bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capsosiphon fulvescens extracts improve obesity‐associated metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Yun Mi‐Young , Lee Jae‐Sug , Kim Byoung‐Soo , Choi Hwa‐Jung
Published: December 2017

Herbal dietary supplements have attracted more and more attention owing to their relative effectiveness in obesity ‐related metabolic disorders and diseases. This study investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) extracts on obesity, their associated metabolic disorders and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal, HFD/Vehicle and HFD/CF (orally 300 mg/kg/day for CF). After 12 weeks, CF blocked HFD‐induced body weight, food intake, liver weight, hepatic triglyceride (TG), fat mass (weight of abdominal subcutaneous fat and epididymal adipose tissue) and biochemical parameters (total cohlesterol, glucose, TG, creatinine, high‐density lipoproteins cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) of serum. CF also had improved serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 in HFD/CF mice. Moreover, CF ameliorated the hepatic steatosis‐reducing size of white adipose tissue. These results indicate that CF have anti‐obesity effects and are effective for reducing metabolic risk and hepatic steatosis.
Structure and sensilla of the antennae and mouthparts of Loxocephala perpunctata Jacobi (Hemiptera: Fulgomorpha: Eurybrachidae)
Authors: Meng Yinfeng , Qin Daozheng
Published: December 2017

The ultramorphology of the antennae and mouthparts of the adult Loxocephala perpunctata Jacobi was studied through a scanning electron microscope. Seven types of sensilla were found on antennomeres, including a Böhm bristle on the scape, sensillum trichoideum and plaque organ on the pedicel, two subtypes of sensilla chaetica and two subtypes of sensilla campaniformia on these two antennomeres; and Bourgoin's organ with sensory pegs and sensilla basiconicum on the basal bulb of the flagellum. The mouthparts of L. perpunctata are of the typical piercing‐sucking type, similar to mouthparts found in other hemipteran insects. In general, six types of sensilla (i.e., four subtypes of sensilla chaetica, sensillum basiconicum, subapical labial sensillum, uniporous peg‐like sensillum, multiporous peg‐like sensillum and two subtypes of bristle‐like sensilla) were detected on different locations of the labium, with the last three, and numerous cuticular processes, present on the labial tip. The potential functions of these sensilla are discussed.
Three‐year follow‐up after psychotherapy for young people with bipolar disorder
Authors: Inder Maree L , Crowe Marie T , Moor Stephanie , Carter Janet D , Luty Suzanne E , Frampton Christopher M , Joyce Peter R
Published: December 2017

Objectives

(1) To examine the differences between interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) and specialist supportive care (SSC) in the longer term impacts of IPSRT and SSC on cumulative depression and mania symptoms over a further 78‐week follow‐up period post treatment.

(2) To calculate the survival time before recurrence of a new mood episode over the 3‐year period.

Methods

One hundred young people with bipolar disorder aged between 15 and 36 years who had been randomized to treatment with either IPSRT or SSC for 78 weeks were followed up for a subsequent 78 weeks. The Longitudinal Interval Follow‐up Evaluation was completed at 26‐week intervals. A Mann‐Whitney U test was used to determine if there were significant differences between therapy types and a Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was used to determine time to recurrence. Cox regression was used to assess the association between time to relapse and therapy type.

Results

There were no significant differences between therapies at each of the data points for either depression or mania scores. The mean change in depression and mania in both groups was significantly different for all three follow‐up data points. The actuarial cumulative recurrence rates were 53% for IPSRT and 49% for SSC. There was no significant difference between the groups in time to recurrence.

Conclusions

While there were no significant differences between the two therapies, there was an overall reduction in symptoms in both therapies. There may be sustained benefits in providing intensive psychotherapies in conjunction with pharmacotherapy for young people with bipolar disorder.
Revealing life‐history traits by contrasting genetic estimations with predictions of effective population size
Authors: Greenbaum Gili , Renan Sharon , Templeton Alan R. , Bouskila Amos , Saltz David , Rubenstein Daniel I. , Bar‐David Shirli
Published: December 2017

Effective population size, a central concept in conservation biology, is now routinely estimated from genetic surveys and can also be theoretically predicted from demographic, life‐history, and mating‐system data. By evaluating the consistency of theoretical predictions with empirically estimated effective size, insights can be gained regarding life‐history characteristics and the relative impact of different life‐history traits on genetic drift. These insights can be used to design and inform management strategies aimed at increasing effective population size. We demonstrated this approach by addressing the conservation of a reintroduced population of Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus). We estimated the variance effective size (Nev) from genetic data () and formulated predictions for the impacts on Nev of demography, polygyny, female variance in lifetime reproductive success (RS), and heritability of female RS. By contrasting the genetic estimation with theoretical predictions, we found that polygyny was the strongest factor affecting genetic drift because only when accounting for polygyny were predictions consistent with the genetically measured Nev. The comparison of effective‐size estimation and predictions indicated that 10.6% of the males mated per generation when heritability of female RS was unaccounted for (polygyny responsible for 81% decrease in Nev) and 19.5% mated when female RS was accounted for (polygyny responsible for 67% decrease in Nev). Heritability of female RS also affected Nev; (heritability responsible for 41% decrease in Nev). The low effective size is of concern, and we suggest that management actions focus on factors identified as strongly affecting , namely, increasing the availability of artificial water sources to increase number of dominant males contributing to the gene pool. This approach, evaluating life‐history hypotheses in light of their impact on effective population size, and contrasting predictions with genetic measurements, is a general, applicable strategy that can be used to inform conservation practice.
USING ENGEL CURVES TO ESTIMATE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX BIAS FOR THE ELDERLY
Authors: Gorry James , Scrimgeour Dean
Published: December 2017

Over the last 30 years, the share of total expenditure devoted to food has declined more rapidly for elderly‐headed households than for other households. This decline is not explained by a more rapid increase in measured total expenditure for the elderly, or by relative change in other covariates such as household composition. We present this as evidence that the true cost of living increased more slowly for the elderly than for the nonelderly over this period, in contrast to conventional wisdom that the elderly face a higher inflation rate. (JELE31, J14)
How Do Delivery Variety Decisions Contribute to Sales? An Empirical Study on Demand and Supply Integration
Authors: Wan Xiang , Dresner Martin E. , Evers Philip T.
Published: December 2017

This study empirically assesses the value of decisions on offering delivery variety (the number of different methods of truck transport used to deliver products to buyers). Rooted in the literature on demand and supply integration, we develop the relationship between delivery variety decisions and sales through the mediating role of unit fill rate. We find that a decision to increase delivery variety will indirectly improve sales through the mediating role of the fill rate. Furthermore, our results suggest that decisions on order variety (the number of ordering methods offered to buyers) moderates this mediation effect. A decision to increase order variety enhances the benefits of delivery variety. We estimate our models using archival data including deliveries, order fulfillment, sales records, and other operational data over three years. When the number of delivery methods increases from 1 to 3, fill rates increase by 1.22% and sales increase by 15.39%, and when the number of order methods increases from 1 to 4, the impact of delivery variety on fill rates increases by an additional 0.39% and on sales by an additional 4.68%. These findings provide empirical support for the integration of demand and supply associated with decision making in supply chains and underscore the need for top management to consider the complementary benefits of delivery variety and order variety on order fulfillment and sales.
Non‐severe hypoglycaemia is associated with weight gain in patients with type 1 diabetes: Results from the Diabetes Control and Complication Trial
Authors: Bumbu Anisoara , Moutairou Abdul , Matar Odette , Fumeron Frédéric , Velho Gilberto , Riveline Jean‐Pierre , Gautier Jean‐François , Marre Michel , Roussel Ronan , Potier Louis
Published: December 2017

It is unclear whether the frequent non‐severe episodes of hypoglycaemia observed during intensive glucose control in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are associated with subsequent weight gain. We analysed the association between non‐severe hypoglycaemia and weight gain in 1441 Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) participants. Non‐severe hypoglycaemia was assessed by hypo‐score (ie, number of blood glucose values <70 mg/dL divided by the total number of measurements during the DCCT quarterly visits). Significant associations were observed between the hypo‐score and annual and total weight gain. The annual weight gain by hypo‐score tertiles was 0.8 ± 1.2 (T1), 1.3 ± 1.5 (T2) and 1.4 ± 1.3 kg/y (T3), P < .001 for T2 and T3 vs T1, and for T3 vs T2. The odds ratio for a weight gain of 1.8 kg/y was 2.14 (95% CI, 1.56‐2.93) for T2, and 2.53 (95%CI, 1.85‐3.45) for T3 vs T1. These differences in weight gain and in risk of weight gain remained significant after adjustment for sex, age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c at baseline and treatment arms. In conclusion, our analysis shows a significant association between non‐severe hypoglycaemia and weight gain in individuals with T1D from the DCCT.
The effect on glycaemic control of low‐volume high‐intensity interval training versus endurance training in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Winding Kamilla M. , Munch Gregers W. , Iepsen Ulrik W. , Van Hall Gerrit , Pedersen Bente K. , Mortensen Stefan P.
Published: December 2017

Aim

To evaluate whether high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) with a lower time commitment can be as effective as endurance training (END) on glycaemic control, physical fitness and body composition in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

A total of 29 individuals with type 2 diabetes were allocated to control (CON; no training), END or HIIT groups. Training groups received 3 training sessions per week consisting of either 40 minutes of cycling at 50% of peak workload (END) or 10 1‐minute intervals at 95% of peak workload interspersed with 1 minute of active recovery (HIIT). Glycaemic control (HbA1c, oral glucose tolerance test, 3‐hour mixed meal tolerance test with double tracer technique and continuous glucose monitoring [CGM]), lipolysis, VO2peak and body composition were evaluated before and after 11 weeks of intervention.

Results

Exercise training increased VO2peak more in the HIIT group (20% ± 20%) compared with the END group (8% ± 9%) despite lower total energy expenditure and time usage during the training sessions. HIIT decreased whole body and android fat mass compared with the CON group. In addition, visceral fat mass, HbA1c, fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, glycaemic variability and HOMA‐IR decreased after HIIT. The reduced postprandial glucose in the HIIT group was driven primarily by a lower rate of exogenous glucose appearance. In the CON group, postprandial lipolysis was augmented over the 11‐week control period.

Conclusions

Despite a ~45% lower training volume, HIIT resulted in similar or even better improvements in physical fitness, body composition and glycemic control compared to END. HIIT therefore appears to be an important time‐efficient treatment for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Real‐world evidence concerning clinical and economic outcomes of switching to insulin glargine 300 units/mL vs other basal insulins in patients with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin
Authors: Zhou Fang Liz , Ye Fen , Berhanu Paulos , Gupta Vineet E. , Gupta Rishab A. , Sung Jennifer , Westerbacka Jukka , Bailey Timothy S. , Blonde Lawrence
Published: December 2017

This retrospective cohort study compared real‐world clinical and healthcare‐resource utilization (HCRU) data in patients with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin (BI) who switched to insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla‐300) or another BI. Data from the Predictive Health Intelligence Environment database 12 months before (baseline) and 6 months after (follow‐up) the switch date (index date, March 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016) included glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), hypoglycaemia, HCRU and associated costs. Baseline characteristics were balanced using propensity score matching. Change in HbA1c from baseline was similar in both matched cohorts (n = 1819 in each). Hypoglycaemia incidence and adjusted event rate were significantly lower with Gla‐300. Patients switching to Gla‐300 had a significantly lower incidence of HCRU related to hypoglycaemia. All‐cause and diabetes‐related hospitalization and emergency‐department HCRU were also favourable for Gla‐300. Lower HCRU translated to lower costs in patients using Gla‐300. In this real‐world study, switching to Gla‐300 reduced the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes when compared with those switching to another BI, resulting in less HCRU and potential savings of associated costs.
Association of postprocedural aortic regurgitation with mitral regurgitation worsened after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Shibayama Kentaro , Mihara Hirotsugu , Berdejo Javier , Harada Kenji , Siegel Robert J. , Makkar Raj R. , Shiota Takahiro
Published: December 2017

Background

There is a paucity of investigation which demonstrates a predictor of mitral regurgitation (MR) worsened after aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify the predictor of worsened MR after transcatheter TAVR.

Methods

We retrospectively studied a total of 209 patients with mild or less MR at baseline who underwent TAVR for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis with the balloon‐expandable device. We found the presence of MR worsened after TAVR in 6% (12 patients) of all patients. Moderate or more postprocedural aortic regurgitation (AR) (odds ratio, 8.104; 95% confidence interval, 1.78–36.87; P = .007) was identified as a predictor of MR worsening after TAVR. In‐hospital outcomes indicated that patients within whom MR worsened suffered congestive heart failure more than those with unchanged or improved MR after TAVR (P < .05).

Conclusion

Significant postprocedural AR was associated with MR worsened from mild or less to moderate or more after TAVR. Worsened MR might affect in‐hospital congestive heart failure.
Variability of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction measurements using contrast echocardiography: The influence of the left ventricular length measurements in a large cohort of patients during monitoring cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy
Authors: Suwatanaviroj Tan , He Weimin , Mirhadi Eila , Paakanen Riitta , Pituskin Edith , Paterson Ian , Choy Jonathan , Becher Harald
Published: December 2017

Objective

To investigate the influence of length difference in left ventricular (LV) long axis between the apical four‐chamber and two‐chamber views on measurements of LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF).

Methods

Seven hundred consecutive cancer patients underwent contrast echocardiography from July 2010 to May 2014. All patients received the echocardiographic contrast agent Definity. Recordings of apical views were analyzed by a sonographer and then by a cardiologist. The end‐diastolic and end‐systolic LV volumes (EDV and ESV), and LV lengths as well as EF, were measured using the biplane Simpson's method. Inter‐observer variability was assessed using relative mean error (RME) and Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

Six hundred ninety‐two patients had contrast echocardiograms with complete endocardial definition. The LV length difference of the long axis measured by the cardiologist was ≤1 mm in 284 studies (41%), 2 mm in 146 studies (21%), 3 mm in 103 studies (15%), and ≥4 mm in 159 studies (23%). The limits of agreement (LOA) and RME increase with the increasing length difference. Compared to the groups with length difference <4 mm, the RME of the measurements of indexed EDV, indexed ESV, and EF was significantly greater in the group with length difference ≥4 mm (P < .05).

Conclusion

These results highlight the need for reviewing the LV long axis length measurements in order to provide reproducible LV volumes and EF measurements and may be used as benchmarks for quality control. A length difference of ≤3 mm can be achieved in most of our patients and is associated with an excellent inter‐observer agreement.
A novel method to measure mitral valve area in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis using three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: Feasibility and validation
Authors: Mahmoud Elsayed Hani M. , Hassan Mohamed , Nagy Michael , Amin Alaaeldin , Elguindy Ahmed , Wagdy Kerolos , Yacoub Magdi
Published: December 2017

Aims

Neither two‐ nor three‐dimensional (3D) planimetry of the mitral valve (MV) orifice takes the mitral commissures into account. Thus, if the commissures are not completely fused, the MV orifice will not be planar, and MV area (MVA) will be underestimated. The study aimed to validate a novel method for measurement of the MVA using a software that traces the MV orifice including the commissures.

Methods and results

The study included 30 patients undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty for severe rheumatic mitral stenosis. All performed 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) immediately before the procedure. MVA was measured using the mitral valve navigation (MVN) software of the Philips Q‐Lab 10.2 in a diastolic frame with maximum diastolic opening of the MV. Regular 3D planimetry of the MV orifice was also performed. Before balloon dilation, the MVA was calculated invasively using the Gorlin's formula. No significant difference was detected between MVN‐derived MVA and Gorlin‐derived MVA (0.98 cm2 vs. 1.0 cm2, P = .33). A statistically significant difference was detected between Planimetry‐derived MVA and Gorlin‐derived MVA (0.8 cm2 vs. 1.0 cm2, P < .001). There were significant linear correlations between MVN‐derived MVA and Gorlin‐derived MVA (r = .84, P < .001). Using Bland–Altman analysis, Gorlin‐derived MVA showed better and relatively narrower limits of agreement with MVN‐derived MVA than planimetry‐derived MVA.

Conclusion

Measurement of the MVA using the MVN method is feasible and is more correlated to the invasively measured MVA than the 3D planimetry method. This is the most accurate method of measuring the MVA that takes MV commissures into account.
A comparison between Philips and Tomtec for left ventricular deformation and volume measurements in neonatal intensive care patients
Authors: de Waal Koert , Phad Nilkant
Published: December 2017

Background

Two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is an emerging technique for analyzing cardiac function in newborns. Strain is a highly reliable and reproducible parameter, and reference values have been established for term and preterm newborns. Its implementation into clinical practice has been slow, partly due to lack of inter‐vendor consistency. Our aim was to compare recent versions of Philips and Tomtec speckle tracking software for deformation and semiautomated volume and area measurements in neonatal intensive care patients.

Methods and results

Longitudinal and circumferential deformation and cavity dimensions (volume, area) were determined off line from apical and short‐axis images in 50 consecutive newborns with a median birthweight of 760 g (range 460–3200 g). Absolute mean endocardial global longitudinal strain measurements were similar between vendors, but with wide limits of agreement (Philips −18.9 [2.1]%, Tomtec −18.6 [2.5]%, bias −0.3 [1.7]%, and limits of agreement −3.6%–3.1%). Longitudinal strain rate and circumferential measurements showed poor correlation. All volume and area measurements correlated well between the vendors, but with significant bias.

Conclusion

Global longitudinal strain measurements compared well between vendors but wide limits of agreement, suggesting that longitudinal measurements are preferred using similar hardware and software.
Phylogeny and species traits predict bird detectability
Authors: Sólymos Péter , Matsuoka Steven M. , Stralberg Diana , Barker Nicole K. S. , Bayne Erin M.
Published: December 2017

Avian acoustic communication has resulted from evolutionary pressures and ecological constraints. We therefore expect that auditory detectability in birds might be predictable by species traits and phylogenetic relatedness. We evaluated the relationship between phylogeny, species traits, and field‐based estimates of the two processes that determine species detectability (singing rate and detection distance) for 141 bird species breeding in boreal North America. We used phylogenetic mixed models and cross‐validation to compare the relative merits of using trait data only, phylogeny only, or the combination of both to predict detectability. We found a strong phylogenetic signal in both singing rates and detection distances; however the strength of phylogenetic effects was less than expected under Brownian motion evolution. The evolution of behavioural traits that determine singing rates was found to be more labile, leaving more room for species to evolve independently, whereas detection distance was mostly determined by anatomy (i.e. body size) and thus the laws of physics. Our findings can help in disentangling how complex ecological and evolutionary mechanisms have shaped different aspects of detectability in boreal birds. Such information can greatly inform single‐ and multi‐species models but more work is required to better understand how to best correct possible biases in phylogenetic diversity and other community metrics.
The Forced Migration Crisis and the Role of European Corporations: A Point of View
Authors: Naccache Philippe , Al Ariss Akram
Published: December 2017

In this article we consider the role of European corporations in dealing with the forced migration crisis that Europe is currently witnessing. From the case of the immediate refugee crisis in Europe, we move our focus toward the longer‐term aspects of forced migrations. Demonstrating the multifaceted nature of the forced migration phenomenon, we first problematize the irresponsible behaviours of corporations and the effect of such behaviours on the environment and affected populations. Second, we suggest that corporations should favour an inclusive economy that facilitates the integration of forced migrants, materialized within the workplace in the form of inclusive people management practices. We conclude our point of view by proposing that reverting to the social context is an absolute necessity in order for organizations to effectively address the issue of forced migrations. We finally suggest strong actions that could support the revival of the social role of corporations.
Record of a new location for tropical root knot nematode Meloidogyne luci in Slovenia
Authors: Gerič Stare B. , Strajnar P. , Širca S. , Susič N. , Urek G.
Published: December 2017

The plant parasitic nematode Meloidogyne ethiopica Whitehead has been reported from several European countries including Slovenia, where it was first found in 2003. However, the description in 2014 of a new sister species, Meloidogyne luci Carneiro et al., , called for the reclassification of all European and Turkish populations of M. ethiopica reported up to this date as M. luci. Both M. ethiopica and M. luci have a very wide host range of monocotyledons and dicotyledons. They are pests of important agricultural crops such as maize, potatoes and variety of vegetables, and represent a serious threat for agricultural production in greenhouses as well as in the open fields in many EPPO countries. This paper reports a new location for the tropical root knot nematode species M. luci found in Slovenia in 2015.
Designing connected marine reserves in the face of global warming
Authors: Álvarez‐Romero Jorge G. , Munguía‐Vega Adrián , Beger Maria , del Mar Mancha‐Cisneros Maria , Suárez‐Castillo Alvin N. , Gurney Georgina G. , Pressey Robert L. , Gerber Leah R. , Morzaria‐Luna Hem Nalini , Reyes‐Bonilla Héctor , Adams Vanessa M. , Kolb Melanie , Graham Erin M. , VanDerWal Jeremy , Castillo‐López Alejandro , Hinojosa‐Arango Gustavo , Petatán‐Ramírez David , Moreno‐Baez Marcia , Godínez‐Reyes Carlos R. , Torre Jorge
Published: December 2017

Marine reserves are widely used to protect species important for conservation and fisheries and to help maintain ecological processes that sustain their populations, including recruitment and dispersal. Achieving these goals requires well‐connected networks of marine reserves that maximize larval connectivity, thus allowing exchanges between populations and recolonization after local disturbances. However, global warming can disrupt connectivity by shortening potential dispersal pathways through changes in larval physiology. These changes can compromise the performance of marine reserve networks, thus requiring adjusting their design to account for ocean warming. To date, empirical approaches to marine prioritization have not considered larval connectivity as affected by global warming. Here, we develop a framework for designing marine reserve networks that integrates graph theory and changes in larval connectivity due to potential reductions in planktonic larval duration (PLD) associated with ocean warming, given current socioeconomic constraints. Using the Gulf of California as case study, we assess the benefits and costs of adjusting networks to account for connectivity, with and without ocean warming. We compare reserve networks designed to achieve representation of species and ecosystems with networks designed to also maximize connectivity under current and future ocean‐warming scenarios. Our results indicate that current larval connectivity could be reduced significantly under ocean warming because of shortenedPLDs. Given the potential changes in connectivity, we show that our graph‐theoretical approach based on centrality (eigenvector and distance‐weighted fragmentation) of habitat patches can help design better‐connected marine reserve networks for the future with equivalent costs. We found that maintaining dispersal connectivity incidentally through representation‐only reserve design is unlikely, particularly in regions with strong asymmetric patterns of dispersal connectivity. Our results support previous studies suggesting that, given potential reductions inPLDdue to ocean warming, future marine reserve networks would require more and/or larger reserves in closer proximity to maintain larval connectivity.
It is all about value: How domestic party brands influence voting patterns in the European Parliament
Authors: Meyerrose Anna M.
Published: December 2017

Research on the European Parliament finds legislative voting patterns remained constant following the Eastern enlargement of the European Union. This article shows that Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from these new member states are actually more likely to vote along European party lines. Given that these MEPs often come from less institutionalized domestic party systems that lack norms of legislative discipline, we should expect them to exhibit more erratic voting behavior than MEPs from mature systems. Why would stronger party discipline at the European level be associated with more volatile and fragmented domestic party systems? This article argues MEPs from less institutionalized systems rely more on the brand of their European party, which provides better information and career opportunities than their parties at home, and thus are more likely to vote along European party lines. I find support for this theory using data from the sixth European Parliament (2004–2009).
Development of novel pea flour‐based nanofibres by electrospinning method
Authors: Oguz Seren , Tam Nilay , Aydogdu Ayca , Sumnu Gulum , Sahin Serpil
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to produce pea flour and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)‐based novel nanofibres using electrospinning method. The effects of pH, pea flour and HPMC concentration on apparent viscosity, electrical conductivity of electrospinning solutions and nanofibre characteristics were studied. Solutions were prepared at different pH values (7, 10, 12), with different pea flour concentrations (1%, 2% w/v) and HPMC concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0% w/v). For all pea flour concentrations, k values increased significantly with increase in pH and HPMC concentration. It also increased with increase in pea flour concentration for basic solutions. Pea flour concentration increased diameter and water vapour permeability (WVP) values of nanofibres. This study showed that electrospinning was a promising method for fabrication of homogenous pea flour and HPMC‐based nanofibres to be used in packaging industry.
Dissemination of scholarship across eight cohorts of doctor of nursing practice graduates
Authors: Becker Kathleen D. , Johnson Shania , Rucker Denise , Finnell Deborah S.
Published: December 2017

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the publication record across eight cohorts of post‐master's Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates.

Background

Dissemination of findings from evidence‐based practice is described in the American Association of the Colleges of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice Essential III. Students in Doctor of Nursing Practice programmes are expected to generate deliverables (e.g., a manuscript) of evidence to improve practice or patient outcomes.

Design

A descriptive study was conducted to determine whether two key manuscripts (i.e., integrative review and an evidence‐based quality improvement project) were disseminated in peer‐reviewed journals, and if so, the length of time from graduation to publication. Co‐authorship with faculty advisors and contributors was also examined.

Results

The number of evidence‐based quality improvement publications outpaces the number of integrative reviews over this span of time. Time to publication from graduation has decreased in recent years.

Conclusions

Expecting, rather than encouraging a publishable‐ready manuscript as a course deliverable would further student's motivation to disseminate their scholarship. Focused attention on faculty co‐authorship may help increase the number of successful student publications for both integrative reviews and evidence‐based quality improvement projects and decrease the time from graduation for those publications.

Relevance to clinical practice

Dissemination of academic scholarly work is an expected outcome for Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates who impact clinical, operational and financial outcomes in complex healthcare delivery systems.
The incidence and predictors of HBV relapse after cessation of tenofovir therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Chen C.‐H. , Hsu Y.‐C. , Lu S.‐N. , Hung C.‐H. , Wang J.‐H. , Lee C.‐M. , Hu T.‐H.
Published: December 2017

This study investigates the incidences and predictors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) relapse after tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive and ‐negative patients. We retrospectively recruited 143 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients without cirrhosis (39 HBeAg‐positive and 104 HBeAg‐negative patients) who were previously treated with TDF and had post‐treatment follow‐up for at least 6 months (median: 55, IQR 36‐85 weeks). All the patients fulfilled the stopping criteria of APASL 2012. The virological and clinical relapse rates at 104 weeks in HBeAg‐positive patients were 66.6% and 59.1%, while they were 72.3% and 55.9%, respectively, in HBeAg‐negative patients. Cox regression analysis revealed that the higher end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels were an independent factor of virological relapse in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients. The end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels of 200 (area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC): 0.624) and 80 IU/mL (AUROC: 0.959) were the optimal values for predicting HBV relapse in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients, respectively. The virological relapse rate at 78 weeks was 14.3% and 19.6% in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative patients who achieved HBsAg ≤200 IU/mL and HBsAg ≤80 IU/mL, respectively. Two patients experienced hepatic decompensation upon hepatitis flares, and no patient died after timely retreatment. Seven patients experienced off‐therapy HBsAg loss. The cumulative rates of HBsAg loss at 104 weeks were 45.5% and 59.3% in patients with end‐of‐treatment HBsAg ≤80 IU/mL and ≤50 IU/mL, respectively. In conclusions, the end‐of‐treatment HBsAg levels were a useful marker for predicting HBV relapse in HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg‐negative CHB patients.
microRNA regulation in an ancient obligate endosymbiosis
Authors: Feng Honglin , Wang Lingyu , Wuchty Stefan , Wilson Alex C. C.
Published: December 2017

Although many insects are associated with obligate bacterial endosymbionts, the mechanisms by which these host/endosymbiont associations are regulated remain mysterious. While microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently identified as regulators of host/microbe interactions, including host/pathogen and host/facultative endosymbiont interactions, the role miRNAs may play in mediating host/obligate endosymbiont interactions is virtually unknown. Here, we identified conserved miRNAs that potentially mediate symbiotic interactions between aphids and their obligate endosymbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. Using small RNA sequence data from Myzus persicae and Acyrthosiphon pisum, we annotated 93 M. persicae and 89 A. pisum miRNAs, among which 69 were shared. We found 14 miRNAs that were either highly expressed in aphid bacteriome, the Buchnera‐housing tissue, or differentially expressed in bacteriome vs. gut, a non‐Buchnera‐housing tissue. Strikingly, 10 of these 14 miRNAs have been implicated previously in other host/microbe interaction studies. Investigating the interaction networks of these miRNAs using a custom computational pipeline, we identified 103 miRNA::mRNA interactions shared between M. persicae and A. pisum. Functional annotation of the shared mRNA targets revealed only two over‐represented cluster of orthologous group categories: amino acid transport and metabolism, and signal transduction mechanisms. Our work supports a role for miRNAs in mediating host/symbiont interactions between aphids and their obligate endosymbiont Buchnera. In addition, our results highlight the probable importance of signal transduction mechanisms to host/endosymbiont coevolution.
Slow evolution of sex‐biased genes in the reproductive tissue of the dioecious plant Salix viminalis
Authors: Darolti Iulia , Wright Alison E. , Pucholt Pascal , Berlin Sofia , Mank Judith E.
Published: December 2017

The relative rate of evolution for sex‐biased genes has often been used as a measure of the strength of sex‐specific selection. In contrast to studies in a wide variety of animals, far less is known about the molecular evolution of sex‐biased genes in plants, particularly in dioecious angiosperms. Here, we investigate the gene expression patterns and evolution of sex‐biased genes in the dioecious plant Salix viminalis. We observe lower rates of sequence evolution for male‐biased genes expressed in the reproductive tissue compared to unbiased and female‐biased genes. These results could be partially explained by the lower codon usage bias for male‐biased genes leading to elevated rates of synonymous substitutions compared to unbiased genes. However, the stronger haploid selection in the reproductive tissue of plants, together with pollen competition, would also lead to higher levels of purifying selection acting to remove deleterious variation. Future work should focus on the differential evolution of haploid‐ and diploid‐specific genes to understand the selective dynamics acting on these loci.
Environmental effects on fine‐scale spatial genetic structure in four Alpine keystone forest tree species
Authors: Mosca Elena , Di Pierro Erica A. , Budde Katharina B. , Neale David B. , González‐Martínez Santiago C.
Published: December 2017

Genetic responses to environmental changes take place at different spatial scales. While the effect of environment on the distribution of species' genetic diversity at large geographical scales has been the focus of several recent studies, its potential effects on genetic structure at local scales are understudied. Environmental effects on fine‐scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) were investigated in four Alpine conifer species (five to eight populations per species) from the eastern Italian Alps. Significant FSGS was found for 11 of 25 populations. Interestingly, we found no significant differences in FSGS across species but great variation among populations within species, highlighting the importance of local environmental factors. Interannual variability in spring temperature had a small but significant effect on FSGS of Larix decidua, probably related to species‐specific life history traits. For Abies alba, Picea abies and Pinus cembra, linear models identified spring precipitation as a potentially relevant climate factor associated with differences in FSGS across populations; however, models had low explanatory power and were strongly influenced by a P. cembra outlier population from a very dry site. Overall, the direction of the identified effects is according to expectations, with drier and more variable environments increasing FSGS. Underlying mechanisms may include climate‐related changes in the variance of reproductive success and/or environmental selection of specific families. This study provides new insights on potential changes in local genetic structure of four Alpine conifers in the face of environmental changes, suggesting that new climates, through altering FSGS, may also have relevant impacts on plant microevolution.
The challenge of urinary tract infections in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Hollyer Ian , Ison Michael G.
Published: December 2017

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant patients. These infections are quite common, and the goal of care is to identify and reduce risk factors while providing effective prophylaxis and treatment. Better understanding of long‐term outcomes from these infections has led to the distinctions among UTI, recurrent UTI, and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), and that each requires a different therapeutic approach. Specifically, new research has supported the perspective that asymptomatic bacteriuria should not be treated. Symptomatic UTI, on the other hand, requires intervention and remains an ongoing challenge for infectious disease clinicians. Many bacteria species are responsible for UTI in renal transplant patients, and in recent years there has been a global rise in infection caused by bacteria with newly acquired antibacterial resistance genes. Many renal transplant patients who experience UTI will also have multiple recurring episodes, which likely has a distinct pathophysiological mechanism leading to chronic colonization of the urinary tract. In these cases, long‐term management includes bacterial suppression, which aims to reduce rather than eliminate bacteria to levels below the threshold for symptomatic infection. This review will address the current understanding of UTI epidemiology, pathogenesis, and risk factors in the renal transplant community, and also focus on current prevention and treatment strategies for patients who face an environment of increasingly antibiotic‐resistant bacteria.
Optogenetic dissection of roles of specific cortical interneuron subtypes in GABAergic network synchronization
Authors: Bohannon Andrew S. , Hablitz John J.
Published: December 2017

Key points

An increase in the excitability of GABAergic cells has typically been assumed to decrease network activity, potentially producing overall anti‐epileptic effects. Recent data suggest that inhibitory networks may actually play a role in initiating epileptiform activity.

We show that activation of GABAergic interneurons can elicit synchronous long‐lasting network activity.

Specific interneuron subpopulations differentially contributed to GABA network synchrony, indicating cell type‐specific contributions of interneurons to cortical network activity.

Interneurons may critically contribute to the generation of aberrant network activity characteristic of epilepsy, warranting further investigation into the contribution of distinct cortical interneuron subpopulations to the propagation and rhythmicity of epileptiform activity.

In the presence of the A‐type K+ channel blocker 4‐aminopyrdine, spontaneous synchronous network activity develops in the neocortex of mice of either sex. This aberrant synchrony persists in the presence of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists (EAA blockers) and is considered to arise from synchronous firing of cortical interneurons (INs). Although much attention has been given to the mechanisms underlying this GABAergic synchrony, the contribution of specific IN subtypes to the generation of these long‐lasting discharges (LLDs) is incompletely understood. We employed genetically‐encoded channelrhodopsin and archaerhodopsin opsins to investigate the sufficiency and necessity, respectively, of activation of parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SST) and vasointestinal peptide (VIP)‐expressing INs for the generation of synchronous neocortical GABAergic discharges. We found light‐induced activation of PV or SST INs to be equally sufficient for the generation of LLDs, whereas activation of VIP INs was not. By contrast, light‐induced inhibition of PV INs strongly reduced LLD initiation, whereas suppression of SST or VIP IN activity only partially attenuated LLD magnitude. These results suggest neocortical INs perform cell type‐specific roles in the generation of aberrant GABAergic cortical network activity.
Toward consistent definitions for preload and afterload—revisited
Authors: ROTHE CARL
Published: December 2017

The following is the abstract of the article discussed in the subsequent letter:

Norton JM. Toward consistent definitions for preload and afterload. Advan Physiol Educ 25: 53–61, 2001. Significant differences exist among textbook definitions for the terms preload and afterload, leading to confusion and frustration among students and faculty alike. Many faculty also chose to use in their teaching simple terms such as “end-diastolic volume” or “aortic pressure” as common-usage approximations of preload and afterload, respectively, but these are only partial representations of these important concepts. Straightforward definitions both of preload and afterload that are concise yet still comprehensive can be developed using the Law of LaPlace to describe the relationships among chamber pressure, chamber radius, and wall thickness. Within this context, the term “preload” can be defined as all of the factors that contribute to passive ventricular wall stress (or tension) at the end of diastole, and the term “afterload” can be defined as all of the factors that contribute to total myocardial wall stress (or tension) during systolic ejection. The inclusion of “wall stress” in both definitions helps the student appreciate both the complexities of cardiac pathophysiology and the rationale for therapeutic intervention.
Complex medical case histories as portals to medical practice and integrative, scientific thought.
Authors: Engelberg J
Published: December 2017

Complex clinicopathological conferences from the New England Journal of Medicine are used to introduce first-year medical and graduate students to scientific reasoning at the level of the whole organism and to help them mobilize and integrate the knowledge obtained in their previous studies. The approach involves outlining the etiology of the case history. This becomes a framework for thought allowing students to easily cope with the profusion of data. The method is cost effective: a single professor can interact with a large class, yet engage students on a one-to-one basis. It is a powerful adjunct to, but does not replace, lecture or small group activities such as problem-based learning. An annotated case history involving diabetes mellitus is provided.
Computers as teachers: learning from animations.
Authors: Lilienfield L S , Broering N C
Published: December 2017

The effectiveness of an interactive multimedia computer program, the "Electronic Textbook in Human Physiology," in improving the knowledge of students studying cardiovascular physiology was determined from scores on tests given before and immediately after completion of a two-hour animation program on the Cardiac Cycle and Introduction to Electrocardiography and by comparison of performance on a final examination taken later with their unexposed (control) classmates. Unsigned comments on the use of the program were obtained from all participants and were universally laudatory. A marked and significant improvement in the immediate posttest compared with the pretest scores was found. More importantly, the students who had used the computer program achieved a significantly higher grade in the cardiovascular section of the final exam than their (control) classmates. Several possible explanations of the results are offered; the most likely one is that the use of the computer program facilitated learning. The implications of this, especially for curriculum planning, are discussed.
A simple student laboratory on osmotic flow, osmotic pressure, and the reflection coefficient.
Authors: Feher J J , Ford G D
Published: December 2017

Osmosis is usually taught from the point of view of the osmotic pressure developed when solutions of different concentrations of solute are separated by an ideal semipermeable membrane. The osmotic pressure is defined at equilibrium when there is no net flow, and it takes some time to reach this equilibrium. Although the osmotic pressure is certainly important, teaching only this point of view implicitly diminishes the importance of osmotic flow, which begins almost instantaneously across a membrane. A device was constructed with which students could measure the flow across a model membrane (dialysis tubing) as a function of concentration for solutes of different sizes. The device produced flows that were linearly proportional to the concentration, providing a confirmation of van't Hoff's law. Separate student groups repeated these experiments using both different solutes and different dialysis membranes. The combined results of four student groups showed that the flow across these nonideal membranes depends on the solute and membrane as well as the concentration of solute. Given a value for area times filtration coefficient (A x Lp) for the membranes (determined beforehand by their instructor), the students could calculate the reflection coefficient (sigma) for three solutes and two membranes. The results showed that large solutes had large sigma and that less porous membranes had larger sigma. A concurrent demonstration using this device and membranes showed that the osmotic flow can generate large pressures. These experiments and demonstration provide a balanced view of osmotic flow and pressure.