bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Africa's Rising Demand for Wheat: Trends, Drivers, and Policy Implications
Authors: Mason Nicole M. , Jayne T.S. , Shiferaw Bekele
Published: July 2015

This article analyses trends in wheat consumption and imports in sub‐Saharan Africa since 1980, and estimates the economic and demographic determinants of this rising demand for wheat. Results point to rising incomes, growing populations, and increasing women's labour‐force participation as key drivers. Urban wheat‐expenditure shares generally exceed rural ones and SSA's demand is met largely by imports and partly through domestic production on large‐scale farms. Rising demand may therefore entail few farm–non‐farm synergies and minimal prospects to spur broad‐based economic development. The article concludes by discussing policy options for African countries to meet their staple food needs while also promoting pro‐poor agricultural growth.
Movement of three stream‐resident balitoroid loaches and a goby in a Hong Kong hillstream
Authors: Ho Bill S.K. , Dudgeon David
Published: July 2015

We undertook a mark–recapture study of three pool‐dwelling balitoroid loaches and a nonmigratory goby in a Hong Kong hillstream, which extended over a 35‐week period. The target species were Pseudogastromyzon myersi and Liniparhomaloptera disparis (Balitoridae), Schistura fasciolata (Nemacheilidae) and Rhinogobius duospilus (Gobiidae). Recapture rates of tagged individuals were high (58% overall), especially for the abundant R. duospilus (70% of 412 tagged) and P. myersi (57% of 762 tagged). At the end of the study, most recaptured individuals (78% of gobies, 62% of P. myersi, 42% of L. disparis and 67% of S. fasciolata) were within the pools where they had been released. Of those that had moved elsewhere, maximum displacements ranged from 46 m (R. duospilus) to 101 m (P. myersi), giving rise to a strongly leptokurtic distribution of movement distances. Mean displacements after 35 weeks ranged from only 2.9 m (R. duospilus) to 10.0 m (L. disparis). The sedentary behaviour of these species was more marked than most other small benthic fishes, although our study excluded the breeding period and wet season when high flows might have stimulated movement. Among the mobile P. myersi individuals, most travelled upstream, whereas mobile gobies tended to move downstream. Juveniles of P. myersi and R. duospilus, as well as large adult P. myersi, were especially sedentary, while mobile adult P. myersi that travelled further showed smaller growth increments. The highly sedentary habits of all four fishes suggest that they may exert persistent local top‐down control of benthic communities within pools in Hong Kong streams.
The role of flow dependency and water availability in fish assemblage homogenization in tributaries of the Chattahoochee River, Alabama, USA
Authors: Lawson Katelyn M. , Johnston Carol E.
Published: July 2015

The availability of water is becoming more variable as flow regime alterations intensify both locally and on a global scale. This pattern has been observed in the tributaries of the central Chattahoochee River System as water withdrawal and natural drought have caused flows to diminish. Stream discharge has steadily decreased in the study area by 31% over the last 50 years, and during this time, fish assemblage homogenization has occurred throughout the system. Our primary objective was to assess whether spawning mode and water availability are catalysts for fish assemblage change in tributaries of the Chattahoochee River System. We found that species which prefer or have adapted to low flow conditions (e.g. blacktail shiner Cyprinella venusta, redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus and blackbanded darter Percina nigrofasciata) are becoming dominant and replacing historically dominant fluvial specialists. When examining short‐term changes between a dry year (2009) and a wet year (2010), some species preferring higher flows such as the highscale shiner Notropis hypsilepis were detected during the wet year, suggesting that the amount of water is important for the presence of these species in upstream reaches where they were historically abundant. Species that can reproduce successfully in low flow conditions are thriving and expanding their native ranges as more habitat becomes suitable. Species that require higher flows for part of their life cycle, however, appear to be declining from upstream areas as water availability continues to decrease, despite temporary recovery from downstream refugia during wet years.
Warning Signal Efficacy: Assessing the Effects of Color, Iridescence, and Time of Day in the Field
Authors: Pegram Kimberly V. , Han Hanh A. , Rutowski Ronald L.
Published: July 2015

Warning coloration deters predators from attacking distasteful or toxic prey. Signal features that influence warning color effectiveness are not well understood, and in particular, we know very little about how effective short‐wavelength and iridescent colors are as warning color elements in nature and how warning signal effectiveness changes throughout the day. We tested the effect of these factors on predation risk in nature using specimens of the distasteful pipevine swallowtail butterfly, Battus philenor. B. philenor adults display both iridescent blue and diffusely reflecting orange components in their warning signal. We painted B. philenor wings to create five different model types: all‐black, only‐iridescent‐blue, only‐orange, iridescent‐blue‐and‐orange (intact signal), and matte‐blue‐and‐orange. We placed 25 models in each of 14 replicate field sites for 72 h and checked for attacks three times each day. Model type affected the likelihood of attack; only‐orange models were, the only model attacked significantly less than the all‐black model. Iridescence did not enhance or decrease warning signal effectiveness in our experiment because matte‐blue‐and‐orange models were attacked at the same rate as iridescent‐blue‐and‐orange models. Time of day did not differentially affect model type. Video recordings of attacks revealed that insectivorous birds were responsible. The results of this experiment, when taken with previous work, indicate that the response to blue warning coloration is likely dependent on predator experience and context, but that iridescence per se does not affect warning signals in a natural context.
Asymmetrical Resource Ownership Increases Owners’ and Reduces Non‐Owners’ Motivation to Fight in the Mangrove Rivulus, Kryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Huang Wei‐Lin , Hsu Yuying
Published: July 2015

Resource ownership often increases an individual's aggressiveness and its probability of defeating a competitor. Individuals contesting resource owners could therefore incur higher costs, making individuals reluctant to compete with owners. We tested the hypothesis that animals use asymmetry in resource ownership as a cue for contest costs and adjust contest decisions accordingly. Using a mangrove rivulus fish (Kryptolebias marmoratus), we staged (1) contests with a randomly assigned asymmetry in resource ownership (one fish was provided with a shelter) and (2) contests in which neither fish had a shelter. Owners that were in their shelters at the contest start showed a greater tendency to fight and won more contests than their intruder opponents; those outside the shelter at the start did not. Compared with fish in contests with no shelters at stake, shelter owners had a higher tendency to fight whether or not they were in their shelters at the start; intruders, however, had a lower tendency to fight only against owners that were inside the shelter at the start. These results demonstrate (1) that ownership status influences both owners’ and intruders’ contest decisions (and in opposite directions), producing a detectable ownership advantage and (2) that intruders required confirmation of their opponents’ ownership status before retreating without challenging them. Ownership status per se is therefore important to the fish's contest decisions.
Aortic rupture causing cardiac tamponade in a 24‐day‐old Friesian colt with concurrent colonic Chlamydiosis and Balantidiasis
Authors: Diel de Amorim M. , Nielsen K. , McKell B. , Huang Y. , Card C.
Published: July 2015

A 24‐day‐old Friesian colt died suddenly and a physical examination the morning the foal died showed no abnormalities and serum IgG levels >8.0 g/l. Necropsy examination revealed haemopericardium and a 2 cm transverse tear at the root of the aorta. The foal was also found to have Chlamydophila spp. in the epithelium and Balantidium coli on the mucosal surface of the large colon. An aortic rupture is a novel finding in a foal, colonic Chlamydiosis has not been previously reported in horses and Balantidium coli has not been reported in equids in North America.
An Evolutionary Perspective on Family Studies: Differential Susceptibility to Environmental Influences
Authors: Hartman Sarah , Belsky Jay
Published: July 2015

An evolutionary perspective of human development provides the basis for the differential‐susceptibility hypothesis which stipulates that individuals should differ in their susceptibility to environmental influences, with some being more affected than others by both positive and negative developmental experiences and environmental exposures. This paper reviews evidence consistent with this claim while revealing that temperamental and genetic characteristics play a role in distinguishing more and less susceptible individuals. The differential‐susceptibility framework under consideration is contrasted to the traditional diathesis‐stress view that “vulnerability” traits predispose some to being disproportionately affected by (only) adverse experiences. We raise several issues stimulated by the literature that need to be clarified in further research. Lastly, we suggest that therapy may differ in its effects depending on an individual's susceptibility.
Annual variation in otolith increment widths of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) larvae in Funka Bay, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Kano Yota , Takatsu Tetsuya , Hashimoto Yutaro , Inagaki Yuta , Nakatani Toshikuni
Published: July 2015

To clarify relationships between year‐class strength and larval growth of walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), and oceanographic conditions in the Pacific stock off Hokkaido and Tohoku, Japan, we undertook conductivity/temperature/depth (CTD) observations and investigated larval densities, larval otolith increment widths and larval prey densities (of copepod nauplii) of the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 yr classes in Funka Bay. Oyashio Coastal Water (OCW) flowed into the bay in late February in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and the mean water temperatures decreased to 1.9–3.1 °C in March. OCW was not observed in 2009, and it was warm in late February (≥3.4 °C). Increment widths of lapillar otoliths during the yolk‐sac stage were wide in 2009 and 2011, medium in 2010 and narrow in 2008. Increment widths during the first‐feeding stage tended to become wider as the hatch month progressed, and the annual variation during the first‐feeding stage was larger than that of the yolk‐sac stage. The densities of the primary food for the larvae were high in 2008 when larval increment widths were narrowest, so the effect of prey abundance on larval growth appeared to be small. The ranking of the larval abundance in March was nearly coincident with that of the increment width during the larval stage. We, therefore, suggest that the larval growth rate is associated with the mortality rate and that the growth–mortality hypothesis may be applicable to walleye pollock in Funka Bay. Feeding success under warm water conditions may be an important factor that contributes towards high growth rates.
Resetting the river template: the potential for climate‐related extreme floods to transform river geomorphology and ecology
Authors: Death Russell G. , Fuller Ian C. , Macklin Mark G.
Published: July 2015

Climate change is expected to alter the occurrence of extreme climatic events, including major floods. Future shifts in the frequency and intensity of extreme floods will vary by region and could modify the geomorphological character of riverine habitat.

The geomorphological structure of rivers determines the quality and quantity of habitat available for resident biota, and thus, changes to morphology from more extreme floods are likely to affect river ecology over and above the direct effects of the flood events themselves.

Extreme floods can exacerbate the effect of multiple anthropogenic stressors, with potentially dramatic effects on freshwater ecosystems. For instance, high flows mobilise nutrients, sediment and toxic chemicals, and aid dispersal of invasive species, whereas land‐use change and channelisation impair flood refugia and constrain recolonisation pathways.

Extreme floods may also benefit riverine and riparian biota, overwhelming current anthropogenic constraints and infrastructure to increase habitat complexity and floodplain area.

Management to protect human life and infrastructure from severe river flooding can alter channel geomorphology, habitat quality and ecology. However, flood prevention engineering that incorporates the natural form of rivers could potentially mitigate anthropogenic flood damage, in turn restoring habitat and historical ecosystem functioning.

We examine potential changes in river channel and floodplain geomorphological characteristics resulting from altered extreme flooding regimes and consider likely implications for the management of the world's freshwater biota.
Exploring soil microbial 16S rRNA sequence data to increase carbon yield and nitrogen efficiency of a bioenergy crop
Authors: Pitombo Leonardo M. , do Carmo Janaína B. , de Hollander Mattias , Rossetto Raffaella , López Maryeimy V. , Cantarella Heitor , Kuramae Eiko E.
Published: July 2015

Crop residues returned to the soil are important for the preservation of soil quality, health, and biodiversity, and they increase agriculture sustainability by recycling nutrients. Sugarcane is a bioenergy crop that produces huge amounts of straw (also known as trash) every year. In addition to straw, the ethanol industry also generates large volumes of vinasse, a liquid residue of ethanol production, which is recycled in sugarcane fields as fertilizer. However, both straw and vinasse have an impact on N2O fluxes from the soil. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that is a primary concern in biofuel sustainability. Because bacteria and archaea are the main drivers of N redox processes in soil, in this study we propose the identification of taxa related with N2O fluxes by combining functional responses (N2O release) and the abundance of these microorganisms in soil. Using a large‐scale in situ experiment with ten treatments, an intensive gas monitoring approach, high‐throughput sequencing of soil microbial 16S rRNA gene and powerful statistical methods, we identified microbes related to N2O fluxes in soil with sugarcane crops. In addition to the classical denitrifiers, we identified taxa within the phylum Firmicutes and mostly uncharacterized taxa recently described as important drivers of N2O consumption. Treatments with straw and vinasse also allowed the identification of taxa with potential biotechnological properties that might improve the sustainability of bioethanol by increasing C yields and improving N efficiency in sugarcane fields.
Does gender or mode of HIV acquisition affect virological response to modern antiretroviral therapy (ART)?
Authors: Saunders P , Goodman AL , Smith CJ , Marshall N , O'Connor JL , Lampe FC , Johnson MA
Published: July 2015

Objectives

Previous UK studies have reported disparities in HIV treatment outcomes for women. We investigated whether these differences persist in the modern antiretroviral treatment (ART) era.

Methods

A single‐centre cohort analysis was carried out. We included in the study all previously ART‐naïve individuals at our clinic starting triple ART from 1 January 2006 onwards with at least one follow‐up viral load (VL). Time to viral suppression (VS; first viral load < 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL), virological failure (VF; first of two consecutive VLs > 200 copies/mL more than 6 months post‐ART) and treatment modification were estimated using standard survival methods.

Results

Of 1086 individuals, 563 (52%) were men whose risk for HIV acquisition was sex with other men (MSM), 207 (19%) were men whose risk for HIV acquisition was sex with women (MSW) and 316 (29%) were women. Median pre‐ART CD4 count and time since HIV diagnosis in these groups were 298, 215 and 219 cells/μL, and 2.3, 0.3 and 0.3 years, respectively. Time to VS was comparable between groups, but women [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–4.22] and MSW (aHR 3.28; 95% CI 1.91–5.64) were at considerably higher risk of VF than MSM. Treatment switches and complete discontinuation were also more common among MSW [aHR 1.38 (95% CI 1.04–1.81) and aHR 1.73 (95% CI 0.97–3.16), respectively] and women [aHR 1.87 (95% CI 1.43–2.46) and aHR 3.20 (95% CI 2.03–5.03), respectively] than MSM.

Conclusions

Although response rates were good in all groups, poorer virological outcomes for women and MSW have persisted into the modern ART era. Factors that might influence the differences include socioeconomic status and mental health disorders. Further interventions to ensure excellent response rates in women and MSW are required.
The art of prescribing: negotiating the decision of generic or branded medications
Authors: Grant M. , Chapman M.
Published: July 2015

Prescribing choices between generic and branded medications are not without consequence, and these decisions require careful consideration as these may potentially lead to patient confusion, medication errors and adverse events. Understanding our prescribing decisions may allow for greater patient autonomy and involvement, and potentially minimise medication‐related harms.
Neuropilin 1 expression correlates with the Radio‐resistance of human non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Dong Juan Cong , Gao Hui , Zuo Si Yao , Zhang Hai Qin , Zhao Gang , Sun Shi Long , Han Hai Ling , Jin Lin Lin , Shao Li Hong , Wei Wei , Jin Shun Zi
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between over‐expression of the neuropilin 1 (NRP1) gene and growth, survival, and radio‐sensitivity of non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cells. 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium broide (MTT) and colony assays were then performed to determine the effect of NRP1 inhibition on the in vitro growth of NSCLC cells. The Annexin V‐Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC) apoptosis detection assay was performed to analyse the effect of NRP1 enhancement on apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Transwell invasion and migration assays were employed to examine the metastatic ability of A549 cells post X‐ray irradiation. In addition, Western blot assays were carried out to detect the protein level of VEGFR2, PI3K and NF‐κB. Finally, to examine the effect of shNRP1 on proliferation and radio‐sensitivity in vivo, a subcutaneous tumour formation assay in nude mice was performed. Microvessel density in tumour tissues was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The stable transfected cell line (shNRP1‐A549) showed a significant reduction in colony‐forming ability and proliferation not only in vitro, but also in vivo. Moreover, shRNA‐mediated NRP1 inhibition also significantly enhanced the radio‐sensitivity of NSCLC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The over‐expression of NRP1 was correlated with growth, survival and radio‐resistance of NSCLC cells via the VEGF‐PI3K‐ NF‐κB pathway, and NRP1 may be a molecular therapeutic target for gene therapy or radio‐sensitization of NSCLC.
The achaete‐scute complex in Diptera: patterns of noncoding sequence evolution
Authors: Negre B. , Simpson P.
Published: July 2015

The achaete‐scute complex (AS‐C) has been a useful paradigm for the study of pattern formation and its evolution. achaete‐scute genes have duplicated and evolved distinct expression patterns during the evolution of cyclorraphous Diptera. Are the expression patterns in different species driven by conserved regulatory elements? If so, when did such regulatory elements arise? Here, we have sequenced most of the AS‐C of the fly Calliphora vicina (including the genes achaete, scute and lethal of scute) to compare noncoding sequences with known cis‐regulatory sequences in Drosophila. The organization of the complex is conserved with respect to Drosophila species. There are numerous small stretches of conserved noncoding sequence that, in spite of high sequence turnover, display binding sites for known transcription factors. Synteny of the blocks of conserved noncoding sequences is maintained suggesting not only conservation of the position of regulatory elements but also an origin prior to the divergence between these two species. We propose that some of these enhancers originated by duplication with their target genes.
Identification of key amino acids responsible for the distinct aggregation properties of microtubule‐associated protein 2 and tau
Authors: Xie Ce , Soeda Yoshiyuki , Shinzaki Yuki , In Yasuko , Tomoo Koji , Ihara Yasuo , Miyasaka Tomohiro
Published: July 2015

The carboxyl‐terminal sequence of tau composes the framework for its intracellular inclusions that appear in diverse neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. However, microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2), which contains a homologous carboxyl‐terminal sequence of tau, is undetectable in the mature tau inclusions. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have remained largely unknown. Here, we show that tau and MAP2 have different aggregation properties: tau aggregates to form filaments but MAP2 remains to be granules. Exchanging 221YKPV224 of tau (0N3R) near the PHF6 motif for 340TKKI343 of MAP2c profoundly changed aggregation properties, suggesting that the YKPV motif is important for filament formation, whereas the TKKI motif is for granule formation. Thus, these minimal sequences may determine the different fates of tau and MAP2 in the formation of inclusions in tauopathies.

image

Tau and microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) are homologous microtubule‐associated proteins in neurons. So far, it is largely unknown why tau but not MAP2 is selectively involved in the filamentous inclusions (neurofibrillary tangles, NFT) formation in tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we found that the difference of only two amino acids in tau and MAP2 sequences may determine their different fates in tauopathies. These results may lead to the elucidation of tau deregulation in pathological conditions.
Long‐term evaluation of ink clearance in tattoos with different color intensity using the 1064‐nm Q‐switched Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Mankowska Agata , Kasprzak Wojciech , Adamski Zygmunt
Published: July 2015

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of tattoo removal treatments using the 1064‐nm Q‐switched (QS) Nd:YAG laser.

Background data

Today, QS lasers appear to be the most common, effective, and safest methods to treat unwanted markings.

Material and methods

A total of 64 patients with 75 unwanted tattoos were enrolled in the study. Tattoo clearance was evaluated according to the color intensity – concentration of pigment: group I (34) – black; group II (41) – gray. Consideration included methods of tattooing and tattoo techniques.

Results

In group I, after the first treatment session the median of clearance was 30% (10–50%), while in group II, the median was 50% (40–70%). After the second treatment session, median in group I increased to 40% (30–50%). Median of group II increased to 70% (50–80%). The highest number of treatment in group I was 7. After that, the median grew to 75%, while the highest amount of treatment in group II was 5 and a median of 90% was achieved.

Conclusions

Effects were dependent upon the amount of ink deposited in the tissue. Old amateur tattoos and tattoos containing small quantities of ink (technique: shading and lines) demonstrated the quickest and the most efficacious results. Tattoos with large quantities of ink, obtained by filling, required the greatest number of treatment sessions. The final outcome in tattoo clearing can only be assessed following treatment completion, which may in some cases take 2–3 years. Presumably, in some cases, complete clearance is impossible.
Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations decrease following treatment of primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia
Authors: Cartwright J. A. , Gow D. J. , Gow A. G. , Handel I. , Reed N. , Brown A. J. , Cash R. , Foote A. , Mackenzie D. , Bell R. , Mellanby R. J.
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVES

The measurement of serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in dogs with a range of non‐primary cardiac illnesses suggests that cardiac myocyte damage is commonplace. Dogs with primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia have increased serum cardiac troponin I concentrations at the time of diagnosis. However, it is unclear whether biochemical evidence of cardiac myocyte damage improves following successful treatment of anaemia.

METHODS

A haematology profile was performed and serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured in 19 dogs with primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The haematocrit increased significantly (P = 0 · 0001) following treatment of primary IMHA (median pre: 0 · 13 L/L, median post: 0 · 33 L/L). The serum cardiac troponin I concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0 · 05) after treatment (median pre: 0 · 26 ng/mL, median post: 0 · 16 ng/mL).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Serum cardiac troponin I concentration decreases following successful treatment of primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia. The clinical and prognostic significance of serum cardiac troponin I concentrations before and after treatment in dogs with primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia merits further investigation.
Randomized Crossover Comparison of the Short‐Term Efficacy and Safety of Single Half‐Dose Silodosin and Tamsulosin Hydrochoride in Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: TAKESHITA Hideki , MORIYAMA Shingo , ARAI Yoshiaki , WASHINO Satoshi , SAITO Kimitoshi , CHIBA Koji , HORIUCHI Susumu , NORO Akira
Published: July 2015

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of single half‐dose silodosin and single full‐dose tamsulosin inJapanese men with lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH).

Methods

Japanese men aged ≥50 years withLUTS/BPHand anInternationalProstateSymptomScore (IPSS) of ≥8 were enrolled in the randomized crossover study and divided into silodosin‐preceding (S‐T) and tamsulosin‐preceding (T‐S) groups. TheS‐Tgroup received 4 mg silodosin once daily for 4 weeks followed by 0.2 mg tamsulosin once daily for 4 weeks. TheT‐Sgroup received the reverse treatment sequence. A washout period prior to drug crossover was not included. Subjective and objective efficacy parameters includingIPSS, quality of life (QOL) index, uroflowmetry, and safety were compared between the two groups.

Results

Thirty of 34 men (S‐Tgroupn =16;T‐Sgroupn =14) completed the study. Both drugs significantly improved allIPSSitems andQOLindex in the first treatment period. Subjective improvement in nocturia by silodosin was observed in both the first and crossover treatment periods. Objective improvement in maximum flow rate by silodosin was only observed in the first treatment period. Adverse events occurred more frequently with silodosin than with tamsulosin; however, none of the adverse events required treatment discontinuation. Ejaculation disorders occurred in three participants (10%) and were associated with silodosin use.

Conclusion

Single half‐dose silodosin has a similar efficacy to full‐dose tamsulosin inJapanese men withLUTS/BPHand thus, may represent an effective, safe, and affordable treatment option.
Price Discrimination in Quantity Setting Oligopoly
Authors: Kumar Rajnish , Kutlu Levent
Published: July 2015

We analyze a two‐stage quantity setting oligopolistic price discrimination game. In the first stage, firms choose capacities and in the second stage they simultaneously choose the share that they assign to each segment. At the equilibrium, the firms focus more on the high‐valuation customers. When the capacities in the first stage are endogenous, the deadweight loss does not vanish with the level of price discrimination, as it does in one‐stage games and monopoly. Moreover, the quantity‐weighted average price increases with the level of price discrimination as opposed to the established results in the literature for one‐stage games.
Mycolic acids: deciphering and targeting the Achilles' heel of the tubercle bacillus
Authors: Nataraj Vijayashankar , Varela Cristian , Javid Asma , Singh Albel , Besra Gurdyal S. , Bhatt Apoorva
Published: July 2015

Mycolic acids are unique long chain fatty acids found in the lipid‐rich cell walls of mycobacteria including the tubercle bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Essential for viability and virulence, enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of mycolic acids represent novel targets for drug development. This is particularly relevant to the impact on global health given the rise of multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of how mycolic acid are synthesised, especially the potential role of specialised fatty acid synthase complexes. Also, we examine the role of a recently reported mycolic acid transporter MmpL3 with reference to several reports of the targeting of this transporter by diverse compounds with anti‐M. tuberculosis activity. Additionally, we consider recent findings that place mycolic acid biosynthesis in the context of the cell biology of the bacterium, viz its localisation and co‐ordination with the bacterial cytoskeleton, and its role beyond maintaining cell envelope integrity.
The Effect of Direct Current Stimulation versus T‐Wave Shock on Defibrillation Threshold Testing
Authors: ITO HIROYUKI , KAWAMURA MITSUHARU , BADHWAR NITISH , VEDANTHAM VASANTH , TSENG ZIAN H. , LEE BYRON K. , LEE RANDALL J. , MARCUS GREGORY M. , GERSTENFELD EDWARD P. , SCHEINMAN MELVIN M.
Published: July 2015

Introduction

There are several methods to induce ventricular fibrillation (VF) during defibrillation threshold (DFT) testing. Delivering a shock at a critical time during the T wave (T‐shock) is the conventional approach, while delivering a constant direct current voltage (DC stim) from the implantable cardioverter defibrillator is an alternative method. Only a few reports compare VF induction methods. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and safety of DC stim versus T‐shock.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 414 consecutive patients undergoing DFT testing. We compared the two groups (DC stim and T‐shock) with respect to clinical characteristics, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, and complications.

Results

Ventricular arrhythmia, including ventricular tachycardia (VT) and VF, was induced by DC stim in 93 patients or T‐shock in 321 patients. No more than three attempts were performed during one procedure. There was no significant difference in the baseline ECG, induced tachycardia cycle length (TCL), or complications between the two groups. However, the induced TCL was significantly shorter than the clinical TCL regardless of induction method (P = 0.001). Five patients suffered major complications (i.e., electromechanical dissociation or incessant VT). A history of atrial fibrillation was significantly greater in patients with major complications than the others (80% vs 24%, P = 0.004), and was an independent predictor on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

There is no significant difference in induced TCL or complications between the DC stim and T‐shock. The induced TCL is significantly shorter than clinical TCL regardless of induction method.
The Evolution of Retribution: Intuitions Undermined
Authors: Wiegman Isaac
Published: July 2015

Recent empirical work suggests that emotions are responsible for anti‐consequentialist intuitions. For instance, anger places value on actions of revenge and retribution, value not derived from the consequences of these actions. As a result, it contributes to the development of retributive intuitions. I argue that if anger evolved to produce these retributive intuitions because of their biological consequences, then these intuitions are not a good indicator that punishment has value apart from its consequences. This severs the evidential connection between retributive intuitions and the retributive value of punishment. This argument may generalize to other deontological intuitions and theories.
Generation of α‐1,3‐Galactosyltransferase‐Deficient Porcine Embryonic Fibroblasts by CRISPR/Cas9‐Mediated Knock‐in of a Small Mutated Sequence and a Targeted Toxin‐Based Selection System
Authors: Sato M , Kagoshima A , Saitoh I , Inada E , Miyoshi K , Ohtsuka M , Nakamura S , Sakurai T , Watanabe S
Published: July 2015

Contents

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has enabled the editing of mammalian genomes; however, its applicability and efficiency in the pig genome has not been studied in depth. The α‐gal epitope synthesized by α‐1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene (GGTA1) is known as a xenoantigen obtained upon pig‐to‐human xenotransplantation. We here employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system‐mediated knock‐in of endogenous GGTA1 via targeted homologous recombination (HR). Linearized donors with ~800‐bp homology flanking the CRISPR/Cas9 target site [exon 4 (containing ATG) of GGTA1] served as a template for gene targeting by HR. Using a targeted toxin strategy to select clones lacking α‐gal epitope expression, we successfully obtained several knock‐in clones within 3 weeks of initial transfection. These results suggest that the use of CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated HR to knock‐in a mutated fragment at defined loci represents an efficient strategy to achieve the rapid modulation of genes of interest in swine cells and is a promising tool for the creation of KO piglets.
Reproductive and Metabolic Responses of Early‐lactating Dairy Cows Fed Different Dietary Protein Sources
Authors: Tufarelli V , Lacalandra GM , Laudadio V
Published: July 2015

Contents

Optimal reproduction is very closely tied with optimal nutrition, and early‐lactation diets in cows are critical to successful reproduction and monitoring is important. To evaluate the effects of different dietary protein sources on metabolic parameters and reproductive activity, a total of 36 Italian Friesian early‐lactating dairy cows were assigned for 16 weeks to three dietary treatments as follow: the control diet contained soya bean meal (SBM) as the main protein source, whereas the experimental diets contained faba bean (FB) or pea seeds (PS) as alternative protein sources. Diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Cow blood samples were collected, and plasma were analysed for metabolites, biological enzymes, β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Feeding alternative protein sources had no effects on most metabolic blood profile, except for blood cholesterol, triglycerides and urea. Results from reproductive parameters indicated that cows fed FB diet had a lower insemination index, but a shorter calving to conception period and an improved conception rate and artificial insemination outcome, when compared to cows fed SBM or PS diets. It can be concluded that replacing conventional dietary SBM with alternative protein sources, especially FB, resulted in improved reproductive performances and metabolic parameters in early‐lactating dairy cows.
Lung function and exhaled nitric oxide in healthy unsedated African infants
Authors: Gray Diane , Willemse Lauren , Visagie Ane , Smith Emilee , Czövek Dorottya , Sly Peter D , Hantos Zoltán , Hall Graham L , Zar Heather J
Published: July 2015

Background and objective

Population‐appropriate lung function reference data are essential to accurately identify respiratory disease and measure response to interventions. There are currently no reference data in African infants. The aim was to describe normal lung function in healthy African infants.

Methods

Lung function was performed on healthy South African infants enrolled in a birth cohort study, the Drakenstein child health study. Infants were excluded if they were born preterm or had a history of neonatal respiratory distress or prior respiratory tract infection. Measurements, made during natural sleep, included the forced oscillation technique, tidal breathing, exhaled nitric oxide and multiple breath washout measures.

Results

Three hundred sixty‐three infants were tested. Acceptable and repeatable measurements were obtained in 356 (98%) and 352 (97%) infants for tidal breathing analysis and exhaled nitric oxide outcomes, 345 (95%) infants for multiple breath washout and 293 of the 333 (88%) infants for the forced oscillation technique. Age, sex and weight‐for‐age z score were significantly associated with lung function measures.

Conclusions

This study provides reference data for unsedated infant lung function in African infants and highlights the importance of using population‐specific data.
Modeling Opponents in Adversarial Risk Analysis
Authors: Rios Insua David , Banks David , Rios Jesus
Published: July 2015

Adversarial risk analysis has been introduced as a framework to deal with risks derived from intentional actions of adversaries. The analysis supports one of the decisionmakers, who must forecast the actions of the other agents. Typically, this forecast must take account of random consequences resulting from the set of selected actions. The solution requires one to model the behavior of the opponents, which entails strategic thinking. The supported agent may face different kinds of opponents, who may use different rationality paradigms, for example, the opponent may behave randomly, or seek a Nash equilibrium, or perform level‐kthinking, or use mirroring, or employ prospect theory, among many other possibilities. We describe the appropriate analysis for these situations, and also show how to model the uncertainty about the rationality paradigm used by the opponent through a Bayesian model averaging approach, enabling a fully decision‐theoretic solution. We also show how as we observe an opponent's decision behavior, this approach allows learning about the validity of each of the rationality models used to predict his decision by computing the models' (posterior) probabilities, which can be understood as a measure of their validity. We focus on simultaneous decision making by two agents.
Cardiac Assist Devices and Hemodialysis Catheter Procedures – What Do the Nephrologists Need to Know?
Authors: Florescu Marius C. , Sacks Andrew R. , Um John Y.
Published: July 2015

The use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) and total artificial heart (TAH) is increasing rapidly, and a large proportion of these device recipients already have or will develop severe renal dysfunction at the time of device implantation. As a consequence, nephrologists are becoming more and more involved in the care of this challenging population. As nephrologists take upon themselves many aspects of dialysis vascular access care, they need to be familiar with the special circumstances of performing hemodialysis catheter procedures in these patients. This review describes the important characteristics of these devices that have serious implications for the technique of placing or replacing dialysis catheters. These implications apply for both tunneled and nontunneled dialysis catheters and so concern all nephrologists, not only the interventionalists. We describe the important anatomical factors, anticoagulation management, device management, vascular access management and technical considerations of placing or replacing tunneled and nontunneled hemodialysis catheters from the perspective of a nephrologist establishing and maintaining lifesaving dialysis vascular access. Without a good understanding of these devices, serious consequences such as VAD rotor damage or blockage, or artificial heart valve blockage or damage can occur. These artificial devices are lifesaving, and any such complication is unacceptable. This review describes steps to minimize the risks.
Increased risk of volume overload with plasma compared with four‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate for urgent vitamin K antagonist reversal
Authors: Refaai Majed A. , Goldstein Joshua N. , Lee Martin L. , Durn Billie L. , Milling Truman J. , Sarode Ravi
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Plasma is commonly used for vitamin K antagonist (VKA) reversal, but observational studies suggest that it is associated with transfusion‐related adverse reactions (e.g., volume overload). However, this issue has not previously been addressed in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Factors associated with volume overload were examined using data from two Phase IIIb RCTs comparing plasma with four‐factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F‐PCC, Beriplex/Kcentra, CSL Behring) for urgent VKA reversal. VKA‐treated patients with major bleeding (NCT00708435) or requiring an urgent surgical or invasive procedure (NCT00803101) were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either plasma or 4F‐PCC, concomitant with vitamin K. Adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs were prospectively captured up to Day 10 and 45, respectively. Volume overload predictors were evaluated on a univariate and multivariate basis.

RESULTS

A total of 388 patients (4F‐PCC, n = 191; plasma, n = 197) were enrolled. Volume overload occurred in 34 (9%) patients (4F‐PCC, n = 9; plasma, n = 25). In univariate analyses, use of plasma (vs. 4F‐PCC), use of nonstudy plasma and/or platelets, race, history of congestive heart failure (CHF), and history of renal disease were associated with volume overload. In multivariate analyses, use of plasma (vs. 4F‐PCC), history of CHF, and history of renal disease were independent volume overload predictors. In an additional analysis restricted to volume overload events recorded up to Day 7, only use of plasma (vs. 4F‐PCC) was an independent volume overload predictor.

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for other potential risk factors, plasma use was independently associated with a greater risk of volume overload than 4F‐PCC in patients requiring urgent VKA reversal.
Human Neutrophil Lipocalin as a Superior Diagnostic Means To Distinguish between Acute Bacterial and Viral Infections
Authors: Venge Per , Douhan-Håkansson Lena , Garwicz Daniel , Peterson Christer , Xu Shengyuan , Pauksen Karlis
Published: July 2015

The distinction between causes of acute infections is a major clinical challenge. Current biomarkers, however, are not sufficiently accurate. Human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) concentrations in serum or whole blood activated by formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP) were shown to distinguish acute infections of bacterial or viral cause with high accuracy. The aim was therefore to compare the clinical performance of HNL with currently used biomarkers. Seven hundred twenty-five subjects (144 healthy controls and 581 patients with signs and symptoms of acute infections) were included in the study. C-reactive protein (CRP), the expression of CD64 on neutrophils, procalcitonin (PCT), and blood neutrophil counts were measured by established techniques, and HNL concentrations were measured in whole-blood samples after activation with fMLP. All tested biomarkers were elevated in bacterial as opposed to viral infections (
P
< 0.001). CRP, PCT, and CD64 expression in neutrophils was elevated in viral infections compared to healthy controls (
P
< 0.001). In the distinction between healthy controls and patients with bacterial infections, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were >0.85 for all biomarkers, whereas for the distinction between bacterial and viral infections, only HNL concentration in fMLP-activated whole blood showed an area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of >0.90 and superior clinical performance. The clinical performance of HNL in fMLP-activated whole blood was superior to current biomarkers and similar to previous results of HNL in serum. The procedure can be adopted for point-of-care testing with response times of <15 min.
Temporal Variation in Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus Antibodies in Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) Indicates Cyclic Transmission in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin
Authors: Wilson-Rothering Anna , Marcquenski Susan , Koenigs Ryan , Bruch Ronald , Kamke Kendall , Isermann Daniel , Thurman Andrew , Toohey-Kurth Kathy , Goldberg Tony
Published: July 2015

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is an emerging pathogen that causes mass mortality in multiple fish species. In 2007, the Great Lakes freshwater strain, type IVb, caused a large die-off of freshwater drum (
Aplodinotus grunniens
) in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. To evaluate the persistence and transmission of VHSV, freshwater drum from Lake Winnebago were tested for antibodies to the virus using recently developed virus neutralization (VN) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Samples were also tested by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) to detect viral RNA. Of 548 serum samples tested, 44 (8.03%) were positive by VN (titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:1,024) and 45 (8.21%) were positive by ELISA, including 7 fish positive by both assays. Antibody prevalence increased with age and was higher in one northwestern area of Lake Winnebago than in other areas. Of 3,864 tissues sampled from 551 fish, 1 spleen and 1 kidney sample from a single adult female fish collected in the spring of 2012 tested positive for VHSV by rRT-PCR, and serum from the same fish tested positive by VN and ELISA. These results suggest that VHSV persists and viral transmission may be active in Lake Winnebago even in years following outbreaks and that wild fish may survive VHSV infection and maintain detectable antibody titers while harboring viral RNA. Influxes of immunologically naive juvenile fish through recruitment may reduce herd immunity, allow VHSV to persist, and drive superannual cycles of transmission that may sporadically manifest as fish kills.
Two Cases of Urinary Tract Infection Caused by Propionimicrobium lymphophilum
Authors: Williams Glynne D.
Published: July 2015

The first case reports involvingPropionimicrobium lymphophilum, a rarely encountered anaerobic Gram-positive non-spore-forming rod, are presented here as urinary tract infections. Initial detection of these bacteria required urine Gram stains. Comparison of the type strain to the two isolates by various methods is depicted and includes antimicrobial susceptibility data.