bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated serum erythropoietin in a patient with polycythaemia vera presenting with Budd-Chiari syndrome
Authors: Jones Catherine , Levy Yair , Tong Alex W
Published: December 2014

Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a clonal disorder of bone marrow stem cells characterised by erythrocytosis. Diagnosis of PV requires exclusion of secondary causes of polycythaemia. It has been held that an elevated erythropoietin (Epo) level strongly indicates secondary erythrocytosis and excludes PV diagnosis, to the extent that the reduced serum Epo level is currently listed as a minor criterion in the WHO classification scheme for PV. However, patients with PV who co-present with Budd-Chiari syndrome have been documented with elevated serum Epo levels. For these patients, identification of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) V617F point mutation along with the transient nature of the Epo elevation provides certainty of PV diagnosis, as illustrated by the proband. In this case report, the patient's positive response to cytoreductive therapy (hydroxyurea 500 mg daily) and phlebotomy (750 mL over three phlebotomies) further supports validity of PV diagnosis with elevated Epo. The patient remains on rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for treatment of her portal vein thrombosis.
Complete tamponade system for management of severe postpartum vaginal haemorrhage due to uterine atony
Authors: Atilgan Remzi , Ozkan Zehra Sema , Orak Ugur , Baspinar Melike
Published: December 2014

A 30-year-old, 39 weeks pregnant, multiparous woman with single fetus, attended our obstetric clinic with complete cervical dilation in intractable mentum anterior presentation. The fetus was delivered by caesarean section with vertical uterine incision under general anaesthesia and lithotomy position. After surgery, examination of the vagina revealed multiple, serious tears with severe haemorrhage. Vaginal bleeding could not be controlled by sutures and concurrently uterine atony developed, which could not be controlled with medical treatment. Owing to intractable bleeding from uterus and vagina, a complete tamponade system was used. After the instillation of the uterine balloon with 500 mL and vaginal balloon with 300 mL liquid, the bleeding was controlled. The estimated blood loss was 3200 mL. The vaginal wound healed well during the postoperative 2 weeks. A complete tamponade system may be an effective treatment method for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage owing to vaginal lacerations and uterine atony.
From private practice to university
Authors: Arthurs Gareth
Published: December 2014

Gareth Arthurs moved from practice to academia, becoming a lecturer in small animal surgery at the Royal Veterinary College. Here he describes how and why he made the move and what he has gained from it
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Glossop Christianne
Published: December 2014

Christianne Glossop recently achieved a lifelong ambition by completing a tandem parachute jump, and took the opportunity to raise money for two farming charities at the same time. She is also Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales.
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Mayes Ben
Published: December 2014

Ben Mayes is a horse vet in Sussex. He will become president of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) later this year, which also happens to the association's 50th anniversary.
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Stoll Alexander
Published: December 2014

Alexander Stoll is a third‐year vet student at the Royal Veterinary College. He also plays jazz professionally, can order meals in a number of languages, keeps poultry and has a private pilot's licence.
Retirement, four years on
Authors: Head John
Published: December 2014

John Head decided to break the family mould and retire rather than work his entire life, but before making that decision he thought long and hard about how to go about it
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Butcher Ray
Published: December 2014

Ray Butcher has been a partner in the Wylie Veterinary Centre, Upminster, for more than 30 years, and has seen its evolution from a family mixed practice to a large companion animal hospital. He is a past‐president of BSAVA and FECAVA, a veterinary adviser to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), and a board member of the Alliance for Rabies Control and the Blue Dog Trust.
Gaining experience abroad
Authors: Belshaw Zoe
Published: December 2014

There are many reasons why people think about working abroad, and many achieve this goal, but the logistics can put others off. Zoe Belshaw offers some advice, based on her own travel experiences
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Wadsworth David
Published: December 2014

David Wadsworth is immediate past‐president of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, having also been president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association and the Lancashire Veterinary Association. He is principal of a practice in Thornton‐Cleveleys, which he founded in 1974, and is a keen alpinist and birdwatcher.
Final‐year diary
Authors: Hall Jennifer
Published: December 2014

After five years at Nottingham veterinary school, Jennifer Hall is about to take her final examinations and feels it is time to join the grown‐ups!
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Hubbard Jill
Published: December 2014

Jill Hubbard is a small animal practitioner with a particular interest in ophthalmology, who works in Caernarfon. She has recently been appointed as an RCVS postgraduate dean.
A residency in veterinary pathology
Authors: Cox Alistair
Published: December 2014

Alistair Cox completed a residency in veterinary pathology at the University of Edinburgh. Here, he describes why he did it and what the work involves
Working as a wildlife artist
Authors: Gale John
Published: December 2014

With a lifelong passion for natural history and a talent for painting birds, John Gale is both a vet and an award‐winning wildlife artist. His talent has taken him to some precarious places, and he begins his story on a boat in a storm force 12. . .
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Rance Louisa
Published: December 2014

An interest in ‘rehoming’ medicine led Louisa Rance to join the veterinary team at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. She has worked there for eight years.
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Bond Vicky
Published: December 2014

Vicky Bond is a research officer for Compassion in World Farming, a charity that campaigns for sustainable farming around the world.
Deception in simplicity: Hereditary phospholamban mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Young Howard S. , Ceholski Delaine K. , Trieber Catharine A.
Published: December 2014

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium pump (SERCA) and its regulator phospholamban are required for cardiovascular function. Phospholamban alters the apparent calcium affinity of SERCA in a process that is modulated by phosphorylation via the β-adrenergic pathway. This regulatory axis allows for the dynamic control of SR calcium stores and cardiac contractility. Herein we focus on hereditary mutants of phospholamban that are associated with heart failure, such as Arg9-Cys, Arg9-Leu, Arg9-His, and Arg14-deletion. Each mutant has a distinct effect on PLN function and SR calcium homeostasis. Arg9-Cys and Arg9-Leu do not inhibit SERCA, Arg14-deletion is a partial inhibitor, and Arg9-His is comparable to wild-type. While the mutants have distinct functional effects on SERCA, they have in common that they cannot be phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA). Arg9and Arg14are required for PKA recognition and phosphorylation of PLN. Thus, mutations at these positions eliminate β-adrenergic control and dynamic cardiac contractility. Hydrophobic mutations of Arg9cause more complex changes in function, including loss of PLN function and dominant negative interaction with SERCA in heterozygous individuals. In addition, aberrant interaction with PKA may prevent phosphorylation of wild-type PLN and sequester PKA from other local subcellular targets. Herein we consider what is known about each mutant and how the synergistic changes in SR calcium homeostasis lead to impaired cardiac contractility and dilated cardiomyopathy.
BALLOON-EXPANDABLE STENTS EXPANSION IN TAPERED VESSELS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS
Authors: SHEN XIANG , XIE ZHONG-MIN , SUN YANG-YANG , WU BO-BO
Published: December 2014

In-stent restenosis (ISR) after stent implantation, especially in tapered vessels, remains an obstacle in the long-term benefits of stenting. In the present study, a finite element method (FEM) was employed to investigate the expansion process of balloon-expandable stents in tapered vessels (the TV model) and their interactions. For comparison, a numerical model of the same stent deployment in a straight vessel was also investigated. Results showed that in the TV model, the peak tissue stresses took place at the distal end of the tapered vessel. The node displacements of the stent's proximal and distal ends remained consistent before the stent contacted the tapered vessel, while the proximal end was larger than the distal end after the stent contacted the tapered vessel. The regions of maximum stresses in the stent after expansion were concentrated in the corners of the diamond cells of the stent's proximal end. The investigation provided some interpretations of the clinical observations in tapered vessels and also provided stent design proposals for tapered vessels. The FEM quantified the mechanical properties of stents in tapered vessels, and can help clinicians select appropriate stents, assist designers in pretests and create new stents made especially for tapered vessels.
An Exploratory Study on Operationalization of Integrated Stakeholder Relationships Management
Authors: Demirel A. Gönül , Öner M. Atilla
Published: December 2014

This paper offers a new conceptual model, the integrated stakeholder relationships management model based on the principles of systems thinking and integrated management approach. This research is unique in its scope by considering all management functions while trying to integrate the stakeholders into the strategic decisions of the management. The model is tested on a sample with 303 respondents from software companies (175), hardware companies (100) and a sectoral association (28) in Turkey to explore how stakeholder relationships are managed based on the perceptions of the managers and the employees. Whereas the pilot study showed us the feasibility of the model, the main study results indicated how the stakeholder relationships are managed in a group of sample IT organizations when compared to the ideal criteria given by the proposed model. The model may prove to be a managerial guide for the managers at all levels for their attempts to integrate stakeholder interests into the management processes.
Commercialization of Technological Innovations: The Effects of Internal Entrepreneurs and Managerial and Cultural Factors on Public–Private Inter-Organizational Cooperation
Authors: Geisler Elie , Turchetti Giuseppe
Published: December 2014

Why do scientists and engineers in government laboratories and private companies cooperate and exchange and commercialize technology? What are the factors that impact the propensity to commercialize and the success of such collaborations? These research questions were explored in the extant literature, but the focus has mainly been on the impacts of incentives that employees of public technology laboratories received from their management. This paper reports the findings from a study of 43 government laboratories and 51 industrial companies in the United States. The study expanded the focus of previous research by considering the set of managerial, economic, cultural, and organizational factors as well as the impacts of internal entrepreneurship — in both the public laboratories and private industry. The study also contributed to the literature on internal entrepreneurship by expanding and empirically testing the integrative concept of intrapreneurship. The results show that internal entrepreneurship of the scientific and technical workforce in both types of organizations is the most powerful predictor of commercialization and technology transfer in the public–private cooperation. Other factors found to impact the success of the commercialization effort are senior management support and a culture that encourages cooperation across organizational boundaries. This paper contributes to the state of knowledge in that it establishes empirically that the incentives most likely to work to improve cooperation between public and private technology organizations are those that create a supportive environment for internal entrepreneurs within these organizations, rather than a basket of the usual incentives designed to foster a specific behavior. These findings also contribute to the making of technology policy in developed countries as well as in the emerging world, where the need to encourage cooperation between public and private technology enterprise is increasingly recognized as a powerful economic and technological foundation for growth and prosperity.
DOES CEO INCENTIVE PAY IMPROVE BANK PERFORMANCE? A QUANTILE REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF U.S. COMMERCIAL BANKS
Authors: CHAN MIN-LEE , LIN CHO-MIN , LIANG HSIN-YU , CHEN MING-HUA
Published: December 2014

The U.S. subprime crisis in 2008 have raised concerns about bank performance and the incentive pay of CEOs. Whether the CEO's incentive compensation improves bank performance deserves further investigation. This research studies the improvement in bank performance by examining the CEO incentive pay of 68 U.S. commercial banks from 1993 to 2005 using quantile regression (QR) analysis. The empirical evidence indicates that the relationship between bank performance and incentive pay does vary based on bank performance levels. Our results confirm that CEO incentive compensation improves the performance of high-performing banks and, at the same time, the accrued risks need to be taken into consideration and controlled through the efficient monitoring of outside directors. For low-performing banks, we find that outside directors have a significantly positive effect on performance regardless of whether such performance is adjusted or not adjusted. We suggest that banks with various performance levels require different mechanisms to enhance their performance. A "stick" approach consisting of efficient monitoring by outside directors may ensure that low-performing banks improve their performance improvements, whereas a "carrot" approach (i.e. CEO incentive pay) is appropriate for high-performing banks under risk controls and could also be accomplished through monitoring by outside directors.
Structure, Optical Properties, and Photocatalytic Activity towards H2Generation and CO2Reduction of GaN Nanowires via Vapor-Liquid-Solid Process
Authors: Pang Hong , Liu Lequan , Ouyang Shuxin , Xu Hua , Li Yunxiang , Wang Defa
Published: December 2014

High quality single crystalline GaN nanowires with large aspect ratio (>100) are synthesized on n-type Si (111) substrate via Au-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid process. Morphology, crystal structure, and optical property of the as-synthesized GaN nanowires are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, and room temperature photoluminescence. The results indicate that the as-prepared GaN nanowires with a large aspect ratio are well crystallized in the hexagonal wurtzite structure, and a slight blue shift appears in both the absorption edge and emission peak probably due to the quantization effect. Photocatalytic H2evolution over the as-prepared GaN nanowires is performed with the incorporation of Pt or Rh as the cocatalyst, exhibiting greatly enhanced capability compared to the GaN powder tested under the same conditions. Moreover, photocatalytic CO2reduction over the GaN nanowires is also successfully realized using Pt or Rh as the cocatalyst, depending on which the products show a strong selectivity inherently related to the reductive electrons transferred by cocatalyst.
Ranibizumab plus Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 12 Months of Retreatment and Vision Outcomes from a Randomized Study
Authors: Hatz Katja , Schneider Ulrike , Henrich P. Bernhard , Braun Beatrice , Sacu Stefan , Prünte Christian
Published: December 2014

Purpose: To investigate the injection frequency and visual acuity (VA) outcomes with combination therapy (ranibizumab plus verteporfin photodynamic therapy, PDT) versus monotherapy (ranibizumab). Methods: A total of 40 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration were randomized 1:1 to ranibizumab 0.3 mg plus single standard verteporfin PDT or ranibizumab 0.3 mg plus sham PDT. Ranibizumab was administered 3 times monthly followed by ‘as needed' to month 12 based on predetermined vision/anatomical criteria. Retreatment rates, VA outcomes and safety were assessed. Results: During months 3-12, combination therapy patients required fewer ranibizumab injections (mean 1.3) compared with monotherapy patients (2.8). Mean VA improved by 9.0 letters with combination therapy versus 7.5 letters in the monotherapy group at month 12. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated. Conclusion: The need for ranibizumab retreatment might be reduced by administering a single verteporfin PDT on the same day as the first ranibizumab injection, without compromising VA outcomes or safety.
Khrushchev’s Cash-and-Goods Lotteries and the Turn Toward Positive Incentives
Authors: Ironside Kristy
Published: December 2014

This article focuses on the Soviet government’s turn to positive incentives to play the state lottery in the late 1950s, after thirty years of coercing citizens to buy state lottery bonds under Stalin. Khrushchev discontinued the Stalinist bonds in April 1957 and, in their wake, introduced “cash-and-goods lotteries” featuring voluntary participation. The Khrushchev government identified a powerful positive incentive to buy tickets in the coveted consumer goods the lotteries offered as prizes. Citizens were no longer asked to sacrifice toward the state lottery, rather, they were encouraged to risk small sums toward potential consumer gain and the improvement of their living standards – a new way of conceptualizing Soviet citizens’ personal financial contributions to the state as the Soviet Union approached communist prosperity.
TIME AND HISTORY IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE COSMONOMIC IDEA
Authors: Stafleu M. D.
Published: December 2014

This article identifies two trends in Dooyeweerd’s conception of ‘cosmic time’, and elaborates their consequences for the philosophy of history. The first trend, connecting time to modal diversity and the order of the modal aspects, prevails in Dooyeweerd’s analysis. The application of the second trend, emphasizing that in each relation frame the temporal order governs subject-subject relations and subjectobject relations, sheds a new light on the interpretation of history conceived of as development of the culture and civilization of mankind. The distinction of faith and religion and the position of the aspect of faith in the order of the modal aspects play important parts in this discussion, in particular with respect to the possibility of transcending time.
95 THESES ON HERMAN DOOYEWEERD
Authors: Friesen J. Glenn
Published: December 2014

Philosophy gives an account of our experience 1. Philosophy does not begin with rational propositions or presuppositions, but rather with our experience. Dooyeweerd begins A New Critique of Theoretical Thought by contrasting the continuity of our pre-theoretical experience with the way that theoretical experience splits apart this continuity.1 He says later, “The apriori structure of reality can only be known by experience. But this is not experience as it is conceived by immanence-philosophy.”2 Human experience is not limited to our temporal functions of consciousness.3 Our experience is not an ‘Erlebnis’ of mere psychical feelings and sensations,4 but rather “a conscious enstatic5 ‘Hineinleben.’” — the experience of our supratemporal selfhood enter ing into and living within all aspects of temporal reality.
ON WORLDVIEWS
Authors: Griffioen Sander
Published: December 2014

This is a study in the philosophy of worldview. It consists of two parts. The first part, which is presented here, is concerned primarily with key elements in the general structure of a worldview. It lays the groundwork for more concrete and differentiated investigations that will be pursued as a sequel to this article. The genius of the worldview notion is that it signifies both an inner conviction and an outlook on the world. Thus it combines the personal and the universal. Moreover, it does so in the context of conflicting convictions and outlooks. Accordingly, the plural worldviews is more adequate than the singular since each reflects the presence of the others. As I try to show, this inherent pluralism is what is missing both in traditional settings as well as under totalitarian regimes. The main body of this article consists of an analysis of four basic functions: ‘orientation’, ‘assent’ (i.e. a channeling of convictions), ‘integration’, and ‘public recognition’ (i.e. attaining recognition for a cause). A preceding section is dedicated to a delineation of worldview with respect to ‘world picture’. Special attention is paid in this connection to ‘embedded´ worldviews: hybrid forms characteristic for our present ‘post-worldview era’.
Andree Troost, What is Reformational Philosophy? An Introduction to the Cosmonomic Philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd, translated by Anthony Runia, Paideia Press, Grand Rapids MI, 2012. 367 pages. ISBN 978-0-88815-205-3.
Authors: Friesen J. Glenn
Published: December 2014

Andree Troost, What is Reformational Philosophy? An Introduction to the Cosmonomic Philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd (J. Glenn Friesen)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND IMPACT INVESTING
Authors: Verkerk Maarten J.
Published: December 2014

The financial crisis and accounting scandals in large companies have stimulated a thorough assessment of the contribution of enterprises and financial institutions to the greater public good and economic prosperity. This assessment has led to a revaluation of the ideas of social entrepreneurship and impact investing. In this article we explore the nature and character of these ideas by a philosophical analysis and by comparison with profit-driven organizations and corporate social responsibility. We show that social entrepreneurs and impact investors distinguish themselves by their social and environmental objectives, their focus on the justified interests of all stakeholders, and their values and world view. We also make a reasonable case that in the coming decade social entrepreneurs and impact investors will play an important role in the development of the global world.
DEFENDING DESIGN ARGUMENTS AGAINST PLANTINGA
Authors: von Wachter Daniel
Published: December 2014

This article criticises Alvin Plantinga’s claim that ‘basic’ design beliefs, which arise without a conscious inference, have more positive epistemic status than non-basic ones and that we cannot evaluate the probabilities involved in inferential, inductive design arguments.
Decadal Relationship between European Blocking and the North Atlantic Oscillation during 1978–2011. Part I: Atlantic Conditions
Authors: Luo Dehai , Yao Yao , Dai Aiguo
Published: December 2014

Both the positive and negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO+ and NAO−, respectively) and atmospheric blocking in the Euro-Atlantic sector reflect synoptic variability over the region and thus are intrinsically linked. This study examines their relationship from a decadal change perspective. Since the winter-mean NAO index is defined as a time average of instantaneous NAO indices over the whole winter, it is unclear how the activity of European blocking (EB) events can be related to the variation of the positive mean NAO index. Here, this question is examined by dividing the winter period 1978–2011 into two decadal epochs: 1978–94 (P1) with an increasing and high NAO index and 1995–2011 (P2) with a decreasing and low NAO index. Using atmospheric reanalysis data, it is shown that there are more intense and persistent EB events in eastern Europe during P1 than during P2, while the opposite is true for western Europe.

It is further shown that there are more NAO+ (NAO−) events during P1 (P2). The EB events associated with NAO+ events extend more eastward and are associated with stronger Atlantic mean zonal wind and weaker western Atlantic storm track during P1 than during P2, but EB events associated with NAO− events increase in western Europe under opposite Atlantic conditions during P2. Thus, the increase in the number of individual NAO+ (NAO−) events results in more EB events in eastern (western) Europe during P1 (P2). The EB change is also associated with the increased frequency of NAO− to NAO+ (NAO+ to NAO−) transition events.
Mechanism for the Formation of Equatorial Superrotation in Forced Shallow-Water Turbulence with Newtonian Cooling
Authors: Saito Izumi , Ishioka Keiichi
Published: December 2014

Forced shallow-water turbulence on a rotating sphere with Newtonian cooling is examined with the aim of elucidating the mechanism of the robust formation of equatorial superrotation reported by R. K. Scott and L. M. Polvani. It is shown that the Newtonian cooling term distorts the structure of the Hough modes. This distortion can be visualized as either the westward or eastward tilting of the equiphase line with increasing absolute value of latitude; the structural change of the Hough modes leads to the acceleration of the zonal-mean flow. A statistical analysis based on a weak-nonlinear theory predicts that stochastically excited Hough modes generate a prograde equatorial jet, the profile of which is quantitatively consistent with that of the ensemble-averaged zonal-mean flow obtained in nonlinear time evolutions. The predicted prograde equatorial jet originates mainly from the acceleration produced by Rossby modes, the equiphase line of which is tilted westward by the Newtonian cooling term. This tilt of the equiphase line of the Hough modes is clarified and a comparison between the acceleration mechanism presented in the present paper and that in other numerical studies in which equatorial superrotation emerges is made.
Exploring Lightning Jump Characteristics
Authors: Chronis T. , Carey Lawrence D. , Schultz Christopher J. , Schultz Elise V. , Calhoun Kristin M. , Goodman Steven J.
Published: December 2014

This study is concerned with the characteristics of storms exhibiting an abrupt temporal increase in the total lightning flash rate [i.e., lightning jump (LJ)]. An automated storm tracking method is used to identify storm “clusters” and total lightning activity from three different lightning detection systems over Oklahoma, northern Alabama, and Washington, D.C. On average and for different employed thresholds, the clusters that encompass at least one LJ (LJ1) last longer and relate to higher maximum expected size of hail, vertical integrated liquid, and lightning flash rates (area normalized) than do the clusters without an LJ (LJ0). The respective mean radar-derived and lightning values for LJ1 (LJ0) clusters are 80 min (35 min), 14 mm (8 mm), 25 kg m−2 (18 kg m−2), and 0.05 flash min−1 km−2 (0.01 flash min−1 km−2). Furthermore, the LJ1 clusters are also characterized by slower-decaying autocorrelation functions, a result that implies a less “random” behavior in the temporal flash rate evolution. In addition, the temporal occurrence of the last LJ provides an estimate of the time remaining to the storm’s dissipation. Depending on the LJ strength (i.e., varying thresholds), these values typically range between 20 and 60 min, with stronger jumps indicating more time until storm decay. This study’s results support the hypothesis that the LJ is a proxy for the storm’s kinematic and microphysical state rather than a coincidental value.
Development, genetic and cytogenetic analyses of genetic sexing strains of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Zepeda-Cisneros Cristina Silvia , Meza Hernández José Salvador , García-Martínez Víctor , Ibañez-Palacios Jorge , Zacharopoulou Antigone , Franz Gerald
Published: December 2014

Background

Anastrephaludens is among the pests that have a major impact on México's economy because it attacks fruits as citrus and mangoes. The Mexican Federal government uses integrated pest management to control A. ludens through the Programa Nacional Moscas de la Fruta [National Fruit Fly Program, SAGARPA-SENASICA]. One of the main components of this program is the sterile insect technique (SIT), which is used to control field populations of the pest by releasing sterile flies.

Results

To increase the efficiency of this technique, we have developed a genetic sexing strain (GSS) in which the sexing mechanism is based on a pupal colour dimorphism (brown-black) and is the result of a reciprocal translocation between the Y chromosome and the autosome bearing the black pupae (bp) locus. Ten strains producing wild-type (brown pupae) males and mutant (black pupae) females were isolated. Subsequent evaluations for several generations were performed in most of these strains. The translocation strain named Tapachula-7 showed minimal effect on survival and the best genetic stability of all ten strains. Genetic and cytogenetic analyses were performed using mitotic and polytene chromosomes and we succeeded to characterize the chromosomal structure of this reciprocal translocation and map the autosome breakpoint, despite the fact that the Y chromosome is not visible in polytene nuclei following standard staining.

Conclusions

We show that mitotic and polytene chromosomes can be used in cytogenetic analyses towards the development of genetic control methods in this pest species. The present work is the first report of the construction of GSS of Anastrepha ludens, with potential use in a future Moscafrut operational program.
Microsatellite markers from the 'South American fruit fly' Anastrepha fraterculus: a valuable tool for population genetic analysis and SIT applications
Authors: Lanzavecchia Silvia B , Juri Marianela , Bonomi Angelica , Gomulski Ludvik , Scannapieco Alejandra C , Segura Diego F , Malacrida Anna , Cladera Jorge L , Gasperi Giuliano
Published: December 2014

Background

Anastrepha fraterculus Wiedemann is a horticultural pest which causes significant economic losses in the fruit-producing areas of the American continent and limits the access of products to international markets. The use of environmentally friendly control strategies against this pest is constrained due to the limited knowledge of its population structure.

Results

We developed microsatellite markers for A. fraterculus from four genomic libraries, which were enriched in CA, CAA, GA and CAT microsatellite motifs. Fifty microsatellite regions were evaluated and 14 loci were selected for population genetics studies. Genotypes of 122 individuals sampled from four A. fraterculus populations were analyzed. The level of polymorphism ranged from three to 13 alleles per locus and the mean expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.60 to 0.64. Comparison between allelic and genotypic frequencies showed significant differences among all pairs of populations.

Conclusions

This novel set of microsatellite markers provides valuable information for the description of genetic variability and population structure of wild populations and laboratory strains of A. fraterculus. This information will be used to identify and characterize candidate strains suitable to implement effective pest control strategies and might represent a first step towards having a more comprehensive knowledge about the genetics of this pest.
Male-specific phosphorylated SR proteins in adult flies of the Mediterranean Fruitfly Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Saccone Giuseppe , Louis Christos , Zhang Hongyou , Petrella Valeria , Natale Manuela Di , Perri Maria , Salvemini Marco
Published: December 2014

Alternative splicing is a widely used mechanism of gene regulation in sex determination pathways of Insects. In species from orders as distant as Diptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera, female differentiation relies on the activities of conserved splicing regulators, TRA and TRA-2, promoting female-specific expression of the global effector doublesex (dsx). Less understood is to what extent post-translational modifications of splicing regulators plays a role in this pathway. In Drosophila melanogaster phosphorylation of TRA, TRA-2 and the general RBP1 factor by the LAMMER kinase doa (darkener of apricot) is required for proper female sex determination. To explore whether this is a general feature of the pathway we examined sex-specific differences in phosphorylation levels of SR splicing factors in the dipteran species D. melanogaster, Ceratitis capitata (Medfly) and Musca domestica (Housefly). We found a distinct and reproducible pattern of male-specific phosphorylation on protein extracts enriched for SR proteins in C. capitata suggesting that differential phosphorylation may also contribute to the regulation of sex-specific splicing in the Medfly.
Comprehensive transcriptome analysis of early male and female Bactrocera jarvisi embryos
Authors: Morrow Jennifer L , Riegler Markus , Gilchrist A Stuart , Shearman Deborah CA , Frommer Marianne
Published: December 2014

Background

Developing embryos are provided with maternal RNA transcripts and proteins, but transcription from the zygotic nuclei must be activated to control continuing embryonic development. Transcripts are generated at different stages of early development, and those involved in sex determination and cellularisation are some of the earliest to be activated. The male sex in tephritid fruit flies is determined by the presence of a Y chromosome, and it is believed that a transcript from the Y-chromosome sets in motion a cascade that determines male development, as part of the greater maternal to zygotic transition (MTZ). Here we investigate the poly(A+) transcriptome in early male and female embryos of the horticultural pest Bactrocera jarvisi (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Results

Bactrocera jarvisi embryos were collected over two pre-blastoderm time periods, 2-3h and 3-5h after egg laying. Embryos were individually sexed using a Y-chromosome marker, allowing the sex-specific poly(A+) transcriptome of single-sex embryo pools to be deep-sequenced and assembled de novo. Transcripts for sixteen sex-determination and two cellularisation gene homologues of Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) were identified in early embryos of B. jarvisi, including transcripts highly upregulated prior to cellularisation. No strong candidates for transcripts derived solely from the Y chromosome were recovered from the poly(A+) fraction.

Conclusions

Bactrocera jarvisi provides an excellent model for embryonic studies due to available Y-chromosome markers and the compact time frame for zygotic transcription and the sex-determined state. Our data contribute fundamental information to sex-determination research, and provide candidates for the sourcing of gene promoters for transgenic pest-management strategies of tephritid fruit flies.
Prevention of acute kidney injury by intravenous sodium bicarbonate: the end of a saga
Authors: Schiffl Helmut
Published: December 2014

No abstract
E2F4 regulatory program predicts patient survival prognosis in breast cancer
Authors: Khaleel Sari S , Andrews Erik H , Ung Matthew , DiRenzo James , Cheng Chao
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Genetic and molecular signatures have been incorporated into cancer prognosis prediction and treatment decisions with good success over the past decade. Clinically, these signatures are usually used in early-stage cancers to evaluate whether they require adjuvant therapy following surgical resection. A molecular signature that is prognostic across more clinical contexts would be a useful addition to current signatures.

Methods

We defined a signature for the ubiquitous tissue factor, E2F4, based on its shared target genes in multiple tissues. These target genes were identified by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) experiments using a probabilistic method. We then computationally calculated the regulatory activity score (RAS) of E2F4 in cancer tissues, and examined how E2F4 RAS correlates with patient survival.

Results

Genes in our E2F4 signature were 21-fold more likely to be correlated with breast cancer patient survival time compared to randomly selected genes. Using eight independent breast cancer datasets containing over 1,900 unique samples, we stratified patients into low and high E2F4 RAS groups. E2F4 activity stratification was highly predictive of patient outcome, and our results remained robust even when controlling for many factors including patient age, tumor size, grade, estrogen receptor (ER) status, lymph node (LN) status, whether the patient received adjuvant therapy, and the patient’s other prognostic indices such as Adjuvant! and the Nottingham Prognostic Index scores. Furthermore, the fractions of samples with positive E2F4 RAS vary in different intrinsic breast cancer subtypes, consistent with the different survival profiles of these subtypes.

Conclusions

We defined a prognostic signature, the E2F4 regulatory activity score, and showed it to be significantly predictive of patient outcome in breast cancer regardless of treatment status and the states of many other clinicopathological variables. It can be used in conjunction with other breast cancer classification methods such as Oncotype DX to improve clinical outcome prediction.
Elucidating variations in the nucleotide sequence of Ebola virus associated with increasing pathogenicity
Authors: Dowall Stuart D , Matthews David A , García-Dorival Isabel , Taylor Irene , Kenny John , Hertz-Fowler Christiane , Hall Neil , Corbin-Lickfett Kara , Empig Cyril , Schlunegger Kyle , Barr John N , Carroll Miles W , Hewson Roger , Hiscox Julian A
Published: December 2014

Background

Ebolaviruses cause a severe and often fatal haemorrhagic fever in humans, with some species such as Ebola virus having case fatality rates approaching 90%. Currently, the worst Ebola virus outbreak since the disease was discovered is occurring in West Africa. Although thought to be a zoonotic infection, a concern is that with increasing numbers of humans being infected, Ebola virus variants could be selected which are better adapted for human-to-human transmission.

Results

To investigate whether genetic changes in Ebola virus become established in response to adaptation in a different host, a guinea pig model of infection was used. In this experimental system, guinea pigs were infected with Ebola virus (EBOV), which initially did not cause disease. To simulate transmission to uninfected individuals, the virus was serially passaged five times in naïve animals. As the virus was passaged, virulence increased and clinical effects were observed in the guinea pig. An RNAseq and consensus mapping approach was then used to evaluate potential nucleotide changes in the Ebola virus genome at each passage.

Conclusions

Upon passage in the guinea pig model, EBOV become more virulent, RNA editing and also coding changes in key proteins become established. The data suggest that the initial evolutionary trajectory of EBOV in a new host can lead to a gain in virulence. Given the circumstances of the sustained transmission of EBOV in the current outbreak in West Africa, increases in virulence may be associated with prolonged and uncontrolled epidemics of EBOV.
Shared signatures between rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren’s syndrome uncovered through gene expression meta-analysis
Authors: Toro-Domínguez Daniel , Carmona-Sáez Pedro , Alarcón-Riquelme Marta E
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) are inflammatory systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs) that share several clinical and pathological features. The shared biological mechanisms are not yet fully characterized. The objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis using publicly available gene expression data about the three diseases to identify shared gene expression signatures and overlapping biological processes.

Methods

Previously reported gene expression datasets were selected and downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Normalization and initial preprocessing were performed using the statistical programming language R and random effects model–based meta-analysis was carried out using INMEX software. Functional analysis of over- and underexpressed genes was done using the GeneCodis tool.

Results

The gene expression meta-analysis revealed a SAD signature composed of 371 differentially expressed genes in patients and healthy controls, 187 of which were underexpressed and 184 overexpressed. Many of these genes have previously been reported as significant biomarkers for individual diseases, but others provide new clues to the shared pathological state. Functional analysis showed that overexpressed genes were involved mainly in immune and inflammatory responses, mitotic cell cycles, cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, apoptotic processes, type I interferon–mediated signaling pathways and responses to viruses. Underexpressed genes were involved primarily in inhibition of protein synthesis.

Conclusions

We define a common gene expression signature for SLE, RA and SjS. The analysis of this signature revealed relevant biological processes that may play important roles in the shared development of these pathologies.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzimidazole-linked 1,2,3-triazole congeners as agents
Authors: Harkala Karna Ji , Eppakayala Laxminarayana , Maringanti Thirumala Chary
Published: December 2014

Background

Benzimidazoles and triazoles are useful structures for research and development of new pharmaceutical molecules and have received much attention in the last decade because of their highly potent medicinal activities.

Findings

A simple and efficient synthesis of triazole was carried out by treatment of 2-(4-azidophenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole (6) with different types of terminal alkynes in t-BuOH/H2O, sodium ascorbate, and Zn(OTf)2, screened for cytotoxicity assay and achieved good results. A series of new benzimidazole-linked 1,2,3-triazole (8a-i) congeners were synthesized through cyclization of terminal alkynes and azide. These synthesized congeners8a-iwere evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines. These benzimidazole-linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives have shown promising activity with IC50values ranging from 0.1 to 43 μM. Among them, the compounds (8a,8b,8c, and8e) showed comparable cytotoxicity with adriamycin control drug.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we have developed a simple, convenient, and an efficient convergent approach for the synthesis of benzimidazole-linked 1,2,3-triazole congeners as agents.
Standardized food challenges are subject to variability in interpretation of clinical symptoms
Authors: van Erp Francine C , Knulst André C , Meijer Yolanda , Gabriele Carmelo , van der Ent Cornelis K
Published: December 2014

Background

Food challenge tests are the gold standard in diagnosing food allergy. Guidelines provide scoring systems to classify symptoms during challenge and typically recommend that challenges are considered positive when objective symptoms occur. However, currently no standard criteria for the definition of a positive challenge outcome exists and interpretation of food challenges mainly depends on clinical judgment. This study aims to assess inter‐ and intra‐observer variability in outcomes of routinely performed peanut challenges in children.

Methods

All complete food challenge score sheets of double blind placebo controlled peanut challenges performed in 2008‐2010 in an academic hospital were included. Score sheets were reassessed independently by three clinical experts including double reassessment in a subset of score sheets. Inter‐ and intra‐observer variability was evaluated using kappa statistics.

Results

We included 191 food challenge score sheets. Inter‐observer agreement on overall challenge outcome was moderate (κ = 0.59‐0.65) and was fair (κ = 0.31‐0.46) on challenges with symptoms. Intra‐observer agreement on overall challenge outcome was good (κ = 0.63‐0.77) but was moderate (κ = 0.50‐0.60) on challenges with symptoms. Subjective symptoms (oral symptoms, abdominal complaints, food aversion) were significantly associated with disagreement between observers.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that, despite strict adherence to guidelines, there is a considerable amount of variability in reassessment of symptoms recorded on food challenges sheets between and within well trained clinicians, especially when subjective symptoms occur.
Supporting new arrival students’ engagement with picture books: analysis of teacher talk using the appraisal theory
Authors: Chu Celine PY
Published: December 2014

For a considerable number of migrant and refugee children, their first experience of reading in a second language, and for some even their first encounter with printed materials, is in a new arrivals classroom. This paper looks at teacher talk with new arrival students as they were introduced to reading practices in a classroom. I attempt to use the Appraisal theory to investigate one teacher’s talk, particularly on how she engages the students in reading and talking about children’s picture books. Data for this study were obtained from a new arrivals classroom consisting of Year 6 and 7 students. Using a functional analysis provided by the Engagement system of the Appraisal theory, this paper aims to uncover some of the ways in which the teacher makes use of the verbal and visual resources in children’s picture books to promote engagement with the texts. It is found that teacher talk plays a crucial role in supporting new arrival students’ participation in practices associated with reading and talking about picture book texts. The analysis provides insights into how a teacher supports students with varying backgrounds of literacy experiences to engage with children’s picture books.
Investigation of the influence of effect-yarn draw and effect-yarn overfeed on texturing performance: comparison between air-jet and steam-jet textured yarn
Authors: Wickramasinghe Ganemulle Lekamalage Dharmasri , Foster Peter William
Published: December 2014

The objective of this research work was to investigate the use of steam as a substitute fluid for air in spun-like textured yarn manufacturing. The new substitute product holds the potential for competitive advantage, lower manufacturing costs and streamlined manufacturing capabilities. Generally high-pressure steam is known to be cheaper to produce than compressed air. An existing air-jet texturing machine was modified to supply either air or steam to the texturing nozzle. Using an identical nozzle, both air-jet and steam-jet textured yarns were manufactured. The influence of effect-yarn parameters on the steam-jet texturing performance has been studied. Furthermore, steam-jet texturing was compared with air-jet texturing in terms of the processing parameters and the textured yarn properties. The results show that spun-like textured yarn manufactured using steam has lower loop instability, lower loop density and higher tensile properties than air at comparable fluid pressures. SEM image analysis shows that the entangled structure of the steam-jet textured yarns is comparable to the air-jet textured yarns. To verify the commercial feasibility of the new product, sewing threads were manufactured using both steam-jet and air-jet textured yarns and tested for sewability under commercial specifications. Sewability results indicated that the steam-jet textured sewing threads can withstand sewing at high-speeds like air-jet textured threads and are therefore suitable for manufacture of sewing threads. Therefore, it can be concluded that steam can be used as an alternative fluid for air in making spun-like textured yarns.