bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutral and acidic milk oligosaccharides of the striped skunk (Mephitidae: Mephitis mephitis)
Authors: Taufik Epi , Sekii Nobuhiro , Senda Akitsugu , Fukuda Kenji , Saito Tadao , Eisert Regina , Oftedal Olav T. , Urashima Tadasu
Published: February 2013

The biological significance of the tremendous variation in proportions of oligosaccharides and lactose among mammalian milks is poorly understood. We investigated milk oligosaccharides of the striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and compared these results to other species of the clade Mustelida. Individual oligosaccharides were identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the striped skunk, six oligosaccharides were identified: isoglobotriose, 2′‐fucosyllactose, A‐tetrasaccharide, Galili pentasaccharide, 3′‐sialyllactose and monosialyl monogalactosyl lacto‐N‐neohexaose. Four of these have been found in related Mustelida and the other two in more distantly related carnivorans. The neutral and acidic oligosaccharides derive from three core structures: lactose (Gal(β1–4)Glc), lacto‐N‐neotetraose (Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–3)Gal(β1–4)Glc) and lacto‐N‐neohexaose (Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–3)[Gal(β1–4)GlcNAc(β1–6)]Gal(β1–4)Glc).
Effect of D‐mannitol on nitrogen retention, fiber digestibility and digesta transit time in adult rabbits
Authors: Min Xiao , Li Xiao , Hiura Shouko , Kawasaki Kiyonori , Xiao Jin , Sakaguchi Ei
Published: February 2013

The aim of the current study was to elucidate the effect of gastrointestinal retention time of digesta on fiber digestibility in adult rabbits fed indigestible, but fermentable, sugar D‐mannitol. Six adult rabbits were fed alternately a commercial diet containing 5% glucose and a diet containing D‐mannitol. Total feces and urine were collected during the experimental period. Nitrogen (N) balance, digestibility of nutrients, and gastrointestinal mean retention time (MRT) were measured. The results indicated that urinary excretion was significantly lowered, whereas N retention and N accumulation rates were significantly increased in the D‐mannitol group compared with the glucose group (P < 0.05). However, fecal N excretion was unaffected. Absorption of crude ash (CA) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility were significantly higher in the D‐mannitol group compared with the glucose group (P < 0.05). The addition of D‐mannitol to the diet did not affect the MRT of liquid digesta, but increased the MRT of solid digesta compared with the glucose group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the addition of D‐mannitol to the diet stimulates cecal bacterial growth, thereby increasing N utilization and digesta retention time.
‘Cysticercosis storm’ in feedlot cattle in north‐west New South Wales
Authors: Jenkins DJ , Brown GK , Traub RJ
Published: February 2013

Objective

To investigate the cause of an outbreak of bovine cysticercosis (Taenia saginata) infection on a cattle property in north‐western New South Wales (NSW).

Methods

Cystic lesions were detected in the muscles of cattle during routine meat inspection at slaughter. These lesions were confirmed to be cysticerci of T. saginata through histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data on cattle maintenance were obtained through interviews with feedlot owners and staff. A suspect feed supplement was investigated.

Results

Between 5 July to 13 December 2010, 390 feedlot cattle from north‐western NSW were slaughtered in abattoirs in NSW and Queensland. Of these, 138 animals had been maintained exclusively in feedlot enclosures from 80 to 300 days. Bovine cysticercosis was discovered in 80 cattle (58%, 26 carcasses were condemned). Another 18 cattle spent 24 h in the feedlot before being moved onto pasture and 1 of them was found to be infected. During the 5 months following the initial outbreak, a further 275 cattle were slaughtered; 2 of 51 heifers retained in the feedlot for a further 100 days were infected. None of the 234 animals grazed exclusively on pasture on the property were infected. Bovine cysticercosis was confirmed through examination of histological sections of muscle lesions and PCR using DNA extracted from cysticerci. No eggs of T. saginata were recovered from the feed supplement using a standard flotation method.

Conclusions

The source of infection arose from rations contaminated with human faeces. All possibilities for local contamination were eliminated during the investigation. The suspected source of infection was imported copra meal, which was used as a feed supplement.
Giving monoclonal antibodies to healthy volunteers in phase 1 trials: is it safe?
Authors: Tranter Elizabeth , Peters Gary , Boyce Malcolm , Warrington Steve
Published: February 2013

Many monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been studied in healthy volunteers in phase 1, but few data have been published on the safety of that practice. We aimed to review the available data, and thereby to estimate the risks of participation in phase 1 trials of MAbs. We searched PubMed, the ClinicalTrials.gov database and Google, using the search terms ‘monoclonal antibody’, ‘phase 1’ and ‘healthy volunteers’. We identified 70 completed trials of MAbs in healthy volunteers, but the published data were too sparse to allow confident assessment of the risks of MAbs in healthy volunteers. Our best estimate of risk of a life‐threatening adverse event was between 1 : 425 and 1 : 1700 volunteer‐trials, but all such events occurred in a single trial (of TGN1412). In a phase 1 trial of a small molecule, the risk of death or a life‐threatening adverse event appears to be 1 : 100 000–1 000 000 volunteer‐trials, which is similar to the risk of many ordinary daily activities. Most people would consider that level of risk to be ‘minimal’ or ‘negligible’ and, therefore, acceptable. On that basis, the safety record of MAbs in healthy volunteers has been ruined by the TGN1412 disaster. However, that experience is unlikely to be repeated, because of improvements in governance and practice of phase 1 trials. If the experience of TGN1412 is disregarded, it seems reasonable to continue using healthy volunteers in phase 1 trials of MAbs, provided that there are scientific and medical reasons to conclude that the risk is truly minimal.
A Generalized Kruskal–Wallis Test Incorporating Group Uncertainty with Application to Genetic Association Studies
Authors: Acar Elif F. , Sun Lei
Published: February 2013

Motivated by genetic association studies of SNPs with genotype uncertainty, we propose a generalization of the Kruskal–Wallis test that incorporates group uncertainty when comparing k samples. The extended test statistic is based on probability‐weighted rank‐sums and follows an asymptotic chi‐square distribution with k − 1 degrees of freedom under the null hypothesis. Simulation studies confirm the validity and robustness of the proposed test in finite samples. Application to a genome‐wide association study of type 1 diabetic complications further demonstrates the utilities of this generalized Kruskal–Wallis test for studies with group uncertainty. The method has been implemented as an open‐resource R program, GKW.
Twenty‐first century mast cell stabilizers
Authors: Finn D F , Walsh J J
Published: February 2013

Mast cell stabilizing drugs inhibit the release of allergic mediators from mast cells and are used clinically to prevent allergic reactions to common allergens. Despite the relative success of the most commonly prescribed mast cell stabilizer, disodium cromoglycate, in use for the preventative treatment of bronchial asthma, allergic conjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis, there still remains an urgent need to design new substances that are less expensive and require less frequent dosing schedules. In this regard, recent developments towards the discovery of the next generation of mast cell stabilizing drugs has included studies on substances isolated from natural sources, biological, newly synthesized compounds and drugs licensed for other indications. The diversity of natural products evaluated range from simple phenols, alkaloids, terpenes to simple amino acids. While in some cases their precise mode of action remains unknown it has nevertheless sparked interest in the development of synthetic derivatives with improved pharmacological properties. Within the purely synthetic class of inhibitors, particular attention has been devoted to the inhibition of important signalling molecules including spleen TK and JAK3. The statin class of cholesterol‐lowering drugs as well as nilotinib, a TK inhibitor, are just some examples of clinically used drugs that have been evaluated for their anti‐allergic properties. Here, we examine each approach under investigation, summarize the test data generated and offer suggestions for further preclinical evaluation before their therapeutic potential can be realized.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/
10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue‐1
Minocycline: far beyond an antibiotic
Authors: Garrido‐Mesa N , Zarzuelo A , Gálvez J
Published: February 2013

Minocycline is a second‐generation, semi‐synthetic tetracycline that has been in therapeutic use for over 30 years because of its antibiotic properties against both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. It is mainly used in the treatment of acne vulgaris and some sexually transmitted diseases. Recently, it has been reported that tetracyclines can exert a variety of biological actions that are independent of their anti‐microbial activity, including anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activities, and inhibition of proteolysis, angiogenesis and tumour metastasis. These findings specifically concern to minocycline as it has recently been found to have multiple non‐antibiotic biological effects that are beneficial in experimental models of various diseases with an inflammatory basis, including dermatitis, periodontitis, atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Of note, minocycline has also emerged as the most effective tetracycline derivative at providing neuroprotection. This effect has been confirmed in experimental models of ischaemia, traumatic brain injury and neuropathic pain, and of several neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Moreover, other pre‐clinical studies have shown its ability to inhibit malignant cell growth and activation and replication of human immunodeficiency virus, and to prevent bone resorption. Considering the above‐mentioned findings, this review will cover the most important topics in the pharmacology of minocycline to date, supporting its evaluation as a new therapeutic approach for many of the diseases described herein.
The Lombard effect and other noise‐induced vocal modifications: insight from mammalian communication systems
Authors: Hotchkin Cara , Parks Susan
Published: February 2013

Humans and non‐human mammals exhibit fundamentally similar vocal responses to increased noise, including increases in vocalization amplitude (the Lombard effect) and changes to spectral and temporal properties of vocalizations. Different research focuses have resulted in significant discrepancies in study methodologies and hypotheses among fields, leading to particular knowledge gaps and techniques specific to each field. This review compares and contrasts noise‐induced vocal modifications observed from human and non‐human mammals with reference to experimental design and the history of each field. Topics include the effects of communication motivation and subject‐specific characteristics on the acoustic parameters of vocalizations, examination of evidence for a proposed biomechanical linkage between the Lombard effect and other spectral and temporal modifications, and effects of noise on self‐communication signals (echolocation). Standardized terminology, cross‐taxa tests of hypotheses, and open areas for future research in each field are recommended. Findings indicate that more research is needed to evaluate linkages among vocal modifications, context dependencies, and the finer details of the Lombard effect during natural communication. Studies of non‐human mammals could benefit from applying the tightly controlled experimental designs developed in human research, while studies of human speech in noise should be expanded to include natural communicative contexts. The effects of experimental design and behavioural context on vocalizations should not be neglected as they may impact the magnitude and type of noise‐induced vocal modifications.
Effect of cuff type on arterial occlusion
Authors: Loenneke Jeremy P. , Thiebaud Robert S. , Fahs Christopher A. , Rossow Lindy M. , Abe Takashi , Bemben Michael G.
Published: February 2013

Blood flow restriction (BFR) by itself or in combination with exercise has been shown to be beneficial for skeletal muscle. Despite most of the literature showing positive effects of BFR on skeletal muscle, not all studies show a benefit of BFR exercise compared with exercise without BFR. Some of the discrepancy can be explained by differences in methodology. For example, wide (13·5 cm) nylon cuffs result in arterial occlusion at a much lower pressure than narrow elastic (5 cm) cuffs. However, although it is evident that there are differences between elastic narrow (5 cm) cuffs and nylon wide (13·5 cm) cuffs, it is presently unclear whether or not there are differences between two cuffs of similar size (5 cm) but different material (nylon versus elastic). We hypothesized that although the cuffs are of similar size, there would be significant differences in arterial occlusion between two cuff materials. With the participants supine, in a randomized order, either the nylon (5 × 83 cm) or elastic (5 × 135 cm) cuffs were applied to the most proximal portion of each leg. Arterial blood flow was detected using a hand‐held bidirectional Doppler probe placed on the posterior tibial artery. A paired sample t‐test found no difference between cuff types for arterial occlusion pressure. In conclusion, arterial occlusion pressure is not different between two cuffs of a similar size but different material. This suggests that either elastic or nylon cuffs of the same width should restrict blood flow similarly at the same pressure during resting conditions.
Unrecognized intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: an analysis of 993 adult cirrhotic liver explants
Authors: Vallin Mélanie , Sturm Nathalie , Lamblin Géraldine , Guillaud Olivier , Hilleret Marie‐Noëlle , Hervieu Valérie , Joubert Juliette , Abergel Armand , Leroy Vincent , Boillot Olivier , Dumortier Jérôme , Scoazec Jean‐Yves
Published: February 2013

Liver cirrhosis is a recognized risk factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (I‐CCa). Small I‐CCa nodules might be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the context of liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical impact of undetected I‐CCa in liver explants of adult cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). From December 1985 to November 2008, a first LT was performed in 993 adult cirrhotic patients in three French academic Hospitals. All liver explants were analyzed for the presence of nodules. The diagnosis of HCC was made in 331 cases (33.3% of the patients). Similarly, an I‐CCa was identified in 10 (1%) patients, with a mean size of 31 ± 17 mm. The mean age at transplantation was 58.8 yr (range 45 – 66), and all the patients were men. The mean follow‐up after LT was 33 months (range 4–52). Post‐transplant tumor recurrence was observed in five patients (50%), after a mean delay of 10 months. All five patients died. Malignant recurrence was associated with the presence of venous emboli on liver explants. Our results suggest that unrecognized I‐CCa complicating liver cirrhosis is a rare entity, associated with high risk of recurrence and poor prognosis.
A histological assessment of the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (2010) abnormal categories: a series of 219 consecutive cases
Authors: Tepeoğlu M. , Bilezikçi B. , Bayraktar S. G.
Published: February 2013

Objective

The purposes of this study were to establish the distribution of thyroid lesions that were seen in Hatay (a province of southern Turkey), to review the accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and to correlate the FNAC results with the histopathology of the excised specimens, especially in indeterminate cases.

Methods

Data on patient cytology were retrieved by a retrospective search of all thyroid FNAC specimens that had been evaluated at the Department of Pathology, Antakya Public Hospital, Hatay, Turkey between January 2009 and February 2011; 1021 thyroid FNAC samples were reviewed and interpretations were recorded according to the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology (TBSRTC). The results of adequate FNAC samples were compared with the histological diagnoses in the cases in which surgery was performed, and the malignancy rates, especially in indeterminate categories, were calculated.

Results

Of the 1021 FNAC samples, 697 (68.3%) were benign, 122 (11.9%) were non‐diagnostic, 100 (9.8%) were atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), 41 (4%) were follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), 36 (3.5%) were suspicious for malignancy (SM) and 25 (2.4%) were malignant. In 219 cases, there was follow‐up histology. Rates of malignancy were as follows: benign, 0%; AUS/FLUS, 12.7%; FN/SFN, 35.0%; SM, 91.4%; malignant, 100%.

Conclusions

In our study, the cytohistological correlation of benign and malignant lesions was 100%. In the indeterminate categories, we recommend that clinicians should evaluate both the clinical and radiological findings of patients in addition to the FNAC results.
Tractography of white‐matter tracts in very preterm infants: a 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: De Bruïne Francisca T , Van Wezel‐Meijler Gerda , Leijser Lara M , Steggerda Sylke J , Van Den Berg‐Huysmans Annette A , Rijken Monique , Van Buchem Mark A , Van Der Grond Jeroen
Published: February 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine whether tractography of white‐matter tracts can independently predict neurodevelopmental outcome in very preterm infants.

Method

Out of 84 very preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, 64 (41 males, 23 females; median gestational age 29.1 weeks [range 25.6–31.9]; birthweight 1163g [range 585–1960]) underwent follow‐up at 2 years. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) values obtained around term were associated with a neurological examination and mental and psychomotor developmental index scores at 2 years based on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (version 3). Univariate and logistic regression analyses tested for associations between DTI values and follow‐up parameters. Cut‐off values predicting motor delay and cerebral palsy (CP) were determined for fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fibre lengths.

Results

Infants with psychomotor delay and CP had significantly lower fractional anisotropy values (p=0.002, p=0.04 respectively) and shorter fibre lengths (p=0.02, p=0.02 respectively) of the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Infants with psychomotor delay also had significantly higher ADC values (p=0.03) and shorter fibre lengths (p=0.002) of the callosal splenium. Fractional anisotropy values of the posterior limb of the internal capsule independently predicted motor delay and CP, with sensitivity between 80 and 100% and specificity between 66 and 69%. ADC values of the splenium independently predicted motor delay with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 65%.

Interpretation

Diffusion tensor imaging tractography at term‐equivalent age independently predicts psychomotor delay at 2 years of age in preterm infants.
Communicative participation and speech intelligibility: complexities and challenges
Authors: Dykstra Allyson
Published: February 2013

This commentary is on the original article by Pennington et al. on pages 464–471 of this issue.
Spatial segregation of four coexisting processional termites (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) in tropical rainforest
Authors: Takematsu Yoko , Kambara Kohei , Yamaguchi Takashi , Mitsumaki Kazuaki
Published: February 2013

In Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia, there are four species of processional termites that coexist: Hospitalitermes hospitalis, H. lividiceps, H. rufus and Longipeditermes longipes. This paper presents the results of our investigation on the spatial distribution of nests and the foraging activities of the four species in coexistence. The results show that there are fairly marked differences in nesting sites, as well as in foraging activities, among the four species. It is noteworthy that H. rufus inhabits only the canopy area over 20 m above ground, apparently segregated from the other three species, and that their foraging activities are limited also to tree canopies over 10 m above ground. In contrast, L. longipes nests underground and forages exclusively on the forest floor. Hospitalitermes hospitalis and H. lividiceps inhabit and forage over wide areas, from the forest floor to tree canopies. The upper parts of the tree canopy (over 10 m) are also foraging territories of the secluded H. rufus, but there were no observations of simultaneous foraging of the three Hospitalitermes species in the same canopy areas.
The corepressor activity of Alien is controlled by CREB‐binding protein/p300
Authors: Eckey Maren , Kraft Florian , Kob Robert , Escher Niko , Asim Mohammad , Fischer Heike , Fritsche Marie K. , Melle Christian , Baniahmad Aria
Published: February 2013

The regulation of gene repression by corepressors is a controlled process. Surface‐enhanced laser desorption ionization MS proteomic analysis and a yeast two‐hybrid screen showed independently that the corepressor Alien interacts with the CREB‐binding protein (CBP) coactivator. This interaction was further confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and glutathione S‐transferase pull‐down experiments, suggesting that Alien interacts in vivo and in vitro with the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) coactivators CBP and its paralog p300. Acetylation detection experiments indicated that Alien is acetylated in vivo. Furthermore, Alien interacts with the central region of CBP/p300 containing the HAT domain and becomes acetylated in vitro. When an inhibitor of CBP/p300 HAT activity was employed, the Alien‐mediated silencing was enhanced. Thus, these findings suggest crosstalk between corepressors and coactivators, and indicate fine‐tuning of corepressor function by post‐translational modification through corepressor acetylation.

Structured digital abstract

p300 binds to Alien α by pull down (View interaction)

Alien α physically interacts with CBP by two hybrid (View interaction)

Alien α physically interacts with MLK2 by two hybrid (View interaction)

p300 acetylates Alien α by acetylation assay (View interaction)

Alien α physically interacts with NAP1 by two hybrid (View interaction)

Alien α physically interacts with TAFI68 by two hybrid (View interaction)

Alien α physically interacts with CBP by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2, 3)

Alien α binds to CBP by pull down (View interaction)
Industrial Diversification and Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings
Authors: Boulton Thomas J. , Smart Scott B. , Zutter Chad J.
Published: February 2013

The initial public offerings (IPOs) of diversified firms, those reporting more than one business segment at the time they go public, experience less underpricing than do IPOs by focused issuers. We explore two explanations for this phenomenon. Diversification may benefit IPO firms by reducing information asymmetries and therefore, lowering underpricing costs. Alternatively, high quality focused firms may be signaling their value by underpricing their shares to a greater degree. Though we find at least some evidence consistent with each explanation, a majority of the evidence favors signaling.
The wing morphology of limnephilid caddisflies in relation to their habitat preferences
Authors: Müller‐Peddinghaus Elisabeth , Hering Daniel
Published: February 2013

The aerial dispersal of merolimnic insects is a prerequisite for maintaining metapopulations and for colonising new habitats. Flight morphology, as one determinant of dispersal capacity, may be related to the distribution patterns and ecological preferences of aquatic insects, but empirical data for Trichoptera are scarce. This study aimed to provide flight morphological data for common European Trichoptera species in relation to their ecological preferences.

We measured the flight morphology of 26 Central European species of Limnephilidae (Trichoptera) including wing length, wing width, wing area, relative wing length and the aspect ratio of the fore and hind wings (combined).

There were strong relationships between forewing length and body length (r² = 0.884), wing width (r² = 0.960) and wing area (r² = 0.93) in the untransformed data.

Species of the same genus may differ strongly in wing length, wing width and wing area; however, when the wing area is considered on the size‐independent scale of relative wing length, species of the same genus are more similar.

Sexual dimorphism was species specific. Male wing dimensions exceeded those of females in all species that displayed significant differences between the sexes except in Parachiona picicornis. For aerodynamic indices such as aspect ratio, only 28 % of the studied species show sexual dimorphism; in Limnephilus fuscicornis and Potamophylax luctuosus, males exceed females, and in Drusus annulatus, Drusus discolor and Potamophylax cingulatus, females exceeded males. On the basis of our data, we conclude that females may be the primary dispersers in four of the 18 species for which sufficient data were available, whereas in two species males appear to be stronger dispersers.

We found three different morphological blueprints in forewing length and wing width: Group 1 encompassed crenal‐inhabiting species with a distinct habitat preference for mineral habitats (low aspect ratio, small wings; e.g. D. discolor); group 2 comprised rhithral species without a distinct habitat preference (high aspect ratio, large wings; e.g. P. cingulatus); and group 3 encompassed species inhabiting lentic waters and preferring organic habitats (high aspect ratio, medium‐sized wings; e.g. Anabolia nervosa).
Conservation implications of native and introduced ungulates in a changing climate
Authors: Allred Brady W. , Fuhlendorf Samuel D. , Hovick Torre J. , Dwayne Elmore R. , Engle David M. , Joern Anthony
Published: February 2013

In many grasslands, grazing by large native or introduced ungulates drives ecosystem structure and function. The behavior of these animals is important as it directs the spatial effects of grazing. To the degree that temperature drives spatial components of foraging, understanding how changes in climate alter grazing behavior will provide guidance for the conservation of ecosystem goods and services. We determined the behavioral response of native bison (Bison bison) and introduced cattle (Bos taurus) to temperature in tallgrass prairie within the Great Plains, USA. We described the thermal environment by measuring operative temperature (the temperature perceived by animals) through space and time. Site selection preferences of ungulates were quantified using resource selection functions. Woody vegetation in tallgrass prairie provided a cooler thermal environment for large ungulates, decreasing operative temperature up to 16 °C in the heat of the summer. Cattle began to seek thermal refugia at lower air temperatures (24 °C) by selecting areas closer to woody vegetation and water sources. Bison, however, sought refugia within wooded areas at higher air temperatures (36 °C), which occurred much less frequently. Both species became more attracted to riparian areas as air temperature increased, with preferences increasing tenfold during the hottest periods. As predicted warming occurs across the Great Plains and other grasslands, grazing behavior and subsequent grazing effects will be altered. Riparian areas, particularly those with both water and woody vegetation, will receive greater utilization and selection by large ungulates. The use of native grazers for conservation or livestock production may mitigate negative effects caused by increased temperatures.
Board Committee Meetings and Firm Financial Performance: An Investigation of Australian Companies
Authors: Hoque Mohammad Ziaul , Islam MD. Rabiul , Azam Mohammad Nurul
Published: February 2013

This article examines how the frequency of board committee meetings impacts on Australian firms' financial performance. Data were collected from 118 Australian listed companies – including 26 financial firms and 92 nonfinancial firms – for the period 1999–2007. Analysis of that data shows that the frequencies of audit committee meetings and remuneration committee meetings are positively and significantly associated with return on equity and return on assets. The frequencies of risk committee meetings do not show any significant effects on the financial performance of Australian firms. Estimated results are found to be robust after controlling for internal as well as external governance mechanisms that might affect Australian firm performance.
Proteomics applied to transfusion plasma: the beginning of the story
Authors: Ortiz A. , Richa L. , Defer C. , Dernis D. , Huart J.‐J. , Tokarski C. , Rolando C.
Published: February 2013

‘Safe blood’ is and has always been the major concern in transfusion medicine. Plasma can undergo virus inactivation treatments based on physicochemical, photochemical or thermal methodologies for pathogen inactivation. The validation of these treatments is essentially based on clottability assays and clotting factors’ titration; however, their impact on plasma proteins at the molecular level has not yet been evaluated. Proteomics appears as particularly adapted to identify, to localize and, consequently, to correlate these modifications to the biological activity change. At the crossroads of biology and analytical sciences, proteomics is the large‐scale study of proteins in tissues, physiological fluids or cells at a given moment and in a precise environment. The proteomic strategy is based on a set of methodologies involving separative techniques like mono‐ and bidimensional gel electrophoresis and chromatography, analytical techniques, especially mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics. Even if plasma has been extensively studied since the very beginning of proteomics, its application to transfusion medicine has just begun. In the first part of this review, we present the principles of proteomics analysis. Then, we propose a state of the art of proteomics applied to plasma analysis. Finally, the use of proteomics for the evaluation of the impact of storage conditions and pathogen inactivation treatments applied to transfusion plasma and for the evaluation of therapeutic protein fractionated is discussed.
Hypertensive pregnancy disorders as a risk factor for future cardiovascular and metabolic disorders (Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study)
Authors: Hashemi Somayeh , Ramezani Tehrani Fahimeh , Mehrabi Yadollah , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: February 2013

Background

Although hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are common worldwide, there is no consensus regarding their long‐term cardiovascular and metabolic consequences. We aimed to ascertain the association between HPD and the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disturbances later in life.

Material and Methods

A cohort of 226 women with a history of HPD was selected as the case group, and a group of 226 age‐ and body‐mass‐index‐matched women, with no history of HPD, was selected as controls. Both groups were selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study and were compared for concentrations of metabolic parameters and incidence of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dyslipidemia over a follow up of 10 years.

Results

Women with a history of HPD, compared with age‐ and body‐mass‐index‐matched women without such a history, had an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, including a twofold increased risk for hypertension (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–3.2), a threefold increased risk for T2DM (95% CI: 1.8–5.2) and a 1.3‐fold increased risk for dyslipidemia (95% CI: 1.2–1.5).

Conclusions

Women with a history of hypertension in pregnancy are at increased risk for subsequent diagnosis of hypertension, dyslipidemia and T2DM later in life. These women may benefit from close monitoring and timely implementation of primary prevention measures of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and lifestyle modifications.
GENDER AND THE HIDDEN LIFE OF INSTITUTIONS
Authors: CHAPPELL LOUISE , WAYLEN GEORGINA
Published: February 2013

New Institutionalism has shown that the ‘rules of the game’ are crucial to structuring political life in terms of constraining and enabling political actors and influencing political outcomes. A limitation of this approach, however, has been its overemphasis on formal rules, with much less attention paid to how informal rules work alongside and in conjunction with formal institutions to shape actors and outcomes. This article contributes to an emerging literature that highlights the importance of informal institutions by bringing into focus one element that has been hidden in these debates – the influence of gender norms and practices on the operation and interaction between formal and informal institutions. It highlights some of the key benefits of a gender analysis for understanding political institutions in both their formal and informal guise and considers some of the challenges in building a research agenda that requires new methods and techniques of inquiry.
Institutions and Business Cycles
Authors: Altug Sumru , Neyapti Bilin , Emin Mustafa
Published: February 2013

This paper investigates the relationship between the main features of business cycles and the institutional and structural characteristics of 62 industrial, emerging and formerly centrally planned economies from all continents. We find that a variety of institutional indicators, including stronger governance, greater civil liberties, more developed labour and capital markets, and higher levels of central bank independence are significantly associated with business cycle characteristics – namely, volatility and persistence. Our study also demonstrates that similarity of the institutional environment in dimensions such as governance and the level of labour and capital market development strongly affects the co‐movement of business cycles across countries.
Inflation and Inflation Volatility Revisited
Authors: Kim Dong‐Hyeon , Lin Shu‐Chin
Published: February 2013

The link between inflation and its variability has been a topic of considerable interest and dispute, with theoretical disagreements and inconclusive empirical results. Empirical problems often arise from endogeneity and reverse causality. This paper reassesses the link through a system of simultaneous equations that addresses the reverse causality issue. Employing the identification through heteroskedasticity approach as an identification strategy and using a panel of 105 countries over the period 1960–2007, we find a two‐way interaction between inflation and its variability. In particular, higher inflation increases inflation volatility, which is in line with the Friedman‐Ball Hypothesis. Consistent with the Cukierman‐Meltzer arguments, moreover, greater inflation volatility fuels inflation. The evidence is robust to alternative model specifications, time periods, and country characteristics.
The Architecture and Governance of Financial Supervision: Sources and Implications
Authors: Dincer N. Nergiz , Eichengreen Barry
Published: February 2013

We compare the architecture and governance of financial supervision across countries. We find that countries where the supervisor is the central bank, or where it is independent of government, have more conservatively regulated financial systems. Nonperforming loans are lower in countries where the supervisor is independent, while capital ratios are higher where the central bank, rather than another agency of government, is the lead supervisor. At the same time, some measures of bank credit to the economy are significantly lower both where the supervisor is independent and where the lead supervisor is the central bank. Insofar as the same institutional arrangements that confer greater stability, such as higher capital ratios and lower nonperforming loans, also limit the provision of credit to the economy, countries face a tradeoff. That different countries have been moving in different directions in restructuring their supervisory arrangements should not be surprising insofar as they have different objectives for their financial sector.
A test of species–energy theory: patch occupancy and colony size in tropical rainforest litter‐nesting ants
Authors: McGlynn Terrence P. , Alonso‐Rodríguez Aura M. , Weaver Melinda
Published: February 2013

Species–energy theory can account for spatial variation in the abundance and community composition of animals, though the mechanisms of species–energy theory are under contention. We evaluated three competing mechanisms at the local spatial scale by conducting an in vivo light manipulation over supplemental ant nests placed in the leaf litter of a Costa Rican tropical rainforest. We found that the light environment did not alter the 10% rate of occupation of the supplemental nests, but light did alter the size of colonies and the genus‐level composition of the community. Light levels in the foraging range were positively associated with colony sizes of all ants, whereas light levels directly on the nest site were predictive of the occurrence of ant genera. Colonies of specialized predators, dacetine ants, were larger in more shaded foraging environments, and the functional group of generalized myrmicines exhibited an opposite pattern, with smaller‐sized colonies in response to shading. Responses of twig‐dwelling ants to the light environment were most consistent with the metabolic cost hypothesis as a mechanism of species–energy theory. We found mixed support for the thermal energy availability hypothesis, and scant support for the chemical energy hypothesis, as the litter depth, a measure of prey density, was not predictive of ant responses. In summary, at the local scale, we found patterns in colony size and life history are governed by light‐dependent mechanisms.
How consistent are trait data between sources? A quantitative assessment
Authors: Fitzsimmons Jay M.
Published: February 2013

The use of species’ traits is increasing in ecological research. Many studies obtain trait data from a single source, implicitly assuming the accuracy of these data. I critically evaluate this assumption by measuring agreement among sources for trait data. I evaluate inter‐source agreement for 22 traits (anatomical, behavioural, life‐history and niche‐related) among five authoritative data sources (two field guides, two atlases and one online resource) for 263 Canadian butterfly species. This represents the first quantitative comparison of trait data among field guides or atlases. Traits varied considerably in their agreement among sources. Some traits such as wingspan and overwinter stage were fairly consistent among sources, whereas other traits such as habitat breadth were remarkably inconsistent among sources. These findings call into question the reliability of research that relies on a single source for trait data. I offer several recommendations for how trait researchers can account for inter‐source variation in trait data.
Robust Stochastic Lot‐Sizing by Means of Histograms
Authors: Klabjan Diego , Simchi‐Levi David , Song Miao
Published: February 2013

Traditional approaches in inventory control first estimate the demand distribution among a predefined family of distributions based on data fitting of historical demand observations, and then optimize the inventory control using the estimated distributions. These approaches often lead to fragile solutions whenever the preselected family of distributions was inadequate. In this article, we propose a minimax robust model that integrates data fitting and inventory optimization for the single‐item multi‐period periodic review stochastic lot‐sizing problem. In contrast with the standard assumption of given distributions, we assume that histograms are part of the input. The robust model generalizes the Bayesian model, and it can be interpreted as minimizing history‐dependent risk measures. We prove that the optimal inventory control policies of the robust model share the same structure as the traditional stochastic dynamic programming counterpart. In particular, we analyze the robust model based on the chi‐square goodness‐of‐fit test. If demand samples are obtained from a known distribution, the robust model converges to the stochastic model with true distribution under generous conditions. Its effectiveness is also validated by numerical experiments.
Non‐segmental vitiligo and psoriasis comorbidity – a case‐control study in Italian patients
Authors: Arunachalam M. , Dragoni F. , Colucci R. , Berti S. , Crocetti E. , Galeone M. , Conti R. , Moretti S.
Published: February 2013

Background

A recent systematic evaluation of vitiligo and psoriasis comorbidity has not yet been reported in a large series of patients with vitiligo.

Objective

To investigate the practical/clinical implications in subjects with both vitiligo and psoriasis compared to those with vitiligo alone.

Methods

This was a case‐control study on 463 vitiligo patients in our clinic from March 2008 to April 2011. Medical assessment was performed by dermatologists using the modified Vitiligo European Task Force form.

Results

In an univariate analysis, inflammation/pruritus [odds ratio (OR) 2.42, P = 0.03], use of drugs that can induce psoriasis (OR 2.74, P = 0.01), a family history (FH) of psoriasis (OR 2.87, P = 0.02), cardiovascular disease (OR 5.70, P = 0.001), hypertension (OR 4.7, P = 0.006) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 3.87, P = 0.004), were significantly correlated with patients exhibiting vitiligo and psoriasis comorbidity. A trend was found in personal history of cardiovascular disease in patients with both diseases (OR 2.99, P = 0.07). FH of vitiligo was significantly associated with patients having only vitiligo (OR 0.35, P = 0.05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that inflammation/pruritus in vitiligo macules (OR 2.56, P = 0.047) and a FH of cardiovascular disease (OR 4.07, P = 0.02) were the most significant predictors of patients having both psoriasis and vitiligo, while the presence of organ‐specific autoantibodies (OR 0.24, P = 0.007) was significantly associated with patients having only vitiligo.

Conclusion

The presence of vitiligo and even mild psoriasis is significantly correlated with a family history of cardiovascular disease, a factor that requires greater attention and follow‐up with respect to that necessary for vitiligo patients.
Investigating Reasons for Differences in the Results of Environmental, Physical, and Hybrid Input‐Output Models
Authors: Liang Sai , Zhang Tianzhu
Published: February 2013

It is vital to find reasons for differences in the results of environmental input‐output (EIO), physical input‐output (PIO), and hybrid input‐output (HIO) models for industrial and environmental policy analysis. Using EIO, PIO, and HIO models, China's industrial metabolism is calculated. Four reasons were found to account for differences in the results of analysis using EIO, PIO, and HIO models: the manner in which they deal with residential consumption, service sectors, and waste recycling, and the assumption of unique sector prices. The HIO model, which treats residential consumption as sectors of the intermediate delivery matrix, is preferred to the EIO and PIO models for analyzing industrial and environmental policies. Moreover, waste recycling in five sectors—agriculture; the manufacture of paper, printing, and articles for culture, education, and sports activities; the manufacture of nonmetallic mineral products; smelting and pressing of metals; and construction—should be comprehensively considered when using the HIO model to study problems related to these five sectors. Improvements in the EIO, PIO, and HIO models and future work are also discussed.
Characterisation of a monoclonal antibody detecting Atlantic salmon endothelial and red blood cells, and its association with the infectious salmon anaemia virus cell receptor
Authors: Aamelfot Maria , Weli Simon C. , Dale Ole B. , Koppang Erling O. , Falk Knut
Published: February 2013

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the luminal surfaces of the cardiovascular system and play an important role in cardiovascular functions such as regulation of haemostasis and vasomotor tone. A number of fish and mammalian viruses target these cells in the course of their infection. Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) attacks ECs and red blood cells (RBCs) of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), producing the severe disease of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA). The investigation of ISA has up to now been hampered by the lack of a functional marker for ECs in Atlantic salmon in situ. In this study, we report the characterisation and use of a novel monoclonal antibody (MAb) detecting Atlantic salmon ECs (e.g. vessel endothelium, endocardial cells and scavenger ECs) and RBCs. The antibody can be used with immunohistochemistry, IFAT and on Western blots. It appears that the epitope recognised by the antibody is associated with the ISAV cellular receptor. Besides being a tool to identify ECs in situ, it could be useful in further studies of the pathogenicity of ISA. Finally, the detection of an epitope shared by ECs and RBCs agrees with recent findings that these cells share a common origin, thus the MAb can potentially be used to study the ontogeny of these cells in Atlantic salmon.