bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mailed outreach and facilitated test ordering to promote cholesterol screening in community health centers: A randomized trial
Authors: Persell Stephen D. , Brown Tiffany , Lee Ji Young , Henley Eric , Long Timothy , Sanchez Thomas , Knight Regina
Published: December 2016

Rationale, aims, and objectives

Lipid screening is central to cardiovascular risk assessment. We sought to determine whether a simple mailed outreach message and facilitated test ordering increase cholesterol screening among federally qualified community health center patients with no recent cholesterol screening test performed.

Methods

Using a patient‐randomized controlled trial, we examined the effects of delivering a simple mailed outreach intervention promoting cholesterol testing and facilitated test ordering (without requiring an office visit). Participants were adult patients 50 to 75 years old, with no diagnosed cardiovascular disease or diabetes, and no cholesterol test within 5 years who had received care from community health centers in Illinois and Arizona. The intervention took place in 2014 and was powered to detect a 10% increase in screening due to the intervention.

Results

Participantsˈ (n = 480) mean age was 57.5 years, 51.0% were male, and 43.8% were smokers. There was no significant difference between groups in the primary study outcome—completion of total cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol tests or complete lipid panel within 3 months; 32 participants (13.3%) in intervention group versus 26 (10.8%) in control group met the primary outcome, with absolute difference of 2.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval −6.6 to 11.6).

Conclusions

This outreach intervention promoting cholesterol screening was ineffective. Interventions that attempt to minimize barriers to cholesterol screening on multiple fronts and that are more compelling to patients are needed.
Chemical Profiling of Different Types of Soy Sauce and the Relationship with its Sensory Attributes
Authors: Syifaa Alam Shah , Jinap Selamat , Sanny Maimunah , Khatib Alfi
Published: December 2016

Four types of soy sauce which are widely consumed and commercially available in Southeast Asia, namely sweet, salty, light and dark soy sauce were discriminated. A comprehensive chemical profiling such as sodium chloride, sugars, organic acids, total nitrogen and free amino acids were determined. The sensory attributes were determined using the Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) and their relationship with chemical profiles were analyzed by multivariate approach using orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA). Results showed that sugar was the dominant compound in sweet, salty and dark soy sauce. The sensory attributes such as color, caramel odor, viscosity and sweetness taste increased the overall acceptance in these types of soy sauce. In light soy sauce, sodium chloride, total nitrogen and free amino acids appeared to be dominant compound. It was found that saltiness and umami taste were the important sensory attributes that well‐characterized the taste of light soy sauce.

Practical Applications

In Southeast Asia, sweet, salty, light and dark types of soy sauce are very popular and commonly used in cooking and as a table condiment. Variations in raw materials used and different production process of different types of soy sauce may contribute to the different chemical profiles and sensory attribute of soy sauce. This aims of this study were to provide general understanding of the chemical characteristics in sweet, salty, light and dark types of soy sauce and highlight the differences between them. In addition, the results of this study can be used to provide additional data for the purpose of standardization and quality improvement of soy sauce production.
Comparison of Various RGB Image Features for Nondestructive Prediction of Ripening Quality of “Alphonso” Mangoes for Easy Adoptability in Machine Vision Applications: A Multivariate Approach
Authors: Eyarkai Nambi V. , Thangavel K. , Shahir S. , Thirupathi V.
Published: December 2016

A study was conducted to predict ripening quality in mangoes using RGB images. Mature “Alphonso” mangoes were selected for experiments. During ripening, random samples were chosen at 24‐h interval for imaging and quality analysis. Hierarchical clustering method was employed to classify the ripening period into five stages based on quality parameters (physico‐chemical, color and textural properties). From each image, 18 features were extracted and evaluated in the prediction of ripening stages. From linear discriminant analysis, group of normalized differential index (NDI) and area features obtained from RGB channels were found better in prediction with 14.9 and 12.3% of misclassification, respectively. While employing quadratic discriminant analysis, NDI and area features predicted the ripening quality effectively with lowest misclassification of 7.9 and 3.5%, respectively. Cross and external validation of selected models had also shown effective results (96.3% correct prediction) with these features. The proposed image features are easy to extract with simple algorithms and useful to predict the ripening quality of mangoes, particularly in machine vision applications.

Practical Applications

Mango is one of the important climacteric fruits, having great demand in the world market. India is the market leader, exporting the mango fruits in fresh as well as processed form. Since, level of ripeness plays a major role in the final product quality, mango pack houses and processing industries need an easy, rapid non‐destructive quality detection mechanism for predicting the ripeness level of mangoes in order to get the desire optimum quality of final products. This study explains about the adoptability of RGB based image processing method for prediction of ripeness level as a nondestructive method with various image features. This study will be helpful to great extend in the process of predicting the ripeness level of mango using the proposed image features with suitable for machine vision systems.
Utilization of Heat‐Moisture Treated Proso Millet Flour in Production of Gluten‐Free Pound Cake
Authors: Fathi Bahareh , Aalami Mehran , Kashaninejad Mahdi , Sadeghi Mahoonak Alireza
Published: December 2016

Effect of heat‐moisture treatment of proso millet flour on the quality of gluten‐free cake was investigated. Millet flour was treated with two different moisture contents (20% and 30%) at two temperatures (100C and 120C), and then different amounts (0–100%) of treated flours were used in cake formulation. The physicochemical and sensory properties of batters and cakes containing treated flours were studied. Results showed that using of heat‐moisture treated flour decreased specific gravity and increased consistency of batter. Incorporation of treated flour in cake formulation resulted in increased volume and subsequently decreased hardness of cake samples. However, utilization of heat‐moisture treated flour prepared at 30% moisture and 120C impaired the quality of cake. The cake sample containing 100% of this flour, was evaluated as unacceptable by panelists. However, utilization of 75% flour treated at 30% moisture and 100C could improve volume, color and texture of millet cakes without destroying of sensory acceptance.

Practical Applications

Development of gluten‐free bakery products has a growing market worldwide. Then food scientists are trying to improve the quality of these products. Results of the present study revealed the capability of heat‐moisture treatment to modify underused cereal (such as millet) flours for utilization in formulations of gluten‐free goods, improving their nutritional value and quality characteristics. The results of this study could be useful and applicable for the bakery industry.
Carrot Flour from Minimally Processed Residue as Substitute of β‐Carotene Commercial in Dry Pasta Prepared with Common Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Porto Dalla Costa Anne , Cruz Silveira Thys Roberta , De Oliveira Rios Alessandro , Hickmann Flôres Simone
Published: December 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the addition of carrot processing waste as a vegetable flour for the technological, sensorial and nutritional improvement the dried pasta and replace the additives currently used in pastas prepared exclusively with common wheat (Triticum aestivum). Samples were prepared with 10% and 20% carrot flour and compared with samples prepared with commercial β‐carotene. The cooked samples produced with 20% carrot flour showed an increase of 307% in carotenoid levels, 132% in total antioxidant capacity, and 608% in total fibers, and improvements in color when compared to the pastas with the addition of commercial β‐carotene. Furthermore, these samples had a high rate of acceptance by tasters during a sensory evaluation. The results showed that the exploitation of abundant and low‐cost wastes for the development of new natural ingredients with functional appeal is very attractive.

Practical Applications

The manufactured wheat pasta in Brazil is made mostly of carotenoid‐poor common wheat, in this way, the fortification with provitamin A is required due to absence of the orange color characteristic observed in durum wheat pasta. Due to the fact that the sustainability and the functional foods are currently attracting wide interest, the carrot residue flour is a potential ingredient to use in the food industry. As food colorant, the carrot flour improved the orange color retention after the cooking process, which ensures its potential use also in fresh pasta. Furthermore, the cooked pasta produced with 20% of carrot flour showed an increase in the carotenoids levels, in the total antioxidant capacity and in the fiber content, which indicates their potential use in other products, such as cookies, cakes, and breads, in order to improve their nutritional characteristics.
Growth and Volatile Compounds of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Irradiated Pork
Authors: Chen Juan , Tang Junni , Tang Cheng , Shi Hui , Gu Huaiyin , Lu Xiaozhu
Published: December 2016

The growth kinetics and volatile compounds of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on irradiated, cubed raw pork were investigated in this study. The results showed that the Gompertz model fitted the growth data of E. coli O157:H7 on pork with high R2 value, and the growth kinetic parameters exhibited respective features at different temperature and inoculum levels. For the volatile metabolites production of E. coli O157:H7, distinct variations occurred after the middle logarithmic phase of bacterial growth. Indole showed a rapid and obvious increase at the onset of the static phase; 2‐heptanone, 2‐nonanone and 2‐tridecanone followed the trend of bacterial growth with lag, logarithmic and static phases; the signal intensities of 1‐hexanol and 1‐octanol increased at the logarithmic phase and decreased at the static phase.

Practical Applications

The relationship between growth and volatile production of E. coli O157:H7 on raw pork would provide some fundamental scientific data for the emerging odor inspection technique.
Increasing Role of Nurse Practitioners in House Call Programs
Authors: Yao Nengliang (Aaron) , Rose Karen , LeBaron Virginia , Camacho Fabian , Boling Peter
Published: December 2016

Objectives

Residence‐based primary care provides homebound frail patients with a care plan that is individually tailored to manage multiple chronic conditions and functional limitations using a variety of resources. We (1) examine the visit volume and Medicare payments for residence‐based health care provided by nurse practitioners (NPs) in the Medicare fee‐for‐service environment; (2) compare NP's residential visits to those of internists and family physicians; and (3) compare the geographical service area of full‐time house call NPs versus NPs who make nursing facility visits a major portion of their work.

Design

An observational study using secondary data.

Setting

Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data.

Participants

Medicare beneficiaries.

Measurements

Medicare payments for home and domiciliary care visits, the number of residence‐based medical visits, provider volume, geographical distribution of full‐time house call providers.

Results

About 3,300 NPs performed over 1.1 million home and domiciliary care visits in 2013, accounting for 22% of all residential visits to Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries. A total of 310 NPs individually made more than 1,000 residential visits (defined as a full‐time house call provider); among full‐time house call providers, including physicians, NPs are now the most common provider type. There are substantial variations in the geographic distribution of full‐time house call NPs, internists, and family physicians. Full time NP's service area is about 30% larger than family physicians and internists. Nursing home residents are far more likely to receive NP visits than are homebound persons receiving home visits.

Conclusion

NPs are now the largest type of provider delivering residence‐based care and NPs provide care over the largest geographical service area. However, the vast majority of frail Americans are more likely to receive NP's care in a nursing facility versus at home.
Sense of Control in End‐of‐Life Decision‐Making
Authors: Romo Rafael D. , Allison Theresa A. , Smith Alexander K. , Wallhagen Margaret I.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To explore how older adults in the community with a limited life expectancy make healthcare decisions and the processes used when they are not in an acute crisis.

Design

Grounded theory.

Setting

Medical programs and geriatrics clinics at the University of California, San Francisco, and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants

Community‐dwelling adults aged 67 to 98 with a life expectancy of less than 1 year (N = 20).

Measurements

In‐depth semistructured interviews in participants’ homes. Constant comparative analysis was used to develop codes and identify themes.

Results

Participants generally delegated decisions to others, expressing their wishes by describing desired end‐of‐life outcomes and highlighting meaningful aspects of their lives. They did this in the belief that the delegate would make appropriate decisions on their behalf. In this way, participants were able to achieve a sense of control without being in control of decisions. Four themes emerged from the analysis that reflect the various approaches participants used to articulate their goals and maintain a sense of control: direct communication, third‐party analogies, adaptive denial, and engaged avoidance.

Conclusion

These findings challenge the prevailing view of personal autonomy. These older adults suggest a path to decision‐making that focuses on priorities and goals, allowing them to take a more‐passive approach to decision‐making while still maintaining a sense of control.
USP14 inhibitor attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion‐induced neuronal injury in mice
Authors: Min Jia‐Wei , Lü Lanhai , Freeling Jessica L. , Martin Doug S. , Wang Hongmin
Published: December 2016

Stroke is associated with over‐production of misfolded and aggregating proteins. However, it remains largely unclear whether enhanced removal of protein aggregates following ischemic stroke is neuroprotective. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are a large group of proteases that regulate protein degradation. The ubiquitin‐specific protease 14 (USP14) is a DUB that is associated with the proteasome and negatively regulates proteasome activity. In this study, we examined the effect of 1‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2,5‐dimethylpyrrol‐3‐yl]‐2‐pyrrolidin‐1‐ylethanone (IU1), a specific small molecule inhibitor of USP14, on mouse focal cerebral ischemic stroke‐induced neuronal injury in mice. We found that IU1 treatment attenuated ischemic stroke‐caused neuronal injury, which was reflected by increased survival rate, reduced infarct volume, as well as decreased neuronal loss in the IU1‐treated mice compared to the control‐treated mice. Additionally, IU1 treatment is associated with reduced protein aggregates and enhanced proteasome functionality. These data not only highlight the significance of protein homeostasis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion‐induced neuronal injury but also extend the therapeutic role of DUB inhibitors.

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The role of the breast care nurse in patient and family care
Authors: Luck Lauretta , Chok Harrison Ng , Scott Nancy , Wilkes Lesley
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe the role of the breast care nurse in caring for patients and families.

Background

The breast care nurse is an expert clinical nurse who plays a significant role in the care of women/men and their families with breast cancer. The role of these nurses has expanded since the 1990s in Australia.

Design

Descriptive study.

Methods

An online survey was sent to breast care nurses using peak body databases (n = 100). The survey consisted of nineteen nurse roles and functions from a previous Delphi technique study. Nurses rated the importance and frequency of role elements using a five‐point Likert scale and four open‐ended questions relating to role.

Results

There were 89 respondents. Most of the sample were from remote (n = 37, 41%) and rural areas (n = 47, 52%). The majority of responses regarding importance and frequency of the BCN role had a mean score above 4, which corresponds to ‘moderately important’ and ‘occasionally as needed’. There were significant differences between the level of importance and frequency on 10 items. Four role themes arose from the thematic analysis: Breast care nurses as patient advocates, patient educators, care coordinators and clinical experts.

Conclusions

This study delineated the important nurses role in caring for patients and families during a critical time of their life. Further, it details the important nursing roles and functions undertaken by these nurses and compared this to the frequency with which these nurses perform these aspects of their role.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study further delineates the important role that the nurses play in caring for patients and families during a critical time of their life. It extends further the frequency and importance of the supportive care and the need to educate their nurses on their role in providing spiritual care and research.
Building nurses’ capacity to address health inequities: incorporating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health content in a family nurse practitioner programme
Authors: Yingling Charles T , Cotler Karen , Hughes Tonda L
Published: December 2016

Aims and objectives

To describe our experience in incorporating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health content into the family nurse practitioner curriculum at a Midwestern college of nursing in the United States.

Background

Globally, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people face disparities in the domains of physical health, behavioural risks, mental health and victimisation. There remains a paucity of nursing research on most aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health and access to care. To date, nursing leadership and curricular bodies have not provided clear guidance on the role of nurse educators in preparing nursing students to provide care to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Design

Discursive paper describing the development of a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health learning module for inclusion in a family nurse practitioner programme.

Methods

We summarise health disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, describe the process of module development and outline the learning content included in the module. We also discuss challenges faced in incorporating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender content into nursing curricula.

Conclusions

Despite the lack of formal direction from the nursing sector, nursing faculty should prepare nursing students to provide culturally sensitive and competent care to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Our experience incorporating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender‐specific content into the family nurse practitioner programme has proven to be positive for both students and faculty.

Relevance to clinical practice

Given their large numbers and presence across systems of care, nurses are uniquely positioned to address barriers to care faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Modules such as the one described here can be used by nurse faculty to guide the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender‐specific content in family nurse practitioner or other nursing courses—as well as to guide the development of nursing competencies in the care of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Age‐related changes in mastication
Authors: Peyron M. A. , Woda A. , Bourdiol P. , Hennequin M.
Published: December 2016

The paper reviews human mastication, focusing on its age‐related changes. The first part describes mastication adaptation in young healthy individuals. Adaptation to obtain a food bolus ready to be swallowed relies on variations in number of cycles, muscle strength and volume of emitted saliva. As a result, the food bolus displays granulometric and rheological properties, the values of which are maintained within the adaptive range of deglutition. The second part concerns healthy ageing. Some mastication parameters are slightly modified by age, but ageing itself does not impair mastication, as the adaptation possibilities remain operant. The third part reports on very aged subjects, who display frequent systemic or local diseases. Local and/or general diseases such as tooth loss, salivary defect, or motor impairment are then indistinguishably superimposed on the effects of very old age. The resulting impaired function increases the risk of aspiration and choking. Lastly, the consequences for eating behaviour and nutrition are evoked.
Myofibroblasts could be recruited in a chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2‐dependent manner in pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Sarode Gargi , Sarode Sachin C. , Deshmukh Revati , Raktade Prashant , Patil Shankargouda
Published: December 2016

Background

Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (CCL2) is a major profibrotic mediator with a proven role in fibrosis of different organs of the body. Recently, increased fibrosis in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is linked with betel quid‐related chronic irritation and myofibroblast. Hence, this study is designed to investigate expression of CCL2 in OSMF and its correlation with myofibroblasts.

Materials and Methods

Paraffin‐embedded specimens of 30 OSMF and 10 tissues of normal buccal mucosa were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for CCL2 and alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) expression.

Results

CCL2 expression in basal cells (CCL2‐B) and connective tissue (CCL2‐CT), and α‐SMA showed significantly increased expression in advanced OSMF as compared with early OSMF and controls. Significant differences were observed in the expression of CCL2‐B between control vs. OSMF (P = 0.002), control vs. advanced OSMF (P = 0.005), and early vs. advanced OSMF (P = 0.0377). Similarly, differences in the CCL2‐CT expression were statistically significant between control vs. OSMF (P = 0.00086), control vs. early OSMF (P = 0.02914), and control vs. advanced OSMF (P = 0.0006). For α‐SMA expression, significant differences were observed between control vs. OSMF (P = 0.0003), control vs. early OSMF (P = 0.036), control vs. advanced OSMF (P = 0.00008), and early vs. advanced OSMF (P = 0.0009). In OSMF group, a significant correlation was observed between CCL2‐B and CCL2‐CT (P < 0.00001), CCL2‐B and α‐SMA (P < 0.00001), and CCL2‐CT and α‐SMA (P < 0.00001).

Conclusion

CCL2 could be responsible for pathogenesis of OSMF by recruiting myofibroblasts.
Begomovirus and Associated Satellite Components Infecting Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in Pakistan
Authors: Tahir Muhammad N. , Mansoor Shahid , Briddon Rob W. , Amin Imran
Published: December 2016

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a legume that is grown widely on the Indian subcontinent. Leaf curl symptoms of cluster bean plants collected in the Punjab, Pakistan, were shown to be associated with the begomovirus Papaya leaf curl virus; the first time this virus has been identified infecting cluster bean in Pakistan. The virus was shown to be associated with Tomato leaf curl betasatellite. Additionally, some cluster bean plants were shown to also harbour Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Accuracy of tablet splitting and liquid measurements: an examination of who, what and how
Authors: Abu-Geras Dana , Hadziomerovic Dunja , Leau Andrew , Khan Ramzan Nazim , Gudka Sajni , Locher Cornelia , Razaghikashani Maryam , Lim Lee Yong
Published: December 2016

Objective

To examine factors that might affect the ability of patients to accurately halve tablets or measure a 5-ml liquid dose.

Methods

Eighty-eight participants split four different placebo tablets by hand and using a tablet splitter, while 85 participants measured 5 ml of water, 0.5% methylcellulose (MC) and 1% MC using a syringe and dosing cup. Accuracy of manipulation was determined by mass measurements.

Key findings

The general population was less able than pharmacy students to break tablets into equal parts, although age, gender and prior experience were insignificant factors. Greater accuracy of tablet halving was observed with tablet splitter, with scored tablets split more equally than unscored tablets. Tablet size did not affect the accuracy of splitting. However, >25% of small scored tablets failed to be split by hand, and 41% of large unscored tablets were split into >2 portions in the tablet splitter. In liquid measurement, the syringe provided more accurate volume measurements than the dosing cup, with higher accuracy observed for the more viscous MC solutions than water.

Conclusion

Formulation characteristics and manipulation technique have greater influences on the accuracy of medication modification and should be considered in off-label drug use in vulnerable populations.
Geridonin, a novel derivative of oridonin, inhibits proliferation of MGC 803 cells both in vitro and in vivo through elevating the intracellular ROS
Authors: Wang Sai-Qi , Wang Cong , Wang Jun-Wei , Yang Dong-Xiao , Wang Ran , Wang Chuan-Jin , Li Hui-Ju , Shi Hong-Ge , Ke Yu , Liu Hong-Min
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To study the antitumour activity of a novel derivative of oridonin named geridonin in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

MTT and colony formation assay were used to test the cytotoxicity of geridonin; apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and the levels of reactive oxygen species were measured by flow cytometry; JC-1 staining assay was used to examine the mitochondrial membrane potential; the MGC 803 xenograft model was established to evaluate the antitumour effect of geridonin in vivo; H&E staining was performed for the histological analysis.

Key findings

In vitro, geridonin remarkably inhibited proliferation of gastrointestinal cancer cells including oesophageal, gastric, liver and colon cancers. On oesophageal, gastric cancer cells, geridonin displayed strong cytotoxicity than that of oridonin. In gastric cancer MGC 803 cells, geridonin triggered apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway depending on caspase. In addition, geridonin sharply reduced the formation of cell colony, increased the intracellular levels of ROS and induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. In vivo, geridonin delayed the growth of MGC 803 xenograft in athymic mice without obvious loss of bodyweight.

Conclusions

The novel derivative of oridonin, geridonin, inhibited the growth of human gastric cancer cells MGC 803 both in vitro and in vivo mainly via triggering apoptosis depending on elevating intracellular level of ROS.
Review on the effects of potential prebiotics on controlling intestinal enteropathogens Salmonella and Escherichia coli in pig production
Authors: Tran T. H. T. , Everaert N. , Bindelle J.
Published: December 2016

Salmonella enterica serotypes (Salmonella sp.) are the second cause of bacterial foodborne zoonoses in humans after campylobacteriosis. Pork is the third most important cause for outbreak‐associated salmonellosis, and colibacillosis is the most important disease in piglets and swine. Attachment to host cells, translocation of effector proteins into host cells, invasion and replication in tissues are the vital virulence steps of these pathogens that help them to thrive in the intestinal environment and invade tissues. Feed contamination is an important source for Salmonella infection in pig production. Many on‐farm feeding strategies intervene to avoid the introduction of pathogens onto the farm by contaminated feeds or to reduce infection pressure when pathogens are present. Among the latter, prebiotics could be effective at protecting against these enteric bacterial pathogens. Nowadays, a wide range of molecules can potentially serve as prebiotics. Here, we summarize the prevalence of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli in pigs, understanding of the mechanisms by which pathogens can cause disease, the feed related to pathogen contamination in pigs and detail the mechanisms on which prebiotics are likely to act in order to fulfil their protective action against these pathogens in pig production. Many different mechanisms involve the inhibition of Salmonella and E. coli by prebiotics such as coating the host surface, modulation of intestinal ecology, downregulating the expression of adhesin factors or virulence genes, reinforcing the host immune system.
Differential toxic effects of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) on the herbivorous gastropods, Littorina littorea and L. obtusata (Mollusca)
Authors: Peckol Paulette , Putnam Alysha B.
Published: December 2016

Members of the genus Ulva are widespread and abundant in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas but there are conflicting data regarding susceptibility to herbivory. While some studies have documented that Ulva spp. were favored by a diversity of marine herbivores, other work has revealed herbivore deterrence. We investigated grazing and growth rates of the littorinid species, Littorina littorea and L. obtusata, when offered Fucus vesiculosus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Ulva lactuca, and Chondrus crispus, highlighting distinctive vulnerabilities to toxic effects of U. lactuca. Ulva lactuca was the preferred food of L. littorea, while L. obtusata showed no grazing on this ephemeral algal species. In contrast, F. vesiculosus was highly preferred by L. obtusata. Although L. littorea demonstrated a grazing preference for U. lactuca, growth rate of this gastropod species was nearly 3× greater when fed F. vesiculosus, suggesting a non‐lethal, negative effect of U. lactuca on L. littorea with long‐term exposure. Mortality of L. obtusata ranged from 0% to 100% when held in the presence of various Ulva densities for 1 week, and Ulva exudate depressed herbivory of this gastropod. We conclude that the water‐soluble, toxic exudate produced by U. lactuca in response to herbivory had allelochemical properties, and may contain a cleavage product (acrylic acid) of dimethylsulfoniopropionate or reactive oxygen species (i.e., H2O2). Observed differences in susceptibility to Ulva toxicity by the littorinid species may be related to generalist versus specialist feeding and habitat strategies.
The influence of seasonal precipitation and grass competition on 20 years of forb dynamics in northern Chihuahuan Desert grassland
Authors: Mulhouse John M. , Hallett Lauren M. , Collins Scott L.
Published: December 2016

Aims

In arid grasslands forbs represent a large component of species diversity and provide a key resource for pollinators and consumers. However, low abundances and high temporal variability make it challenging to successfully predict forb presence and abundance from 1 yr to the next. In this study we: (1) characterize patterns of semi‐arid forb diversity and abundance over time; (2) determine the relative importance of direct vs indirect (via grass competition) effects of precipitation on forb richness and abundance; and (3) separate the effect of precipitation timing on forb community composition from the effects of precipitation amount and season.

Location

Semi‐arid grassland, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro County, central New Mexico, USA.

Methods

We analysed forb dynamics along two 400‐m long line‐intercept transects in response to inter‐annual and seasonal precipitation variability and abundance of perennial grasses using a unique 20‐yr species composition data set from ungrazed native grassland in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Results

Forb richness and cover were significantly positively associated with precipitation across seasons. Total richness was high across the time series but substantially lower within any given year. A direct, positive effect of precipitation overrode any potential negative, indirect effect via grass competition. Although aggregate forb responses were strongly linked with precipitation, individual species responses were highly variable and generally not linked with either precipitation timing or season.

Conclusions

In the hotter, drier climate predicted by meteorological models for the US southwest, forbs may be negatively impacted if winter moisture decreases and monsoon precipitation becomes more variable. On the other hand, the flexibility exhibited by forbs in germination and establishment throughout the growing season may help buffer some common species to increased inter‐annual precipitation variability.
History, geography and host use shape genomewide patterns of genetic variation in the redheaded pine sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei)
Authors: Bagley Robin K. , Sousa Vitor C. , Niemiller Matthew L. , Linnen Catherine R.
Published: December 2016

Divergent host use has long been suspected to drive population differentiation and speciation in plant‐feeding insects. Evaluating the contribution of divergent host use to genetic differentiation can be difficult, however, as dispersal limitation and population structure may also influence patterns of genetic variation. In this study, we use double‐digest restriction‐associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to test the hypothesis that divergent host use contributes to genetic differentiation among populations of the redheaded pine sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei), a widespread pest that uses multiple Pinus hosts throughout its range in eastern North America. Because this species has a broad range and specializes on host plants known to have migrated extensively during the Pleistocene, we first assess overall genetic structure using model‐based and model‐free clustering methods and identify three geographically distinct genetic clusters. Next, using a composite‐likelihood approach based on the site frequency spectrum and a novel strategy for maximizing the utility of linked RAD markers, we infer the population topology and date divergence to the Pleistocene. Based on existing knowledge of Pinus refugia, estimated demographic parameters and patterns of diversity among sawfly populations, we propose a Pleistocene divergence scenario for N. lecontei. Finally, using Mantel and partial Mantel tests, we identify a significant relationship between genetic distance and geography in all clusters, and between genetic distance and host use in two of three clusters. Overall, our results indicate that Pleistocene isolation, dispersal limitation and ecological divergence all contribute to genomewide differentiation in this species and support the hypothesis that host use is a common driver of population divergence in host‐specialized insects.
A decade of irrigation transforms the soil microbiome of a semi‐arid pine forest
Authors: Hartmann Martin , Brunner Ivano , Hagedorn Frank , Bardgett Richard D. , Stierli Beat , Herzog Claude , Chen Xiamei , Zingg Andreas , Graf‐Pannatier Elisabeth , Rigling Andreas , Frey Beat
Published: December 2016

The impact of climate change on the soil microbiome potentially alters the biogeochemical cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. In semi‐arid environments, water availability is a major constraint on biogeochemical cycles due to the combination of high summer temperatures and low rainfall. Here, we explored how 10 years of irrigation of a water‐limited pine forest in the central European Alps altered the soil microbiome and associated ecosystem functioning. A decade of irrigation stimulated tree growth, resulting in higher crown cover, larger yearly increments of tree biomass, increased litter fall and greater root biomass. Greater amounts of plant‐derived inputs associated with increased primary production in the irrigated forest stands stimulated soil microbial activity coupled with pronounced shifts in the microbiome from largely oligotrophic to more copiotrophic lifestyles. Microbial groups benefitting from increased resource availabilities (litter, rhizodeposits) thrived under irrigation, leading to enhanced soil organic matter mineralization and carbon respired from irrigated soils. This unique long‐term study provides new insights into the impact of precipitation changes on the soil microbiome and associated ecosystem functioning in a water‐limited pine forest ecosystem and improves our understanding of the persistency of long‐term soil carbon stocks in a changing climate.
Genetic patterns across an invasion's history: a test of change versus stasis for the Eurasian round goby in North America
Authors: Snyder Matthew R. , Stepien Carol A.
Published: December 2016

Biological invasions comprise accidental evolutionary experiments, whose genetic compositions underlie relative success, spread and persistence in new habitats. However, little is known about whether, or how, their population genetic patterns change temporally and/or spatially across the invasion's history. Theory predicts that most would undergo founder effect, exhibit low genetic divergence across the new range and gain variation over time via new arriving propagules. To test these predictions, we analyse population genetic diversity and divergence patterns of the Eurasian round goby Neogobius melanostomus across the two decades of its North American invasion in the Laurentian Great Lakes, comparing results from 13 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences. We test whether ‘genetic stasis’, ‘genetic replacement’ and/or ‘genetic supplement’ scenarios have occurred at the invasion's core and expansion sites, in comparison with its primary native source population in the Dnieper River, Black Sea. Results reveal pronounced genetic divergence across the exotic range, with population areas remaining genetically distinct and statistically consistent across two decades, supporting ‘genetic stasis’ and ‘founder takes most’. The original genotypes continue to predominate, whose high population growth likely outpaced the relative success of later arrivals. The original invasion core has stayed the most similar to the native source. Secondary expansion sites indicate slight allelic composition convergence towards the core population over time, attributable to some early ‘genetic supplementation’. The geographic and temporal coverage of this investigation offers a rare opportunity to discern population dynamics over time and space in context of invasion genetic theory vs. reality.
Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease
Authors: Iwasaki Yasushi
Published: December 2016

This review will explore the clinical and pathological findings of the various forms of Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). Clinical findings of CJD are characterized by rapidly progressive cognitive dysfunction, diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) hyperintensity, myoclonus, periodic sharp‐wave complexes on electroencephalogram and akinetic mutism state. Neuropathologic findings of CJD are characterized by spongiform changes in gray matter, gliosis—particularly hypertrophic astrocytosis—neuropil rarefaction, neuron loss and prion protein (PrP) deposition. The earliest pathological symptom observed by HE staining in the cerebral cortex is spongiform change. This spongiform change begins several months before clinical onset, and is followed by gliosis. Subsequently, neuropil rarefaction appears, followed by neuron loss. Regions showing fine vacuole‐type spongiform change reflect synaptic‐type PrP deposition and type 1 PrPSc deposition, whereas regions showing large confluent vacuole‐type spongiform changes reflect perivacuolar‐type PrP deposition and type 2 PrPSc deposition. Hyperintensities of the cerebral gray matter observed in DWI indicate the pathology of the spongiform change in CJD. The cerebral cortical lesions with large confluent vacuoles and type 2 PrPSc show higher brightness and more continuous hyperintensity on DWI than those with fine vacuoles and type 1 PrPSc. CJD cases showing diffuse myelin pallor of cerebral white matter have been described as panencephalopathic‐type, and this white matter pathology is mainly due to secondary degeneration caused by cerebral cortical involvement, particularly in regard to neuron loss. In conclusion, clinical and neuroimaging findings and neuropathologic observations are well matched in both typical and atypical cases in CJD. The clinical diagnosis of CJD is relatively easy for typical CJD cases such as the MM1‐type. However, even in atypical cases it seems that clinical findings can be used for an accurate diagnosis.
Datafication and democracy: Recalibrating digital information systems to address broader societal interests
Authors: Gray Jonathan
Published: December 2016

There are many social and political repercussions for how data is created and used in 21st‐century collective life, says Jonathan Gray. Employed effectively, it could facilitate human flourishing, advance social progress and strengthen democracy. A reimagining of the politics of data is needed.
Sulfate‐reducing bacteria slow intestinal transit in a bismuth‐reversible fashion in mice
Authors: Ritz N. L. , Lin D. M. , Wilson M. R. , Barton L. L. , Lin H. C.
Published: December 2016

Background

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) serves as a mammalian cell‐derived gaseous neurotransmitter. The intestines are exposed to a second source of this gas by sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB). Bismuth subsalicylate binds H2S rendering it insoluble. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis thatSRBmay slow intestinal transit in a bismuth‐reversible fashion.

Methods

Eighty mice were randomized to five groups consisting of LiveSRB, KilledSRB,SRB+Bismuth, Bismuth, and Saline.Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a common strain ofSRB, was administered by gavage at the dose of 1.0 × 109cells along with rhodamine, a fluorescent dye. Intestinal transit was measured 50 minutes after gavage by euthanizing the animals, removing the small intestine between the pyloric sphincter and the ileocecal valve and visualizing the distribution of rhodamine across the intestine using an imaging system (IVIS, Perkin‐Elmer). Intestinal transit (n=50) was compared using geometric center (1=minimal movement, 100=maximal movement). H2S concentration (n=30) was also measured when small intestinal luminal content was allowed to generate this gas.

Key Results

The LiveSRBgroup had slower intestinal transit as represented by a geometric center score of 40.2 ± 5.7 when compared to Saline: 73.6 ± 5.7, KilledSRB: 77.9 ± 6.9,SRB+Bismuth: 81.0 ± 2.0, and Bismuth: 73.3 ± 4.2 (P<.0001). Correspondingly, the LiveSRBgroup had the highest luminal H2S concentration of 4181.0 ± 968.0 ppb compared to 0 ± 0 ppb for theSRB+Bismuth group (P<.0001).

Conclusions & Inferences

LiveSRBslow intestinal transit in a bismuth‐reversible fashion in mice. Our results demonstrate that intestinal transit is slowed bySRBand this effect could be abolished by H2S‐binding bismuth.
Esophageal dysfunction in different stages of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Suttrup I. , Suttrup J. , Suntrup‐Krueger S. , Siemer M.‐L. , Bauer J. , Hamacher C. , Oelenberg S. , Domagk D. , Dziewas R. , Warnecke T.
Published: December 2016

Background

Dysphagia is a clinically relevant symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) leading to pronounced reduction in quality of life and other severe complications. Parkinson's disease‐related dysphagia may affect the oral and pharyngeal, as well as the esophageal phase of swallowing.

Methods

To examine the nature and extend of esophageal dysphagia in different stages of PD and their relation to oropharyngeal dysfunction, we examined 65 PD patients (mean age 66.3±9.7 years, mean disease duration 7.9±5.8 years, mean Hoehn & Yahr [H&Y] stage 2.89±0.91) and divided into three groups (early [H&Y I+II; n=21], intermediate [H&Y III; n=25], and advanced stadium [H&Y IV+V; n=19]), using esophageal high‐resolution manometry (HRM) to detect esophageal motor disorders. Oropharyngeal impairment was assessed using fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing.

Key Results

Major esophageal motor disorders were detected in nearly one third of the PD patients. Minor impairment of the esophageal body was present in 95% of participants and throughout all disease stages with pathological findings especially in peristalsis and intrabolus pressure (IBP). The IBP was found to significantly increase in the advanced stadium. Although dysfunction of the upper and lower esophageal sphincters was observed in individual patients, alterations in these esophageal segments revealed no statistical significance compared with normative data. No clear association was found between the occurrence of oropharyngeal dysphagia and esophageal impairment.

Conclusions & Inferences

Esophageal body impairment in PD is a frequent phenomenon during all disease stages, which possibly reflects α‐synucleinopathy in the enteric nervous system.
Recent advances in regenerative medicine to treat enteric neuropathies: use of human cells
Authors: Stamp L. A. , Young H. M.
Published: December 2016

As current options for treating most enteric neuropathies are either non‐effective or associated with significant ongoing problems, cell therapy is a potential attractive possibility to treat congenital and acquired neuropathies. Studies using animal models have shown that following transplantation of enteric neural progenitors into the bowel of recipients, the transplanted cells migrate, proliferate, and generate neurons that are electrically active and receive synaptic inputs. Recent studies have transplanted human enteric neural progenitors into the mouse colon and shown engraftment. In this article, we summarize the significance of these recent advances and discuss priorities for future research that might lead to the use of regenerative medicine to treat enteric neuropathies in the clinic.
Taste function assessed by electrogustometry in burning mouth syndrome: a case–control study
Authors: Braud A , Descroix V , Ungeheuer M‐N , Rougeot C , Boucher Y
Published: December 2016

Objective

Idiopathic burning mouth syndrome (iBMS) is characterized by oral persistent pain without any clinical or biological abnormality. The aim of this study was to evaluate taste function in iBMS subjects and healthy controls.

Material and Methods

Electrogustometric thresholds (EGMt) were recorded in 21 iBMS patients and 21 paired‐matched controls at nine loci of the tongue assessing fungiform and foliate gustatory papillae function. Comparison of EGMt was performed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. A correlation between EGMt and self‐perceived pain intensity assessed using a visual analogic scale (VAS) was analyzed with the Spearman coefficient. The level of significance was fixed at P < 0.05.

Results

Mean EGMt were significantly increased with iBMS for right side of the dorsum of the tongue and right lateral side of the tongue (P < 0.05). In the iBMS group, VAS scores were significantly correlated to EGMt at the tip of the tongue (r = −0.59; P < 0.05) and at the right and left lateral sides of the tongue (respectively, r = −0.49 and r = −0.47; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These data depicted impaired taste sensitivity in iBMS patients within fungiform and foliate taste bud fields and support potent gustatory/nociceptive interaction in iBMS.