bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequences ofPopulus tremulaChloroplast and Mitochondrion: Implications for Holistic Poplar Breeding
Authors: Kersten Birgit , Rampant Patricia Faivre , Mader Malte , Le Paslier Marie-Christine , Bounon Rémi , Berard Aurélie , Vettori Cristina , Schroeder Hilke , Leplé Jean-Charles , Fladung Matthias
Published: January 2016

CompletePopulusgenome sequences are available for the nucleus (P. trichocarpa;sectionTacamahaca) and for chloroplasts (seven species), but not for mitochondria. Here, we provide the complete genome sequences of the chloroplast and the mitochondrion for the clonesP. tremulaW52 andP. tremulaxP. alba717–1B4 (sectionPopulus). The organization of the chloroplast genomes of bothPopulusclones is described. A phylogenetic tree constructed from all available complete chloroplast DNA sequences ofPopuluswas not congruent with the assignment of the related species to differentPopulussections. In total, 3,024 variable nucleotide positions were identified among all comparedPopuluschloroplast DNA sequences. The 5-prime part of the LSC fromtrnHtoatpAshowed the highest frequency of variations. The variable positions included 163 positions with SNPs allowing for differentiating the two clones withP. tremulachloroplast genomes (W52 717–1B4) from the other sevenPopulusindividuals. These potentialP. tremula-specific SNPs were displayed as a whole-plastome barcode on theP. tremulaW52 chloroplast DNA sequence. Three of these SNPs and one InDel in thetrnH-psbAlinker were successfully validated by Sanger sequencing in an extended set ofPopulusindividuals. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence ofP. tremulais the first in the family ofSalicaceae. The mitochondrial genomes of the two clones are 783,442 bp (W52) and 783,513 bp (717–1B4) in size, structurally very similar and organized as single circles. DNA sequence regions with high similarity to the W52 chloroplast sequence account for about 2% of the W52 mitochondrial genome. The mean SNP frequency was found to be nearly six fold higher in the chloroplast than in the mitochondrial genome when comparing 717–1B4 with W52. The availability of the genomic information of all three DNA-containing cell organelles will allow a holistic approach in poplar molecular breeding in the future.
Functional Analysis of Cellulose and Xyloglucan in the Walls of Stomatal Guard Cells of Arabidopsis
Authors: Rui Yue , Anderson Charles T.
Published: January 2016

Stomatal guard cells are pairs of specialized epidermal cells that control water and CO2 exchange between the plant and the environment. To fulfill the functions of stomatal opening and closure that are driven by changes in turgor pressure, guard cell walls must be both strong and flexible, but how the structure and dynamics of guard cell walls enable stomatal function remains poorly understood. To address this question, we applied cell biological and genetic analyses to investigate guard cell walls and their relationship to stomatal function in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Using live-cell spinning disk confocal microscopy, we measured the motility of cellulose synthase (CESA)-containing complexes labeled by green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CESA3 and observed a reduced proportion of GFP-CESA3 particles colocalizing with microtubules upon stomatal closure. Imaging cellulose organization in guard cells revealed a relatively uniform distribution of cellulose in the open state and a more fibrillar pattern in the closed state, indicating that cellulose microfibrils undergo dynamic reorganization during stomatal movements. In cesa3je5 mutants defective in cellulose synthesis and xxt1 xxt2 mutants lacking the hemicellulose xyloglucan, stomatal apertures, changes in guard cell length, and cellulose reorganization were aberrant during fusicoccin-induced stomatal opening or abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure, indicating that sufficient cellulose and xyloglucan are required for normal guard cell dynamics. Together, these results provide new insights into how guard cell walls allow stomata to function as responsive mediators of gas exchange at the plant surface.
A novel high-throughput setup forin situpowder diffraction on coin cell batteries
Authors: Herklotz Markus , Weiß Jonas , Ahrens Eike , Yavuz Murat , Mereacre Liuda , Kiziltas-Yavuz Nilüfer , Dräger Christoph , Ehrenberg Helmut , Eckert Jürgen , Fauth Francois , Giebeler Lars , Knapp Michael
Published: January 2016

A new setup forin situexperiments with up to eight electrochemical cells, especially battery coin cells, and the corresponding custom-madein situcells are presented. The setup is primarily optimized for synchrotron powder diffraction measurements. As a newly constructed experimental setup, thein situcoin cell holder was tested for positional errors of the cells and the reliability of the diffraction as well as electrochemical measurements. The overall performance characteristics of the sample holder are illustrated by measurements on LiMn2O4and LiNi0.35Fe0.3Mn1.35O4spinel-based positive electrode materials.
Institution building and institutional voids
Authors: Puffer Sheila M. , McCarthy Daniel J , Jaeger Alfred M
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of institutions and institutional voids in Russia, Brazil, and Poland over the decades of the 1980s through to 2015. The paper asserts that Russia and Brazil could learn much from Poland regarding formal institution building and formal institutional voids that cause problems like corruption and limit economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

– A comparative case study approach is utilized to assess the relative success of the three emerging market countries in transitioning to a market economy, viewed through the lens of institutional theory.

Findings

– Poland’s experience in building successful formal institutions and mitigating major institutional voids can be instructive for Russia and Brazil which have shown far less success, and correspondingly less sustained economic growth.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper demonstrates the value of applying institutional theory to analyze the progress of emerging economies in transitioning to a market economy.

Practical implications

– This country comparison can prove valuable to other emerging economies seeking a successful transition to a market economy.

Social implications

– Since institutions are the fabric of any society, the emphasis on institutions in this paper can have positive implications for society in emerging markets.

Originality/value

– This paper is an original comparison of two BRIC countries with a smaller emerging economy, utilizing institutional theory. Factors contributing to Poland’s success are compared to Russia and Brazil to assess how those countries might be positively informed by Poland’s experience in building and strengthening sustainable formal institutions as well as avoiding institutional voids and their associated problems.
Informal institutions and technology use by entrepreneurs
Authors: Pathak Saurav , Laplume Andre O. , Xavier-Oliveira Emanuel
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Given the increasing relevance of emerging economies in the global economy and the neoclassical argument that technological progress is the main driver of economic growth, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the under-researched role of informal institutions on the likelihood that individuals will enter into technology entrepreneurship in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– Since the authors combined individual-level and country-level observations, data were analyzed employing hierarchical linear modeling methods and random-effect logistic regressions to estimate the influence of country-level factors on the likelihood of individuals’ entry into techno-entrepreneurship. The data set comprised 10,280 observations for 18 emerging countries during the 2002-2008 period.

Findings

– The selected informal institutions relate to techno-entrepreneurship as follows: the size of the shadow economy has aU-shaped relationship; ethnic diversity is positively associated; and ethnic polarization is negatively associated, though the latter is not significant.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors did not theorize on cross-level mechanisms through which these informal institutions could influence individual-level attitudes, nor did the authors assess the role of such institutions on general entrepreneurship. However, this paper provides a base for more fine-grained studies.

Originality/value

– The authors disseminate novel insights into the particularities of emerging economies since all informal institutions studied here have been negatively associated with the overall economic experiences of developing and least developed countries. In addition, the authors provide a unique contribution by identifying a potentialU-shaped relationship between the size of the shadow economy and the likelihood of individuals engaging in techno-entrepreneurship.
Institutions and emerging markets: effects and implications for multinational corporations
Authors: Rottig Daniel
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of institutions in emerging markets by sketching out the unique institutional features of these markets and their implications for multinational corporations (MNCs).

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is conceptual in nature and provides an examination and interrelation of some of the key developments of institution-based research in the context of emerging market studies.

Findings

– This paper examines several idiosyncratic institutional features of emerging markets, including institutional voids, the relative importance of informal compared to formal institutions, institutional pressures by local governments, as well as institutional change and transitions.

Practical implications

– The paper discusses key effects and implications of the unique institutional environments of emerging markets for managers of MNCs, such as the relevance and importance of context, political, economic and social adaptability, as well as institutional arbitrage.

Social implications

– The paper discusses institutional legitimacy pressures in emerging markets for MNCs’ social performance, the relevance and importance of social institutions in these markets, as well as the need for social adaptation in order to successfully do business in emerging markets.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a current and relevant discussion of the key formal and informal institutional idiosyncrasies of emerging markets compared to developed markets and forwards a number or practical prescriptions for how to navigate these different and unique institutional environments.
Studies on anticorrosion properties of polyaniline-TiO2 blended with acrylic-silicone coating using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Mohd Jamari Siti Khumaira , Kasi Ramesh , Ismail Leeana , Mat Nor Nur  Amirah , Subramanian Ramis Rau , Subramaniam T. Ramesh , Balakrishnan Vengadaesvaran , Mohd Arof Abdul   Kariem
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the performance of coatings for corrosion protection. In this research, different compositions of polyaniline (PANI) were added in a pigmented acrylic polyol-silicone coating. The important performance property is corrosion protection. The coatings must be evaluated under corrosive environment. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is the suitable method to investigate the effect of the addition of PANI in the binder mixture.

Design/methodology/approach

– The coating resistance, coating capacitance, water uptake and the diffusion coefficient of the coatings were tested for each of the sample. These parameters of the coatings were tested for a period of 60 days of exposure of 3.5 weight per cent solution of sodium chloride salt. EIS results will be further verified by immersion test and salt spray test.

Findings

– Coating materials developed using 8 and 10 weight per cent of PANI exhibited better coating properties with higher coating resistance for a period 60 days immersion in corrosive environment compared to coatings with lower amount of PANI (2-6 weight per cent). The best coating system obtained the coating resistance value in the range of giga ohms even after the 60th day of exposure. The lowest capacitance value suggested that the coatings have not allowed the electrolyte to permeate to the interface. Water uptake values were found to be in the range of 5 per cent. Salt spray test results showed that the corrosion has initiated at the edges of the scratches only.

Practical implications

– The study of the effect of conducting polymers in acrylic polyol/silicone resin hybrid binder will be useful for more exploration in coating science.

Originality/value

– The development of protective hybrid coatings using conducting polymer and TiO2 particles is new. The results show high coating resistance values.
Phytochemical screening and potential of natural dye colourant from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)
Authors: Mohajer S. , Taha R.M. , Azmi S.Z.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the most dominant pigment of pomegranate explants for natural color coatings and detect the presence of phytochemical constituents and comparison of the antioxidant activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– Extracts of leaf, stem, peel and seed of in vitro and in vivo growth cultures were prepared for phytochemical constituent and antioxidant activity. The supernatant from 95 per cent methanol was mixed with 15 per cent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with the ratio of 1:1 to form a coating system.

Findings

– Although glycosides was not found in this species, tests for tannins and flavonoids were positive in all samples. The IC50 values were also comparable to commercial antioxidant ascorbic acid with 34.92 per cent inhibition. Chlorophyll a and b were detected in stem and leaf using UV-photospectrometer in 420 and 645 nm wavelengths ranges. The effects of heat and salt on the stability of natural dye colorants mixed with polyvinyl alcohol to form a basic coating system were indicated negatively in in vivo and in vitro growth cultures.

Originality/value

– The paper shows that further improvement with co-pigmentations may give a notable mixture from pomegranate extraction for the paint materials or nail varnish. It was also indicated that pomegranate contains some compounds such as polyphenolics that can donate electron/hydrogen easily.
Biomarkers in systemic sclerosis: Their potential to predict clinical courses
Authors: Hasegawa Minoru
Published: January 2016

The concept of a biomarker was defined as “a characteristic marker that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention” by the National Institutes of Health Biomarkers Definitions Working group in 2001. Clinical features, disease progress, therapeutic response and prognosis are heterogeneous among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Therefore, biomarkers that can predict these matters are required for the progress of clinical practice. At present, SSc‐specific autoantibodies are the most useful biomarkers for diagnosis and predicting clinical features. Otherwise, biomarkers specific only for SSc have not been identified yet. The glycoprotein krebs von den Lungen‐6, surfactant protein‐D and CCL18 are promising serum biomarkers of SSc‐related interstitial lung diseases. Serum/plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide and serum N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide have been used as biomarkers for SSc‐related pulmonary arterial hypertension. Other potential serum/plasma biomarkers for fibrosis and vascular involvement of SSc are connective tissue growth factor, interleukin‐6, CCL2, CXCL4, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1, P‐selectin, vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand factor, endostatin, endoglin and endothelin‐1. In our multicenter prospective studies of Japanese early SSc, serum ICAM‐1 levels were predictive for subsequent respiratory dysfunction and serum levels of CXCL8 and P‐selectin were predictive for subsequent physical disability. Further large, multicenter, prospective, longitudinal studies will be needed to identify and validate critical biomarkers of SSc.
Psoriasis: Behind the scenes
Authors: Furue Masutaka , Kadono Takafumi
Published: January 2016

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by a significant deterioration in the quality of life of affected individuals. Notably, psoriasis is significantly associated with cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome and other autoimmune disorders. Recent progress in biologic therapies has revealed the fundamental role of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐23 and the IL‐17A axis together with aberrant overproduction of epidermal IL‐36γ in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. This review provides an update on the clinical, pathological and therapeutic advancements involving psoriasis.
Media Frames across Stages of Health Crisis: A Crisis Management Approach to News Coverage of Flu Pandemic
Authors: Pan Po‐Lin , Meng Juan
Published: January 2016

Dividing a crisis management process into three stages, this study examined news coverage of swine flu crisis in terms of news frames, mortality exemplars, vaccine problems, evaluation approaches to risk magnitudes and news sources. Results revealed that various framing strategies were used in news media at different stages of the flu crisis. The frames of health risk, societal problems, political/legal issues and prevention/health education were mostly used at the pre‐crisis stage, while the medical/scientific frame was regularly utilized at the post‐crisis stage to highlight medical treatment and scientific research. The evaluation approaches were also employed differently. The qualitative approach was mostly used at the pre‐crisis stage, while the quantitative and statistical approaches were applied frequently at the post‐crisis stage. Health professionals were widely cited as news sources at each stage to increase public awareness of crisis severity, and government officials and politicians repeatedly appeared to function strategically toward the achievement of public‐institution effectiveness at the pre‐crisis stage.
Study on four genera of Diplazontinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in South Korea with description of two new species
Authors: Balueva Ekaterina N. , Lee Jong‐Wook
Published: January 2016

Of 16 genera of the subfamily Diplazontinae occurring in the Eastern Palearctic region, 11 were previously recognized from South Korea. In previous studies we reviewed eight Diplazontinae genera were reviewed. In this current paper, one genus, Enizemum Förster, is recorded from this country for the first time with one newly described species, E. nigrocoxatum Balueva and Lee sp. nov. Also other three genera, Homotropus Förster, Syrphoctonus Förster and Syrphophilus Dasch, are reviewed here. Here we provide key and diagnosis to eight species of Homotropus including one new species, Homotropus sepiatus Balueva and Lee sp. nov., and key and diagnosis to two species of genus Syrphoctonus and two species of genus Syrphophilus.
The one best way? ‘Scientific’ research on HRM and the threat to critical scholarship
Authors: Harley Bill
Published: January 2016

HRM scholarship is increasingly dominated by ‘scientific’ research characterised by a positivist methodology, complex statistical techniques, correlational theorising and incremental advances in knowledge. While this approach has long been prominent in HRM research, what is new is the almost total dominance of this kind of research, which has largely crowded out alternative approaches, particularly those that are overtly critical in orientation. A variety of institutional factors has contributed to this shift in HRM scholarship, and these place significant obstacles in front of those who seek to reclaim space for critical voices. There is, however, room for greater methodological pluralism, and researchers, academic institutions and journals have roles to play in promoting viable alternatives.
High expression of cyclooxygenase 2 is an indicator of prognosis for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy
Authors: Hu Dongxin , Zhang Mingyan , Wang Shuai , Wang Zhou
Published: January 2016

Background

The poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is attributed to a high recurrence rate after surgery. Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) is an important regulator of cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and transformation. COX2 overexpression is significantly associated with the tumorigenesis and progression of diverse cancers; however, its expression and significance in ESCC remains unclear.

Methods

We enrolled 118 patients with ESCC who had undergone Ivor‐Lewis esophagectomy. The expression profile of COX2 was examined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

A high expression of COX2 correlated with a higher T staging (P = 0.014), lower differentiation degree (P = 0.002), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.009), recurrence status (P = 0.004), and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that TNM stage (P = 0.001), differentiation degree (P = 0.001), and high COX2 expression (P = 0.004) were independent risk factors of prognosis.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that COX2 expression level is associated with key clinicopathological features and could be an effective biomarker to predict ESCC prognosis.
Rejoinder to “On the Misuse of Taylor Expansion”
Authors: Zhao Shanshan , Prentice Ross L.
Published: January 2016

This article is the rejoinder to:

The authors replied as follows:

We thank Drs Wang, Zhang, Feng, and Tu for pointing out a missing op(1) term in a Taylor expansion in Theorem 2 of Supplementary Materials to Zhao and Prentice (2014), an omission that apparently occurred also in several earlier statistical publications (Feng et al., 2013). However, the estimating function in our Theorem 2 is unbiased and our use of this expansion was solely for the purpose of developing the asymptotic distribution for the solution to this estimating equation, which is unaffected by the missing op(1) term.

Shanshan Zhao and Ross L. Prentice

Public Health Sciences Division

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Seattle, Washington 98109, U.S.S.
Outcomes following watchful waiting for stage II–IV follicular lymphoma patients in the modern era
Authors: Nastoupil Loretta J. , Sinha Rajni , Byrtek Michelle , Ziemiecki Ryan , Zhou Xiaolei , Taylor Michael , Friedberg Jonathan W. , Link Brian K. , Cerhan James R. , Dawson Keith , Flowers Christopher R.
Published: January 2016

To examine the effectiveness of an initial management strategy of watchful waiting for follicular lymphoma (FL) in clinical practice, we compared outcomes for patients diagnosed 2004–2007 in the United States initially managed with watchful waiting with outcomes following initial rituximab monotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy. In total, 1754 stage II–IV patients in the National LymphoCare Study underwent watchful waiting (n = 386), rituximab monotherapy (n = 296) or rituximab plus chemotherapy (n = 1072) as initial management strategy. Female patients and those who received treatment in the Northeast or in an academic setting more commonly underwent watchful waiting versus initial chemoimmunotherapy; whereas patients with grade 3 histology, anaemia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, extranodal involvement, B symptoms or performance status ≥1 more commonly received chemoimmunotherapy. Although time to new treatment and progression‐free survival following first‐ and second‐line therapy were improved with chemoimmunotherapy, and time to chemotherapy was improved with rituximab monotherapy, there were no differences in overall survival between watchful waiting and chemoimmunotherapy or rituximab monotherapy. With 8‐year overall survival estimates of 74%, initial management with watchful waiting in the context of sequential therapy remains a viable option for FL patients in the modern era. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00097565).
High prevalence of splenic marginal zone lymphoma among patients with acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency
Authors: Castelli Roberto , Wu Maddalena Alessandra , Arquati Massimo , Zanichelli Andrea , Suffritti Chiara , Rossi Davide , Cicardi Marco
Published: January 2016

Marginal zone lymphoma represents about 10% of all non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). 33% of patients with acquired angioedema (AAE) due to acquired C1‐inhibitor (C1‐INH) deficiency (C1‐INH‐AAE) have or will develop NHLs. C1‐INH‐AAE is a rare condition. We report the follow‐up of 72 C1‐INH‐AAE patients, followed for a median of 15 years (range 1–24). Median age was 71 (range 64–79) years; median age at onset of angioedema symptoms was 57·5 (range 50–66) years and it was 63 [range 45–80) years at diagnosis]. Twenty patients were diagnosed with low‐grade non‐follicular B‐cell lymphomas (75% were splenic MZL), one with follicular and three with high‐grade lymphomas (two diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas and one mantle cell lymphoma). Fifteen NHLs were diagnosed at onset of AAE or thereafter (3 months to 7 years), eight had already been diagnosed at onset of angioedema. Two of 24 patients remain on watchful wait. Thirthen of 24 received chemotherapy, two received rituximab. Three underwent splenectomy. All 18 patients receiving therapy for NHL experienced post‐treatment reduction in AAE symptoms. Our study suggests that clonal B‐cell proliferation is the pathology underlying AAE leading to production of C1‐INH‐neutralizing autoantibodies and to NHLs. The post‐germinal centre origin of NHL suggests that immune stimulation may contribute to lymphomagenesis.
A CD138‐independent strategy to detect minimal residual disease and circulating tumour cells in multiple myeloma
Authors: Muz Barbara , de la Puente Pilar , Azab Feda , Luderer Micah John , King Justin , Vij Ravi , Azab Abdel Kareem
Published: January 2016

CD138 (also termed SDC1) has been the gold‐standard surface marker to detect multiple myeloma (MM) cells for decades; however, drug‐resistant residual and circulating MM cells were shown to have lower expression of this marker. In this study, we have shown that residual MM cells following bortezomib treatment are hypoxic. This combination of drug exposure and hypoxia down‐regulates their CD138 expression, thereby making this marker unsuitable for detecting residual or other hypoxic MM cells, such as circulating tumour cells, in MM. Hence, we developed an alternative biomarker set which detects myeloma cells independent of their hypoxic and CD138 expression status in vitro, in vivo and in primary MM patients. The new markers were able to identify a clonal CD138‐negative population as minimal residual disease in the bone marrow and peripheral blood of MM patients. Further investigation to characterize the role of this population as a prognostic marker in MM is warranted.
The addition of sirolimus to the graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis regimen in reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation for lymphoma: a multicentre randomized trial
Authors: Armand Philippe , Kim Haesook T. , Sainvil Marie‐Michele , Lange Paulina B. , Giardino Angela A. , Bachanova Veronika , Devine Steven M. , Waller Edmund K. , Jagirdar Neera , Herrera Alex F. , Cutler Corey , Ho Vincent T. , Koreth John , Alyea Edwin P. , McAfee Steven L. , Soiffer Robert J. , Chen Yi‐Bin , Antin Joseph H.
Published: January 2016

Inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has clinical activity in lymphoma. The mTOR inhibitor sirolimus has been used in the prevention and treatment of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A retrospective study suggested that patients with lymphoma undergoing reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) HSCT who received sirolimus as part of their GVHD prophylaxis regimen had a lower rate of relapse. We therefore performed a multicentre randomized trial comparing tacrolimus, sirolimus and methotrexate to standard regimens in adult patients undergoing RIC HSCT for lymphoma in order to assess the possible benefit of sirolimus on HSCT outcome. 139 patients were randomized. There was no difference overall in 2‐year overall survival, progression‐free survival, relapse, non‐relapse mortality or chronic GVHD. However, the sirolimus‐containing arm had a significantly lower incidence of grade II‐IV acute GVHD (9% vs. 25%, P = 0·015), which was more marked for unrelated donor grafts. In conclusion, the addition of sirolimus for GVHD prophylaxis in RIC HSCT is associated with no increased overall toxicity and a lower risk of acute GVHD, although it does not improve survival; this regimen is an acceptable option for GVHD prevention in RIC HSCT. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00928018).
Why do families enrol in paediatric weight management? A parental perspective of reasons and facilitators
Authors: Perez A. J. , Avis J. L. S. , Holt N. L. , Gokiert R. , Chanoine J.‐P. , Legault L. , Morrison K. M. , Sharma A. M. , Ball G. D. C.
Published: January 2016

Background

Few children with obesity who are referred for weight management end up enroled in treatment. Factors enabling enrolment are poorly understood. Our purpose was to explore reasons for and facilitators of enrolment in paediatric weight management from the parental perspective.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with parents of 10‐ to 17‐year‐olds who were referred to one of four Canadian weight management clinics and enroled in treatment. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Manifest/inductive content analysis was used to analyse the data, which included the frequency with which parents referred to reasons for and facilitators of enrolment.

Results

In total, 65 parents were interviewed. Most had a child with a BMI ≥95th percentile (n = 59; 91%), were mothers (n = 55; 85%) and had completed some post‐secondary education (n = 43; 66%). Reasons for enrolment were related to concerns about the child, recommended care and expected benefits. Most common reasons included weight concern, weight loss expectation, lifestyle improvement, health concern and need for external support. Facilitators concerned the referral initiator, treatment motivation and barrier control. Most common facilitators included the absence of major barriers, parental control over the decision to enrol, referring physicians stressing the need for specialized care and parents' ability to overcome enrolment challenges.

Conclusions

Healthcare providers might optimize enrolment in paediatric weight management by being proactive in referring families, discussing the advantages of the recommended care to meet treatment expectations and providing support to overcome enrolment barriers.
Teacher–Student Relationship and Peer Disliking and Liking Across Grades 1–4
Authors: Hughes Jan N. , Im Myung H.
Published: January 2016

Between‐child and within‐child effects of teacher–student warmth and conflict on children's peer‐nominated disliking and liking across Grades 1–4 (ages 6–10) were investigated in a sample of 746 ethnically diverse and academically at‐risk children in Texas. Multilevel modeling controlled for time‐invariant between‐child differences while modeling the effect of time‐varying teacher–student relationship (TSR) warmth and conflict on children's peer relatedness. Teachers reported on warmth and conflict. Peers reported on liking and disliking. Above between‐child effects of average levels of teacher warmth and conflict on initial level and rate of change in liking and disliking and classroom teacher support, year‐to‐year changes in TSR conflict and warmth predicted intraindividual change in children's peer disliking but not peer liking.
Forecasting Financial Time Series with Grammar‐Guided Feature Generation
Authors: de Silva Anthony Mihirana , Davis Richard I. A. , Pasha Syed A. , Leong Philip H. W.
Published: January 2016

The application of machine learning techniques to forecast financial time series is not a recent development, yet it continues to attract considerable attention because of the difficulty of the problem that is compounded by the nonlinear and nonstationary nature of the time series. The choice of an appropriate set of features is crucial to improve forecasting accuracy of machine learning techniques. In this article, we propose a systematic way for generating rich features using context‐free grammars. Our proposed methodology identifies potential candidates for new technical indicators that consistently improve forecasts compared with some well‐known indicators. The notion of grammar families as a compact representation to generate a rich class of features is exploited, and implementation issues are discussed in detail. The proposed methodology is tested on closing price data of major stock market indices, and the forecasting performance is compared with some standard techniques. A comparison with the conventional approach using standard technical indicators and naive approaches is shown.
Multiplexed color‐coded probe‐based gene expression assessment for clinical molecular diagnostics in formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded human renal allograft tissue
Authors: Adam Benjamin , Afzali Bahman , Dominy Katherine M. , Chapman Erin , Gill Reeda , Hidalgo Luis G. , Roufosse Candice , Sis Banu , Mengel Michael
Published: January 2016

Histopathologic diagnoses in transplantation can be improved with molecular testing. Preferably, molecular diagnostics should fit into standard‐of‐care workflows for transplant biopsies, that is, formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) processing. The NanoString® gene expression platform has recently been shown to work with FFPE samples. We aimed to evaluate its methodological robustness and feasibility for gene expression studies in human FFPE renal allograft samples. A literature‐derived antibody‐mediated rejection (ABMR) 34‐gene set, comprised of endothelial, NK cell, and inflammation transcripts, was analyzed in different retrospective biopsy cohorts and showed potential to molecularly discriminate ABMR cases, including FFPE samples. NanoString® results were reproducible across a range of RNA input quantities (r = 0.998), with different operators (r = 0.998), and between different reagent lots (r = 0.983). There was moderate correlation between NanoString® with FFPE tissue and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) with corresponding dedicated fresh‐stabilized tissue (r = 0.487). Better overall correlation with histology was observed with NanoString® (r = 0.354) than with qRT‐PCR (r = 0.146). Our results demonstrate the feasibility of multiplexed gene expression quantification from FFPE renal allograft tissue. This represents a method for prospective and retrospective validation of molecular diagnostics and its adoption in clinical transplantation pathology.
The LAST Project and the diagnostic bottom line
Authors: Darragh T. M.
Published: January 2016

The LAST Project's consensus recommendations for terminology and biomarker use to improve the accuracy and reproducibility of histopathological diagnoses for HPV‐associated squamous intraepithelial lesions of the lower anogenital tract are reviewed.
Bethesda 2014: improving on a paradigm shift
Authors: Wilbur D. C. , Nayar R.
Published: January 2016

The third iteration of the Bethesda System terminology manual was recently published. This update included changes in the reporting of benign endometrial cells, and guidance for special adequacy situations and for cases in which low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions are accompanied by some cells suggesting that a high grade lesion might also be present. In addition, the manual was increased in size to include more illustrations with special studies and comparisons to histology, a greatly increased reference list, and a new chapter devoted to the modern practice of risk‐based management. The third edition of the Bethesda manual is meant to serve as a primary reference for the practice of gynecologic cytology designed to provide a uniform system of reporting Worldwide for clinical, teaching, and research purposes.
Update on cardiotoxicity of anti‐cancer treatments
Authors: Rosa Gian Marco , Gigli Lorenzo , Tagliasacchi Maria Isabella , Di Iorio Cecilia , Carbone Federico , Nencioni Alessio , Montecucco Fabrizio , Brunelli Claudio
Published: January 2016

Background and aims

Anti‐cancer treatments markedly improved the prognosis of patients, but unfortunately might be hampered by cardiotoxicity. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic clinical forms of heart failure have been reported, which may be reversible or irreversible. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the antineoplastic agents associated with cardiac toxicity and of the available diagnostic techniques.

Methods and methods

This narrative review is based on material from MEDLINE and PUBMED up to November 2015. We looked at the terms antineoplastic drugs and cardiac toxicity in combination with echocardiography, troponins, cardiac magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography.

Results

Anthracyclines, monoclonal antibodies, fluoropyrimidines, taxanes, alkylating agents, vinka alkaloids were reported to induce different clinical manifestations of cardioxicity. Chest radiotherapy is also associated with various forms of cardiac damage, which are indistinguishable from those found in patients with heart disease of other aetiologies and that may even appear several years after administration. Among diagnostic techniques, echocardiography is a noninvasive, cost‐effective, and widely available imaging tool. Nuclear imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance may be used but are not so widely available and are more difficult to perform. Finally, some biomarkers, such as troponins, may be used to evaluate cardiac damage, but establishing the optimal timing of troponin assessment remains unclear and defining the cut‐off point for positivity is still an important goal.

Conclusions

Cardiotoxicity of anti‐cancer treatments is associated with development of heart failure. Novel diagnostic tools might be relevant to early recognize irreversible forms cardiac diseases.
Renal Resistive Index and mortality in critical patients with acute kidney injury
Authors: Boddi Maria , Bonizzoli Manuela , Chiostri Marco , Begliomini Dario , Molinaro Adele , Tadini Buoninsegni Laura , Gensini Gian Franco , Peris Adriano
Published: January 2016

Background

The predictive role of Doppler Renal Resistive Index (RRI) for mortality was shown in chronic kidney disease. In selected populations of intensive care unit (ICU), RRI predicts acute kidney injury (AKI) occurrence and anticipates persistent AKI. No data are available about mortality. We investigated whether RRI assay at AKI diagnosis could predict AKI mortality in a 10‐bed‐mixed medical–surgical and trauma ICU of a tertiary referral teaching hospital. The association between RRI and persistent AKI at discharge was investigated.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐five of 1512 patients admitted from January 2010 to March 2013 who developed AKI during ICU stay were enrolled. Kidney function was evaluated daily according to risk, injury, failure, loss and end‐stage criteria. At AKI diagnosis, we measured RRI. The association between RRI at AKI diagnosis and ICU death or persistent AKI at ICU discharge was analysed by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

At AKI diagnosis, RRI was 0·77 (0·70–0·88) in survivors and 0·85 in nonsurvivors (0·79–0·94) (P = 0·002). RRI values were significantly associated with ICU death (OR = 1·63–95% CI 1·06–2·49, P = 0·025). A RRI cut‐off value of 0·77 was identified by receiver operating characteristic curve. Multivariate analysis selected RRI and abdominal hypertension as strongest predictors of AKI mortality. At AKI diagnosis, RRI was 0·78 (0·70–0·85) or 0·85 (0·73–0·92) (P = 0·026) in patients with or without persistent AKI at discharge. Multivariate analysis selected RRI at AKI diagnosis as the strongest predictor of persistent AKI.

Conclusions

High RRI values at AKI diagnosis are strictly and independently associated with in‐ICU mortality and persistent AKI at ICU discharge.
An accurate tool for ageing Two‐spined Blackfish for use in determining timing of spawning in upland streams in the Brindabella ranges, ACT, Australia
Authors: Dennis Lachlan P. , Broadhurst Ben T. , Lintermans Mark
Published: January 2016

To manage populations of threatened fish species in modified habitats and regulated rivers requires an understanding of their reproductive biology and spawning cues. In particular, accurate information about early life stages in these species can be used to facilitate programmes that maximise recruitment and breeding success. This study aimed to develop methods to accurately age early juvenile freshwater native fish, Two‐spined Blackfish, (Gadopsis bispinosus), to allow the determination of spawning date. This was accomplished through the examination of otolith microstructure in early juveniles. The age at which the first ring was deposited and the relationship between days and number of rings were determined using both field and aquarium trials. Field trials of marked juvenile otoliths revealed daily deposition of rings (1.02 ± 0.02 rings per day for fish sacrificed six days postmarking). The strength of this relationship lessened slightly as juveniles aged (0.92 ± 0.02 rings per day for fish sacrificed 13 days postmarking). The first otolith ring was deposited 7.50 ± 1.09 days after spawning. The enumeration of daily rings combined with knowledge of the commencement of ring deposition enabled accurate estimation of spawning date. The current study is the first to examine otolith microstructure in juvenile Two‐spined Blackfish allowing accurate determination of spawning date. While more research is required to accurately age older juveniles, this technique has the potential to precisely correlate spawning with environmental cues, facilitating better management of temperature and flow during breeding periods, potentially increasing spawning and recruitment of this endangered species.
Validation of the Greater Hunter Native Vegetation Mapping as it pertains to the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales
Authors: Hunter John T.
Published: January 2016

Reliable vegetation maps are an important component of any long‐term landscape planning initiatives. A number of approaches are available but one, in particular, pattern recognition (segmentation) combined with modelling from floristic site data, is currently being used to map vegetation across NSW. An independent assessment of this approach based on a review of the Greater Hunter Native Vegetation Mapping (GHM_v4) was undertaken in order to assess its ability to cater for regional, local, strategic and landscape planning. The validation process tested 2151 locations across the Upper Hunter Valley region of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The results suggest that mapping at the coarsest level of NSW vegetation classification, the Formation, is generally poor, with only Dry Sclerophyll Forest and Woodland modelled with some level of reliability. The modelled mapping of individual plant community types (PCTs) was found to be highly inaccurate with only 17% of validation points attributed as ‘correct’ and a further 13% ‘essentially correct’. Therefore, a majority of PCTs were mapped with an accuracy of less than 30%. The results of this validation suggest that the GHM_v4 is of such a low level of accuracy within the upper Hunter as to be inherently unusable for broad‐scale regional and local landscape planning or environmental assessment, including locating compensatory offsets for the loss of native vegetation due to developments. The GHM_v4 methods of pattern recognition of mainly SPOT5 satellite imagery combined with modelling from plot data have not produced reliable vegetation maps of plant community types. Yet this mapping programme is extending across NSW and could be misused for environmental decisions or as a regulation.
Democratic Accountability During Performance Audits Under Pressure: A Recipe for Institutional Hypocrisy?
Authors: Morin Danielle
Published: January 2016

This study shows how the tensions between transparency and secrecy are likely to engender ‘institutional hypocrisy’ in the accountability process taking place during Supreme Audit Institutions’ performance audits. The examination of relations between the French Cour des comptes, Administration and Parliament has revealed gaps between Administration and Parliamentarians’ discourse and action, secrets and things left unsaid. This impression of Administration and Parliamentarians’ full participation in this democratic process may give to citizens a false sense of security leading them to believe that accounts are indeed rendered, which is not actually the case. Rather, the appearances of functional democracy have been preserved.
Carbon fluxes acclimate more strongly to elevated growth temperatures than to elevated CO2 concentrations in a northern conifer
Authors: Kroner Yulia , Way Danielle A.
Published: January 2016

Increasing temperatures and atmospheric CO2 concentrations will affect tree carbon fluxes, generating potential feedbacks between forests and the global climate system. We studied how elevated temperatures and CO2 impacted leaf carbon dynamics in Norway spruce (Picea abies), a dominant northern forest species, to improve predictions of future photosynthetic and respiratory fluxes from high‐latitude conifers. Seedlings were grown under ambient (AC, c. 435 μmol mol−1) or elevated (EC, 750 μmol mol−1) CO2 concentrations at ambient, +4 °C, or +8 °C growing temperatures. Photosynthetic rates (Asat) were high in +4 °C/EC seedlings and lowest in +8 °C spruce, implying that moderate, but not extreme, climate change may stimulate carbon uptake. Asat, dark respiration (Rdark), and light respiration (Rlight) rates acclimated to temperature, but not CO2: the thermal optimum of Asat increased, and Rdark and Rlight were suppressed under warming. In all treatments, the Q10 of Rlight (the relative increase in respiration for a 10 °C increase in leaf temperature) was 35% higher than the Q10 of Rdark, so the ratio of Rlight to Rdark increased with rising leaf temperature. However, across all treatments and a range of 10–40 °C leaf temperatures, a consistent relationship between Rlight and Rdark was found, which could be used to model Rlight in future climates. Acclimation reduced daily modeled respiratory losses from warm‐grown seedlings by 22–56%. When Rlight was modeled as a constant fraction of Rdark, modeled daily respiratory losses were 11–65% greater than when using measured values of Rlight. Our findings highlight the impact of acclimation to future climates on predictions of carbon uptake and losses in northern trees, in particular the need to model daytime respiratory losses from direct measurements of Rlight or appropriate relationships with Rdark.