bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light governs asexual differentiation in the grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea via the putative transcription factor BcLTF2
Authors: Cohrs Kim C. , Simon Adeline , Viaud Muriel , Schumacher Julia
Published: June 2016

Botrytis cinerea is a plant pathogenic fungus known for its utilization of light as environmental cue to regulate asexual differentiation: conidia are formed in the light, while sclerotia are formed in the dark. As no orthologues of known regulators of conidiation (e.g., Aspergillus nidulans BrlA, Neurospora crassa FL) exist in the Leotiomycetes, we initiated a de novo approach to identify the functional counterpart in B. cinerea. The search revealed the light‐responsive C2H2 transcription factor BcLTF2 whose expression – usually restricted to light conditions – is necessary and sufficient to induce conidiation and simultaneously to suppress sclerotial development. Light‐induced expression of bcltf2 is mediated via a so far unknown pathway, and is attenuated in a (blue) light‐dependent fashion by the White Collar complex, BcLTF1 and the VELVET complex. Mutation of either component leads to increased bcltf2 expression and causes light‐independent conidiation (always conidia phenotype). Hence, the tight regulation of bcltf2 governs the balance between vegetative growth that allows for the colonization of the substrate and subsequent reproduction via conidia in the light. The orthologue ssltf2 in the closely related species Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is not significantly expressed suggesting that its deregulation may cause the lack of the conidiation program in this fungus.
Metagenomics unveils the attributes of the alginolytic guilds of sediments from four distant cold coastal environments
Authors: Matos Marina N. , Lozada Mariana , Anselmino Luciano E. , Musumeci Matías A. , Henrissat Bernard , Jansson Janet K. , Mac Cormack Walter P. , Carroll JoLynn , Sjöling Sara , Lundgren Leif , Dionisi Hebe M.
Published: June 2016

Alginates are abundant polysaccharides in brown algae that constitute an important energy source for marine heterotrophic bacteria. Despite the key role of alginate degradation processes in the marine carbon cycle, little information is available on the bacterial populations involved in these processes. The aim of this work was to gain a better understanding of alginate utilization capabilities in cold coastal environments. Sediment metagenomes from four high‐latitude regions of both Hemispheres were interrogated for alginate lyase gene homologue sequences and their genomic context. Sediments contained highly abundant and diverse bacterial assemblages with alginolytic potential, including members of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, as well as several poorly characterized taxa. The microbial communities in Arctic and Antarctic sediments exhibited the most similar alginolytic profiles, whereas brackish sediments showed distinct structures with a higher proportion of novel genes. Examination of the gene neighbourhood of the alginate lyase homologues revealed distinct patterns depending on the potential lineage of the scaffolds, with evidence of evolutionary relationships among alginolytic gene clusters from Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. This information is relevant for understanding carbon fluxes in cold coastal environments and provides valuable information for the development of biotechnological applications from brown algae biomass.
Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1, Bishop score, and sonographic cervical length: tolerability and prediction of vaginal birth and vaginal birth within 24 hours following labour induction in nulliparous women
Authors: Vallikkannu N , Lam WK , Omar SZ , Tan PC
Published: June 2016

Objective

To evaluate the tolerability of cervical insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP‐1) and its value as a predictor of successful labour induction, compared with Bishop score and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) cervical length.

Design

A prospective study.

Setting

A tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

Population

A cohort of 193 term nulliparous women with intact membranes.

Methods

Prior to labour induction, cervical fluid was obtained via a vaginal speculum and tested for IGFBP‐1, followed by TVUS and finally Bishop score. After each assessment the procedure‐related pain was scored from 0 to 10. Cut‐off values for Bishop score and cervical length were obtained from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.

Main outcomes measures

Vaginal delivery and vaginal delivery within 24 hours of starting induction.

Results

Bedside IGFBP‐1 testing is better tolerated than Bishop score, but is less well tolerated than TVUS [median (interquartile range) of pain scores: 5 (4–5) versus 6 (5–7) versus 3 (2–3), respectively; P < 0.001]. IGFBP‐1 independently predicted vaginal delivery (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 2.3–12.9) and vaginal delivery within 24 hours of induction (AOR 4.9; 95% CI 2.1–11.6) after controlling for Bishop score (≥4 or ≥5), cervical length (≤29 or ≤27 mm), and other significant characteristics for which the Bishop score and TVUS were not predictive of vaginal delivery after adjustment. IGFBP‐1 has 81% sensitivity, 59% specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 82 and 58%, respectively, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.0 and 0.3 for vaginal delivery, respectively.

Conclusion

IGFBP‐1 better predicted vaginal delivery than BS or TVUS, and may help guide decision making regarding labour induction in nulliparous women.

Tweetable abstract

IGFBP‐1: a stronger independent predictor of labour induction success than Bishop score or cervical sonography.
Labour pain with remifentanil patient‐controlled analgesia versus epidural analgesia: a randomised equivalence trial
Authors: Logtenberg SLM , Oude Rengerink K , Verhoeven CJ , Freeman LM , van den Akker ESA , Godfried MB , van Beek E , Borchert OWHM , Schuitemaker N , van Woerkens ECSM , Hostijn I , Middeldorp JM , van der Post JA , Mol BW
Published: June 2016

Objective

To distinguish satisfaction with pain relief using remifentanil patient‐controlled analgesia (RPCA) compared with epidural analgesia (EA) in low‐risk labouring women.

Design

Randomised controlled equivalence trial.

Setting

Eighteen midwifery practices and six hospitals in the Netherlands.

Population

A total of 408 pregnant women at low risk for obstetric complications initially under the care of primary‐care midwives.

Methods

Women randomised before active labour to receive analgesia with RPCA or EA, if requested.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was satisfaction with pain relief measured hourly using a visual analogue scale and summed as area under the curve (AUC). Secondary outcomes were overall satisfaction with pain relief, pain intensity scores during labour, mode of delivery, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Results

We randomised 418 women, of whom 409 could be followed for the primary endpoint. Analgesia was received by 46% (94/203) in the remifentanil group and 37% (76/206) in the epidural group. The AUC for satisfaction with pain relief was 32 in the remifentanil group and 31 in the epidural group (mean difference −0.50; 95% CI −6.8 to 5.9). Among women who actually received analgesia, these values were 23 and 35, respectively (mean difference −12; 95% CI −22 to −1.5). Secondary outcomes were comparable.

Conclusions

In low‐risk labouring women, we could not demonstrate equivalence between a strategy with RPCA to EA with respect to satisfaction with pain relief assessed during the total duration of labour. However, once applied satisfaction was higher in women who received epidural analgesia.

Tweetable abstract

Satisfaction with pain relief is higher in women receiving epidural analgesia compared with Remifentanil PCA.
Rural Development Programmes and Transaction Effects: Reflections on Maltese and English Experience
Authors: Dwyer Janet , Powell John
Published: June 2016

New institutional economics, and transaction effects in particular, are highly relevant to public policy performance. The evolution ofEUrural development policy has generated both increasing complexity and increased transaction costs. However, this policy evolution also creates opportunities for improvement of policy process management. The paper considers these opportunities in the case of Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) under Pillar 2 of theCAP. We examine the influence of transaction effects onRDPperformance, based on direct experience ofRDPreview and planning in England and Malta, where qualitative evidence of ‘transaction benefits’ is identified. Benefits occur when exchange processes are designed in ways that generate positive returns beyond the immediate transaction, which can outweigh short‐term costs. We conclude that more attention to these aspects of policy design is warranted in future rural development programming and evaluation.
Price Endogeneity and Food Demand in Urban China
Authors: Hovhannisyan Vardges , Bozic Marin
Published: June 2016

Price endogeneity has been ignored in previous analyses of food demand in urban China. We exploit data provided by the China National Bureau of Statistics on agricultural commodity supply shifters and use reduced‐form price equations to account for price endogeneity. Applying our unique econometric approach to the analysis of provincial‐level food demand in China, we find strong statistical evidence of price endogeneity. Models that ignore price endogeneity result in substantially biased elasticities and misleading estimates of future food demand in China.
The TARGET pain study: Lessons from a painful marathon
Authors: Thom Ogilvie N , Keijzers Gerben , Taylor David McD , Fatovich Daniel M , Finucci Daniel P , Furyk Jeremy , Jin Sang‐won , Macdonald Stephen PJ , Mitenko Hugh MA , Richardson Joanna R , Ting Joseph YS , Gibbs Clinton R , Chalkley Dane R
Published: June 2016

This perspective article summarises the experience of conducting a multicentre research project. We describe expected and unexpected hurdles we experienced as well as suggesting possible solutions for researchers embarking on multicentre studies.
Changing attitudes towards management of men with locally advanced prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy: A follow‐up survey of Australia‐based urologists
Authors: Brown Bernadette , Egger Sam , Young Jane , Kneebone Andrew B , Brooks Andrew J , Dominello Amanda , Haines Mary
Published: June 2016

Introduction

This study examined whether there has been change among Australia‐based urologists' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs relating to guideline‐recommended adjuvant radiotherapy for men with adverse pathologic features following radical prostatectomy since a prior survey in 2012 and investigated associations between attitudes and treatment preferences.

Methods

A nationwide survey of Australia‐based urologist members of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Results

Ninety‐six respondents completed the 2015 survey (30% response rate) compared with 157 (45% response rate) in 2012. There was no significant change in awareness of national clinical practice guidelines for the management of prostate cancer. When considering adjuvant against salvage radiotherapy, urologists were significantly less favourable towards adjuvant radiotherapy in 2015 than in 2012 for two of three hypothetical clinical case scenarios with a high 10‐year risk of biochemical relapse according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center nomograms (P < 0.001 for both cases). In 2015, urologists were less positive overall towards the recommendation for post‐operative adjuvant radiotherapy for men with locally advanced prostate cancer than in 2012 (P < 0.001), reflecting a significant change across a number of attitudes and beliefs. Of note, urologists felt other urologists would more likely be critical if they routinely referred the target patient group for radiotherapy in 2015 compared with 2012 (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

In 2015 Australia‐based urologists were less favourable towards adjuvant radiotherapy over watchful waiting for men with high‐risk pathologic features post‐prostatectomy than in 2012. We could find no new published research that precipitated this change in attitude.
Impact of antioxidant supplementations on cardio‐renal protection in cardiac surgery: an updated and comprehensive meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Ali‐Hassan‐Sayegh Sadegh , Mirhosseini Seyed Jalil , Tahernejad Mahbube , Mahdavi Parisa , Shahidzadeh Azadeh , Karimi‐Bondarabadi Ali Akbar , Dehghan Ali‐Mohammad , Rahimizadeh Elham , Haddad Fatemeh , Ghodratipour Zahra , Sarrafan‐Chaharsoughi Zahra , Shahidzadeh Arezoo , Ghanei Azam , Lotfaliani Mohammadreza , Zeriouh Mohamed , Weymann Alexander , Popov Aron‐Frederik , Sabashnikov Anton
Published: June 2016

This systematic review with meta‐analysis sought to determine the strength of evidence in terms of the impact of common antioxidant supplementations, such as N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), vitamin C, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on perioperative outcomes after cardiac surgery with particular focus on the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) with associated mortality. A total of 29 trials were identified that reported incidence of AF and 17 trials that reported incidence of AKI. Pooled analysis reported that NAC (OR=0.5; P=.001), vitamin C (OR=0.4; P=.001), and PUFA (OR=0.8; P=.01) administration were associated with significantly reduced incidence of AF. In terms of postoperative AKI, only NAC was shown to be a beneficial supplement that was able to significantly reduce the incidence of AKI (OR=0.7; P=.01), and NAC could also significantly decrease overall mortality (OR=0.3; P=.03) following cardiac surgery. The use of NAC in patients undergoing cardiac surgery should be strongly recommended due to its combined cardio‐renal protective effects and reduced mortality. Also, PUFA and vitamin C might be able to significantly decrease the incidence of arrhythmia; however, reno‐protective effects and impact on overall mortality of these supplements seem to be less impressive.
A New Pterodactyloid Pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of the Western Part of Liaoning Province, Northeastern China
Authors: Junchang LÜ , Cunyu LIU , Lijun PAN , Caizhi SHEN
Published: June 2016

Pangupterus liui gen. et sp. nov. from the Jiufotang Formation of Sihedang, Lingyuan City, Liaoning Province is erected based on a nearly complete lower jaw. It is characterized by having a total of 36 slender curved teeth with sharp tips, forming a distinct fish‐grabbing mechanism; the teeth are well‐spaced and are circular in section; the length ratio of the mandibular symphysis to the whole jaw is 20%; and the ratio of the tooth root width to tooth length is 12%. Toothed pterosaurs make up about 56.3% of the pterosaur assemblage from the Jiufotang Formation, which indicates that toothed forms played a key role in the ecosystem.
Distinctive Scleritome with Marginal Tubercles of a New Palaeoscolecid Worm from the Shipai Fauna (Cambrian Epoch 2) at Three Gorges, South China
Authors: Yuning YANG , Xingliang ZHANG
Published: June 2016

SEM analysis of trunk ornamentation on a compressed palaeoscolecid fossil from the Shipai fauna, Cambrian Series 2 and Stage 4 at Three Gorges, South China, allows a reassignment of the material to a new taxon, Sanxiascolex papillogyrus gen. et sp. nov. The preserved body is entirely annulated. Each annulus is ornamented by four rows of irregularly alternating plates and each plate bears numerous tubercles at the marginal region and a variable number (zero to six) of nodes at its central part. These features are unique among known palaeoscolecids. Comparative analyses with other compressed palaeoscolecid macrofossils and phosphatized material on the pattern of trunk ornamentation indicates that a detailed examination of the cuticle ornament weighs heavily in analyses of their taxonomic distinctions. A similar sclerite pattern to that of S. papillogyrus has been found in some phosphatized palaeoscolecid cuticle fragments as well as in isolated sclerites. The upper series of nodes and tubercles of these sclerites suggest an accretional mode of sclerite growth. The considerable variation in node number observed across the plates of S. papillogyrus demonstrates that phosphatic palaeoscolecid taxonomy based on relatively minor variations in the number of sclerite nodes should perhaps be reconsidered. As the origins of the phosphatized specimens are quite diverse, a large variety of isolated sclerites from the Early Palaeozoic may not reflect actual biodiversity.
Cambrian Stem‐group Cnidarians with a New Species from the Cambrian Series 3 of the Taebaeksan Basin, Korea
Authors: PARK Tae‐Yoon S. , KIHM Ji‐Hoon , WOO Jusun , ZHEN Yong‐Yi , ENGELBRETSEN Michael , HONG Jongsun , CHOH Suk‐Joo , LEE Dong‐Jin
Published: June 2016

Five species, Lipopora lissa Jell and Jell, 1976, Lipopora daseia Jell and Jell, 1976, Tretocylichne perplexa Engelbretsen, 1993 from Australia, Cambroctoconus orientalis Park, Woo, Lee, Lee, Lee, Han and Chough, 2011 from China, and Cambroctoconus kyrgyzstanicus Peel, 2014 from Kyrgyzstan, belonging to the Cambrian stem‐group cnidarians have been documented in the fossil record. Cambroctoconus coreaensis sp. nov., interpreted here as a stem‐group cnidarian, from the Seokgaejae section in the Daegi Formation, Taebaek Group (Cambrian Series 3), Taebaeksan Basin, central‐eastern Korean Peninsula, has a slender cup‐shaped skeleton. A cladistic analysis produced 21 most parsimonious trees, which invariably placed the six stem‐group cnidarians below the crown‐group, but their relationships within the stem‐group are unresolved. Nine out of the 21 trees suggest a monophyletic relationship for the Cambrian stem‐group cnidarians, whereas in six other trees a monophyly of Cambroctoconus and Tretocylichne appeared as the sister‐group to the crown‐group cnidarians with Lipopora at the most basal branch. This result may reflect the fact that crown‐group cnidarians evolved in the Precambrian, and suggests that the diversity of stem‐group cnidarians was a result of an independent radiation in the Cambrian.
Geology, Fluid Inclusion and Isotopic Study of the Neoproterozoic Suoi Thau Copper Deposit, Northwest Vietnam
Authors: Mydung TRAN , Junlai LIU , Xiaochun LI , Mycung DANG
Published: June 2016

The Sin Quyen‐Lung Po district is an important Cu metallogenic province in Vietnam, but there are few temporal and genetic constraints on deposits from this belt. Suoi Thau is one of the representative Cu deposits associated with granitic intrusion. The deposit consists of ore bodies in altered granite or along the contact zone between granite and Proterozoic meta‐sedimentary rocks. The Cu‐bearing intrusion is sub‐alkaline I‐type granite. It has a zircon U‐Pb age of ∼776 Ma, and has subduction‐related geochemical signatures. Geochemical analysis reveals that the intrusion may be formed by melting of mafic lower crust in a subduction regime. Three stages of alteration and mineralization are identified in the Suoi Thau deposit, i.e., potassic alteration; silicification and Cu mineralization; and phyllic alteration. Two‐phase aqueous fluid inclusions in quartz from silicification stage show wide ranges of homogenization temperatures (140–383°C) and salinities (4.18wt%–19.13wt%). The high temperature and high salinity natures of some inclusions are consistent with a magmatic derivation of the fluids, which is also supported by the H‐O‐S isotopes. Fluids in quartz have δD values of −41.9‰ to −68.8‰. The fluids in isotopic equilibrium with quartz have δ18O values ranging from 7.9‰ to 9.2‰. These values are just plotted in the compositional field of magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids in the δDwater versus δ18Owater diagram. Sulfide minerals have relatively uniform δ34S values from 1.84‰ to 3.57‰, which is supportive of a magmatic derivation of sulfur. The fluid inclusions with relatively low temperatures and salinities most probably represent variably cooled magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids. The magmatic derivation of fluids and the close spatial relationship between Cu ore bodies and intrusion suggest that the Cu mineralization most likely had a genetic association with granite. The Suoi Thau deposit, together with other deposits in the region, may define a Neoproterozoic subduction‐related ore‐forming belt.
Fungal identification biases in microbiome projects
Authors: Tedersoo Leho , Lindahl Björn
Published: June 2016

Fungi are the key players in ecosystems as well as in plant and human health. High‐throughput molecular identification of fungi has greatly progressed our understanding about the diversity of mutualists, saprotrophs, and pathogens. We argue that the methods promoted by the microbiome consortia are suboptimal for detection of the most important fungal pathogens and ecologically important degraders. We recommend several sets of optimized primers for analysis of fungi or all eukaryote groups based on either short or long amplicons that cover the ITS region as well as part of 18S and 28S rDNA.
Poisson Approximation–Based Score Test for Detecting Association of Rare Variants
Authors: Fang Hongyan , Zhang Hong , Yang Yaning
Published: June 2016

Genome‐wide association study (GWAS) has achieved great success in identifying genetic variants, but the nature of GWAS has determined its inherent limitations. Under the common disease rare variants (CDRV) hypothesis, the traditional association analysis methods commonly used in GWAS for common variants do not have enough power for detecting rare variants with a limited sample size. As a solution to this problem, pooling rare variants by their functions provides an efficient way for identifying susceptible genes. Rare variant typically have low frequencies of minor alleles, and the distribution of the total number of minor alleles of the rare variants can be approximated by a Poisson distribution. Based on this fact, we propose a new test method, the Poisson Approximation–based Score Test (PAST), for association analysis of rare variants. Two testing methods, namely, ePAST and mPAST, are proposed based on different strategies of pooling rare variants. Simulation results and application to the CRESCENDO cohort data show that our methods are more powerful than the existing methods.
Association between RAPH1 Gene Haplotypes and CHE2 Locus Phenotypes
Authors: A. De Andrade Fabiana , Batistela Meire S. , Amaral Sarah Da C. , Dos Santos Willian , Mikami Liya R. , Chautard‐Freire‐Maia Eleidi A. , Furtado‐Alle Lupe , Souza Ricardo L. R.
Published: June 2016

The human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is a serum esterase that has been associated with body mass index (BMI) and obesity. Its activity is conditioned by alleles of BCHE gene and the CHE2 locus that codifies an unknown BChE‐binding protein (C5 complex). The hypothesis that the CHE2 locus is the RAPH1 gene, which encodes lamellipodin (Lpd), was raised in a study that observed Lpd peptides released from denatured BChE tetramers. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by evaluating SNPs of RAPH1 gene (rs2246118:C > T, rs3814365:A > G and rs2465520:C > T) in 34 CHE2 C5+ and 92 CHE2 C5– individuals, corresponding to the presence and absence of C5 complex. The results showed association of two haplotypes (CAC and TGC) with CHE2 C5+ phenotype. RAPH1 haplotypes was also associated with intense (TGC) and faint (CAC) CHE2 C5+ phenotypes. BChE activity was higher in intense CHE2 C5+ than faint CHE2 C5+ phenotype. Our results corroborate the hypothesis that the RAPH1 gene is the CHE2 locus and suggest that the variable expressivity of the CHE2 C5+ phenotypes is, at least in part, due to its genetic heterogeneity, which is leading to increased BChE activity only in individuals with intense CHE2 C5+ phenotype.
Effects of chlorpyrifos and chlorantraniliprole on fermentation quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage inoculated with or without Lactobacillus plantarum LP
Authors: Zhang Qing , Yu Zhu , Wang Xianguo , Na Risu
Published: June 2016

The effects of pesticides and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on fermentation quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage were investigated. Chlorpyrifos and chlorantraniliprole were sprayed on the surface of alfalfa plants at 658.6 and 45.0 g active ingredient/ha, respectively. Alfalfa plants were harvested on day 5 post‐application and ensiled with or without LP. Chlorpyrifos and chlorantraniliprole decreased the yeast count of alfalfa material (P < 0.05). Both pesticides increased the butyric acid content of alfalfa silage (P < 0.001). Chlorpyrifos increased pH and decreased lactic acid, acetic acid and short‐chain fatty acid contents (P < 0.05). LP decreased pH and butyric acid content, and increased lactic acid and short‐chain fatty acid contents of alfalfa silage treated with pesticides (P < 0.05). LP increased the concentration of chlorpyrifos residue in alfalfa silage (P < 0.05). Chlorpyrifos and chlorantraniliprole affected the microbial communities of the material before ensiling, especially coliform bacteria and yeast; the two pesticide residues were reduced after the fermentation of alfalfa silage and affected the fermentation process, whereas LP improved the fermentation quality of pesticides‐contaminated alfalfa silage and slowed down the dissipation of chlorpyrifos.
Long‐term selection using a single trait criterion, non‐destructive deformation, in White Leghorns: Effect over time on genetic parameters for traits related to egg production
Authors: Gervais Olivier , Nirasawa Keijiro , Vincenot Christian E. , Nagamine Yoshitaka , Moriya Kazuyuki
Published: June 2016

Although non‐destructive deformation is relevant for assessing eggshell strength, few long‐term selection experiments are documented which use non‐destructive deformation as a selection criterion. This study used restricted maximum likelihood‐based methods with a four‐trait animal model to analyze the effect of non‐destructive deformation on egg production, egg weight and sexual maturity in a two‐way selection experiment involving 17 generations of White Leghorns. In the strong shell line, corresponding to the line selected for low non‐destructive deformation values, the heritability estimates were 0.496 for non‐destructive deformation, 0.253 for egg production, 0.660 for egg weight and 0.446 for sexual maturity. In the weak shell line, corresponding to the line selected for high non‐destructive deformation values, the heritabilities were 0.372, 0.162, 0.703 and 0.404, respectively. An asymmetric response to selection was observed for non‐destructive deformation, egg production and sexual maturity, whereas egg weight decreased for both lines. Using non‐destructive deformation to select for stronger eggshell had a small negative effect on egg production and sexual maturity, suggesting the need for breeding programs to balance selection between eggshell traits and egg production traits. However, the analysis of the genetic correlation between non‐destructive deformation and egg weight revealed that large eggs are not associated with poor eggshell quality.
Stem cell expression and development of trunk musculature of lesser‐spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) reveal differences between sharks and teleosts
Authors: Grunow Bianka , Kirchhoff Tina , Moritz Timo
Published: June 2016

This study compares the trunk skeletal muscle anatomy in 870‐ and 2900‐degree‐day‐old lesser‐spotted dogfish larvae (Scyliorhinus canicula) via haematoxylin/eosin staining as well as immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The results showed poorly differentiated muscle formation in the trunk segments in the younger larvae and fully developed skeletal muscle with a division of red and white cells in the older larvae. The stem cell marker PAX7, which is present in all developmental stages of teleost fish, is only expressed in the younger dogfish. The results show the necessity of examining the skeletal muscle development in sharks to understand the evolutional changes from cartilaginous fishes to teleosts.
Complex inclusive categories of positive and negative valence and prototypicality claims in asymmetric intergroup relations
Authors: Alexandre Joana Dias , Waldzus Sven , Wenzel Michael
Published: June 2016

Based on the premise that groups’ social standing and regard depend on their prototypicality for superordinate categories, minorities can be understood to suffer from the fact that they are considered as less prototypical than majorities. Previous research has shown that complex (vs. simple) representations of superordinate categories can reduce majority members’ tendency to perceive their in‐group as more prototypical than the out‐group. The current research tested whether such complex representations also increase minorities’ own perceived relative in‐group prototypicality (RIP), leading to more balanced prototypicality judgments from both majorities and minorities. In Study 1 (N = 76), an experiment with two artificial groups of unequal status, a complex representation of a superordinate category increased the comparatively low RIP of the lower status subgroup. Consistently, in Study 2 (N = 192), a correlational study with natural groups, the relation between perceived complexity of the superordinate category and RIP was positive for members of the lower status group but negative for members of the higher status comparison group. In Study 3 (N = 160), an experiment with natural groups, a more complex representation of the superordinate category led lower and higher status groups to perceive greater equality in terms of relative prototypicality not only for a positive but also for a negatively valued superordinate category. These results have important implications for the understanding of social change: As superordinate identity complexity implies that included subgroups are more equally prototypical, it offers a normative alternative that helps minorities to challenge asymmetric status relations vis‐à‐vis majorities, but also promotes hope that majorities show bipartisanship in supporting such social change.
S100A4 accelerates the proliferation and invasion of endometrioid carcinoma and is associated with the “MELF” pattern
Authors: Tahara Shinichiro , Nojima Satoshi , Ohshima Kenji , Hori Yumiko , Kurashige Masako , Wada Naoki , Ikeda Jun‐ichiro , Morii Eiichi
Published: June 2016

Endometrioid carcinoma (EC) is one of the most common malignancies of the female genital system. Although the behavior of EC ranges from an excellent prognosis to aggressive disease with a poor outcome, the factors that determine its diversity have not been determined. Here, we show that S100A4, a calcium‐binding protein of the EF‐hand type, is correlated with the proliferation and invasion ability of EC. We demonstrated previously that EC cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity were more tumorigenic than ALDH‐lo cells. Screening by shotgun proteomics demonstrated that the expression level of S100A4 in ALDH‐hi EC cells was significantly higher than that in ALDH‐lo cells. S100A4‐knockout cells generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system showed reduced proliferation and invasion. These cells showed impaired AKT phosphorylation and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 activation, accounting for their impaired proliferation and invasion, respectively. Furthermore, in clinical EC samples, elevated expression of S100A4 was highly related to myometrial and lymphatic invasion in well to moderately differentiated EC. Notably, strong and diffuse expression of S100A4 was observed in tumor tissues with a microcystic, elongated and fragmented (“MELF”) pattern, which is associated with a highly invasive EC phenotype. Collectively, our results demonstrate not only that high expression of S100A4 contributes to an aggressive phenotype of EC, but also that its elevated expression is closely related to the MELF histopathological pattern.
Exploring the Causal Effect of Interpretation Bias on Attachment Expectations
Authors: De Winter Simon , Bosmans Guy , Salemink Elske
Published: June 2016

Attachment theory implies that children's inclination to interpret attachment figures behavior as supportive and available causally influences children's trust in their attachment figure's availability. An experiment was conducted to test whether training children (8–12 years old) to interpret ambiguous interactions with their mothers in a more secure way increases their trust in their mother's availability. Participants (N = 49) were randomly assigned to either a secure condition to train children to interpret their mother's behavior as supportive or a neutral placebo condition, where interpretations were unrelated to maternal support. Results supported the hypothesis: After the secure training, children interpreted maternal behavior more securely and trusted more in her availability. This suggests that attachment‐related processing biases causally affect attachment expectations.
Growth hormone (GH) enhances anaerobic capacity: impact on physical function and quality of life in adults with GH deficiency
Authors: Chikani Viral , Cuneo Ross C. , Hickman Ingrid , Ho Ken K.Y.
Published: June 2016

Context

Anaerobic capacity is impaired in adults with GH deficiency (GHD), adversely affecting physical function and quality of life (QoL).

Objective

To investigate whether GH replacement improves anaerobic capacity, physical function and QoL in adults with GHD.

Design

One‐month double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study of GH (0·5 mg/day), followed by a 6‐month open phase.

Patients

A total of 18 adults with GHD.

Measurements

Anaerobic power (watts) was assessed by the 30‐s Wingate test, and aerobic capacity by the VO2max (l/min) test. Physical functional was assessed by the stair climb test, chair stand test, 7‐day pedometry and QoL by the AGHDA questionnaire. Lean body mass (LBM) was quantified by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results

GH replacement normalized IGF‐1 levels during both study phases. During the 1‐month placebo‐controlled study, improvement in stair climb and chair stand performance was observed during GH and placebo treatment; however, there were no significant GH effects observed in any outcome measure compared to placebo. Six months of GH treatment significantly increased anaerobic power (P < 0·05), chair stand repetitions (P < 0·0001), daily step count (P < 0·05) and QoL scores (P < 0·001) compared to baseline measurements. GH treatment did not significantly improve VO2max. Improvement in anaerobic power independently predicted an improvement in energy and vitality domain of QoL (P = 0·03).

Conclusions

GH replacement improves anaerobic capacity, physical function and QoL in a time‐dependent manner in adults with GHD. Improvement in the anaerobic but not aerobic energy system is likely to underlie the improvement in QoL in patients with GHD during GH replacement.
Children as capable evaluators: evolving conceptualizations of childhood in NGO practice settings
Authors: Kelly Leanne M. , Smith Kylie A.
Published: June 2016

This paper explores the conceptualization of children and how this limits and enables opportunities for children to be active participants in society. These conceptualizations are put into applied settings by showcasing a practice example of a non‐government organization, Windermere, facilitating an evaluative feedback session with children. This provides a new angle from the bulk of peer‐reviewed literature which focuses on academic research with children. The practice example extends the conversation about the importance of listening and hearing the voice of children and contributes practical information to add to the development of child aware competencies. By linking theory and practice, this paper investigates ways of practicing, thinking and acting differently for and with children.
Endoxifen, a New Treatment Option for Mania: A Double‐Blind, Active‐Controlled Trial Demonstrates the Antimanic Efficacy of Endoxifen
Authors: Ahmad A , Sheikh S , Shah T , Reddy MS , Prasad BSV , Verma KK , Chandrakant BB , Paithankar M , Kale P , Solanki RV , Patel R , Barkate H , Ahmad I
Published: June 2016

The protein kinase C (PKC) signaling system plays a role in mood disorders and PKC inhibitors such as endoxifen may be an innovative medicine for bipolar disorder (BP) patients. In this study we show for the first time the antimanic properties of endoxifen in patients with bipolar I disorder (BPD I) with current manic or mixed episode. In a double‐blind, active‐controlled study, 84 subjects with BPD I were randomly assigned to receive endoxifen (4 mg/day or 8 mg/day) or divalproex in a 2:1 ratio. Patients orally administered 4 mg/day or 8 mg/day endoxifen showed significant improvement in mania assessed by the Young Mania Rating Scale as early as 4 days. The effect remained significant throughout the 21‐day period. At study end point, response rates were 44.44% and 64.29% at 4 mg/day and 8 mg/day of endoxifen treatment, respectively. Thus, endoxifen has been shown as a promising novel antimanic or mood stabilizing agent.
Risk of stroke among patients with cerebral palsy: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Wu Chin‐Wen , Huang Shih‐Wei , Lin Jia‐Wei , Liou Tsan‐Hon , Chou Lin‐Chuan , Lin Hui‐Wen
Published: June 2016

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the risk of stroke in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), based on nationwide data in Taiwan.

Method

This prospective cohort study was comprised of patients recorded on the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 (LHID2005) who had a diagnosis of CP (n=1975) in records between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2007. A comparison group (1:5) drawn from the same database was matched for age and sex (n=9875). Each patient was tracked by data until the development of stroke or the end of 2008. Cox proportional‐hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate the hazard ratios after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Results

Patients with CP were more likely to suffer stroke than the comparison population, after adjusting for potential confounding factors (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74–2.69). The hazard ratio of stroke was 4.78 (95% CI: 3.18–7.17) and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.20–2.05) for patients with CP aged 50 years and under, and over 50 years respectively.

Interpretation

Cerebral palsy is a risk factor or marker for stroke that is independent of traditional stroke risk factors. Further research in this area is warranted.
ANTIDUMPING ECHOING
Authors: Tabakis Chrysostomos , Zanardi Maurizio
Published: June 2016

This article documents that antidumping (AD) “echoing” (i.e., different countries sequentially imposing AD measures on the same product from the same exporter) is common practice among users of AD. We develop a dynamic game where two competing importers can impose AD measures on a third exporting country in one of two periods, if at all. Assuming that governments are politically motivated (favoring their import‐competing industry), AD echoing occurs only for intermediate values of a country's political‐economy parameter. This result is confirmed by our econometric analysis, demonstrating that countries' political‐economy‐driven AD actions are interdependent and should not be analyzed in isolation. (JEL F12, F13, F14)
Varroa treatment with bromfenvinphos markedly suppresses honeybee biochemical defence levels
Authors: Strachecka Aneta , Olszewski Krzysztof , Paleolog Jerzy
Published: June 2016

We examined the influence of bromfenvinphos, a commonly used acaricide, on activities of many metabolic enzymes affecting the biochemical defences/physiology of the western honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), as well as on some metabolic compound concentrations, percentage of global DNA methylation, and Nosema spp. infection levels. Bromfenvinphos‐treated workers had decreased haemolymph volumes and higher protein concentrations on their cuticle but lower protein concentrations in the haemolymph. They had higher global DNA methylation levels independent of the age‐related variants. Bromfenvinphos decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, CAT, GST), acidic, neutral, and alkaline protease inhibitors and enzymatic physiological markers (AST, ALT, ALP), and concentrations of urea, uric acid, creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, Mg2+, and Ca2+ in worker haemolymph, depending on the age of the bees. Protease activities were higher only in the haemolymph of young bromfenvinphos‐treated bees in comparison with untreated bees. This compound decreased the activities of alkaline proteases and neutral protease inhibitors on the cuticle. Unexpectedly, in the treated bees, the activities of acidic and neutral proteases, and acidic and alkaline protease inhibitors, were higher in the young bees and lower in the older workers in comparison to the untreated group. The bromfenvinphos‐treated workers were more heavily infested with Nosema spp. Thus, bromfenvinphos not only supressed many levels of biochemical defences, and therefore stress‐resistance‐related biochemical pathways but also visibly increased the Nosema spp. infection levels.
Species with greater seed mass are more tolerant of conspecific neighbours: a key driver of early survival and future abundances in a tropical forest
Authors: Lebrija‐Trejos Edwin , Reich Peter B. , Hernández Andres , Wright S. Joseph
Published: June 2016

Multiple niche‐based processes including conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) determine plant regeneration and community structure. We ask how interspecific and intraspecific density‐dependent interactions relate to plant life histories and associated functional traits. Using hierarchical models, we analysed how such interactions affected first‐year survival of seedling recruits of 175 species in a tropical forest, and how species abundances and functional traits are related to interspecific variation in density‐dependent effects. Conspecific seedling neighbour effects prevailed over the effects of larger conspecific and all heterospecific neighbours. Tolerance of seedling CNDD enhanced recruit survival and subsequent abundance, all of which were greater among larger seeded, slow‐growing and well‐defended species. Niche differentiation along the growth–survival trade‐off and tolerance of seedling CNDD strongly correlated with regeneration success, with manifest consequences for community structure. The ability of larger seeded species to better tolerate CNDD suggests a novel mechanism for CNDD to contribute to seed‐size variation and promote species coexistence through a tolerance–fecundity trade‐off.
Ketogenic diet treatment increases longevity in Kcna1‐null mice, a model of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
Authors: Simeone Kristina A. , Matthews Stephanie A. , Rho Jong M. , Simeone Timothy A.
Published: June 2016

Individuals with poorly controlled epilepsy have a higher risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). With approximately one third of people with epilepsy not achieving adequate seizure control with current antiseizure drugs, there is a critical need to identify treatments that reduce risk factors for SUDEP. The Kcna1‐null mutant mouse models risk factors and terminal events associated with SUDEP. In the current study, we demonstrate the progressive nature of epilepsy and sudden death in this model (mean age of mortality (± SEM), postnatal day [P] 42.8 ± 1.3) and tested the hypothesis that long‐term treatment with the ketogenic diet (KD) will prolong the life of Kcna1‐null mice. We found that the KD postpones disease progression by delaying the onset of severe seizures and increases the lifespan of these mutant mice by 47%. Future studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the KD effects on longevity.
Treatment of coxofemoral luxation in a mature Welsh pony by femoral head ostectomy: Long‐term outcome
Authors: François I. B. , Thomas A. L. , Lepage O. M.
Published: June 2016

A 233 kg, 4‐year‐old Welsh pony stallion presented with a unilateral coxofemoral luxation and a history of previous upward fixation of the patella. This condition was surgically managed by femoral head ostectomy using a craniodorsal approach to the luxated coxofemoral joint, without greater trochanteric osteotomy. Immediate improvement in weightbearing was observed after surgery and primary intention healing was recorded. Long‐term outcome, 4 years after surgery, was assessed by radiographic, ultrasonographic and lameness examination. The pony was in good body condition and the initial weight of this patient was restored. Despite fetlock hyperlaxity of the contralateral hindlimb, amyotrophy and mechanical lameness of the affected hindlimb, the pony showed evident comfort without apparent signs of pain and was able to trot and gallop. Bone callus was observed at imaging examination.
Growth variability of Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae under contrasting environments across the Kuroshio axis: survival potential of minority versus majority
Authors: Takasuka Akinori , Nishikawa Kirara , Kuroda Hiroshi , Okunishi Takeshi , Shimizu Yugo , Sakaji Hideo , Ito Shin‐Ichi , Tokai Tadashi , Oozeki Yoshioki
Published: June 2016

Growth variability was examined for Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae under contrasting environments across the Kuroshio axis, based on samples collected during the winter spawning season in 2013 and 2014. The growth rate index (residual of the otolith marginal 3‐day mean increment width from the linear regression on knob length) of larvae was compared among three areas: the inshore side of the Kuroshio axis, the Kuroshio axis, and the offshore side of the Kuroshio axis in relation to sea surface temperature (SST), salinity (SSS) and chlorophyll‐a (CHL) concentration. The larvae were more densely distributed in the Kuroshio axis and offshore areas of higher temperature and salinity and lower chlorophyll‐a concentration than in the inshore areas of lower temperature and salinity and higher chlorophyll‐a concentration. No marked differences in the growth rate index were found among the three areas, even though the larvae in the inshore areas showed slightly higher growth rates in 2013. Despite the broad ranges of environmental factors, no clear relationship between the growth rate index and any environmental factor was detected. The survival potential of Pacific saury larvae was considered to be at least comparable under contrasting environments across the Kuroshio axis. Such a geographical homogeneity is concluded to be attributable to compensable effects of physical and biological factors. We hypothesize that the minority under physically‐unfavorable but biologically‐favorable conditions on the inshore side of the Kuroshio axis could survive equally well as the majority under physically‐favorable but biologically‐unfavorable conditions around the Kuroshio axis and on the offshore side of the Kuroshio axis.