bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SurvCurv database and online survival analysis platform update
Authors: Ziehm Matthias , Ivanov Dobril K. , Bhat Aditi , Partridge Linda , Thornton Janet M.
Published: August 2015

Summary: Understanding the biology of ageing is an important and complex challenge. Survival experiments are one of the primary approaches for measuring changes in ageing. Here, we present a major update to SurvCurv, a database and online resource for survival data in animals. As well as a substantial increase in data and additions to existing graphical and statistical survival analysis features, SurvCurv now includes extended mathematical mortality modelling functions and survival density plots for more advanced representation of groups of survival cohorts.

Availability and implementation: The database is freely available at https://www.ebi.ac.uk/thornton-srv/databases/SurvCurv/. All data are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Contact:  matthias.ziehm@ebi.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Avoid Endoscopy in Children With Suspected Inflammatory Bowel Disease Who Have Normal Calprotectin Levels
Authors: Heida Anke , Holtman Gea A. , Lisman‐van Leeuwen Yvonne , Berger Marjolein Y. , van Rheenen Patrick F.
Published: August 2015

In children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease, adding calprotectin stool testing to the screening strategy has been recommended to distinguish organic from nonorganic disease. In this cohort study with historical controls, we could not confirm that screening with stool calprotectin improves the diagnostic yield (ratio inflammatory bowel disease–positive endoscopies and total number of endoscopies); however, in patients with normal fecal calprotectin levels (<50 μg/g) endoscopic and histological abnormalities were not seen. We propose to refrain from endoscopy when stool calprotectin levels are normal.
Condensin promotes the juxtaposition of DNA flanking its loading site in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Wang Xindan , Le Tung B.K. , Lajoie Bryan R. , Dekker Job , Laub Michael T. , Rudner David Z.
Published: August 2015

SMC condensin complexes play a central role in compacting and resolving replicated chromosomes in virtually all organisms, yet how they accomplish this remains elusive. In Bacillus subtilis, condensin is loaded at centromeric parS sites, where it encircles DNA and individualizes newly replicated origins. Using chromosome conformation capture and cytological assays, we show that condensin recruitment to origin-proximal parS sites is required for the juxtaposition of the two chromosome arms. Recruitment to ectopic parS sites promotes alignment of large tracks of DNA flanking these sites. Importantly, insertion of parS sites on opposing arms indicates that these “zip-up” interactions only occur between adjacent DNA segments. Collectively, our data suggest that condensin resolves replicated origins by promoting the juxtaposition of DNA flanking parS sites, drawing sister origins in on themselves and away from each other. These results are consistent with a model in which condensin encircles the DNA flanking its loading site and then slides down, tethering the two arms together. Lengthwise condensation via loop extrusion could provide a generalizable mechanism by which condensin complexes act dynamically to individualize origins in B. subtilis and, when loaded along eukaryotic chromosomes, resolve them during mitosis.
Characterization of HAPG mosaic crystals using synchrotron radiation
Authors: Gerlach Martin , Anklamm Lars , Antonov Alexander , Grigorieva Inna , Holfelder Ina , Kanngießer Birgit , Legall Herbert , Malzer Wolfgang , Schlesiger Christopher , Beckhoff Burkhard
Published: August 2015

Highly annealed pyrolytic graphite (HAPG) is an advanced type of pyrolytic graphite that, as a mosaic crystal, combines high integral reflectivity with a very low mosaicity of typically less than 0.1°. When used as dispersive X-ray optics, a high resolving power has been observed, rendering HAPG very suitable for applications in high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy, which conventionally relies on ideal crystals. For the design and modelling of HAPG crystals in applications requiring high spectral resolution, the diffraction properties must be known very accurately. To close this gap, a comprehensive characterization of HAPG crystals was performed that allows for modelling of the diffraction properties in different diffraction orders over a broad spectral range. The crystal properties under investigation are the mosaic spread, the peak reflectivity and the intrinsic reflection width. The investigations were carried out for different thickness crystal films, which were mounted adhesively on a substrate. It is shown that the diffraction properties are strongly correlated to the grade of adhesion, which depends crucially on the substrate material and its surface properties. The investigations were performed using monochromated tunable synchrotron radiation of high spectral purity with a high-precision experimental setup and calibrated detection devices at the electron storage ring BESSY II.
Upgrade of beamline BL08B at Taiwan Light Source from a photon-BPM to a double-grating SGM beamline
Authors: Yuh Jih-Young , Lin Shan-Wei , Huang Liang-Jen , Fung Hok-Sum , Lee Long-Life , Chen Yu-Joung , Cheng Chiu-Ping , Chin Yi-Ying , Lin Hong-Ji
Published: August 2015

During the last 20 years, beamline BL08B has been upgraded step by step from a photon beam-position monitor (BPM) to a testing beamline and a single-grating beamline that enables experiments to record X-ray photo-emission spectra (XPS) and X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) for research in solar physics, organic semiconductor materials and spinel oxides, with soft X-ray photon energies in the range 300–1000 eV. Demands for photon energy to extend to the extreme ultraviolet region for applications in nano-fabrication and topological thin films are increasing. The basic spherical-grating monochromator beamline was again upgraded by adding a second grating that delivers photons of energy from 80 to 420 eV. Four end-stations were designed for experiments with XPS, XAS, interstellar photoprocess systems (IPS) and extreme-ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) in the scheduled beam time. The data from these experiments show a large count rate in core levels probed and excellent statistics on background normalization in theL-edge adsorption spectrum.
Two terphenyl-based diol hosts and corresponding solvent inclusions with dimethylformamide and acetonitrile
Authors: Klien Hendrik , Seichter Wilhelm , Skobridis Konstantinos , Weber Edwin
Published: August 2015

Having reference to an elongated structural modification of 2,2′-bis(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)biphenyl, (I), the two 1,1′:4′,1′′-terphenyl-based diol hosts 2,2′′-bis(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1,1′:4′,1′′-terphenyl, C44H34O2, (II), and 2,2′′-bis[hydroxybis(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-1,1′:4′,1′′-terphenyl, C48H42O2, (III), have been synthesized and studied with regard to their crystal structures involving different inclusions,i.e.(II) with dimethylformamide (DMF), C44H34O2·C2H6NO, denoted (IIa), (III) with DMF, C48H42O2·C2H6NO, denoted (IIIa), and (III) with acetonitrile, C48H42O2·CH3CN, denoted (IIIb). In the solvent-free crystals of (II) and (III), the hydroxy H atoms are involved in intramolecular O—H...π hydrogen bonding, with the central arene ring of the terphenyl unit acting as an acceptor. The corresponding crystal structures are stabilized by intermolecular C—H...π contacts. Due to the distinctive acceptor character of the included DMF solvent species in the crystal structures of (IIa) and (IIIa), the guest molecule is coordinated to the hostviaO—H...O=C hydrogen bonding. In both crystal structures, infinite strands composed of alternating host and guest molecules represent the basic supramolecular aggregates. Within a given strand, the O atom of the solvent molecule acts as a bifurcated acceptor. Similar to the solvent-free cases, the hydroxy H atoms in inclusion structure (IIIb) are involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and there is thus a lack of host–guest interaction. As a result, the solvent molecules are accommodated as C—H...N hydrogen-bonded inversion-symmetric dimers in the channel-like voids of the host lattice.
Do teachers misbehave? Aggression in school teams
Authors: Ben Sasson Dvora , Somech Anit
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Despite growing research on school aggression, significant gaps remain in the authors’ knowledge of team aggression, since most studies have mainly explored aggression on the part of students. The purpose of this paper is to focus on understanding the phenomenon of workplace aggression in school teams. Specifically, the purpose of the study was to examine whether team affective conflict in school teams mediates the relationship between team injustice climate (distributive, procedural, and interpersonal injustice climate) and team aggression.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from a survey of 43 school teams at different schools using questionnaires.

Findings

– Results showed that team affective conflict played a role in fully mediating the relationship of team procedural and interpersonal injustice climate to team aggression.

Research limitations/implications

– The present results empirically support the notion that workplace aggression can be considered not only an individual phenomenon but also a team phenomenon. Furthermore, it highlights the significance of organizational factors in predicting this phenomenon. The study should serve to encourage principals to reduce the level of team aggression and develop a supportive climate characterized by fair procedures and respect.

Originality/value

– A review of the literature also reveals that little investigative effort has been made by scholars to examine aggression on the part of teachers. Evidence for this can be seen in the scarcity of publications on this topic. The current literature’s call to address this issue in schools and at the team level (Fox and Stallworth, 2010) stimulated the present study by highlighting the importance of exploring the contextual factors, rather than the individual ones, responsible for school team aggression.
Characteristics of teacher incentive pay programs: a statewide district survey
Authors: Liang Guodong , Akiba Motoko
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of teacher incentive pay programs used by midsize to large school districts in Missouri.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study primarily used the Teacher Compensation Programs (TCP) survey data. The TCP survey was developed by the authors to understand the nature and characteristics of financial incentives that Missouri districts used to recruit, reward, and retain quality teachers.

Findings

– The data showed that, during the 2009-2010 academic year, 32 percent of the districts offered at least one financial incentive to recruit or retain teachers. Districts were more likely to reward teachers for obtaining National Board certification and for assuming extra duties than for teaching in the subject areas of shortage or in hard-to-staff schools. Larger districts with higher teacher salary were more likely than small districts to offer a larger number of incentive pay programs.

Originality/value

– The findings of this study advance our knowledge of local incentive pay policies. It also contributes to the global discourse of teacher compensation and incentives and can be informative to policymakers in the USA and around the world when designing and implementing incentive pay programs to teachers. Further, it sheds light on the important policy question of whether disadvantaged local educational agencies are more likely to use incentive pay programs to recruit and retain teachers and promote an equitable distribution of the teacher workforce. This informs the decision making of providing targeted support to those in need.
Migrating to the cloud
Authors: Doherty Eileen , Carcary Marian , Conway Gerard
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Cloud computing is a relatively new phenomena. It has rarely been examined in the context of the small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to examine the drivers and barriers to cloud computing adoption by SMEs in Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study adopted an exploratory approach. A quantitative approach was adopted in the data collection phase. An online self-completion questionnaire was distributed by e-mail to 1,500 SMEs in Ireland. A response rate of 6 per cent was achieved generating 95 usable responses.

Findings

– Findings from this study indicate that Irish SMEs are adopting cloud technology. The key driver identified is the resultant cost benefits for the firm. However, concern over continuous availability of the service is identified by the SME as a key challenge and is hindering widespread adoption of cloud technology.

Research limitations/implications

– This study whilst exploratory in nature, has laid the foundation for further research in the area of cloud computing adoption. This research should enable further studies to replicate this process with the possibility of extending the study to include other countries, on a larger scale and with a particular focus on the knowledge intensive business services sector. This study would benefit from adding a qualitative perspective to the research topic to add depth and enhance the “richness” of the data collected during the process.

Practical implications

– This study concludes that policy makers and cloud providers need to provide assurances to SMEs over issues of continuous availability of the cloud service through increased and on-going investment in a high-speed, broadband infrastructure and through ensuring issues pertaining to standardization and compliance are resolved.

Originality/value

– This exploratory research has illuminated this area through examining the drivers and barriers to cloud adoption by SMEs. In the Irish context, the benefits of engaging in such activity can reap many benefits. Of particular importance to a peripheral economy such as Ireland is the value of adopting cloud computing which is central to offering competitive advantage and controlling costs.
Managing institutional differences for international outsourcing success
Authors: Sharma Revti Raman , Lindsay Val , Everton Nikki
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Most of the research on international outsourcing of value chain activities focuses on larger firms. The purpose of this paper is to fill an important research gap by exploring how small firms manage institutional differences to enhance their international outsourcing success.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses data from interviews conducted with two managers of a small New Zealand apparel manufacturing firm who have over 35 years of combined experience with international outsourcing. The firm had both failed and successful experiences in its international outsourcing ventures. Findings are discussed in the context of the extant literature on international outsourcing.

Findings

– Small firms overcome institutional constraints they face in offshore locations by leveraging from their entrepreneurial skills, learning from failures and using a relational governance mode. This results in achieving performance targets and sustaining long-term relationships with suppliers, defined as international outsourcing success in this study.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings may not be generalised as they are based on a single case and cover only the client perspective. The study contributes to the offshoring literature from the perspective of smaller firms and calls for quantitative investigations to generalise the findings.

Practical implications

– The key implications include that small firms need to develop quality relationships and leverage from their unique entrepreneurial capabilities to enhance their success while outsourcing to relatively different institutional environments. Moreover, even a failed experience might help generate subsequent multiple successful ventures, if lessons are learned and behaviour adapted accordingly. Operating in emerging economies is much more challenging than managers from developed markets usually expect – thus the need for them to understand and prepare well before undertaking operations in these markets.

Originality/value

– With the rise of international outsourcing of value chain activities, the findings are useful to small firms aiming to achieve success in their outsourcing ventures in offshore locations. This study is one of only a few studies investigating small firms’ international outsourcing that examines both failure and success in an institutionally diverse context.
Risk factors for injury in law enforcement officer vehicle crashes
Authors: LaTourrette Tom
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Vehicle crashes and being struck by vehicles are the leading causes of death among police. The purpose of this paper is to identify risk factors for injury in police officer vehicle crashes in order to help determine the most effective approaches to improve officer vehicle safety.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study entailed a cross-sectional survey of officer drivers involved in vehicle crashes from 16 local, county, and state law enforcement agencies across the USA over one year. The relative risk of injury for officers in crashes with a given characteristic relative comparison crashes without that characteristic was computed to determine which characteristics are more likely to be associated with injuries.

Findings

– The survey yielded 854 crashes, 90 of which involved injuries to the officer driver. Crash characteristics associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of injury include multiple vehicle collisions, collision direction, officer vehicle type, officer vehicle being stopped, driving under emergency conditions, conducting traffic control or assisting motorists, not wearing a seat belt, and others. Most findings hold for all crashes and when minor crashes are excluded from the analysis.

Originality/value

– This study presents the first quantitative estimates of the risk factors for injury to law enforcement officers in vehicle crashes. Our findings indicate that seat belt use remains a critical safety intervention; driving under emergency conditions is high risk, though the reasons for this are unclear; better practices are needed to protect officers in stationary vehicles; agencies should carefully weigh the benefit of motorcycles against the vastly increased risk of injury they present; and that mobile data terminals are both a major distraction hazard and important source of injuries in crashes.
Salmonella Typhimurium strain expressing OprF‐OprI protects mice against fatal infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Zhang Mingliang , Sun Changjiang , Gu Jingmin , Yan Xinwu , Wang Bin , Cui Ziyin , Sun Xiaoyu , Tong Chunyu , Feng Xin , Lei Liancheng , Han Wenyu
Published: August 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a major threat to human health and to the mink industry. Thus, development of vaccines that elicit robust humoral and cellular immunity against P. aeruginosa is greatly needed. In this study, a recombinant attenuated Salmonella vaccine (RASV) that expresses the outer membrane proteins fusion OprF190–342‐OprI21–83 (F1I2) from P. aeruginosa was constructed and the potency of this vaccine candidate assessed by measuring F1I2‐specific humoral immune responses upon vaccination through s.c. or oral routes. S.C. administration achieved higher serum IgG titers and IgA titers in the intestine and induced stronger F1I2‐specific IgG and IgA titers in lung homogenate than did oral administration, which resulted in low IgG titers and no local IgA production. High titers of IFN‐γ, IL‐4, and T‐lymphocyte subsets induced a mixed Th1/Th2 response in mice immunized s.c., indicating elicitation of cellular immunity. Importantly, when immunized mice were challenged with P. aeruginosa by the intranasal route 30 days after the initial immunization, s.c. vaccination achieved 77.78% protection, in contrast to 41.18% via oral administration and 66.67% via Escherichia coli‐expressed F1I2 (His‐F1I2) vaccination. These results indicate that s.c. vaccination provides a better protective response against P. aeruginosa infection than do oral administration and the His‐F1I2 vaccine.
Metformin improves performance in high‐intensity exercise, but not anaerobic capacity in healthy male subjects
Authors: Learsi SK , Bastos‐Silva VJ , Lima‐Silva AE , Bertuzzi R , De Araujo GG
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the ergogenic effects of metformin in high‐intensity exercise, as well as its effects on anaerobic capacity, in healthy and physically active men. Ten subjects (mean (± standard deviation) maximal oxygen uptake (2max) 38.6 ± 4.5 mL/kg per min) performed the following tests in a cycle ergometer: (i) an incremental test; (ii) six submaximal constant workload tests at 40%–90% (2max); and (iii) two supramaximal tests (110% (2max). Metformin (500 mg) or placebo was ingested 60 min before the supramaximal test. There were no significant differences between the placebo and metformin groups in terms of maximum accumulated oxygen deficit (2.8 ± 0.6 vs 3.0 ± 0.8 L, respectively; P = 0.08), lactate concentrations (7.8 ± 2.6 vs 7.5 ± 3.0 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.75) or O2 consumed in either the last 30 s of exercise (40.4 ± 4.4 vs 39.9 ± 4.0 mL/kg per min, respectively; P = 0.35) or the first 110 s of exercise (29.0 ± 2.5 vs 29.5 ± 3.0 mL/kg per min, respectively; P = 0.42). Time to exhaustion was significantly higher after metformin than placebo ingestion (191 ± 33 vs 167 ± 32 s, respectively; P = 0.001). The fast component of recovery was higher in the metformin than placebo group (12.71 vs 12.18 mL/kg per min, respectively; P = 0.025). Metformin improved performance and anaerobic alactic contribution during high‐intensity exercise, but had no effect on overall anaerobic capacity in healthy subjects.
Circulation stabilizing therapy and pulmonary high‐resolution computed tomography in a porcine brain‐dead model
Authors: Bozovic G. , Steen S. , Sjöberg T. , Schaefer‐Prokop C. , Verschakelen J. , Liao Q. , Höglund P. , Siemund R. , Björkman‐Burtscher I. M.
Published: August 2015

Background

Currently 80% of donor lungs are not accepted for transplantation, often due to fluid overload. Our aim was to investigate if forced fluid infusion may be replaced by a new pharmacological therapy to stabilize circulation after brain death in an animal model, and to assess therapy effects on lung function and morphology trough blood gas parameters and state‐of‐the‐art High‐resolution CT (HRCT).

Methods

Brain death was caused by surgical decapitation. To maintain mean aortic pressure > 60 mmHg, pigs were treated with forced electrolyte solution infusion (GI; n = 6) or the pharmacological therapy (GII; n = 11). GIII (n = 11) were non‐decapitated controls. Lung function was investigated with blood gases and lung morphology with HRCT.

Results

GI pigs became circulatory instable 4–6 h after brain death in spite of forced fluid infusion, five pigs showed moderate to severe pulmonary edema on HRCT and median final PaO2/FiO2 was 29 kPa (Q1; Q3; range 26; 40; 17–76). GII and GIII were circulatory stable (mean aortic pressure > 80 mmHg) and median final PaO2/FiO2 after 24 h was 72 kPa (Q1; Q3; range 64; 76; 53–91) (GII) and 66 kPa (55; 78; 43–90) (GIII). On HRCT, only two pigs in GII had mild pulmonary edema and none in GIII. More than 50% of HRCT exams revealed unexpected lung disease even in spite of PaO2/FiO2 > 40 kPa.

Conclusion

Pharmacological therapy but not forced fluid infusion prevented circulatory collapse and extensive HRCT verified pulmonary edema after acute brain death. HRCT was useful to evaluate lung morphology and revealed substantial occult parenchymal changes justifying efforts toward a more intense use of HRCT in the pre‐transplant evaluation.
Genetic Variation and Insulin Resistance in Middle‐Aged Chinese Men
Authors: Villegas Raquel , Delahanty Ryan , Williams Scott , Li Honglan , O'Brian Richard , Shi Jiajun , Cai Qiuyin , Xiang Yong‐Bing , Shu Xiao Ou
Published: August 2015

We investigated the effect of variants in the first three genes in the insulin signaling pathway and genes identified from genome wide association studies (GWAS) of T2D quantitative traits with IR (fasting insulin and the homeostasis model assessment of IR, HOMA‐IR) and evaluated gene–environment interactions with IR traits among 1879 nondiabetic middle‐aged men from a population‐based study conducted in Shanghai, China.

One candidate gene, IGF1, was associated with fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR. We observed four BMI–gene interactions (P < 0.05) with HOMA‐IR (INRS rs7254060, INRS rs7254358, GLU4 rs2113050, and GLU4 rs7713127) and seven BMI–gene interactions with fasting insulin (INRS rs7254060, INRS rs7254358, INRS rs10417205, INRS rs1799817, GLU4 rs12054720 GLU4 rs2113050, and GLU4 rs7713127). There were four WHR–gene interactions with HOMA‐IR (INRS rs10417205, INRS rs12971499, INRS rs7254060, and INRS rs7254358), five WHR–gene interactions with fasting insulin (INRS rs10417205, INRS rs7254060, INRS rs7254358, GLU4 rs2113050, and GLU4 rs7713127), eight physical activity–gene interactions with HOMA‐IR (INRS rs10411676, INRS rs11671297, INRS rs2229431, INRS rs12461909, INRS rs6510950, INRS rs10420382, IRS2 rs913949, and IRS2 rs2241745) and five physical activity–gene interactions with fasting insulin (INRS rs2229431, INRS rs12461909, INRS rs10420382, IRS2 rs913949, and IRS2 rs2241745).

Our results suggest that BMI, WHR and physical activity may modify IR‐associated variants.
Correlates of smoking status among women experiencing intimate partner violence: Substance use, posttraumatic stress, and coping
Authors: Sullivan Tami P. , Flanagan Julianne C. , Dudley Desreen N. , Holt Laura J. , Mazure Carolyn M. , McKee Sherry A.
Published: August 2015

Background and Objectives

Smoking prevalence among women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) is two to three times higher than the prevalence among women nationally. Yet, research on cigarette smoking among this population of women is scarce.

Methods

This study examined differences between daily smokers and non‐smokers among a sample of 186 IPV‐victimized women. Comparing these groups may identify key factors that could inform future research, and ultimately, smoking cessation interventions to improve women's health.

Results

Results showed that smokers and non‐smokers differed in terms of alcohol and drug use problem severity, posttraumatic stress symptom severity, psychological and physical IPV victimization severity, and severity of use of psychological and physical IPV. Smokers fared worse on all domains where differences emerged. Findings of a logistic regression demonstrated that alcohol problem severity was related to daily smoking status; post hoc analysis revealed that the effect of alcohol problem severity was moderated by the level of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) avoidance symptom severity.

Discussion and Conclusions

Findings suggest a sub‐population of women experiencing IPV who smoke and incur additional risk for psychiatric symptom severity and maladaptive behaviors. This study suggests the need to examine factors such as IPV and its negative sequelae to inform smoking cessation research for women.

Scientific Significance

This study contributes to the scarce literature examining the intersections of PTSD, alcohol and drug use, and smoking. Examining these factors in the context of IPV, which is a highly prevalent problem, is critical to informing future treatment development investigations. (Am J Addict 2015;24:546–553)
Modulation of Cytokine Production by the Dydrogesterone Metabolite Dihydrodydrogesterone
Authors: Raghupathy Raj , Al‐Azemi Majedah
Published: August 2015

Problem

Previous studies have shown that dydrogesterone, the orally administered progestogen, upregulates the production of Th2 cytokines and downregulates Th1 cytokine production. This study was designed to ascertain whether dihydrodydrogesterone (DHD), the major metabolite of dydrogesterone, is similarly capable of modulating cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from women with a history of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

Method of Study

Mitogen‐stimulated PBMC from women with unexplained recurrent miscarriage were exposed to progesterone or dydrogesterone or DHD, and the levels of pro‐inflammatory (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α) and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐13) cytokines were estimated by ELISA. To ascertain whether DHD mediates its effects via the progesterone receptor, RU486, a progesterone agonist, was added to cultures along with mitogen and DHD.

Results

The metabolite DHD, like its parent molecule dydrogesterone, suppresses the production of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines IFN‐ γ and TNF‐α and upregulates the production of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐4. The progesterone antagonist RU486 reverses the effect of DHD, suggesting that this molecule mediates its cytokine‐modulating effect via the progesterone receptor.

Conclusion

Dihydrodydrogesterone retains the immunomodulatory effects of the progestogen dydrogesterone by bringing about a shift in cytokine production profiles that might be conducive to the success of pregnancy.
“Death comes knocking on the roof”: Thanatopolitics of Ethical Killing During Operation Protective Edge in Gaza
Authors: Joronen Mikko
Published: August 2015

One of the controversies of Operation Protective Edge, which Israel launched in Gaza in July 2014, is the undepreciated gap between the high number of civilian casualties and the claim of an ethically sound military operation with an extraordinary effort put on minimizing collateral damage. This paper examines one of the cornerstones of the Israel Defence Forces' ethically polished military violence during the operation: the use of preventive warning techniques. By focusing on the technique of “roof knocking”, the paper argues that the ethical justification operates through the three thanatopolitical governmentalities: responsibilization of the subjects, reification of the targeted sites, and the calculative politics of doing “the minimum evil necessary”. The Gaza population are hence not considered as passive victims, merely subjected to the killing power of calculative thanatopolitics, but as an inversion of biopolitical subjects who, instead of improving their own individual capabilities, are made accountable for their own deaths.
Nutritional values and antioxidative activities of whole peanuts and peanut skins for ruminant feeds
Authors: Saito Chihiro , Asano Sanae , Kato Chizuko , Kobayashi Shintaro , Musha Ayaka , Kuribayashi Hirotaka , Moriguchi Shouhei , Seto Yuuki , Kawashima Tasuku , Kobayashi Masakazu , Ishizaki Shigenobu , Kajikawa Hiroshi
Published: August 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritive values of two peanut by‐products, nonstandardized whole peanuts and peanut skins, along with their effects on microbial growth and fermentation in the rumen, their roughage values, and their antioxidative activities by a digestion trial using four goats. The experimental rations were alfalfa haycube (basal ration), 85% alfalfa with 15% whole peanuts, and 70% alfalfa with 15% whole peanuts and 15% peanut skins. The ether extracts and crude protein in whole peanuts were 47% and 27% on a dry matter basis (DM) both with over 90% of digestibilities, resulting in total digestive nutrients (TDN) of 140%. Peanut skins also had a high energy value with 91% of TDN. Ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and acetic acid decreased in the rations containing the peanut by‐products, but the NDF digestibility and ruminal microbial protein estimated from urinary purines was not altered by feeding the peanut by‐products. Plasma oxidative stress maker, malondialdehyde, tended to be lower when peanut skins were supplemented. Whole peanuts and peanut skins could be used as high‐energy and high‐protein diets for ruminants, and peanut skins would be expected as a feed having antioxidant functions.
Time‐of‐day variation of visuo‐spatial attention
Authors: Fimm Bruno , Brand Tanja , Spijkers Will
Published: August 2015

Time‐of‐day variation of visuo‐spatial attention in relation to body temperature and subjective arousal was assessed. At five different times of day, alertness, covert, and overt orienting of attention were assessed in fifteen healthy subjects. Based on previous studies reporting a tight coupling of alerting and orienting the present study investigates potential attentional asymmetries induced by diurnal variations of arousal. Both covert and overt orienting of attention improved in the course of the day. However, no asymmetries between left and right visual hemifields could be detected. Covert orienting additionally covaried with body temperature, indicating a quite close relation between the attentional arousal and orienting system. Conversely, overt orienting only improved due to repeated testing but did not correlate with body temperature suggesting a partial independence of both modes of attentional orienting. It can be assumed that due to limited diurnal variations of arousal in the participants and practice effects caused by repeated testing, no attentional asymmetries could be provoked.
The expression of microvesicles in the blood of patients withGraves' disease and its relationship to treatment
Authors: Mobarrez Fariborz , Abraham‐Nordling Mirna , Aguilera‐Gatica Katherina , Friberg Inger , Antovic Aleksandra , Pisetsky David S. , Jörneskog Gun , Wallen Håkan
Published: August 2015

Objective

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of circulating autoantibodies against thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor. Despite extensive research, the pathogenic mechanisms remain unclear. Immune responses associated with the disease may lead to cell activation/apoptosis and the release of microvesicles (MVs) into the circulation.MVs can display biological activities which may aggravateGDfurther. We studied immune mechanisms inGDby investigating the numbers and phenotype of circulatingMVs in patients before and after antithyroid therapy with thiamazole.

Patients and measurements

Samples were obtained from 15 patients withGDin the acute phase of hyperthyroidism and following 17–26 months treatment and 14 healthy controls.MVs from platelets, endothelial cells and monocytes exposing inflammation/activation markers (P‐selectin,CD40 ligand, E‐selectin andHMGB1) andMVs containing nuclear molecules were measured with flow cytometry.

Results

Patients had elevated baseline values ofMVs (P< 0·001 for all types ofMVs), while the levels decreased during thiamazole treatment (P< 0·05 for all types ofMVs). The majority ofMVpopulations remained, however, significantly higher in patients after treatment compared to levels in controls.

Conclusions

GDpatients have elevated levels ofMVs that carry molecules with potential biological activities.MVs are significantly reduced after antithyroid treatment with thiamazole but still higher compared to levels in healthy controls. Assessment ofMVlevels and pattern may therefore provide additional information on underlying immune disturbances not obtained by measurements of hormone levels alone.
Symptoms of gonadal dysfunction are more predictive of hypopituitarism than nonspecific symptoms in screening for pituitary dysfunction following moderate or severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Cuesta Martín , Hannon Mark J. , Crowley Rachel K. , Behan Lucy Ann , Tormey William , Rawluk Daniel , Delargy Mark , Agha Amar , Thompson Christopher J.
Published: August 2015

Objective

The economic and logistic burden of screening for hypopituitarism following moderate/severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considerable. A key recommendation in published guidelines is to prioritize for screening those patients with symptoms suggestive of pituitary dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of targeted screening for hypopituitarism in long‐term survivors after moderate/severe TBI using referrals on the basis of symptoms.

Design

In group 1 (G1), consecutive, unselected patients were screened from the Irish National Neurosurgery Centre, whereas in group 2 (G2) patients were targeted based on the presence of symptoms suggestive of pituitary dysfunction.

Patients

A total of 137 patients (113 male) were systematically screened (G1) and compared to 112 patients (77 male) referred for pituitary evaluation on the basis of suggestive symptoms (G2).

Main outcome measures

The rate of GH, ACTH, gonadotrophin (GT), TSH and ADH deficiency was compared among groups.

Results

Patients referred with menstrual dysfunction had more GH (50% vs 11%, P = 0·001), ACTH (60% vs 14%, P < 0·0001), GT (90% vs 16%, P < 0·0001) deficiency and any pituitary hormone deficit (80% vs 33%, P = 0·003) than G1. Men with symptoms of hypogonadism had more GH (33% vs 11%, P = 0·003), GT (58% vs 16%, P < 0·0001) and TSH (16% vs 1%, P = 0·03) deficiency than G1. Patients with nonspecific symptoms were no more likely to have hypopituitarism than those consecutively screened.

Conclusions

Symptoms of hypogonadism are sufficiently predictive of hypopituitarism to justify screening for hypopituitarism after moderate/severe TBI. Nonspecific symptoms of hypopituitarism are no more predictive than unselected screening.
Retracted: In vivo behavior of hydroxyapatite/β‐TCP/collagen scaffold in animal model. Histological, histomorphometrical, radiological, and SEM analysis at 15, 30, and 60 days
Authors: Maté Sánchez de Val Jose Eduardo , Calvo Guirado Josè Luis , Ramírez Fernández Maria Piedad , Delgado Ruiz Rafael Arcesio , Mazón Patricia , De Aza Piedad N.
Published: August 2015

Retraction: Maté Sánchez de Val JE, Calvo Guirado JL, Ramírez Fernández MP, Delgado Ruiz RA, Mazón P, De Aza PN. In vivo behavior of hydroxyapatite/β‐TCP/collagen scaffold in animal model. Histological, histomorphometrical, radiological, and SEM analysis at 15, 30, and 60 days. Clin Oral Impl Res.

The above article, published online on August 7, 2015, in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) has been retracted by agreement between the journal editor‐in‐chief, L Heitz‐Mayfield, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to image discrepancies resulting in unreliable data. It has not been possible to prove the validity of the images. Images in Figure 4 have been used in other publications representing different time points and materials. Images within Figure 4 have been manipulated to represent different time points and materials.

Reference

Maté Sánchez de Val JE, Calvo Guirado JL, Ramírez Fernández MP, Delgado Ruiz RA, Mazón P, De Aza PN. In vivo behavior of hydroxyapatite/β‐TCP/collagen scaffold in animal model. Histological, histomorphometrical, radiological, and SEM analysis at 15, 30, and 60 days. Clin Oral Impl Res. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.12656
The relevance of somatosensory auras in refractory temporal lobe epilepsies
Authors: Perven Ghazala , Yardi Ruta , Bulacio Juan , Najm Imad , Bingaman William , Gonzalez‐Martinez Jorge , Jehi Lara
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study is to look at the prevalence, characteristics, and prognostic value of somatosensory auras (SSAs) in patients who have undergone temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery to treat drug‐resistant focal epilepsy. We retrospectively reviewed all patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy who underwent TLE surgery at Cleveland Clinic between 2005 and 2010 (n = 333) to study the prevalence, characteristics, and prognostic implications of SSA in the context of TLE surgery. Analyses were performed using two seizure outcome definitions: complete seizure freedom and Engel classification. Of the 333 patients, 26 (7.8%) had SSA. Almost half (12 patients) had unilateral sensory symptoms, whereas the rest had bilateral symptoms. Tingling and numbness were the most frequently reported sensations. Compared to their non‐SSA counterparts, patients with SSA had the same clinical and imaging characteristics, but had a higher rate of breakthrough seizures (p = 0.03), although most (54%) were still able to achieve Engel class of I (p = 0.02). Based on our results we would encourage detailed presurgical testing, which may include an invasive evaluation to analyze the extent of the epileptogenic zone in patients with SSA and suspected TLE.
The evolution of epilepsy surgery between 1991 and 2011 in nine major epilepsy centers across the United States, Germany, and Australia
Authors: Jehi Lara , Friedman Daniel , Carlson Chad , Cascino Gregory , Dewar Sandra , Elger Christian , Engel Jerome , Knowlton Robert , Kuzniecky Ruben , McIntosh Anne , O'Brien Terence J. , Spencer Dennis , Sperling Michael R. , Worrell Gregory , Bingaman Bill , Gonzalez‐Martinez Jorge , Doyle Werner , French Jacqueline
Published: August 2015

Objective

Epilepsy surgery is the most effective treatment for select patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy. In this article, we aim to provide an accurate understanding of the current epidemiologic characteristics of this intervention, as this knowledge is critical for guiding educational, academic, and resource priorities.

Methods

We profile the practice of epilepsy surgery between 1991 and 2011 in nine major epilepsy surgery centers in the United States, Germany, and Australia. Clinical, imaging, surgical, and histopathologic data were derived from the surgical databases at various centers.

Results

Although five of the centers performed their highest number of surgeries for mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) in 1991, and three had their highest number of MTS surgeries in 2001, only one center achieved its peak number of MTS surgeries in 2011. The most productive year for MTS surgeries varied then by center; overall, the nine centers surveyed performed 48% (95% confidence interval [CI] −27.3% to −67.4%) fewer such surgeries in 2011 compared to either 1991 or 2001, whichever was higher. There was a parallel increase in the performance of surgery for nonlesional epilepsy. Further analysis of 5/9 centers showed a yearly increase of 0.6 ± 0.07% in the performance of invasive electroencephalography (EEG) without subsequent resections. Overall, although MTS was the main surgical substrate in 1991 and 2001 (proportion of total surgeries in study centers ranging from 33.3% to 70.2%); it occupied only 33.6% of all resections in 2011 in the context of an overall stable total surgical volume.

Significance

These findings highlight the major aspects of the evolution of epilepsy surgery across the past two decades in a sample of well‐established epilepsy surgery centers, and the critical current challenges of this treatment option in addressing complex epilepsy cases requiring detailed evaluations. Possible causes and implications of these findings are discussed.
Foraging Trade‐offs between Prey Size, Delivery Rate and Prey Type: How Does Niche Breadth and Early Learning of the Foraging Niche Affect Food Delivery?
Authors: Wiebe Karen L. , Slagsvold Tore
Published: August 2015

Optimal foraging theory suggests that avian parents should prefer the most energetically efficient (largest) prey items when delivering food to offspring at a central place. However, during periods of high demand, selectivity of prey may decline, leading to the delivery of smaller and/or less nutritious items. We compared foraging trade‐offs between great tits (Parus major) which had a wider feeding niche than blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We also compared the foraging efficiency of cross‐fostered young, which had learned the spatial foraging niche and prey size of the foreign species, to that of control conspecifics. Mean delivery rates did not differ between control and cross‐fostered parents of either species but as delivery rates increased, prey size declined for both species and both treatment groups. However, across the range of increasing delivery rates, parents were able to increase the total biomass of prey delivered. Cross‐fostering did not alter the proportion of different prey taxa in the diet, but cross‐fostered birds shifted the size of the prey taken to that of their foster species. Consistent with their broader feeding niche, great tits, but not blue tits, incorporated more unpalatable items (flies) as delivery rates increased. Although great tits foraged less efficiently in the blue tit niche, paradoxically, blue tits seem to deliver more prey biomass when foraging in the great tit niche.
Head Tilt and Fertility Contribute to Different Aspects of Female Facial Attractiveness
Authors: Sulikowski Danielle , Burke Darren , Havlíček Jan , Roberts S. Craig
Published: August 2015

Subjective attractiveness ratings of facial portraits of women taken at the fertile phase of the menstrual cycle are higher than those of portraits of the same women taken during non‐fertile periods. As female faces tilted downward are rated as more attractive and female courtship behaviours change across the menstrual cycle, we investigated whether systematic downward tilt of women's faces during the fertile phase might be responsible for increased attractiveness ratings. In the original study (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B, 271, 2004, S272), the fertile‐phase portrait of each woman was deemed more attractive in 56–62% of cases. When the portraits were reclassified by head pitch, the more downward‐tilted portrait was preferred in 64–73% of cases. The fertile‐phase portrait was no more likely to be the downward‐tilted one, however, suggesting that effects of fertility on attractiveness are not simply due to changes in head position. We also had these portraits rated (N = 130) for physical attractiveness and behavioural allure. Fertile‐phase portraits were rated as more physically attractive than non‐fertile portraits, while more downward‐tilted portraits were rated as more behaviourally alluring than less downward‐tilted ones. These data not only confirm reported effects of head tilt and fertility on perceived female attractiveness, but also suggest that these factors influence different components of the attractiveness percept.
Alleviation of salinity stress on germination of Leymus chinensis seeds by plant growth regulators and nitrogenous compounds under contrasting light/dark conditions
Authors: Wu Y. P. , Chen F. , Hu X. W. , Baskin C. C. , Baskin J. M.
Published: August 2015

The effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and nitrogenous compounds on alleviating salinity stress on seed germination of Leymus chinensis in light (12 h light/12 h dark) and dark (24 h dark) conditions were determined in a laboratory experiment. Seed germination was compared at various combinations of salinity and germination‐promoting compounds. Seed germination percentages were 57 and 74% under non‐saline conditions in light and dark, respectively, suggesting that germination was light‐inhibited. Germination decreased significantly with increasing salinity level in both light and dark conditions, and the reduction was greater in light than in dark at each salinity level. Seed germination percentage decreased to 22 and 7% in light but only to 51 and 27% in dark, in 100 and 200 mm NaCl solutions respectively. The influence of PGRs and nitrogenous compounds in alleviating salinity stress varied with light and salinity condition; e.g., gibberellins (GA4 + 7) significantly increased germination percentages from 22%, 7% and 0·3% to 47%, 23% and 15% in light at 100, 200 and 300 mm NaCl, respectively, while they showed no effect on germination in darkness. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside and cytokinin significantly increased germination percentage in darkness at all salinity levels, but showed no effect on germination in light at 200 and 300 mm NaCl. Fluridone was very effective in alleviating salinity stress on germination in both light and dark; however, it was lethal to seedlings. Thiourea had no effect in alleviating salinity stress in either light or dark. Thus, alleviation of salinity stress on seed germination of L. chinensis by germination‐promoting compounds is strongly dependent on chemicals and light conditions.