bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids improve erythroid progenitor maintenance and dampen Trp53 response in a mouse model of Diamond–Blackfan anaemia
Authors: Sjögren Sara E. , Siva Kavitha , Soneji Shamit , George Amee J. , Winkler Marcus , Jaako Pekka , Wlodarski Marcin , Karlsson Stefan , Hannan Ross D. , Flygare Johan
Published: August 2015

Diamond–Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a rare congenital disease causing severe anaemia and progressive bone marrow failure. The majority of patients carry mutations in ribosomal proteins, which leads to depletion of erythroid progenitors in the bone marrow. As many as 40% of all DBA patients receive glucocorticoids to alleviate their anaemia. However, despite their use in DBA treatment for more than half a century, the therapeutic mechanisms of glucocorticoids remain largely unknown. Therefore we sought to study disease specific effects of glucocorticoid treatment using a ribosomal protein s19 (Rps19) deficient mouse model of DBA. This study determines for the first time that a mouse model of DBA can respond to glucocorticoid treatment, similar to DBA patients. Our results demonstrate that glucocorticoid treatment reduces apoptosis, rescues erythroid progenitor depletion and premature differentiation of erythroid cells. Furthermore, glucocorticoids prevent Trp53 activation in Rps19‐deficient cells‐ in a disease‐specific manner. Dissecting the therapeutic mechanisms behind glucocorticoid treatment of DBA provides indispensible insight into DBA pathogenesis. Identifying mechanisms important for DBA treatment also enables development of more disease‐specific treatments of DBA.
Increased use of partial nephrectomy to treat high‐risk disease
Authors: Maurice Matthew J. , Zhu Hui , Kim Simon P. , Abouassaly Robert
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To evaluate partial nephrectomy (PN) use in patients at higher risk for clinical progression, using a large national database of American patients.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients with cN0/cM0 renal cell carcinoma from 2003 to 2011 using the National Cancer Data Base. Our primary endpoint was PN use for high‐risk disease, defined as ≥1 adverse pathological features (APF), namely pT3 stage, high grade, or unfavourable histology. Our secondary endpoint was positive surgical margins (PSM) associated with high‐risk disease after PN. Time trends were analysed using the asymptotic Cochran–Armitage trend test. Relationships between patient, provider, and pathological factors and the likelihood of PN were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Of 183 886 surgically treated patients, 27.4% underwent PN. Over time, PN use increased overall (17.4–39.7%) and in tumours with ≥1 APF (8.5–24.2%) (P < 0.01). In patients with ≥1 APF, multivariate analysis revealed that academic practice setting and high surgical volume were positively associated with PN use, while increasing tumour size and preoperative biopsy were negatively associated with its use (P < 0.01). The PSM rate after PN also increased significantly over time in all patients and in those harbouring adverse pathology (P < 0.01). Aside from time, older age, larger tumour size, community hospital type, and robotic approach were associated with PSM in the setting of APF (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

PN use for patients with adverse pathology is increasing and is associated with increasing PSM. The long‐term oncological implications of these trends are unclear and warrant further study.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is not associated with erectile dysfunction risk: results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial
Authors: Patel Darshan P. , Schenk Jeannette M. , Darke Amy , Myers Jeremy B. , Brant William O. , Hotaling James M.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the associations of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use with risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), considering the indications for NSAID use.

Patients and Methods

We analysed data from 4 726 men in the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) without evidence of ED at baseline. Incident ED was defined as mild/moderate (decrease in normal function) or severe (absence of function). Proportional hazards models were used to estimate the covariate‐adjusted associations of NSAID‐related medical conditions and time‐dependent NSAID use with ED risk.

Results

Arthritis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.56), chronic musculoskeletal pain (HR 1.35), general musculoskeletal complaints (HR 1.36), headaches (HR 1.44), sciatica (HR 1.50) and atherosclerotic disease (HR 1.60) were all significantly associated with an increased risk of mild/moderate ED, while only general musculoskeletal complaints (HR 1.22), headaches (HR 1.47) and atherosclerotic disease (HR 1.60) were associated with an increased risk of severe ED. Non‐aspirin NSAID use was associated with an increased risk of mild/moderate ED (HR 1.16; P = 0.02) and aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of severe ED (HR 1.16; P = 0.03, respectively). The associations of NSAID use with ED risk were attenuated after controlling for indications for NSAID use.

Conclusions

The modest associations of NSAID use with ED risk in the present cohort were probably attributable to confounding indications for NSAID use. NSAID use was not associated with ED risk.
Evaluation of pT0 prostate cancer in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy
Authors: Moreira Daniel M. , Gershman Boris , Rangel Laureano J. , Boorjian Stephen A. , Thompson Robert Houston , Frank Igor , Tollefson Matthew K. , Gettman Matthew T. , Karnes Robert Jeffrey
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the incidence, predictors and oncological outcomes of pT0 prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 20 222 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) for PCa at the Mayo Clinic between 1987 and 2012. Disease recurrence was defined as follow‐up PSA >0.4 ng/mL or biopsy‐proven local recurrence. Systemic progression was defined as development of metastatic disease on imaging. Comparisons of baseline characteristics between pT0 and non‐pT0 groups were carried out using chi‐squared tests. Recurrence‐free survival was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test.

Results

A total of 62 patients (0.3%) had pT0 disease according to the RP specimen. In univariable analysis, pT0 disease was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.045), lower prostate‐specific antigen (PSA; P = 0.002), lower clinical stage (P < 0.001), lower biopsy Gleason score (P = 0.042), and receipt of preoperative transurethral resection, hormonal and radiation therapies (all P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, lower PSA levels, lower Gleason score, and receipt of preoperative treatment were independently associated with pT0 (all P < 0.05). Seven patients (11%) with pT0 PCa developed disease recurrence over a median follow‐up of 10.9 years. All seven patients had preoperative treatment(s) and three had recurrence with a PSA doubling time of <9 months. Compared with non‐pT0 disease, pT0 disease was associated with longer recurrence‐free survival (P < 0.05). Only one (1.6%) patient with pT0 disease developed systemic progression.

Conclusions

pT0 stage PCa is a rare phenomenon and is associated with receipt of preoperative treatment and features of low‐risk PCa. Although pT0 has a very favourable prognosis, some men, especially those who received preoperative treatment, experience a small but non‐negligible risk of disease recurrence and systemic progression.
Changes in Macrofungal Communities Following Forest Conversion into Tree Plantations in Southern Brazil
Authors: Paz Claudia P. , Gallon Mônica , Putzke Jair , Ganade Gislene
Published: August 2015

Conversion of diverse native forests to tree monocultures remains an ongoing, worldwide threat to biodiversity. Although the effects of forest conversion have been studied in a wide range of taxonomic groups, the effects on macrofungal communities remain poorly understood. We sampled macrofungal fruiting bodies in the National Forest of São Francisco de Paula in Southern Brazil over 12 months in four different forest habitats: native Araucaria angustifolia forest, A. angustifolia plantation, Pinus taeda or P. elliottii plantation, and Eucalyptus saligna plantation. The distribution of macrofungal species in different functional groups varied among habitats: the macrofungal species composition of the A. angustifolia plantation was more similar to that of the native forest, while the exotic Pinus or Eucalyptus plantations were less similar to the native forest. The conversion of native forest to exotic tree plantations reduced the number of macrofungal decomposer species, probably due to changes in substrate availability and quality. We conclude that fungal diversity and ecosystem functionality require the preservation of native, mature forests and suggest a shift of Brazilian forestry guidelines to encourage the plantations of native species instead of exotics.
The Potential of Additive Manufacturing for Technology Entrepreneurship: An Integrative Technology Assessment
Authors: Gartner Johannes , Maresch Daniela , Fink Matthias
Published: August 2015

Additive manufacturing (AM) is likely to contribute considerably to key targets of innovation policy such as employment, R&D and education. The expectations of those engaged in AM, such as providers, users and policy makers, regarding the potential of this technology influence its future development and thus create opportunities for technology entrepreneurship. Therefore, these expectations need to be researched so that opportunities for technology entrepreneurship can be identified. Based on prospect theory, we employ an integrative approach to online‐based technology assessment. Using the outcome of a constructive technology assessment (CTA) as a reference, a comparison with the results of a traditional technology assessments (TTA) derived from the policy makers enables us to identify the need for action regarding the allocation of public resources. Further, the comparison of the outcome of our CTA with the TTA derived from the general public shows the need to establish a public opinion on AM that legitimizes AM‐related innovation policies. The approach of an integrative technology assessment proves useful, as we can deduce concrete recommendations for action on innovation policy based on our empirical findings.
The effect of LH supplementation to the GnRH antagonist protocol in advanced reproductive ageing women: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Younis Johnny S. , Izhaki Ido , Ben‐Ami Moshe
Published: August 2015

Objective

Although the fundamental significance of both LH and FSH for adequate ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis has been extensively discussed, the clinical implication of recombinant (r) LH to rFSH for ovarian stimulation employing the GnRH antagonist protocol remains to be elucidated. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to explore whether rLH supplementation to rFSH following GnRH antagonist has an added value to the late follicular ovarian steroidogenesis in the advanced reproductive aged women.

Design and Subjects

Sixty‐three consecutive infertile women above 35 years of age and/or with a previous low ovarian response admitted for IVF/ICSI treatment were prospectively randomized. Women in the study and control groups were similarly treated employing the rFSH 300 IU/day and the flexible GnRH antagonist 0·25 mg/day protocol. On the day of antagonist initiation, rLH 150 IU/day was added only to the study group and continued till the hCG day.

Results

Serum E2 level on hCG day did not significantly differ between the study and control groups, corresponding to 1268 ± 1006 and 1113 ± 669 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0·9). In the study group, the duration of GnRH antagonist administration was significantly lower than the control group corresponding to 5·0 ± 1·5 to 4·0 ± 1·5 days, respectively (P < 0·05). The total dosage of rFSH administration did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusions

rLH supplementation to rFSH following GnRH antagonist administration employing the flexible protocol does not seem to significantly augment serum E2 level on the day of hCG administration in the advanced reproductive ageing women. This suggests that endogenous serum LH levels following GnRH antagonist initiation are sufficient for adequate late follicular ovarian steroidogenesis in this setting.
Missing an opportunity: the embedded nature of weight management in primary care
Authors: Asselin J. , Osunlana A. M. , Ogunleye A. A. , Sharma A. M. , Campbell‐Scherer D.
Published: August 2015

The 5As Team study was designed to create, implement and evaluate a flexible intervention to improve the quality and quantity of weight management visits in primary care. The objective of this portion of the study was to explore how primary care providers incorporate weight management in their practice. 5AsT is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the implementation of a 6‐month 5 As Team (5AsT) intervention designed to operationalize the 5As of obesity management in primary care. Data for the qualitative portion of the study presented here included semi‐structured interviews with 29 multidisciplinary team providers and field notes of intervention sessions. Thematic analysis was undertaken. A key pattern that emerged from the data was that healthcare providers usually do not address obesity as a primary focus for a visit. Rather, obesity is embedded in a wide range of primary care encounters for other conditions. Implications were it can take extra time to discuss weight, it can be inappropriate to bring up weight as a topic, and treating risk factors and root causes of obesity have indirect benefits to patient weight management. Our findings have implications for obesity treatment approaches and tools that assume a discreet weight management visit. The embedded nature of obesity management in primary care can be harnessed to leverage multiple opportunities for asking and assessing root causes of obesity, and working longitudinally towards individual health goals.
Peristeen® transanal irrigation in paediatric patients with anorectal malformations and spinal cord lesions: a multicentre Italian study
Authors: Midrio P. , Mosiello G. , Ausili E. , Gamba P. , Marte A. , Lombardi L. , Iacobelli B. D. , Caponcelli E. , Marrello S. , Meroni M. , Brisighelli G. , Leva E. , Rendeli C.
Published: August 2015

Aim

In paediatric and adult patients with neurogenic bowel, transanal irrigation (TAI) of the colon has gained popularity due to the introduction of a specifically designed device. The aim of this pilot study was to present the results of TAI using the Peristeen® TAI system in a group of paediatric patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) and congenital or acquired spinal cord lesions (SCLs).

Method

Eight Italian paediatric surgery and spina bifida centres participated in the study. The inclusion criteria were age between 6 and 17 years, weight above 20 kg and unsatisfactory bowel management. Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, mental disability and surgery within the previous 3 months were excluded. At the beginning of treatment (T0) and after 3 months (T1) the Bristol scale, a questionnaire assessing bowel function, and two questionnaires on quality of life (QoL) for patients aged 6–11 years (CHQ‐pf50) and 12–17 years (SF36) were administered.

Results

Eighty‐three patients were enrolled, and seventy‐eight completed the study (41 ARMs, 37 SCLs). At T1, constipation was reduced in ARMs from 69% to 25.6% and in SCLs from 92.7% to 41.5%, faecal incontinence in ARMs from 50% to 18.6% and in SCLs from 39% to 9.8% and flatus incontinence in ARMs from 20.9% to 9.8% and in SCLs from 31.7% to 10%. At T0, the Bristol Stool Scale types were 1–2 in 45% of ARMs and 77.5% of SCL patients, whereas at T1 types 1–2 were recorded in only 2.5% of SCL patients. QoL improved in both groups. In the younger group, a significant improvement in QoL was recorded in ARM patients for eight of nine variables and in SCL patients for seven of nine variables.

Conclusion

This study showed that Peristeen TAI resulted in a significant time reduction in colonic cleansing, increased independence from the carer and improved QoL in paediatric patients with ARMs and SCLs.
Body surface area determined by whole‐body CT scanning: need for new formulae?
Authors: Villa Chiara , Primeau Charlotte , Hesse Ulrik , Hougen Hans Petter , Lynnerup Niels , Hesse Birger
Published: August 2015

Calculation of the estimated body surface area (BSA) by body height and weight has been a challenge in the past centuries due to lack of a well‐documented gold standard. More recently, available techniques such as 3D laser surface scanning and CT scanning may be expected to quantify the BSA in an easier and more accurate way. This study provides the first comparison between BSA obtained from post‐mortem whole‐body CT scans and BSA calculated by nine predictive formulae. The sample consisted of 54 male cadavers ranging from 20 to 87 years old. 3D reconstructions were generated from CT scans using Mimics software, and BSA values were automatically extracted from the program. They were compared with nine predictive equations from the literature. Remarkably, close correlations (r > 0·90) were found between BSA values from CT scans and those from the predictive formulae. A mean BSA of the 54 cadavers of 1·84–1·87 m2 was calculated by all formulae except one, SD values varying between 0·171 and 0·223 m2. T‐tests revealed significant differences between mean BSA values calculated with CT and three of the formulae. Regression analyses showed intercepts >(0;0) and slopes <1·0 using all predictive equations, with the CT scan determination as gold standard. It is concluded that DuBois and DuBois’ equation can be safely used in normal‐weight male subjects with high accuracy, but it seems likely that BSA is underestimated in underweight subjects and overestimated in overweight individuals. Creation of new formulae specific for overweight subjects and children may be needed.
Endothelium‐dependent vasodilation is related to the occurrence of cortical brain infarcts at MR imaging
Authors: Lind Lars , Nylander Ruta , Johansson Lars , Kullberg Joel , Ahlström Håkan , Larsson Elna‐Marie
Published: August 2015

Background

Infarcts in the brain can be divided into larger cortical and smaller deep lacunar infarcts. The pathogenesis differs between these two types of infarctions.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the relationship between measures of endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDV) and occurrence of cortical and lacunar infarcts in a population‐based sample.

Methods

In the Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, 1016 subjects aged 70 were evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine (EDV) and brachial artery ultrasound to assess flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD). Six to seven years later MRI of the brain was performed, and the prevalence of cortical and lacunar infarcts was visually assessed in 407 randomly selected subjects.

Results

Lacunar infarcts were found in 22% and cortical infarcts in 5·9% of the subjects. EDV and FMD were both significantly related to the occurrence of cortical, but not lacunar infarcts. In a model adjusting for gender, waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL and LDL cholesterol, serum triglycerides, smoking, antihypertensive treatment and statin use, both EDV and FMD were independent predictors of cortical infarcts (P = 0·035 and P = 0·008, respectively).

Conclusions

Endothelium‐dependent vasodilation in both forearm resistance vessels and the brachial artery was related to the occurrence of cortical, but not lacunar, infarcts at MRI in a population‐based sample independently of traditional risk factors.
Modelling the effect of habitat fragmentation on climate‐driven migration of European forest understorey plants
Authors: Dullinger Stefan , Dendoncker Nicolas , Gattringer Andreas , Leitner Michael , Mang Thomas , Moser Dietmar , Mücher Caspar A. , Plutzar Christoph , Rounsevell Mark , Willner Wolfgang , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Hülber Karl
Published: August 2015

Aim

The rate of climate change might exceed the migration capacity of plants, particularly where habitats became fragmented by human land use. Except for some tree species, the extent to which habitat fragmentation decreases migration rates has nevertheless been little evaluated. Here, we compare simulated migration rates of understorey herbs, which comprise the big part of temperate forest plant diversity, under varying levels of fragmentation at a continental scale.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We combined simulations of demography and seed dispersal to simulate migration of 16 hypothetical forest herb species through a virtual, continuously forested landscape of 50 × 50 km and through 1179 50 × 50 km regions spanning most of the European Union's territory plus Norway and Switzerland. Each region was subdivided into a 250‐m raster of sites, which were rated as suitable to a species if covered by forest according to current land cover maps and future land cover scenarios. The 16 hypothetical species were defined by combinations of those trait values that control demographic and dispersal processes.

Results

In continuous forests, simulated migration rates of the 16 species varied between ~95 and ~225 m/y. Current forest fragmentation was predicted to reduce migration rates to about 70% on average across the continent, but to below 25% in many parts of western and southern Europe. Under future land use, migration rates might slightly increase in economically marginal regions.

Main conclusions

Our results indicate that even on a continuously forested continent most understorey herbs would be unable to track climate warming and that habitat fragmentation will reduce migration rates to values an order of magnitude lower than expected climate velocities in parts of Europe. We conclude that, instead of concentrating conservation efforts in protected areas, facilitating the movement of species through the average countryside should become a conservation priority.
Sense, Nonsense, and Violence: Levinas and the Internal Logic of School Shootings
Authors: Keehn Gabriel , Boyles Deron
Published: August 2015

Utilizing a broadly Levinasian framework, specifically the interplay among his ideas of possession, violence, and negation, Gabriel Keehn and Deron Boyles illustrate how the relatively recent sharp turn toward the hypercorporatized school and the concomitant transition of the student from simple (potential) customer to a type of hybrid consumer/consumable has rendered it more difficult for students to see themselves as engaged in any type of serious ethical relationship with those around them. To be unable to see their peers as Others, in other words, makes it easier for students to perpetrate a specific type of violence against them. Keehn and Boyles suggest that current popular policy responses to gun violence in schools (such as increased security, zero‐tolerance policies, antibullying initiatives, and mental‐health policy revisions) are approaches that, at best, fail to address the root cause of gun violence in schools and, at worst, are themselves branches of that root: namely, a homogenizing corporatism that creates an ethical vacuum in the schoolhouse.
Biological control as an ecosystem service: partitioning contributions of nature and human inputs to yield
Authors: BENGTSSON JAN
Published: August 2015

1. The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has rapidly entered policy and planning agendas nationally and globally. However, its usefulness is hampered by, for example, insufficient understanding of underlying ecological processes and poorly developed and competing conceptual frameworks.

2. It is suggested that final ecosystem services, such as yield, can be partitioned into components describing contributions from ecosystems (regulating and maintenance ES as natural inputs) and human inputs. This conceptual framework is tested by examining the relative importance of farming system (conventional vs. organic, indicating human inputs, and management), landscape (field shape and landscape heterogeneity), and biological control of aphids by natural enemies (indicating a regulating ES) for barley yield on 10 fields in central Sweden.

3. Although biological control was related to increased yield, its contribution was relatively small (<20%). The farming system explained most of the magnitude and variation in yield (47% of the variation, of which 34% was unique). Landscape and biological control had the largest shared contribution to variation in yield (14%). Conventional farming management seemed to have a larger effect on yield than biological control. This could be interpreted as indicating that agricultural production should be further intensified to increase yields, but a high dependency on external inputs may cause further environmental problems, such as eutrophication, and may not be sustainable.

4. Although preliminary, the results suggest that partitioning of natural and human inputs is useful to analyse the contribution of regulating ES to final ecosystem services, and how ES are co‐produced by ecosystems and humans.
PCR detection of Scardovia wiggsiae in combination with Streptococcus mutans for early childhood caries‐risk prediction
Authors: Vacharaksa Anjalee , Suvansopee Prangkhae , Opaswanich Nuttorn , Sukarawan Waleerat
Published: August 2015

The microbial factor is an important determinant in caries risk assessment. This study aimed to use detection, by PCR, of Scardovia wiggsiae, in combination with Streptococcus mutans, for the accurate prediction of caries risk in children. Detection of Lactobacillus, as a caries‐specific species, was also performed. Dental plaque, as well as infected dentine when available, was collected from children who were caries‐free (n = 30) or diagnosed with early childhood caries (n = 30), and the prevalence and abundance of S. wiggsiae and S. mutans were estimated using quantitative PCR. Lactobacillus was amplified by Lactobacillus genus‐specific primers and then sequenced. Both S. wiggsiae and S. mutans were concurrently detected in 19 children diagnosed with early childhood caries, but in none of the caries‐free children. The positive predictive value was 1 in children with S. wiggsiae‐ and S. mutans‐positive test results, compared with 0.58 when only S. mutans was detected and 0.9 when only S. wiggsiae was detected. The abundance of S. wiggsiae and S. mutans in infected dentine was higher than that in dental plaque from children. Diverse Lactobacillus species were observed in dental plaque but none appeared to be caries‐specific. In conclusion, the detection of S. wiggsiae in combination with S. mutans improves the positive predictive value and the specificity of the test.
Defoliation patterns and their implications for the management of vegetative tropical pastures to control intake and diet quality by cattle
Authors: Benvenutti M. A. , Pavetti D. R. , Poppi D. P. , Gordon I. J. , Cangiano C. A.
Published: August 2015

This study assessed the use of pasture attributes to control daily intake and diet quality during progressive defoliation on pastures of Axonopus catarinensis. Three consecutive 12‐day grazing treatments of progressive defoliation were conducted with Brahman cross‐steers. Daily forage intake and defoliation dynamics were assessed using a pasture‐based method. The treatments differed in initial sward height (33, 44 and 61 cm) and herbage mass (1030, 1740 and 2240 kg ha−1). The post‐grazing residual sward height, at which forage intake decreased, appeared to increase with the initial sward height (12·3, 14·6 and 15·5 cm). Steers grazed up to four distinctive grazing strata in all treatments. The depth and herbage mass content of the top grazing stratum were at least five times higher than the lower grazing strata in all treatments. This explains why forage intake decreased when the top grazing stratum was removed in approximately 93% of the pasture area in all treatments, equivalent to approximately 7% of the pasture area remaining ungrazed. We conclude that the residual ungrazed area of the pasture, rather than residual sward height, can be used to develop grazing management strategies to control forage intake and diet quality in a wide range of pasture conditions.
Lactic acid bacteria strains for enhancing the fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Leymus chinensis silage
Authors: Zhang Q. , Li X. , Zhao M. , Yu Z.
Published: August 2015

Leymus chinensis is an important grass in China and Russia. Six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains (LB, LPL1, LPL2, LPL3, LCL and WH) from L. chinensis silage were screened and identified and their effects on fermentation quality were investigated. All six strains were grown at 6·5% NaCl and pH 4·00. Strains LPL1, LPL2 and LPL3 were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, and LB, WH and LCL were classified as Lactobacillus brevis, Weissella hellenica and Lactobacillus casei respectively. The six isolated strains and a commercial inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri) were added to L. chinensis for ensiling at densities of 500 and 600 kg m−3. The control was sprayed with the same volume of distilled water. The effects of the strains on fermentation quality after 45 d ensiling and aerobic stability during 8 d of exposure to air were evaluated. The 600 kg m−3 silage had lower pH, butyric acid, ammonia nitrogen content and coliform bacteria counts than the 500 kg m−3 density silage (P < 0·05). The six isolated strains decreased pH, butyric acid content and increased lactic acid content, and all inoculants increased L. chinensis silage aerobic stability except LCL (P < 0·05). The fermentation quality of L. chinensis silage increased with higher ensiling density. The LAB strains improved the fermentation quality, and high‐quality silage could be obtained at low ensiling density with the addition of the LAB strains. The strains improved the aerobic stability; Lb. buchneri and Lb. brevis showed the best performance.
Linkage of deep sea rapid acidification process and extinction of benthic foraminifera in the deep sea at the Paleocene/Eocene transition
Authors: Kawahata Hodaka , Nomura Ritsuo , Matsumoto Katsumi , Nishi Hiroshi
Published: August 2015

Ocean Drilling Program Leg 199 Site 1220 provides a continuous sedimentary section across the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) transition in the carbonate‐bearing sediments on 56–57 Ma oceanic crust. The large negative δ13C shift in seawater is likely due to the disintegration of methane hydrate, which is expected to be rapidly changed to carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and well‐oxygenated seawater, leading to a reduction in deep‐sea pH. A pH decrease was very likely responsible for the emergence of agglutinated foraminiferal fauna as calcareous fauna was eliminated by acidification at the P/E transition at Site 1220. The absence of the more resistant calcareous benthic foraminifera and the presence of the planktonic foraminifera at Site 1220 is interesting and unique, which indicates that calcareous benthic foraminifera suffered greatly from living on the seafloor. Box model calculation demonstrates that, assuming the same mean alkalinity as today, pCO2 must increase from 280 ppm to about 410 ppm for the calcite undersaturation in the deep ocean and for the oversaturation in the surface ocean during the P/E transition. The calculated increased pCO2 coincides with paleo‐botanical evidence. The current global emission rate (∼7.3 peta (1015) gC/y) of anthropogenic carbon input is approximately 30 times of the estimate at the P/E transition. The results at the P/E transition give an implication that the deep sea benthic fauna will be threatened in future in combination with ocean acidification, increased sea surface temperature and more stratified surface water.
Gestational hypermethioninaemia alters oxidative/nitrative status in skeletal muscle and biomarkers of muscular injury and inflammation in serum of rat offspring
Authors: Schweinberger Bruna M. , Turcatel Elias , Rodrigues André F. , Wyse Angela T. S.
Published: August 2015

In this study we evaluated oxidative/nitrative stress parameters (reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, sulfhydryl content, superoxide dismutase, catalase and nitrite levels), as well as total protein content in the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle of the offspring of rats that had been subjected to gestational hypermethioninaemia. The occurrence of muscular injury and inflammation was also measured by creatine kinase activity, levels of creatinine, urea and C‐reactive protein and the presence of cardiac troponin I in serum. Wistar female rats (70–90 days of age) received methionine (2.68 μmol/g body weight) or saline (control) twice a day by subcutaneous injections during the gestational period (21 days). After the rats gave birth, pups were killed at the twenty‐first day of life for removal of muscle and serum. Methionine treatment increased reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation and decreased sulfhydryl content, antioxidant enzymes activities and nitrite levels, as well as total protein content in skeletal muscle of the offspring. Creatine kinase activity was reduced and urea and C‐reactive protein levels were increased in serum of pups. These results were accompanied by reduced muscle mass. Our findings showed that maternal gestational hypermethioninaemia induced changes in oxidative/nitrative status in gastrocnemius skeletal muscle of the offspring. This may represent a mechanism which can contribute to the myopathies and loss of muscular mass that is found in some hypermethioninaemic patients. In addition, we believe that these results may be relevant as gestational hypermethioninaemia could cause damage to the skeletal muscle during intrauterine life.
Limitation of the activated partial thromboplastin time as a monitoring method of the direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban
Authors: Guy S. , Kitchen S. , Maclean R. , Van Veen J. J.
Published: August 2015

Background

Argatroban is licensed for patients with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia and monitoring is conventionally by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) ratio with a target of 1.5–3.0 and not exceeding 100 s. The APTT may be influenced by coagulopathies, lupus anticoagulant and raised FVIII levels. Variable but not clinically significant sensitivity of APTT reagents to argatroban has been highlighted in other studies.

Methods

Residual plasma of 15 patients (n = 124 samples) was tested on Sysmex™ CS series using the Hemoclot® thrombin inhibitor assay (HTI) and APTT ratio (Actin FS and SynthASil). A subgroup from four patients (n = 31) were tested on ACL TOP™ to compare the different platforms with the HTI. Spiked normal pooled plasma was tested with Actin FS, Actin FSL, SynthASil and APTT‐SP on their respective platforms (CS5100™ and ACL TOP™) to assess reagent sensitivity.

Results

Mean concentration of argatroban by HTI assay for patient plasma was 0.47 μg/mL; the mean APTT ratio using Actin FS was 1.89 and for SynthASil 1.56. There was a poor correlation between APTT and the HTI. In the spiked normal pooled plasma, Actin FS gave a significantly higher APTT ratio than the other three reagents for the various argatroban concentrations.

Conclusions

Hemoclot ® thrombin inhibitor assay should be considered in patients on argatroban, particularly if there is concern the APTT may not be reflective of the degree of anticoagulation with argatroban due to other factors including coagulopathies in critically ill patients, the presence of a lupus anticoagulant or very high FVIII levels.
Evaluation of the main coagulation tests in the presence of hemolysis in healthy subjects and patients on oral anticoagulant therapy
Authors: D'Angelo G. , Villa C. , Tamborini A. , Villa S.
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Our study was designed to evaluate, on healthy subjects and patients on oral anticoagulant therapy vitamin K antagonist (OAT‐vka), the possible interference caused by hemolysis on the main coagulation tests.

Methods

To obtain hemolyzed samples, two methods were used: heat shock and mechanical system. The coagulation tests on hemolyzed samples were performed employing optical automated analyser BCSxp (Siemens Healthcare®). Moreover, the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests were also carried out manually using an electromechanical device (KC4 – Amelung).

Results

The PT test, on healthy subjects, in case of moderate hemolysis can be performed without significant interference on automatic instrument. On manual instrument, the PT test can be performed even in case of marked hemolysis. For patients on OAT‐vka, the PT test in case of marked hemolysis can be performed both on automatic and manual instrument. For the aPTT test, it can be carried out manually, because also in case of marked hemolysis a statistically significant difference was not observed. For the fibrinogen test, a dramatic concentration decrease was already clear for weak hemolysis. A decreased function on antithrombin test was statistically significant for mild‐moderate hemolysis. The D‐dimer test showed increased values for mild hemolysis.

Conclusions

The rejection of hemolyzed sample and/or the request of a second sample are not always the proper attitudes to take for performing clotting tests. The rational management of the hemolyzed samples decreases the employment of both nursing and technical staff significantly, the turnaround time and, consequently, does not lead to additional costs for each patient involved.
The β‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase gene family in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Xi Y. , Pan P.‐L. , Zhang C.‐X.
Published: August 2015

β‐N‐Acetylhexosaminidases (HEXs) are enzymes that can degrade the chitin oligosaccharides that are produced by the activity of chitinases on chitin in insects. Using bioinformatic methods based on genome and transcriptome databases, 11 β‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase genes (NlHexs) in Nilaparvata lugens were identified and characterized. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a six‐grouped tree topology. The O‐Linked N‐acetylglucosaminidase (O‐GlcNAcase) group includes NlHex11, which harbours a catalytic domain that differs from that of the other 10 NlHexs. Observations of the expression of NlHexs during different developmental stages revealed that NlHex4 is expressed with periodicity during moulting. Although the tissue‐specific expression patterns of most NlHexs were nonspecific, NlHex4 was found to be expressed mainly in the female reproductive system as well as in the integument. RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrated failure to shed the old cuticle only in the nymphs treated with double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting NlHex4, and these nymphs eventually died; no observable morphological abnormalities were found in insects treated with dsRNAs targeting the other 10 NlHexs. Based on this study and our previous analyses, a ‘5 + 1 + 3’ pattern of chitinolytic enzymes is proposed, in which five chitinases, one NlHEX and three chitin deacetylases are required for moulting in N. lugens. A better understanding of chitin metabolism in the hemimetabolous insect, N. lugens, would be achieved by considering three chitinolytic enzyme families: chitinase, chitin deacetylase and β‐N‐acetylhexosaminidase.
Glass Formation and Ionic Conduction Behavior in GeSe2–Ga2Se3–NaI Chalcogenide System
Authors: Zhai Sumin , Li Legang , Chen Feifei , Jiao Qing , Rüssel Christian , Lin Changgui
Published: August 2015

Series of glassy and glass‐ceramic samples in the GeSe2–Ga2Se3–NaI system is prepared by melt‐quenching technique and the glass‐forming region is well‐defined by XRD investigations. Na‐ion conduction behavior is systemically studied by impedance measurements. For the glasses in the series (100−2x)GeSe2–xGa2Se3–xNaI, ionic conductivities increased with increasing x, whereas the attributed activation energy of ion conduction decreases. The enhanced mechanism is discussed by employing Raman spectra. In addition, the effect of the crystal phases NaI and Ga2Se3 on the ionic conduction behavior in the (70−x)GeSe2–xGa2Se3–30NaI samples is discussed. Although it shows that the poorly conducting crystallites of NaI and Ga2Se3 have a negative effect on the ionic conductivities in this series, the highest ionic conductivity of 1.65 × 10−6 S/cm is obtained in the 45GeSe2–25Ga2Se3–30NaI glass. Finally, this study also demonstrates a possible way to search appropriate Na‐ion solid electrolytes for all‐solid‐state batteries.
Thermal Conductivity of Molten Li2O–B2O3 and K2O–B2O3 Systems
Authors: Kim Youngjae , Morita Kazuki
Published: August 2015

Using the transient hot‐wire method, the thermal conductivity properties of the molten Li2O–B2O3 and K2O–B2O3 systems were measured. The thermal conductivity increases with decreasing the temperature due to the borate structure change. In addition, calculations of the one‐dimensional Debye temperature and the phonon mean free paths as a function of temperature of the alkali borate systems were made. At a fixed temperature of 1273 K, the effect of the alkali oxide concentration on the thermal conductivity was evaluated. Within a range of 10–30 mol% Li2O (or K2O), a positive relationship between the thermal conductivity and 4‐coordinate boron was obtained. However, below 10 mol% Li2O (or K2O), the change in the intermediate‐range order of the borate structure had a more dominant effect on the thermal conductivity. Finally, the effect of cations on the thermal conductivity in the various molten R2O–B2O3 (R=Li, Na and K) systems was considered. Depending on the type of cation, the change in the ionization potential had an effect on the thermal conductivity and also resulted in a change in the bond strength.
Wing trait–inversion associations in Drosophila subobscura can be generalized within continents, but may change through time
Authors: Simões P. , Fragata I. , Lopes‐Cunha M. , Lima M. , Kellen B. , Bárbaro M. , Santos M. , Matos M.
Published: August 2015

Clinal variation is one of the most emblematic examples of the action of natural selection at a wide geographical range. In Drosophila subobscura, parallel clines in body size and inversions, but not in wing shape, were found in Europe and South and North America. Previous work has shown that a bottleneck effect might be largely responsible for differences in wing trait–inversion association between one European and one South American population. One question still unaddressed is whether the associations found before are present across other populations of the European and South American clines. Another open question is whether evolutionary dynamics in a new environment can lead to relevant changes in wing traits–inversion association. To analyse geographical variation in these associations, we characterized three recently laboratory founded D. subobscura populations from both the European and South American latitudinal clines. To address temporal variation, we also characterized the association at a later generation in the European populations. We found that wing size and shape associations can be generalized across populations of the same continent, but may change through time for wing size. The observed temporal changes are probably due to changes in the genetic content of inversions, derived from adaptation to the new, laboratory environment. Finally, we show that it is not possible to predict clinal variation from intrapopulation associations. All in all this suggests that, at least in the present, wing traits–inversion associations are not responsible for the maintenance of the latitudinal clines in wing shape and size.
Diabetes and depression: does worsening control of diabetes lead to poorer depression outcomes?
Authors: Angstman Kurt , Flinchbaugh Robert T. , Flinchbaugh Katherine , Meunier Matthew R. , Angstman Gregory L.
Published: August 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

The relationship between diabetes and depression is complex. The aim of this study was to study the impact of diabetic control in depressed primary care patients with diabetes on clinical remission of their depression at 6 months.

Methods

This study was a retrospective chart review analysis of 145 adult patients diagnosed with either major depressive disorder or dysthymia and had a score of 10 or greater on the PHQ‐9. The dependent variable for this study was depression remission at 6 months. The independent variables for this study were age, gender, marital status, race, BMI and HbA1c level within 2 months prior to the time of depression diagnosis.

Results

Multiple logistic regression modelling demonstrated that initial diabetic control or obesity were not independent predictors of depression remission at 6 months after index date. Also, the odds for the diabetes being in control (HbA1c <8.0%) after 6 months was only associated with being in control at baseline (OR 5.549, CI 2.364–13.024, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Baseline diabetic control does not appear to be an independent predictor for depression outcomes at 6 months. The best predictor of diabetic control after the diagnosis of depression was previous control of diabetes.
Fast Technology Analysis Enables Identification of Species and Genotypes of Latent Microsporidia Infections in Healthy Native Cameroonians
Authors: Ndzi Edward S. , Asonganyi Tazoacha , Nkinin Mary Bello , Xiao Lihua , Didier Elizabeth S. , Bowers Lisa C. , Nkinin Stephenson W. , Kaneshiro Edna S.
Published: August 2015

Several enteric microsporidia species have been detected in humans and other vertebrates and their identifications at the genotype level are currently being elucidated. As advanced methods, reagents, and disposal kits for detecting and identifying pathogens become commercially available, it is important to test them in settings other than in laboratories with “state‐of‐the‐art” equipment and well‐trained staff members. In the present study, we sought to detect microsporidia DNA preserved and extracted from FTA (fast technology analysis) cards spotted with human fecal suspensions obtained from Cameroonian volunteers living in the capital city of Yaoundé to preclude the need for employing spore‐concentrating protocols. Further, we tested whether amplicon nucleotide sequencing approaches could be used on small aliquots taken from the cards to elucidate the diversity of microsporidia species and strains infecting native residents. Of 196 samples analyzed, 12 (6.1%) were positive for microsporidia DNA; Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Type IV and KIN‐1), Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis were identified. These data demonstrate the utility of the FTA cards in identifying genotypes of microsporidia DNA in human fecal samples that may be applied to field testing for prevalence studies.