bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population-specific imputation of gene expression improves prediction of pharmacogenomic traits for African Americans
Authors: Gottlieb Assaf , Daneshjou Roxana , DeGorter Marianne , Montgomery Stephen B. , Altman Russ B.
Published: March 2017

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful for discovering genotype-phenotype associations but are limited because they require large cohorts to identify a signal, which can be population-specific. Mapping genetic variation to genes improves power, and allows the effects of both protein coding variation as well as variation in expression to be combined into “gene level” effects.

Previous work has shown that warfarin dose can be predicted using information from genetic variation that affects protein coding regions. Here, we introduce a method that improves the predicted dose by integrating tissue-specific gene expression. In particular, we use drug pathways and expression quantitative trait loci knowledge to impute gene expression—on the assumption that differential expression of key pathway genes may impact dose requirement. We focus on 116 genes from the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) pathways of warfarin within training and validation sets comprising both European and African-descent individuals. We build gene-tissue signatures associated with warfarin dose, and identify a signature of eleven gene-tissue pairs that significantly augment the International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium dosage-prediction algorithm in both populations. Our results demonstrate that imputed expression can improve dose prediction, in a population-specific manner.
The mutational decay of male and hermaphrodite competitive fitness in the androdioecious nematodeC. elegans, in which males are naturally rare
Authors: Yeh Shu-Dan , Saxena Ayush , Crombie Timothy , Feistel Dorian , Johnson Lindsay M. , Lam Isabel , Lam Jennifer , Saber Sayran , Baer Charles F.
Published: March 2017

Androdioecious Caenorhabditis have a high frequency of self-compatible hermaphrodites and a low frequency of males. The effects of mutations on male fitness are of interest for two reasons. First, when males are rare, selection on male-specific mutations is less efficient than in hermaphrodites. Second, males may present a larger mutational target than hermaphrodites because of the different ways in which fitness accrues in the two sexes.

We report the first estimates of male-specific mutational effects in an androdioecious organism. The rate of male-specific inviable or sterile mutations is ≤ 5 x 10−4/generation, below the rate at which males would be lost solely due to those kinds of mutations. The rate of mutational decay of male competitive fitness is ~0.17%/generation; that of hermaphrodite competitive fitness is ~0.11%/generation. The point estimate of ~1.5X faster rate of mutational decay of male fitness is nearly identical to the same ratio in Drosophila. Estimates of mutational variance (VM) for male mating success and competitive fitness are not significantly different from zero, whereas VM for hermaphrodite competitive fitness is similar to that of non-competitive fitness. The discrepancy between the two sexes is probably due to the greater inherent variability of mating relative to internal self-fertilization.
Changes in PUB22 Ubiquitination Modes Triggered by MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE3 Dampen the Immune Response
Authors: Furlan Giulia , Nakagami Hirofumi , Eschen-Lippold Lennart , Jiang Xiyuan , Majovsky Petra , Kowarschik Kathrin , Hoehenwarter Wolfgang , Lee Justin , Trujillo Marco
Published: March 2017

Crosstalk between posttranslational modifications, such as ubiquitination and phosphorylation, play key roles in controlling the duration and intensity of signaling events to ensure cellular homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of negative feedback loops remain poorly understood. Here, we uncover a pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana by which a negative feedback loop involving the E3 ubiquitin ligase PUB22 that dampens the immune response is triggered by MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE3 (MPK3), best known for its function in the activation of signaling. PUB22's stability is controlled by MPK3-mediated phosphorylation of residues localized in and adjacent to the E2 docking domain. We show that phosphorylation is critical for stabilization by inhibiting PUB22 oligomerization and, thus, autoubiquitination. The activity switch allows PUB22 to dampen the immune response. This regulatory mechanism also suggests that autoubiquitination, which is inherent to most single unit E3s in vitro, can function as a self-regulatory mechanism in vivo.
Crystal structure of bromido-fac-tricarbonyl[5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-κ2N2,N3]rhenium(I) methanol monosolvate
Authors: Kharlova Marharyta I. , Piletska Kseniia O. , Domasevitch Kostiantyn V. , Shtemenko Alexander V.
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, [ReBr(C16H16N4O3)(CO)3]·CH3OH, the ReIatom adopts a distorted octahedral coordination sphere with a facial arrangement of the three carbonyl ligands. Two N atoms of the chelating 5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole ligand and two carbonyl ligands define the equatorial plane of the complex, with the third carbonyl ligand and the bromide ligand in axial positions. Conventional hydrogen bonds including the methanol solvent molecules assemble the complex molecules through mutual N—H...O—H...Br links [N...O = 2.703 (3) Å and O...Br = 3.255 (2) Å] into centrosymmetric dimers, whereas weaker C—H...O and C—H...Br hydrogen bonds [C...O = 3.215 (3)–3.390 (4) Å and C...Br = 3.927 (3) Å] connect the dimers into double layers parallel to the (111) plane.
Synthesis and crystal structure of bis(μ-2-methylbenzenethiolato-κ2S:S)bis[methyl(2-methylbenzenethiolato-κS)indium(III)]
Authors: Briand Glen G. , Decken Andreas , Dickie Courtney M. , MacNeil Gregory
Published: March 2017

The dinuclear title compound, [In2(CH3)2(C7H7S)4] or [Me(2-MeC6H4S)In-μ-(2-MeC6H4S)2InMe(2-MeC6H4S)], was prepared from the 1:2 reaction of Me3In and 2-MeC6H4SH in toluene. Its crystal structure exhibits a four-membered In2S2ring coreviabridging (2-MeC6H4S) groups. The dimeric units are further associated into a one-dimensional polymeric structure extending parallel to theaaxisviaintermolecular In...S contacts. The In atoms are then in distorted trigonal–bipyramidal CS4bonding environments.
A two-dimensional coordination polymer: poly[[bis[μ2-N-ethyl-N-(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)dithiocarbamato-κ3N:S,S′]cadmium(II)] 3-methylpyridine monosolvate]
Authors: Arman Hadi D. , Poplaukhin Pavel , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: March 2017

The title compound, {[Cd(C9H11N2S2)2]·C6H7N}n, features two μ2-κ3-dithiocarbamate ligands each of which chelates one CdIIatom,viathe S atoms, while simultaneously bridging to anotherviathe pyridyl-N atom. The result is a two-dimensional coordination polymer extending parallel to theabplane with square channels along thebaxis. The CdIIatom geometry is based on a distortedcis-N2S4octahedron. The 3-methylpyridine molecules reside in the channels aligned along thebaxis, being held in place by methylene-C—H...N(3-methylpyridine) and (3-methylpyridine)-C—H...π(pyridyl) interactions. Pyridyl-C—H...S and dithiocarbamate-methyl-C—H...π(pyridyl) interactions provide connections between layers along thecaxis.
[3,4-Bis(2,3-dichlorophenyl)cyclobutane-1,2-diyl]bis(furan-2-ylmethanone) monohydrate
Authors: Renuka N. , Naveen S. , Raghavendra K. R. , Dileep Kumar A. , Lokanath N. K. , Ajay Kumar K.
Published: March 2017

In the title hydrate, C26H16Cl4O4·H2O, the cyclobutane ring carries two 2,3-dichlorophenyl and two furan-2-ylmethanone substituents. It subtends dihedral angles of 86.6 (3) and 37.3 (3)° with the furan rings and 77.0 (5) and 77.0 (3)° with the dichlorophenyl rings. In the crystal, molecules are linked via weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along the a-axis direction. Additional C—H...O and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds generate a three-dimensional network of molecules stacked along the b axis.
How and what teachers learn from collaborative professional development
Authors: Wood Keith , Jaidin Halida , Jawawi Rosmawijah , Perera J.S.H.Q. , Salleh Sallimah , Shahrill Masitah , Sithamparam Saratha
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on a study of teacher learning through participation in sustained collaborative subject-based professional development groups supported by a facilitator, using a model of teachers’ conceptions of teaching developed from phenomenography to identify what are the critical features of teaching that must be present if teachers are to learn, and using a variation theory of learning to explain how they learn.

Design/methodology/approach

The groups engaged in cycles of lesson study action research to improve the learning outcomes of their students. The authors intended to engage the teachers in an exploration of their own and their students’ experiences to understand the relationship between the enactment of the research lesson(s) and the educational outcome. The authors collected over 157 hours of video recorded teachers’ meetings involving 15 groups, 47 hours of follow-up interviews and 97 hours of lessons. In this paper the authors report on the progress of one of those groups. The authors analysed the transcripts to see what, if any, dimensions of variation were opened in discussion, affording the opportunity for learning. The authors sought the simultaneous juxtaposition, the bringing together, of threads that have entered the discussion that have the potential to open dimensions of variation – to add critical features to the “what” and “how” dimensions of teaching.

Findings

The authors identified necessary conditions for teacher learning through collaborative subject-based professional development groups. Any member of the group might bring this about. The facilitator or coach might be expected to perform this role in the group, and to sustain the group’s attention on the critical features of the object of learning.

Practical implications

The paper provides valuable insights into strategies to change teacher perspectives from a transmission oriented to a construction oriented view of teaching in the face of new and challenging curriculum demands.

Originality/value

In the work reported here the authors have used variation theory to design lesson study. This is rather different from a learning study where the teachers engaged in the study use variation theory to design their research lesson(s). It is a learning study of teachers’ professional development.
Two tenses are better than one
Authors: Lindström Clare
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a learning study (Lindström, 2015) with Swedish sixth grade pupils on the English grammatical structure, the progressive aspect (PROG). The focus is on how the lesson design and the treatment of the subject content, informed by variation theory, affected the learning of the PROG.

Design/methodology/approach

Four teachers of English as a foreign language, including the teacher researcher, collaborated to plan, teach, evaluate and analyse a series of six research lessons. The theoretical framework was the variation theory of learning which was used both to design the lessons and analyse teaching and learning. A basic assumption is that learning is a function of discernment, and discernment is conditional upon experiencing variaion. Empirical data consisted of interview transcripts, pre- and post-lesson assessments, and video recordings of the lessons.

Findings

The use of the present tense when teaching the PROG was insufficient. When the past tense was introduced, along with particularly powerful examples, pupils’ understanding of the PROG improved. Furthermore, reversing the conventional order by instead beginning the lesson with examples in the past tense, helped the pupils to generalise the meanings of the PROG. Improved pupil learning outcomes were observed when the PROG was treated from the perspective of wholeness, simultaneity and complexity.

Originality/value

The findings challenge conventional ways of teaching the PROG and thus have value for instruction of English as a foreign language.
Organization studies as symmetrical ethnology
Authors: Czarniawska Barbara
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge some of the taken for granted assumptions of contemporary ethnographic practice by exploring reasons for fieldwork and the debt that is owed to those in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploring traditional and contemporary reasons for fieldwork and comparing ostensive and performative styles of reporting organization studies.

Findings

The argument is that traditional ethnographic approaches do not fit contemporary organizing practices. In their place, a “symmetrical ethnology” is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

More reflective use of labels and terms.

Practical implications

Better communication with practitioners.

Social implications

Better dialogue with wider circles.

Originality/value

An important and timely critique of ethnography together with a reformulation and a number of suggestions for future practice.
Exploring the impact of marketing culture on job satisfaction
Authors: Yildirim Seda , Acaray Ali , Aydin Kenan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The literature has shown that organizational culture influences job satisfaction in various industries such as tourism, banking and retail. As a result, investigating the impact of culture and organizational structure is a topic of growing interest. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether marketing culture has a positive effect on job satisfaction in banking firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a survey methodology. Surveys were conducted in Istanbul, Turkey, with service industry employees of private banks and insurance companies. To measure the marketing culture, Webster’s (1990) marketing culture model with 34 items was adopted. Six basic dimensions of “service quality, interpersonal relationships, selling task, organization, internal communication and innovativeness” were measured using the survey instrument. Job satisfaction was measured using the 20-item Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire on the following two dimensions: intrinsic satisfaction and extrinsic satisfaction. The data were analyzed with SmartPLS 2.0 and SPSS 21 programs.

Findings

It was found that marketing culture had a significant and positive effect on job satisfaction. In particular, the marketing culture factors had a greater effect on extrinsic satisfaction in banking firms. In this regard, service quality, organization, selling task and innovativeness had a positive effect on extrinsic satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study supports the argument that the concept of marketing culture is different from the market-oriented culture type. In addition, this study shows that marketing culture has a positive effect on job satisfaction in banking firms.
Measuring regional competitiveness through agricultural indices of productivity
Authors: Coronado Francisco , Charles Vincent , Dwyer Rocky J.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to incorporate factors that characterize the agricultural activity as productivity indices to compute the agricultural competitiveness of regions in order to rank the regions, and compare the results with those obtained by applying other commonly used social and economic indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identify regional factors related to the use of water, soil, production, revenues, and rural population, which conform a total of six productivity indices, that the authors then employ to calculate the regional agricultural competitiveness index.

Findings

The agricultural-related indices are informative in supporting the regional ranking related to resources and technology utilization. The results reveal that the coastal regions are the most competitive when compared to the regions located in the highlands and the jungle. Nevertheless, in contrast with other existing competitiveness rankings, the present study identifies the regions with the greatest potential for agriculture.

Research limitations/implications

The authors identify the regions which have a higher potential of development considering the natural resources and agricultural production. The authors hope that this paper can assist regional and national policymakers in their endeavor to improve regional and national competitiveness.

Practical implications

The authors identify the regions with a higher potential of development considering natural resources and agricultural production and the possibilities to improve their competitiveness.

Social implications

The study also bears social implications, given that the rural activities in Peru are carried out by approx. 7 million inhabitants, whose contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) is as much as 7 percent, making use of about 94 percent of the available water.

Originality/value

The originality of the present paper resides in the attempt to compute a regional competitiveness index by taking agricultural resources as determinant factors. The authors rank the regions based on their agricultural competitiveness.
Plant traits, stoichiometry and microbes as drivers of decomposition in the rhizosphere in a temperate grassland
Authors: Carrillo Yolima , Bell Colin , Koyama Akihiro , Canarini Alberto , Boot Claudia M. , Wallenstein Matthew , Pendall Elise
Published: March 2017

It is becoming increasingly clear that plant roots can impact the decomposition of existing soil C in the rhizosphere. Studies under controlled conditions suggest this impact may be plant species dependent, but whether this is the case in natural conditions or what factors underlie this variation is mostly unknown.

With a novel field‐based isotopic approach combining 13C‐enriched glucose and 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine additions, we compared in situ C decomposition of added labile C and native soil C (priming) among eight semi‐arid grassland species’ rhizospheres to investigate the factors driving inter‐species variation. We examined the influence of several rhizosphere factors related to soil chemistry, microbial activity, microbial community, microbial stoichiometry, plant chemistry and root morphology.

Plant species generated distinct microbial and chemical rhizosphere environments, which translated into differences in the direction, magnitude and temporal dynamics of the soil C priming. Soil C decomposition was positively related to soil C/P and soil N/P (via its influence on the bacterial community), which in turn were positively related to plant N/P. Plant C/N was also a significant factor via its negative influence on soil N/P. In contrast, the main direct predictors of labile C decomposition were microbial biomass, microbial C/N and the C‐degrading enzymes, which in turn were linked to root morphology and C chemistry.

Synthesis. Within this community, plant species’ rhizospheres can vary in their susceptibility to C loss in response to changes in C availability. Soil stoichiometry, driven by plant chemical traits, appeared to be the strongest driver of priming. Our study suggests that shifts in plant communities involving increases in N relative to P have the greatest potential to lead to C loss. We provide evidence of root morphology and C chemistry as drivers of labile C processing in soil, a novel empirical contribution to our understanding of the role of plant traits below‐ground. The contrasting regulation of different pools of soil C suggests observations of the regulation of simple C compounds should not be extrapolated to the whole C pool. Our findings provide support for rhizosphere‐driven mechanisms by which shifts in plant community composition could have implications on the ecosystem‐level C balance.
‘That's What Being A Woman Is For’: Opposition To Marital Rape Law Reform In Late Twentieth‐Century Australia
Authors: Featherstone Lisa
Published: March 2017

From 1976 until 1994, Australian states and territories introduced a raft of reforms to sexual assault laws. Most of these were welcomed, and were seen to reflect women's changing status within a modernising society. One reform, however, was especially contentious. The British law had proclaimed that a woman could not be raped within marriage: the marital bond included a husband's right to sexual access to his wife. Following South Australia's lead, all Australian jurisdictions introduced changes to this law, making it a crime to rape a woman within marriage, either before or after separation. It was a fundamental challenge to the way familial authority was conceptualised, established and policed.

In a period where feminism had infiltrated many layers of political and social life, we might expect that this change to the law would have been greeted with relief and even celebration. The response to changes to marital rape laws was, however, both muted and ambivalent. Even feminist groups did not offer unequivocal support, and in general public opinion was at best reserved. Further, many conservative groups understood the new laws as an assault on the sanctity of the family itself.

Drawing on a wide range of sources in the mainstream and alternative media, as well as parliamentary debates, government enquiries, academic studies and legal reports, this paper will explore the multifarious responses to legislative change. It uncovers the complex ways sexual violence and female bodily autonomy were understood within and beyond the borders and boundaries of the home and family.
Longitudinal Analysis of Quality of Diabetes Care and Relational Climate in Primary Care
Authors: Soley‐Bori Marina , Benzer Justin K. , Burgess James F.
Published: March 2017

Objective

To assess the influence of relational climate on quality of diabetes care.

Data Sources/Study Setting

The study was conducted at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). TheVAAll Employee Survey (AES) was used to measure relational climate. Patient and facility characteristics were gathered fromVAadministrative datasets.

Study Design

Multilevel panel data (2008–2012) with patients nested into clinics.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Diabetic patients were identified usingICD‐9 codes and assigned to the clinic with the highest frequency of primary care visits. Multiple quality indicators were used, including an all‐or‐none process measure capturing guideline compliance, the actual number of tests and procedures, and three intermediate continuous outcomes (cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, and blood pressure).

Principal Findings

The study sample included 327,805 patients, 212 primary care clinics, and 101 parent facilities in 2010. Across all study years, there were 1,568,180 observations. Clinics with the highest relational climate were 25 percent more likely to provide guideline‐compliant care than those with the lowest relational climate (ORfor a 1‐unit increase: 1.02,p‐value <.001). Among insulin‐dependent diabetic veterans, this effect was twice as large. Contrary to that expected, relational climate did not influence intermediate outcomes.

Conclusions

Relational climate is positively associated with tests and procedures provision, but not with intermediate outcomes of diabetes care.
Association of Lead aVR T‐wave Amplitude With Cardiovascular Events or Mortality Among Prevalent Dialysis Patients
Authors: Sato Yuji , Hayashi Toshihide , Joki Nobuhiko , Fujimoto Shouichi
Published: March 2017

In dialysis patients, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities are common. However, the associations between the T‐wave of the lead aVR (aVRT) amplitude and cardiovascular (CV) events or total mortality are unknown. We performed a prospective, observational cohort study of prevalent hemodialysis patients (N = 474), followed for 4 years. Outcomes were composite CV events and all‐cause mortality. Predictors were baseline aVRT and other ECG findings. ECG parameters were analyzed in three models: model 1, univariate; model 2, basic adjustments; and model 3, model 2 plus serum albumin, C‐reactive protein level, and NT‐proBNP. By Cox analysis, aVRT was best associated with both endpoints through model 1 to 3 compared to other ECG findings. Patients categorized according to aVRT amplitude showed a step‐by‐step increase in hazard ratios for both endpoints. The aVRT amplitude level was significantly associated with not only composite CV events but also with all‐cause mortality in prevalent dialysis patients.
Probiotics as an adjuvant treatment in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy
Authors: Zhu Xin Yan , Liu Fei
Published: March 2017

Over 80% of individuals infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are asymptomatic. Increased resistance to antibiotics and decreased compliance to the therapeutic regimens have led to the failure of eradication therapy. Probiotics, with direct and indirect inhibitory effects on H. pylori in both animal models and clinical trials, have recently been used as a supplementary treatment in H. pylori eradication therapy. Probiotics have been considered useful because of the improvements in H. pylori eradication rates and therapy‐related side effects although treatment outcomes using probiotics are controversial due to the heterogeneity of species, strains, doses and therapeutic duration of probiotics. Thus, despite the positive role of probiotics, several factors need to be further considered during their applications. Moreover, adverse events of probiotic use need to be noted. Further investigations into the safety of adjuvant probiotics to H. pylori eradication therapy are required.
Association between height and osteoarthritis of the knee and hip: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study
Authors: Welling Maiju , Auvinen Juha , Lehenkari Petri , Männikkö Minna , Karppinen Jaro , Eskola Pasi J.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To investigate whether height at the age of 31 is associated with the incidence of knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) in the following 15 years.

Methods

Participants in The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966) diagnosed with knee or hip OA between the ages of 31 and 46 were used as OA cases. Study subjects without knee and hip OA were used as the controls. Height and weight were measured in a clinical examination at the age of 31 (baseline). Mean heights for the OA cases and the controls were compared by an independent samples t‐test. Cox regression analysis was performed to calculate the risk for OA for different height quartiles. The results were adjusted for body mass index/weight, education, smoking and leisure‐time physical activity at baseline. Additionally, a Kaplan‐Meier analysis was performed.

Results

Men with knee OA were 2.6 cm taller (P < 0.001) and women with knee OA 1.2 cm taller (P = 0.048) than the controls. Hip OA cases were found to be slightly shorter than the controls, but no statistically significant differences were observed. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for knee OA and hip OA in the highest quartile were 2.5 (95% CI 1.4–4.5) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.3–3.4) for men and 1.8 (95% CI 1.0–3.1) and 0.7 (95% CI 0.2–2.3) for women.

Conclusions

Height at the age of 31 was associated with incidence of early knee OA, diagnosed prior to age 46. However, the low incidence of hip OA made our results for hip OA inconclusive.
The Automated Root Exudate System (ARES): a method to apply solutes at regular intervals to soils in the field
Authors: Lopez‐Sangil Luis , George Charles , Medina‐Barcenas Eduardo , Birkett Ali J. , Baxendale Catherine , Bréchet Laëtitia M. , Estradera‐Gumbau Eduard , Sayer Emma J.
Published: March 2017

Root exudation is a key component of nutrient and carbon dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems. Exudation rates vary widely by plant species and environmental conditions, but our understanding of how root exudates affect soil functioning is incomplete, in part because there are few viable methods to manipulate root exudates in situ. To address this, we devised the Automated Root Exudate System (ARES), which simulates increased root exudation by applying small amounts of labile solutes at regular intervals in the field.

The ARES is a gravity‐fed drip irrigation system comprising a reservoir bottle connected via a timer to a micro‐hose irrigation grid covering c. 1 m2; 24 drip‐tips are inserted into the soil to 4‐cm depth to apply solutions into the rooting zone. We installed two ARES subplots within existing litter removal and control plots in a temperate deciduous woodland. We applied either an artificial root exudate solution (RE) or a procedural control solution (CP) to each subplot for 1 min day−1 during two growing seasons. To investigate the influence of root exudation on soil carbon dynamics, we measured soil respiration monthly and soil microbial biomass at the end of each growing season.

The ARES applied the solutions at a rate of c. 2 L m−2 week−1 without significantly increasing soil water content. The application of RE solution had a clear effect on soil carbon dynamics, but the response varied by litter treatment. Across two growing seasons, soil respiration was 25% higher in RE compared to CP subplots in the litter removal treatment, but not in the control plots. By contrast, we observed a significant increase in microbial biomass carbon (33%) and nitrogen (26%) in RE subplots in the control litter treatment.

The ARES is an effective, low‐cost method to apply experimental solutions directly into the rooting zone in the field. The installation of the systems entails minimal disturbance to the soil and little maintenance is required. Although we used ARES to apply root exudate solution, the method can be used to apply many other treatments involving solute inputs at regular intervals in a wide range of ecosystems.
Use of life support in acutely admitted ICU patients. An international cohort study
Authors: Meyhoff T. S. , Krag M. , Hjortrup P. B. , Perner A. , Møller M. H. ,   the SUP‐ICU inception cohort study investigators
Published: March 2017

Background

Use of life support in intensive care unit (ICU) patients has been associated with increased risk of poor outcome. The prognostic importance of the duration of support is less studied. We assessed the use of life support and the association between its duration and 90‐day mortality in a contemporary cohort of acutely admitted adult ICU patients.

Methods

We performed a post‐hoc analysis of the SUP‐ICU 7‐day inception cohort study (n = 1034), which was conducted in 97 ICUs in 11 countries. We included patients with an ICU stay of 3 days or more. We assessed the use of life support during the first 3 days in ICU and the crude and adjusted association between its duration and 90‐day mortality using logistic regression analyses.

Results

We included 690 patients; their 90‐day mortality was 23%. During the first 3 days in ICU mechanical ventilation was used in 65%, vasopressors/inotropes in 57% and renal replacement therapy in 13%. Renal replacement therapy for 3 days or more was associated with a higher 90‐day mortality as compared with 1 day of renal replacement therapy [odds ratio 6.5 (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 32.8)]. For mechanical ventilation and vasopressors/inotropes the odds ratios were 2.2 [0.9 to 5.3] and 1.2 [0.5 to 2.6], respectively.

Conclusions

Among acutely admitted adult ICU patients, a higher number of days of renal replacement therapy in the initial ICU stay were associated with increased risk of death within 90 days. We did not observe such an association for mechanical ventilation or vasopressor/inotropic therapy.
Cost‐effectiveness Analysis Appraisal and Application: An Emergency Medicine Perspective
Authors: April Michael D. , Murray Brian P.
Published: March 2017

Cost‐effectiveness is an important goal for emergency care delivery. The many diagnostic, treatment, and disposition decisions made in the emergency department (ED) have a significant impact upon healthcare resource utilization. Cost‐effectiveness analysis (CEA) is an analytic tool to optimize these resource allocation decisions through the systematic comparison of costs and effects of alternative healthcare decisions. Yet few emergency medicine leaders and policymakers have any formal training inCEAmethodology. This paper provides an introduction to the interpretation and use ofCEAwith a focus on application to emergency medicine problems and settings. It applies a previously publishedCEAto the hypothetical case of a patient presenting to theEDwith chest pain who requires risk stratification. This paper uses a widely cited checklist to appraise theCEA. This checklist serves as a vehicle for presenting basicCEAterminology and concepts. General topics of focus include measurement of costs and outcomes, incremental analysis, and sensitivity analysis. Integrated throughout the paper are recommendations for goodCEApractice with emphasis on the guidelines published by the U.S. Panel on Cost‐Effectiveness in Health and Medicine. Unique challenges for emergency medicineCEAs discussed include the projection of long‐term outcomes from emergent interventions, costingEDservices, and applying study results to diverse patient populations across variousEDsettings. The discussion also includes an overview of the limitations inherent in applyingCEAresults to clinical practice to include the lack of incorporation of noncost considerations inCEA(e.g., ethics). After reading this article, emergency medicine leaders and researchers will have an enhanced understanding of the basics ofCEAcritical appraisal and application. The paper concludes with an overview of economic evaluation resources for readers interested in conductingED‐based economic evaluation studies.
Temporal Stability of Heavy Drinking Days and Drinking Reductions Among Heavy Drinkers in the COMBINE Study
Authors: Witkiewitz Katie , Wilson Adam D. , Pearson Matthew R. , Hallgren Kevin A. , Falk Daniel E. , Litten Raye Z. , Kranzler Henry R. , Mann Karl F. , Hasin Deborah S. , O'Malley Stephanie S. , Anton Raymond F.
Published: March 2017

Background

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed to expand the options for primary end points in the development of medications for alcohol use disorder to include either abstinence from alcohol or a nonabstinent outcome: no heavy drinking days (with a heavy drinking day defined as more than 3 drinks per day for women and more than 4 drinks per day for men [>3/>4 cutoff]). The FDA also suggested that 6 months would be the most appropriate length for a clinical trial to demonstrate the stability of this nonabstinent drinking outcome. However, few alcohol clinical trials have examined the stability of nonheavy drinking during and after treatment.

Methods

In a secondary analysis of the COMBINE study data (n = 1,383), we examined transitions in heavy drinking days during the course of treatment (months 1 through 4), during the transition out of treatment (months 4 through 7), and up to 12 months afterward (months 13 through 16) using latent variable mixture models.

Results

Heavy drinking and nonheavy drinking were relatively stable in consecutive months (minimum agreement [kappa] = 0.64 for months 1 to 2). Most individuals were stable low‐risk drinkers/abstainers or heavy drinkers by the end of treatment, as characterized by a 10% probability (or less) of transitioning out of either a no heavy drinking state or a heavy drinking state. More than two‐thirds of the heavy drinkers who exceeded the heavy drinking threshold during treatment reported, on average, a 64% reduction in drinking frequency and a 38% reduction in drinking intensity from pretreatment drinking levels.

Conclusions

The results show stability of no heavy drinking as an outcome within the first 4 months of treatment and that the >3/>4 drink cutoff may mask substantial reductions in alcohol consumption among some patients. Future studies should explore the clinical utility of reduction end points.
Active sunscreen ingredients in Australia
Authors: Yap Francis HX , Chua Hock C , Tait Clare P
Published: March 2017

UV radiation exposure is the major contributor to photocarcinogenesis and photoageing. Reducing UV radiation exposure can be achieved by using adequate sunscreen preparations. The use of sunscreen can significantly reduce the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma, actinic keratoses and invasive melanoma. In the Australian market over 900 sunscreen products are available, each with their own brand, formulation and ingredients. It can be difficult for dermatologists and consumers to determine which are the most effective and appropriate products to use. We discuss the specific active ingredients found in sunscreen formulations available in Australia, their mode of protection, photostability, solubility, and side‐effects and the methods used by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to determine the ratings and efficacy of each sunscreen.
Hypofractionated radiotherapy in older patients with non‐melanoma skin cancer: Less is better
Authors: Veness Michael
Published: March 2017

Radiotherapy is a non‐surgical option for patients with non‐melanoma skin cancer. Lesions in middle‐aged to older patients with good performance status are typically prescribed 4–5 weeks of outpatient weekday treatment. Daily radiotherapy fraction sizes of 2–3 Gy are recommended to decrease the late cutaneous consequences such as in‐field hypopigmentation and telangiectasia. In elderly, often unwell patients, these concerns are less of an issue and larger fraction sizes (5–7 Gy), referred to as hypofractionation, can be delivered over a shorter time yet still achieve excellent in‐field control and improve a patient's quality of life and avoid the need for surgery. The three case studies presented illustrate this approach along with a review of the evidence to support this.
Cause of and factors associated with stillbirth: a systematic review of classification systems
Authors: Aminu Mamuda , Bar‐Zeev Sarah , van den Broek Nynke
Published: March 2017

Introduction

An estimated 2.6 million stillbirths occur worldwide each year. A standardized classification system setting out possible cause of death and contributing factors is useful to help obtain comparative data across different settings. We undertook a systematic review of stillbirth classification systems to highlight their strengths and weaknesses for practitioners and policymakers.

Material and methods

We conducted a systematic search and review of the literature to identify the classification systems used to aggregate information for stillbirth and perinatal deaths. Narrative synthesis was used to compare the range and depth of information required to apply the systems, and the different categories provided for cause of and factors contributing to stillbirth.

Results

A total of 118 documents were screened; 31 classification systems were included, of which six were designed specifically for stillbirth, 14 for perinatal death, three systems included neonatal deaths and two included infant deaths. Most (27/31) were developed in and first tested using data obtained from high‐income settings. All systems required information from clinical records. One‐third of the classification systems (11/31) included information obtained from histology or autopsy. The percentage where cause of death remained unknown ranged from 0.39% using the Nordic‐Baltic classification to 46.4% using the Keeling system.

Conclusion

Over time, classification systems have become more complex. The success of application is dependent on the availability of detailed clinical information and laboratory investigations. Systems that adopt a layered approach allow for classification of cause of death to a broad as well as to a more detailed level.
Seasonal changes in gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes, androgen and estrogen receptors in frog testis
Authors: Santillo Alessandra , Falvo Sara , Chieffi Baccari Gabriella , Di Fiore Maria Maddalena
Published: March 2017

The anuran amphibian Pelophylax esculentus shows an annual cycle of sexual steroid production and spermatogenesis. To more thoroughly comprehend the steroidogenic pathways that govern the seasonal reproductive cycle, we investigated the mRNA expression of key enzymes involved in the androgenic and oestrogenic biosynthesis pathways in the testis of frogs taken in the reproductive and postreproductive period. Furthermore, we also analysed androgen and oestrogen levels and their own receptor gene expressions. Our findings showed that during the reproductive period, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5α‐reductase mRNA levels were higher than those during the postreproductive period. High testosterone and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone titres as well as the expression levels of androgen receptors in the reproductive testis strongly confirmed that the androgenic pathway is necessary for spermatogenesis activation. Conversely, during the postreproductive period, the highest P450 aromatase, estrogen receptor α and β mRNA levels, paralleling with oestradiol titres, indicated that the oestrogenic pathway is essential for the interruption of the reproductive processes. Our findings demonstrated, for the first time in amphibians, that testicular endocrine cyclic activity could be modulated by the up‐regulation of key steroidogenic enzyme gene expressions. This in turn determines the activation of the androgenic pathway in reproductive phase and the oestrogenic one in postreproductive phase.
A Fast Small-Sample Kernel Independence Test for Microbiome Community-Level Association Analysis
Authors: Zhan Xiang , Plantinga Anna , Zhao Ni , Wu Michael C.
Published: March 2017

To fully understand the role of microbiome in human health and diseases, researchers are increasingly interested in assessing the relationship between microbiome composition and host genomic data. The dimensionality of the data as well as complex relationships between microbiota and host genomics pose considerable challenges for analysis. In this article, we apply a kernel RV coefficient (KRV) test to evaluate the overall association between host gene expression and microbiome composition. The KRV statistic can capture nonlinear correlations and complex relationships among the individual data types and between gene expression and microbiome composition through measuring general dependency. Testing proceeds via a similar route as existing tests of the generalized RV coefficients and allows for rapid p-value calculation. Strategies to allow adjustment for confounding effects, which is crucial for avoiding misleading results, and to alleviate the problem of selecting the most favorable kernel are considered. Simulation studies show that KRV is useful in testing statistical independence with finite samples given the kernels are appropriately chosen, and can powerfully identify existing associations between microbiome composition and host genomic data while protecting type I error. We apply the KRV to a microbiome study examining the relationship between host transcriptome and microbiome composition within the context of inflammatory bowel disease and are able to derive new biological insights and provide formal inference on prior qualitative observations.
Working memory moderates the effect of the integrative process of implicit and explicit autonomous motivation on academic achievement
Authors: Gareau Alexandre , Gaudreau Patrick
Published: March 2017

In previous research, autonomous motivation (AM) has been found to be associated with school achievement, but the relation has been largely heterogeneous across studies. AM has typically been assessed with explicit measures such as self‐report questionnaires. Recent self‐determination theory (SDT) research has suggested that converging implicit and explicit measures can be taken to characterize the integrative process in SDT. Drawing from dual‐process theories, we contended that explicit AM is likely to promote school achievement when it is part of an integrated cognitive system that combines easily accessible mental representations (i.e., implicit AM) and efficient executive functioning. A sample of 272 university students completed a questionnaire and a lexical decision task to assess their explicit and implicit AM, respectively, and they also completed working memory capacity measures. Grades were obtained at the end of the semester to examine the short‐term prospective effect of implicit and explicit AM, working memory, and their interaction. Results of moderation analyses have provided support for a synergistic interaction in which the association between explicit AM and academic achievement was positive and significant only for individuals with high level of implicit AM. Moreover, working memory was moderating the synergistic effect of explicit and implicit AM. Explicit AM was positively associated with academic achievement for students with average‐to‐high levels of working memory capacity, but only if their motivation operated synergistically with high implicit AM. The integrative process thus seems to hold better proprieties for achievement than the sole effect of explicit AM. Implications for SDT are outlined.
BRAF mutations are associated with increased iron regulatory protein‐2 expression in colorectal tumorigenesis
Authors: Horniblow Richard D. , Bedford Matthew , Hollingworth Robert , Evans Sarah , Sutton Emily , Lal Neeraj , Beggs Andrew , Iqbal Tariq H. , Tselepis Chris
Published: March 2017

A role for iron in carcinogenesis is supported by evidence that iron metabolism proteins are modulated in cancer progression. To date, however, the expression of iron regulatory protein‐2 (IRP2), which is known to regulate several iron metabolism proteins, has not been assessed in colorectal cancer. Expression of IRP2 was assessed by quantitative RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry in human colorectal cancer tissue. By interrogating The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, expression of IRP2 and transferrin receptor‐1 (TfR1) was assessed relative to common mutations that are known to occur in cancer. The impact of suppressing IRP2 on cellular iron metabolism was also determined by using siRNA and by using the MEK inhibitor trametinib. IRP2 was overexpressed in colorectal cancer compared to normal colonic mucosa and its expression was positively correlated with TfR1 expression. In addition, IRP2 expression was associated with mutations in BRAF. The MEK inhibitor trametinib suppressed IRP2 and this was associated with a suppression in TfR1 and the labile iron pool (LIP). Moreover, epidermal growth factor stimulation resulted in decreased ferritin expression and an increase in the LIP which were independent of IRP2. Results presented here suggest that ablating IRP2 provides a therapeutic platform for intervening in colorectal tumorigenesis.