bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial orientation and innovation performance: roles of strategic HRM and technical turbulence
Authors: Tang Guiyao , Chen Yang , Jin Jiafei
Published: September 2014

This study advances research on the return from entrepreneurial orientation by examining how a firm's internal system (i.e. strategic human resource management) and the external environment (i.e. technical turbulence) within which a firm operates interact in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and product innovation performance. Using a matched sample of 151 chief executive officers and other top executives from Chinese manufacturing firms, this study finds that entrepreneurial orientation is positively related to product innovation performance and that this relationship is stronger among firms implementing strategic HRM practices to a greater extent. Furthermore, the three‐way interaction test indicates that the interactive effect of entrepreneurial orientation and strategic HRM practices on product innovation performance is stronger for firms operating in a less turbulent environment.
Cytometric patterns reveal growth states of Shewanella putrefaciens
Authors: Melzer Susanne , Winter Gudrun , Jäger Kathrin , Hübschmann Thomas , Hause Gerd , Syrowatka Frank , Harms Hauke , Tárnok Attila , Müller Susann
Published: September 2014

Bacterial growth is often difficult to estimate beyond classical cultivation approaches. Low cell numbers, particles or coloured and dense media may disturb reliable growth assessment. Further difficulties appear when cells are attached to surfaces and detachment is incomplete.

Therefore, flow cytometry was tested and used for analysis of bacterial growth on the single‐cell level. Shewanella putrefaciens was cultivated as a model organism in planktonic or biofilm culture. Materials of smooth and rough surfaces were used for biofilm cultivation. Both aerobic and anaerobic as well as feast and famine conditions were applied. Visualization of growth was also done using Environmental Scanning and Phase Contrast Microscopy. Bioinformatic tools were applied for data interpretation.

Cytometric proliferation patterns based on distributions of DNA contents per cell corresponded distinctly to the various lifestyles, electron acceptors and substrates tested. Therefore, cell cycling profiles of S. putrefaciens were found to mirror growth conditions.

The cytometric patterns were consistently detectable with exception of some biofilm types whose resolution remained challenging. Corresponding heat maps proved to be useful for clear visualization of growth behaviour under all tested conditions. Therefore, flow cytometry in combination with bioinformatic tools proved to be powerful means to determine various growth states of S. putrefaciens, even in constrained environments. The approach is universal and will also be applicable for other bacterial species.
Whole genome and transcriptome analyses of environmental antibiotic sensitive and multi‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates exposed to waste water and tap water
Authors: Schwartz Thomas , Armant Olivier , Bretschneider Nancy , Hahn Alexander , Kirchen Silke , Seifert Martin , Dötsch Andreas
Published: September 2014

The fitness of sensitive and resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in different aquatic environments depends on genetic capacities and transcriptional regulation. Therefore, an antibiotic‐sensitive isolate PA30 and a multi‐resistant isolate PA49 originating from waste waters were compared via whole genome and transcriptome Illumina sequencing after exposure to municipal waste water and tap water. A number of different genomic islands (e.g. PAGIs, PAPIs) were identified in the two environmental isolates beside the highly conserved core genome. Exposure to tap water and waste water exhibited similar transcriptional impacts on several gene clusters (antibiotic and metal resistance, genetic mobile elements, efflux pumps) in both environmental P. aeruginosa isolates. The MexCD‐OprJ efflux pump was overexpressed in PA49 in response to waste water. The expression of resistance genes, genetic mobile elements in PA49 was independent from the water matrix. Consistently, the antibiotic sensitive strain PA30 did not show any difference in expression of the intrinsic resistance determinants and genetic mobile elements. Thus, the exposure of both isolates to polluted waste water and oligotrophic tap water resulted in similar expression profiles of mentioned genes. However, changes in environmental milieus resulted in rather unspecific transcriptional responses than selected and stimuli‐specific gene regulation.
Vegetable microbiomes: is there a connection among opportunistic infections, human health and our ‘gut feeling'?
Authors: Berg Gabriele , Erlacher Armin , Smalla Kornelia , Krause Robert
Published: September 2014

The highly diverse microbiomes of vegetables are reservoirs for opportunistic and emerging pathogens. In recent years, an increased consumption, larger scale production and more efficient distribution of vegetables together with an increased number of immunocompromised individuals resulted in an enhanced number of documented outbreaks of human infections associated with the consumption of vegetables. Here we discuss the occurrence of potential pathogens in vegetable microbiomes, the impact of farming and processing practices, and plant and human health issues. Based on these results, we discuss the question if vegetables can serve as a source of infection for immunocompromised individuals as well as possible solutions to avoid outbreaks. Moreover, the potentially positive aspects of the vegetables microbiome for the gut microbiota and human health are presented.
Improved bioethanol production in an engineered Kluyveromyces lactis strain shifted from respiratory to fermentative metabolism by deletion of NDI1
Authors: González‐Siso María Isabel , Touriño Alba , Vizoso Ángel , Pereira‐Rodríguez Ángel , Rodríguez‐Belmonte Esther , Becerra Manuel , Cerdán María Esperanza
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we report the metabolic engineering of the respiratory yeast Kluyveromyces lactis by construction and characterization of a null mutant (Δklndi1) in the single gene encoding a mitochondrial alternative internal dehydrogenase. Isolated mitochondria of the Δklndi1 mutant show unaffected rate of oxidation of exogenous NADH, but no oxidation of matrix NADH; this confirms that KlNdi1p is the only internal NADH dehydrogenase in K. lactis mitochondria. Permeabilized cells of the Δklndi1 mutant do not show oxidation of matrix NADH, which suggests that shuttle systems to transfer the NADH from mitochondrial matrix to cytosol, for being oxidized by external dehydrogenases, are not functional. The Δklndi1 mutation decreases the chronological life span in absence of nutrients. The expression of KlNDI1 is increased by glutathione reductase depletion. The Δklndi1 mutation shifts the K. lactis metabolism from respiratory to fermentative: the Δklndi1 strain shows reduced respiration rate and increased ethanol production from glucose, while it does not grow in non‐fermentable carbon sources such as lactate. The biotechnological benefit of the Δklndi1 mutant for bioethanol production from waste cheese whey lactose was proved.
ITS1: a DNA barcode better than ITS2 in eukaryotes?
Authors: Wang Xin‐Cun , Liu Chang , Huang Liang , Bengtsson‐Palme Johan , Chen Haimei , Zhang Jian‐Hui , Cai Dayong , Li Jian‐Qin
Published: September 2014

A DNA barcode is a short piece of DNA sequence used for species determination and discovery. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS/ITS2) region has been proposed as the standard DNA barcode for fungi and seed plants and has been widely used in DNA barcoding analyses for other biological groups, for example algae, protists and animals. The ITS region consists of both ITS1 and ITS2 regions. Here, a large‐scale meta‐analysis was carried out to compare ITS1 and ITS2 from three aspects: PCR amplification, DNA sequencing and species discrimination, in terms of the presence of DNA barcoding gaps, species discrimination efficiency, sequence length distribution, GC content distribution and primer universality. In total, 85 345 sequence pairs in 10 major groups of eukaryotes, including ascomycetes, basidiomycetes, liverworts, mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, monocotyledons, eudicotyledons, insects and fishes, covering 611 families, 3694 genera, and 19 060 species, were analysed. Using similarity‐based methods, we calculated species discrimination efficiencies for ITS1 and ITS2 in all major groups, families and genera. Using Fisher's exact test, we found that ITS1 has significantly higher efficiencies than ITS2 in 17 of the 47 families and 20 of the 49 genera, which are sample‐rich. By in silico PCR amplification evaluation, primer universality of the extensively applied ITS1 primers was found superior to that of ITS2 primers. Additionally, shorter length of amplification product and lower GC content was discovered to be two other advantages of ITS1 for sequencing. In summary, ITS1 represents a better DNA barcode than ITS2 for eukaryotic species.
Design of a 9K illumina BeadChip for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from RAD and transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Malenfant René M. , Coltman David W. , Davis Corey S.
Published: September 2014

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offer numerous advantages over anonymous markers such as microsatellites, including improved estimation of population parameters, finer‐scale resolution of population structure and more precise genomic dissection of quantitative traits. However, many SNPs are needed to equal the resolution of a single microsatellite, and reliable large‐scale genotyping of SNPs remains a challenge in nonmodel species. Here, we document the creation of a 9K Illumina Infinium BeadChip for polar bears (Ursus maritimus), which will be used to investigate: (i) the fine‐scale population structure among Canadian polar bears and (ii) the genomic architecture of phenotypic traits in the Western Hudson Bay subpopulation. To this end, we used restriction‐site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing from 38 bears across their circumpolar range, as well as blood/fat transcriptome sequencing of 10 individuals from Western Hudson Bay. Six‐thousand RAD SNPs and 3000 transcriptomic SNPs were selected for the chip, based primarily on genomic spacing and gene function respectively. Of the 9000 SNPs ordered from Illumina, 8042 were successfully printed, and – after genotyping 1450 polar bears – 5441 of these SNPs were found to be well clustered and polymorphic. Using this array, we show rapid linkage disequilibrium decay among polar bears, we demonstrate that in a subsample of 78 individuals, our SNPs detect known genetic structure more clearly than 24 microsatellites genotyped for the same individuals and that these results are not driven by the SNP ascertainment scheme. Here, we present one of the first large‐scale genotyping resources designed for a threatened species.
Identifying the signal of environmental filtering and competition in invasion patterns – a contest of approaches from community ecology
Authors: Gallien Laure , Carboni Marta , Münkemüller Tamara
Published: September 2014

In 1859, Darwin had already identified environmental constraints and competition with the native community as major drivers of invasion success. Since then, a toolbox of indices and statistical approaches has been developed and commonly applied to test for the relative importance of these drivers. This toolbox is largely based on community ecology theory with the underlying hypothesis that patterns of trait (or phylogenetic) similarities between invaders and native species permit to disentangle the signatures of competition and environmental filtering. However, so far the performance of the indices and statistical approaches has not been thoroughly evaluated, and there exists no study exploring the sensitivity of the different methods given common biases in field data. This severely hampers intercomparisons of invasion studies and ultimately prevents the elaboration of general conclusions.

In this study, we developed a mechanistic community assembly model to simulate invasion patterns across a range of communities and tested the performance of four different indices aiming at disentangling environmental filtering vs. competition from these patterns. Furthermore, we evaluated the sensitivity of the statistical methods to biases in the data (resulting from non‐equilibrium dynamics or observation errors).

Our results indicated that the best performing index was mean distance to the native species (the average functional distance between the invader and all the species of the community), especially in heterogeneous landscapes. Further, we demonstrated that the detection of competition was more sensitive to the presence of biases in the data than the detection of environmental filtering.

In conclusion, studying invasion mechanisms based on community patterns is possible when employing the appropriate statistical method, but it is highly sensitive to the quality of the data set used.
Sensitivity of colour indices for discriminating leaf colours from digital photographs
Authors: Mizunuma Toshie , Mencuccini Maurizio , Wingate Lisa , Ogée Jérôme , Nichol Caroline , Grace John
Published: September 2014

Digital images of tree canopies have been analysed to understand how forest phenology responds to climate change. Researchers have used different colour indices to carry out quantitative analyses, but uncertainties over the performance of the various indices are hampering progress in their use.

To compare the various indices under controlled conditions, we carried out experiments using a low‐cost off‐the‐shelf digital camera with a set of standard colour charts as model leaves for different stages: emerging leaves, yellowish green; newly expanded leaves, green; fully mature leaves, dark green; senescent leaves, yellow. Two models of cameras, a compact digital camera and a surveillance ‘live image’ camera were used, and photographs were taken by two cameras for each model under clear or overcast sky conditions with two colour balance settings. The indices were also compared with those derived from spectral reflectance.

Colour indices based on hue distinguished leaf colour samples with only a small influence of camera models, balance setting and sky conditions, while indices based on green were strongly influenced by camera models and were relatively insensitive to leaf colours. The strength of the green channel relative to the total of digital numbers took similar values for the mature and senescent replica leaves, highlighting its poor ability to identify the change of colour in autumn. Spectral‐based hue was also sensitive to the gradation of leaf colours and showed a good correlation with the digital representation of hue regardless of camera models and balance setting. Remarkably, the primitive digital number of red, Nred, also discriminated leaf colours well, with a small influence of the factors investigated here, showing a good correlation with the reflectance of the red band, except from images taken by the surveillance cameras with auto balance.

Hue was a robust index across the image set, while the green‐based indices often used to quantify canopy phenology in previous studies performed poorly. Hue was well correlated with spectral reflectance indices and worked better than all other indices to discriminate leaf colours. We recommend using hue as a colour index for tracking different stages of leaf development.
ENMeval: An R package for conducting spatially independent evaluations and estimating optimal model complexity for Maxent ecological niche models
Authors: Muscarella Robert , Galante Peter J. , Soley‐Guardia Mariano , Boria Robert A. , Kass Jamie M. , Uriarte María , Anderson Robert P.
Published: September 2014

Recent studies have demonstrated a need for increased rigour in building and evaluating ecological niche models (ENMs) based on presence‐only occurrence data. Two major goals are to balance goodness‐of‐fit with model complexity (e.g. by ‘tuning’ model settings) and to evaluate models with spatially independent data. These issues are especially critical for data sets suffering from sampling bias, and for studies that require transferring models across space or time (e.g. responses to climate change or spread of invasive species). Efficient implementation of procedures to accomplish these goals, however, requires automation.

We developed ENMeval, an R package that: (i) creates data sets for k‐fold cross‐validation using one of several methods for partitioning occurrence data (including options for spatially independent partitions), (ii) builds a series of candidate models using Maxent with a variety of user‐defined settings and (iii) provides multiple evaluation metrics to aid in selecting optimal model settings. The six methods for partitioning data are n−1 jackknife, random k‐folds ( = bins), user‐specified folds and three methods of masked geographically structured folds. ENMeval quantifies six evaluation metrics: the area under the curve of the receiver‐operating characteristic plot for test localities (AUCTEST), the difference between training and testing AUC (AUCDIFF), two different threshold‐based omission rates for test localities and the Akaike information criterion corrected for small sample sizes (AICc).

We demonstrate ENMeval by tuning model settings for eight tree species of the genus Coccoloba in Puerto Rico based on AICc. Evaluation metrics varied substantially across model settings, and models selected with AICc differed from default ones.

In summary, ENMeval facilitates the production of better ENMs and should promote future methodological research on many outstanding issues.
Locus minimization in breed prediction using artificial neural network approach
Authors: Iquebal M. A. , Ansari M. S. , Sarika  , Dixit S. P. , Verma N. K. , Aggarwal R. A. K. , Jayakumar S. , Rai A. , Kumar D.
Published: September 2014

Molecular markers, viz. microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms, have revolutionized breed identification through the use of small samples of biological tissue or germplasm, such as blood, carcass samples, embryos, ova and semen, that show no evident phenotype. Classical tools of molecular data analysis for breed identification have limitations, such as the unavailability of referral breed data, causing increased cost of collection each time, compromised computational accuracy and complexity of the methodology used. We report here the successful use of an artificial neural network (ANN) in background to decrease the cost of genotyping by locus minimization. The webserver is freely accessible (http://nabg.iasri.res.in/bisgoat) to the research community. We demonstrate that the machine learning (ANN) approach for breed identification is capable of multifold advantages such as locus minimization, leading to a drastic reduction in cost, and web availability of reference breed data, alleviating the need for repeated genotyping each time one investigates the identity of an unknown breed. To develop this model web implementation based on ANN, we used 51 850 samples of allelic data of microsatellite‐marker‐based DNA fingerprinting on 25 loci covering 22 registered goat breeds of India for training. Minimizing loci to up to nine loci through the use of a multilayer perceptron model, we achieved 96.63% training accuracy. This server can be an indispensable tool for identification of existing breeds and new synthetic commercial breeds, leading to protection of intellectual property in case of sovereignty and bio‐piracy disputes. This server can be widely used as a model for cost reduction by locus minimization for various other flora and fauna in terms of variety, breed and/or line identification, especially in conservation and improvement programs.
A performance comparison of the paediatric i‐gel™ with other supraglottic airway devices
Authors: Smith P. , Bailey C. R.
Published: September 2014

We performed a review of published literature comparing the i‐gel™ with other supraglottic airway devices in children. Sixty‐two articles were identified following a literature search; we included data from 14 randomised controlled trials and eight observational studies that compared i‐gel sizes 1–2.5 with other commonly used, equivalently‐sized, devices. The primary outcome in most studies was oropharyngeal leak pressure. In the 14 randomised trials the i‐gel performed the same as the comparator device in five trials, significantly better in eight studies (p < 0.05) and significantly worse in one (p < 0.01). Seven studies assessed fibreoptic views of the larynx through the device; two found significantly better views through the i‐gel. Three studies reported a shorter insertion time for the i‐gel, whereas two reported a longer time. Insertion success rate, gastric tube placement and complications were similar for all the devices. Seven of the eight observational studies measured average oropharyngeal leak pressures of 20–27 cmH2O and all had first‐time insertion success rates exceeding 90%. We conclude that the i‐gel is at least equivalent to other supraglottic airway devices currently available for use in children, and may enable a higher oropharyngeal leak pressure and an improved fibreoptic view of the glottis.
Prognostic factors following pathological fractures
Authors: Hill Thomas , D'Alessandro Peter , Murray Kevin , Yates Piers
Published: September 2014

Background

Pathological fractures are a significant and often devastating event in the progression of metastatic bone disease. They are frequently a marker of end‐stage cancer and the end of functional independence. Although several studies look into prognosis following the development of metastatic lesions, few look into the prognosis after the fracture itself. This study investigates the variables affecting prognosis in patients suffering pathological fractures.

Method

Retrospective clinical audit of 72 patients from the Orthopaedic Unit at Fremantle Hospital in Western Australia. The variables of interest include primary cancer, fracture site, method of fixation, use of cement augmentation, appendicular metastatic load, spinal metastatic load, presence of visceral metastases, patient co‐morbidities and functional scoring before and after the fracture has occurred.

Results

The median time between diagnosis of cancer to pathological fracture was 8.3 months, while the median survival post‐fracture was 3.3 months. There is a statistically significant correlation between patient survival and primary cancer type, spinal metastatic burden and functional performance score.

Conclusion

Overall, the prognosis following pathological fracture is extremely poor. We propose that these variables are scrutinized by the treating orthopaedic team preoperatively to help guide management and provide patients and their families with a realistic expectation of functional outcome and survival time.
The essential role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 in simvastatin‐induced activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and angiogenesis
Authors: Su K.‐H. , Lin S.‐J. , Wei J. , Lee K.‐I. , Zhao J.‐F. , Shyue S.‐K. , Lee T.‐S.
Published: September 2014

Aims

We investigated the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) in simvastatin‐mediated activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and angiogenesis.

Methods

Fluo‐8 NW assay was for Ca2+ detection; Griess's assay was for NO bioavailability; Western blotting and immunoprecipitation were for protein phosphorylation and interaction; tube formation and Matrigel plug assay were for angiogenesis.

Results

In endothelial cells (ECs), treatment with simvastatin time‐dependently increased intracellular level of Ca2+. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic disruption of TRPV1 abrogated simvastatin‐mediated elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in ECs or TRPV1‐transfected HEK293 cells. Loss of TRPV1 function abolished simvastatin‐induced NO production and phosphorylation of eNOS and calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII) in ECs and in aortas of mice. Inhibition of TRPV1 activation prevented the simvastatin‐elicited increase in the formation of TRPV1–Akt–CaMKII–AMPK–eNOS complex. In mice, Matrigel plug assay showed that simvastatin‐evoked angiogenesis was abolished by TRPV1 antagonist and genetic ablation of TRPV1. Additionally, our results demonstrated that TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is the downstream effector in the simvastatin‐activated TRPV1‐Ca2+ signalling and in the consequent NO production and angiogenesis as evidence by that re‐expression of TRPA1 further augmented simvastatin‐elicited Ca2+ influx in TRPV1‐expressed HEK293 cells and ablation of TRPA1 function profoundly inhibited the simvastatin‐induced increase in the phosphorylation of eNOS and CaMKII, formation of TRPV1–Akt–CaMKII–AMPK–eNOS complex, NO bioavailability, tube formation and angiogenesis in ECs or mice.

Conclusion

Simvastatin‐induced Ca2+ influx may through the activation of TRPV1–TRPA1 signalling, which leads to phosphorylation of CaMKII, increases in the formation of TRPV1–CaMKII–AMPK–eNOS complex, eNOS activation, NO production and, ultimately, angiogenesis in ECs.
The effects of the dark house system on growth, performance and meat quality of broiler chicken
Authors: Carvalho Rafael Humberto , Soares Adriana Lourenço , Grespan Moisés , Spurio Rafael Sanches , Coró Fábio Augusto Garcia , Oba Alexandre , Shimokomaki Massami
Published: September 2014

Meat production with minimum animal suffering is a humanitarian concern. Thus, the objective of this work was to observe the performance of Cobb broiler chickens from 7 to 46 days of age when raised under different installations: dark house system (DHS), conventional yellow system (CYC) and conventional blue system (CBC). The feed conversion ratio for the birds raised on the DHS was 3.8% and 2.7% lower than those for the CYC and CBC systems, respectively. Compared with the CYC and CBC systems, average daily gain under the DHS was 11.4% and 9.3% higher, respectively, and body weight at 46 days was 11.4% and 9.3% higher, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). The birds' welfare was assessed based on their stress by determining the amount of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat in the breast fillets. The CYC and CBC birds had 24.3% and 25.3% PSE meat, respectively, whereas the DHS birds had 37.0%. We concluded that the DHS has a greater potential to produce broiler chickens, with superior performance to conventional systems, despite the higher stress faced by the birds during the maneuvers just before slaughter.
Differential expression of genes encoding neurotrophic factors and their receptors along the septal‐temporal axis of the rat hippocampus
Authors: Toyoda Atsushi , Iio Wataru , Goto Tatsuhiko , Koike Hiroaki , Tsukahara Takamitsu
Published: September 2014

The hippocampus plays a key role in learning and emotional regulation. The hippocampus’ function varies along its septotemporal axis, with the septal pole being more frequently involved in spatial learning and memory, and the temporal pole playing a greater role in emotional behaviors. In this study, we present findings aimed at checking the expression level of the genes encoding neurotrophins and their receptors, including nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), and their receptors (TrkA, TrkB and TrkC) in the hippocampus along the septotemporal axis. Using real‐time PCR, several different expression patterns were observed. Remarkably, the expression of both NT‐3 and TrkA genes in the septal hippocampus was higher than in the middle and temporal hippocampus. Higher expression of NT‐3 and TrkA may implicate active neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the septal hippocampus because more neurogenesis occurs in the septal than the temporal DG of rats. Finally, the results obtained in this study emphasize the importance of choosing the hippocampal portion along its septotemporal axis for any hippocampal molecular and biochemical experimental studies.
Dynamics of lingual antimicrobial peptide, lactoferrin concentrations and lactoperoxidase activity in the milk of cows treated for clinical mastitis
Authors: Kawai Kazuhiro , Korematsu Kiyoshi , Akiyama Kiyoshi , Okita Miki , Yoshimura Yukinori , Isobe Naoki
Published: September 2014

The aim of the present study was to examine changes in innate immune factors in the milk of mastitic dairy cows treated with antibiotics. Cows in the antibiotics group (n = 13) were infused into the mammary gland with cefazolin on the sixth day after mastitis was diagnosed (the day of the mastitis diagnosis = day −6). The control group (n = 12) was not treated. Milk samples were collected once every 2 days from days −6 to 12 and somatic cell count (SCC), lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), and lactoferrin (LF) concentrations and lactoperoxidase (LPO) activity were measured. SCC and LF concentrations in the antibiotics group markedly decreased after the antibiotic treatment. When cows in the antibiotics group were divided according to SCC on day 0, LAP concentrations and LPO activity in cows with a lower SCC on day 0 (<5 × 106 cell/mL) were significantly higher and lower than those in cows with a higher SCC, respectively. These results suggest that LF concentration decreased with decrease in SCC after treatment and that LAP concentration and LPO activity differed depending on the severity of mastitis. This is the first report to reveal the dynamics of innate immune factor in milk of cows treated for clinical mastitis.
New lactic acid bacterial strains from traditional Mongolian fermented milk products have altered adhesion to porcine gastric mucin depending on the carbon source
Authors: Kimoto‐Nira Hiromi , Yamasaki Seishi , Sasaki Keisuke , Moriya Naoko , Takenaka Akio , Suzuki Chise
Published: September 2014

Attachment of lactic acid bacteria to the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract is a major property of probiotics. Here, we examined the ability of 21 lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from traditional fermented milk products in Mongolia to adhere to porcine gastric mucin in vitro. Higher attachment was observed with Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains 6‐8 and 8‐1 than with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (positive control). Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strain 7‐1 adhered to mucin as effectively as did strain GG. Heat inactivation decreased the adhesive ability of strains 6‐8 and 8‐1 but did not affect strain 7‐1. The adhesion of strains 6‐8, 7‐1 and 8‐1 was significantly inhibited when the cells were pretreated with periodate and trypsin, indicating that proteinaceous and carbohydrate‐like cell surface compounds are involved in the adhesion of these strains. The adhesion of strain 7‐1 was affected by the type of carbohydrate present in the growth medium, being higher with fructose than with lactose, galactose or xylose as the carbon source. The sugar content of 7‐1 cells grown on various carbohydrates was negatively correlated with its adhesive ability. We provide new probiotic candidate strains and new information regarding carbohydrate preference that influences lactic acid bacterial adhesion to mucin.
Threonine and tryptophan supplementation enhance porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) vaccine‐induced immune responses of growing pigs
Authors: Xu Shengyu , Zhao Yingfei , Shen Jie , Lin Yan , Fang Zhengfeng , Che Lianqiang , Wu De
Published: September 2014

The aim of the present study was to investigate influences of threonine and tryptophan supplementation (TTS) on immune response of growing pigs inoculated with modified live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccine. Twenty growing barrows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly assigned to four groups according to the PRRS vaccination and TTS. Serum samples were collected from all pigs at days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 49 post‐vaccination (day 0 defined as the day of vaccination). Pigs were euthanized and samples collected at day 49 post‐vaccination. The results showed that TTS tended to increase weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) of pigs (P < 0.1). PRRS vaccine enhanced serum PRRSV‐specific antibody, serum virus neutralizing (SVN) antibody and interferon‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐10 and IL‐1β concentrations (P < 0.05). The expression of TLR3 and TLR7 mRNA in lymph nodes were higher in TTS than in the control group after PRRS vaccine inoculation (P < 0.05). TTS diet mitigated lung damage which is induced by PRRS vaccination from microscopic evaluation. These results suggest that dietary TTS could improve growth performance of growing pigs, which may be ascribed to the improved immune response and mitigated lung damage.
Is there a right to access innovative surgery?
Authors: Meyerson Denise
Published: September 2014

Demands for access to experimental therapies are frequently framed in the language of rights. This article examines the justifiability of such demands in the specific context of surgical innovations, these being promising but non‐validated and potentially risky departures from standard surgical practices. I argue that there is a right to access innovative surgery, drawing analogies with other generally accepted rights in medicine, such as the right not to be forcibly treated, to buy contraceptives, and to choose to have an abortion, including a post‐viability abortion where the mother's life or health is threatened by the pregnancy. I argue that we accept these rights because we believe that people are entitled to try to preserve their lives and health and to make choices of an important and intensely personal kind, and I suggest that a person's choice of medical treatment should be seen in the same light. However, since few rights are absolute, I also consider the circumstances in which it may be justifiable to limit the right to access innovative surgery. In discussing this question, I apply the human rights standard of proportionality, comparing the importance of the reasons for limiting the right with the severity of the invasion on liberty.
Age‐Dependent Effect of β‐Amyloid Toxicity on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons and Inflammation in the Rat Brain
Authors: Nell Hayley Joy , Whitehead Shawn Narain , Cechetto David Floyd
Published: September 2014

Beta‐amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, neuroinflammation, basal forebrain cholinergic loss and hippocampal degeneration are well‐described pathologies associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role that age plays in the susceptibility of the brain to these AD pathologies and the relationships between them is still not well understood. This study investigated the age‐related response to intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ25–35 in 3‐, 6‐ and 9‐month‐old rats. Aβ toxicity resulted in an age‐related increase in cholinergic loss and microglial activation in the basal forebrain along with neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA3 subfield. Performance in the Morris water maze revealed impairments in long‐term reference memory in 6‐month‐old Aβ administered animals, which was not seen in 3‐month‐old animals. These results support a role of Aβ administration in inducing age‐dependent cholinergic loss and neuroinflammation, and additionally provide evidence for a more age‐appropriate model of adult‐onset Aβ toxicity demonstrating pathological changes that reflect the early stages of AD pathogenesis including neuroinflammation, cholinergic loss and beginning stages of memory impairment.
The Effect of Carbon Taxes on Agricultural Trade
Authors: Rivers Nicholas , Schaufele Brandon
Published: September 2014

This study evaluates the implications of an existing carbon tax on international trade in the agricultural sector. Applying uniformly to all fossil fuels combusted within its borders, the province of British Columbia unilaterally introduced a carbon tax on July 1, 2008. In 2012, the province granted an exemption from the tax to certain agricultural sectors. Using commodity‐specific trade flows and exploiting cross‐provincial and intertemporal variation, we find little evidence that the carbon tax is associated with any meaningful effects on agricultural trade despite the sector being singled out as “at risk” by the provincial government. Our findings suggest that there is not compelling evidence to support exempting the agricultural sector from the tax. Discussion of potential policy remedies to address the tax's potential effects on firm profitability and international competitiveness is also included.
Effectiveness of China's Organic Food Certification Policy: Consumer Preferences for Infant Milk Formula with Different Organic Certification Labels
Authors: Wu Linhai , Yin Shijiu , Xu Yingjun , Zhu Dian
Published: September 2014

China's current organic certification policy prohibits distribution of food in the Chinese market that has only obtained foreign organic certification but has not obtained Chinese organic certification, and prohibits the independent operation of foreign organic certification bodies in China. In this study, we use consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) as a criterion for judging the effectiveness of China's organic certification policy. A choice experiment infant milk formula (IMF) with four attributes, including organic certification label, brand, country of origin, and price was conducted in Shandong province of China. Estimation with a mixed logit model revealed that consumers’ WTP for IMF with an American or European organic certification label was higher than IMF with a Chinese label. Moreover, consumers’ knowledge of organic food and food safety risk perceptions had an impact on their WTP. Results suggest scope for policy failure in that allowing independent certification in China by European and American organic certification bodies, or legal sale in the Chinese mainland market of IMF certified by American or European organic certification bodies, could increase consumer surplus beyond the status quo under the present policy regime.
Regulatory Frameworks for Functional Food and Supplements
Authors: Hobbs Jill E. , Malla Stavroula , Sogah Eric K.
Published: September 2014

Functional foods and supplements (nutraceuticals, natural health products) have emerged as a new category of products offering potential health benefits to consumers. Regulatory environments have evolved to govern the types of health claims that can be made for these products. Regulation needs to balance the imperative of protecting consumers from false and misleading health claims while encouraging research and development into products offering socially beneficial health outcomes. The paper explores the sources of market, and “non‐market,” (regulatory) failure related to the consumption and production of healthier foods. The Canadian approach to regulating health claims is compared to regulatory frameworks in the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. The fairly strict Canadian regulatory system, together with the relatively small size of the domestic market, may limit investment in this sector.
Prospective randomized, controlled trial of sinus grafting using Escherichia‐coli‐produced rhBMP‐2 with a biphasic calcium phosphate carrier compared to deproteinized bovine bone
Authors: Kim Min‐Soo , Lee Jung‐Seok , Shin Hyun‐Ki , Kim Jae‐Shin , Yun Jeong‐Ho , Cho Kyoo‐Sung
Published: September 2014

Aim

This study compared the effects of Escherichia‐coli‐produced recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (ErhBMP‐2) with a biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) carrier to those of deproteinized bovine bone in human maxillary sinus floor augmentation.

Material and methods

Screening for this clinical trial selected 56 sites that provided informed consent to participate, of which 46 were ultimately enrolled and 41 were finally included in the study. The sites were divided into two groups using a random‐number table, and the material was applied. A trephine biopsy was performed after 24 weeks, and implants wider than the biopsy site were inserted. Computed tomography and plain panoramic images were obtained immediately and then again at 24 weeks after the surgery. Radiographic images were reconstructed to allow measurement of the linear and volumetric changes. The biopsy samples were processed for histologic and histometric analyzes.

Results

All sites healed uneventfully with no complications. Radiographic analysis revealed a tendency for the volume to increase, but the difference was not statistically significant in either group. Comparison of volumetric changes between the two groups also revealed no significant difference. Moreover, none of the histometric parameters differed significantly between the groups, although different healing patterns were observed on histologic analysis.

Conclusions and clinical implications

It can be concluded that sinus augmentation with ErhBMP‐2 carrying BCP carrier did not enhance bone regeneration compared to the conventional treatment using deproteinized bovine bone at 24 weeks after the surgery.
Impact of conservation areas on trophic interactions between apex predators and herbivores on coral reefs
Authors: Rizzari Justin R. , Bergseth Brock J. , Frisch Ashley J.
Published: September 2014

Apex predators are declining at alarming rates due to exploitation by humans, but we have yet to fully discern the impacts of apex predator loss on ecosystem function. In a management context, it is critically important to clarify the role apex predators play in structuring populations of lower trophic levels. Thus, we examined the top‐down influence of reef sharks (an apex predator on coral reefs) and mesopredators on large‐bodied herbivores. We measured the abundance, size structure, and biomass of apex predators, mesopredators, and herbivores across fished, no‐take, and no‐entry management zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. Shark abundance and mesopredator size and biomass were higher in no‐entry zones than in fished and no‐take zones, which indicates the viability of strictly enforced human exclusion areas as tools for the conservation of predator communities. Changes in predator populations due to protection in no‐entry zones did not have a discernible influence on the density, size, or biomass of different functional groups of herbivorous fishes. The lack of a relationship between predators and herbivores suggests that top‐down forces may not play a strong role in regulating large‐bodied herbivorous coral reef fish populations. Given this inconsistency with traditional ecological theories of trophic cascades, trophic structures on coral reefs may need to be reassessed to enable the establishment of appropriate and effective management regimes.

El Impacto de las Áreas de Conservación sobre las Interacciones Tróficas entre los Depredadores Dominantes y los Herbívoros en los Arrecifes de Coral
The myelodysplastic syndromes: the era of understanding
Authors: Meers Stef
Published: September 2014

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of clonal haematological stem cell disorders. Allogeneic stem cells transplantation remains the only curative treatment but only a minority of patients are eligible for this treatment. In spite of this, it has become clear that treatment with lenalidomide and azanucleotides can lead to increased overall survival in particular subsets of patients with MDS. The relative silence on the therapeutic side is counter‐balanced by major advances in the understanding of this heterogeneous disease. The introduction of high‐throughput molecular techniques has resulted in the discovery that most patients harbour molecular aberrations, including pathways such as the spliceosome machinery previously not known to be involved. These newly discovered pathways will undoubtedly result in new therapeutic strategies for this difficult to treat disease.
Cerebellar theta burst stimulation dissociates memory components in eyeblink classical conditioning
Authors: Monaco J. , Casellato C. , Koch G. , D'Angelo E.
Published: September 2014

The cerebellum plays a critical role in forming precisely timed sensory‐motor associations. This process is thought to proceed through two learning phases: one leading to memory acquisition; and the other leading more slowly to memory consolidation and saving. It has been proposed that fast acquisition occurs in the cerebellar cortex, while consolidation is dislocated into the deep cerebellar nuclei. However, it was not clear how these two components could be identified in eyeblink classical conditioning (EBCC) in humans, a paradigm commonly used to investigate associative learning. In 22 subjects, we show that EBCC proceeded through a fast acquisition phase, returned toward basal levels during extinction and then was consolidated, as it became evident from the saving effect observed when re‐testing the subjects after 1 week of initial training. The results were fitted using a two‐state multi‐rate learning model extended to account for memory consolidation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to apply continuous theta‐burst stimulation (cTBS) to the lateral cerebellum just after the first training session. Half of the subjects received real cTBS and half sham cTBS. After cTBS, but not sham cTBS, consolidation was unaltered but the extinction process was significantly impaired. These data suggest that cTBS can dissociate EBCC extinction (related to the fast learning process) from consolidation (related to the slow learning process), probably by acting through a selective alteration of cerebellar plasticity.
Continental‐scale patterns of pathogen prevalence: a case study on the corncrake
Authors: Fourcade Yoan , Keišs Oskars , Richardson David S. , Secondi Jean
Published: September 2014

Pathogen infections can represent a substantial threat to wild populations, especially those already limited in size. To determine how much variation in the pathogens observed among fragmented populations is caused by ecological factors, one needs to examine systems where host genetic diversity is consistent among the populations, thus controlling for any potentially confounding genetic effects. Here, we report geographic variation in haemosporidian infection among European populations of corncrake. This species now occurs in fragmented populations, but there is little genetic structure and equally high levels of genetic diversity among these populations. We observed a longitudinal gradient of prevalence from western to Eastern Europe negatively correlated with national agricultural yield, but positively correlated with corncrake census population sizes when only the most widespread lineage is considered. This likely reveals a possible impact of local agriculture intensity, which reduced host population densities in Western Europe and, potentially, insect vector abundance, thus reducing the transmission of pathogens. We conclude that in the corncrake system, where metapopulation dynamics resulted in variations in local census population sizes, but not in the genetic impoverishment of these populations, anthropogenic activity has led to a reduction in host populations and pathogen prevalence.
Consumers' Virtual Product Experiences and Risk Perceptions of Product Performance in the Online Co‐Design Practice: A Case of NIKEiD
Authors: Yu Ui‐Jeen , Park Juyeon
Published: September 2014

This study investigated how online consumers perceive usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment of an online co‐designing practice. This study also examined how the consumers' virtual experiences with customized products related to product performance risk, attitude toward product, and purchase intention online. A Web‐based survey was conducted using the stimulus website of NIKEiD. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 137 female college students at a Midwestern university. Findings from structural equation modeling showed online consumers' perceived ease of use of co‐designing alleviated product performance risks. Also, the consumers' perceived enjoyment of co‐designing increased attitudinal and behavioral responses to customized products. Managerial implications to better utilize the co‐designing practice for mass customization and to help online consumers perceive less product performance risk are presented.