bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-epigenome analysis in multiple myeloma reveals DNA hypermethylation of B cell-specific enhancers
Authors: Agirre Xabier , Castellano Giancarlo , Pascual Marien , Heath Simon , Kulis Marta , Segura Victor , Bergmann Anke , Esteve Anna , Merkel Angelika , Raineri Emanuele , Agueda Lidia , Blanc Julie , Richardson David , Clarke Laura , Datta Avik , Russiñol Nuria , Queirós Ana C. , Beekman Renée , Rodríguez-Madoz Juan R. , José-Enériz Edurne San , Fang Fang , Gutiérrez Norma C. , García-Verdugo José M. , Robson Michael I. , Schirmer Eric C. , Guruceaga Elisabeth , Martens Joost H.A. , Gut Marta , Calasanz Maria J. , Flicek Paul , Siebert Reiner , Campo Elías , Miguel Jesús F. San , Melnick Ari , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Gut Ivo G. , Prosper Felipe , Martín-Subero José I.
Published: February 2015

While analyzing the DNA methylome of multiple myeloma (MM), a plasma cell neoplasm, by whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and high-density arrays, we observed a highly heterogeneous pattern globally characterized by regional DNA hypermethylation embedded in extensive hypomethylation. In contrast to the widely reported DNA hypermethylation of promoter-associated CpG islands (CGIs) in cancer, hypermethylated sites in MM, as opposed to normal plasma cells, were located outside CpG islands and were unexpectedly associated with intronic enhancer regions defined in normal B cells and plasma cells. Both RNA-seq and in vitro reporter assays indicated that enhancer hypermethylation is globally associated with down-regulation of its host genes. ChIP-seq and DNase-seq further revealed that DNA hypermethylation in these regions is related to enhancer decommissioning. Hypermethylated enhancer regions overlapped with binding sites of B cell-specific transcription factors (TFs) and the degree of enhancer methylation inversely correlated with expression levels of these TFs in MM. Furthermore, hypermethylated regions in MM were methylated in stem cells and gradually became demethylated during normal B-cell differentiation, suggesting that MM cells either reacquire epigenetic features of undifferentiated cells or maintain an epigenetic signature of a putative myeloma stem cell progenitor. Overall, we have identified DNA hypermethylation of developmentally regulated enhancers as a new type of epigenetic modification associated with the pathogenesis of MM.
Functional materials analysis usingin situandin operandoX-ray and neutron scattering
Authors: Peterson Vanessa K. , Papadakis Christine M.
Published: February 2015

In situandin operandostudies are commonplace and necessary in functional materials research. This review highlights recent developments in the analysis of functional materials using state-of-the-artin situandin operandoX-ray and neutron scattering and analysis. Examples are given covering a number of important materials areas, alongside a description of the types of information that can be obtained and the experimental setups used to acquire them.
Crystal structure ofcatena-poly[[trimethyltin(IV)]-μ-2-(2-nitrophenyl)acetato-κ2O:O′]
Authors: Danish Muhammad , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Iftikhar Sana , Raza Muhammad Asam , Ashfaq Muhammad
Published: February 2015

In the title one-dimensional coordination polymer, [Sn(CH3)3(C8H6NO4)]n, the SnIVatom is coordinated by three methyl C atoms and two carboxylate O atoms (one symmetry generated), resulting in an almost regular SnC3O2trigonal pyramid. The C atoms occupy the equatorial sites and the O atoms occupy the axial sites. In the ligand, the dihedral angles between the benzene ring and the pendant acetate and nitro groups are 57.7 (1) and 36.9 (3)°, respectively. The bridging ligand leads to [010] chains in the crystal, with adjacent metal atoms related by a 21screw axis. A weak π–π interaction exists between the centroids of symmetry-related benzene rings at a distance of 3.9131 (19) Å.
Racial awareness: effects on justice perceptions and trust in management in the USA
Authors: Buttner E. Holly , Lowe Kevin B.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the socio-demographic diversity characteristic, racioethnicity, vs the deeper-level socially constructed attribute, awareness of racial privilege (which the authors termed “racial awareness”), on perceptions of organizational justice and on trust in management (TM) (trust) in a US context. The authors predicted that racial awareness would have a greater effect on perceptions of interactional and procedural justice and on trust than would participant racioethnicity. Second, the authors predicted that justice perceptions would influence trust. Finally the authors predicted that justice perceptions would mediate between racial awareness and TM.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors surveyed Black, Hispanic and Native American professionals in one industry in the USA. The authors employed regression and bootstrap analyses to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Racial awareness influenced justice ratings and TM. Justice perceptions influenced employee trust. Interactional and procedural justice had indirect effects on the relationship between racial awareness and trust, supporting the hypotheses.

Research limitations/implications

– Respondents were primarily African-American, so additional research to assess attitudes of other groups is needed. Respondents belonged to a minority networking group which provided the sample. It is possible that their membership sensitized the respondents to racial issues.

Practical implications

– The finding suggest that managers can positively influence US minority employees’ trust regardless of the employees’ racial awareness by treating them with dignity and respect and by ensuring fairness in the application of organizational policies and procedures.

Originality/value

– This study examined the impact of US minority employee racial awareness on justice perceptions and TM, important variables in the employer-employee relationship. Findings indicated that racial awareness was a better predictor of employee attitudes than was racioethnicity.
Theoretical and trustees’ perspectives on the establishment of an Islamic social (Waqf) bank
Authors: Haji Mohammad Mohammad Tahir Sabit
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present an alternative to current banking systems. The purpose of the paper is the optimisation of the concept of cash waqf and its management in the framework of a waqf bank and its viability.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is doctrinal and empirical. Several assumptions concerning the structure and operation of the bank are made, surveyed and descriptively analysed.

Findings

– The concept of cash waqf could be used for the operation of a waqf bank. There was a tendency among the given group of practitioners towards a corporate international social bank, capitalised by the waqf and non-waqf assets, sought after from the public and private sectors, as well as the Muslims and non-Muslims.

Research limitations/implications

– Assumptions are basic. Empirical findings are based on the perspective of waqf trustees. Other stakeholders’ perspectives need further research.

Practical implications

– The study is expected to persuade for, and assist in the establishment of a waqf bank.

Social implications

– This paper could contribute to the effectiveness of waqf institutions in their delivery of public good to the poor and society. These implications are not restricted to a specific country. Charities and the poor of any society may benefit from this study if the idea of total social banking is upheld.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to address the structure and operation of a waqf bank empirically.
Advancing the country image construct from a public relations perspective
Authors: Buhmann Alexander , Ingenhoff Diana
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a new model for the measurement of the constitution and effects of the country image as a central target construct in international public relations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors combine concepts from reputation management (Eisenegger and Imhof, 2008; Ingenhoff and Sommer, 2007), national identity theory (Smith, 1987), and attitude theory (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980) to derive a four-dimensional model, conceptualizing country images as stakeholder attitudes toward a nation and its state, comprising specific beliefs and general feelings in a functional, normative, aesthetic, and emotional dimension. Furthermore, the authors develop a path model to analyze the country image’s effect on stakeholder behavior. This model is operationalized and tested in a survey regarding the country image of the USA and its effects on travel behavior.

Findings

– Results show how functional, normative and aesthetic image dimensions vary in affecting the formation of the affective image component. It is also demonstrated how the affective image di-mension acts as a mediator in the image’s effect on stakeholder behavior.

Practical implications

– For international public relations and public diplomacy practice the developed model supplies a new approach for country image analyses which will serve and improve the development and evaluation of cross-national communication strategies.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces a new theory-grounded approach to clarify the dimensionality of the country image construct. It is the first to operationalize cognitive and affective dimensions of the country image by combining formative and reflective indicators in a mixed specified construct.
Fluid leadership in dynamic contexts
Authors: Thomas Christopher H. , Hebdon Andrew S. , Novicevic Milorad M. , Hayek Mario J.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine an historical account of an effective leader who was able to draw from multiple styles of leadership, and choose a dominant style based upon contextual constraints and demands context, and subordinate behaviors associated with leadership styles not suited to the context.

Design/methodology/approach

– To identify his prominent style at each leadership episode, we critically analyzed Nehemiah’s leadership role transitions across 13 chapters of text using sociohistorical method and a quasi-repeated treatment design via qualitative comparative analysis.

Findings

– We found that Nehemiah adapted his behaviors such that his prominently displayed leadership style varied based on dynamic configurations of demands placed on him during his rebuilding efforts. As Nehemiah progressed through distinct stages of his mission, he differentially emphasized tactics associated with different styles of leadership in response to the contextual demands that were most salient during each stage.

Practical implications

– Organizational leaders are presented with evidence that developing a broad repertoire of leadership behaviors is essential to guiding followers within dynamic environments.

Originality/value

– This paper uses a novel historical source material to investigate contemporary leadership concepts grounded in established theoretical frameworks. Using this material, we demonstrate the applicability of various leadership styles within different contexts, and use Nehemiah as an illustration of an effective leader capable of fluidly enacting multiple leadership styles.
The life and times of a senior scholar: an interview with Lyman Porter
Authors: Moore Karl
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present an interview of a senior scholar to get his perspectives on the field, its history and the future.

Design/methodology/approach

– A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted.

Findings

– It is one person’s personal views, albeit a person with considerable success in the field of business studies.

Originality/value

– The interview reflects the changes in business schools over the interviewee’s decades of experience.
C. Bertrand Thompson and management consulting in Europe, 1917-1934
Authors: Wren Daniel A. , Greenwood Regina A. , Teahen Julia , Bedeian Arthur G.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to highlight myriad accomplishments of C. Bertrand Thompson, who is perhaps most well known as a scientific-management bibliographer and a Taylor disciple, in the belief that his contributions as a pioneer management theorist and consultant in Europe deserve to be more widely known and more deeply appreciated.

Design/methodology/approach

– Archival, primary and secondary sources were used in the research.

Findings

– Thompson was among the first to bring management consulting to Europe. He understood the importance of adapting scientific-management principles to meet the diverse needs of each client for whom he consulted. Thompson’s strong belief and value system remained constant throughout his life.

Practical implications

– Understanding the needs of customers or clients and adapting systems to meet those needs is essential in achieving success as a consultant.

Originality/value

– By drawing on rarely accessed published and unpublished materials, this paper discusses Thompson’s many contributions to management thought and practice, most of which previously have not been highlighted in the referent literature.
Studying strategy formation in small companies – a cognitive perspective
Authors: Wrona Thomas , Ladwig Tina
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The major part of studies in the field of strategic cognition focussed on strategy content, while process studies are comparatively rare. Those of the studies that are dedicated to explain strategy occurrence are dominantly restricted to formal decision making. In contrast to this, the purpose of this paper is to draw on a framework that helps to get a differentiated picture on contingent processes, strategies may pass through in organizations. Furthermore, an own elicitation procedure is introduced that enables to measure strategic cognition on different levels.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides an empirical approach by applying collective causal mapping techniques, both on an individual as well as collective level. The conceptual framework of the study rests on the “genesis” concept of strategy formation introduced by Kirsch and colleagues.

Findings

– The main contribution of the paper is the presentation of a methodical approach to study the formation of shared strategic orientations in small companies. An operationalization to study these cognitive processes, based on collective causal mapping techniques is provided.

Practical implications

– Applying the methodical approach presented in the paper is expected to make a contribution to the understanding of the shared knowledge of organizational members about major strengths and weaknesses of a new strategic reorientation and to contribute to practical concerns of organizational members in specific problematic situations, especially in small companies.

Originality/value

– The study empirically approaches the complex phenomenon on strategy formation in small companies and therefore expands the understanding of shared cognition in organizations.
Influence of culture on priority-setting of high performance activities
Authors: de Waal André , Chipeta Kettie
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine whether there are common conceptions of high performance organizations (HPOs) among business in South Africa and Tanzania. This is important to know because their perceptions will not only influence the nature and scope of topics, syllabi and course materials used in teaching, but will also influence the priority of organizational decisions which are going to be made by the students when they are managers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected by means of a questionnaire from a sample of 357 second and third year business students who were asked to rate the 35 items contained in the HPO Framework (Waal, 2012) on a seven-point Likert-scale.

Findings

– Factor analysis revealed that South African and Tanzania business students put priority on three of the original five HPO factors: continuous improvement and renewal, long-term orientation, high quality management, comprising 16 of the original 35 HPO characteristics. A bivariate correlation between the HPO factors and Hofstede’s dimensions of cultural values revealed a significant relationship between the HPO factor long-term orientation and three of Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, for both cultures.

Originality/value

– The value of the study is that it adds to the HPO literature by focussing on cultural implications and Hofstede’s dimensions. The answer to the research question are there similarities or differences among business students from South Africa and Tanzania in their perceptions of what the priority should be in regard to strengthening specific characteristics in the HPO Framework? is affirmative: yes, there are differences in high performance priority-setting per country and these differences can be explained by cultural differences. The findings of this study thus form a basis for the understanding of the effects of national cultures on the creation of HPOs.
Practice learning a prelude to work: studies by DIETS2
Authors: de Looy Anne , Markaki Anastasia , Joossens Sofie , Spyridaki Aspasia , Chatzi Vasiliki
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to describe placement learning opportunities for student dietitians related to future fields of work.

Design/methodology/approach

– An online questionnaire determined the variety and duration of pre-qualifying practice placements across Europe. Responses from members of the Thematic Network DIETS2 in Europe (n= 39) were analysed.

Findings

– A response rate of 61 per cent from 19 countries (39 higher education institutions or national dietetic associations) is reported. Four sub-types of placement are used by the respondents for pre-qualifying dietetic students. Placements are in public health, education and social care (28 per cent); clinical (27 per cent); catering (20 per cent) and others (25 per cent), including the food industry. Median number of weeks in the location was 12 for clinical settings; 5 for health, education and social care; 4.5 for in catering and up to 7 weeks in other locations.

Research limitations/implications

– If dietitians and nutritionists are to contribute fully to Health 2020 and Europe 2020 agendas for improving the health of the workforce, which is fundamental to improve productivity and lessen absenteeism, then alerting them to diverse strategies and practical implementation as seen in practice is highly important. Developing competence, brought about by engaging in a diversity of practice-based learning, would enable dietitians to meet multidisciplinary and multidimensional roles required to improve European nutritional health.

Practical implications

– Clear learning outcomes and competence statements are critical for guiding practice-based learning.

Originality/value

– The diversity of locations of placements needs to be promoted and exploited by higher education for health improvement.
Influence of processing parameters on physicochemical properties of fractionated fish oil at low temperature crystallization
Authors: Soleimanian Yasamin , Sahari Mohammad A. , Barzegar Mohsen
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of low temperature fractional crystallization to increase polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of fish oil. Effects of temperature, stages of crystallization, rate of cooling, agitation and addition of primary nucleus on separation efficiency were evaluated. Low temperature crystallization of triacylglycerols (TAGs) was used to increase PUFA content of fish oil (initial PUFA content ∼30 g/100 g oil).

Design/methodology/approach

– To optimize the fractionation process, the effect of fractionation temperature (7, 5, 0 and −5°C), crystallization procedures, cooling rate, agitation and addition of primary nucleus on PUFA content was evaluated.

Findings

– The best relationship between PUFA concentration (45.8 g/100 g oil) and PUFA yield (51.5 per cent) was attained by performing two-stage crystallization of TAGs at the final temperatures of 5 and 0°C under slow cooling rate (3°C h−1 for first fractionation procedure and 0.7°C h−1 for second stage, until the final fractionation temperature, 0°C, was reached) and slow agitation (3 rpm) and in the presence of primary nucleus, which resulted in 50 per cent increase in PUFA content over the original fish oil.

Practical implications

– Determination of iodine and saponification values, refractive index, solid fat content, melting point, cholesterol content of original oil and final fractionated product with the highest PUFA ratio showed that fractionation significantly alters physical and chemical properties of the fraction.

Originality/value

– Comparison of iodine value, saponification value, refractive index, solid fat content, melting point and cholesterol content of original oil and the final fractionated product (with the highest PUFA ratio) showed that the fractionation process significantly alters mentioned properties of the initial oil.
Mediterranean fever gene mutations: correlation with cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 gene polymorphism
Authors: El Hawary Rabab , Elanwary Sherif , Meshaal Safa
Published: February 2015

Mutations in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene lead to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), a pro‐inflammatory state characterized by outbursts of inflammatory cytokines. The aims of this study were to identify the common mutations of MEFV gene in Egyptian patients with FMF, to study cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) gene polymorphism and to evaluate correlations between CTLA4–1661 polymorphisms and MEFV mutations and clinical symptoms. Four hundred and twenty‐four patients with clinical pictures suspicious of FMF were enrolled in this study. Mutations in MEFV gene were confirmed by reversed hybridization. Patients with homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations and 120 healthy controls were investigated for polymorphism of −1661 CTLA4 gene and the findings correlated with disease incidence and clinical symptoms of the disease. Ninety‐seven patients had single heterozygous mutations and 78 had compound heterozygous or homozygous MEFV gene mutations. M694I/V726A was the most common genotype (14.1%), followed by homozygous M694I. There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in incidence of −1661 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism CTLA4 (P = 0.189), nor any significant correlation with any of the clinical symptoms of FMF and MEFV gene mutations.
Assessment of flavaglines as potential chikungunya virus entry inhibitors
Authors: Wintachai Phitchayapak , Thuaud Frédéric , Basmadjian Christine , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Ubol Sukathida , Désaubry Laurent , Smith Duncan R.
Published: February 2015

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re‐emerging mosquito‐borne alphavirus that recently caused large epidemics in islands in, and countries around, the Indian Ocean. There is currently no specific drug for therapeutic treatment or for use as a prophylactic agent against infection and no commercially available vaccine. Prohibitin has been identified as a receptor protein used by chikungunya virus to enter mammalian cells. Recently, synthetic sulfonyl amidines and flavaglines (FLs), a class of naturally occurring plant compounds with potent anti‐cancer and cytoprotective and neuroprotective activities, have been shown to interact directly with prohibitin. This study therefore sought to determine whether three prohibitin ligands (sulfonyl amidine 1 m and the flavaglines FL3 and FL23) were able to inhibit CHIKV infection of mammalian Hek293T/17 cells. All three compounds inhibited infection and reduced virus production when cells were treated before infection but not when added after infection. Pretreatment of cells for only 15 minutes prior to infection followed by washing out of the compound resulted in significant inhibition of entry and virus production. These results suggest that further investigation of prohibitin ligands as potential Chikungunya virus entry inhibitors is warranted.
Virulence characteristics of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli from raw meats and clinical samples
Authors: Hoang Minh Son , Kimura Etsuko , Hoang Minh Duc , Honjoh Ken‐ichi , Miyamoto Takahisa
Published: February 2015

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are dangerous foodborne pathogens. Foods are considered as important sources for STEC infection in human. In this study, STEC contamination of raw meats was investigated and the virulence factors of 120 clinical STEC strains characterized. STEC was detected in 4.4% of tested samples. Among 25 STEC strains from meats, five strains (20%) were positive for the eae gene, which encodes intimin, an important binding protein of pathogenic STEC. The remaining strains (80%) were eae‐negative. However, 28% of them possessed the saa gene, which encodes STEC agglutinating adhesin. The ehxA gene encoding for enterohemolysin was found in 75% of the meat strains and the subAB gene, the product is of which subtilase cytotoxin, was found in 32% of these strains. The stx2a gene, a subtype of Shiga toxin gene (stx), was the most prevalent subtype among the identified meat STEC bacteria. None of the meat STEC was O157:H7 serotype. Nevertheless, 92% of them produced Shiga toxin (Stx). Among 120 clinical STEC strains, 30% and 70% strains harbored single and multiple stx subtypes, respectively. Most clinical STEC bacteria possessed eae (90.8%) and ehxA (96.7%) genes and 92.5% of them showed Stx productivity. Our study shows that some raw meat samples contain non‐O157 STEC bacteria and some strains have virulence factors similar to those of clinical strains.
Histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP‐associated factor is an effective suppressor of secretory immunoglobulin synthesis in immature B cells
Authors: Kikuchi Hidehiko , Nakayama Masami , Kawai Chikage , Kuribayashi Futoshi , Mimuro Hitomi , Imajoh‐Ohmi Shinobu , Nishitoh Hideki , Takami Yasunari , Nakayama Tatsuo
Published: February 2015

The histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP‐associated factor (PCAF) catalyzes acetylation of core histones and plays important roles in epigenetics by altering the chromatin structure in vertebrates. In this study, PCAF‐deficient DT40 mutants were analyzed and it was found that PCAF participates in regulation of secretory IgM heavy chain (H‐chain) synthesis. Remarkably, PCAF‐deficiency causes an increase in the amount of secretory IgM H‐chain mRNA, but not in that of IgM light chain and membrane‐bound IgM H‐chain mRNAs, resulting in dramatic up‐regulation of the amount of secretory IgM protein. These findings suggest that PCAF regulates soluble antibody production and is thus an effective suppressor of secretory IgM H‐chain synthesis.
Development and characterization of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against canine distemper virus hemagglutinin protein
Authors: Bi Zhenwei , Xia Xingxia , Wang Yongshan , Mei Yongjie
Published: February 2015

Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a serious multisystemic disease in dogs and other carnivora. Hemagglutinin (H) protein‐specific antibodies are mainly responsible for protective immunity against CDV infection. In the present study, six neutralizing MAbs to the H protein of CDV were newly obtained and characterized by immunizing BALB/c mice with a recent Chinese field isolate. Competitive binding inhibition assay revealed that they recognized four distinct antigenic regions of the H protein. Immunofluorescence assay and western blotting showed that all MAbs recognize the conformational rather than the linear epitopes of the H protein. Furthermore, in immunofluorescence and virus neutralization assays, two of the MAbs were found to react only with the recent Chinese field isolate and not with older CDV strains, including vaccine strain Onderstepoort, indicating there are neutralization‐related antigenic variations between the recent Chinese field isolate and the older CDV strains examined in this study. The newly established MAbs are useful for differentiating the expanding CDV strains and could be used in immunotherapy and immunodiagnosis against infection with CDV.
The Role of Social Media in the Capital Market: Evidence from Consumer Product Recalls
Authors: LEE LIAN FEN , HUTTON AMY P. , SHU SUSAN
Published: February 2015

We examine how corporate social media affects the capital market consequences of firms’ disclosure in the context of consumer product recalls. Product recalls constitute a “product crisis” exposing the firm to reputational damage, loss of future sales, and legal liability. During such a crisis it is crucial for the firm to quickly and directly communicate its intended message to a wide network of stakeholders, which, in turn, renders corporate social media a potentially useful channel of disclosure. While we document that corporate social media, on average, attenuates the negative price reaction to recall announcements, the attenuation benefits of corporate social media vary with the level of control the firm has over its social media content. In particular, with the arrival of Facebook and Twitter, firms relinquished complete control over their social media content, and the attenuation benefits of corporate social media, while still significant, lessened. Detailed Twitter analysis confirms that the moderating effect of social media varies with the level of firm involvement and with the amount of control exerted by other users: the negative price reaction to a recall is attenuated by the frequency of tweets by the firm, while exacerbated by the frequency of tweets by other users.
landgenreport: a new r function to simplify landscape genetic analysis using resistance surface layers
Authors: Gruber Bernd , Adamack Aaron T.
Published: February 2015

We describe functions recently added to the r package popgenreport that can be used to perform a landscape genetic analysis (LGA) based on landscape resistance surfaces, which aims to detect the effect of landscape features on gene flow. These functions for the first time implement a LGA in a single framework. Although the approach has been shown to be a valuable tool to study gene flow in landscapes, it has not been widely used to date, despite the type of data being widely available. In part, this is likely due to the necessity to use several software packages to perform landscape genetic analyses. To apply LGA functions, two types of data sets are required: a data set with spatially referenced and genotyped individuals, and a resistance layer representing the effect of the landscape. The function outputs three pairwise distance matrices from these data: a genetic distance matrix, a cost distance matrix and a Euclidean distance matrix. Statistical tests are performed to test whether the cost matrix contributes to the understanding of the observed population structure. A full report on the analysis and outputs in the form of plots and tables of all intermediate steps of the LGA is produced. It is possible to customize the LGA to allow for different cost path approaches and measures of genetic distances. The package is written in the r language and is available through the Comprehensive r Archive. Comprehensive tutorials and information on how to install and use the package are provided at the authors’ website (www.popgenreport.org).
Effect of azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl on rice blast and rice grain yield in China
Authors: Chen Y. , Yang X. , Yuan S.‐K. , Li Y.‐F. , Zhang A.‐F. , Yao J. , Gao T.‐C.
Published: February 2015

Sensitivity to azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl of 80 single‐spore isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae was determined. The EC50 values for azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl in inhibiting mycelial growth of the 80 M. oryzae isolates were 0.006–0.056 and 0.024–0.287 µg mL−1, respectively. The EC50 values for azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl in inhibiting conidial germination of the M. oryzae populations were 0.004–0.051 and 0.012–0.105 µg mL−1, respectively. There was significant difference in sensitivity to azoxystrobin or kresoxim‐methyl between the tested isolates representing differential sensitivity to carbendazim (MBC) and kitazin P (IBP); however, there was no correlation between this difference in sensitivity to azoxystrobin or kresoxim‐methyl and sensitivity to MBC or IBP, indicating that there was no cross‐resistance between azoxystrobin or kresoxim‐methyl and MBC or IBP. In the protective and curative experiments, kresoxim‐methyl exhibited higher protective and curative activity than azoxystrobin when applied at 150 and 250 µg mL−1 accordingly, while azoxystrobin exhibited stronger inhibitory activity against M. oryzae isolates than that of kresoxim‐methyl in the in vitro test. The results of field experiments also suggested that both azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl at 187.5 g.a.i. ha−1 gave over 73% control efficacy in both sites, exhibiting excellent activity against rice blast. Taken together, azoxystrobin and kresoxim‐methyl could be a good substitute for MBC or IBP for controlling rice blast in China, but should be carefully used as they were both at‐risk.
Index cholecystectomy in grade II and III acute calculous cholecystitis is feasible and safe
Authors: Kamalapurkar Deepali , Pang Tony C. Y. , Siriwardhane Mehan , Hollands Michael , Johnston Emma , Pleass Henry , Richardson Arthur , Lam Vincent W. T.
Published: February 2015

Background

According to the Tokyo Guidelines, recommendation on management of moderate and severe cholecystitis are cholecystostomy in severe cases and either cholecystostomy or emergency cholecystectomy in moderate cases depending on surgical experience. The rationale for this is that percutaneous cholecystostomy is a short procedure while laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be associated with a larger physiological insult. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of cholecystectomy in moderate and severe acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) at our institution.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients presenting to Westmead Hospital with ACC between 2011 and 2012 was performed. Patients were classified according to the Tokyo Guidelines and only grade II and grade III patients were included. Clinical and complication details were recorded from the clinical notes.

Results

Of the 84 patients, 60 had grade II and 24 had grade III ACC. The mean age was 52 years and 59% were female. In both groups, index cholecystectomy was performed in 88% of patients. None of the grade II ACC patients and three (12%) of grade III ACC underwent cholecystostomy. Length of stay (5 versus 12, P < 0.001) and conversion rate (2% versus 27%, P = 0.006) was higher in the grade III group. There were no deaths in patient who underwent surgery in either group. Severe complications were not significantly different (2% versus 9%, P = 0.219).

Conclusion

Index cholecystectomy is feasible with low morbidity and no mortality even in severe ACC. Emergency cholecystectomy in the setting of severe cholecystitis appear to be safe and technically feasible option.
Algorithms for managing infant constipation, colic, regurgitation and cow's milk allergy in formula‐fed infants
Authors: Vandenplas Y , Alarcon P , Alliet P , De Greef E , De Ronne N , Hoffman I , Van Winckel M , Hauser B
Published: February 2015

Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, regurgitation and infant colic, occur in about half of infants. These symptoms are often functional, but they may also be caused by cow's milk protein allergy. We developed three algorithms for formula‐fed infants, which are consensus rather than evidence‐based due to the limited research available in the existing literature.

Conclusion

We believe that these algorithms will help primary healthcare practitioners to recognise and manage these frequent gastrointestinal manifestations in infants.
MDX‐1097 induces antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity against kappa multiple myeloma cells and its activity is augmented by lenalidomide
Authors: Asvadi Parisa , Cuddihy Andrew , Dunn Rosanne D. , Jiang Vivien , Wong Mae X. , Jones Darren R. , Khong Tiffany , Spencer Andrew
Published: February 2015

MDX‐1097 is an antibody specific for a unique B cell antigen called kappa myeloma antigen (KMA) that consists of cell membrane‐associated free kappa light chain (κFLC). KMA was detected on kappa human multiple myeloma cell lines (κHMCLs), on plasma cells (PCs) from kappa multiple myeloma (κMM) patients and on κPC dyscrasia tissue cryosections. In primary κMM samples, KMA was present on CD38+ cells that were CD138 and CD45 positive and/or negative. MDX‐1097 exhibited a higher affinity for KMA compared to κFLC and the latter did not abrogate binding to KMA. MDX‐1097‐mediated antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and in vitro exposure of target cells to the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide resulted in increased KMA expression and ADCC. Also, in vitro exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to lenalidomide enhanced MDX‐1097‐mediated ADCC. PBMCs obtained from myeloma patients after lenalidomide therapy elicited significantly higher levels of MDX‐1097‐mediated ADCC than cells obtained prior to lenalidomide treatment. These data establish KMA as a relevant cell surface antigen on MM cells that can be targeted by MDX‐1097. The ADCC‐inducing capacity of MDX‐1097 and its potentiation by lenalidomide provide a powerful rationale for clinical evaluation of MDX‐1097 alone and in combination with lenalidomide.
Exfoliation rates of primary molars submitted to three treatment protocols after 3.5 years
Authors: Mijan Maite C. , de Amorim Rodrigo G. , Mulder Jan , Frencken Jo E. , Leal Soraya C.
Published: February 2015

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the exfoliation pattern of primary molars treated according to three treatment protocols. The hypothesis tested was that there is no difference in the exfoliation pattern of primary molars treated according to conventional restorative treatment using amalgam (CRT), atraumatic restorative treatment using high‐viscosity glass‐ionomer (ART), and ultraconservative treatment (UCT). The latter consisted of restoring small cavities withARTand cleaning medium/large nonrestored cavities daily with toothpaste/toothbrush under supervision.

Methods

A sample of 302 children aged 6–7 years from a suburban area of Brasilia was followed up for 3.5 years. The numbers of treated molars were 341 (CRT), 244 (ART), and 275 (UCT). Exfoliation rates were obtained using thePHREGprocedure. Differences between the three treatment protocol groups were tested using theWald test.

Results

After 3.5 years, there was no difference over the exfoliation rates of all primary molars as 51.0% (CRT), 48.7% (ART), and 48.1% (UCT) had exfoliated at the overall period (P = 0.37). Teeth with multiple‐surfaces treatment had exfoliated in a higher proportion than teeth with single‐surface treatments for all the three treatment groups (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

The three treatment protocols led to similar exfoliation patterns of all primary molars after 3.5 years.
Income‐based life‐course models of caries in 30‐year‐old Australian adults
Authors: Brennan David Simon , Spencer A. John
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To assess income‐based life‐course models between the age of 13 and 30 years and caries in young adults.

Methods

In 1988–89, n = 7673 South Australian school children aged 13 years were sampled with n = 4604 children (60.0%) and n = 4476 parents (58.3%) returning questionnaires. In 2005–06, n = 632 baseline study participants aged 30 years responded (43.0% of those traced and living in Adelaide). Life‐course models representing critical period, cumulative risk and social mobility were constructed using income tertiles at ages 13 and 30 years. Critical period was evaluated by comparing the low tertile with the middle and higher tertiles at age 13. Cumulative risk was evaluated by coding the low tertile as 2, the middle tertile as 1 and highest tertile as 0, and summing to produce a cumulative risk score categorized into lower (score 0–1), moderate (score of 2) and higher risk (scores 3–4). Social mobility was classified using tertiles into stable disadvantaged, downwardly mobile, stable middle income, upwardly mobile and stable advantaged.

Results

Models adjusting for sex, visiting and toothbrushing at age 30 showed no association between caries at age 30 and low income at age 13 years (critical period model). Compared to the low cumulative risk group based on income, decayed teeth (RR = 1.6) and missing teeth (RR = 7.2) were higher (P < 0.05) in the higher risk group, and missing teeth (RR = 6.0) were higher in the moderate risk group (cumulative risk model). There were more (P < 0.05) decayed teeth in the disadvantaged (RR = 3.1) and stable middle income groups (RR = 2.2), more missing teeth for those classified as disadvantaged (RR = 6.4), stable middle (RR = 6.3) and downwardly mobile (RR = 2.8), and higher DMFT for the disadvantaged group (RR = 1.5) compared to the upwardly mobile group (social mobility model).

Conclusions

Socioeconomic advantage and upward mobility were associated with fewer decayed and missing teeth at age 30 years. Life‐course models of cumulative risk and social mobility influenced oral health outcomes across childhood to adulthood.
Volume stability of hydroxyapatite and β‐tricalcium phosphate biphasic bone graft material in maxillary sinus floor elevation: a radiographic study using 3D cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Ohe Joo‐Young , Kim Gyu‐Tae , Lee Jung‐Woo , Al Nawas Bilal , Jung Junho , Kwon Yong‐Dae
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to confirm volume stability of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) through the changes of grafted volume over the time by 3D CT analyzing software program.

Patients and Methods

Fifteen patients, 16 sinuses who were scheduled a staged implantation through sinus floor elevation (SFE)–lateral window technique from 2009 to 2011 were included in the study. Of the 15 patients, eight were male and seven were female (mean age 50.1). For sinus floor augmentation, BCP with local blood was packed loosely into the maxillary sinus and the grafted site was covered with a collagen membrane. For the evaluation of volume change, 3D CBCT scans were taken five times at pre‐operatively (To), post‐op 1 week (T1), 1 month (T2), 3 months (T3), and 6 months (T4). 3D image processing software (OnDemand3DTM software) was used for this study. The time sequential change was statistically evaluated.

Result

84.32% grafted BCP is maintained until post‐op 6 month (T4), and the average volume loss is 207.7 mm3 (about 0.21 cc). Statistically, a significant volume change (decreasing) was observed in three groups (T2–T1, T3–T2, T4–T3).

Conclusion

Biphasic calcium phosphate, as a synthetic material, has high volume stability and is a predictable graft material for the successful SFE. Although some limitations of the 3D analyzing software program, it is a fast, simple, relatively accurate and promising approach to quantifying long‐term changes in the grafted area.
Humoral immunity in renal transplantation: epitopes, Cw and DP, and complement‐activating capability – an update
Authors: Filippone Edward J. , Farber John L.
Published: February 2015

Humoral immune responses can destroy a renal allograft. In January 2013, Consensus Guidelines were published regarding testing and management concerns with respect to antibodies in transplantation. New studies have been reported over the past two yr and controversies remain. We review here the new data in light of the Consensus Guidelines and the relevant prior research with emphasis on antibody characteristics and potential for pathogenicity. The heart of immune recognition, epitopes, is stressed, including the realization that DQ (and probably DP) epitopes may be determined not only by eplets within a given α‐ or β‐chain, but also by specific α‐ and β‐chain pairings. The significance of Cw and DP loci are discussed. To better understand which donor‐specific antibodies are pathogenic, IgG subclass determination has been studied, and in in vitro complement fixation assays, such as the C4d and C1q assays, have been evaluated.
Association of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echo Contrast to Uric Acid in Patients with Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Akpek Mahmut , Sahin Omer , Sarli Bahadir , Arinc Huseyin , Baktir Ahmet O. , Akpek Zeynep S. , Saglam Hayrettin , Ergin Ali , Kaya Mehmet G.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is the presence of smoke‐like echoes with a characteristic swirling motion of the blood in echocardiography. Previous clinical studies have shown that SEC is a risk factor for left atrial thrombus formation and a predictor of potential systemic embolism originating from the heart. There is an association between uric acid and prothrombotic state. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of uric acid in SEC in patients with mitral stenosis (MS).

Methods

A total of 85 consecutive patients with MS were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether SEC was present in the left atrium.

Results

There were 41 patients (mean age 46.4 ± 11.4 and 68% female) in the SEC(−) group and 44 patients (mean age 45.7 ± 7.2 and 64% female) in the SEC(+) group. High sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) levels were significantly higher in the SEC(+) group than in the SEC(−) group (9.5 ± 4.2 vs. 4.7 ± 2.2 mg/L, P < 0.001). Uric acid was also significantly higher in the SEC (+) group (6.3 ± 1.4 vs. 4.5 ± 1.3 mg/dL, P < 0.001). In receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, uric acid >5.2 mg/dL had a 73% sensitivity and 76% specificity in predicting SEC in patients with MS. At multivariate analysis, uric acid (OR 3.919, 95% CI 1.911–8.035; P < 0.002) was an independent risk factor for SEC in patients with MS.

Conclusion

Uric acid is independently associated with SEC in patients with MS. Our findings suggest that this inexpensive, universally available marker may be a useful biomarker for the stratification of risk in patients with MS.
Auditory and visual interactions between the superior and inferior colliculi in the ferret
Authors: Stitt Iain , Galindo‐Leon Edgar , Pieper Florian , Hollensteiner Karl J. , Engler Gerhard , Engel Andreas K.
Published: February 2015

The integration of visual and auditory spatial information is important for building an accurate perception of the external world, but the fundamental mechanisms governing such audiovisual interaction have only partially been resolved. The earliest interface between auditory and visual processing pathways is in the midbrain, where the superior (SC) and inferior colliculi (IC) are reciprocally connected in an audiovisual loop. Here, we investigate the mechanisms of audiovisual interaction in the midbrain by recording neural signals from theSCandICsimultaneously in anesthetized ferrets. Visual stimuli reliably produced band‐limited phase locking ofIClocal field potentials (LFPs) in two distinct frequency bands: 6–10 and 15–30 Hz. These visualLFPresponses co‐localized with robust auditory responses that were characteristic of theIC. Imaginary coherence analysis confirmed that visual responses in theICwere not volume‐conducted signals from the neighboringSC. Visual responses in theICoccurred later than retinally driven superficialSClayers and earlier than deepSClayers that receive indirect visual inputs, suggesting that retinal inputs do not drive visually evoked responses in theIC. In addition,SCandICrecording sites with overlapping visual spatial receptive fields displayed stronger functional connectivity than sites with separate receptive fields, indicating that visual spatial maps are aligned across both midbrain structures. Reciprocal coupling between theICandSCtherefore probably serves the dynamic integration of visual and auditory representations of space.