bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a combination chemotherapy protocol including lomustine and doxorubicin in canine histiocytic sarcoma
Authors: Cannon C. , Borgatti A. , Henson M. , Husbands B.
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVES

To describe a chemotherapy protocol combining lomustine and doxorubicin in canine histiocytic sarcoma, including outcomes and toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of case records for dogs with histiocytic sarcoma treated with lomustine and doxorubicin (± cyclophosphamide) alternating every 2 weeks. Data collected included signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathological abnormalities, extent of disease, response, toxicity, time to tumour progression and survival time.

RESULTS

Of 17 dogs, 15 had disseminated or metastatic disease. The median number of chemotherapy cycles (one dose of each drug) received was three; most dogs discontinued therapy due to progressive disease. Dose reductions or delays occurred in 18% of cycles. The overall response rate was 58%, with a median time to tumour progression of 185 (range, 59 to 268) days for responders. The overall median survival time was 185 (18 to 402) days. No significant prognostic factors were identified.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The protocol appeared well‐tolerated, had some efficacy against canine histiocytic sarcoma in the study population and could be considered as an alternative to single‐agent protocols; prospective comparison may be warranted.
Prevalence of Baseline Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in an Australian Cohort of Men with Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , McLachlan Hamish , Millar Jeremy L.
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication following prostate cancer treatment. Post-treatment erectile function (EF) preservation is strongly dependent on the baseline EF prior to treatment.

Aim

To assess the baseline EF among patients with localized prostate cancer, and the factors associated with baseline EF.

Methods

All men with clinically localized prostate cancer had their baseline EF assessed prior to brachytherapy at our institution. Six hundred ninety-nine men who completed the International Index of Erectile Function five-item questionnaires pre-treatment between 2001 and 2013 were included in the study. Data on patient factors (medical comorbidities and smoking history) and prostate cancer clinicopathological characteristics were recorded. Ordinal logistic regressions were used to estimate the effects of each variable on the severity of ED.

Main Outcome Measures

Baseline EF among men with localized prostate cancer, and factors associated with ED.

Results

Prior to permanent seed brachytherapy, 335 (48%) patients reported no ED, 129 (17%) mild ED, 42 (6%) mild–moderate ED, 37 (5%) moderate ED, and 165 (24%) severe ED. In multivariate analyses, age, diabetes, and hypertension remained to be independently associated with ED, with diabetes most strongly associated with worse ED (odds ratio = 2.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.3–5.3).

Conclusions

ED is common among patients with localized prostate cancer prior to any curative treatment. Assessment of baseline ED is important prior to curative treatment of prostate cancer in order to offer appropriate advise on likelihood of EF preservation post-treatment and avoid patient dissatisfaction with treatment outcomes due to unrealistic expectations.
Production Characteristics of All‐male and Mixed‐sex Giant River Prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Grown in Earthen Ponds in Kentucky and Mississippi USA
Authors: Tidwell James H. , D'Abramo Louis R. , Coyle Shawn D. , Bright Leigh A. , Shultz Charlie , Kupchinsky Zachary , Schwartz Pamela , Upstrom Craig
Published: April 2015

Production and population characteristics of monosex male (all‐male) giant river prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, were compared with a normal (mixed‐sex) population in separate studies in Mississippi and Kentucky (USA) under low and high density stocking conditions, respectively. In Study 1 (Mississippi), juvenile prawns were stocked into eight 0.05–0.06 ha ponds at 24,700/ha. The mean stocking weight of all‐male was 0.34 g and mixed‐sex was 0.39 g. Prawns were fed 23% crude protein “range cubes” and harvested after 120 d for the all‐male prawns and 112 d for mixed‐sex prawns. In Study 2 (Kentucky), juvenile prawns from each group were stocked into six 0.04 ha ponds at 60,000 juveniles per hectare. The mean stocking weight for all‐male was 0.38 g and for mixed‐sex juveniles was 0.34 g. Prawns were fed a commercial sinking pellet (33% protein) once daily at a standardized rate and harvested after 105 d. In both locations survival of mixed‐sex prawns and all‐male prawns was not significantly different and the final average weight of all‐male prawns was significantly greater than the average weight of mixed‐sex prawns. For the study in Kentucky, total production was not significantly different between treatments, whereas in Mississippi total production in the all‐male ponds was significantly higher than in the mixed‐sex ponds. For both studies, the production size index of all‐male prawns was significantly greater than that of mixed‐sex prawns. In terms of population structure, in all‐male ponds there was a significant increase in orange claw (OC) males compared with the mixed‐sex ponds both as a percent of sex and a percent of total population. The increase in OC numbers in all‐male populations may be due to a lack of females to stimulate the transition of males to the final, sexually mature, blue claw stage. As target weights increase from 20, 30, and 40 g, the all‐male populations were increasingly superior in terms of production (kg/ha) of those target sizes. The economic benefit of all‐male over mixed‐sex populations will be principally based on an examination of tradeoffs that primarily consider the cost difference of juveniles relative to the price differences for different final harvest weights.
Effect of different enrichment products rich in docosahexaenoic acid on growth and survival of meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)
Authors: Vallés Roser , Estévez Alicia
Published: April 2015

Live prey used in aquaculture to feed marine larval fish – rotifer and Artemia nauplii – lack the necessary levels of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) which are considered essential for the development of fish larvae. Due to the high voracity, visual feeding in conditions of relatively high luminosity, and cannibalism observed in meagre larvae, a study of its nutritional requirements is needed. In this study, the effect of different enrichment products with different docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations used to enrich rotifers and Artemia metanauplii have been tested on growth, survival, and lipid composition of the larvae of meagre. The larvae fed live prey enriched with Algamac 3050 (AG) showed a significantly higher growth than the rest of the groups at the end of the larval rearing, while the larvae fed preys enriched with Multigain (MG) had a higher survival rate. DHA levels in larvae fed prey enriched with MG were significantly higher than in those fed AG‐enriched prey. High levels of DHA in Artemia metanauplii must be used to achieve optimal growth and survival of meagre larvae.
Characterization of the 26S Proteasome S7 Subunit Gene and Its Expression during Regeneration in Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Qin Yanjie , Zhao Xiangji , Li Xia , Wang Yanfeng , Liu Yang
Published: April 2015

The 26S proteasome, which includes 20S core and 19S regulatory particles, plays an important role in removing harmful and/or unnecessary proteins. In this study, we cloned a 2443‐bp full‐length cDNA sequence of the S7 subunit of 19S from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, including a 70‐bp 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) and 1070‐bp 3′‐UTR coding for a theoretical 435 amino acid protein. Sequence analysis showed that S7 belongs to the ATPases associated with a wide variety of cellular activities (AAA+) superfamily. S7 was widely expressed in different tissues as determined by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and its expression was gradually upregulated in the regenerating body wall. Combined with histological observations, our results suggest that the S7 subunit or the 26S proteasome assembled based on S7 may be associated with the regulation of cell migration and cell cycle during body wall regeneration in A. japonicus.
Effect of Bacteriophages on Vibrio alginolyticus Infection in the Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)
Authors: Zhang Jiancheng , Cao Zhenhui , Li Zhen , Wang Lili , Li Huaqiang , Wu Feifei , Jin Liji , Li Xiaoyu , Li Shuying , Xu Yongping
Published: April 2015

Vibrio alginolyticus is an important pathogen that causes a variety of diseases in marine animals including the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Herein, we describe a two‐phage mixture which may have potential for use as an antibacterial agent to prevent V. alginolyticus infection in the sea cucumber. A Z1210 bacterial isolate was cultured from diseased sea cucumber suffering from skin ulcerations and viscera ejection. The isolate was identified as V. alginolyticus by morphology and sequence similarity analysis. Subsequently, two bacteriophages infecting isolate Z1210 were isolated from the drainpipe of an aquatic market. Morphologically, these two phages were classified as members of Podoviridae (PVA1) and Myoviridae (PVA2) and each phage showed high virulence in an in vitro experiment. Additionally, an experiment conducted in a marine environment showed that a mixture of the two phages increased the survival of sea cucumbers (10 ± 2 g) to 73, 50, and 47% when it was used with a multiplicity of infection of 10, 1, or 0.1, respectively. This result differed markedly from the control without phage (3% survival) while there was no significant difference between the 80 and 47% survival observed for two antibiotic treatments (5 mg/L doxycycline and 10 mg/L kanamycin, respectively).
Dietary Soy Peptide Enhances Thermotolerance and Survival of Juvenile Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Ragaza Janice A. , Mamauag Roger E. P. , Yokoyama Saichiro , Ishikawa Manabu , Koshio Shunsuke
Published: April 2015

Soy peptide (SP), a soy protein enzymatic hydrolysate, contains bioactive substances that could be utilized as an immune‐stimulating feed ingredient. The experiment evaluated the efficacy of dietary SP on promoting growth, and enhancing tolerance and survival to heat stress in juvenile Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Four diets were incorporated with different levels of SP (0, 2, 5, and 10%) and a 6‐wk feeding trial ensued. Following the feeding trial, the experimental groups were subjected to heat stress to measure survival rate and heat shock protein 70s (HSP70s) in gill, liver, and skin. Fish fed diets with SP inclusion showed considerable decrease in percent weight gain. Significantly higher lethal time values to 50% mortality (LT50) value were recorded for fish fed 10% SP. Moreover, LT50 values of fish fed 2 and 5% SP were significantly higher compared with fish fed control diet. HSP70s produced in all the tissues were significantly highest in fish fed 10% SP. HSP70s values were significantly higher in fish fed 2 and 5% SP compared with fish fed control diet. A significant reduction in HSP70s among all groups during recovery period was also observed. These results suggest that SP can be used to enhance the immune response and survival of P. olivaceus under heat stress.
Energy allocation to growth and reproduction in a viviparous lizard endemic to the highlands of the Andes, Argentina
Authors: Boretto J. M. , Cabezas‐Cartes F. , Ibargüengoytía N. R.
Published: April 2015

Individuals devote energy intake to growth, maintenance and reproduction, so knowing the way in which they allocate this energy between competing demands is essential to understand their relationship with the environment. Phymaturus lizards, viviparous and mostly herbivorous, inhabit cold environments of the Andes highlands of Argentina and Chile and the volcanic plateaus of Patagonia, Argentina. Herein, we discussed the interplay between reproductive effort and growth in Phymaturus punae, a lizard with a biannual female reproductive cycle and the lowest annual reproductive output of the genus. Using skeletochronology, we estimated that juveniles reach up to 7–8 years and that adults have 8–18 years in females and 9–20 years in males. Juveniles grow faster than adults and adult females have higher specific growth rates than adult males. The adult life span was 10 years for females and 11 for males and the relative reproductive time was 1.25 for females and 1.22 for males. Net reproductive rate resulted in 7.5 offspring throughout the females' reproductive life. During adulthood a negative correlation between the ring width and age was found in males, while in females the ring width showed a pattern related with the yearly reproductive state. Females tend to have wider rings when pregnant and narrower rings when vitellogenic. The intersexual differential investment in growth is congruent with different requirements for reproduction between genders, whereas the tendency of females to grow less during vitellogenesis than during pregnancy, suggests differences in the metabolic costs of these reproductive processes. Even when P. punae exhibits high life span, females have a relative low lifetime reproductive effort and net reproductive rate. However, this still represents a high reproductive investment for this species, considering the harsh conditions of the environments where it lives, the viviparous reproductive mode and their herbivorous diet.
Phosphorylation of the cell division protein GpsB regulates PrkC kinase activity through a negative feedback loop in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Pompeo Frédérique , Foulquier Elodie , Serrano Bastien , Grangeasse Christophe , Galinier Anne
Published: April 2015

Although many membrane Ser/Thr‐kinases with PASTA motifs have been shown to control bacterial cell division and morphogenesis, inactivation of the Ser/Thr‐kinase PrkC does not impact Bacillus subtilis cell division. In this study, we show that PrkC localizes at the division septum. In addition, three proteins involved in cell division/elongation, GpsB, DivIVA and EzrA are required for stimulating PrkC activity in vivo. We show that GpsB interacts with the catalytic subunit of PrkC that, in turn, phosphorylates GpsB. These observations are not made with DivIVA and EzrA. Consistent with the phosphorylated residue previously detected for GpsB in a high‐throughput phosphoproteomic analysis of B. subtilis, we show that threonine 75 is the single PrkC‐mediated phosphorylation site in GpsB. Importantly, the substitution of this threonine by a phospho‐mimetic residue induces a loss of PrkC kinase activity in vivo and a reduced growth under high salt conditions as observed for gpsB and prkC null mutants. Conversely, substitution of threonine 75 by a phospho‐ablative residue does not induce such growth and PrkC kinase activity defects. Altogether, these data show that proteins of the divisome control PrkC activity and thereby phosphorylation of PrkC substrates through a negative feedback loop in B. subtilis.
Deletion analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae late competence genes distinguishes virulence determinants that are dependent or independent of competence induction
Authors: Zhu Luchang , Lin Jingjun , Kuang Zhizhou , Vidal Jorge E. , Lau Gee W.
Published: April 2015

The competence regulon of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is crucial for genetic transformation. During competence development, the alternative sigma factor ComX is activated, which in turn, initiates transcription of 80 ‘late’ competence genes. Interestingly, only 16 late genes are essential for genetic transformation. We hypothesized that these late genes that are dispensable for competence are beneficial to pneumococcal fitness during infection. These late genes were systematically deleted, and the resulting mutants were examined for their fitness during mouse models of bacteremia and acute pneumonia. Among these, 14 late genes were important for fitness in mice. Significantly, deletion of some late genes attenuated pneumococcal fitness to the same level in both wild‐type and ComX‐null genetic backgrounds, suggesting that the constitutive baseline expression of these genes was important for bacterial fitness. In contrast, some mutants were attenuated only in the wild‐type genetic background but not in the ComX‐null background, suggesting that specific expression of these genes during competence state contributed to pneumococcal fitness. Increased virulence during competence state was partially caused by the induction of allolytic enzymes that enhanced pneumolysin release. These results distinguish the role of basal expression versus competence induction in virulence functions encoded by ComX‐regulated late competence genes.
Quantitative assessment of species identification in aerial transect surveys for ice‐associated seals
Authors: McClintock Brett T. , Moreland Erin E. , London Joshua M. , Dahle Shawn P. , Brady Gavin M. , Richmond Erin L. , Yano Kymberly M. , Boveng Peter L.
Published: April 2015

Technological advances have facilitated collection of vast quantities of photographic data from aerial surveys of marine mammals. However, when it is difficult to distinguish species from a distance, reliable identification from aerial images can often be challenging. This is the case for ice‐associated seals, species for which global climate change has motivated intensive monitoring efforts in recent years. We assess species and age class identification from aerial images of four ice seal species (bearded seals, Erignathus barbatus; ribbon seals, Histriophoca fasciata; ringed seals, Pusa hispida; spotted seals, Phoca largha) in the Bering Sea. We also investigate the specific phenomenological and behavioral traits commonly associated with species identification and observer confidence. We generally found species and age class misidentification occurred at relatively low levels, but only 83% of spotted seals tended to be correctly identified (with 11% mistaken as ribbon seals). We also found certain traits were strong predictors for observed species, age class, or observer confidence. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that species misidentification is pervasive in passive sampling of animal populations. Even low levels of misidentification have been demonstrated to induce substantial biases in estimators of species distribution and abundance, and it is important that statistical models account for such errors.
Behavior of Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) in relation to temporal variation in predation risk by white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) around a seal rookery in False Bay, South Africa
Authors: De Vos Alta , Justin O'Riain M. , Meyer Michael A. , Kotze P. Gideon H. , Kock Alison A.
Published: April 2015

The marked differences in predation risk posed by white sharks (Carcarodon carcarias) at island rookeries of Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) offer a quasi‐experimental design within a natural system for exploring how prey adjust their behavior in response to temporal variation in predation risk. Here we compare movement of juvenile and adult Cape fur seals at a high risk (Seal Island) and low risk (Egg Island) rookery. We further compare juveniles and adults at Seal Island in low and high risk seasons and at low and high risk times of day within those seasons. Adult fur seals at Seal Island avoided traversing the zone of high white shark predation risk during the high risk period (0700–0959) in the season of high risk (winter), but not during the low risk season (summer). By contrast, adult fur seals at Egg Island showed no temporal discretion in either season. Unlike juvenile fur seals at Egg Island, juveniles at Seal Island adjusted their temporal movement patterns to more closely mimic adult seal movement patterns. This suggests that exposure to predators is the primary driver of temporal adjustments to movement by prey species commuting from a central place.
Sex differences in residency patterns of Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the Azores: Causes and management implications
Authors: Hartman Karin Louise , Fernandez Marc , Wittich Anja , Azevedo José Manuel N.
Published: April 2015

Knowledge of the residency patterns of marine mammals is an important element for management and conservation strategies. Here we investigate a population of Grampus griseus off Pico Island, Azores. Our data set covers the period 2004–2007, based on at‐sea observations of 1,250 individually identified animals, 303 of known or assumed sex. Using photo identification and GPS locations we calculated mean monthly sighting rates and lagged identification rates to analyze temporal patterns, and estimated kernel density to study the home range. Our results show site fidelity and relatively restricted home ranges, which corroborate the existence of a resident population on the study site. We further document sex differences, including a higher number of males present in the area at any given time but females staying for longer consecutive periods, and male home ranges with significantly less overlap than those of females. These observations are consistent with a mating system based on multimale pods defending areas where females periodically return. We hypothesize that squid distribution is a major factor in structuring these patterns. These findings reinforce the need for a precautionary management approach that would include limiting pressure from commercial activities.
Phylogenetic identification and population differentiation of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) in Melanesia, as revealed by mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Oremus Marc , Garrigue Claire , Tezanos‐Pinto Gabriela , Scott Baker C.
Published: April 2015

The taxonomic status of many dolphin populations remains uncertain in poorly studied regions of the world's ocean. Here we attempt to clarify the phylogenetic identity of two distinct forms of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) described in the Melanesian region of the Pacific Ocean. Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences from samples collected in New Caledonia (n = 88) and the Solomon Islands (n = 19) were compared to previously published sequences of Tursiops spp., representing four phylogenetic units currently recognized within the genus. Phylogenetic reconstructions confirm that the smaller coastal form in Melanesia belongs to the same phylogenetic unit as T. aduncus populations in the Pacific, but differs from T. aduncus in Africa, and that the larger more oceanic form belongs to the species T. truncatus. Analyses of population diversity reveal high levels of regional population structuring among the two forms, with contrasting levels of diversity. From a conservation perspective, genetic isolation of T. aduncus in the Solomon Islands raises further concern about recent impacts of the commercial, live‐capture export industry. Furthermore, the low level of mtDNA diversity in T. aduncus of New Caledonia suggests a recent population bottleneck or founder effect and isolation. This raises concerns for the conservation status of these local populations.
Age estimation of belugas, Delphinapterus leucas, using fatty acid composition: A promising method
Authors: Marcoux Marianne , Lesage Véronique , Thiemann Gregory W. , Iverson Sara J. , Ferguson Steven H.
Published: April 2015

Data about age‐specific survival and mortality rate, as well as life history parameters are essential for studying population demography. However, noninvasive methods for ageing free‐ranging marine mammals are generally lacking. Recently, a few studies have highlighted the potential of using fatty acid (FA) composition in blubber biopsy samples to estimate age in some cetaceans. Here, we explore the opportunity of using this technique to estimate the age of free‐ranging belugas from three different populations. Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) were sampled postmortem for blubber FA analysis and aged by counting the number of growth layer groups in teeth dentine. We found significant positive and negative relationships between some FAs and age. These relationships were stronger with outer blubber layer samples, the layer most accessible via biopsy, than with inner or middle layer samples, a pattern that is consistent with observed turnover rates and biological function across the blubber depth. The FA 12:0, 14:1n‐7, and 14:1n‐9 were promising correlates of age in belugas, allowing estimation of age with a precision of ±7–10 yr. Further work is required to determine the mechanisms underlying changes in FA composition with age and whether these mechanisms are stable through time and across populations.
Age‐specific vibrissae growth rates: A tool for determining the timing of ecologically important events in Steller sea lions
Authors: Rea Lorrie D. , Christ Aaron M. , Hayden Alison B. , Stegall Vicki K. , Farley Sean D. , Stricker Craig A. , Mellish Jo‐Ann E. , Maniscalco John M. , Waite Jason N. , Burkanov Vladimir N. , Pitcher Kenneth W.
Published: April 2015

Steller sea lions (SSL; Eumetopias jubatus) grow their vibrissae continually, providing a multiyear record suitable for ecological and physiological studies based on stable isotopes. An accurate age‐specific vibrissae growth rate is essential for registering a chronology along the length of the record, and for interpreting the timing of ecologically important events. We utilized four methods to estimate the growth rate of vibrissae in fetal, rookery pup, young‐of‐the‐year (YOY), yearling, subadult, and adult SSL. The majority of vibrissae were collected from SSL live‐captured in Alaska and Russia between 2000 and 2013 (n = 1,115), however, vibrissae were also collected from six adult SSL found dead on haul‐outs and rookeries during field excursions to increase the sample size of this underrepresented age group. Growth rates of vibrissae were generally slower in adult (0.44 ± 0.15 cm/mo) and subadult (0.61 ± 0.10 cm/mo) SSL than in YOY (0.87 ± 0.28 cm/mo) and fetal (0.73 ± 0.05 cm/mo) animals, but there was high individual variability in these growth rates within each age group. Some variability in vibrissae growth rates was attributed to the somatic growth rate of YOY sea lions between capture events (P = 0.014, r2 = 0.206, n = 29).
Transcriptional and morphological changes in the transition from mycetophagous to phytophagous phase in the plant‐parasitic nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Tsai Isheng J. , Tanaka Ryusei , Kanzaki Natsumi , Akiba Mitsuteru , Yokoi Toshiro , Espada Margarida , Jones John T. , Kikuchi Taisei
Published: April 2015

Drastic physiological and morphological changes in parasites are crucial for the establishment of a successful infection. The nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the pathogenic agent of pine wilt disease, and little is known about the physiology and morphology in this nematode at the initial stage of infection. In this study, we devised an infection system using pine stem cuttings that allowed us to observe transcriptional and morphological changes in the host‐infecting phytophagous phase. We found that 60 genes enriched in xenobiotic detoxification were up‐regulated in two independent post‐inoculation events, whereas down‐regulation was observed in multiple members of collagen gene families. After 48 h of inoculation, the tails in some of the adult females exposed to the host changed in morphology. These results suggest that B. xylophilus may change its physiology and morphology to protect itself and to adapt to the host pine wood environment.
Struggling in the Street and at the Table
Authors: Roy Beth , Burdick John
Published: April 2015

Two scholar practitioners of conflict intervention and social movements present case histories of mediated conflicts involving complex choreographies of contention and negotiation. Both processes, while differently structured and facilitated, have led to improvements in the dynamics of identity‐based conflicts in urban communities. The authors raise theoretical questions and propose improvements to practice.
Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status in obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Fekete K. , Györei E. , Lohner S. , Verduci E. , Agostoni C. , Decsi T.
Published: April 2015

Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) status has recently been related to the pathogenesis of obesity. Our aims were to systematically review observational studies investigating LCPUFA status from different blood compartments in overweight or obese subjects and to assess the relationship between LCPUFA profile and obesity. The Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to January 2014. The meta‐analysis showed significant differences in the LCPUFA composition of total plasma lipids, plasma phospholipids and plasma cholesteryl esters between overweight or obese subjects and controls. Dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acid (DGLA) values were significantly higher in overweight or obese subjects compared with controls in all the investigated biomarkers. In addition, the DGLA/linoleic acid ratio (surrogate parameter for Δ6 desaturase activity) in plasma phospholipids was significantly elevated (mean difference [MD]: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02, 0.08; n = 280), while the arachidonic acid/DGLA ratio (surrogate parameter for Δ5 desaturase activity) was significantly decreased (MD: −0.55; 95% CI: −0.71, −0.39; n = 347) in overweight or obese subjects compared with controls. The results of the present meta‐analysis confirm that LCPUFA profile is altered in obesity and suggest that the differences observed in desaturase activities may be responsible for the disturbed LCPUFA metabolism in obesity.
Counting the Children: The Role of Children in the Production of Finger Flutings in Four Upper Palaeolithic Caves
Authors: Van Gelder Leslie
Published: April 2015

Children and young adults are believed to have represented up to 40 per cent of Upper Palaeolithic populations, yet little is known of their engagement in deep caves besides evidence of their hand and footprints. In this study we examine finger flutings, lines drawn with fingers in soft surfaces, in 12 Franco‐Cantabrian Upper Palaeolithic caves to look for forensic evidence of unique individuals. We find evidence of children as finger fluters in four caves (El Castillo, Las Chimeneas, Rouffignac and Gargas). We discuss the types, locations and frequency of their flutings, as well as the relationship between their flutings and those made by non‐children in the same caves and chambers. The small number of participants calls into question past theories of children's engagement in ritual and initiation in these particular caves.
The Radiocarbon Chronology of Southern Spain's Late Prehistory (5600–1000 cal BC): A Comparative Review
Authors: Balsera Verónica , Bernabeu Aubán Joan , Costa‐Caramé Manuel , Díaz‐del‐Río Pedro , García Sanjuán Leonardo , Pardo Salvador
Published: April 2015

This paper is the first updated review of the scope, depth and problems related to the current radiocarbon chronology of the late prehistory of southern Iberia. The aim is twofold. First, it critically analyses the quantity and quality of radiocarbon dates used to interpret the diverse trajectories of western Mediterranean societies throughout more than four millennia. Secondly, it reviews a set of three different and prominent archaeological phenomena from an inter‐regional comparative perspective: primary and secondary burial practices, domestic stone architecture and ditched enclosures. Our long‐term, geographically wide‐ranging approach locates similarities while highlighting the effects of local and historical conditions in certain divergent circumstances.
Balancing the Trade: Roman Cargo Shipments toIndia
Authors: Cobb Matthew Adam
Published: April 2015

There has been a continuing debate about the extent to which theRomanEmpire suffered an economic imbalance in its trade with India (and more broadly theEast), that is to say whether in volume or value theRomanEmpire imported more than it exported. This imbalance is often thought to be manifested in the export ofRoman gold and silver toIndia and the connected notion that other goods from theRomanEmpire were seen as merely items of ballast. It is the intention of this article to place this debate in a practical context by demonstrating not only the physical need for mixed cargoes on ships sailing toIndia, but also the negligible amount of space taken up by the gold and silver. It is argued that in terms of volume (if not value) goods in kind were far more significant.
Healing indicators after pterygium excision by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Pujol Pere , Julio Gemma , Barbany Miriam , Asaad Mouafk
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To establish the sequence of tomographic changes in the tissue recovery process after pterygium excision and to propose healing indicators.

Methods

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were taken at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after lesion excision in 73 eyes of 73 patients (33 male, 40 female; mean age 50, S.D. 5.0, range 40–70 years) with primary nasal pterygium. Biomicroscopy was performed at each visit and at 12 months, to diagnose clinical healing or lesion recurrence. The presence of well demarcated corneal epithelium, conjunctival epithelium, limbal demarcation area, and graft thickening were analysed. Comparisons between tomographic data of both clinical situations were made at each time point using contingency tables.

Results

Eleven eyes displayed lesion recurrence (R group) and 62 eyes showed no recurrence (NR group). Normal anatomical structures, corneal and conjunctival epithelium and limbal demarcation area, were identified by OCT images in a higher percentage of NR cases over time, compared to the R group where most of the cases presented without these markers of tissue recovery. In contrast, the variable graft thickening, which analysed a pathological event, revealed similar results in both groups (p > 0.05; Fisher's exact statistic), with a clear decrease of cases which showed graft thickening over time. Differences between groups started at 1 month, when no eye had yet presented clinical recurrence, with greater identification of corneal epithelium in the NR group (p = 0.04; Fisher's exact statistic). At 3 months, corneal and conjunctival epithelium identification tended to be more frequent in the NR than in the R group (in both cases, p = 0.0001; Fisher's exact statistic). Finally, at 6 months these different patterns consolidated, with a significantly higher number of limbal demarcation areas being identified in the NR group (p = 0.001; Fisher's exact statistic). In fact, this landmark of a normally structured limbus was never found in the R group.

Conclusions

The sequence of tissue restoration, according to OCT images, seems to start in the cornea and end in the limbal area, similar to the process of pterygium injury in reverse. Although the visualisation of corneal epithelium could be an early indicator of successful surgery, identification of the limbal demarcation area, as a normal limbal pattern in OCT images, seems to be a better positive predictive value in diagnosing healing.
Do cladistic and morphometric data capture common patterns of morphological disparity?
Authors: Hetherington Alexander J. , Sherratt Emma , Ruta Marcello , Wilkinson Mark , Deline Bradley , Donoghue Philip C. J.
Published: April 2015

The distinctly non‐random diversity of organismal form manifests itself in discrete clusters of taxa that share a common body plan. As a result, analyses of disparity require a scalable comparative framework. The difficulties of applying geometric morphometrics to disparity analyses of groups with vastly divergent body plans are overcome partly by the use of cladistic characters. Character‐based disparity analyses have become increasingly popular, but it is not clear how they are affected by character coding strategies or revisions of primary homology statements. Indeed, whether cladistic and morphometric data capture similar patterns of morphological variation remains a moot point. To address this issue, we employ both cladistic and geometric morphometric data in an exploratory study of disparity focussing on caecilian amphibians. Our results show no impact on relative intertaxon distances when different coding strategies for cladistic characters were used or when revised concepts of homology were considered. In all instances, we found no statistically significant difference between pairwise Euclidean and Procrustes distances, although the strength of the correlation among distance matrices varied. This suggests that cladistic and geometric morphometric data appear to summarize morphological variation in comparable ways. Our results support the use of cladistic data for characterizing organismal disparity.
Quality of handover in a pediatric postanesthesia care unit
Authors: Piekarski Florian , Kaufmann Jost , Laschat Michael , Böhmer Andreas , Engelhardt Thomas , Wappler Frank
Published: April 2015

Background

The quality of anesthetic handovers to postanesthesia care units (PACU) is known to be poor in adults, and only very limited reports are available regarding the quality of handovers in pediatric anesthesia. In particular, it is not known which and in what quality information is communicated. This current study investigated, therefore, the presence of any handover component as well as its consistency in a pediatric postanesthesia care unit.

Methods

This prospective observational study evaluated postoperative anesthetic handovers to a pediatric PACU using a detailed checklist, comprising 55 possible items. The main outcome measure was the proportion of information verbally transmitted in relation to the written documentation within the anesthesia record.

Results

Four hundred and forty‐three handovers were observed with two handovers excluded due to missing data. Type of surgery (93% [95% CI 91–95]) and any intra‐operative regional anesthesia (89% [95% CI 85–94]) were most frequently communicated. Items such as ASA‐PS (3% [95% CI 2–5]) and fluid management (4% of cases [95% CI 2–6]) were rarely handed over. Eleven of the 55 items contained within the checklist were communicated in more than 70% of patients.

Conclusions

The observed handovers to PACU staff were incomplete and missing important information. However, omission of essential information potentially compromises patient safety. A standardized universal mandatory handover protocol following pediatric anesthesia is required.
Small RNA deep sequencing reveals the important role of microRNAs in the halophyte Halostachys caspica
Authors: Yang Ruirui , Zeng Youling , Yi Xiaoya , Zhao Lijuan , Zhang Yufang
Published: April 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), an extensive class of small regulatory RNAs, play versatile roles in plant growth and development as well as stress responses. However, the regulatory mechanism is unclear on miRNA‐mediated response to abiotic stress in plants. Halostachys caspica is a halophytic plant species and a great model for investigating plant response to salinity stress. However, no research has been performed on miRNAs in H. caspica. In this study, we employed deep sequencing to identify both conserved and novel miRNAs from salinity‐exposed H. caspica and its untreated control. Among the 13–19 million sequences generated from both treatments, a total of 170 conserved miRNAs, belonging to 151 miRNA families, were identified; among these miRNAs, 31 were significantly up‐regulated and 48 were significantly down‐regulated by salinity stress. We also identified 102 novel miRNAs from H. caspica; among them, 12 miRNAs were significantly up‐regulated and 13 were significantly down‐regulated by salinity. qRT‐PCR expression analysis validated the deep sequencing results and also demonstrated that miRNAs and their targeted genes were responsive to high salt stress and existed a negative expression correlation between miRNAs and their targets. miRNA‐target prediction, GO and KEGG analysis showed that miRNAs were involved in salt stress‐related biological pathway, including calcium signalling pathway, MAPK signalling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction and flavonoid biosynthesis, etc. This suggests that miRNAs play an important role in plant salt stress tolerance in H. caspica. This result could be used to improve salt tolerance in crops and woods.
Lack of significant improvements in long‐term allograft survival in pediatric solid organ transplantation: A US national registry analysis
Authors: Dharnidharka Vikas R. , Lamb Kenneth E. , Zheng Jie , Schechtman Kenneth B. , Meier‐Kriesche Herwig‐Ulf
Published: April 2015

Improvements across many facets of transplantation have led to better 1‐yr outcomes of transplanted organs. In this study, we assessed whether longer‐term attrition rates improved in pediatric kidney (KI), liver (LI), heart (HR) and lung (LU) transplant (TX) survival. We analyzed data between 1989 and 2008 from 5747 KI, 7348 LI, 5103 HR, and 715 LU TXs (under 18 yr of age at transplant, first solitary transplant only), from the National Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database in the USA. Kaplan–Meier (K‐M) or ordinary least square (OLS) estimates were used to calculate median and projected survival half‐lives. Attrition rates, defined as percent failing within a given time period, were stratified by year of TX. Median half‐lives from 1989 TX year to 2005 TX year have shown a major improvement only in LI TX, remaining unchanged in HR and KI TX, or remaining very low in LU TX. All four organ TX types have shown a dramatic drop in first‐year attrition rates from 1989 to 2008. However, longer‐term attrition rates (1–3, 3–5, 5–10 yr) have remained largely unchanged for all four organ TX types. Further progress in long‐term survival will need targeting end‐points beyond first‐year rejection and survival rates.
Understanding Health Needs and Perspectives of Middle‐Aged and Older Women Experiencing Homelessness
Authors: Salem Benissa E. , Ma‐Pham Jennifer
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Middle‐aged and older homeless women have unique health and social service delivery needs; yet, limited research has been conducted in this area. The purpose of this study was to assess perspectives among prefrail and frail, middle‐aged and older homeless women.

Design and Sample

Focus group methodology was conducted to assess perspectives among these homeless women (N=20) aged 43 to 62.

Measures

Sociodemographic and frailty characteristics were assessed by structured instruments, along with mobility, assistive device use and falls.

Results

The average age was 53.4; the majority of the sample was African‐American (70%). In total, 60% reported living in a shelter for the last 30 days, while 20% were unsheltered. The majority of the sample reported walking independently (80%) and not using an assistive device (65%). Over one third (35%) fell in the last 30 days and 70% fell in the last year. Content analysis revealed several themes that included (1) health care needs and challenges experienced; (2) perspectives on sexual decision making; (3) employment difficulties; (4) existing support systems; and (5) development of future program planning.

Conclusions

Future research development and implications are discussed.
National Images as Integrated Schemas: Subliminal Primes of Image Attributes Shape Foreign Policy Preferences
Authors: Castano Emanuele , Bonacossa Alain , Gries Peter
Published: April 2015

International Image Theory (IIT) suggests that individuals maintain holistic images of other countries that are akin to schemas, or stereotypes, and that these national images shape both attitudes and foreign policy preferences. Previous research has manipulated national images via explicit descriptions of fictitious countries and found initial evidence for such effects. Here we extend this research and investigate whether (1) priming subliminal associations of a real country with image‐specific adjectives leads individuals to endorse such an image for that country, and whether (2) the endorsement of national images mediates observed effects on foreign policy preferences. We first demonstrate that the perception of a nation's power can be experimentally manipulated via associative implicit priming (pilot study). In Experiment 1, we then found that participants who were subliminally primed with adjectives pertinent to the ally, enemy, or dependent image of a country evaluated the country on the National Image scale (Alexander, Brewer, & Hermann, 1999) in a manner consistent with the prime. Experiment 2 further showed that induced national images mediate priming effects on foreign policy preferences.
Maternal Obesity, Caesarean Delivery and Caesarean Delivery on Maternal Request: a Cohort Analysis from China
Authors: Zhou Yubo , Blustein Jan , Li Hongtian , Ye Rongwei , Zhu Liping , Liu Jianmeng
Published: April 2015

Background

To quantify the association between maternal obesity and caesarean delivery, particularly caesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR), a fast‐growing component of caesarean delivery in many nations.

Methods

We followed 1 019 576 nulliparous women registered in the Perinatal Healthcare Surveillance System during 1993–2010. Maternal body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), before pregnancy or during early pregnancy, was classified as underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5 to <23; reference), overweight (23 to <27.5), or obese (≥27.5), consistent with World Health Organization guidelines for Asian people. The association between maternal obesity and overall caesarean and its subtypes was modelled using log‐binomial regression.

Results

During the 18‐year period, 404 971 (39.7%) caesareans and 93 927 (9.2%) CDMRs were identified. Maternal obesity was positively associated with overall caesarean and CDMR. Adjusted risk ratios for overall caesarean in the four ascending BMI categories were 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94, 0.97], 1.00 (Reference), 1.16 [95% CI 1.14, 1.18], 1.39 [95% CI 1.43, 1.54], and for CDMR were 0.95 [95% CI 0.94, 0.96], 1.00 (Reference), 1.20 [95% CI 1.18, 1.22], 1.48 [95% CI 1.433, 1.54]. Positive associations were consistently found in women residing in southern and northern provinces and in subgroups stratified by year of delivery, urban or rural residence, maternal age, education, level of delivering hospital, and birthweight.

Conclusions

In a large Chinese cohort study, maternal obesity was associated with an increased risk of caesarean delivery and its subtypes, including CDMR. Given the rising global prevalence of obesity, and in view of the growth of CDMR, it seems likely that caesarean births will increase, unless there are changes in obstetrical practice.
Assessing the Past and Promise of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey for Public Management Research: A Research Synthesis
Authors: Fernandez Sergio , Resh William G. , Moldogaziev Tima , Oberfield Zachary W.
Published: April 2015

Since 2002, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management has used the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) to monitor efforts by federal executive agencies to manage human capital. Public management researchers have usedFEVSdata to produce dozens of peer‐reviewed publications on a range of topics of interest to policy makers, practitioners, and academics. Despite the proliferation of these empirical studies, the field of public management until now has lacked a critical assessment of theFEVSand of how researchers have used the data. In this article, the authors discuss the strengths of theFEVSand the opportunities this survey has created for public management researchers. Despite important contributions made to the literature using the data, there are weaknesses in the content, design, and implementation of theFEVS. The authors offer a set of recommendations for refining the survey and its implementation with the aim of improving the quality and value of the data. In doing so, they hope to foster a dialogue between public management researchers and the Office of Personnel Management on the future of theFEVSand to forge a stronger link between these two communities.