover, the questionnaire also aims to know the perception of participants by asking them what would make them trust a destination with a history of terrorism.

Findings

The problems captivate the attention of government, guiding them to ensure that they need to focus more on physical security of tourists if they expect tourism industry to thrive. It was found that the steps needed to be taken are in the areas of international trade, cultural exchange programs and social media advertising.

Originality/value

Research based on improving tourist perception of Pakistan to develop Pakistan as a tourist destination is scarce. The study takes four different alternatives into account for image recovery and based on those alternatives, it provides a unique solution to the government in this regard with the necessary steps they need to take and attempts to help the government ensure tourism expansion in the country.
Handbook for the measurement of macrofungal functional traits: A start with basidiomycete wood fungi
Authors: Dawson Samantha Katherine , Boddy Lynne , Halbwachs Hans , Bässler Claus , Andrew Carrie , Crowther Thomas Ward , Heilmann‐Clausen Jacob , Nordén Jenni , Ovaskainen Otso , Jönsson Mari
Published: November 2018

Functional traits are widely recognized as a useful framework for testing mechanisms underlying species community assemblage patterns and ecosystem processes. Functional trait studies in the plant and animal literature have burgeoned in the past 20 years, highlighting a need for standardized ways to measure ecologically meaningful traits across taxa and ecosystems. However, standardized measurements of functional traits are lacking for many organisms and ecosystems, including fungi.

Basidiomycete wood fungi occur in all forest ecosystems world‐wide, where they are decomposers and also provide food or habitat for other species, or act as tree pathogens.

Despite their major role in the functioning of forest ecosystems, the understanding and application of functional traits in studies of communities of wood fungi lags behind other disciplines. As the research field of fungal functional ecology is growing, there is a need for standardized ways to measure fungal traits within and across taxa and spatial scales.

This handbook reviews pre‐existing fungal trait measurements, proposes new core fungal traits, discusses trait ecology in fungi and highlights areas for future work on basidiomycete wood fungi.

We propose standard and potential future methodologies for collecting traits to be used across studies, ensuring replicability and fostering between‐study comparison. Combining concepts from fungal ecology and functional trait ecology, methodologies covered here can be related to fungal performance within a community and environmental setting.

This manuscript is titled “a start with” as we only cover a subset of the fungal community here, with the aim of encouraging and facilitating the writing of handbooks for other members of the macrofungal community, for example, mycorrhizal fungi.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
C4 savanna grasses fail to maintain assimilation in drying soil under low CO2 compared with C3 trees despite lower leaf water demand
Authors: Quirk Joe , Bellasio Chandra , Johnson David A. , Osborne Colin P. , Beerling David J.
Published: November 2018

C4 photosynthesis evolved when grasses migrated out of contracting forests under a declining atmospheric CO2 concentration ([CO2]a) and drying climate around 30 million years ago. C4 grasses are hypothesised to benefit from improved plant–water relations in open habitats such as savannas, giving advantages over C3 plants under low [CO2]a. But experimental evidence in a low CO2 environment is limited, and comparisons with C3 trees are needed to understand savanna vegetation patterns.

To test whether stomatal conductance (gS) and CO2 assimilation (A) are maintained in drier soil for C4 grasses than C3 trees, particularly under low [CO2]a, we investigated photosynthesis and plant–water relations of three C3 tree and three C4 grass species grown at 800, 400 or 200 ppm [CO2]a over moderate wetting–drying cycles.

C4 grasses had a lower soil‐to‐leaf water potential gradient than C3 trees, especially at 200 ppm [CO2]a, indicating reduced leaf water demand relative to supply. Yet the dependence of gS and A on predawn leaf water potential (a measure of soil water availability) was greater for the C4 grasses than trees, particularly under low [CO2]a.

Our findings establish that gS and A are not maintained in drier soil for C4 grasses compared with C3 trees, suggesting that this mechanism was not prevailing in the expansion of C4‐dominated grasslands under low [CO2]a. This inherent susceptibility to sudden decreases in soil water availability justifies why C4 grasses have not evolved a resistant xylem allowing operation under drought, but instead shut down below a water potential threshold and rapidly recover. We point to this capacity to respond to transient water availability as a key overlooked driver of C4 grass success under low [CO2]a.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Shrinking Cities, Shrinking Households, or Both?
Authors: Hartt Maxwell , Hackworth Jason
Published: November 2018

Household size decline accounts for a substantial portion of population loss in shrinking cities, yet little research has focused on it. Much of the literature presents a simple growth/decline binary that is largely determined via population figures. In this paper, we highlight the importance and assess the impact of household size changes on population decline, and determine what types of household size declines are more acute in shrinking cities than other locales. We find that elderly households and households with school‐aged children are under‐represented in shrinking cities, while households with pre‐school‐aged children are over‐represented. More tellingly, we find the biggest source of household‐related loss in shrinking cities to be the growth of single‐person households now living in houses that were once home to entire families. These findings puncture the binary on which much of the shrinking cities discourse is based. The population dynamics of most cities are subtler than either practitioners or critical scholars assert. We argue that plans and development strategies for shrinking cities should reflect a range of demographic changes, including outmigration and internal household restructuring.
European Association for the Study of Diabetes 2018
Authors: Kurian Martin J. , Rentzepis Peter J. , Carracher Ann M. , Close Kelly L.
Published: November 2018

Martin J. Kurian, Peter J. Rentzepis, Ann M. Carracher, and Kelly L. Close are of Close Concerns (http://www.closeconcerns.com), a healthcare information company focused exclusively on diabetes and obesity care. Close Concerns publishes Closer Look, a periodical that brings together news and insights in these areas. Each month, the Journal of Diabetes includes this News feature, in which Kurian, Rentzepis, Carracher, and Close review the latest developments relevant to researchers and clinicians.
Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: A single center experience at National Cancer Center, China
Authors: Tan Fengwei , Wang Yalong , Gao Shugeng , Xue Qi , Mu Juwei , Mao Yousheng , Gao Yushun , Zhao Jun , Wang Dali , Zhou Lina , He Jie
Published: November 2018

Background

This study explored the clinicopathological features, predictive factors of malignancy, effectiveness of video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), and prognosis of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP).

Methods

A single‐center retrospective study of the data of 82 patients with SFTP who were surgically treated in our department between January 2003 and December 2015 was conducted.

Results

A total of 82 SFTPs (70 benign, 12 malignant) were included and all patients underwent complete en bloc resection. SFTPs originated from the visceral pleura in 47 (57%) and the parietal pleura in 35 (43%) patients. In our cohort, malignant tumors were often symptomatically large, and the patients with malignant SFTPs (mSFTPs) often had a family history of neoplasms. Patients in the VATS group (n = 22) had tumors with significantly smaller diameters, required a shorter surgical duration and shorter hospital stay, and experienced less intraoperative blood loss and less postoperative chest tube drainage compared to the thoracotomy group (n = 60). No tumor recurrence was found in benign SFTP (bSFTP) patients. The long term survival and disease‐free survival rates of mSFTP patients were 76% and 53%, respectively.

Conclusion

Larger tumor diameter and a family history of neoplasm may be predictive factors for mSFTP; however, this conclusion needs to be verified in large cohort. VATS is safe and reliable for treating selected SFTP patients. Local recurrence is associated with mSFTP patient death, thus close follow‐up of such patients is crucial.
Rothschild’s giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi (Linnaeus, 1758) in East Africa: A review of population trends, taxonomy and conservation status
Authors: Muller Zoe
Published: November 2018

Giraffe populations have suffered a 40% decline in the past thirty years, making them a new priority for conservation and there are considerable uncertainty and disagreement over the taxonomic classification of giraffes. Consequently, there has never been a more critical time to fully understand the global population size and distribution of all giraffe subspecies. The Rothschild's giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi (Linnaeus, 1758) is arguably one of the most imperilled giraffe subspecies. Once widespread across southern Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, the Rothschild's giraffe is now confined to a few, isolated and enclosed populations throughout Kenya and Uganda, with only one natural population remaining. Information about Rothschild's giraffe population size, distribution, and conservation history is patchy, and confined to recondite or inaccessible resources. Here, I present a review of taxonomy, distribution, conservation status and population size of the Rothschild's giraffe and present the most recent estimate of population sizes based on direct census data. Although the Latin name affixed to Rothschild's giraffe is subject to discussion, continued reference to this subspecies as G. c. rothschildi is strongly recommended.
Management of papillary lesions without atypia of the breast diagnosed on needle biopsy
Authors: Yu Yue , Salisbury Elizabeth , Gordon‐Thomson David , Yang Jia‐Lin , Crowe Philip J.
Published: November 2018

Background

Current surgical practice often leads to excision of all papillary lesions of the breast diagnosed on percutaneous biopsy. This study aims to identify a subset of patients with papillary lesions who may be able to avoid surgery.

Methods

Between January 2000 and December 2015, 157 cases of papillary lesions with complete surgical excision pathology results were reviewed retrospectively to compare the clinical, imaging and pathology features. Of these, 50 patients with benign papillary lesions without atypia and 19 patients with benign papillary lesions with atypia on needle biopsy were analysed to determine the rate of upgrade to malignancy after surgery.

Results

Of the 50 patients with benign papillary lesions without atypia on biopsy, two (4%) were upgraded to low grade ductal carcinoma in situ after surgical excision. Both these patients had suspicious features on imaging. Of the 19 patients with papillary lesions with atypia diagnosed on needle biopsy, eight (42%) were upgraded to malignancy after surgery. The differences between benign, atypical and malignant papillary lesions were further compared. Malignant lesions were more suspicious radiologically (P = 0.001), more likely to have architectural distortion (P = 0.001), more peripherally located (P = 0.001) and were larger in size (P = 0.01). Patients diagnosed with malignant lesions were also older (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Younger patients diagnosed with small central benign papillary lesions without atypia on needle biopsy, and without suspicious imaging, may be managed conservatively with surveillance.
Management of in‐transit melanoma metastases: a review
Authors: Nan Tie Emilia , Henderson Michael A. , Gyorki David E.
Published: November 2018

In‐transit metastases (ITM) of cutaneous melanoma are locoregional recurrences confined to the superficial lymphatics that occur in 3.4–6.2% of patients diagnosed with melanoma. ITM are a heterogeneous disease that poses a therapeutic dilemma. Patients may have a prolonged disease trajectory involving multiple or repeat treatment modalities for frequent recurrences. The management of ITM has evolved without the development of a standardized protocol. Owing to the variability of the disease course there are few dedicated clinical trials, with a number of key trials in stage III melanoma excluding ITM patients. Thus, there is a paucity of quality data on the efficacy of the treatment modalities available for ITM and even fewer studies directly comparing modalities. At present the mainstay of ITM treatment is surgical resection, with intralesional therapies, isolated limb infusion and radiotherapy utilized as second‐line measures. The developing role of targeted therapies and immunotherapy has yet to be explored completely in these patients. This review addresses the evidence base of the efficacy of the various treatment modalities available and those factors that have impacted their clinical uptake.
“You'll go home with bruises”: Affect, embodiment and heritage on board HMS Belfast
Authors: Dittmer Jason , Waterton Emma
Published: November 2018

What happens when a naval vessel (in this case, HMS Belfast) is converted into a floating museum? This paper approaches this question with the concepts of assemblage and more‐than‐representational thought, in which the materialisation of the past is generative of a range of potentials that can shape encounters in the present. HMS Belfast is dedicated to conveying the specific history of the ship, as well as to providing a sense of what life on board was like for sailors. Long‐term (auto)ethnography of the ship was conducted in 2016–2017. Drawing from the mobilities paradigm and a nascent literature on the geography of ships, we focus on the spatial affects of orientation and disorientation that result from the interactions between the ship's materiality and the bodies of its visitors. The latter is part of the curators’ desired experience, along with the re‐training of visitors’ bodies to negotiate the material infrastructure of the ship, as many sailors reported disorientation on board. The former is deployed to heighten visitors’ experience of the ship's extremes, such as depths of the boiler room. Our findings extend the cultural geographic literature on embodied experience of heritage and also provide an innovative case study of mobility on board an immobilised ship.
The impact of tacrolimus exposure on extrarenal adverse effects in adult renal transplant recipients
Authors: Campagne Olivia , Mager Donald E. , Brazeau Daniel , Venuto Rocco C. , Tornatore Kathleen M.
Published: November 2018

Aims

Tacrolimus has been associated with notable extrarenal adverse effects (AEs), which are unpredictable and impact patient morbidity. The association between model‐predicted tacrolimus exposure metrics and standardized extrarenal AEs in stable renal transplant recipients was investigated and a limited sampling strategy (LSS) was developed to predict steady‐state tacrolimus area under the curve over a 12‐h dosing period (AUCss,0–12h).

Methods

All recipients receiving tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid ≥6 months completed a 12‐h cross‐sectional observational pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic study. Patients were evaluated for the presence of individual and composite gastrointestinal, neurological, and aesthetic AEs during the study visit. The associations between AEs and tacrolimus exposure metrics generated from a published population pharmacokinetic model were investigated using a logistic regression analysis in NONMEM 7.3. An LSS was determined using a Bayesian estimation method with the same patients.

Results

Dose‐normalized tacrolimus AUCss,0–12h and apparent clearance were independently associated with diarrhoea, dyspepsia, insomnia and neurological AE ratio. Dose‐normalized tacrolimus maximum concentration was significantly correlated with skin changes and acne. No AE associations were found with trough concentrations. Using limited sampling at 0, 2h; 0, 1, 4h; and 0, 1, 2, 4h provided a precise and unbiased prediction of tacrolimus AUC (root mean squared prediction error < 10%), which was not well characterized using trough concentrations only (root mean squared prediction error >15%).

Conclusions

Several AEs (i.e. diarrhoea, dyspepsia, insomnia and neurological AE ratio) were associated with tacrolimus dose normalized AUCss,0–12h and clearance. Skin changes and acne were associated with dose‐normalized maximum concentrations. To facilitate clinical implementation, a LSS was developed to predict AUCss,0–12h values using sparse patient data to efficiently assess projected immunosuppressive exposure and potentially minimize AE manifestations.
Sirtuin 1 represses PKC‐ζ activity through regulating interplay of acetylation and phosphorylation in cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Li Jingyan , Huang Junying , Lu Jing , Guo Zhen , Li Zhuoming , Gao Hui , Wang Panxia , Luo Wenwei , Cai Sidong , Hu Yuehuai , Guo Kaiteng , Wang Luping , Li Zhenzhen , Wang Minghui , Zhang Xiaolei , Liu Peiqing
Published: November 2018

Background and Purpose

Activation of PKC‐ζ is closely linked to the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. PKC‐ζ can be activated by certain lipid metabolites such as phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)‐trisphosphate and ceramide. However, its endogenous negative regulators are not well defined. Here, the role of the sirtuin1‐PKC‐ζ signalling axis and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in cardiac hypertrophy.

Experimental Approach

Cellular hypertrophy in cultures of cardiac myocytes, from neonatal Sprague‐Dawley rats, was monitored by measuring cell surface area and the mRNA levels of hypertrophic biomarkers. Interaction between sirtuin1 and PKC‐ζ was investigated by co‐immunoprecipitation and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Sirtuin1 activation was enhanced by resveratrol treatment or Ad‐sirtuin1 transfection. A model of cardiac hypertrophy in Sprague‐Dawley rats was established by abdominal aortic constriction surgery or induced by isoprenaline in vivo.

Key Results

Overexpression of PKC‐ζ led to cardiac hypertrophy and increased activity of NF‐κB, ERK1/2 and ERK5, which was ameliorated by sirtuin1 overexpression. Enhancement of sirtuin1 activity suppressed acetylation of PKC‐ζ, hindered its binding to phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 and inhibited PKC‐ζ phosphorylation in cardiac hypertrophy. Consequently, the downstream pathways of PKC‐ζ' were suppressed in cardiac hypertrophy. This regulation loop suggests a new role for sirtuin1 in mediation of cardiac hypertrophy.

Conclusions and Implications

Sirtuin1 is an endogenous negative regulator for PKC‐ζ and mediates its activity via regulating the acetylation and phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. Targeting the sirtuin1‐PKC‐ζ signalling axis may suggest a novel therapeutic approach against cardiac hypertrophy.
“It's Wrong to Exclude Girls From Something They Love.” Adolescents’ Attitudes About Sexism in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Authors: Robnett Rachael D. , John Jennifer E.
Published: November 2018

The current research examined adolescents’ attitudes about sexism in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The ethnically diverse sample (61% East Asian) was composed of 629 adolescents (Mage = 16.09) who attended a public school in the United States. Participants responded to closed‐ and open‐ended questions about the prevalence and severity of sexism in STEM. We used latent profile analysis to classify participants into latent classes according to their responses. Of note, one latent class included participants who perceived sexism in STEM as a fairly common and very serious problem. Relative to the other classes, participants in this class were more likely to be girls and showed higher STEM value. Qualitative analyses illustrated that the participants in each class reasoned in fundamentally different ways about sexism in STEM.
Visual and ocular morbidity in severe open‐globe injuries presenting to a regional eye centre in New Zealand
Authors: Court Jennifer H. , Lu Lucy M. , Wang Nancy , McGhee Charles N. J.
Published: November 2018

Importance

Open‐globe injuries (OGI) are a leading cause of monocular blindness world‐wide with considerable cost to the individual and society.

Background

To characterize the epidemiology, severity and outcomes of OGI treated at a major ophthalmology centre in New Zealand.

Design

Retrospective study.

Participants

A total of 385 eyes of 381 patients over a 10‐year period.

Methods

Eligible patients were identified using diagnosis and surgery codes on hospital discharge summaries. Clinical notes were reviewed to determine patient demographics, injury details, treatments and outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures

Complications of injury, visual acuity at 3 months and final follow‐up, and final status of the eye.

Results

The estimated annual incidence of OGI was 2.8 per 100 000. Working‐age males predominated but age at injury ranged from 9 months to 90 years. Maori and Pacific peoples were over‐represented. Injuries were severe with 58.7% presenting with vision of hand movements or worse. Penetrating injuries (56.4%) were most common, followed by globe ruptures (35.6%). Major complications included retinal detachment (15.8%), enucleation/evisceration (9.1%), phthisis bulbi (9.9%), endophthalmitis (2.6%) and sympathetic ophthalmia (0.26%). Despite the injury severity, 46% of eyes achieved final BCVA of ≥6/12. The Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) was a useful prognostic tool for stratifying severity of injury and predicting visual outcome (Fisher's exact test P < 0.001).

Conclusions and Relevance

The incidence and severity of OGI in NZ are comparable to global statistics. Surgical repair can effectively recover vision, predicted well by the OTS. We identified at‐risk groups to target with education and prevention strategies.
Fragile X syndrome and connective tissue dysregulation
Authors: Ramírez‐Cheyne Julián A. , Duque Gustavo A. , Ayala‐Zapata Sebastián , Saldarriaga‐Gil Wilmar , Hagerman Paul , Hagerman Randi , Payán‐Gómez César
Published: November 2018

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders, and it is an X‐linked disorder in which there is a deficiency of the fragile X mental retardation 1 protein. This protein is crucial in regulating translation of mRNAs related to dendritic maturation and cognitive development. The phenotype of FXS is characterized by neurobehavioral alterations, social deficits, communication difficulties, and findings which suggest an alteration of connective tissue, especially in the ligaments and muscles, cardiovascular system and genitourinary system. Connective tissue connects and supports all other tissues of the body and is composed of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). Several proteins have been involved in the connective tissue abnormalities associated with the FXS, such as matrix metalloproteinase 9, which plays an important role in the homeostasis of the ECM, being a potential therapeutic target for certain tetracycline antibiotics that have shown beneficial effects in FXS. Here, we review connective tissue problems described in FXS.
DOES TIME TO WORK LIMIT TIME TO PLAY?: ESTIMATING A TIME ALLOCATION MODEL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY HOUSEHOLD SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS
Authors: Crispin Laura M. , Kofoed Michael
Published: November 2018

We use data from the 2003 to 2014 American Time Use Survey to estimate substitution between working and extracurricular time for high school students, which may have long‐run educational and labor market consequences. We find that working students are 5 percentage points less likely to participate in extracurricular activities and spend 40 minutes less on extracurriculars per day. We estimate heterogeneous effects by socioeconomic indicators to test whether disadvantaged students are more or less likely to substitute time away from extracurriculars. We find the largest interaction effects by paternal education, where working students with low paternal education are 0.5 percentage points more likely to engage in extracurriculars and increase extracurriculars by 15 minutes per day. (JEL I2, J22, J24)
Comparison of Electrocardiographic Biomarkers for Differentiating Drug‐Induced Single vs. Multiple Cardiac Ion Channel Block
Authors: Brockway Marina , Mason Jay W. , Brockway Brian P.
Published: November 2018

Since introduction of the International Conference on Harmonization proarrhythmia guidelines in 2005, no new marketed drugs have been associated with unacceptable risk of Torsade de Pointes. Although cardiac safety improved, these guidelines had the unintended consequence of eliminating potentially beneficial drugs from pipelines early in development. More recently, it has been shown that a corrected QT (QTc) prolonging drug may be safe if it impacts multiple ion channels vs. only human ether‐a‐go‐go related gene (hERG) and that this effect can be discriminated using QT subintervals. We compared the predictive power of four electrocardiogram (ECG) repolarization metrics to discriminate single vs. multichannel block: (i) traditional 10‐second signal averaged triplicates, and (ii) three metrics that used increasing density of automatically measured beat‐to‐beat (btb) intervals. Predictive power was evaluated using logistic regression and quantified with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC). Compared with the traditional 10‐second signal averaged triplicates, the reduction in classification error ranged from 2−6 with increasing density of btb measurements.
Interneuronal gap junctions increase synchrony and robustness of hippocampal ripple oscillations
Authors: Holzbecher André , Kempter Richard
Published: November 2018

Sharp wave–ripples (SWRs) are important for memory consolidation. Their signature in the hippocampal extracellular field potential can be decomposed into a ≈100 ms long sharp wave superimposed by ≈200 Hz ripple oscillations. How ripple oscillations are generated is currently not well understood. A promising model for the genesis of ripple oscillations is based on recurrent interneuronal networks (INT‐INT). According to this hypothesis, the INT‐INT network in CA1 receives a burst of excitation from CA3 that generates the sharp wave, and recurrent inhibition leads to an ultrafast synchronization of the CA1 network causing the ripple oscillations; fast‐spiking parvalbumin‐positive basket cells (PV+ BCs) may constitute the ripple‐generating interneuronal network. PV+ BCs are also coupled by gap junctions (GJs) but the function of GJs for ripple oscillations has not been quantified. Using simulations of CA1 hippocampal networks of PV+ BCs, we show that GJs promote synchrony beyond a level that could be obtained by only inhibition. GJs also increase the neuronal firing rate of the interneuronal ensemble, while they affect the ripple frequency only mildly. The promoting effect of GJs on ripple oscillations depends on fast GJ transmission (0.5 ms), which requires proximal GJ coupling (100 μm from soma), but is robust to variability in the delay and the amplitude of GJ coupling.
Depletion of soil organic carbon stocks are larger under plastic film mulching for maize
Authors: Lee Jeong Gu , Hwang Hyun Young , Park Mun Hyeong , Lee Chang Hoon , Kim Pil Joo
Published: November 2018

To determine the effect of plastic film mulching (FM) on changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, the annual C balances were determined by analysing the net ecosystem C budget (NECB), which means the difference between total C input and output, under FM and with no mulching for 2 years. Plots with black FM and no mulching were installed as the main treatment, and chemical and organic fertilizer plots were placed within each main plot as sub‐treatments. In the organic fertilizer treatment, a mixture of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) was cultivated as a cover crop during fallow seasons, and its whole biomass (9.1–13.9 Mg ha−1, DW) was recycled as green manure. Plastic film mulching significantly increased the maize yield (p < 0.001), mainly because of improved soil moisture and temperature conditions. This stimulated growth under FM, increased the net primary production (NPP) of maize by 3.8–4.7 and 5.0–5.2 Mg C ha−1 over no mulching in the chemical and organic fertilizer treatments, respectively. However, FM increased the loss of mineralized C by an average of 2.6 and 3.7 Mg C ha−1 over the no‐mulching plots for the same treatments. Because the whole aboveground biomass of maize was removed, the annual NECB had a large negative value under all treatments. For the chemical fertilizer treatment, the annual NECB was minus 6.1–7.1 Mg C ha−1 year−1 under no mulching, but under FM it decreased to minus 7.9–8.9 Mg C ha−1 year−1. Cover cropping and its biomass recycling, however, increased the annual NECB by 43–48% and 25–26% with no mulching and FM, respectively. Therefore, cover cropping and the recycling of its biomass and crop residues are more likely to sustain SOC stocks under the FM system.

Highlights

Film mulching significantly increased maize yields and net primary production.

Film mulching significantly increased respired C loss in soil.

Film mulching significantly decreased soil C stock.

Cover cropping and incorporation of its biomass increased soil C stock.
Comparing two classification schemes for seizures and epilepsy in rural China
Authors: Wang F. , Chen Z. , Davagnanam I. , Hoskote C. , Ding D. , Wang W. , Yang B. , Wang Y. , Wang T. , Li W. , Sander J. W. , Kwan P.
Published: November 2018

Background and purpose

The International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) updated the classifications of seizures and epilepsies in 2017. The 2017 classifications were compared with the 1980s classifications in rural China.

Methods

People with epilepsy receiving treatment under the National Epilepsy Control Programme were recruited from rural areas in China. Their seizures and epileptic syndrome were classified using the 1980s ILAE classification system and then re‐classified according to the 2017 system. Differences in seizure, epilepsy and aetiology classifications were identified.

Results

A total of 597 individuals (58% males, aged 6–78 years) were included. Amongst them 535 (90%) had a single seizure type, 57 (9.55%) had two types and five (0.84%) had three. There was complete agreement between the 1981 and 2017 classifications for the 525 individuals with focal seizures. Seizures originally classified as generalized in 10 of 65 individuals were re‐classified as unknown in the 2017 classification. Compared to the 1980s classifications, the proportion of individuals with unknown seizures and unknown epilepsy increased from 1.2% (7/597) to 2.8% (17/597, P = 0.002), and unknown aetiology increased from 32% (189/597: 182 cryptogenic and seven unclassified) to 39% (230/597; P < 0.001) in the 2017 classifications.

Conclusions

The 1980s and 2017 classifications had 100% agreement in classifying focal seizures and epilepsy in rural China. A small but significant proportion of generalized seizures and epilepsy and aetiologies classified in the old classifications were re‐classified to unknown in the new classifications. These results highlight the need for improvement in clinical evaluation of people with epilepsy in resource‐poor settings.
Dual antiplatelet therapy reduced stroke risk in high‐risk patients with transient ischaemic attack assessed by ABCD3‐I score
Authors: Song B. , Hu R. , Pei L. , Cao Y. , Chen P. , Sun S. , Wang X. , Tian X. , Guo Y. , Xu Y.
Published: November 2018

Background and purpose

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) benefited patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) with an ABCD2 score ≥4. The present study aimed to investigate whether the ABCD3‐I score could be a more appropriate tool for selection of patients with TIA to receive DAPT in real‐world settings.

Methods

We derived data from the TIA database of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. The predictive outcome was ischaemic stroke at 90 days. The additive interaction effect was presented by the attributable proportion due to interaction. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to present cumulative stroke rates in different risk categories with monotherapy and DAPT. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine risk factors associated with stroke.

Results

Among 785 patients, the mean (SD) age was 56.95 (12.73) years and 77 patients (9.8%) had an ischaemic stroke at 90 days. A total of 55.8% of patients (attributable proportion due to interaction; 95% confidence interval, 20.8%–90.9%) were attributed to additive interaction of ABCD3‐I score and antiplatelet therapy. Kaplan–Meier curves showed a significant difference between patients receiving monotherapy and DAPT in high‐risk patients with TIA (P = 0.021). DAPT reduced 90‐day stroke risk in high‐risk patients with TIA as assessed independently by ABCD3‐I score (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.20–0.92, P = 0.031). The benefit did not exist in low‐ and medium‐risk patients by ABCD3‐I score (patients with ABCD2 score ≥ 4 or <4).

Conclusions

High‐risk patients with TIA assessed by ABCD3‐I score received the most pronounced clinical benefit from early use of DAPT in real‐world clinical experience.
Increased rate of acute caesarean sections in women with epilepsy: results from the Oppland Perinatal Database in Norway
Authors: Farmen A. H. , Grundt J. H. , Nakling J. O. , Mowinckel P. , Nakken K. O. , Lossius M. I.
Published: November 2018

Background and purpose

Studies in women with epilepsy (WWE) regarding pregnancy and labour complications have disclosed contradictory results. Our purpose was to investigate whether WWE have a higher risk of acute caesarean section (CS) or pregnancy complications than women without epilepsy or women with other chronic diseases and, if we found a higher risk, to explore potential explanations.

Methods

The study used prospectively registered obstetric data from the Oppland Perinatal Database in the period 2001–2011, containing information on 18 244 births, including 110 singleton pregnancies in mothers with validated epilepsy. Data regarding epilepsy were collected retrospectively from medical records.

Results

Epilepsy was a significant risk factor for acute CS, breech presentation and low birth weight in offspring [odds ratio (OR), 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–3.1; OR, 2.29, 95% CI, 1.2–4.6 and OR, 2.10, 95% CI, 1.0–4.2, respectively]. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, antiepileptic drug exposure was an independent risk factor for acute CS (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.06–3.77) and polytherapy was a significant risk factor for breech presentation (OR, 5.37; 95% CI, 1.13–25.57). Seizure frequency during pregnancy had no influence on the complication rate.

Conclusions

We found that WWE using antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy had increased rates of acute CS, breech presentation and low birth weight, and that seizure frequency during pregnancy did not influence the complication rate.
Safety and efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation following natalizumab discontinuation in aggressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mariottini A. , Innocenti C. , Forci B. , Magnani E. , Mechi C. , Barilaro A. , Nistri R. , Fani A. , Saccardi R. , Massacesi L. , Repice A. M.
Published: November 2018

Background and purpose

Natalizumab (NTZ) is a highly effective treatment for relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), but its withdrawal is often followed by disease reactivation or rebound, even if other disease‐modifying treatments (DMTs) are administered. In this study, for the first time, the safety and efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation (aHSCT) performed followingNTZdiscontinuation were retrospectively compared with conventionalDMTs.

Methods

Patients with relapsing‐remitting MS treated withNTZwho discontinued the drug after at least six administrations and with at least 6 months of follow‐up were included. Patients underwentaHSCTafter a minimum of 6 months followingNTZwithdrawal, receiving meanwhile cyclophosphamide or corticosteroids, or otherDMTs approved for MS (control group) after an adequate wash‐out period. Both hematological and neurological follow‐up were assessed according to standard policies.

Results

A total of 52 patients were included, 11 who receivedaHSCTand 41 who receivedDMTs. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics were similar between the two groups. No fatality or life‐threatening complications, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, were observed. At 3 years followingNTZdiscontinuation, no evidence of disease activity was reported in 54.5% of the patients in theaHSCTgroup compared with 11.5% of those in theDMTgroup (P = 0.0212). Disease reactivation in the patients withaHSCTwas observed only during wash‐out/bridging therapy and 100% of the cases were free from disease activity afteraHSCT.

Conclusions

These data suggest that an aggressive therapy should be established afterNTZwith the shortest possible wash‐out period.aHSCTafter 6 months fromNTZwithdrawal appears to be safe.
Relationships Among Emerging Adult Psychological Problems, Maltreatment, and Parental Psychopathology: Moderation by Parent–Child Relationship Quality
Authors: Steele Ellen H. , McKinney Cliff
Published: November 2018

Current research supports clear relationships between parental psychopathology, parental maltreatment, and emerging adult child psychopathology. Less research has examined how the role of the parent–child relationship influences these existing associations. The current study tested two models that examined the moderating effect of parent–child relationship quality on parental psychopathology and emerging adult mental health as well as the effect on parental maltreatment and emerging adult mental health. It was expected that high parent–child relationship quality would buffer against the negative effects of parental psychopathology and maltreatment while enhancing the effects of functional parenting characteristics. Participants included 1,452 emerging adults, predominantly Caucasian (73.3%) college students who completed surveys on their mental health, recent experienced maltreatment, and their parents’ mental health problems. Results suggested lowest rates of mental health problems for emerging adults were associated with higher parent–child relationship quality and lower parental psychological problems, whereas negative outcomes were associated with higher parental psychopathology, regardless of parent–child relationship quality. Additionally, physical maltreatment was associated with lower rates of mental health concerns in the context of higher mother‐daughter relationship quality. Results emphasize the continuing impact of the parent–child relationship, particularly the mother‐daughter relationship, on emerging adults’ mental health. Moreover, the current study demonstrates the continuing influence of parents on their emerging adult children.
Membrane topologies of PEX13 and PEX14 provide new insights on the mechanism of protein import into peroxisomes
Authors: Barros‐Barbosa Aurora , Ferreira Maria J. , Rodrigues Tony A. , Pedrosa Ana G. , Grou Cláudia P. , Pinto Manuel P. , Fransen Marc , Francisco Tânia , Azevedo Jorge E.
Published: November 2018

PEX13 and PEX14 are two core components of the so‐called peroxisomal docking/translocation module, the transmembrane hydrophilic channel through which newly synthesized peroxisomal proteins are translocated into the organelle matrix. The two proteins interact with each other and with PEX5, the peroxisomal matrix protein shuttling receptor, through relatively well characterized domains. However, the topologies of these membrane proteins are still poorly defined. Here, we subjected proteoliposomes containing PEX13 or PEX14 and purified rat liver peroxisomes to protease‐protection assays and analyzed the protected protein fragments by mass spectrometry, Edman degradation and western blotting using antibodies directed to specific domains of the proteins. Our results indicate that PEX14 is a bona fide intrinsic membrane protein with a Nin‐Cout topology, and that PEX13 adopts a Nout‐Cin topology, thus exposing its carboxy‐terminal Src homology 3 [SH3] domain into the organelle matrix. These results reconcile several enigmatic findings previously reported on PEX13 and PEX14 and provide new insights into the organization of the peroxisomal protein import machinery.

Enzymes

Trypsin, EC3.4.21.4; Proteinase K, EC3.4.21.64; Tobacco etch virus protease, EC3.4.22.44.
Sediment deposition from eroding peatlands alters headwater invertebrate biodiversity
Authors: Brown Lee E. , Aspray Katie L. , Ledger Mark E. , Mainstone Chris , Palmer Sheila M. , Wilkes Martin , Holden Joseph
Published: November 2018

Land use and climate change are driving widespread modifications to the biodiverse and functionally unique headwaters of rivers. In temperate and boreal regions, many headwaters drain peatlands where land management and climate change can cause significant soil erosion and peat deposition in rivers. However, effects of peat deposition in river ecosystems remain poorly understood. We provide two lines of evidence—derived from sediment deposition gradients in experimental mesocosms (0–7.5 g/m2) and headwaters (0.82–9.67 g/m2)—for the adverse impact of peat deposition on invertebrate community biodiversity. We found a consistent negative effect of sediment deposition across both the experiment and survey; at the community level, decreases in density (1956 to 56 individuals per m2 in headwaters; mean 823 ± 129 (SE) to 288 ± 115 individuals per m2 in mesocosms) and richness (mean 12 ± 1 to 6 ± 2 taxa in mesocosms) were observed. Sedimentation increased beta diversity amongst experimental replicates and headwaters, reflecting increasing stochasticity amongst tolerant groups in sedimented habitats. With increasing sedimentation, the density of the most common species, Leuctra inermis, declined from 290 ± 60 to 70 ± 30 individuals/m2 on average in mesocosms and >800 individuals/m2 to 0 in the field survey. Traits analysis of mesocosm assemblages suggested biodiversity loss was driven by decreasing abundance of invertebrates with trait combinations sensitive to sedimentation (longer life cycles, active aquatic dispersal of larvae, fixed aquatic eggs, shredding feeding habit). Functional diversity metrics reinforced the idea of more stochastic community assembly under higher sedimentation rates. While mesocosm assemblages showed some compositional differences to surveyed headwaters, ecological responses were consistent across these spatial scales. Our results suggest short‐term, small‐scale stressor experiments can inform understanding of “real‐world” peatland river ecosystems. As climate change and land‐use change are expected to enhance peatland erosion, significant alterations to invertebrate biodiversity can be expected where these eroded soils are deposited in rivers.