bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of cell morphogenesis by tousled‐like kinase in the Drosophila follicle cell
Authors: Yeh Tsung‐Han , Huang Shu‐Yu , Lan Wan‐Yu , Liaw Gwo‐Jen , Yu Jenn‐Yah
Published: May 2015

Background: Tousled‐like kinase (Tlk) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase regulating DNA replication, chromatin assembly, and DNA repair. Previous studies have suggested that Tlk is involved in cell morphogenesis in vitro. In addition, tlk genetically interact with Rho1, which encodes a key regulator of the cytoskeleton. However, whether Tlk plays a physiological role in cell morphogenesis and cytoskeleton rearrangement remains unknown. Results: In tlk mutant follicle cells, area of the apical domain was reduced. The density of microtubules was increased in tlk mutant cells. The density of actin filaments was increased in the apical region and decreased in the basal region. Because area of the apical domain was reduced, we examined the levels of proteins located in the apical region by using immunofluorescence. The fluorescence intensities of two adherens junction proteins Armadillo (Arm) and DE‐cadherin (DE‐cad), atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), and Notch, were all increased in tlk mutant cells. The basolateral localized Discs large (Dlg) shifted apically in tlk mutant cells. Conclusions: Increase of protein densities in the apical region might be resulted from disruption of the cytoskeleton and shrinkage of the apical domain. Together, these data suggest a novel role of Tlk in maintaining cell morphology, possibly through modulating the cytoskeleton. Developmental Dynamics 244:852–865, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predictive factors for difficult robotic thyroidectomy using the bilateral axillo‐breast approach
Authors: Kwak Hee Yong , Kim Hoon Yub , Lee Hye Yoon , Jung Seung Pil , Woo Sang Uk , Son Gil Soo , Lee Jae Bok , Bae Jeoung Won
Published: May 2015

Background

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of difficult robotic thyroidectomy using the bilateral axillo‐breast approach (BABA) for the management of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

We examined a database containing details of patients with PTC who had undergone robotic thyroidectomy with cervical lymph node dissection between July 2008 and June 2013. Patients were subgrouped into difficult thyroidectomy and non‐difficult thyroidectomy to identify predictors associated with difficult thyroidectomy corresponding to the time of operation. Clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and postoperative morbidities were investigated.

Results

Male sex was the only significantly different clinicopathologic factor between the 2 groups (p = .013). Other factors, such as age (p = .809) and body mass index (BMI; p = .202), were comparable between the 2 groups. The rates of postoperative complications, such as hypoparathyroidism, vocal cord palsy, and seroma, in the difficult thyroidectomy group were not significantly different from those in the non‐difficult thyroidectomy group. There was no hematoma or wound infection. Male sex was the only independent factor associated with difficult thyroidectomy (odds ratio [OR] = 5.379; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.052–27.502; p = .043), according to the multivariate logistic regression model.

Conclusion

Male sex was the only predictive factor for difficult robotic thyroidectomy using BABA. Further evaluations should be performed to ascertain additional factors associated with difficult robotic thyroidectomy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E954–E960, 2016
Short report: Monitoring ESR1 mutations by circulating tumor DNA in aromatase inhibitor resistant metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Sefrioui David , Perdrix Anne , Sarafan‐Vasseur Nasrin , Dolfus Claire , Dujon Antoine , Picquenot Jean‐Michel , Delacour Julien , Cornic Marie , Bohers Elodie , Leheurteur Marianne , Rigal Olivier , Tennevet Isabelle , Thery Jean‐Christophe , Alexandru Cristina , Guillemet Cécile , Moldovan Cristian , Veyret Corinne , Frebourg Thierry , Di Fiore Frédéric , Clatot Florian
Published: May 2015

Acquired estrogen receptor gene (ESR1) mutations have been recently reported as a marker of resistance to aromatase inhibitors in hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer. We retrospectively considered seven patients treated for metastatic breast cancer with available samples from the primary tumor before any treatment, cryopreserved metastasis removed during progression and concomitant plasmas. All these seven patients were in disease progression after previous exposure to aromatase inhibitors for at least 6 months, and were assessed for ESR1 mutations detection in tumor and circulating DNA. For these patients, Sanger sequencing identified four metastases with clear ESR1 mutation and one possible, whereas digital PCR identified six mutated metastases. Then, under blind conditions and using digital PCR, corresponding circulating ESR1 mutations were successfully detected in four of these six metastatic breast cancer patients. Moreover, in two patients with serial blood samples following treatments exposure, the monitoring of circulating ESR1 mutations clearly predicted disease evolution. In the context of high interest for ESR1 mutations, our results highlight that these acquired recurrent mutations may be tracked in circulating tumor DNA and may be of clinical relevance for metastatic breast cancer patient monitoring.
Water Delivery Performance at Metahara Large‐Scale Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia
Authors: Dejen Zeleke A. , Schultz Bart , Hayde Laszlo
Published: May 2015

Water distribution, delivery and hydrodynamics in manually operated gravity irrigation schemes are often complex. The nature of the hydrodynamics and its impacts on water delivery are generally not well understood by operators. The Metahara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia, with a gross irrigated area of 11 500 ha, is an example of such a scheme.

This paper assesses water supply and demand of the scheme and evaluates the water delivery performance to 15 offtakes at head, middle and tail reaches of a 10‐km‐long canal. Adequacy, efficiency, equity and dependability were used as indicators of water delivery performance. Results indicated that average annual irrigation supply is in excess of demand by 24%. Water delivery at tertiary levels was adequate in terms of quantity, and suggests insignificant field losses. However, a significant amount is lost in the conveyance and distribution canals and to saline swamps at tail ends. Unlike claims of water shortage, the major water management challenge is lack of sound operational rules, which made the delivery inequitable and inefficient. Delivery was inferior in terms of adequacy and dependability at middle reach offtakes. Optimal water diversion and distribution not only save water, but also reduce the danger of waterlogging and salinity in the scheme. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Influence of Genre Understanding on Strategy Use and Comprehension
Authors: Yoo Monica S.
Published: May 2015

This case study examines how Ashley, a ninth‐grade student, uses and applies metacognitive strategies for comprehension as she reads three different texts: a literary narrative, a history text, and a newspaper article. Interviews and think‐aloud protocols were administered to investigate how the student thought about and enacted a variety of strategies during reading. The study includes cognitive and sociocultural perspectives and applies genre theory to the literature on reading strategies and the reading process. Findings indicate that expectations regarding how to read in a genre and discipline may influence comprehension and the ways in which strategies are employed. Furthermore, implications suggest that it is important to consider how genre understandings impact key elements related to comprehension in the Common Core State Standards, such as the quantitative and qualitative components of text complexity and the reader–text fit, as students engage in reading in a variety of disciplines.
Inclusive Classrooms forLGBTQStudents
Authors: Dodge Autumn M. , Crutcher Paul A.
Published: May 2015

As teachers, it is important that we grapple with the reality that schools, teachers, and the larger social institutions that impact us are never neutral. Scholars explain that the starting place for teachers who want to enact practices for social justice and to disrupt harmful “single stories” is to readLGBTQtitles and consider how they might be integrated in curricula. The authors provide suggestions and examples of linked text sets to help answer calls for creating more socially just classrooms forLGBTQstudents. The examples provide an approach to planning curriculum to create socially just classrooms forallstudents.
The Three Little Wolves Go to College
Authors: Sun Chia‐Ho
Published: May 2015

For at least three decades, scholars have discussed the rationale for using picture books with English learners of all ages. Research on how older ESL and EFL learners can benefit from picture books, however, remains scarce. This study explored 25 Taiwanese university EFL learners' engagement in a predicting‐reading‐confirming‐integrating plus reflective picture book lesson featuring a wolf‐friendly version of The Three Little Pigs. Analysis of multiple data sources was based on four dimensions of engagement: affective, behavioral, cognitive, and social. The findings revealed that using a picture book and meaning‐making literacy activity with young adult EFL learners helped them interact with text, illustrations, and peers to construct meaning; developed their word knowledge and deep thinking; and infused learning with pleasure rather than pressure. The picture book lesson created a space in which the learning was active, constructive, and collaborative, and young adult EFL learners read happily ever after.
Colcemid treatment during oocyte maturation improves preimplantation development of cloned pig embryos by influencing meiotic progression and cytoplasmic maturation
Authors: Lee Joohyeong , Park Jong‐Im , Lee Geun‐Shik , Choi Jung Hoon , Lee Seung Tae , Park Choon‐Keun , Kim Dae Young , Hyun Sang‐Hwan , Lee Eunsong
Published: May 2015

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of colcemid treatment during oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA) and somatic‐cell nucleus transfer (SCNT) in pigs. Immature oocytes were treated with colcemid from 0 to 22, 38 to 42, or 0 to 22 hr followed by 38 to 42 hr during IVM (designated as COL0‐22, COL38‐42, and COL0‐22/38‐42, respectively). The proportion of oocytes reaching the germinal vesicle (GV)/GV breakdown (GVBD) stage after 22 hr of IVM was higher in COL0‐22 (98.4%) than in controls not exposed to colcemid (68.7%). The proportion of metaphase‐II (MII) oocytes after 30 hr of IVM was higher in control (79.6%) than in COL0‐22 oocytes (61.7%); overall nuclear progression to the MII stage was not influenced by colcemid treatment by the end of the IVM period (93.8, 86.7, 86.8, and 84.8% for control, COL0‐22, COL38‐42, and COL0‐22/38‐42, respectively). COL0‐22 oocytes showed higher intra‐oocyte glutathione content (1.7 vs. 1.0–1.3 pixels/oocyte) and increased blastocyst formation after PA (68.7% vs. 42.5–52.2%) and SCNT (39.4% vs. 16.3–28.6%) than control, COL38‐42, and COL0‐22/38‐42 oocytes. Colcemid treatment for 0–22 and 0–22/38‐42 hr of IVM also stimulated the expression of cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) mRNAs. Our results thus demonstrate that the presence of colcemid during the early stage of IVM stimulates preimplantation development of PA and SCNT porcine embryos by improving the cytoplasmic microenvironment. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 489–497, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What happens to thyroid function in long‐term type 1 diabetes? A Winchester cohort study
Authors: Brooks AP , Barbour H , Li Voon Chong JSW , Kibble S , Schapira D , White G , Williams E
Published: May 2015

In a cross‐sectional analysis of 655 people with type 1 diabetes of a wide age range and duration of diabetes up to 50 years, the most common form of thyroid dysfunction was treated clinical hypothyroidism (under‐activity) in 69 of 313 females (22%) and 26 of 342 males (7.6%). Only four patients (two of each sex) had episodes of thyroid over‐activity. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH mU/L) in 493 patients (208 females and 285 males) who maintained normal thyroid function was remarkably steady.

After 10 years’ duration of type 1 diabetes the prevalence of treated clinical hypothyroidism in females increased from 1 in 6 for 10–29.9 years’ duration up to 1 in 3 for over 30 years, and respectively from 1 in 10 to 1 in 6 in males. Thyroid dysfunction, usually hypothyroidism, should be screened for annually using a serum TSH assay in all type 1 diabetes patients after 10 years’ duration.

In the first 10 years of type 1 diabetes thyroid dysfunction is rarer, but more variable, and must not be misdiagnosed because of its possible more severe consequences. Five of nine females who were hypothyroid were so at diagnosis of their diabetes; the other four became so in the first 12–24 months, and two had thyroid over‐activity (one recurrent). Three males were already hypothyroid when diabetes was diagnosed and two developed over‐activity.

New cases of type 1 diabetes should have their thyroid function assessed clinically with thyroid hormone levels, serum TSH and antithyroid antibodies, say six‐monthly, for the first three years after diagnosis and on suspicion at any time thereafter. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons.
Commercial weight‐loss programmes: are they effective for people with type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Dyson Pamela
Published: May 2015

Weight loss is advocated as a primary therapy for the 90% of people with type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese, but the capacity of the NHS to provide an integrated, cost‐effective weight management service limits application.

It has been reported that conventional weight loss services within the NHS are less effective than group‐based commercial interventions including Rosemary Conley, Slimming World and WeightWatchers. These commercial organisations now offer weight management services in many areas of the UK through slimming on referral. There is evidence from randomised controlled trials and from audit demonstrating the efficacy of commercial groups for people without diabetes, but little evidence for those with diabetes.

The aim of this review is to explore the evidence for these commercial providers in people with diabetes. Both Slimming World and WeightWatchers, but not Rosemary Conley, have published evidence of efficacy in their general groups. Only Slimming World has audited those with type 2 diabetes but this was a small, self‐reported study. Independent head‐to‐head trials and audit data from those without diabetes suggest that commercial programmes are effective for weight loss.

Extrapolating these data to those with type 2 diabetes suggests that there is little to choose between the main commercial providers, that individuals can expect to lose 3–5kg over 12 weeks, and that attrition rates over 12 months or less are approximately 40–60%.

Commercial groups are probably effective for those with diabetes, but there is little published evidence available about the effects on weight loss, glycaemic control and attrition rates. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons.
Eighteen Year Record of Forest Fire Effects on Ground Thermal Regimes and Permafrost in the Central Mackenzie Valley, NWT, Canada
Authors: Smith Sharon L. , Riseborough Daniel W. , Bonnaventure Philip P.
Published: May 2015

Ground thermal conditions following a forest fire in 1994 were investigated along a hillslope transect in the discontinuous permafrost zone adjacent to a pipeline right of way in the central Mackenzie Valley, NWT, Canada. The intensity of the burn and damage to the forest and organic layer were more severe in the upper part of the slope than the bottom. Analysis of ground temperature records between 1995 and 2012 indicates that post‐fire changes to the surface altered the ground temperature regime, likely by allowing more snow to accumulate on the ground in winter (as interception by coniferous trees ceased) and decreasing albedo and evapotranspiration in summer. Active layer thickness at the affected site doubled between 1995 and 1998, before stabilising. Permafrost degradation likely occurred at the top of the slope, where burning was most severe. Towards the end of the study period, ground surface temperatures in the upper portion of the slope were lower than they were post fire (1997), whereas the surface temperatures were higher in the lower portion of the slope. In contrast, little to no change in surface temperature was observed for the Unburnt site. These changes in the burned sites are attributed to the increased re‐establishment of aspen, willow and tamarack in the upper part of the transect. Permafrost appears to be recovering at all burned sites in response to ongoing vegetation succession (except at the top of the slope), which is important for maintaining permafrost under conditions of projected climate warming in this boreal environment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atmospheric pressure anion mass spectrometry: electron affinities and activation energies of thermal electron attachment – perfluoromethylcyclohexane, C7F14
Authors: Chen Edward S. , Chen Edward C. M. , Barrera Louis K. , Herder Charles
Published: May 2015

Rationale

Perfluorocarbons such as perfluoromethylcyclohexane (c‐C6F11‐CF3) are important man‐made chemicals that have many uses including plasma processing, blood substitutes and atmospheric tracers. It is important to know the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reactions of thermal electrons with these molecules since they are potentially harmful greenhouse gases that can accumulate in the atmosphere.

Methods

The least‐squares fits of the temperature dependence of electron‐capture detection and atmospheric pressure negative ion mass spectrometry to a kinetic model are used to determine the electron affinities of c‐C6F11‐CF3, activation energies for the formation of c‐C6F10‐CF3, and c‐C6F11 anions and single bond dissociation energies. These are supported by semi‐empirical quantum mechanical calculations. These techniques were previously used to characterize superoxide, NO and SF6 anions.

Results

The literature electron affinities: (eV) c‐C6F11‐CF3, 1.06, c‐C6F10‐CF3, 3.9, c‐C6F11, 3.5 and D(R1‐CF3), 3.8; D(R‐F), 4.3 are supported. Additional electron affinities for c‐C6F11‐CF3, from 0.5 to 1.5 eV are assigned to excited states. The ground state electron affinity is 3.0(2) eV from the photodetachment threshold. Pseudo one‐dimensional anionic Morse potentials illustrating the mechanism for the reaction of thermal electrons with c‐C6F11‐CF3 are presented. The major anion peaks in perfluorokerosene‐L are identified. An experimental setup for studying thermal electron capture reactions at variable temperatures, pressures and concentrations proposed by Herder in 2004 is presented.

Conclusions

There are multiple anions of c‐C6F11‐CF3 more stable than the neutral. Electron‐capture detection and atmospheric pressure negative ion mass spectrometry are effective general methods for determining multiple electron affinities similar to the photodetachment, flowing afterglow, magnetron, negative surface ionization, swarm and beam procedures. Semi‐empirical theoretical calculations support experimental results. Additional mass analysis studies of reactions of c‐C6F11‐CF3 with electrons over a wide range of temperatures, pressures and electron energies are desirable. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of molecule variations in human xanthelasma skin based on confocal micro‐raman spectroscopy
Authors: Qiu Xuejun , Xiong Ke , Ye Xiangping , Huang Zhitong , Chen Ying , Su Chengkang , Zhuang Zhengfei , Guo Zhouyi , Liu Songhao
Published: May 2015

Confocal micro‐Raman spectroscopy was used to distinguish human xanthelasma skin (HXS) from the human normal skin (HNS). Results showed that intensive Raman peaks at 1,269, 1,336, 1,448, and 1,656 cm−1 increased obviously. Both 1,269 and 1,656 cm−1 peaks showed that the proteins in HXS were mostly in the anti‐parallel ß sheet conformation. While the intensities of bands at 1,032, 1,087, 1,300, and 1,448 cm−1 belonged to lipids were enhanced in HXS spectrum compared to those in HNS spectrum. There were main intercellular lipids alkyl chains with minor proteins contribution at 1,087 cm−1 and phenylalanine at 1,032 cm−1. To quantitative analysis of the difference, the ratio of was calculated, which was 1:1.04 ± 0.04 and 1:1.11 ± 0.02 for HNS and HXS (p < 0.01), respectively. The data indicated that some tyrosine residues, which form a hydrogen bond with H2O prior to aggregation, were captured by strong hydrogen‐bond acceptors in the aggregate. The decreased ratio of indicated more hydrophobic in HXS than HNS. Principal component analysis showed a one‐to‐one relationship between human xanthelasma skin and the corresponding Raman spectra. It could be given useful help for the diagnostication of xanthelasma. SCANNING 37:307–312, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collaborate with admissions, financial aid to ensure compliance, meet enrollment goals
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2015

BALTIMORE, MD. — If you and your staff members stay in the office and work hard, you can get your unit's work done. But for your institution to meet its enrollment goals and remain in compliance with the many regulations that govern its functions, officials from the Registrar's Office, admissions and financial aid need to understand what's happening in the other units — and they need to work together for results that are bigger than what they can achieve alone.
Take advantage of data portability options enabled by PDF/XML standard
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: May 2015

BALTIMORE, MD. — In the not‐too‐distant past, a transcript was always printed on paper. A diploma was printed on paper or sheepskin. But current technology enables credentials to be more useful to students than paper documents could ever be.
Substrate specificity of mitochondrial intermediate peptidase analysed by a support‐bound peptide library
Authors: Marcondes M.F.M. , Alves F.M. , Assis D.M. , Hirata I.Y. , Juliano L. , Oliveira V. , Juliano M.A.
Published: May 2015

The substrate specificity of recombinant human mitochondrial intermediate peptidase (hMIP) using a synthetic support‐bound FRET peptide library is presented. The collected fluorescent beads, which contained the hydrolysed peptides generated byhMIP, were sequenced by Edman degradation. The results showed that this peptidase presents a remarkable preference for polar uncharged residues at P1 and P1′ substrate positions: Ser = Gln >Thr at P1 and Ser >Thr at P1′. Non‐polar residues were frequent at the substrate P3, P2, P2′ and P3′ positions. Analysis of the predicted MIP processing sites in imported mitochondrial matrix proteins shows these cleavages indeed occur between polar uncharged residues. Previous analysis of these processing sites indicated the importance of positions far from the MIP cleavage site, namely the presence of a hydrophobic residue (Phe or Leu) at P8 and a polar uncharged residue (Ser or Thr) at P5. To evaluate this, additional kinetic analyses were carried out, using fluorogenic substrates synthesized based on the processing sites attributed to MIP. The results described here underscore the importance of the P1 and P1′ substrate positions for the hydrolytic activity ofhMIP. The information presented in this work will help in the design of new substrate‐based inhibitors for this peptidase.
Outcomes after cesarean myomectomy versus cesarean alone among pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas
Authors: Topçu Hasan O. , İskender Can T. , Timur Hakan , Kaymak Oktay , Memur Tuba , Danışman Nuri
Published: May 2015

Objective

To determine whether myomectomy during cesarean delivery is safe and feasible among pregnant women with leiomyomas.

Methods

In a retrospective study, data were reviewed from pregnant women with uterine leiomyomas who delivered by cesarean at a center in Turkey between May 1, 2007, and April 30, 2014. Women were divided into two groups: cesarean myomectomy (CM) or cesarean only (CO). Data were analyzed for characteristics of the uterine leiomyomas, hematologic changes occurring between the preoperative and postoperative periods, duration of the operation, and length of hospital stay.

Results

Overall, 76 women formed the CM group and 60 formed the CO group. The mean diameter of the leiomyomas did not differ between CM and CO groups (4.6 ± 2.5 cm vs 5.2 ± 2.2 cm; P = 0.175). More patients in the CM group than in the CO group had subserous (24 [31.6%] vs 7 [11.7%]; P = 0.006) and uterine corpus (57 [75.0%] vs 30 [50.0%]; P = 0.003) leiomyomas. Fewer patients in the CM group had intramural (44 [57.9%] vs 49 [81.7%]; P = 0.003) and fundal (15 [19.7%] vs 25 [41.7%]; P = 0.005) leiomyomas.

Conclusion

Surgeons were more likely to remove corporal and subserous leiomyomas than other types; size did not seem to affect decision making. CM can be a safe operation for some patients.
PTEN loss is a context‐dependent outcome determinant in obese and non‐obese endometrioid endometrial cancer patients
Authors: Westin Shannon N. , Ju Zhenlin , Broaddus Russell R. , Krakstad Camilla , Li Jane , Pal Navdeep , Lu Karen H. , Coleman Robert L. , Hennessy Bryan T. , Klempner Samuel J. , Werner Henrica M.J. , Salvesen Helga B. , Cantley Lewis C. , Mills Gordon B. , Myers Andrea P.
Published: May 2015

Endometrial cancer incidence is increasing, due in part to a strong association with obesity. Mutations in the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway, the central relay pathway of insulin signals, occur in the majority of endometrioid adenocarcinomas, the most common form of endometrial cancer. We sought to determine the impact of PI3K pathway alterations on progression free survival in a cohort of endometrioid endometrial cancers. Prognostic utility of PIK3CA, PIK3R1, and PTEN mutations, as well as PTEN protein loss by immunohistochemistry, was explored in the context of patient body mass index. Reverse‐phase protein arrays were utilized to assess protein expression based on PTEN status. Among 187 endometrioid endometrial cancers, there were no statistically significant associations between PFS and PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PTEN mutation or loss. When stratified by body mass index, PTEN loss was associated with improved progression free survival (P < 0.006) in obese (body mass index ≥ 30) patients. PTEN loss resulted in distinct protein changes: Canonical PI3K pathway activation was observed only in the non‐obese population while decreased expression of β‐CATENIN and phosphorylated FOXO3A was observed in obese patients. These data suggest the impact of PTEN loss on tumor biology and clinical outcomes must be interpreted in the context of body mass index, and provide a potential explanation for discrepant reports on the effect of PTEN status and obesity on prognosis in endometrial cancer. This reveals a clinically important interaction between metabolic state and tumor genetics that may unveil the biologic underpinning of obesity‐related cancers and impact ongoing clinical trials with PI3K pathway inhibitors.
The miR‐200 family differentially regulates sensitivity to paclitaxel and carboplatin in human ovarian carcinoma OVCAR‐3 and MES‐OV cells
Authors: Brozovic Anamaria , Duran George E. , Wang Yan C. , Francisco E. Brian , Sikic Branimir I.
Published: May 2015

We studied the role of miRNA‐200 family members in cellular sensitivity to paclitaxel and carboplatin, using two ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR‐3 and MES‐OV, and their paclitaxel resistant variants OVCAR‐3/TP and MES‐OV/TP. Both resistant variants display a strong epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype, with marked decreases in expression of miR‐200c and miR‐141 in OVCAR‐3/TP, and down‐regulation of all five members of the miR‐200 family in MES‐OV/TP. Lentiviral transfection of inhibitors of miR‐200c or miR‐141 in parental OVCAR‐3 triggered EMT and rendered the cells resistant to paclitaxel and carboplatin. Conversely, the infection of OVCAR‐3/TP cells with retroviral particles carrying the miR‐200ab429 and 200c141 clusters triggered a partial mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). This partial MET was not sufficient to re‐sensitize OVCAR‐3/TP cells to paclitaxel. However, the miR‐200c/miR‐141 cluster transfectants became 6–8x resistant to carboplatin, an unexpected result, whereas miR‐200a/miR‐200b/miR‐429 had no effect. Transfecting the OVCAR‐3/TP GFP cells with specific miRNA mimics confirmed these data. MiR‐200c and miR‐141 mimics conferred resistance to carboplatin in MES‐OV/TP cells, similar to OVCAR‐3/TP, but sensitized MES‐OV to paclitaxel. Several genes involved in balancing oxidative stress were altered in OVCAR‐3/TP 200c141 cells compared to controls. The miR‐200 family plays major, cell‐context dependent roles in regulating EMT and sensitivity to carboplatin and paclitaxel in OVCAR‐3 and MES‐OV cells.
Saving a species threatened by trade: a network study of Bali starlingLeucopsar rothschildiconservation
Authors: Jepson Paul R.
Published: May 2015

Saving species from extinction is a central tenet of conservation, yet success in this endeavour remains unpredictable and elusive, especially where wildlife trade is involved. Influential conservation policy actors operating internationally advocate strong regulatory and enforcement approaches to governance of wildlife trade. However, a broad body of evidence suggests that in some situations positive incentives for sustainable use may achieve better conservation outcomes. This analysis of efforts over 3 decades to avoid the extinction of the Bali starlingLeucopsar rothschildidraws on network perspectives from environmental governance and geography, and shows how an international project adopting traditional enforcement approaches generated a ‘prestige of ownership’ dynamic among local elites. This placed trade in Bali starlings above the enforcement competencies of the relevant government authority, leading to the demise of the species. Subsequently, two separate Indonesian initiatives created spaces of regulatory flexibility and embraced traits of the starling's phenotype to construct identities for the species suited to the local context. This enrolled a wider range of stakeholders in the conservation of the species, including bird-keeping elites, and led to significant successes in restoring captive and free-flying populations. This case study highlights the potential of conservation networks that involve non-establishment personnel and, while recognizing the appeal of generic enforcement approaches to politicians, funders and the urban public, it adds to an increasing body of evidence that suggests top-down prescriptive conservation frameworks may undermine the ability of situated conservationists to develop interventions appropriate to their political and cultural realities.
Psychotic experiences and PTSD: exploring associations in a population survey
Authors: Alsawy S. , Wood L. , Taylor P. J. , Morrison A. P.
Published: May 2015

Background

Extensive evidence has shown that experiencing a traumatic event and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with experiences of psychosis. However, less is known about specific PTSD symptoms and their relationship with psychotic experiences. This study aimed to examine the relationship between symptoms of PTSD with paranoia and auditory hallucinations in a large-scale sample.

Method

The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) was utilized to examine the prevalence of lifetime trauma, symptoms of PTSD, and experiences of paranoia and auditory hallucinations (n= 7403).

Results

There were significant bivariate associations between symptoms of PTSD and psychotic experiences. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that reliving and arousal symptoms were significant predictors for paranoia while reliving, but not arousal symptoms, also significantly predicted auditory hallucinations. A dose-response relationship was found, the greater the number of PTSD symptoms, the greater the odds were of experiencing both paranoia and hallucinations.

Conclusions

These findings illustrate that symptoms of PTSD are associated with increased odds of experiencing auditory hallucinations and paranoia. Overlaps appear to be present between the symptoms of PTSD and psychotic experiences. Increasing awareness of this association may advance work in clinical practice.
Regional Nuclear War Could Cause a Global Famine
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: May 2015

A detonation of less than 0.03% of the current global nuclear arsenal could cause fires that clog the air with soot. This soot could block solar radiation, leading to worldwide crop shortages.
National Science Foundation to Rebalance Ocean Science Funding
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2015

In its response to a National Research Council survey on ocean sciences, the National Science Foundation has endorsed recommendations calling for a budgetary course correction.
The up-scaling of ecosystem functions in a heterogeneous world
Authors: Lohrer Andrew M. , Thrush Simon F. , Hewitt Judi E. , Kraan Casper
Published: May 2015

Earth is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis that is impacting the functioning of ecosystems and the delivery of valued goods and services. However, the implications of large scale species losses are often inferred from small scale ecosystem functioning experiments with little knowledge of how the dominant drivers of functioning shift across scales. Here, by integrating observational and manipulative experimental field data, we reveal scale-dependent influences on primary productivity in shallow marine habitats, thus demonstrating the scalability of complex ecological relationships contributing to coastal marine ecosystem functioning. Positive effects of key consumers (burrowing urchins, Echinocardium cordatum) on seafloor net primary productivity (NPP) elucidated by short-term, single-site experiments persisted across multiple sites and years. Additional experimentation illustrated how these effects amplified over time, resulting in greater primary producer biomass (sediment chlorophyll a content) in the longer term, depending on climatic context and habitat factors affecting the strengths of mutually reinforcing feedbacks. The remarkable coherence of results from small and large scales is evidence of real-world ecosystem function scalability and ecological self-organisation. This discovery provides greater insights into the range of responses to broad-scale anthropogenic stressors in naturally heterogeneous environmental settings.
Correction: Facile preparation of reduced graphene oxide supported PtNi alloyed nanosnowflakes with high catalytic activity
Authors: Song Pei , Feng Jiu-Ju , Zhong Shu-Xian , Huang Su-Su , Chen Jian-Rong , Wang Ai-Jun
Published: May 2015

Correction for ‘Facile preparation of reduced graphene oxide supported PtNi alloyed nanosnowflakes with high catalytic activity’ by Pei Song et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 35551–35557.
Research capacity and culture of the Victorian public health allied health workforce is influenced by key research support staff and location
Authors: Williams Cylie , Miyazaki Koki , Borkowski Donna , McKinstry Carol , Cotchet Matthew , Haines Terry
Published: May 2015

Objective
The aim of the present study was to identify and understand the self-rated research capacity and culture of the allied health workforce.

Methods
The present study was a cross-sectional survey. The Research Capacity and Culture tool was disseminated to all Victorian public health allied health departments. General demographic data were also collected, including the presence of an organisational allied health research lead.

Results
Five hundred and twenty fully completed surveys were returned by participants; all allied health disciplines and all grades were represented. One hundred and eighty-six participants had an organisational allied health research lead and 432 were located in a metropolitan-based health service. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) within all organisational and team research skills between those with and without a research lead, together with those in different service locations (metropolitan vs non-metropolitan). Higher self-ratings in individual research skills (P < 0.05) were primarily associated with more senior and metropolitan-located clinicians.

Conclusion
The allied health workforce identifies as a group that is ready to build the evidence to support clinical practice yet requires a whole-systems approach to do so. The results of the present study suggest that the development of key people to build capacity at a higher organisational level has a flow-down effect on research capacity and culture.

What is known about the topic?
Some allied health disciplines (occupational therapy, dietetics and podiatry) have previously been surveyed about their research capabilities, capacity and culture. Those surveys identified individual skill and success in undertaking early phase research activities, such as finding and critiquing the literature. However, there were limitations to research activity identified, such as a lack of success or skill in the later phase of research projects to undertake analysis of data, writing for publication and mentoring less experienced clinicians in research.

What does this paper add?
The present study explored the effect of extrinsic factors on undertaking research activity within the allied health workforce. It determined that there are several factors that affect the organisation and team levels of research capacity and culture, but these factors were different to the self-reported individual success or skills. The results can assist organisations to make strategic decisions about how to engage allied health clinicians in research activities.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The results of the present study give a platform for the Victorian allied health workforce to grow in its engagement in research activities and use of evidence. This knowledge is important to decision makers and funding bodies, as well as to the Australian allied health workforce.
Sudden cardiac death rates in an Australian population: a data linkage study
Authors: Feng Jia-Li , Hickling Siobhan , Nedkoff Lee , Knuiman Matthew , Semsarian Christopher , Ingles Jodie , Briffa Tom G.
Published: May 2015

Objective The aim of the present study was to develop criteria to identify sudden cardiac death (SCD) and estimate population rates of SCD using administrative mortality and hospital morbidity records in Western Australia. Methods Four criteria were developed using place, death within 24 h, principal and secondary diagnoses, underlying and associated cause of death, and/or occurrence of a post mortem to identify SCD. Average crude, age-standardised and age-specific rates of SCD were estimated using population person-linked administrative data. Results In all, 9567 probable SCDs were identified between 1997 and 2010, with one-third aged ≥35 years having no prior admission for cardiovascular disease. SCD was more frequent in men (62.1%). The estimated average annual crude SCD rate for the period was 34.6 per 100 000 person-years with an average annual age-standardised rate of 37.8 per 100 000 person-years. Age-specific standardised rates were 1.1 per 100 000 person-years and 70.7 per 100 000 person-years in people aged 1–34 and ≥35 years, respectively. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was recorded as the underlying cause of death in approximately 80% of patients aged ≥35 years, followed by valvular heart disease and heart failure. IHD was the most common cause of death in those aged 1–34 years, followed by unspecified cardiomyopathy and dysrhythmias. Conclusions Administrative morbidity and mortality data can be used to estimate rates of SCD and therefore provide a suitable methodology for monitoring SCD over time. The findings highlight the magnitude of SCD and its potential for public health prevention. What is known about the topic? There is considerable variability in rates of SCD worldwide. Different data sources and varied methods of case ascertainment likely contribute to this variation. What does this paper add? The rate of SCD in Australia is low compared with international estimates from USA, Ireland, Netherlands and China. Two in every three cases of SCD aged ≥35 years had a hospitalisation history of cardiovascular disease, highlighting the opportunity for prevention. What are the implications for practitioners? High-quality person-linked administrative hospital morbidity and registered mortality data can be used to estimate rates of SCD in the population. Understanding the magnitude and distribution of SCD is imperative for developing effective public health policy and prevention measures.
A multi-organisation aged care emergency service for acute care management of older residents in aged care facilities
Authors: Conway Jane , Dilworth Sophie , Hullick Carolyn , Hewitt Jacqueline , Turner Catherine , Higgins Isabel
Published: May 2015

This case study describes a multi-organisation aged care emergency (ACE) service. The service was designed to enable point-of-care assessment and management for older people in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Design of the ACE service involved consultation and engagement of multiple key stakeholders. The ACE service was implemented in a large geographical region of a single Medicare Local (ML) in New South Wales, Australia. The service was developed over several phases. A case control pilot evaluation of one emergency department (ED) and four RACFs revealed a 16% reduction in presentations to the ED as well as reductions in admission to the hospital following ED presentation. Following initial pilot work, the ACE service transitioned across another five EDs and 85 RACFs in the local health district. The service has now been implemented in a further 10 sites (six metropolitan and four rural EDs) across New South Wales. Ongoing evaluation of the implementation continues to show positive outcomes. The ACE service offers a model shown to reduce ED presentations and admissions from RACFs, and provide quality care with a focus on the needs of the older person.
Depression and sexual risk behaviours among people who inject drugs: a gender-based analysis
Authors: Pettes Tyler , Kerr Thomas , Voon Pauline , Nguyen Paul , Wood Evan , Hayashi Kanna
Published: May 2015

Background
Although many people who inject drugs (PID) contend with comorbidities, including high rates of mental illness, limited attention has been given to the differences in comorbidities among men and women or the potential links between psychiatric disorders and HIV risk behaviours. We sought to longitudinally examine associations between depression and HIV-related sexual risk behaviours among PID, stratified by gender. Methods: Data were derived from a prospective cohort of PID in Vancouver, Canada between December 2005 and November 2009. Using generalised estimating equations, we examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and two types of sexual HIV risk behaviours: engaging in unprotected sex; and having multiple sexual partners. All analyses were stratified by self-reported gender. Results: Overall, 1017 PID participated in this study, including 331 (32.5%) women. At baseline, women reported significantly higher depressive symptoms than men (P < 0.001). In multivariate generalised estimating equations analyses, after adjustment for potential social, demographic and behavioural confounders, more severe depressive symptomology remained independently associated with engaging in unprotected sex [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–2.23] and having multiple sexual partners (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.09–2.19) among women, but was only marginally associated with having multiple sexual partners among men (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.98–1.41). Conclusions: These findings call for improved integration of psychiatric screening and treatment services within existing public health initiatives designed for PID, particularly for women. Efforts are also needed to address sexual risk-taking among female PID contending with clinically significant depression.
SpeeDB: fast structural protein searches
Authors: Robillard David E. , Mpangase Phelelani T. , Hazelhurst Scott , Dehne Frank
Published: May 2015

Motivation: Interactions between amino acids are important determinants of the structure, stability and function of proteins. Several tools have been developed for the identification and analysis of such interactions in proteins based on the extensive studies carried out on high-resolution structures from Protein Data Bank (PDB). Although these tools allow users to identify and analyze interactions, analysis can only be performed on one structure at a time. This makes it difficult and time consuming to study the significance of these interactions on a large scale.

Results: SpeeDB is a web-based tool for the identification of protein structures based on structural properties. SpeeDB queries are executed on all structures in the PDB at once, quickly enough for interactive use. SpeeDB includes standard queries based on published criteria for identifying various structures: disulphide bonds, catalytic triads and aromatic–aromatic, sulphur–aromatic, cation–π and ionic interactions. Users can also construct custom queries in the user interface without any programming. Results can be downloaded in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) format for further analysis with other tools. Case studies presented in this article demonstrate how SpeeDB can be used to answer various biological questions. Analysis of human proteases revealed that disulphide bonds are the predominant type of interaction and are located close to the active site, where they promote substrate specificity. When comparing the two homologous G protein-coupled receptors and the two protein kinase paralogs analyzed, the differences in the types of interactions responsible for stability accounts for the differences in specificity and functionality of the structures.

Availability and implementation: SpeeDB is available at http://www.parallelcomputing.ca as a web service.

Contact:  d@drobilla.net

Supplementary Information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Repeat- and error-aware comparison of deletions
Authors: Wittler Roland , Marschall Tobias , Schönhuth Alexander , Mäkinen Veli
Published: May 2015

Motivation: The number of reported genetic variants is rapidly growing, empowered by ever faster accumulation of next-generation sequencing data. A major issue is comparability. Standards that address the combined problem of inaccurately predicted breakpoints and repeat-induced ambiguities are missing. This decisively lowers the quality of ‘consensus’ callsets and hampers the removal of duplicate entries in variant databases, which can have deleterious effects in downstream analyses.

Results: We introduce a sound framework for comparison of deletions that captures both tool-induced inaccuracies and repeat-induced ambiguities. We present a maximum matching algorithm that outputs virtual duplicates among two sets of predictions/annotations. We demonstrate that our approach is clearly superior over ad hoc criteria, like overlap, and that it can reduce the redundancy among callsets substantially. We also identify large amounts of duplicate entries in the Database of Genomic Variants, which points out the immediate relevance of our approach.

Availability and implementation: Implementation is open source and available from https://bitbucket.org/readdi/readdi

Contact:  roland.wittler@uni-bielefeld.de or t.marschall@mpi-inf.mpg.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.