bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control Premium and Corporate Regulatory Changes: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Jurfest Sonia P. , Paredes Ricardo D. , Riutort Julio
Published: August 2015

We propose a model to estimate the private benefits of control in control transfer transactions for a broad range of regulatory environments, from private negotiations to mandatory tender offers. The Barclay and Holderness' and Dyck and Zingales' Block Premium models are nested as special cases. With corporate control transfer regulation around the world moving from the Market Rule to the Equal Opportunity Rule, our theoretical model is a flexible tool for empirical studies. We apply our model to study the effect of the implementation of Chile's Tender Offer Law in 2000 and find that control premiums fell significantly. This drop is statistically unrelated to the targets' affiliation to an economic group. Our results suggest that improved corporate governance practices and the Equal Opportunity Rule alignment effect reduced the scope for extraction of private benefits of control.
Characteristics of Private‐Sector Tractor Service Provisions: Insights from Nigeria
Authors: Takeshima Hiroyuki , Edeh Hyacinth O. , Lawal Akeem O. , Isiaka Moshudi A.
Published: August 2015

Agricultural mechanization has been integral to agricultural transformation during periods of development. Mechanization‐service provisions can be constrained by economies of scale, seasonality, limited mobility, or heterogeneous inputs quality. However, information has been scarce regarding how the private sector has overcome these constraints especially in countries like Nigeria that are at low agricultural development stages. We present the results of a small survey of tractor owner‐operators conducted in Nigeria. We find that existing private‐sector tractor‐hiring services in Nigeria are indeed constrained. However, we also find heterogeneity among these owner‐operators. In particular, those who buy tractors from private markets or from private individuals are more efficient than those who receive tractors through government programs, providing services to a greater area at lower costs, including during off‐peak seasons, sometimes selecting machinery types according to soil types. We conclude with a discussion of some policy implications.
Wage Consequences of Rapid Tertiary Education Expansion in a Developing Economy: The Case of Thailand
Authors: Paweenawat Sasiwimon Warunsiri , Vechbanyongratana Jessica
Published: August 2015

In recent years, Thailand has experienced the emergence of “overeducated” workers as the supply of university graduates in Thailand has outpaced growth in high‐skilled employment opportunities. Using the 2007 to 2009 Thai Labor Force Survey, this paper quantifies the incidence of overeducation and estimates overeducation wage penalties among male university graduates. The results show that the incidence of overeducation is greatest among younger cohorts. Quantile wage regression results suggest that overeducation wage penalties for older workers capture the impact of unobserved low ability on wages. In contrast, persistent wage penalties of 11–26% across the wage/ability distributions for younger workers are consistent with structural imbalances in the Thai labor market. These imbalances make it difficult for university graduates to find jobs commensurate with their level of formal education and to achieve their full earning power. The wage penalties are especially large for new entrants into the labor market.
New tools for emergency managers: an assessment of obstacles to use and implementation
Authors: McCormick Sabrina
Published: August 2015

This paper focuses on the role of the formal response community's use of social media and crowdsourcing for emergency managers (EMs) in disaster planning, response and recovery in the United States. In‐depth qualitative interviews with EMs on the Eastern seaboard at the local, state and federal level demonstrate that emergency management tools are in a state of transition—from formal, internally regulated tools for crisis response to an incorporation of new social media and crowdsourcing tools. The first set of findings provides insight into why many EMs are not using social media, and describes their concerns that result in fear, uncertainty and doubt. Second, this research demonstrates how internal functioning and staffing issues within these agencies present challenges. This research seeks to examine the dynamics of this transition and offer lessons for how to improve its outcomes—critical to millions of people across the United States.
Livelihoods, conflict and aid programming: is the evidence base good enough?
Authors: Mallett Richard , Slater Rachel
Published: August 2015

In conflict‐affected situations, aid‐funded livelihood interventions are often tasked with a dual imperative: to generate material welfare benefits and to contribute to peacebuilding outcomes. There may be some logic to such a transformative agenda, but does the reality square with the rhetoric? Through a review of the effectiveness of a range of livelihood promotion interventions—from job creation to microfinance—this paper finds that high quality empirical evidence is hard to come by in conflict‐affected situations. Many evaluations appear to conflate outputs with impacts and numerous studies fail to include adequate information on their methodologies and datasets, making it difficult to appraise the reliability of their conclusions. Given the primary purpose of this literature—to provide policy guidance on effective ways to promote livelihoods—this silence is particularly concerning. As such, there is a strong case to be made for a restrained and nuanced handling of such interventions in conflict‐affected settings.
Arts as a vehicle for community building and post‐disaster development
Authors: Huss Ephrat , Kaufman Roni , Avgar Amos , Shuker Eitan
Published: August 2015

Use of the arts in international aid is common in an ad hoc form, but it has not been systematically theorised or evaluated. The arts have the potential to be a culturally contextualised and sustainable intervention for adults and children in the aftermath of war or disaster. On the micro level, the arts are a method to enable the retrieval and reprocessing of traumatic memories that are often encoded in images rather than in words. On a macro level, they can help to reconstruct a group narrative of a disaster as well as mobilise people back into control of their lives. This paper researches a long‐term project using arts in Sri Lanka following the civil war and tsunami. A central finding is the need to understand arts within their cultural context, and their usefulness in strengthening the voices and problem‐solving capacities of the victims of the disaster.
Effects of the 2008 flood on economic performance and food security in Yemen: a simulation analysis
Authors: Breisinger Clemens , Ecker Olivier , Thiele Rainer , Wiebelt Manfred
Published: August 2015

Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts can have devastating consequences for individual well being and economic development, in particular in poor societies with limited availability of coping mechanisms. Combining a dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the Yemeni economy with a household‐level calorie consumption simulation model, this paper assesses the economy‐wide, agricultural and food security effects of the 2008 tropical storm and flash flood that hit the Hadramout and Al‐Mahrah governorates. The estimation results suggest that agricultural value added, farm household incomes and rural food security deteriorated long term in the flood‐affected areas. Due to economic spillover effects, significant income losses and increases in food insecurity also occurred in areas that were unaffected by flooding. This finding suggests that while most relief efforts are typically concentrated in directly affected areas, future efforts should also consider surrounding areas and indirectly affected people.
Evaluating betterment projects
Authors: Fleming Christopher M. , Manning Matthew , Smith Christine
Published: August 2015

In the past decade Australia has experienced a series of large‐scale, severe natural disasters including catastrophic bushfires, widespread and repeated flooding, and intense storms and cyclones. There appears to be a prima facie case for rebuilding damaged infrastructure to a more disaster resilient (that is, to ‘betterment’) standard. The purpose of this paper is to develop and illustrate a consistent and readily applied method for advancing proposals for the betterment of essential public assets, which can be used by governments at all levels to determine the net benefits of such proposals. Case study results demonstrate that betterment investments have the potential to deliver a positive economic return across a range of asset types and regions. Results, however, are highly sensitive to underlying assumptions; in particular the probability of the natural disaster affecting the infrastructure in the absence of betterment.
Objectively measured sedentary time, physical activity and kidney function in people with recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetes: a prospective cohort analysis
Authors: Guo V. YW. , Brage S. , Ekelund U. , Griffin S. J. , Simmons R. K. ,   the ADDITION‐Plus study team
Published: August 2015

Aim

To assess the prospective association between objectively measured physical activity and kidney function over 4 years in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Individuals (120 women and 206 men) participating in the ADDITION‐Plus trial underwent assessment of sedentary time (SED‐time), time spent in moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) using a combined heart rate and movement sensor, and kidney function [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine and urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (ACR)] at baseline and after 4 years of follow‐up. Multivariate regression was used to quantify the association between change in SED‐time, MVPA and PAEE and kidney measures at four‐year follow‐up, adjusting for change in current smoking status, waist circumference, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides and medication usage.

Results

Over 4 years, there was a decline in eGFR values from 87.3 to 81.7 ml/min/1.73m2 (P < 0.001); the prevalence of reduced eGFR (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2) increased from 6.1 to 13.2% (P < 0.001). There were small increases in serum creatinine (median: 81–84 μmol/l, P < 0.001) and urine ACR (median: 0.9–1.0 mg/mmol, P = 0.005). Increases in SED‐time were associated with increases in serum creatinine after adjustment for MVPA and cardiovascular risk factors (β = 0.013, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.03). Conversely, increases in PAEE were associated with reductions in serum creatinine (β = –0.001, 95% CI: –0.003, –0.0001).

Conclusion

Reducing time spent sedentary and increasing overall physical activity may offer intervention opportunities to improve kidney function among individuals with diabetes. (Trial Registry no. ISRCTN 99175498)
The prevalence of migraine in university students: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang X. , Zhou H. B. , Sun J. M. , Xing Y. H. , Zhu Y. L. , Zhao Y. S.
Published: August 2015

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of migraine amongst university students. Migraine is highly prevalent amongst university students, but the exact frequency remains inconsistent between studies. PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar databases were used to identify studies dealing with the prevalence of migraine amongst university students published between 1 January 1988 and 31 August 2014. The pooled migraine prevalence was calculated using DerSimonian and Laird's random‐effects model. Heterogeneity of the results was investigated using subgroup analysis and the trend of migraine prevalence according to the publication year and sample size was determined by cumulative analysis. Data were combined from 56 independent studies, analysing a total of 34 904 students. The pooled migraine prevalence was 16.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.6%–18.9%]: 11.3% (95% CI 8.8%–14.4%) amongst male students and 21.7% (95% CI 18.0%–25.8%) amongst female students. Subgroup analysis revealed that diagnostic criteria (P < 0.0001) and gender distribution (P = 0.004) significantly affected migraine prevalence. Cumulative analysis found that the 95% CI became narrower with ascending publication year and sample size. Many studies agree that migraine is highly prevalent amongst university students, but diverse methodologies lead to substantial heterogeneity in the results. It is shown that gender and diagnostic criteria significantly influence the migraine prevalence and may partially explain the heterogeneity between studies.
The HLA‐A*2402/Cw*0102 haplotype is associated with lamotrigine‐induced maculopapular eruption in the Korean population
Authors: Moon Jangsup , Park Han‐Ki , Chu Kon , Sunwoo Jun‐Sang , Byun Jung‐Ick , Lim Jung‐Ah , Kim Tae‐Joon , Shin Jung‐Won , Lee Soon‐Tae , Jung Keun‐Hwa , Jung Ki‐Young , Jeon Daejong , Kim Dong Wook , Yu Kyung‐Sang , Jang In‐Jin , Kang Hye‐Ryun , Park Heung‐Woo , Lee Sang Kun
Published: August 2015

The use of lamotrigine (LTG) can be limited by the occurrence of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (cADRs) that range from maculopapular eruption (MPE) to the more severe Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. A few human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–related genetic risk factors for carbamazepine‐induced cADR have been identified. However, the HLA‐related genetic risk factors associated with LTG‐induced cADR are not yet well known. We performed HLA genotyping in 50 Korean patients with epilepsy, including 21 patients presenting LTG‐induced MPE and 29 LTG‐tolerant patients. A significant association between the HLA‐A*2402 allele and LTG‐induced MPE was identified, in comparison with the LTG‐tolerant group (odds ratio [OR] 4.09, p = 0.025) and the general Korean population (OR 3.949, p = 0.005). The frequencies of the Cw*0102 or Cw*0702 alleles were significantly higher in the LTG‐MPE group than in the Korean population, whereas the frequency of the A*3303 allele was lower. The coexistence of the A*2402 and Cw*0102 alleles was significantly associated with the LTG‐MPE group when compared to the LTG‐tolerant group (OR 7.88, p = 0.007). In addition, the Cw*0701 allele was more frequent in the LTG‐tolerant group than in the Korean population. These findings suggest the presence of HLA‐related genetic risk factors for LTG‐induced MPE in the Korean population.
The Arts and Family Business: Linking Family Business Resources and Performance to Industry Characteristics
Authors: Le Breton–Miller Isabelle , Miller Danny
Published: August 2015

There has been a good deal of debate regarding the performance of family firms. Explanations for divergent findings have ranged from variations in governance arrangements to particular organizational practices. One avenue that has not been much explored is the role played by industry. We theorize that market requirements, when coupled with firm–specific behaviors and resources, can account for why some family businesses do well in particular industries. More precisely, due to their long–term orientation and the intimate connection among family members, some family firms are especially adept at accumulating human capital, passing on tacit knowledge, protecting and leveraging reputation, and building strong relationships and slack resources. These capacities promote success in industries with high levels of uncertainty regarding product quality, product value, and demand. The arts–related industries, we shall argue, are one such environment, and we use it to demonstrate our thesis that family firms, if oriented appropriately, can thrive where relationships, tacit knowledge, and reputation are demanded.
Duration of tetanus immunoglobulin G titres following basic immunisation of horses
Authors: Kendall A. , Anagrius K. , Gånheim A. , Rosanowski S. M. , Bergström K.
Published: August 2015

Reasons for performing study

Recommendations for prophylactic vaccination against tetanus in horses vary greatly between countries and have scarce scientific support in the peer‐reviewed literature. In human medicine, recommended booster vaccination intervals are also very variable, but are considerably longer than for horses. More information is needed about the duration of immunity induced by modern vaccines.

Objectives

To investigate if the duration of antibody titres previously determined to be protective against tetanus differ from what is indicated by recommended vaccination intervals for horses.

Study design

Prospective seroconversion study.

Methods

Thirty‐four horses were enrolled for basic immunisation with an ISCOM Matrix‐combination vaccine (Equilis Prequenza Te). Horses received the first vaccination at age 5–11 months, and the second dose 4 weeks later. A third vaccine dose was given 15–17 months after the second dose. Serum tetanus antibody titres were analysed by toxin‐binding enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay 2 weeks as well as 14–16 months after the second dose. After the third vaccine dose, titres were checked once yearly for 3 years. Results were described by age and level of antibody titre at first sampling.

Results

Two weeks after the second dose, all horses (34/34) had antibody levels that exceeded the limit of detection, 0.04 iu/ml. After 16 months the levels were above 0.04 iu/ml in 28/33 horses, the remaining 5 horses potentially had suboptimal protection against tetanus. After the third vaccine dose antibody levels remained above 0.04 iu/ml in 25/26 horses for 1 year, 16/16 horses for 2 years, and 8/8 horses for 3 years.

Conclusions

Horses that undergo basic immunisation with 3 doses of vaccine after age 5 months are likely to have serum antibody titres consistent with protection against tetanus for more than 3 years. Current guidelines for tetanus prophylaxis should be revised.
The dynamic anatomy and patterning of skin
Authors: Wong Richard , Geyer Stefan , Weninger Wolfgang , Guimberteau Jean‐Claude , Wong Jason K.
Published: August 2015

The skin is often viewed as a static barrier that protects the body from the outside world. Emphasis on studying the skin's architecture and biomechanics in the context of restoring skin movement and function is often ignored. It is fundamentally important that if skin is to be modelled or developed, we do not only focus on the biology of skin but also aim to understand its mechanical properties and structure in living dynamic tissue. In this review, we describe the architecture of skin and patterning seen in skin as viewed from a surgical perspective and highlight aspects of the microanatomy that have never fully been realized and provide evidence or concepts that support the importance of studying living skin's dynamic behaviour. We highlight how the structure of the skin has evolved to allow the body dynamic form and function, and how injury, disease or ageing results in a dramatic changes to the microarchitecture and changes physical characteristics of skin. Therefore, appreciating the dynamic microanatomy of skin from the deep fascia through to the skin surface is vitally important from a dermatological and surgical perspective. This focus provides an alternative perspective and approach to addressing skin pathologies and skin ageing.
A two‐level detector of short‐term unique changes in time series based on a similarity method
Authors: Pełech‐Pilichowski Tomasz , Duda Jan T.
Published: August 2015

In the paper, a novel two‐level algorithm of time‐series change detection is presented. In the first level, to identify non‐stationary sequences in a processed signal, preliminary detection of events is performed with a short‐term prediction comparison. In the second stage, to confirm the changes detected in the first level, a similarity method aimed at identification of unique changes is employed. The detection of changes in a non‐stationary time series is discussed, implemented algorithms are described and the results produced on a sample four financial time series are shown. General conditions for implementing the proposed algorithm as an immune‐like event detector are discussed.
Queer Youth in Family Therapy
Authors: Harvey Rebecca G. , Stone Fish Linda
Published: August 2015

Trends in popular belief about same‐sex relationships have undergone noteworthy change in the United States over the last decade. Yet this change has been marked by stark polarizations and has occurred at varying rates depending upon regional, community, racial, religious, and individual family context. For queer youth and their families, this cultural transformation has broadened opportunities and created a new set of risks and vulnerabilities. At the same time, youth's increasingly open and playful gender fluidity and sexual identity is complicated by unique intersections of class, race, religion, and immigration. Effective family therapy with queer youth requires practitioner's and treatment models that are sensitive to those who bear the burden of multiple oppressions and the hidden resilience embedded in their layered identities. We present case examples of our model of family therapy which addresses refuge, supports difficult dialogs, and nurtures queerness by looking for hidden resilience in the unique intersections of queer youths' lives. These intersections provide transformational potential for youth, their families and even for family therapists as we are all nurtured and challenged to think more complexly about intersectionality, sexuality, and gender.
Reaction of pyranose dehydrogenase from Agaricus meleagris with its carbohydrate substrates
Authors: Graf Michael M.H. , Sucharitakul Jeerus , Bren Urban , Chu Dinh Binh , Koellensperger Gunda , Hann Stephan , Furtmüller Paul G. , Obinger Christian , Peterbauer Clemens K. , Oostenbrink Chris , Chaiyen Pimchai , Haltrich Dietmar
Published: August 2015

Monomeric Agaricus meleagris pyranose dehydrogenase (AmPDH) belongs to the glucose–methanol–choline family of oxidoreductases. An FAD cofactor is covalently tethered to His103 of the enzyme. AmPDH can double oxidize various mono‐ and oligosaccharides at different positions (C1 to C4). To study the structure/function relationship of selected active‐site residues of AmPDH pertaining to substrate (carbohydrate) turnover in more detail, several active‐site variants were generated, heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris, and characterized by biochemical, biophysical and computational means. The crystal structure of AmPDH shows two active‐site histidines, both of which could take on the role as the catalytic base in the reductive half‐reaction. Steady‐state kinetics revealed that His512 is the only catalytic base because H512A showed a reduction in (kcat/KM)glucose by a factor of 105, whereas this catalytic efficiency was reduced by two or three orders of magnitude for His556 variants (H556A, H556N). This was further corroborated by transient‐state kinetics, where a comparable decrease in the reductive rate constant was observed for H556A, whereas the rate constant for the oxidative half‐reaction (using benzoquinone as substrate) was increased for H556A compared to recombinant wild‐type AmPDH. Steady‐state kinetics furthermore indicated that Gln392, Tyr510, Val511 and His556 are important for the catalytic efficiency of PDH. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and free energy calculations were used to predict d‐glucose oxidation sites, which were validated by GC‐MS measurements. These simulations also suggest that van der Waals interactions are the main driving force for substrate recognition and binding.
Diverticulitis in HIV‐infected patients within the United States
Authors: Cronley K , Wenzke J , Hussan H , Vasquez AM , Hinton A , El‐Dika S , Conwell DL , Krishna SG , Stanich PP
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Diverticulitis in patients on immunosuppressant therapy has been associated with increased mortality, but there are no data for HIV‐infected patients. Our aim was to compare the outcomes of hospitalizations for diverticulitis in patients with and without HIV infection.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of hospitalizations in the United States accessed through the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Patients hospitalized for diverticulitis in 2007–2011 were included in the analysis. The primary outcomes of interest were mortality and surgical therapy rates. Patients from 2003 to 2011 were utilized to analyse trends in prevalence.

Results

There were 2375 patients with HIV infection hospitalized for diverticulitis and 1 160 391 patients without HIV infection hospitalized for diverticulitis from 2007 to 2011. The patients with HIV infection were younger and more likely to be male and nonwhite (P < 0.001 for all). There were also differences in insurance types (P < 0.001) and hospitals [size (P = 0.008), type (P < 0.001) and location (P < 0.001)]. After multivariate analysis, patients with diverticulitis and HIV infection had a significantly increased in‐hospital mortality rate [odds ratio (OR) 3.94 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.52–10.20)] and a lower rate of surgical intervention [OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.57–0.95)]. From 2003 to 2011, there was a linear increasing trend in the prevalence of HIV infection among patients hospitalized for diverticulitis (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

HIV‐infected patients with diverticulitis had increased mortality and received less surgical treatment in comparison to the general population. Diverticulitis in HIV‐infected patients increased in prevalence over the study period.
Effect of coronal flaring on apical extrusion of debris during root canal instrumentation using single‐file systems
Authors: Topçuoğlu H. S. , Üstün Y. , Akpek F. , Aktı A. , Topçuoğlu G.
Published: August 2015

Aim

To evaluate the effect of coronal flaring on the amount of debris extruded apically during root canal preparation using the Reciproc, WaveOne (WO) and OneShape (OS) single‐file systems.

Methodology

Ninety extracted single‐rooted mandibular incisor teeth were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 15 for each group) for canal instrumentation. Endodontic access cavities were prepared in each tooth. In three of the six groups, coronal flaring was not performed; coronal flaring was performed with Gates‐Glidden drills on all teeth in the remaining three groups. The canals were then instrumented with one or other of the following single‐file instrument systems: Reciproc, WO and OS. Debris extruded apically during instrumentation was collected into pre‐weighed Eppendorf tubes. The tubes were then stored in an incubator at 70 °C for 5 days. The weight of the dry extruded debris was established by subtracting the pre‐instrumentation and post‐instrumentation weight of the Eppendorf tubes for each group. Data were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey's post hoc tests (P = 0.05).

Results

Reciproc and WO files without coronal flaring produced significantly more debris compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in apical extrusion of debris amongst the other groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

All single‐file systems caused apical extrusion of debris. Performing coronal flaring prior to canal preparation reduced the amount of apically extruded debris when using Reciproc or WO systems.
Internet-Based Information-Seeking Behavior for Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Abedi Vida , Mbaye Marieme , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Male Shailesh , Goyal Nitin , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Zand Ramin
Published: August 2015

Background

In recent years, Internet became an increasingly important tool for accessing health information and is being used more frequently to promote public health.

Aims and/or hypothesis

To use Google search data to explore information seeking behavior for transient ischemic attack.

Methods

We selected two groups of keywords related to transient ischemic attack: ‘Transient Ischemic Attack’ and ‘Mini Stroke’. We obtained all available online search data performed in the United States from the Google search engine for a 10-year span – January 2004 to December 2013. The monthly and daily search data for the selected keywords were analyzed – using moving average – to explore the trends, peaks, and declining effects.

Results

There were three significant concurrent peaks in the Google search data for the selected keywords. Each peak was directly associated with media coverage and news headlines related to the incident of transient ischemic attack in a public figure. Following each event, it took three- to seven-days for the search trend to return to its respective average value. Furthermore, the trend was steady for ‘Transient Ischemic Attack’; however, the search interest for the keyword ‘Mini Stroke’ shows a steady increase. The overall search interest for the selected keywords was significantly higher in the southeastern United States.

Conclusions

Our study shows that changes in online search behavior can be associated with media coverage of key events (in our case transient ischemic attack) in public figures. These findings suggest that multimedia health promotion campaigns might be more effective, if increased promptly after similar media coverage.
Surveillance of cell and tissue perturbation by receptors in the LRC
Authors: Trowsdale John , Jones Des C. , Barrow Alexander D. , Traherne James A.
Published: August 2015

The human leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) encompasses several sets of genes with a common evolutionary origin and which form a branch of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). Comparisons of LRC genes both within and between species calls for a high degree of plasticity. The drive for this unprecedented level of variation is not known, but it relates in part to interaction of several LRC products with polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. However, the range of other proposed ligands for LRC products indicates a dynamic set of receptors that have adapted to detect target molecules relating to numerous cellular pathways. Several receptors in the complex bind a molecular signature in collagenous ligands. Others detect a variety of motifs relating to pathogens in addition to cellular stress, attesting to the opportunistic versatility of LRC receptors.
Newtonian cell interactions shape natural killer cell education
Authors: Goodridge Jodie P. , Önfelt Björn , Malmberg Karl‐Johan
Published: August 2015

Newton's third law of motion states that for every action on a physical object there is an equal and opposite reaction. The dynamic change in functional potential of natural killer (NK) cells during education bears many features of such classical mechanics. Cumulative physical interactions between cells, under a constant influence of homeostatic drivers of differentiation, lead to a reactive spectrum that ultimately shapes the functionality of each NK cell. Inhibitory signaling from an array of self‐specific receptors appear not only to suppress self‐reactivity but also aid in the persistence of effector functions over time, thereby allowing the cell to gradually build up a functional potential. Conversely, the frequent non‐cytolytic interactions between normal cells in the absence of such inhibitory signaling result in continuous stimulation of the cells and attenuation of effector function. Although an innate cell, the degree to which the fate of the NK cell is predetermined versus its ability to adapt to its own environment can be revealed through a Newtonian view of NK cell education, one which is both chronological and dynamic. As such, the development of NK cell functional diversity is the product of qualitatively different physical interactions with host cells, rather than simply the sum of their signals or an imprint based on intrinsically different transcriptional programs.
Coevolution of T‐cell receptors with MHC and non‐MHC ligands
Authors: Castro Caitlin D. , Luoma Adrienne M. , Adams Erin J.
Published: August 2015

The structure and amino acid diversity of the T‐cell receptor (TCR), similar in nature to that of Fab portions of antibodies, would suggest that these proteins have a nearly infinite capacity to recognize antigen. Yet all currently defined native T cells expressing an α and β chain in their TCR can only sense antigen when presented in the context of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule. This MHC molecule can be one of many that exist in vertebrates, presenting small peptide fragments, lipid molecules, or small molecule metabolites. Here we review the pattern of TCR recognition of MHC molecules throughout a broad sampling of species and T‐cell lineages and also touch upon T cells that do not appear to require MHC presentation for their surveillance function. We review the diversity of MHC molecules and information on the corresponding T‐cell lineages identified in divergent species. We also discuss TCRs with structural domains unlike that of conventional TCRs of mouse and human. By presenting this broad view of TCR sequence, structure, domain organization, and function, we seek to explore how this receptor has evolved across time and been selected for alternative antigen‐recognition capabilities in divergent lineages.
Genetics, genomics, and evolutionary biology of NKG2D ligands
Authors: Carapito Raphael , Bahram Seiamak
Published: August 2015

Human and mouse NKG2D ligands (NKG2DLs) are absent or only poorly expressed by most normal cells but are upregulated by cell stress, hence, alerting the immune system in case of malignancy or infection. Although these ligands are numerous and highly variable (at genetic, genomic, structural, and biochemical levels), they all belong to the major histocompatibility complex class I gene superfamily and bind to a single, invariant, receptor: NKG2D. NKG2D (CD314) is an activating receptor expressed on NK cells and subsets of T cells that have a key role in the recognition and lysis of infected and tumor cells. Here, we review the molecular diversity of NKG2DLs, discuss the increasing appreciation of their roles in a variety of medical conditions, and propose several explanations for the evolutionary force(s) that seem to drive the multiplicity and diversity of NKG2DLs while maintaining their interaction with a single invariant receptor.
Does Life in the United States Take a Toll on Health? Duration of Residence and Birthweight among Six Decades of Immigrants
Authors: Teitler Julien , Martinson Melissa , Reichman Nancy E.
Published: August 2015

We used data from the 1998–2009 waves of the National Health Interview Survey to investigate cohort differences in low birthweight among US-born children of mothers arriving in the United States between 1955 and 2009, cohort-adjusted patterns in low birthweight by maternal duration of residence in the United States, and cohort-adjusted patterns in low birthweight by maternal duration of US residence stratified by age at arrival and region of origin. We found a consistent deterioration in infant health with successive immigrant cohorts and heterogeneous effects of cohort-adjusted duration in the United States by age at arrival and region. Most notably, we found evidence that maternal health (as proxied by low birthweight) deteriorates with duration in the United States only for immigrant mothers who came to the United States as children. For mothers who arrived as adults, we found no evidence of deterioration. The findings underscore the importance of considering age at arrival and place of origin when studying post-migration health trajectories and provide indirect evidence that early life exposures are a key to understanding why the United States lags other developed nations in health.
Back to Square One: Socioeconomic Integration of Deported Migrants
Authors: David Anda M.
Published: August 2015

This paper addresses the issue of socioeconomic integration of forced return migrants, focusing on the Maghreb countries. Starting from the hypothesis that the return has to be prepared, I tested whether a disruption in the migration cycle (such as deportation) increases the individual's vulnerability and affects his integration from both a structural and sociocultural point of view, using the 2006 Migration de Retour au Maghreb (MIREM, or Return Migration to the Maghreb) survey. I found that forced returnees are more vulnerable to negative labor market outcomes compared to voluntary returnees. The absence of forced returnees from the labor market, or their underperformances, creates a net loss for the origin country and also incentives to re-migrate. The negative effect is statistically significant not only immediately after return, but also in the long run, at survey time. Forced return is also significantly and negatively correlated with sociocultural integration, reflecting a marginalization of deported migrants in their home environment, which may act as a re-emigration incentive.
Gender specific effect of LIPC C‐514T polymorphism on obesity and relationship with plasma lipid levels in Chinese children
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Dandan , Ling Jie , Lu Wenhui , Zhang Shuai , Zhu Yimin , Lai Maode
Published: August 2015

Hepatic lipase (LIPC) is a key rate‐limiting enzyme in lipoprotein catabolism pathways involved in the development of obesity. The C‐514T polymorphism in the promoter region is associated with decreased LIPC activity. We performed a case‐controlled study (850 obese children and 2119 controls) and evaluated the association between LIPC C‐514T polymorphism, obesity and plasma lipid profile in Chinese children and adolescents. Additionally, we conducted a meta‐analysis of all results from published studies as well as our own data. A significant association between the polymorphism and obesity is observed in boys (P = 0.042), but not in girls. And we observed a significant relationship of the polymorphism with total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) independent of obesity in boys. The T allele carriers have higher levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in obese boys, and triglyceride (TG), TC and LDL‐C in non‐obese girls (all P < 0.05). In the meta‐analysis, under dominant model the T allele increased body mass index (BMI) level in boys, while it decreased BMI in girls, and increased the levels of TC both in the overall and subgroups, TG and HDL‐C in the overall and boys, and LDL‐C in the overall (all P < 0.05). Our results suggest that the T allele might carry an increased risk of obesity in Chinese boys. The meta‐analysis suggests that T allele acts as a risk allele for higher BMI levels in male childhood, while it is a protective allele in female childhood. And the polymorphism is associated with the levels of plasma lipids, which may be modulated by obesity and gender.
MiR‐138 inhibits cell proliferation and reverses epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in non‐small cell lung cancer cells by targeting GIT1 and SEMA4C
Authors: Li Jiefang , Wang Qinrong , Wen Ruiling , Liang Jieman , Zhong Xiaoling , Yang Wei , Su Dongxiang , Tang Jun
Published: August 2015

Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common and lethal malignant tumours worldwide with a poor 5‐year survival rate. Recent studies indicated that miRNAs have been involved in the tumorigenic driver pathways in NSCLC, but the relevant molecular mechanisms are not well‐understood. In this study, we investigated the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR‐138 in human NSCLC. The effects of miR‐138 on the NSCLC cell growth and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) were first examined. Then the targeting connections of miR‐138 with G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinase‐interacting protein 1 (GIT1) and semaphorin 4C (SEMA4C) were confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assays. Finally, the effects of GIT1 and SEMA4C on the NSCLC cell growth and EMT were investigated respectively. We found that the ectopic expression of miR‐138 resulted in a significant inhibition of NSCLC growth and reversion of EMT. GIT1 and SEMA4C were identified as two novel targets of miR‐138. Furthermore, GIT1 and SEMA4C knockdown inhibited the cell growth and reversed EMT, just like the effects of miR‐138 overexpression on NSCLC cells, whereas ectopic expression of GIT1 and SEMA4C partly rescued the suppressive effects of miR‐138 in NSCLC cells. These data represent a crucial step towards the understanding of the novel roles and molecular mechanism of miR‐138, GIT1 and SEMA4C in NSCLC progression, which may provide some new targets or prognostic biomarkers for NSCLC treatment, thus having implications in translational oncology.
Cardiorespiratory responses to haemolytic anaemia in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Gold D. K. , Loirat T. , Farrell A. P.
Published: August 2015

To quantify cardiorespiratory response to experimental anaemia in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, a 24 h phenylhydrazine treatment was used to reduce haematocrit to almost one third of its initial value over 4–5 days. In response, relative blood velocity in the ventral aorta (an index of cardiac output) progressively increased to more than double to its normocythaemic value and there was no significant change in routine oxygen uptake. Thus, the primary compensatory response to anaemia was an increase in cardiac output.
Effect of neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser and fluoride on the acid demineralization of enamel
Authors: Braga Sheila Regina Maia , de Oliveira Elisabeth , Sobral Maria Angela Pita
Published: August 2015

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser and acidic phosphate fluoride (APF) on enamel erosion caused by hydrochloric acid.

Methods

Fifty human enamel specimens were distributed according to the following treatments (n = 10): untreated (control), APF (1.23%) 4 min, Nd:YAG laser (100 mJ, 1 W, 10 Hz, 141.5 J/cm2), APF + Nd:YAG laser, and Nd:YAG laser + APF. For 14 days the specimens were submitted to erosive challenge: 5 min in 3 mL hydrochloric acid (0.01 M, pH 2.2), rinsed with distilled water, and stored in artificial saliva for 3 h. This cycle was repeated four times per day. The calcium (Ca) loss was determined in demineralizing solution by atomic emission spectroscopy, and superficial roughness (Ra) was measured before and after the erosive challenge.

Results

The mean Ca loss was (mg/L, ± standard deviation): control 12.74 ± 3.33, APF 1.71 ± 0.11, laser 1.64 ± 0.08, APF + laser 1.38 ± 0.08, and laser + APF 1.48 ± 0.07. Kruskal–Wallis test showed a significant difference between the control and other groups. APF + laser showed minor loss of Ca. After the erosive challenge, the APF + laser group showed Ra alteration.

Conclusion

A significant reduction in tooth dissolution was observed after fluoride application combined with Nd:YAG irradiation.
Protease activated receptor‐1 antagonist ameliorates the clinical symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via inhibiting breakdown of blood–brain barrier
Authors: Kim Ha Neui , Kim Yu Ri , Ahn Sung Min , Lee Sun Kyung , Shin Hwa Kyoung , Choi Byung Tae
Published: August 2015

To evaluate the question of whether protease activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) antagonist is a potential therapeutic target in multiple sclerosis, we treated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice with two PAR‐1 antagonists, KC‐A0590 and SCH‐530348. Treatment with both antagonists resulted in a significant decrease in the clinical characteristics of EAE mice by suppressing demyelination and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the spinal cord and brain, as well as a significantly reducing the increased thrombin and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Profound leakage of dextran was observed in the brain of EAE mice. However, treatment with PAR‐1 antagonists resulted in the stabilization of vascular endothelial cells and reduced blood–brain barrier breakdown with suppression of inflammatory response. Treatment with PAR‐1 antagonists also resulted in down‐regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 and preserved expression of occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)‐1 in the brain and their significant expression was confirmed in neurons, astrocytes, and vascular endothelial cells. Finally, endothelial cells and primary cultured astrocytes were treated with PAR‐1 antagonists; both antagonists suppressed thrombin‐induced breakdown of ZO‐1 in endothelial cells and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in astrocytes. Collectively, our results suggest that PAR‐1 antagonist is effective in attenuation of the clinical symptoms of EAE mice by stabilizing the blood–brain barrier and may have therapeutic potential for treatment of multiple sclerosis.

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In the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model, treatment with two protease activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) antagonists KC‐A0590 and SCH‐530348 resulted in stabilization of vascular endothelial cells and reduced blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown with down‐regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) and preserved expression of occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)‐1. PAR‐1 antagonist is effective in attenuation of the clinical symptoms of EAE mice by inhibiting breakdown of BBB.
Pulsed dye laser in treatment of steroid‐induced atrophy
Authors: Mansouri Parvin , Ranjbar Maryam , Abolhasani Ehsan , Chalangari Reza , Martits‐Chalangari Katalin , Hejazi Somayeh
Published: August 2015

Background

One of the important and distressing cutaneous side effects of steroid therapy is skin atrophy, which has no definite and effective treatment. To the best of our knowledge, laser therapy for steroid‐induced atrophic scars has not been investigated to date.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed dye laser in the treatment of steroid‐induced atrophic scars.

Methods

In this pilot study, 15 patients with at least one atrophic patch were treated with the 585‐nm pulsed dye laser at 4‐week interval sessions until achieving complete improvement or until patient were lost to follow‐up. Clinical outcome was assessed via standard photographic method before each treatment session and after the final visit. An independent dermatologist evaluated the photographs.

Result

All of the patients (13 females and two males) with 25–59 years of age experienced some degree of improvement, except one patient who withdrew from the treatment after three sessions. The treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusion

The results of our study indicated that pulsed dye laser therapy could be employed as a new method in the treatment of steroid‐induced atrophic scars. Pulsed dye laser might affect the lesions through inducing collagen deposition and production of more superficial dermal elastin as well as less unidirectional collagen in clusters.
Noncultured epidermal‐melanocyte cell suspension and dermal‐fat grafting for the reconstruction of an irregular, atrophic, and depigmented forehead scar: an innovative approach
Authors: Sarangal Rishu , Yadav Savita , Sakral Arti , Dogra Sunil
Published: August 2015

Scars on the face ‘eclipse’ patient social life and provide challenge for the treating surgeon. ‘Forehead’ is difficult area on face to re‐construct because of the inelastic, relatively immobile skin and subcutaneous tissue. The surgical correction of scar depends upon the site, size, type of scar and general condition of the patient. We describe an innovative approach to treat a depressed, de‐pigmented, irregular scar placed vertically in the centre of forehead, in a young girl..