bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetics in T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Peirs Sofie , Van der Meulen Joni , Van de Walle Inge , Taghon Tom , Speleman Frank , Poppe Bruce , Van Vlierberghe Pieter
Published: December 2014

Normal T‐cell development is a strictly regulated process in which hematopoietic progenitor cells migrate from the bone marrow to the thymus and differentiate from early T‐cell progenitors toward mature and functional T cells. During this maturation process, cooperation between a variety of oncogenes and tumor suppressors can drive immature thymocytes into uncontrolled clonal expansion and cause T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL). Despite improved insights in T‐ALL disease biology and comprehensive characterization of its genetic landscape, clinical care remained largely similar over the past decades and still consists of high‐dose multi‐agent chemotherapy potentially followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Even with such aggressive treatment regimens, which are often associated with considerable side effects, clinical outcome is still extremely poor in a significant subset of T‐ALL patients as a result of therapy resistance or hematological relapses. Recent genetic studies have identified recurrent somatic alterations in genes involved in DNA methylation and post‐translational histone modifications in T‐ALL, suggesting that epigenetic homeostasis is critically required in restraining tumor development in the T‐cell lineage. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic regulators that could be implicated in T‐ALL disease biology and speculate how the epigenetic landscape of T‐ALL could trigger the development of epigenetic‐based therapies to further improve the treatment of human T‐ALL.
Splice factor mutations and alternative splicing as drivers of hematopoietic malignancy
Authors: Hahn Christopher N. , Venugopal Parvathy ,  Scott Hamish S. , Hiwase Devendra K.
Published: December 2014

Differential splicing contributes to the vast complexity of mRNA transcripts and protein isoforms that are necessary for cellular homeostasis and response to developmental cues and external signals. The hematopoietic system provides an exquisite example of this. Recently, discovery of mutations in components of the spliceosome in various hematopoietic malignancies (HMs) has led to an explosion in knowledge of the role of splicing and splice factors in HMs and other cancers. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which alternative splicing and aberrant splicing contributes to the leukemogenic process will enable more efficacious targeted approaches to tackle these often difficult to treat diseases. The clinical implications are only just starting to be realized with novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies open to exploitation for patient benefit.
Going viral: chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy for hematological malignancies
Authors: Gill Saar , June Carl H.
Published: December 2014

On July 1, 2014, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted ‘breakthrough therapy’ designation to CTL019, the anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy developed at the University of Pennsylvania. This is the first personalized cellular therapy for cancer to be so designated and occurred 25 years after the first publication describing genetic redirection of T cells to a surface antigen of choice. The peer‐reviewed literature currently contains the outcomes of more than 100 patients treated on clinical trials of anti‐CD19 redirected T cells, and preliminary results on many more patients have been presented. At last count almost 30 clinical trials targeting CD19 were actively recruiting patients in North America, Europe, and Asia. Patients with high‐risk B‐cell malignancies therefore represent the first beneficiaries of an exciting and potent new treatment modality that harnesses the power of the immune system as never before. A handful of trials are targeting non‐CD19 hematological and solid malignancies and represent the vanguard of enormous preclinical efforts to develop CAR T‐cell therapy beyond B‐cell malignancies. In this review, we explain the concept of chimeric antigen receptor gene‐modified T cells, describe the extant results in hematologic malignancies, and share our outlook on where this modality is likely to head in the near future.
Targeting protein–protein interactions in hematologic malignancies: still a challenge or a great opportunity for future therapies?
Authors: Cierpicki Tomasz , Grembecka Jolanta
Published: December 2014

Over the past several years, there has been an increasing research effort focused on inhibition of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) to develop novel therapeutic approaches for cancer, including hematologic malignancies. These efforts have led to development of small molecule inhibitors of PPIs, some of which already advanced to the stage of clinical trials while others are at different stages of preclinical optimization, emphasizing PPIs as an emerging and attractive class of drug targets. Here, we review several examples of recently developed inhibitors of PPIs highly relevant to hematologic cancers. We address the existing skepticism about feasibility of targeting PPIs and emphasize potential therapeutic benefit from blocking PPIs in hematologic malignancies. We then use these examples to discuss the approaches for successful identification of PPI inhibitors and provide analysis of the protein–protein interfaces, with the goal to address ‘druggability’ of new PPIs relevant to hematology. We discuss lessons learned to improve the success of targeting new PPIs and evaluate prospects and limits of the research in this field. We conclude that not all PPIs are equally tractable for blocking by small molecules, and detailed analysis of PPI interfaces is critical for selection of those with the highest chance of success. Together, our analysis uncovers patterns that should help to advance drug discovery in hematologic malignancies by successful targeting of new PPIs.
Where PPE went wrong: Oakeshott's liberal learning, language, and the university
Authors: Norman Jesse
Published: December 2014

Jesse Norman Applies 20th‐century philosopher Michael Oakeshott's ideas about culture, learning and experience to explore contemporary attacks on the political ranks of ‘college‐educated’ PPE‐ites.
Paradigm lost, paradigm gained?: Building a democratised political economy
Authors: Lawrence Mathew
Published: December 2014

Mathew Lawrence urges progressives to raise their ambitions above a rearguard defence of 20th century social democracy, and instead take the first steps towards a gradual and broad‐based democratisation of the UK's political economy.
Learning the lessons of the left's long run in Latin America
Authors: Muir Rick
Published: December 2014

Rick Muir considers the crucial elements of the two‐decade‐long hegemony that the political left has enjoyed in Latin America, even as economic winds have turned against it, and considers the lessons for the traditional mainstream progressive parties of European democracies.
Giant Thermal–Electrical Energy Harvesting Effect of Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.75Sn0.18Ti0.07)O3 Antiferroelectric Thick Film
Authors: Hao Xihong , Zhao Ye , An Shengli
Published: December 2014

In this letter, 2‐μm Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.75Sn0.18Ti0.07)O3 antiferroelectric thick film with tetragonal structure was prepared. The effects of operating electric field, temperature, and frequency on the thermal–electrical energy harvesting capacity of the film were studied by using the Olsen cycle. The results demonstrated that giant energy harvesting effect could be realized in the antiferroelectric thick film. The maximum harvestable energy density per cycle of the film was about 7.8 J/cm3 at 1 kHz, which was the largest reported value to date. The corresponding energy harvesting efficiency was 0.53%. Moreover, the film had a low leakage current density (about 7.3 × 10−7 and 3.9 × 10−5 A/cm2 at 25 and 200°C, respectively), which was favorable for its application in the devices of the thermal–electrical energy harvesting.
Psychological Distress and the Development of Hypertension Over 5 Years in Black South Africans
Authors: Schutte Aletta E. , Ware Lisa J. , Huisman Hugo W. , Fourie Carla M.T. , Greeff Minrie , Khumalo Tumi , Wissing Marie P.
Published: December 2014

Alarming increases in the incidence of hypertension in many low‐ and middle‐income countries are related to alcohol overuse. It is unclear whether alcohol overuse is a symptom of psychological distress. The authors assessed psychological distress in Africans and its relationship with a 5‐year change in blood pressure (BP), independent of alcohol intake. The authors followed 107 Africans with optimal BP (≤120/80 mm Hg) (aged 35–75 years) over 5 years. Alcohol intake (self‐report and serum γ‐glutamyl transferase) and nonspecific psychological distress (Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress [K6]) were assessed. The K6 predicted hypertension development (P=.019), and its individual component “nervous” increased a participant's risk two‐fold to become hypertensive (hazard ratio, 2.00 [1.23–3.26]). By entering K6 and γ‐glutamyl transferase into multivariable‐adjusted regression models for change in systolic BP, both were independently associated with change in systolic BP. Psychological distress and scoring high on being nervous predicted the development of hypertension over 5 years, independent of alcohol intake.
Association between insulin resistance and plasma amino acid profile in non‐diabetic Japanese subjects
Authors: Yamada Chizumi , Kondo Masumi , Kishimoto Noriaki , Shibata Takeo , Nagai Yoko , Imanishi Tadashi , Oroguchi Takashige , Ishii Naoaki , Nishizaki Yasuhiro
Published: December 2014

Aims/Introduction

Elevation of the branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs), valine, leucine and isoleucine; and the aromatic amino acids, tyrosine and phenylalanine, has been observed in obesity‐related insulin resistance. However, there have been few studies on Asians, who are generally less obese and less insulin‐resistant than Caucasian or African‐Americans. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and plasma amino acid concentration in non‐diabetic Japanese participants.

Materials and Methods

A total of 94 healthy men and women were enrolled, and plasma amino acid concentration was measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry after overnight fasting. The associations between HOMA‐IR and 20 amino acid concentrations, and anthropometric and clinical parameters of lifestyle‐related diseases were evaluated.

Results

The mean age and body mass index were 40.1 ± 9.6 years and 22.7 ± 3.9, respectively. Significantly positive correlations were observed between HOMA‐IR and valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and total BCAA concentration. Compared with the HOMA‐IR ≤ 1.6 group, the HOMA‐IR > 1.6 group showed significantly exacerbated anthropometric and clinical parameters, and significantly elevated levels of valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and BCAA.

Conclusions

The present study shows that the insulin resistance‐related change in amino acid profile is also observed in non‐diabetic Japanese subjects. These amino acids include BCAAs (valine, isoleucine and leucine) and aromatic amino acids (tyrosine and phenylalanine), in agreement with previous studies carried out using different ethnic groups with different degrees of obesity and insulin resistance.
Verneuil's disease, innate immunity and vitamin D: a pilot study
Authors: Guillet A. , Brocard A. , Bach Ngohou K. , Graveline N. , Leloup A.‐G. , Ali D. , Nguyen J.‐M. , Loirat M.‐J. , Chevalier C. , Khammari A. , Dreno B.
Published: December 2014

Background

Verneuil's disease is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the follicles in apocrine glands rich area of the skin (axillary, inguinal, anogenital) and is associated with a deficient skin innate immunity. It is characterized by the occurrence of nodules, abscesses, fistulas, scars. Recently, vitamin D has been shown to stimulate skin innate immunity.

Objective

The primary objective of the study was to assess whether Verneuil's disease was associated with vitamin D deficiency. The secondary objective was to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could improve inflammatory lesions.

Methods

First, 25(OH) vitamin D3 serum levels in patients with Verneuil's disease followed at Nantes University Hospital were compared to those of healthy donors from the French Blood Bank. Then, a pilot study was conducted in 14 patients supplemented with vitamin D according to their vitamin D level at baseline at months 3 and 6. The endpoints at 6 months were decreased by at least 20% in the number of nodules and in the frequency of flare‐ups.

Results

Twenty‐two patients (100%) had vitamin D deficiency (level <30 ng/mL) of whom 36% were severely deficient (level <10 ng/mL), having correlation with the disease severity (P = 0.03268) vs. 20 controls with vitamin D deficiency (91%) of whom 14% were severely deficient. In 14 patients, the supplementation significantly decreased the number of nodules at 6 months (P = 0.01133), and the endpoints were achieved in 79% of these patients. A correlation between the therapeutic success and the importance of the increase in vitamin D level after supplementation was observed (P = 0.01099).

Conclusion

Our study shows that Verneuil's disease is associated with a major vitamin D deficiency, correlated with the disease severity. It suggests that vitamin D could significantly improve the inflammatory nodules, probably by stimulating the skin innate immunity. A larger randomized study is needed to confirm these findings.
Adaptation of an outbreaking insect defoliator to chronic nutritional stress
Authors: Quezada García R. , Seehausen M. L. , Bauce É.
Published: December 2014

During insect outbreaks, the high number of individuals feeding on its host plant causes a depletion of the food source. Reduced availability and decreased quality of nutrients negatively influence life‐history traits of insects driving them to develop adaptive strategies to persist in the environment. In a laboratory experiment with three repetitions, we tested the effect of chronic nutritional stress on spruce budworm performance during three generations to determine the adaptive strategies employed by the insect to deal with a selection pressure produced by low‐quality diet. Our results show that all tested life‐history traits (mortality, developmental time, pupal mass, growth rate and female fecundity) but female fertility were negatively influenced by the low‐quality diet simulating food depletion during outbreak conditions. However, especially females in the third generation under chronic nutritional stress show an adaptive response in life‐history traits when compared to those reared only one generation on low‐quality diet. Larval developmental time significantly decreased and pupal mass, growth rate and fecundity significantly increased. The study demonstrates the capacity of spruce budworm to react to chronic nutritional stress with adaptations that may be caused by epigenetic parental effects. This information can help to understand the course of an outbreak especially at peak densities and during the collapse.
Nonray‐tracing determination of the 3D refractive index profile of polymeric fibres using single‐frame computed tomography and digital holographic interferometric technique
Authors: SOKKAR T.Z.N. , EL‐FARAHATY K.A. , RAMADAN W.A. , WAHBA H.H. , RASLAN M.I. , HAMZA A.A.
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we present a nonray‐tracing technique for evaluating the three dimensional distribution of the refractive index values inside polymeric fibres. This technique, named ‘single‐frame computed‐tomography (SFCT)’, is applied to digital holography. A comparative study between the calculated optical phase values using ordinary tomography and SFCT is carried out, and a negligible deviation is detected. The proposed technique is used to determine the three‐dimensional refractive index profile of isotactic Polypropylene fibres, IPP. The variation of the optical properties is measured before, during and after the formation of the necking phenomenon. In addition, SFCT technique is applied to the online determination of the change of the optical properties of IPP fibres. Holograms are given for illustration.
Receptor tyrosine kinase profiles and human papillomavirus status in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Cortelazzi Barbara , Verderio Paolo , Ciniselli Chiara Maura , Pizzamiglio Sara , Bossi Paolo , Gloghini Annunziata , Gualeni Ambra V. , Volpi Chiara C. , Locati Laura , Pierotti Marco A. , Licitra Lisa , Pilotti Silvana , Perrone Federica
Published: December 2014

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and HPV‐negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are two distinct entities. We defined the molecular profiles of druggable receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in both groups.

Materials and methods

E5 expression and RTK alterations were studied in 17 HPV‐positive and 59 HPV‐negative formalin‐fixed OSCCs. RTK activation was explored in further 12 frozen OSCCs.

Results

The HPV‐positive OSCCs showed E5 expression and 33.3% expressed low level of HER2. The HPV‐negative OSCCs showed HER2 expression (31.2%), increased HER2 gene copy number (46.51%, P = 0.045) and HER2 activation through HER2/EGFR heterodimerisation; HER3 (51.06%, P = 0.008) and neuregulin (65.63%; P = 0.03) expression, HER3 activation and HER3/EGFR heterodimerisation; and increased IGF‐1R copy number (40.50%, P = 0.021), high IGF‐1R cDNA values (P = 0.002), IGF‐1R activation and expression of IGF1/2 and amphiregulin. PI3KCA mutations/expression/increased gene copy number and PTEN mutations were found in both groups, whereas PTEN gene loss was only observed in the HPV‐positive cases.

Conclusion

Human papillomavirus‐positive and HPV‐negative OSCC showed different RTK profiles. In HPV‐positive cases, it would be interesting to study the expression of E5, which may modulate EGFR turnover and activate VEGF and PDGFRβ. In HPV‐negative cases, HER3 may be a promising druggable biomarker that deserves further investigation. PI3KCA and PTEN alterations encourage the promising clinical evaluation of PI3K/mTOR inhibitor activity in OSCC, particularly in HPV‐positive/PI3KCA‐mutated OSCCs because they may be driven by PI3KCA mutation alone.
An Item Response Theory Analysis of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale and Its Correspondence with the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory among a Sample of Highly Sexually Active Gay and Bisexual Men
Authors: Ventuneac Ana , Rendina H. Jonathon , Grov Christian , Mustanski Brian , Parsons Jeffrey T.
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Numerous scales and assessments are available to assess sexual compulsivity (SC).

Aim

This study sought to conduct an item response theory (IRT) analysis of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) to provide evidence about its measurement precision at the various levels of the SC construct in a sample of highly sexually active gay and bisexual men (GBM).

Methods

SCS data from a sample of 202 GBM who are highly sexually active but who vary in their experiences of SC symptoms were modeled using Samejima's polytomous graded response IRT model. To describe the performance of the SCS relative to the Hypersexual Disorder Screening Inventory (HDSI), SCS scores were compared with participants' corresponding HDSI results to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy.

Main Outcome Measures

This study examined the correspondence between the SCS and the HDSI, a diagnostic instrument for the screening of hypersexuality.

Results

IRT analyses indicated that, although two of the SCS items had low reliability, the SCS as a whole was reliable across much of the SC continuum. Scores on the SCS and the HDSI were highly correlated; however, no potential cutoffs on the SCS corresponded strongly with the polythetic scoring criteria of the HDSI.

Conclusion

Comparisons of SCS scores with HDSI results indicated that the SCS itself could not serve as a substitute for the HDSI and would incorrectly classify a substantial number of individuals' levels of hypersexuality. However, the SCS could be a useful screening tool to provide a preliminary screening of people at risk for meeting criteria on the HDSI. Combining the SCS and the HDSI may be an appropriate evaluation strategy in classifying GBM as negative on both (i.e., “non-hypersexual/non-SC”), positive on the SCS only (i.e., “at risk”), and positive on both the SCS and the HDSI (i.e., “problematic hypersexuality/SC”).
Impaired Vigilance Is Associated with Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Sleep Apnea
Authors: Popp Roland , Kleemann Yannick , Burger Maximilian , Pfeifer Michael , Arzt Michael , Budweiser Stephan
Published: December 2014

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is frequent in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and may act as a surrogate of endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, impairments of vigilance and sustained attention are also commonly associated with OSA.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between ED and sustained attention deficits.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional cohort of 401 male in-patients undergoing diagnostic polysomnography for suspected OSA and a 25-minute sustained attention test was analyzed. ED was assessed using the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) served as a measure of daytime sleepiness.

Main Outcome Measure

Severity of impaired erectile function (EF) assessed by the IIEF-15, core task parameters of the sustained attention test (i.e., CR: correct reactions; V-CR: variation of correct reactions, CE: commission errors, RT: reaction time; V-RT: variation of reaction times).

Results

Three hundred eighty-one consecutive patients presenting for in-lab polysomnography were included in the analysis. Impaired EF was diagnosed in 246 patients (65%). With increasing impairment of EF, patients scored significantly worse in all vigilance test parameters and demonstrated more severely diminished vigilance (normal EF: 11.9%, moderately impaired EF: 24.1%, and severely impaired EF: 34.9%). Multivariate regression analyses including established risk factors for ED, OSA, or sleepiness revealed a significant independent association between lower scores for EF and impairments on the following vigilance test variables: odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for V-CR: 0.52 (0.34–0.81), CE: 0.87 (0.80–0.95), and V-RT: 0.91 (0.87–0.96). The ESS was independently associated with both measures of performance instability: odds ratio for V-CR: 6.94 (2.97–16.23) and V-RT: 1.28 (1.14–1.44).

Conclusions

In OSA patients, the severity of impaired EF was associated with impaired vigilance performance, independent of other known risk factors for ED or OSA and not mediated by sleepiness. Potentially, the findings suggest a direct relationship between vascular or endothelial dysfunction and impairments in both EF and neurobehavioral cognitive function.
ROBUST PORTFOLIOS AND WEAK INCENTIVES IN LONG‐RUN INVESTMENTS
Authors: Guasoni Paolo , Muhle‐Karbe Johannes , Xing Hao
Published: December 2014

When the planning horizon is long, and the safe asset grows indefinitely, isoelastic portfolios are nearly optimal for investors who are close to isoelastic for high wealth, and not too risk averse for low wealth. We prove this result in a general arbitrage‐free, frictionless, semimartingale model. As a consequence, optimal portfolios are robust to the perturbations in preferences induced by common option compensation schemes, and such incentives are weaker when their horizon is longer. Robust option incentives are possible, but require several, arbitrarily large exercise prices, and are not always convex.
OPTIMAL INVESTMENT WITH INTERMEDIATE CONSUMPTION AND RANDOM ENDOWMENT
Authors: Mostovyi Oleksii
Published: December 2014

We consider an optimal investment problem with intermediate consumption and random endowment, in an incomplete semimartingale model of the financial market. We establish the key assertions of the utility maximization theory, assuming that both primal and dual value functions are finite in the interiors of their domains and that the random endowment at maturity can be dominated by the terminal value of a self‐financing wealth process. In order to facilitate the verification of these conditions, we present alternative, but equivalent conditions, under which the conclusions of the theory hold.
The African golden cat Caracal aurata: Africa's least‐known felid
Authors: Bahaa‐el‐din Laila , Henschel Philipp , Butynski Thomas M. , Macdonald David W. , Mills David , Slotow Rob , Hunter Luke
Published: December 2014

The African golden cat Caracal aurata is endemic to tropical Africa. It is one of the world's least‐studied felids and is considered rare in most of its geographic range. The status of the African golden cat in the wild has never been rigorously assessed, but the species is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation, and by unsustainable hunting.

We describe the African golden cat and review its taxonomy, distribution, ecology, behaviour, threats and conservation status. The information presented here is based on the literature and on new data from the first two intensive field studies on the species (underway in Gabon and Uganda).

The golden cat is phenotypically variable. Within the two main colour morphs, golden/reddish‐brown and grey, there is wide variation and intergradation. Both of these morphs occur throughout the species' range. Melanistic and chocolate‐brown morphs also occur but are uncommon.

Recent genetic analysis indicates that the golden cat is closely related to the caracal Caracal caracal, and it has, therefore, been changed from the genus Profelis to Caracal.

The golden cat is predominantly terrestrial and cathemeral. Its diet consists mainly of rodents and small ungulates.

Field studies in Gabon and Uganda have established that golden cats can be locally common. They are prone to capture by wire snares, however, and are absent in forests hunted at commercial scales.

Species‐focused camera trap surveys are effective for collecting distribution, abundance, population structure, ecological and behavioural data on golden cats.
Evidence‐based HIV pilot program for Chinese college students: Differences by gender
Authors: Tung Wei‐Chen , Serratt Teresa D. , Lu Minggen
Published: December 2014

This study explored gender differences in the effectiveness of the translated VOICES (Video Opportunities for Condom Education and Safer Sex) intervention on the condom use intention, perceived benefits and barriers to condom use, condom use self‐efficacy, and HIV/AIDS knowledge among Chinese students in a US university. We utilized a pretest/post‐test quasi‐experimental design and recruited 67 Chinese students at the local university. Participants viewed a 20‐min video with Chinese subtitles, attended one 25‐min small group discussion and condom interactive educational activity. Female participants showed significantly greater mean scores of perceived benefits and condom use self‐efficacy, in comparison with male participants. Female participants also reported significantly higher scores than male participants in five of the perceived benefits items and one self‐efficacy item. These study results provide important information for developing more differentiated intervention strategies specific to gender for HIV and STI education programs.
Patterns and causes of observed piñon pine mortality in the southwestern United States
Authors: Meddens Arjan J. H. , Hicke Jeffrey A. , Macalady Alison K. , Buotte Polly C. , Cowles Travis R. , Allen Craig D.
Published: December 2014

Recently, widespread piñon pine die‐off occurred in the southwestern United States. Here we synthesize observational studies of this event and compare findings to expected relationships with biotic and abiotic factors. Agreement exists on the occurrence of drought, presence of bark beetles and increased mortality of larger trees. However, studies disagree about the influences of stem density, elevation and other factors, perhaps related to study design, location and impact of extreme drought. Detailed information about bark beetles is seldom reported and their role is poorly understood. Our analysis reveals substantial limits to our knowledge regarding the processes that produce mortality patterns across space and time, indicating a poor ability to forecast mortality in response to expected increases in future droughts.

Contents

Summary
91

I.
Introduction
91

II.
Mortality mechanisms
92

III.
Methods
92

IV.
Results
92

V.
Discussion
94

VI.
Conclusions
96

Acknowledgements
96

References
96
Local‐scale biogeography and spatiotemporal variability in communities of mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Bahram Mohammad , Peay Kabir G. , Tedersoo Leho
Published: December 2014

Knowledge of spatiotemporal patterns in species distribution is fundamental to understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes shaping communities. The emergence of DNA‐based tools has expanded the geographic and taxonomic scope of studies examining spatial and temporal distribution of mycorrhizal fungi. However, the nature of spatiotemporal patterns documented and subsequent interpretation of ecological processes can vary significantly from study to study. In order to look for general patterns we synthesize the available data across different sampling scales and mycorrhizal types. The results of this analysis shed light on the relative importance of space, time and vertical soil structure on community variability across different mycorrhizal types. Although we found no significant trend in spatiotemporal variation among mycorrhizal types, the vertical community variation was distinctly greater than the spatial and temporal variability in mycorrhizal fungal communities. Both spatial and temporal variability of communities was greater in topsoil compared with lower horizons, suggesting that greater environmental heterogeneity drives community variation on a fine scale. This further emphasizes the importance of both niche differentiation and environmental filtering in maintaining diverse fungal communities.
Sleep‐related eating disorder and its associated conditions
Authors: Inoue Yuichi
Published: December 2014

Sleep‐related eating disorder (SRED) is a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of eating at the transition from night‐time sleep to arousal. SRED patients describe eating in an out‐of‐control manner with preference for high‐caloric foods and sometimes with inedible or toxic items. Level of consciousness during SRED episodes ranges from partial consciousness to dense unawareness typical of somnambulistic episodes. SRED is sometimes associated with psychotropic medication, in particular sedative hypnotics, and other sleep disorders, including parasomnias, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome. Night eating syndrome (NES) is another important condition in the disordered night‐time eating spectrum showing hyperphagia episodes at full arousal from nocturnal sleep without accompanying amnesia. NES could be considered an abnormality in the circadian rhythm of meal timing with a normal circadian timing of sleep onset. The two conditions often overlap and possibly share a common pathophysiology. Studies have suggested that central nervous system serotonin modulation may lead to an effective treatment of NES, while the anti‐seizure medication topiramate may be an effective SRED treatment.
UVA irradiation of the eye modulates the contact hypersensitivity of the skin and intestines by affecting mast cells in mice
Authors: Yamate Yurika , Hiramoto Keiichi , Kasahara Emiko , Sato Eisuke F
Published: December 2014

Background

Ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation before allergic sensitization induces immunosuppression, but the precise mechanism remained unclear. In this study, we examined the influence of UVA irradiation of the eye on contact hypersensitivity (CHS) and the role of mast cells in CHS.

Methods

We used two types of haptens, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC: a Th2 type hapten) and 4‐ethoxymethylene‐2‐phenyl‐2‐oxazolin‐5‐one (oxazolone: a Th1 type hapten). A 300 kJ/m2 dose of UVA irradiation was delivered to the eyes. After UVA irradiation, we sensitized abdominal shaved skin and challenged the ear epidermis and colons of these mice with each hapten.

Results

After UVA irradiation, the CHS of the skin and colon were not inhibited in the FITC‐sensitized mice. However, in the oxazolone‐sensitized mice, only the CHS of the skin was inhibited by UVA irradiation. The inflammation of the colon became more severe after UVA irradiation. In mast cell–deficient (W/Wv) mice sensitized to FITC, the CHS was weaker than that in WT mice. Moreover, the reduction of immunosuppression in ear swelling was seen for one of the two models they used.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the mast cells induced by UVA irradiation of the eye have different roles in the epidermis and colon and have different responses to different haptens.
Death of endemic Virgilia oroboides trees in South Africa caused by Diaporthe virgiliae sp. nov.
Authors: Machingambi N. M. , Dreyer L. L. , Oberlander K. C. , Roux J. , Roets F.
Published: December 2014

Numerous dead and dying individuals of the Western Cape endemic tree Virgilia oroboides (Fabaceae) were recently observed within a South African national botanical garden. Root‐rot fungi and fungi symbiotic with bark beetles (Curculionidae; Scolytinae) from diseased trees were assessed for their respective roles in V. oroboides mortality. Disease progression was also monitored over 1 year. Fungi were isolated from surface sterilized bark and root samples from diseased trees and provisionally identified using data from the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1, ITS2), including the 5·8S rRNA gene (ITS). Pathogenicity of selected fungi towards V. oroboides was tested under field conditions. The pathogenicity of various bark beetle‐associated Geosmithia (Hypocreales: Hypocreomycetidae) spp. from V. oroboides were similarly assessed. The only fungus consistently isolated from lesions on the roots and bark of declining V. oroboides, and never from healthy individuals, represented an undescribed Diaporthe (Diaporthales, Diaporthaceae) species that was characterized using molecular (using data from the ITS marker and part of the β‐tubulin gene, TUB), cultural and morphological characters. It is an aggressive pathogen of V. oroboides, newly described here as Diaporthe virgiliae sp. nov. Trees of all ages are susceptible to this pathogen with subsequent bark beetle attack of mature trees only. All Geosmithia spp. from beetles and/or infected trees were nonpathogenic towards V. oroboides. Diaporthe virgiliae caused a severe decline in the health of the monitored V. oroboides population over a period of only 1 year and should be considered as a significant threat to these trees.
We Need to Compare, but How? Measurement Equivalence in Comparative Public Administration
Authors: Jilke Sebastian , Meuleman Bart , Van de Walle Steven
Published: December 2014

In addition to public administrations and public managers, there is increasing interest in studying citizens’ interactions with and views toward government from a comparative perspective in order to put theories to the test using cross‐national surveys. However, this will only succeed if we adequately deal with the diverse ways in which respondents in different countries and regions perceive and respond to survey measures. This article examines the concept of cross‐national measurement equivalence in public administration research and explores methods for establishing equivalence. Two methodologies are examined that test and correct for measurement nonequivalence: multiple‐group confirmatory factor analysis and multilevel mixture item response theory. These techniques are used to test and establish the cross‐national measurement equivalence of two popular measurement constructs: citizen satisfaction with public services and trust in public institutions. Results show that appropriately dealing with nonequivalence accounts for different forms of biases that otherwise would be undetected. The article contributes to the methodological advancement in studying public administration beyond domestic borders.
Seeing is Believing? Evidence from Property Prices in Inundated Areas
Authors: Atreya Ajita , Ferreira Susana
Published: December 2014

We use hedonic property models to estimate the changes in implicit flood risk premium following a large flood event. Previous studies have used flood hazard maps to proxy flood risk. In addition to knowing whether a property lies in the floodplain, we use a unique data set with the flood inundation map. We find that the price discount for properties in the inundated area is substantially larger than in comparable properties in the floodplain that did not get inundated. This suggests that, in addition to capturing an information effect, the larger discount in inundated properties reflects potential uninsurable flood damages, and supports a hypothesis that homeowners respond better to what they have visualized (“seeing is believing”).
The evaluation of macroscopic and microscopic textures of sand grains using elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis: Implications for the discrimination of sedimentary environments
Authors: Suzuki Keita , Fujiwara Hajime , Ohta Tohru
Published: December 2014

A method that integrates elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis is a new development in the analysis of the shapes of sand grains. However, conventional elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis based on the variance–covariance matrix of the elliptic Fourier results can determine only the form of sand grains, and fails to quantify fine‐scale boundary smoothness of grains. In this study, sand grains from glacial, fluvial, foreshore and aeolian environments were analysed using both elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis and an extension of elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis based on the correlation matrix to extract information on grain form (macroscopic) and grain boundary smoothness (microscopic) separately. Conventional elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis based on the variance–covariance matrix produces macroscopic particle shape descriptors, such as the elongation index and bump indices. These indices indicate that sand grains exposed to subaqueous transportation (fluvial and foreshore) have forms that are more elongated than those exposed to subaerial transportation (aeolian dunes). However, elliptic Fourier and principal component analysis based on the correlation matrix is, in addition, able to extract microscopic particle features, which can be interpreted in terms of a boundary smoothness index. The boundary smoothness index indicates that the surfaces of glacial grains are the most rugged, whereas the surfaces of aeolian grains are the smoothest. On bivariate plots of the boundary smoothness and elongation indices, samples from fluvial, foreshore, aeolian and glacial environments cluster in discrete regions. In addition, the analysis reveals that glacial grains are exposed to different morphological maturation pathways than those from fluvial, foreshore and aeolian environments.
The yield of universal antibody to hepatitis B core antigen donor screening in theNetherlands, a hepatitis B virus low‐endemic country
Authors: van de Laar Thijs J. , Marijt‐van der Kreek Tanneke , Molenaar‐de Backer Marijke W. , Hogema Boris M. , Zaaijer Hans L.
Published: December 2014

Background

In theNetherlands, universal antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) donor screening was introduced inJuly 2011 to intercept potentially infectious donations slipping through hepatitisBsurface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)DNAminipool screening (HBV DNA MP6).

Study Design and Methods

The yield and donor loss were evaluated after the first 2 years of universal anti‐HBcdonor screening. A total of 382,173 donors were tested for anti‐HBcand, if positive, for antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs). Anti‐HBc–reactive donors with anti‐HBsof less than 200 IU/Lwere deferred, but repeat donors were allowed retesting after 6 months if anti‐HBswas less than 10 IU/mL. Anti‐HBcfalse positivity was estimated using the crude anti‐HBcsignal, family name–based ethnicity scoring, and donor follow‐up.

Results

Anti‐HBcscreening identified 13 confirmed or potentialHBsAg‐ andHBV DNA MP6–negative recentHBVinfections. In addition, 820 anti‐HBc–reactive donors with low anti‐HBstiters (<200 IU/mL), potentially harboring occultHBVinfection (OBI), were identified and deferred. Overall, 1583 (0.41%) donors were deferred: 1178 (0.31%) during first‐time anti‐HBcscreening, 361 (0.09%) anti‐HBcseroconverters, and 44 (0.01%) donors with waning anti‐HBstiters. Only 188 of 1583 (12%) deferred donors could be reentered upon retesting. Estimated anti‐HBcfalse positivity was 16%, but varied greatly among anti‐HBc–reactive donors with and without anti‐HBs(8% vs. 62%).

Conclusion

Anti‐HBctesting has improved the safety of theDutch blood supply but its exact yield remains difficult to determine, due to the complexity of confirming anti‐HBcreactivity andOBI. In a low‐endemic country, donor loss associated with anti‐HBcscreening is sustainable, but adds to the already considerable list of donor exclusions.
THE ABSORPTION OF INORGANIC PHOSPHATE FROM THE SMALL INTESTINE OF THE RAT
Authors: McHardy G. J. R. , Parsons D. S.
Published: December 2014

1. The net absorption of inorganic phosphate has been measured in the jejunum and ileum of male albino rats.

2. The net absorption rate of inorganic phosphate increased with decreasing hydrogen‐ion concentration. No optimum value for absorption was found in the pH range 4·4 to 7·9.

3. Increasing the concentration of phosphate in the intestinal lumen increased the net absorption rate linearly. No evidence for a rate‐limiting process was found.

4. The absorption rate of phosphate was relatively uninfluenced by the tonicity of the intestinal contents, but was greatly diminished in the presence of low concentrations of sodium.

5. The presence of 37 mM/l. glucose in the intestinal contents had no effect on the net absorption of phosphate.

6. Inorganic phosphate was absorbed more rapidly from the jejunum than from the ileum: the difference in rate may be accounted for by the difference in mucosal area between the two regions.
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE ON THE METABOLIC RESPONSE TO INJURY
Authors: Campbell Rosa M. , Cuthbertson D. P.
Published: December 2014

Male hooded rats of the Rowett Research Institute strain, maintained before and after experimental fracture of a femur at an environmental temperature of 30° C, with feed intake fixed at the pre‐injury level, generally failed to show the marked and characteristic increased urinary nitrogen excretion normally observed to follow such injury at room temperature (20°–22° C). There was also no rise in heat production following fracture at this higher temperature as measured in a gradient‐layer calorimeter, such as was previously noted to follow this form of injury at normal room temperature. The animals at the higher temperature on ad libitum feeding ate some 24 per cent less food following fracture and some 30 per cent less following incision. On ad libitum feeding the characteristic response to fracture or incision in the rat was generally much less marked, even apparently absent at 30° C and at 20° C. There was accompanying weight gain, but interpretation is complicated by a fall in intake following the injury. Whether reduction in food intake at the higher temperature is the main reason for the disappearance of the catabolic effect, or whether its removal is to reduce heat load, is not certain. Its apparent elimination at 20° C on ad libitum feeding may have the same origin. Fracture of the femur does not expose a wet surface such as is seen in burns and, in any case, even at normal room temperatures there was no increment in heat loss by evaporation following fracture to warrant an increase in heat production. It may be that a more probable explanation is that, if the increased demands for extra energy are met by increased food supply or rendered unnecessary by raising the environmental temperature, then body reserves are not called on for this purpose in order to reduce the heat load.
CHANGES IN THE BLOOD FLOW TO THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS OF SHEEP INDUCED BY FEEDING
Authors: Barnes R. J. , Comline R. S. , Dobson A.
Published: December 2014

The blood flow to the digestive organs of nine sheep was determined by the use of isotopically labelled microspheres before, during and at 2 h and 4 h after feeding. Within 3 min of the start of feeding, the blood flow to the salivary glands and to the smooth muscle of the rumen and reticulum increased three‐fold. The blood flow to the epithelium of the rumen and reticulum also increased before any appreciable effect on ruminal fermentation could have occurred. This increase in flow was greater in absolute but smaller in relative terms than that to the muscle. At 2 h after feeding blood flow to the epithelium of the rumen and reticulum was two to four times greater than before food was taken, while the flow to the smooth muscle of these organs had fallen to the level found before feeding. In the more distal parts of the gastrointestinal tract, blood flow changes in response to feeding were less pronounced and, where they occurred at all, consisted of decreases at different times. Thus blood flow to the omasum decreased during feeding but recovered thereafter, while the flows to abomasum, duodenum and ileum were not changed during feeding but were significantly lower at 2 h and 4 h later. In the rest of the small intestine and in the large intestine there were no significant changes in flow during the period of observation, nor were there any changes in the blood flow to pancreas or spleen. However, the flow to the omental and mesenteric fat declined abruptly on feeding and reached its minimal value 2 h afterwards. These results are in marked contrast to those reported in other species in that the subepithelial capillary plexus of the reticulum and rumen was the only region contributing to the increased hepatic portal blood flow after feeding.
THE EFFECTS OF MILKING THRICE INSTEAD OF TWICE DAILY ON MILK SECRETION IN THE GOAT
Authors: Henderson A. J. , Blatchford D. R. , Peaker M.
Published: December 2014

Milk yields of goats milked twice daily at 16/8 h intervals or 12/12 h intervals were equal. In goats normally milked twice daily at 16/8 h intervals, one mammary gland was milked thrice daily for one week while the other continued to be milked twice daily. This was done at 3, 7, 16, 24 and 33 weeks of lactation. Feeding level was maintained during these experiments. At every stage of lactation, thrice‐daily milking increased milk yield (by about 8%). Stage of lactation had no effect on the size of the response. Yields of each gland increased by as much in an experiment involving thrice‐daily milking both glands. Milk yield increased as soon as thrice‐daily milking was started, and decreased towards normal values as soon as twice‐daily milking was resumed. Milk composition during thrice‐daily milking was unaffected with respect to concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl‐, lactose, protein, fat and citrate. There was no change in milk yield of the gland which continued to be milked twice daily. The stimulatory effect was entirely local to the gland receiving the extra milking. Milk secretion rate during the 16 h period which included the extra milking was significantly higher during thrice‐daily than during twice‐daily milking; secretion rate during the rest of the day was unaffected. There were significant diurnal variations in secretion rate during thrice‐daily milking such that the secretion rate during the 23.00–07.00 h period was highest and the secretion rate during the 07.00–15.00 h period was the lowest. The results are discussed in relation to the control of milk secretion by systemic and local factors. The role of local intramammary factors in modulating secretion is emphasized.