bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mabolizable Energy Differences between Values Calculated Using Energy Conversion Factors and Actual Values Determined by Metabolic Study of Korean Starch Foods
Authors: Kim Eunmi , Choi Jinho , Kim Hyejin
Published: March 2014

This study was conducted to compare the metabolizable energies of Korean starch foods by an animal metabolic study with those calculated using well‐known energy conversion factors. There were 12 experimental diets (that is, 7 Korean foods, 3 Western foods, and 2 control foods): barley, brown rice, laver‐rolled rice, rice mixed with vegetables and meat, seafood noodle soup, rice cake soup, rice cake in hot pepper paste, pizza, hamburger, spaghetti, basal diet, and glucose. Each diet comprised 70% basal diet and 30% experimental food. After 3 d of adaptation, a metabolic trial was performed for 4 d. The apparent metabolizable energy of pizza, hamburger, spaghetti, and rice cake soup were significantly higher than that of the basal diet group (P < 0.05). For barley, brown rice, laver‐rolled rice, rice mixed with vegetables and meat, and seafood noodle soup, the differences between the actual and calculated energies were 8.7%, 13.3%, 4.5%, 17.2%, and 4.1%, respectively, and the actual energy contents were lower than those calculated using the Atwater conversion factor. The results of this study show that the energy contents of Korean foods are significantly different from those calculated using the conversion factors based on the food composition. Therefore, because Korean starch foods are considered to be calorie‐rich based on calculations, their energy contents can be accurately determined only by animal experiments.
Highly effective sequencing whole chloroplast genomes of angiosperms by nine novel universal primer pairs
Authors: Yang Jun‐Bo , Li De‐Zhu , Li Hong‐Tao
Published: March 2014

Chloroplast genomes supply indispensable information that helps improve the phylogenetic resolution and even as organelle‐scale barcodes. Next‐generation sequencing technologies have helped promote sequencing of complete chloroplast genomes, but compared with the number of angiosperms, relatively few chloroplast genomes have been sequenced. There are two major reasons for the paucity of completely sequenced chloroplast genomes: (i) massive amounts of fresh leaves are needed for chloroplast sequencing and (ii) there are considerable gaps in the sequenced chloroplast genomes of many plants because of the difficulty of isolating high‐quality chloroplast DNA, preventing complete chloroplast genomes from being assembled. To overcome these obstacles, all known angiosperm chloroplast genomes available to date were analysed, and then we designed nine universal primer pairs corresponding to the highly conserved regions. Using these primers, angiosperm whole chloroplast genomes can be amplified using long‐range PCR and sequenced using next‐generation sequencing methods. The primers showed high universality, which was tested using 24 species representing major clades of angiosperms. To validate the functionality of the primers, eight species representing major groups of angiosperms, that is, early‐diverging angiosperms, magnoliids, monocots, Saxifragales, fabids, malvids and asterids, were sequenced and assembled their complete chloroplast genomes. In our trials, only 100 mg of fresh leaves was used. The results show that the universal primer set provided an easy, effective and feasible approach for sequencing whole chloroplast genomes in angiosperms. The designed universal primer pairs provide a possibility to accelerate genome‐scale data acquisition and will therefore magnify the phylogenetic resolution and species identification in angiosperms.
General and craniofacial development are complex adaptive processes influenced by diversity
Authors: Brook AH , O'Donnell M Brook , Hone A , Hart E , Hughes TE , Smith RN , Townsend GC
Published: March 2014

Complex systems are present in such diverse areas as social systems, economies, ecosystems and biology and, therefore, are highly relevant to dental research, education and practice. AComplex Adaptive Systemin biological development is a dynamic process in which, from interacting components at a lower level, higher level phenomena and structures emerge.Diversitymakes substantial contributions to the performance of complex adaptive systems. It enhances the robustness of the process, allowing multiple responses to external stimuli as well as internal changes. From diversity comes variation in outcome and the possibility of major change; outliers in the distribution enhance the tipping points.

The development of the dentition is a valuable, accessible model with extensive and reliable databases for investigating the role of complex adaptive systems in craniofacial and general development. The general characteristics of such systems are seen during tooth development: self‐organization; bottom‐up emergence; multitasking; self‐adaptation; variation; tipping points; critical phases; and robustness. Dental findings are compatible with theRandom Network Model, theThreshold Modeland also with theScale Free Network Modelwhich has aPower Lawdistribution. In addition, dental development shows the characteristics ofModularityandClusteringto formHierarchical Networks. The interactions between the genes (nodes) demonstrateSmall Worldphenomena,Subgraph MotifsandGene Regulatory Networks.

Genetic mechanisms are involved in the creation and evolution of variation during development. The genetic factors interact with epigenetic and environmental factors at the molecular level and form complex networks within the cells. From these interactions emerge the higher level tissues, tooth germs and mineralized teeth. Approaching development in this way allows investigation of why there can be variations in phenotypes from identical genotypes; the phenotype is the outcome of perturbations in the cellular systems and networks, as well as of the genotype.

Understanding and applying complexity theory will bring about substantial advances not only in dental research and education but also in the organization and delivery of oral health care.
Comparison of population genetic estimates amongst wild, F1 and F2 cultured abalone (Haliotis midae)
Authors: Rhode Clint , Maduna Simo N. , Roodt‐Wilding Rouvay , Bester‐van der Merwe Aletta E.
Published: March 2014

Haliotis midae is South Africa's most important aquaculture species. The reproduction cycle is currently not closed as many farms rely on wild‐caught broodstock for seed production. However, there is an increasing interest in genetic improvement in commercial stocks, with a growing number of producers implementing selective breeding strategies. High throughput commercial production and mass spawning make it difficult to maintain breeding records; therefore, mostly mass selection is practised. The high fecundity and unequal parental contributions also often lead to increased levels of inbreeding. This study therefore aimed to assess the genetic effects of such breeding practices on commercial populations of H. midae. Using microsatellite loci, the genetic properties of a wild, an F1 and an F2 population were estimated and compared. Although there was no significant loss of genetic diversity amongst the cultured populations in comparison with the wild progenitor population, there was low‐to‐moderate genetic differentiation between populations. Relatedness amongst the F2 population was significant, and the rate of inbreeding was high. The effective population size for the F2 (±50) was also comparatively small with respect to the wild (∞) and F1 (±470) populations. These results suggest that farms need to give caution to breeding practices beyond the first (F1) generation and aim to increase effective population sizes and minimise inbreeding to ensure long‐term genetic gain and productivity. This study also confirms the usefulness of population genetic analyses for commercial breeding and stock management in the absence of extensive pedigree records.
Holter Electrocardiography Findings and P‐Wave Dispersion in Pediatric Patients with Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects
Authors: Ozyilmaz Isa , Ozyilmaz Sinem , Tola Hasan Tahsin , Saygi Murat , Kiplapinar Neslihan , Tanıdır Cansaran , Ergul Yakup , Guzeltas Alper , Odemis Ender
Published: March 2014

Background

This study aimed to determine the frequency of postintervention arrhythmia and factors associated with the development of arrhythmia, including the correlation between arrhythmia and P‐wave dispersion, and the effects of the latter on transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs).

Methods

Holter ECG recordings were performed before and after the intervention and 6 and 12 months later in 47 of the 59 patients who had undergone transcatheter ASD closure and once in the healthy control subjects.

Results

A statistically significant correlation was identified between the patients’ arrhythmia grade according to Lown's system and each of the following: the number of defects, the size of the atrioventricular valve rim, the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm.

Conclusion

The frequency of arrhythmia increases after transcatheter ASD closure, gradually decreases within the next year, and is most frequently of a benign nature. Lown's arrhythmia grading of patients occluded with either the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) or the Cardio‐O‐Fix septal occluder (CSO) were compared, and the arrhythmia frequency was higher with the latter. One day after the intervention, the P maximum (Pmax) and the P dispersion(Pdis) values were not increased but in fact slightly reduced in patients occluded with either ASO or CSO. An improvement in the electrical system resulting from early anatomical and mechanical healing following transcatheter ASD occlusion may explain the reduction in the Pmax and Pdis values.
Model selection criterion for causal parameters in structural mean models based on a quasi‐likelihood
Authors: Taguri Masataka , Matsuyama Yutaka , Ohashi Yasuo
Published: March 2014

Structural mean models (SMMs) have been proposed for estimating causal parameters in the presence of non‐ignorable non‐compliance in clinical trials. To obtain a valid causal estimate, we must impose several assumptions. One of these is the correct specification of the structural model. Building on Pan's work (2001, Biometrics 57, 120–125) on developing a model selection criterion for generalized estimating equations, we propose a new approach for model selection of SMMs based on a quasi‐likelihood. We provide a formal model selection criterion that is an extension of Akaike's information criterion. Using subset selection of baseline covariates, our method allows us to understand whether the treatment effect varies across the available baseline covariate levels, and/or to quantify the treatment effect on a specific covariates level to target specific individuals to maximize treatment benefit. We present simulation results in which our method performs reasonably well compared to other testing methods in terms of both the probability of selecting the correct model and the predictive performances of the individual treatment effects. We use a large randomized clinical trial of pravastatin as a motivation.
MiRNome expression is deregulated in the peripheral lymphoid compartment of multiple myeloma
Authors: Campo Salvatore , Allegra Alessandro , D'Ascola Angela , Alonci Andrea , Scuruchi Michele , Russo Sabina , Avenoso Angela , Gerace Demetrio , Campo Giuseppe M. , Musolino Caterina
Published: March 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non‐coding RNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression. Selected groups of miRNAs are differentially expressed in various types of cancers. Alterations in miRNAs gene expression have been shown in cells from the B‐cell malignancy, multiple myeloma (MM). However, although MM is a disease of plasma cells, abnormalities have been detected in the peripheral blood of the patients.

The goal of our study was to analyse the entire miRNome in peripheral lymphocytes of MM patients using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Using in silica analysis, we also evaluated some of the most interesting and significant pathways. Analysis revealed that MM samples had a distinct miRNA profile compared to the controls. This resulted in the identification of 203 miRNAs, 85 of which were over‐expressed and 118 under‐expressed. Of these, 184 possessed validated or highly predicted mRNA targets. We identified 12 354 mRNA targets of the transcriptome: 36·4% of the related proteins are involved in death processes while the 21% are required for growth and cell proliferation. We have demonstrated that miRNAs are differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of MM patients compared to controls, affecting some pathways involved in the anti‐apoptotic process, cell proliferation and maybe anti‐angiogenesis.
Analysis of current testing practices for biallelic MUTYH mutations in MUTYH‐associated polyposis
Authors: Landon M. , Ceulemans S. , Saraiya D.S. , Strike B. , Arnell C. , Burbidge L.A. , Moyes K. , Theisen A. , Fernandes P.H. , Ji J.Q. , Abbott B. , Kaldate R.R. , Roa B.
Published: March 2014

MUTYH‐associated polyposis (MAP) is an autosomal recessive syndrome caused by biallelic mutations in the base excision repair gene MUTYH. Owing to potential limitations in the MAP testing strategy and testing criteria, it is possible that MAP is being under‐identified both genotypically and phenotypically. To determine whether full sequencing of MUTYH would increase clinical sensitivity over a founder mutation (FM) strategy, a retrospective analysis of two datasets from a commercial clinical laboratory was performed. The first cohort contained 1522 individuals who received MUTYH analysis for two FMs with subsequent full‐gene sequencing. Eighty‐five biallelic individuals were identified; 47 carried two FMs, 17 carried one FM and one mutation identified on full sequencing, and 21 carried biallelic mutations identified only on full sequencing. The second cohort contained 921 patients with colorectal cancer <50 years and <10 reported colorectal adenomas who had undergone MUTYH mutation testing. In this cohort, 19 of 921 (2.1%) individuals were identified as biallelic MUTYH carriers. Of these, 13 did not have a personal or family history of polyps and would not have met guidelines for MUTYH testing. These results suggest that individuals with biallelic MUTYH mutations are under‐ascertained based on both genotype and phenotype under current standard testing practices.
WELFARE REFORM AND CHILDREN'S EARLY COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: CHYI HAU , OZTURK ORGUL DEMET , ZHANG WEILONG
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we use a dynamic structural model to measure the effects of (1) single mothers' work and welfare use decisions and (2) welfare reform initiatives on the early cognitive development of the children of the NLSY79 mothers. We use PIAT‐Math scores as a measure of attainment and show that both the mothers' work and welfare use benefit children on average. Our simulation of a policy that combines a time limit with work requirement reduces the use of welfare and increases employment significantly. These changes in turn significantly increase children's cognitive attainment. This implies that the welfare reform was not only successful in achieving its stated goals, but was also beneficial to welfare children's outcomes. In another policy simulation, we show that increasing work incentives for welfare population by exempting labor income from welfare tax can be a very successful policy with some additional benefits for children's outcomes. Finally, a counterfactual with an extended maternal leave policy significantly reduces employment and has negative, though economically insignificant, impact on cognitive outcomes. (JEL I38, J22, J18)
CENTRAL BANK STRATEGIC FORECASTING
Authors: GOMEZ‐BARRERO SEBASTIAN , PARRA‐POLANIA JULIAN A.
Published: March 2014

In most of the literature on transparency it has been standard to assume that central banks release truthful information when communicating with the public. However, the monetary policymaker may act strategically and misrepresent private information intending to reduce economic volatility by manipulating inflation expectations. We set up a simple model which includes misrepresentation as a possible action for the central bank and derive some testable implications. The empirical evidence from the analysis of inflation forecasts of six central banks (Brazil, Canada, England, Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden) is consistent with the existence of strategic forecasting. (JEL E52, E58)
IKVAV regulates ERK1/2 and Akt signalling pathways in BMMSC population growth and proliferation
Authors: Li B. , Qiu T. , Zhang P. , Wang X. , Yin Y. , Li S.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The molecular mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) population growth and proliferation, induced by Isoleucyl‐lysyl‐valyl‐alanyl‐valine (IKVAV), was explored in this study.

Materials and methods

IKVAV peptides were synthesized by the solid‐phase method. Influence of IKVAV on BMMSC population growth and proliferation were investigated by assays of CCK‐8, flow cytometry, real‐time PCR and western blotting.

Results

IKVAV peptide was found to induce proliferation and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) synthesis of BMMSC in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed that the proportion of IKVAV‐treated BMMSC in S phase in was higher than controls. Western blot results suggested that mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signalling pathways were activated by IKVAV by enhancing phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and Akt in the BMMSCs. Meanwhile, phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and Akt were partially blocked by ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) and Akt inhibitor (wortmannin), respectively.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that IKVAV stimulated BMMSC population growth and proliferation by activating MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways. This study is the first to reveal an enhancement effect of IKVAV peptide on BMMSC at the signal transduction level, and the outcome could provide experimental evidence for application of IKVAV‐grafted scaffolds in the field of BMMSC‐based tissue engineering.
Cigarette smoking in living kidney donors: donor and recipient outcomes
Authors: Underwood Patrick W. , Sheetz Kyle H. , Cron David C. , Terjimanian Michael N. , Englesbe Michael J. , Waits Seth A.
Published: March 2014

Background

Living kidney donor pools are expanding with the use of “medically complex” donors. Whether or not to include cigarette smokers as living kidney donors remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between donor smoking and recipient outcomes. We hypothesized that donor smoking would increase donor complications and decrease allograft and recipient survival over time.

Methods

The charts of 602 living kidney donors and their recipients were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox modeling were used to assess the relationships between smoking and recipient and allograft survival.

Results

No difference in postoperative complications was seen in smoking versus non‐smoking donors. Donor smoking at time of evaluation did not significantly decrease allograft survival (HR = 1.19, p = 0.52), but recipient smoking at evaluation did reduce allograft survival (HR = 1.74, p = 0.05). Both donor and recipient smoking decreased recipient survival (HR = 1.93, p < 0.01 vs HR = 1.74, p = 0.048).

Discussion

When controlled for donor and recipient factors, cigarette smoking by living kidney donors significantly reduced recipient survival. This datum suggests that careful attention to smoking history is an important clinical measure in which to counsel potential donors and recipients. Policy efforts to limit donors with a recent smoking history should be balanced with the overall shortage of appropriate kidney donors.
Acute cellular rejection with isolated v‐lesions is not associated with more favorable outcomes than vascular rejection with more tubulointerstitial inflammations
Authors: Wu K. Y. , Budde K. , Schmidt D. , Neumayer H. H. , Rudolph B.
Published: March 2014

Background

The impact of isolated v‐lesions on clinical outcome in biopsies with acute cellular rejection (ACR) is unclear.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty‐five biopsies showing the highest ACR severity for each patient were recruited and classified into four groups: (i) acute interstitial rejection (AIR) I with minimal tubulointerstitial inflammation (TI), (ii) AIR II with intensive TI, (iii) acute vascular rejection (AVR) I with minimal TI, and (iv) AVR II with intensive TI.

Results

The complete reversal rates of AIR I and AIR II groups were marginally higher than AVR I and AVR II groups (p = 0.16). At eight yr of transplantation, the death‐censored graft survival (DCGS) rate of AIR I group (93.3%) was significantly higher compared with the AVR I (72.7%) or AVR II (72.9%) group. AVR I group had a similar DCGS rate with AVR II group (72.7% vs. 74.1%), whereas AVR with v1‐lesion showed significantly higher graft survival (GS) rate than those with v2‐lesion (70.2% vs. 45.5%). The t‐lesion of AIR and v‐lesion of AVR group were associated with graft loss.

Conclusion

The extent of TI is non‐specifically associated with graft loss in biopsies with AVR; the higher grade v‐lesion predicts the lower complete reversal rate and poorer long‐term graft survival.
Living kidney donation: the importance of public education
Authors: Tumin Makmor , Rasiah Rajah , Noh Abdillah , Satar NurulHuda Mohd , Chong Chin‐Sieng , Lim Soo‐Kun , Ng Kok‐Peng
Published: March 2014

A sample of Malaysians in the Klang Valley indicating their decision on becoming unrelated living kidney donors was surveyed regarding huge amounts of financial incentives to be rewarded to them. From the 1310 respondents, 72.1% said “no” on becoming a living donor. The reason “I don't think humans can live with only one kidney” scored the highest (35.6%), and from the 27.9% of the respondents who are willing to donate their organ with the right financial incentive, most of the respondents picked the reasons “I want to do something noble in life” (50%), and monetary reason scored the lowest (6.2%), indicating that financial incentive is not a major reason guiding individuals' decision on becoming living donors. We suggest that the government should put priority at targeting public education to raise the understanding on the risk, safety and the quality of life of donation and transplantation, and improving the public trust on the donation and the surgical methods to carry out transplantation.
Desmoplastic sebaceoma arising from nevus sebaceus: a new variant
Authors: Chuang Huei‐Chieh , Kao Pei‐Han , Huang Yen‐Lin , Lee Li-Yu , Kuo Tseng‐tong
Published: March 2014

Nevus sebaceus is known to have the potential to develop into various secondary tumors. We observed a sebaceoma arising from a nevus sebaceus excised from the left cheek of a 51‐year‐old woman. This sebaceoma showed desmoplastic change similar to that observed in desmoplastic trichoepithelioma and desmoplastic trichilemmoma. This heretofore undescribed desmoplastic variant of sebaceoma should not be mistaken for invasive sebaceous carcinoma.
Do Self‐insurance and Disability Insurance Prevent Consumption Loss on Disability?
Authors: Ball Steffan , Low Hamish
Published: March 2014

We show the extent to which public insurance and self‐insurance mitigate the cost of health shocks that limit the ability to work. We use consumption data from the UK to estimate insurance provided by government disability programmes. Individuals with a work‐limiting health condition, in receipt of disability insurance, have 9% lower consumption than those without such a condition. Self‐insurance through savings and a work‐active partner each improve outcomes by about 3%. Reduced generosity of disability insurance after 1995 is associated with increases in the consumption loss on disability, implying worse insurance, but with fewer false claimants, implying better targeting.
Mimicry's palette: widespread use of conserved pigments in the aposematic signals of snakes
Authors: Kikuchi David W. , Seymoure Brett M. , Pfennig David W.
Published: March 2014

Mimicry, where one species resembles another species because of the selective benefits of sharing a common signal, is especially common in snakes. Snakes might be particularly prone to evolving mimicry if all species share some of the same proximate mechanisms that can be used to produce aposematic/mimetic signals. We evaluated this possibility by examining color pigments in 11 species of snakes from four different families, three species of which participate in a coral snake mimicry complex involving convergence in coloration. We found that all 11 species used combinations of two pteridine pigments and melanin in their coloration, regardless of whether or not they were mimics. Furthermore, the presence or absence of red pteridines was strongly correlated with the relative excitation of medium‐ and long‐wavelength photoreceptors in birds, thereby linking shared pigmentation to perception of those pigments by likely agents of selection. Thus, precise color mimicry might be relatively easy to evolve among snakes owing to symplesiomorphies in pigmentation.
Ontogenetic changes in seminal fluid gene expression and the protein composition of cricket seminal fluid
Authors: Simmons Leigh W. , Beveridge Maxine , Li Lie , Tan Yew‐Foon , Millar A. Harvey
Published: March 2014

The ejaculates of most internally fertilizing species consists of both sperm and seminal fluid proteins. Seminal fluid proteins have been studied largely in relation to their post‐mating effects on female reproductive physiology, and predominantly in genomically well‐characterized species. Seminal fluids can also play important roles in sperm maturation and performance. In the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus the viability of ejaculated sperm increases as males age, as does their competitive fertilization success. Here, using quantitative proteomics and quantitative real‐time PCR, we document ontogenetic changes in seminal fluid protein abundance and in seminal fluid gene expression. We identified at least nine proteins that changed in abundance in the seminal fluid of crickets as they aged. Gene expression was quantified for five seminal fluid protein genes, and in four of these gene expression changed as males aged. These ontogenetic changes were associated with a general increase in the size of the male accessory glands. Several of the seminal fluid proteins that we have identified are novel, and some have BLAST matches to proteins implicated in sperm function. Our data suggest that age related changes in competitive fertilization success may be dependent on seminal fluid chemistry.
Contrary effects of leaf position and identity on oviposition and larval feeding patterns of the diamondback moth
Authors: Ang Gurion C.K. , Silva Rehan , Maxwell Sean L. , Zalucki Myron P. , Furlong Michael J.
Published: March 2014

The influence of leaf position and leaf identity on oviposition and neonate feeding site establishment by the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), were investigated in laboratory experiments. Leaves were excised from cabbage [Brassica oleracea L. capitata, cv. Sugarloaf (Brassicaceae)] and the plants reconfigured on artificial stems made from oasis floral foam. Excised leaves were arranged in their normal (natural) order, in reverse order, or in random order. Relative leaf position, but not leaf identity, significantly influenced the choice of oviposition site; when exposed to female moths, leaves in the lowest three positions always received most eggs. To eliminate the effect of leaf position, oviposition experiments were conducted on excised leaves held at uniform height in individual blocks of oasis foam that had been randomly allocated to a position in a circle at the base of an oviposition cage. Moths laid significantly more eggs on younger leaves, but egg density per unit area did not vary among leaves, supporting the finding that leaf identity did not affect moth oviposition. In experiments that investigated the establishment of neonate feeding sites in reconfigured plants, feeding sites were always concentrated on the youngest two leaves of plants, regardless of their position in normal‐, reverse‐, and random‐order plant configurations. This indicates that leaf identity rather than leaf position determines the site of neonate feeding site establishment. The contrary effects of leaf identity and leaf position on oviposition and neonate feeding site establishment in the same species suggests that different life stages utilize different plant cues (perhaps both physical and chemical) in life stage‐specific ways.
Strategies of attack and defence in woody plant–Phytophthora interactions
Authors: Oßwald W. , Fleischmann F. , Rigling D. , Coelho A. C. , Cravador A. , Diez J. , Dalio R. J. , Horta Jung M. , Pfanz H. , Robin C. , Sipos G. , Solla A. , Cech T. , Chambery A. , Diamandis S. , Hansen E. , Jung T. , Orlikowski L. B. , Parke J. , Prospero S. , Werres S.
Published: March 2014

This review comprises both well‐known and recently described Phytophthora species and concentrates on Phytophthora–woody plant interactions. First, comprehensive data on infection strategies are presented which were the basis for three models that explain invasion and spread of Phytophthora pathogens in different woody host plants. The first model describes infection of roots, the second concentrates on invasion of the trunk, and the last one summarizes infection and invasion of host plants via leaves. On the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular data, scenarios are suggested which explain the sequences of reactions that occur in susceptible and tolerant plants following infections of roots or of stem bark. Particular emphasis is paid to the significance of Phytophthora elicitins for such host–pathogen interactions. The overall goal is to shed light on the sequences of pathogenesis to better understand how Phytophthora pathogens harm their host plants.
The Problems of a Priori Categorisation of Agonism and Cooperation: Circle‐Tube Interactions in Two Allodapine Bees
Authors: Dew Rebecca M. , Gardner Michael G. , Schwarz Michael P.
Published: March 2014

Circle‐tube experiments have been widely used to both examine nestmate recognition in social and solitary insects, as well as to characterise interactions in terms of agonism, cooperation, and avoidance. Despite their use in studies of halictid bees, carpenter bees, adrenid bees, and wasps, they have never been used to explore social interactions in the bee tribe Allodapini, where sociality varies widely in terms of complexity. Here, we investigate behaviours displayed within the highly eusocial allodapine Exoneurella tridentata and the facultatively social Exoneura robusta, using a standardised circle‐tube apparatus. We present two broad and important results: (i) Discrimination between nestmates and non‐nestmates is much more strongly expressed in the facultatively social species and (ii) principal components analyses do not indicate suites of behaviours that permit clear interpretations as being agonistic, cooperative, or avoidance. Our first set of results suggests that nestmate recognition is not an essential ability for social species. Our second set of results raise important questions about a priori functional categorisations of behaviours and whether these can be used to reliably classify observed behaviours as either avoidance, cooperation, or aggression. Our analyses highlight the risks of interpreting social insect interactions and call for a more cautious approach.
Hatching Asynchrony Decreases the Magnitude of Parental Care in Domesticated Zebra Finches: Empirical Support for the Peak Load Reduction Hypothesis
Authors: Mainwaring Mark C. , Lucy David , Hartley Ian R.
Published: March 2014

Parent–offspring conflict over the supply of parental care results in offspring attempting to exert control using begging behaviours and parents attempting to exert control by manipulating brood sizes and hatching patterns. The peak load reduction hypothesis proposes that parents can exert control via hatching asynchrony, as the level of competition amongst siblings is determined by their age differences and not by their growth rates. Theoretically, this benefits the parents by reducing both the peak load of the offspring's demand and their overall demand for food and benefits the offspring by reducing the amplification of their competition. However, the peak load reduction hypothesis has only received mixed support. Here, we describe an experiment where we manipulated the hatching patterns of domesticated zebra finchTaeniopygia guttatabroods and quantified patterns of nestling begging and parental feeding effort. There was no difference in the begging intensity of nestlings raised in asynchronous or experimentally synchronous broods, yet parental feeding effort was lower when provisioning asynchronous broods and particularly so when levels of nestling begging were low. Further, both parents acted in unison, as there was no evidence of parentally biased favouritism in relation to hatching pattern. Therefore, our study provided empirical support for the prediction that hatching asynchrony reduces the feeding effort of parents, thereby providing empirical support for the peak load reduction hypothesis.
Attunement and Fidelity: Two Ontological Conditions for Morally Being‐in‐the‐World
Authors: Zigon Jarrett
Published: March 2014

An anthropology of moralities would do well to move beyond traditional moral concepts in the realization that most moral lives and ethical projects—what we might call moral experience—are lived according to an entirely other set of moral concepts that are concerned with dwelling in the world, that is, with expanding, maintaining, repairing, or even disentangling from constitutive relationships. In this article I suggest attunement and fidelity as ontological conditions for this moral way of being‐in‐the‐world. I argue that in limiting our disciplinary focus to traditional moral philosophies and concepts we do more to reproduce a particular moral philosophic tradition than to understand moral experience in the world. Although today many institutional and public discourses of morality emphasize the good and the right, I argue that an ontology of assembled and relational‐being reveals that morality and ethics go well beyond good and evil.
Afterword: Moral Experience in Anthropology
Authors: Csordas Thomas J.
Published: March 2014

The concept of moral experience offers an important dimension to anthropological thinking about morality, particularly when one distinguishes between approaches that treat specific sociocultural loci of moral experience and those that address conditions of possibility for moral experience. A coherent approach to morality should also reconsider earlier works in order to avoid the embarrassment of reinventing the wheel in our work. I take a step in this direction by juxtaposing two works from 1950s American anthropology, the analysis of Hopi ethics by Richard Brandt and the Navajo moral code by John Ladd. This exercise leads us to interrogate the validity of construing morality as a cultural system at that period in comparison to the status of those societies today, to other small‐scale societies in colonial or postcolonial situations, and to complex societies such as those of contemporary Euro‐America. Juxtaposing moral experience and moral code highlights the relative contributions of cultural analysis of morality from first‐person and third‐person perspectives, offers a step toward identifying the presence of a moral ambience akin to the emotional ambience designated by the concept of ethos, and leads toward a phenomenological concern with moral being and becoming and recognition of care as essential to the moral domain.
Prospective study of the association between exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage and long‐term performance inThoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Sullivan S. L. , Anderson G. A. , Morley P. S. , Hinchcliff K. W.
Published: March 2014

Reasons for performing study

Exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is associated with impaired short‐term race performance but consequences to long‐term race performance of Thoroughbred racehorses are unknown. Knowledge of effects ofEIPHon performance over a prolonged time would inform the need for management and treatment of this disorder.

Objectives

To determine the relationship betweenEIPHdetected on a single occasion and long‐term athletic performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Study design

Prospective, longitudinal, observational epidemiological study conducted from 2003 to 2012.

Methods

Seven hundred and forty‐four Thoroughbred racehorses underwent a single tracheobronchoscopic examination to determine presence and severity ofEIPHin 2003. Following retirement of all the horses from racing, career after examination and lifetime performance data (including career duration, earnings, starts, wins and placings) were abstracted from a commercial database. The association between presence and severity ofEIPHand individual performance variables were analysed using survival analysis, linear regression and negative binomial regression.

Results

No association was detected between the presence of anyEIPH(grade≥1) and all measures of long‐term performance examined except that horses withEIPH(grade≥2) had fewer earnings after endoscopic examination than did horses with mildEIPHor noEIPH(grades≤1). Multiple associations were detected between the most severe form ofEIPH(grade 4) and measures of long‐term performance suggesting that the severity ofEIPHcommonly associated with epistaxis adversely affects either the horse's opportunity to race or physiologic capacity to race.

Conclusions

We conclude that there is no association betweenEIPH grades 0, 1, 2and3and long‐term racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses. These results are based on a single endoscopic evaluation ofEIPHgrade made during a horse's career. Further studies are required to determine the reasons for an association of severe (grade 4)EIPHwith impaired long‐term race performance.
Association between habitual light‐intensity physical activity and lower‐extremity performance: A cross‐sectional study of community‐dwelling older Japanese adults
Authors: Osuka Yosuke , Yabushita Noriko , Kim Miji , Seino Satoshi , Nemoto Miyuki , Jung Songee , Okubo Yoshiro , Figueroa Rafael , Tanaka Kiyoji
Published: March 2014

Aim

Habitual moderate vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) positively affects lower‐extremity performance. It is unclear whether habitual light‐intensity physical activity (LPA), such as leisurely walking, has similar effects on lower‐extremity performance. The aim of the present study was to identify the associations between habitual LPA and lower‐extremity performance in older adults.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 802 community‐dwelling Japanese older adults, 187 men and 615 women, aged 60–96 years. A uniaxial accelerometer measured physical activity intensity for over 10 h/day continuously for 7 days. Lower‐extremity performance was assessed by repeated chair stands (RCS), single‐leg stance (SLS) and Timed Up & Go (TUG). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify whether LPA was associated with lower‐extremity performance, independent of potential confounders.

Results

The multiple regression analysis showed that longer LPA was significantly associated with better performance of RCS and TUG. In the results of stratified analyses, LPA was significantly associated with RCS in participants aged ≥75 years and in those with at least one medical condition or joint pain. LPA was also associated with TUG in participants aged ≥75 years, in those with at least one medical condition or joint pain and in those with low MVPA (<13.9 min/day).

Conclusions

These results suggest that habitual LPA is a useful lifestyle indicator of better performance in lower‐extremity strength and gait with dynamic balance. Maintaining a higher level of LPA could be a recommended approach for preserving lower‐extremity performance, especially among physically frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 268–275.
Performance of severity scores for home care‐based patients suffering from pneumonia
Authors: Ishibashi Fumiaki , Sunohara Mitsuhiro , Kawagoe Shohei
Published: March 2014

Aim

The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) is used to determine the prognosis of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP). The concept of nursing‐ and healthcare‐associated pneumonia (NHCAP) has recently been established in Japan. The present study aims to examine whether the PSI can predict the prognosis of home care‐based patients diagnosed with NHCAP.

Methods

We retrospectively sampled 97 home care‐based patients diagnosed with pneumonia in 2011 at Aozora Clinic in Kamihongo. Each case was scored using the PSI, the A‐DROP and the CURB‐65, and the severity of each case was evaluated. We also modified the PSI to obtain the score on the site of the home visits by omitting the scores related to the radiographic and laboratory findings. We call this new score the modified PSI for home care‐based patients (PSI‐HC). We assessed how well each score predicted mortality.

Results

The correlation efficiency of the PSI and the PSI‐HC before categorization was 0.89. All the four scores well predicted the mortality, with the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curves of the PSI, the PSI‐HC, the A‐DROP and the CURB‐65 being 0.859, 0.856, 0.778, and 0.806, respectively. These scores also predicted the hospitalization rate, but more than two‐thirds of high‐scoring patients received therapy at home contrary to the recommendations of guidelines.

Conclusions

All four scores for CAP well predicted the prognosis of pneumonia of the home care‐based patients, which was categorized in NHCAP. The decision of hospitalization was made not only by considering the severity of the pneumonia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 311–317.
Low Adherence to Helicobacter pylori Testing in Hospitalized Patients with Bleeding Peptic Ulcer Disease
Authors: Kim John J. , Lee John S. , Olafsson Snorri , Laine Loren
Published: March 2014

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) testing in patients with bleeding ulcers is recommended by society guidelines and considered a quality indicator. The aim of the study is to examine the proportion of patients with bleeding ulcers who had H. pylori testing and identify predictors associated with H. pylori testing.

Materials and methods

Consecutive hospitalized patients with bleeding ulcers documented endoscopically at a single center from 10/2004‐5/2011 were identified retrospectively from an endoscopy database. The proportion of patients undergoing direct H. pylori testing (histology, rapid urease test, breath test or stool antigen) and any H. pylori testing (direct or serologic) were determined.

Results

Among 330 patients with bleeding ulcers, 105 (32%, 95% CI 27–37%) underwent direct testing and another 52 (16%, 95% CI 12–20%) had serologic testing during a median follow‐up of 9 months (range, 0–86). H. pylori testing occurred at the index hospitalization in 146 (93%) of the 157 patients tested. Among the 105 patients who had direct H. pylori testing, 90 (86%) had biopsy‐based testing during the initial endoscopy. On multivariate analysis, undergoing biopsy of a gastric ulcer was strongly associated with having direct H. pylori testing performed (OR = 5.1, 95% CI 2.3–11.5; p < .0001).

Conclusions

Among patients hospitalized with bleeding ulcers, less than half received H. pylori testing and less than a third received the more accurate direct testing. Most of the direct H. pylori testing was biopsy‐based with very few being tested after the index hospitalization. Efforts to increase H. pylori testing in patients with bleeding ulcers are needed to improve outcomes.
Detection of ALK expression in non‐small‐cell lung cancer with ALK gene rearrangements – comparison of multiple immunohistochemical methods
Authors: Zwaenepoel Karen , Van Dongen Amber , Lambin Suzan , Weyn Christine , Pauwels Patrick
Published: March 2014

Aim

Testing for ALK rearrangements in advanced, non‐squamous non‐small‐cell lung cancers that are wild‐type for activating EGFR mutation has become standard care. Fluorescence in‐situ hybridization is considered the gold standard for this evaluation. Pre‐screening with immunohistochemistry has been suggested, to reduce testing costs and to make testing more widely available. By analysing the sensitivity and specificity of different ALK immunohistochemical assays, we aimed to identify the most reliable assay to detect ALK rearrangement.

Methods and results

ALK screening performed by FISH analysis was compared with three different immunohistochemical assays, in which two ALK antibody clones (5A4 and D5F3) were used on two detection platforms (Dako AutostainerLink 48 and Ventana Benchmark GX). Data from 30 ALK FISH‐positive cases show that the sensitivity of the immunohistochemical assays varies from 93.3% to 96.6%. Head‐to‐head comparison of the 5A4 and D5F3 ALK antibody clones demonstrates similar staining potency. In general, homogeneous, intermediate to strong staining of the ALK‐positive samples was obtained.

Conclusions

ALK immunohistochemistry can be considered as a pre‐screen method if one accepts a sensitivity of 93.3–96.6%. Because ALK immunohistochemical staining needs to be performed close to the detection limit of the assay, vigilant quality control monitoring is required to guarantee trustworthy results.
Prognostic relevance of histological variants in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Kambouchner Marianne , Levy Pierre , Nicholson Andrew G , Schubel Kirsten , Magois Eline , Feuillet Séverine , Valeyre Dominique , Bernaudin Jean‐François , Nunes Hilario
Published: March 2014

Aims

Although histological non‐specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is concisely defined, overlap with other patterns is described. While most frequently idiopathic, NSIP is seen in various clinical contexts such as connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP). This study was designed to determine if NSIP could be separated into subgroups based on minor histological features and to correlate these subgroups with clinical associations and survival.

Methods and results

One hundred and thirty‐six patients with biopsy‐proven NSIP were included [clinical diagnosis: CTDs (23%), cHP (12%), idiopathic (65%)]. In addition to the agreed NSIP criteria, seven subgroups were identified: essential NSIP and six overlap subgroups according to superimposed minor histological features. Interobserver concordance resulted in the following consensus: essential NSIP (36%), usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) overlap (26%), cHP overlap (10%), organizing pneumonia (OP) overlap (6%), organizing diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) overlap (10%), desquamative interstitial pneumonia overlap (7%) and lymphoid interstitial pneumonia overlap (2%). OP overlap was associated with CTDs (P = 0.04) and cHP overlap with a cHP clinical diagnosis (P = 0.02). Survival was different between subgroups (P = 0.0002). Organizing DAD overlap exhibited poorer survival at 5 years (32%), followed by UIP overlap (57%). Independent predictors of mortality were organizing DAD overlap (HR = 4.99, 95% CI = 2.15–11.58, P = 0.0002), UIP overlap (HR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.12–3.99, P = 0.02) and a clinical diagnosis of cHP (HR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.05–4.47, P = 0.035).

Conclusions

Non‐specific interstitial pneumonia subdivision into pathological subgroups is clinically relevant from a prognostic and causal perspective.