bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Botrytis cinerea Population from a Single Strawberry Field in Germany has a Complex Fungicide Resistance Pattern
Authors: Grabke Anja , Stammler Gerd
Published: February 2015

Gray mold, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most important diseases of strawberry in Germany. The application of site-specific fungicides remains the main strategy to reduce disease incidence and severity in the field. Isolates (n = 199) were collected from fungicide-treated strawberry fruit at a German research site with a long history of fungicide efficacy trials against gray mold. Sensitivities to the six site-specific botryticides registered in Germany were determined using microtiter assays. Values for the concentration of a fungicide at which fungal development is inhibited by 50% (EC50) ranged from 0.03 to ≥30 ppm for the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor boscalid, 0.015 to ≥10 ppm for the hydroxyanilide fenhexamid, 0.009 to 0.739 ppm for the phenylpyrrole fludioxonil, 0.55 to 43.45 ppm for the dicarboximide iprodione, 0.021 to ≥3 ppm for the quinone outside inhibitor pyraclostrobin, and 0.106 to ≥30 ppm for the anilinopyrimidine pyrimethanil. Pyrosequencing revealed that amino acid substitutions in the target proteins Bos1 (I365S/N, V368F + Q369H), CytB (G143A), Erg27 (F412S), and SdhB (P225F, N230I, and H272R/Y) were associated with reduced sensitivity levels to the corresponding fungicide classes. In most cases, isolates with a decreased sensitivity to fludioxonil showed a reduced sensitivity to tolnaftate. This reduction is considered to be an indication of multidrug efflux pump activity. The amino acid change I365S, I365N, or V368F + Q369H in Bos1 and H272R in SdhB by itself showed EC50 values of 3.99 to 14.73 ppm, 3.87 to 5.37 ppm, 4.81 to 15.63 ppm, and 2.071 to ≥30 ppm, respectively. When isolates that contained one of these mutations were also multidrug resistant, the ranges of EC50 values shifted to 6.47 to 43.45 ppm for I365S, 7.28 to 29.84 ppm for I365N, 6.89 to 26.67 ppm for V368F + Q369H, and ≥30 ppm for H272R. The reported data suggest that the combination of multidrug resistance and an amino acid change in the target site may result in a lower sensitivity to the fungicides than one resistance mechanism by itself. Although 20% of the population analyzed was sensitive to all six different chemical classes, the majority showed reduced sensitivity to one (6%), two (13%), three (23%), four (17%), five (11%), and six (11%) different fungicides.
Identification of Botryosphaeriaceae Species Causing Kiwifruit Rot in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Zhou You , Gong Guoshu , Cui Yongliang , Zhang Daixi , Chang Xiaoli , Hu Rongping , Liu Na , Sun Xiaofang
Published: February 2015

Species of Botryosphaeriaceae fungi are important plant pathogens causing cankers, blight, and fruit rot in an extremely wide range of host. In recent years, kiwifruit rot has been a serious problem in Sichuan Province, one of the important kiwifruit production areas of China. Botryosphaeria dothidea has previously been associated with kiwifruit rot but little is known regarding whether other Botryosphaeriaceae genera also constitute kiwifruit rot pathogens in China. Accordingly, diseased fruit were collected from six different areas of Sichuan Province. Based on morphological characteristics, pathogenicity testing, and comparisons of DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, transcription elongation factor 1-α, and β-tubulin genes, 135 isolates of Botryosphaeriaceae were identified as B. dothidea, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Neofusicoccum parvum. All of these species were found to cause kiwifruit rot. To understand the infection cycle of kiwifruit rot pathogens, these three species were used to inoculate leaves and shoots of kiwifruit. The results showed that these species could cause spots on leaves and lesions on shoots, producing abundant pycnidia on leaves and shoots surfaces. Moreover, B. dothidea conidia and ascospores from overwintered pycnidia and pseudothecia in kiwifruit orchards in April and August could cause fruit rot and spots on leaves of kiwifruit. Therefore, we concluded that overwintered pycnidia and pseudothecia of B. dothidea in kiwifruit orchards are the primary inoculum for kiwifruit rot, with new pycnidia that develop during the growing season serving as a secondary inoculum. This is the first report of N. parvum and L. theobromae causing kiwifruit rot in China and is also the first report that B. dothidea is able to overwinter as pycnidia and pseudothecia in kiwifruit orchards and serve as the primary inoculum for kiwifruit rot.
Detection of Grapevine Fungal Trunk Pathogens on Pruning Shears and Evaluation of Their Potential for Spread of Infection
Authors: Agustí-Brisach C. , León M. , García-Jiménez J. , Armengol J.
Published: February 2015

Four vineyards visibly affected by trunk diseases were surveyed at pruning time in 2012 and 2013 in Spain, to determine whether pruning tools are capable of spreading grapevine trunk diseases from vine to vine. In each vineyard, pruning shears were regularly rinsed with sterile water, collecting liquid samples for analysis. Molecular detection of grapevine fungal trunk pathogens (GFTPs) was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction using specific primers to detect Botryosphaeriaceae spp. Eutypa lata, Cadophora luteo-olivacea, Phaeoacremonium spp., and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora. All of these GFTPs, with the exception of E. lata, were detected in samples from the four vineyards, C. luteo-olivacea and Phaeoacremonium spp. being the most prevalent. Co-occurrence of two, three, or four different GFTPs from the same sample were found, the simultaneous detection of C. luteo-olivacea and Phaeoacremonium spp. being the most prevalent. In addition, fungal isolation from liquid samples in semiselective culture medium for C. luteo-olivacea, Phaeoacremonium spp., and P. chlamydospora was also performed but only C. luteo-olivacea was recovered from samples collected in three of four vineyards evaluated. Pruning shears artificially infested with suspensions of conidia or mycelial fragments of C. luteo-olivacea, Diplodia seriata, E. lata, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora were used to prune 1-year-old grapevine cuttings of ‘110 Richter’ rootstock. Successful fungal reisolation from the cuttings 4 months after pruning confirmed that infested pruning shears were able to infect them through pruning wounds. These results improve knowledge about the epidemiology of GFTPs and demonstrate the potential of inoculum present on pruning shears to infect grapevines.
Comparison of sister species identifies factors underpinning plastid compatibility in green sea slugs
Authors: de Vries Jan , Woehle Christian , Christa Gregor , Wägele Heike , Tielens Aloysius G. M. , Jahns Peter , Gould Sven B.
Published: February 2015

The only animal cells known that can maintain functional plastids (kleptoplasts) in their cytosol occur in the digestive gland epithelia of sacoglossan slugs. Only a few species of the many hundred known can profit from kleptoplasty during starvation long-term, but why is not understood. The two sister taxa
Elysia cornigera
and
Elysia timida
sequester plastids from the same algal species, but with a very different outcome: while
E. cornigera
usually dies within the first two weeks when deprived of food,
E. timida
can survive for many months to come. Here we compare the responses of the two slugs to starvation, blocked photosynthesis and light stress. The two species respond differently, but in both starvation is the main denominator that alters global gene expression profiles. The kleptoplasts' ability to fix CO
2
decreases at a similar rate in both slugs during starvation, but only
E. cornigera
individuals die in the presence of functional kleptoplasts, concomitant with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the digestive tract. We show that profiting from the acquisition of robust plastids, and key to
E. timida
's longer survival, is determined by an increased starvation tolerance that keeps ROS levels at bay.
Mesopredator suppression by an apex predator alleviates the risk of predation perceived by small prey
Authors: Gordon Christopher E. , Feit Anna , Grüber Jennifer , Letnic Mike
Published: February 2015

Predators can impact their prey via consumptive effects that occur through direct killing, and via non-consumptive effects that arise when the behaviour and phenotypes of prey shift in response to the risk of predation. Although predators' consumptive effects can have cascading population-level effects on species at lower trophic levels there is less evidence that predators' non-consumptive effects propagate through ecosystems. Here we provide evidence that suppression of abundance and activity of a mesopredator (the feral cat) by an apex predator (the dingo) has positive effects on both abundance and foraging efficiency of a desert rodent. Then by manipulating predators' access to food patches we further the idea that apex predators provide small prey with refuge from predation by showing that rodents increased their habitat breadth and use of ‘risky′ food patches where an apex predator was common but mesopredators rare. Our study suggests that apex predators' suppressive effects on mesopredators extend to alleviate both mesopredators' consumptive and non-consumptive effects on prey.
Global Analysis of the Role of Autophagy in Cellular Metabolism and Energy Homeostasis in Arabidopsis Seedlings under Carbon Starvation
Authors: Avin-Wittenberg Tamar , Bajdzienko Krzysztof , Wittenberg Gal , Alseekh Saleh , Tohge Takayuki , Bock Ralph , Giavalisco Patrick , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: February 2015

Germination and early seedling establishment are developmental stages in which plants face limited nutrient supply as their photosynthesis mechanism is not yet active. For this reason, the plant must mobilize the nutrient reserves provided by the mother plant in order to facilitate growth. Autophagy is a catabolic process enabling the bulk degradation of cellular constituents in the vacuole. The autophagy mechanism is conserved among eukaryotes, and homologs of many autophagy-related (ATG) genes have been found in Arabidopsis thaliana. T-DNA insertion mutants (atg mutants) of these genes display higher sensitivity to various stresses, particularly nutrient starvation. However, the direct impact of autophagy on cellular metabolism has not been well studied. In this work, we used etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings as a model system for carbon starvation. atg mutant seedlings display delayed growth in response to carbon starvation compared with wild-type seedlings. High-throughput metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic analyses were performed, as well as extensive flux analyses, in order to decipher the underlying causes of the phenotype. Significant differences between atg mutants and wild-type plants have been demonstrated, suggesting global effects of autophagy on central metabolism during carbon starvation as well as severe energy deprivation, resulting in a morphological phenotype.
Barriers to implementation of IT in educational institutions
Authors: Garg Anchal , Shukla Balvinder , Kendall Graham
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the most significant barriers to successful implementation of information technology (IT) in higher educational institutions (HEIs) of India. Although, educational institutions are investing in IT, they have been not been able to leverage it the same way as other business organizations. The present investigation will assist the management of HEIs to distinguish the key barriers affecting productive IT implementations and further take appropriate measures to deal with it.

Design/methodology/approach

– For the purpose of the study, focus group and semi-structured interviews were conducted with academicians, administrators, functional heads, and IT staff from various HEIs of India. This research attempts to discover the major barriers to successful implementation of IT in HEIs using an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology. Furthermore, structural analysis and classification of barriers is done using MICMAC analysis.

Findings

– The results identified the key barriers that if dealt with can help overcome or lower the effect of other barriers preventing successful IT implementation in HEIs. It will provide roadmap to managers and administrators of HEIs to take appropriate measures to overcome the major barrier to effective implementation of IT.

Originality/value

– Several authors have been studied barriers to implementation of IT in industry and educational institutions, but none have found the most significant barriers that affect successful implementation of IT and may drive other impediments. This research draws inspiration and is being carried out for Indian HEIs.
Antecedents of marketing integration in cross-border mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Sinkovics Rudolf R. , Sinkovics Noemi , Lew Yong Kyu , Jedin Mohd Haniff , Zagelmeyer Stefan
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine operational-level implementation issues regarding mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in general, and resource combination and integration at the functional marketing level in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper introduces four factors (i.e. collaboration, interaction, marketing synergy, and the realignment of marketing resources) that support successful M&A marketing integration and enhance overall M&A performance.

Findings

– The results indicate that marketing synergy and the realignment of marketing resources contribute significantly to the extent of integration. At the same time, the authors find a significant but negative relationship between the interaction dimension and the speed of integration.

Originality/value

– The cultural integration of firms that feature different management styles and organizational cultures has been recognized as a particularly challenging aspect of cross-border M&As. This study explains factors that contribute to effective marketing integration in M&As.
Measuring innovation capability in exporting firms: the INNOVSCALE
Authors: Vicente Margarida , Abrantes José Luís , Teixeira Mário Sérgio
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The development of innovation capability is an important topic for both managers and academics. However, studies that investigate which elements integrate innovation capability in the context of export market are very scarce. Drawing on the resource-based view, the purpose of this paper is to identify important dimensions in order to build a scale to measure innovation capability in exporting firms – the INNOVSCALE.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study draws on data collected by online questionnaire in a sample survey of 471 exporting manufacturing firms. The results were obtained using structural equation modeling. Statistical tests demonstrate that the scale presents composite reliability as well as convergent and nomological validity.

Findings

– The findings reveal that innovation capability is a higher-order construct formed by four dimensions: product development capability, innovativeness, strategic capability, and technological capability. The results also indicate that all four dimensions of the innovation capability scale are positively and significantly associated with export venture performance.

Originality/value

– This study develops a new scale, the INNOVSCALE, which is a measure of innovation capability of exporting firms, and tests its impact on three measures of export venture performance, namely financial, strategic, and achievement.
Performance measurement adoption and business performance
Authors: Otheitis Nikolaos , Kunc Martin
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– Seaborne trade accounts for 90 per cent of world’s total trade activity. Ship management is a highly skilled discipline with a high degree of complexity yet it has failed to follow with the same pace the advancements of performance measurement systems (PMSs) like other industries. Business performance measurement has only recently become a relevant topic in shipping. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the adoption of PMS in the shipping industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was developed based on the performance measurement literature and submitted to 100 shipping companies around the world obtaining 41 usable questionnaires covering 13 countries from Europe, Asia and America.

Findings

– The adoption of performance measurement differs based on type of business: liquid bulk (tanker) vessels and bulk carriers or containers. Quality and safety management systems have fostered the adoption of performance measurement positively in tankers impacting decision making and the performance of shipping companies using PMS.

Research limitations/implications

– While the sample is representative of the situation of the industry, it represents the results of one point in time.

Practical implications

– The use of PMSs can be a tool to achieve superior performance but it may be fostered by, and has to be aligned with the needs of, internal and external stakeholders. Early adopters in the shipping industry are among the leaders in the industry.

Originality/value

– The paper is a unique contribution to performance measurement since it explores the adoption of PMSs and its impact in performance at industry level in a global industry.
Home institutions, internationalization and firm performance
Authors: Chen Yan , Zhai Rui-Rui , Wang Chengqi , Zhong Changbiao
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how home institutions moderate the influence of internationalization, and the effect this has on the performance of stock-listed Chinese firms.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of 118 stock-listed Chinese firms over the period 2006-2011 was considered, using the panel data method.

Findings

– The results show that foreign ownership and region-specific marketization help firms reap the performance benefits of internationalization, while state ownership plays an insignificant role.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings may not hold for unlisted firms, service firms or firms from other emerging economies.

Practical implications

– The study suggests that Chinese managers should take advantage of home country institutions to improve the effects of internationalization on performance.

Originality/value

– This research suggests that the analysis of the performance consequences of internationalization should go beyond the nexus between internationalization and performance, and also consider the home institutional factors that may facilitate or constrain the focal relationship.
Impact of network capability on small business performance
Authors: Zacca Robert , Dayan Mumin , Ahrens Thomas
Published: February 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to measure the impact of network capability (NC) on small enterprise performance via knowledge creation, and two dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO): competitive aggressiveness and innovativeness.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors propose a theoretical model that was tested using a survey instrument administered to owners and managers of small-sized enterprises within the United Arab Emirates. Theory development was assisted by semi-structured interviews with an independent sample of owners and managers of small enterprises.

Findings

– The results show that NC is positively related to knowledge creation and that competitive aggressiveness and innovativeness are key mediators between knowledge creation and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The study contributes to theoretical development by integrating the domains of NC and knowledge creation to EO and small business performance. The authors show that the conversion from NC to small business performance is mediated by knowledge creation and the two dimensions of EO: innovativeness and competitive aggressiveness.

Practical implications

– The study findings present interesting practical implications for small business owners seeking to shift their firm’s orientation toward being more entrepreneurial.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the crucial role innovativeness and competitive aggressiveness play as mediators when the relation between knowledge creation and small business performance is examined.
‘That doesn't translate’: the role of evidence‐based practice in disempowering speech pathologists in acute aphasia management
Authors: Foster Abby , Worrall Linda , Rose Miranda , O'Halloran Robyn
Published: February 2015

Background

An evidence–practice gap has been identified in current acute aphasia management practice, with the provision of services to people with aphasia in the acute hospital widely considered in the literature to be inconsistent with best‐practice recommendations. The reasons for this evidence–practice gap are unclear; however, speech pathologists practising in this setting have articulated a sense of dissonance regarding their limited service provision to this population. A clearer understanding of why this evidence–practice gap exists is essential in order to support and promote evidence‐based approaches to the care of people with aphasia in acute care settings.

Aims

To provide an understanding of speech pathologists’ conceptualization of evidence‐based practice for acute post‐stroke aphasia, and its implementation.

Methods & Procedures

This study adopted a phenomenological approach, underpinned by a social constructivist paradigm. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 14 Australian speech pathologists, recruited using a purposive sampling technique. An inductive thematic analysis of the data was undertaken.

Outcomes & Results

A single, overarching theme emerged from the data. Speech pathologists demonstrated a sense of disempowerment as a result of their relationship with evidence‐based practice for acute aphasia management. Three subthemes contributed to this theme. The first described a restricted conceptualization of evidence‐based practice. The second revealed speech pathologists’ strained relationships with the research literature. The third elucidated a sense of professional unease over their perceived inability to enact evidence‐based clinical recommendations, despite their desire to do so.

Conclusions & Implications

Speech pathologists identified a current knowledge–practice gap in their management of aphasia in acute hospital settings. Speech pathologists place significant emphasis on the research evidence; however, their engagement with the research is limited, in part because it is perceived to lack clinical utility. A sense of professional dissonance arises from the conflict between a desire to provide best practice and the perceived barriers to implementing evidence‐based recommendations clinically, resulting in evidence‐based practice becoming a disempowering concept for some.
Swallowing disorders in Parkinson's disease: impact of lingual pumping
Authors: Argolo Natalie , Sampaio Marília , Pinho Patrícia , Melo Ailton , Nóbrega Ana Caline
Published: February 2015

Background

Lingual pumping (LP) is a repetitive, involuntary, anteroposterior movement of the tongue on the soft palate that is executed prior to transferring the food bolus to the pharynx, but we also observed LP when multiple swallows were taken. LP may be associated with rigidity and bradykinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This phenomenon tends to be more prevalent in dysphagic PD patients, and its impact on swallowing dynamics remains poorly understood.

Objective

To evaluate how LP interferes with the oral and pharyngeal phases of the swallowing of foods of different consistencies and volumes.

Methods

We used videofluoroscopy to study the swallowing of 69 PD patients performing 10 swallows of barium mixed with foods of different consistencies and volumes.

Results

LP was associated with the unstable intra‐oral organization of the bolus, the loss of bolus control, the pharyngeal retention of food and food entering the airway. This abnormal movement was also associated with a shorter oral transit time and was found to be more prevalent with food of thicker consistencies.

Conclusions

LP is associated with swallowing incoordination and with food entering the airway. Preventive measures to minimise the pulmonary or nutritional consequences of this behaviour are necessary.
The red coral (Corallium rubrum) transcriptome: a new resource for population genetics and local adaptation studies
Authors: Pratlong M. , Haguenauer A. , Chabrol O. , Klopp C. , Pontarotti P. , Aurelle D.
Published: February 2015

The question of species survival and evolution in heterogeneous environments has long been a subject for study. Indeed, it is often difficult to identify the molecular basis of adaptation to contrasted environments, and nongenetic effects increase the difficulty to disentangle fixed effects, such as genetic adaptation, from variable effects, such as individual phenotypic plasticity, in adaptation. Nevertheless, this question is also of great importance for understanding the evolution of species in a context of climate change. The red coral (Corallium rubrum) lives in the Mediterranean Sea, where at depths ranging from 5 to 600 m, it meets very contrasted thermal conditions. The shallowest populations of this species suffered from mortality events linked with thermal anomalies that have highlighted thermotolerance differences between individuals. We provide here a new transcriptomic resource, as well as candidate markers for the study of local adaptation. We sequenced the transcriptome of six individuals from 5 m and six individuals from 40 m depth at the same site of the Marseilles bay, after a period of common garden acclimatization. We found differential expression maintained between the two depths even after common garden acclimatization, and we analysed the polymorphism pattern of these samples. We highlighted contigs potentially implicated in the response to thermal stress, which could be good candidates for the study of thermal adaptation for the red coral. Some of these genes are also involved in the response to thermal stress in other corals. Our method enables the identification of candidate loci of local adaptation useful for other nonmodel organisms.
Effects of injectable extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX) for opioid dependence on residential rehabilitation outcomes and early follow‐up
Authors: Leslie Douglas L. , Milchak William , Gastfriend David R. , Herschman Philip L. , Bixler Edward O. , Velott Diana L. , Meyer Roger E.
Published: February 2015

Background and Objectives

Little is known about the use of extended‐release naltrexone (XR‐NTX) during residential rehabilitation, and its effects on early outcomes and rates of follow‐up treatment. This study examined patient characteristics and rates of treatment completion and engagement in post‐residential care of opioid dependent patients who received XR‐NTX during residential rehabilitation, compared with patients who did not receive this medication.

Methods

Electronic records for opioid dependent patients from three Pennsylvania residential detoxification and treatment facilities (N = 7,687) were retrospectively analyzed. We determined the proportion of patients who received XR‐NTX (INJ), and compared rates of treatment completion and engagement in follow‐up care relative to a naturalistic control group of patients recommended for, but not administered, XR‐NTX (Non‐INJ). Data on whether the patient initiated follow‐up care were available from one site (N = 3,724).

Results

Overall, 598 (7.8%) patients were recommended for XR‐NTX and of these, 168 (28.1%) received injections. Compared to non‐INJ patients, INJ patients were less likely to leave against medical advice (4.8% vs. 30.2%, p < .001) and more likely to initiate follow‐up care (37.7% vs. 19.7%, p < .001). These differences remained significant after controlling for demographic covariates using regression analysis.

Conclusions

XR‐NTX was associated with higher rates of residential and early post‐residential care engagement in patients with opioid dependence.

Scientific Significance

XR‐NTX may be an effective adjunct in the residential treatment and aftercare of patients with opioid dependence. (Am J Addict 2015;24:265–270)
The link between competitive sports and gambling behaviors among youths
Authors: Gavriel‐Fried Belle , Bronstein Israel , Sherpsky Idit
Published: February 2015

Background and Objectives

This study examines the association between physical activities and gambling, making a distinction between two characteristics of the former: intensity level and type (competitive/non‐competitive).

Method

316 adolescents from four high schools in Israel completed questionnaires.

Results

For males, participation in competitive athletic sports was associated with gambling frequency and problem gambling. For females, participation in competitive athletic sports was associated only with gambling frequency.

Conclusions

Both types of physical activity and gender are important when analyzing the association between gambling and sporting activities.

Scientific Significance

Youths involved in competitive sports are at greater risk for gambling involvement. (Am J Addict 2015;24:200–202)
Detection of relevant amounts of cow's milk protein in non‐pre‐packed bakery products sold as cow's milk‐free
Authors: Trendelenburg V. , Enzian N. , Bellach J. , Schnadt S. , Niggemann B. , Beyer K.
Published: February 2015

Background

Currently, there is no mandatory labelling of allergens for non‐pre‐packed foods in the EU. Therefore, consumers with food allergy rely on voluntary information provided by the staff. The aim of this study was to characterize allergic reactions to non‐pre‐packed foods and to investigate whether staff in bakery shops were able to give advice regarding a safe product choice.

Methods

Questionnaires were sent to 200 parents of children with a food allergy. Staff of 50 bakery shops were interviewed regarding selling non‐pre‐packed foods to food‐allergic customers. Bakery products being recommended as ‘cow's milk‐free’ were bought, and cow's milk protein levels were measured using ELISA.

Results

A total of 104 of 200 questionnaires were returned. 25% of the children experienced an allergic reaction due to a non‐pre‐packed food from bakery shops and 20% from ice cream parlours. Sixty percent of the bakery staff reported serving food‐allergic customers at least once a month, 24% once a week. Eighty four percent of the staff felt able to advise food‐allergic consumers regarding a safe product choice. Seventy three ‘cow's milk‐free’ products were sold in 44 bakery shops. Cow's milk could be detected in 43% of the bakery products, 21% contained >3 mg cow's milk protein per serving.

Conclusion

Staff in bakery shops felt confident about advising customers with food allergy. However, cow's milk was detectable in almost half of bakery products being sold as ‘cow's milk‐free’. Every fifth product contained quantities of cow's milk exceeding an amount where approximately 10% of cow's milk‐allergic children will show clinical relevant symptoms.
Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in a specialized thyroid surgery unit: would routine intraoperative neuromonitoring alter outcomes?
Authors: Sarkis Leba M. , Zaidi Nisar , Norlén Olov , Delbridge Leigh W. , Sywak Mark S. , Sidhu Stan B.
Published: February 2015

Background

Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy following total thyroidectomy is a rare complication, however, poses significant morbidity to the patient when it does occur. The purpose of this paper was to determine the incidence of bilateral RLN palsy in a specialized thyroid unit and determine whether the routine use of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) would alter the outcome.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of prospectively gathered data. A total of 7406 patients underwent total thyroidectomy at the University of Sydney Endocrine Surgical Unit between January 1990 and February 2014. IONM was utilized on a selective basis and we sought to assess whether IONM would have altered outcome in those patients who developed bilateral RLN palsy.

Results

Of the 7406 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, seven patients (0.09%) developed bilateral RLN palsy during the study period. There was one permanent RLN palsy (0.01%) and routine IONM may have prevented one death and altered the outcome in two of the seven patients.

Conclusion

Bilateral RLN palsy is a rare entity occurring in one out of 1000 cases in a specialized thyroid unit. IONM may facilitate the decision to pursue delayed surgery where the signal is lost on the first surgical side and has the potential to avoid bilateral RLN palsy following total thyroidectomy.
Do bacteria play an important role in the pathogenesis of low back pain?
Authors: Fisher Thomas J. , Osti Orso L.
Published: February 2015

Considerable interest has been generated recently regarding an alternative hypothesis for the pathogenesis of low back pain and radiculopathy in the presence of intervertebral disc prolapse. Traditionally, back pain and radicular (sciatic) symptoms have been attributed to mechanical compression of neural tissue by herniated disc material and to inflammation caused by exposure of the nerve roots to disc tissue. Recent research however has suggested that low‐grade infection within the intervertebral disc by anaerobic bacteria may be responsible. The development of Modic changes in the corresponding adjacent vertebral endplates has also been suggested as an indicator of infection. This article is a thorough review of the current literature regarding the hypothesis that low‐grade anaerobic bacterial infection may be the cause of disabling low back pain and radiculopathy.
Detecting Clinically Meaningful Biomarkers with Repeated Measurements: An Illustration with Electronic Health Records
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin A. , Assimes Themistocles , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Hastie Trevor
Published: February 2015

Data sources with repeated measurements are an appealing resource to understand the relationship between changes in biological markers and risk of a clinical event. While longitudinal data present opportunities to observe changing risk over time, these analyses can be complicated if the measurement of clinical metrics is sparse and/or irregular, making typical statistical methods unsuitable. In this article, we use electronic health record (EHR) data as an example to present an analytic procedure to both create an analytic sample and analyze the data to detect clinically meaningful markers of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Using an EHR from a large national dialysis organization we abstracted the records of 64,318 individuals and identified 4769 people that had an MI during the study period. We describe a nested case-control design to sample appropriate controls and an analytic approach using regression splines. Fitting a mixed-model with truncated power splines we perform a series of goodness-of-fit tests to determine whether any of 11 regularly collected laboratory markers are useful clinical predictors. We test the clinical utility of each marker using an independent test set. The results suggest that EHR data can be easily used to detect markers of clinically acute events. Special software or analytic tools are not needed, even with irregular EHR data.
Joint Modeling of Cross-Sectional Health Outcomes and Longitudinal Predictors via Mixtures of Means and Variances
Authors: Jiang Bei , Elliott Michael R. , Sammel Mary D. , Wang Naisyin
Published: February 2015

Joint modeling methods have become popular tools to link important features extracted from longitudinal data to a primary event. While most modeling strategies have focused on the association between the longitudinal mean trajectories and risk of an event, we consider joint models that incorporate information from both long-term trends and short-term variability in a longitudinal submodel. We also consider both shared random effect and latent class (LC) approaches in the primary-outcome model to predict a binary outcome of interest. We develop simulation studies to compare and contrast these two modeling strategies; in particular, we study in detail the effects of the primary-outcome model misspecification. Among other findings, we note that when we analyze data from a shared random-effect using a LC model while the information from the longitudinal data is weak, the LC approach is more sensitive to such a model misspecification. Under this setting, the LC model has a superior performance in within-sample prediction that cannot be duplicated when predicting new samples. This is a unique feature of the LC approach that is new as far as we know to the existing literature. Finally, we use the proposed models to study how follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) trajectories are related to the risk of developing severe hot flashes for participating women in the Penn Ovarian Aging Study.
Leaving the Executive Committee of the Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology
Authors: Matsumoto Yoh
Published: February 2015

I joined the Japanese Society for Neuroimmunology at its establishment in 1988. Now, I am going to step down from the Executive Committee of the Society. I sincerely thank all the members for support. Dr Kira gave me a great opportunity to make suggestions on improving the Society.
Broadening of cohesinopathies: exome sequencing identifies mutations in ANKRD11 in two patients with Cornelia de Lange‐overlapping phenotype
Authors: Parenti I. , Gervasini C. , Pozojevic J. , Graul‐Neumann L. , Azzollini J. , Braunholz D. , Watrin E. , Wendt K.S. , Cereda A. , Cittaro D. , Gillessen‐Kaesbach G. , Lazarevic D. , Mariani M. , Russo S. , Werner R. , Krawitz P. , Larizza L. , Selicorni A. , Kaiser F.J.
Published: February 2015

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) and KBG syndrome are two distinct developmental pathologies sharing common features such as intellectual disability, psychomotor delay, and some craniofacial and limb abnormalities. Mutations in one of the five genes NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, HDAC8 or RAD21, were identified in at least 70% of the patients with CdLS. Consequently, additional causative genes, either unknown or responsible of partially merging entities, possibly account for the remaining 30% of the patients. In contrast, KBG has only been associated with mutations in ANKRD11. By exome sequencing we could identify heterozygous loss‐of‐function mutations in ANKRD11 in two patients with the clinical diagnosis of CdLS. Both patients show features reminiscent of CdLS such as characteristic facies as well as a small head circumference which is not described for KBG syndrome. Patient A, who carries the mutation in a mosaic state, is a 4‐year‐old girl with features reminiscent of CdLS. Patient B, a 15‐year‐old boy, shows a complex phenotype which resembled CdLS during infancy, but has developed to a more KBG overlapping phenotype during childhood. These findings point out the importance of screening ANKRD11 in young CdLS patients who were found to be negative for mutations in the five known CdLS genes.
Repeated implantation failure: a new potential treatment option
Authors: Makrigiannakis Antonis , BenKhalifa Moncef , Vrekoussis Thomas , Mahjub Sami , Kalantaridou Sophia N. , Gurgan Timur
Published: February 2015

Background

Previous studies have shown that the intrauterine administration of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) may improve pregnancy outcome of women with repeated implantation failure (RIF). We have demonstrated that, during implantation, corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) plays a key role in facilitating endometrial decidualization and maternal–foetal immunotolerance. In the present preliminary study, we investigated whether the intrauterine administration of autologous CRH‐treated PBMC can improve clinical pregnancy rates of women with RIF.

Methods

Forty‐five (n = 45) women with at least three failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts and no previously reported clinical pregnancy were included in this crossover study. All women underwent controlled ovarian stimulation using the long GnRH agonist protocol. PBMC were isolated at day of oocyte retrieval, treated with CRH and administered in the uterine cavity at day 2, following oocyte retrieval. Blastocyst transfer was performed on day 5.

Results

Following the CRH‐PBMC intrauterine administration, a significant increase was observed in the clinical pregnancy rate of this cohort of women with RIF (20/45 women had a clinical pregnancy; 44·44%, P < 10−3) compared to the previous null clinical pregnancy rate prior to the intervention.

Conclusion

The current findings support a possible role for the intrauterine administration of autologous CRH‐treated PBMC in treating women with RIF. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of this intervention.
Response to letter from Dr Freeman
Authors: Naylor R. , Knowles E. , Wilford S. , Linnenkohl W. , Taylor A. , Mair T. , Johns I.
Published: February 2015

See article by Naylor et al. and correspondence by Freeman
The late‐modernAmerican jail: epistemologies of space and violence
Authors: Morin Karen M
Published: February 2015

One of the most troubling aspects of current trends inAmerican mass incarceration is the extent to which ‘criminality’ is produced within prison walls, primarily in the form of inmate–inmate or inmate–staff assaults. Most methods of prison or jail control have the adverse, and perverse, effect of increasing inmates' levels of fear, terror, and ultimately violence – with stabbings, beatings, and other types of assaults common occurrences. The design of podular ‘direct supervision’ jails and their accompanying philosophies of punishment aspire to change these conditions. Direct supervision features correctional officers inside each housing unit with no physical barriers impeding supervision, and is intended to create a safe, more humane, stress‐free environment for both inmates and staff. This study draws on ethnographic evidence of inmate experiences with direct supervision atDouglas County Department of Corrections inOmaha,Nebraska (USA). The respondents generally do feel safe in this jail environment, for a combination of reasons, some of which are related to spatial design. Inmates identified a number of implications – gains and losses – of this more ‘humane’ form of incarceration in terms of power and empowerment. The study also documents the potential for inmate activism on their own behalf through this design.
Peer support for CKD patients and carers: overcoming barriers and facilitating access
Authors: Taylor Francesca , Gutteridge Robin , Willis Carol
Published: February 2015

Background

Peer support is valued by its users. Nevertheless, there is initial low take‐up of formal peer support programmes among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), with fewer patients participating than expressing an interest. There is little evidence on reasons for low participation levels. Few studies have examined the perspectives of carers.

Objective

To explore with CKD patients and carers their needs, wants and expectations from formal peer support and examine how barriers to participation may be overcome.

Methods

Qualitative interviews with a sample of 26 CKD stage five patients and carers. Principles of Grounded Theory were applied to data coding and analysis.

Setting

Six NHS Hospital Trusts.

Results

Whilst informal peer support might occur naturally and is welcomed, a range of emotional and practical barriers inhibit take‐up of more formalized support. Receptivity varies across time and the disease trajectory and is associated with emotional readiness; patients and carers needing to overcome complex psychological hurdles such as acknowledging support needs. Practical barriers include limited understanding of peer support. An attractive peer relationship is felt to involve reciprocity based on sharing experiences and both giving and receiving support. Establishing rapport is linked with development of reciprocity.

Conclusions

There is potential to facilitate active uptake of formal peer support by addressing the identified barriers. Our study suggests several facilitation methods, brought together in a conceptual model, including clinician promotion of peer support as an intervention suitable for anyone with CKD and their carers, and opportunity for choice of peer supporter.
Immunohistochemical study of endometrial high‐grade endometrioid carcinoma with or without a concurrent low‐grade component: implications for pathogenetic and survival differences
Authors: Mao Tsui‐Lien , Ayhan Ayse , Kuo Kuang‐Ting , Lin Ming‐Chieh , Tseng Li‐Hui , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: February 2015

Aims

To compare the clinical and pathogenetic differences between high‐grade (HG) endometrioid carcinomas with and without concurrent low‐grade (LG) components.

Methods and results

The expression of ARID1A, PTEN, p53 and mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in HG endometrioid carcinomas without (n = 19) or with (n = 22) concurrent LG endometrioid carcinomas was studied by immunohistochemistry. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was also tested in 31 cases. The frequencies of ARID1A loss, PTEN loss, MMR deficiency or MSI and aberrant p53 expression were 58%, 37%, 37% and 47% in pure HG tumours, and 77%, 45%, 55% and 32% in HG tumours with concurrent LG components (P = 0.07 for ARID1A; P > 0.1 for other proteins). Pure HG tumours had a higher frequency of the type II phenotype (positive for ARID1A, PTEN and MMR proteins; aberrant p53 expression) than HG tumours with concurrent LG components (21% versus 5%) (P = 0.2). The 5‐year overall survival rate was worse for pure HG tumours (61.7%) than for HG tumours with concurrent LG components (93.3%) (P = 0.07).

Conclusions

HG endometrioid carcinomas are heterogeneous in pathogenesis: some arise from LG endometrioid carcinomas via the type I pathway, whereas others may arise de novo through either the type I pathway or the type II pathway, and have a different prognosis. Thus, HG endometrioid carcinomas should be subclassified properly and treated accordingly.
Periosteal chondrosarcoma: a histopathological and molecular analysis of a rare chondrosarcoma subtype
Authors: Cleven Arjen H G , Zwartkruis Evita , Hogendoorn Pancras C W , Kroon Herman M , Briaire‐de Bruijn Inge , Bovée Judith V M G
Published: February 2015

Aims

Periosteal chondrosarcoma is a rare, malignant cartilage‐forming neoplasm originating from the periosteal surface of bone. We collected 38 cases from the archives of the Netherlands Committee on Bone Tumours, with the aim of studying histological features and evaluating the involvement of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), EXT, Wnt/β‐catenin, the pRB pathway (CDK4 and p16), and the TP53 pathway (p53 and MDM2).

Methods and results

Histology showed a moderately cellular matrix with mucoid–myxoid changes and, in 42% of cases, formation of a neocortex. Occasional intramedullary extension (26%) and subsequent host bone entrapment (40%) were seen. Histological grading revealed grade 1 (53%) and grade 2 (45%). The EXT1 protein was normally expressed, and mutations in IDH1 were observed in only 15% of cases. pRb signalling was deregulated by loss of p16 expression in 50% of cases, and Wnt signalling was lost in 89%. No alterations were found in CDK4, p53, or MDM2.

Conclusions

We report the first large histological and molecular study on periosteal chondrosarcoma showing that histopathological examination and molecular aberrations do not predict prognosis. Although the mutation frequency of IDH1 was low, we confirm the supposed relationship with central chondrosarcoma. Moreover, we identify loss of canonical Wnt signalling and deregulation of pRb signalling as possible events contributing to its histogenesis.