bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncoplastic surgery for inner quadrant breast cancer: fish‐hook incision rotation flap
Authors: Lee Seokwon , Lee Jeeyeon , Jung Younglae , Bae Youngtae
Published: October 2015

Background

In oncoplastic breast surgery, the size and location of the defect are two of the major factors affecting the post‐operative cosmetic outcome after partial mastectomy. We introduce a modified superior‐based dermoglandular rotation flap technique, which can be applied for relatively large tumours and in cases of inner quadrant defects of the breast without surgery of the contralateral breast.

Methods

Between January 2007 and December 2012, a total of 34 female patients with breast cancer underwent breast‐conserving surgery using the ‘fish‐hook incision rotational flap’. A fish‐hook‐shaped skin incision line was designed from an axillary site to the tumour, about 2–3 cm below the skin crease of the inframammary fold. After partial mastectomy, a superior‐based dermoglandular tissue flap was mobilized off the pectoralis major muscle and the lower abdominal flap was dissected downward. The dermoglandular flap was then rotated and the lower dissected lower abdominal flap was advanced in the upward direction to fill the defect and restore the breast shape. The cosmetic results were self‐estimated 12 months after surgery.

Results

Mean excised volume of the breast was 23.2 ± 6.1%. The location of the tumours was as follows: upper inner (n = 13, 38.2%) and lower inner quadrant (n = 21, 61.8%). The overall cosmetic satisfaction was self‐estimated as follows: excellent (n = 19, 55.9%); good (n = 10, 29.4%); fair (n = 4, 11.8%); poor (n = 1, 2.9%).

Conclusions

The ‘fish‐hook incision rotation flap’ is a feasible, effective oncoplastic technique that can be applicable to a relatively large defect located in the inner quadrant of the breast.
Magnetic Stimulation of the Spinal Cord: Evaluating the Characteristics of an Appropriate Stimulator
Authors: Cretu Mihaela , Darabant Adrian , Ciupa Radu V.
Published: October 2015

This article aims to determine the necessary characteristics of a magnetic stimulator, capable of stimulating neural tracts of the spinal cord in a healthy subject. Our previous preliminary tests had shown that the commercial clinical magnetic stimulator Magstim Rapid2 was unable to reach excitable structures within the spinal cord, and only adjacent spinal nerves could be activated with the maximal deliverable field strength. In a subsequent modeling study, we were able to show that the “figure eight”‐shaped commercial coil could be one reason for, in this particular application, insufficient reach of the magnetic field, and substantial improvements could be gained by alternative geometrical arrangement of the windings of the magnetic coils. A further outcome was that a substantially higher driving voltage for the coil would be necessary to achieve activation of neural tracts within the spinal cord.
The Relationship Between Activity Pattern and Muscle Adaptation in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Jarvis Jonathan C.
Published: October 2015

Muscle is highly plastic in terms of size (maximum force), speed, maximum power, and endurance. Well‐controlled studies in animals have shown that the adult skeletal muscle fiber has a remarkable ability to modify its gene expression so that with long‐term substantial changes in the daily activity pattern the contractile phenotype can be modified across the whole spectrum of fiber type found in control muscle. The contractile phenotype in this context includes the isoform content of myosin and therefore the maximum velocity of shortening, the mitochondrial content and therefore the specific force and aerobic capacity (endurance), and the calcium handling proteins and therefore the speed of activation and relaxation. With voluntary exercise in human subjects, similar responses are observed, although the degree of transformation is restricted by the practical limitations of exercise dosing to changes in mitochondrial activity and muscle size rather than the more profound changes in contractile protein isoform that can be induced with artificial activation over a substantial proportion of the day.
Electrochemical and Electrophysiological Performance of Platinum Electrodes Within the Ninety‐Nine‐Electrode Stimulating Nerve Cuff
Authors: Pečlin Polona , Mehle Andraž , Karpe Blaž , Rozman Janez
Published: October 2015

The trend in neural prostheses using selective nerve stimulation for electrical stimulation therapies is headed toward single‐part systems having a large number of working electrodes (WEs), each of which selectively stimulate neural tissue or record neural response (NR). The present article reviews the electrochemical and electrophysiological performance of platinum WE within a ninety‐nine‐electrode spiral cuff for selective nerve stimulation and recording of peripheral nerves, with a focus on the vagus nerve (VN). The electrochemical properties of the WE were studied in vitro using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The equivalent circuit model (ECM) of the interface between the WE and neural tissue was extracted from the EIS data and simulated in the time domain using a preset current stimulus. Electrophysiological performance of in‐space and fiber‐type highly selective vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was tested using an isolated segment of a porcine VN and carotid artery as a reference. A quasitrapezoidal current‐controlled pulse (stimulus) was applied to the VN or arterial segment using an appointed group of three electrodes (triplet). The triplet and stimulus were configured to predominantly stimulate B‐fibers and minimize the stimulation of A‐fibers. The EIS results revealed capacitive charge transfer predominance, which is a highly desirable property. Electrophysiological performance testing indicated the potential existence of certain parameters and waveforms of the stimulus for which the contribution of the A‐fibers to the NR decreased slightly and that of the B‐fibers increased slightly. Findings show that the design of the stimulating electrodes, based on the EIS and ECM results, could act as a useful tool for nerve cuff development.
Lacustrine sedimentological and geochemical records for the last 170 years of climate and environmental changes in southeastern China
Authors: Selvaraj Kandasamy , Lin Bao Zhi , Lou Jiann‐Yuh , Xia Wei Lan , Huang Xiang Tong , Chen Chen‐Tung A.
Published: October 2015

Reconstruction of modern climate and environmental changes in east Asia using inland natural climate archives can provide valuable insights on decadal–multidecadal climate and environmental patterns that are probably related to both natural and anthropogenic forcing. Here we investigated an 89‐cm‐long sediment core (TH1) from Tian Lake, southeastern China, for sedimentological, physical and geochemical parameters in order to understand climate and environmental changes for the latest two centuries. 137Cs‐ and 210Pb‐based age models show that the fine sand–coarse silt‐dominated core contains ~170 years (c. AD 1842–2011) of continuous sedimentation. Sediments with fine sands, low MS values, high water content, high TOC content and a high C:N ratio from c. AD 1842 to 1897 suggest intense hydrological conditions and strong runoff in the catchment, probably because of a humid climate. From AD 1897 to 1990, sediments with very fine sand and coarse silt, high MS values, low water content and unchanged TOC and C:N ratios indicate normal hydrological conditions and in‐lake algae‐derived organic matter. During this interval, the chemical weathering indicators show stronger weathering conditions compared with sediments deposited during AD 1842–1897, supporting the dominance of weathered surface soil input in the earlier interval and physical erosion dominance in the later period, respectively. Since AD 1990, the continuous decrease of geochemical proxies suggests human‐interacted Earth surface processes in the catchment of Tian Lake. A PCA revealed four dominant geochemical controlling factors – detrital input, trophic status, grain size and early diagenesis –, accounting for 26, 20, 18 and 16% of total variance, respectively. This study for the first time provides lacustrine geochemical evidence for the most recent two centuries of climate and environmental changes in coastal southeastern China, a region that is currently undergoing an inversion of critical zone, i.e. an overturning of its soil profile, owing to swift modernization.
Introduction: Looked‐after children
Authors: Pinto Carmen , Woolgar Matt
Published: October 2015

Looked‐after children (LAC) (also known as children in care) are among the most vulnerable group in our society. This is in terms of their risk of a range of poor outcomes including mental health, educational attainment and social wellbeing (Meltzer, Gatward, Corbin, Goodman, & Ford, 2003). Over the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that LAC have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than the general population, including children living with their families in ‘high‐risk’ populations. These children present with high rates of, not only emotional and behavioural problems, but also neurodevelopmental problems. The present Virtual Issue focusing on the mental health of this group of young people brings together research published in CAMH over the past 15 years.
SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF TAX‐BASED STIMULUS PACKAGES?
Authors: Arin K. Peren , Helles Peter H. , Koyuncu Murat , Reich Otto F. M.
Published: October 2015

We investigate the effects of tax policy shocks on the U.S. economy over the 1972:3–2008:4 period within a structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) framework. Disaggregating tax shocks suggests that the positive output multipliers documented for total taxes by the previous literature are present only for indirect tax innovations. We also show that both labor and corporate taxes have similar effects on output, with labor tax multipliers being slightly larger in magnitude. The positive and negative responses of inflation following respectively corporate and labor tax shocks imply that former shocks work through aggregate supply, whereas the latter work predominantly through aggregate demand. (JELC32, E62, H20)
Is Migraine Surgery Ready for Prime Time? The Surgical Team's View
Authors: Guyuron Bahman
Published: October 2015

Background

Based on unsolicited reports by patients that their headaches had ceased or reduced following forehead rejuvenation, our team began stepwise and logical studies to investigate the efficacy of surgery as a potential preventive modality for selected patients with migraine headaches (MH). The purpose of this report is to summarize the pertinent studies demonstrating the efficacy of surgical decompression trigger sites of migraine trigger sites.

Methods

These studies included a retrospective, a prospective pilot, a prospective randomized study with a control arm, a prospective randomized study with sham surgery, and a 5‐year follow‐up. There were 3 reputable and respected neurologists who specialize in headaches, an expert biostatistician, 13 residents, and 10 medical students involved in these studies.

Results

In our retrospective study, of the 249 patients, 39 confirmed having MH prior to the surgery, and 31 (P < .0001) experienced either complete elimination or significant improvement (at least 50% reduction) of their MH. In our prospective pilot study, 21 of the 22 patients noted a significant improvement (P < .001). In our prospective randomized study, 82 of 89 (92%) observed at least 50% improvement in the frequency, intensity, and duration of MH (P < .00001). Sixty‐one of 69 (88%) patients in this study who were followed for 5 years persisted to have significant improvement after 5 years (P < .0001). In our randomized study involving sham surgery, 21 of the 49 (83%) patients benefitted from the real surgery compared to 15 of 26 (56%) patients in the sham surgery group (P = .014). While 28 (57%) patients in the real surgery group observed complete elimination, only 1 patient in the sham surgery group reported elimination (P < .0001).

Conclusions

This report discusses the facts surrounding the discovery of this surgery, demonstrates accuracy of our studies and effectiveness of the proposed surgeries and dispels some of the unfounded assertions trying to discredit the research that we have conducted over 14 years.
Migraine Trigger Site Surgery is All Placebo
Authors: McGeeney Brian E.
Published: October 2015

Background

Over the last decade surgical treatments for migraine involving proposed trigger sites have been described and popularized by plastic surgeons in particular. Various related techniques aim to free up “trigger sites” by removal of small facial muscles or “decompressing” small facial nerves.

Discussion

The basis for migraine trigger site surgery is without merit. There is one positive placebo controlled study with many limitations. Natural history and placebo mechanisms explain the outcomes from migraine surgery. The American Headache Society recommends that the migraine surgery not be performed outside of a clinical trial.

Conclusion

Migraine trigger site surgery should not be performed.
Eradication Rates of Helicobacter pylori in Korea Over the Past 10 years and Correlation of the Amount of Antibiotics Use: Nationwide Survey
Authors: Shin Woon Geon , Lee Sang Woo , Baik Gwang Ho , Huh Kyu Chan , Lee Sang In , Chung Jun‐Won , Jung Woon Tae , Park Moo In , Jung Hye‐kyung , Kim Heung Up , Kim Jeong Hwan , Seol Sang Young , Yoon Soon Man , Jeon Seong Woo , Hong Su Jin , Kim Gwang Ha , Lee Dong Ho , Kim Hyun Soo , Choi Suck Chei , Kang Hee Mo , Lee Joongyub , Kim Jae Gyu , Kim Jae J.
Published: October 2015

Background

The efficacy of proton‐pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–clarithromycin therapy for H. pylori eradication has decreased over time.

Objective

We assessed the trend of H. pylori eradication rates over the last 10 years and the relationship between the eradication rates and the amount of macrolide antibiotic use in a country with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection.

Methods

This vast nationwide multicenter study was conducted with 34,139 adults treated for H. pylori infection from January 2001 to December 2010. The defined daily dose per km2 (DSD) of macrolide antibiotics was calculated (n = 141,019) using the Health Insurance Review & Assessment data base from 2008 to 2010 in the two cities which had the lowest (Jeju city) or highest (Chuncheon city) eradication rate.

Results

The eradication rates of proton‐pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–clarithromycin therapy ranged 84.9–87.5% from 2001 to 2007, and those of 2008 to 2010 ranged 80.0–81.4% with a decreasing trend (p < 0.0001). The decreasing trend of eradication rates for the overall first‐line therapy was observed only in three of the seven geographic areas in Korea (p < 0.0001). The DSD of macrolide antibiotics was significantly higher in Jeju than Cheunchon city (0.85 vs 0.52, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

H. pylori eradication rates with clarithromycin‐containing triple therapy in Korea showed a decreasing trend over the past 10 years, although the trend varied among geographic areas. This difference may be associated with the amount of macrolide antibiotic use.
Nail lichen striatus: report of seven cases and review of the literature
Authors: Kim Miri , Jung Hwa Young , Eun Young Sun , Cho Baik Kee , Park Hyun Jeong
Published: October 2015

Background

Nail involvement in lichen striatus (LS) is rare and has not been documented extensively.

Objectives

This study describes the clinical and histological features, response to treatment, and follow‐up in seven patients with nail LS.

Methods

We reviewed seven cases of nail LS between 2006 and 2012 at the Dermatology Department, Yeouido St Mary's Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.

Results

The median patient age was 11 years (range: 4–33 years), and the female:male ratio was 3:4. All patients had both typical skin lesions and nail abnormalities. In these cases, LS usually involved a single digit (n = 5). The most common nail change was longitudinal fissuring (n = 4). We actively treated both skin and nail lesions from the time of diagnosis. Most nail lesions resolved within a mean of four months of the initiation of treatment.

Conclusions

Nail involvement in LS is rare; this case series highlights the associated nail changes. We emphasize that early accurate diagnosis and treatment may be beneficial in reducing nail deformities in patients with nail involvement.
Promotion of acute‐phase skin wound healing by Pseudomonas aeruginosaC4‐HSL
Authors: Kanno Emi , Kawakami Kazuyoshi , Miyairi Shinichi , Tanno Hiromasa , Suzuki Aiko , Kamimatsuno Rina , Takagi Naoyuki , Miyasaka Tomomitsu , Ishii Keiko , Gotoh Naomasa , Maruyama Ryoko , Tachi Masahiro
Published: October 2015

A Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum‐sensing system, which produces N‐(3‐oxododecanoyl)‐l‐homoserine lactone (3‐oxo‐C12‐HSL) and N‐butanoyl‐l‐homoserine lactone (C4‐HSL), regulates the virulence factors. In our previous study, 3‐oxo‐C12‐HSL, encoded by lasI gene, was shown to promote wound healing. However, the effect of C4‐HSL, encoded by rhlI gene, remains to be elucidated. We addressed the effect of C4‐HSL on wounds in P. aeruginosa infection. Wounds were created on the backs of Sprague–Dawley SD rats, and P. aeruginosa PAO1 (PAO1) or its rhlI deletion mutant (ΔrhlI) or lasI deletion mutant (ΔlasI) was inoculated onto the wound. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with anti‐C4‐HSL antiserum or treated with C4‐HSL at the wound surface. PAO1 inoculation led to significant acceleration of wound healing, which was associated with neutrophil infiltration and TNF‐α synthesis. These responses were reversed, except for TNF‐α production, when ΔrhlI was inoculated instead of PAO1 or when rats were co‐treated with PAO1 and anti‐C4‐HSL antiserum. In contrast, the healing process and neutrophil infiltration, but not TNF‐α synthesis, were accelerated when C4‐HSL was administered in the absence of PAO1. This acceleration was not affected by anti‐TNF‐α antibody. These results suggest that C4‐HSL may be involved in the acceleration of acute wound healing in P. aeruginosa infection by modifying the neutrophilic inflammation.
Simultaneous Measurement of Intracellular Ca2+ and Asynchronous Transmitter Release from the same Crayfish Bouton
Authors: Ravin R. , Spira M. E. , Parnas H. , Parnas I.
Published: October 2015

A technique has been developed to monitor neurotransmitter release simultaneously with intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single release boutons whose diameters range from 3 to 5 μm.

Using this technique, we have found a highly non‐linear relationship between the rate of asynchronous release and [Ca2+]i. The Hill coefficient lies between 3 and 4.

The affinity (Kd) of the putative release‐related Ca2+ receptor for asynchronous release was calculated to be in the range of 2–4 μm.

The same range of values of Hill coefficient and Kd were obtained when [Ca2+]i was elevated both by bath application of ionomycin and by repetitive stimulation at high frequency.

Our results show that the Ca2+ receptor(s) associated with asynchronous release exhibits high affinity for Ca2+.
The Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Depression and Low Self‐Esteem in the Context of Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME): A Case Study
Authors: Loades Maria
Published: October 2015

Problem

Up to one in three young people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) also has depressive symptoms. It is not known how best to treat young people with this comorbidity.

Method

This case report seeks to describe and discuss the use of a cognitive behavioral approach for depression and low self‐esteem in a 16‐year‐old girl with CFS/ME.

Findings/Conclusion

Therapy was effective in remediating the young person's mood difficulties, but appeared to exacerbate their CFS/ME symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial that CFS/ME and mood treatments are designed and trialed to ensure a complementary approach. Good communication and joint working between involved professionals is also important, and ideally, treatments for mood and for CFS/ME would be provided by the same team to facilitate this.
The cardiac repair benefits of inflammation do not persist: evidence from mast cell implantation
Authors: Shao Zhengbo , Nazari Mansoreh , Guo Lily , Li Shu‐Hong , Sun Jie , Liu Shi‐Ming , Yuan Hui‐Ping , Weisel Richard D. , Li Ren‐Ke
Published: October 2015

Multiple mechanisms contribute to progressive cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI) and inflammation is an important mediator. Mast cells (MCs) trigger inflammation after MI by releasing bio‐active factors that contribute to healing. c‐Kit‐deficient (KitW/W‐v) mice have dysfunctional MCs and develop severe ventricular dilatation post‐MI. We explored the role of MCs in post‐MI repair. Mouse wild‐type (WT) and KitW/W‐v MCs were obtained from bone marrow (BM). MC effects on fibroblasts were examined in vitro by proliferation and gel contraction assays. MCs were implanted into infarcted mouse hearts and their effects were evaluated using molecular, cellular and cardiac functional analyses. In contrast to WT, KitW/W‐v MC transplantation into KitW/W‐v mice did not improve cardiac function or scar size post‐MI. KitW/W‐v MCs induced significantly reduced fibroblast proliferation and contraction compared to WT MCs. MC influence on fibroblast proliferation was Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)‐dependent and MC‐induced fibroblast contractility functioned through transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β. WT MCs transiently rescue cardiac function early post‐MI, but the benefits of BM cell implantation lasted longer. MCs induced increased inflammation compared to the BM‐injected mice, with increased neutrophil infiltration and infarct tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) concentration. This augmented inflammation was followed by increased angiogenesis and myofibroblast formation and reduced scar size at early time‐points. Similar to the functional data, these beneficial effects were transient, largely vanishing by day 28. Dysfunctional KitW/W‐v MCs were unable to rescue cardiac function post‐MI. WT MC implantation transiently enhanced angiogenesis and cardiac function. These data suggest that increased inflammation is beneficial to cardiac repair, but these effects are not persistent.
Brain response to viewing others being harmed in children with conduct disorder symptoms
Authors: Michalska Kalina J. , Zeffiro Thomas A. , Decety Jean
Published: October 2015

Background

Deficient empathic processing is thought to foster conduct disorder (CD). It is important to determine the extent to which neural response associated with perceiving harm to others predicts CD symptoms and callous disregard for others.

Methods

A total of 107 9‐ to 11‐year‐old children (52 female) were recruited from pediatric and mental health clinics, representing a wide range of CD symptoms. Children were scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging while viewing brief video clips of persons being harmed intentionally or accidentally.

Results

Perceiving harm evoked increased hemodynamic response in the anterior insula (aINS), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala, periaqueductal gray (PAG), caudate, and inferior parietal lobe (IPL) across all participants. Intentionally caused, relative to unintentional harm was associated with greater activity in the aINS, amygdala, and temporal pole. There was an inverse association of number of CD symptoms with right posterior insula in both the Harm > No Harm and the Intentional > Unintentional Harm contrasts. Furthermore, an inverse association between callousness and posterior insula activation was found in the Harm > No Harm contrast, with the opposite pattern for reactive aggression scores. An interaction revealed a stronger association in girls between CD symptoms and the right posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS) in the Intentional Harm versus Unintentional Harm contrast.

Conclusions

Children with greater CD and callousness exhibit dampened hemodynamic response to viewing others being harmed in the insula, a region which plays a key role in empathy and emotional awareness. Sex differences in the neural correlates of CD were observed.
Noninvasive Ultrasonic Monitoring of Ice Pigging in Pipes Containing Liquid Food Materials
Authors: Lucas Edward J.K. , Hales Alastair , McBryde Daniel , Yun Xiao , Quarini Giuseppe L.
Published: October 2015

The use of ice slurry for cleaning in place can greatly reduce the amount of effluent created during industrial processes when compared with traditional flushing methods common in the food industry. Product recovery from within pipework is also improved through the use of such slurries. Noninvasive monitoring methods would allow this process to become automated and optimized for reduced effluent and increased product retrieval. For these reasons, the feasibility of using ultrasound within this context was assessed and found to be a reliable method of monitoring the fluid transitions within a section of test pipe.

Practical Applications

The food processing industry is increasingly adopting ice pigging as a novel, emergent technology for product recovery and waste effluent reduction. Where these methods are preferred, a noninvasive monitoring system is required for any process control to automate the diversion of product from waste. An ultrasound system has been designed to detect the change of fluids inside piping and which will serve as the monitoring arm of any control process. In principle, this system could be applied to other combinations of fluid transitions.
Predicting pre‐ and post‐resectional histologic discrepancies in gastric low‐grade dysplasia: A comparison of white‐light and magnifying endoscopy
Authors: Hwang Jin Won , Bae Young Seok , Kang Mi Seon , Kim Ji Hyun , Jee Sam Ryong , Lee Sang Heon , An Min Sung , Kim Kwang Hee , Bae Ki Beom , Kim Bomi , Seol Sang Young
Published: October 2015

Background and Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the parameters of conventional white‐light endoscopy and magnifying endoscopy with narrow‐band imaging (MENBI) for the prediction of discrepancies between pre‐ and post‐resectional histology in cases of gastric adenoma with low‐grade dysplasia (LGD) that were diagnosed based on endoscopically biopsied specimens.

Methods

The medical records of 266 lesions with gastric LGD that were diagnosed by endoscopic forceps biopsies were retrospectively reviewed. The Vienna classification was used for histologic diagnosis. These patients all underwent MENBI examinations followed by analyses of the incidence of histologic discrepancies and histologic heterogeneity. The relationship between white‐light endoscopic/MENBI parameters and the presence of histologic discrepancies was also analyzed.

Results

Discrepancies between the pre‐ and post‐resectional histologies were found in 74 cases (27.9%). Among those cases, the histology was upgraded in 71 cases, whereas the histology was downgraded in three cases. The presence of erythema and positive MENBI findings were independent factors for the prediction of upgraded histologic discrepancies (P‐values = 0.008, < 0.001, respectively). A positive MENBI finding yielded the highest predictive value, with a multivariate adjusted odds ratio of 42.46. Histologic heterogeneity in post‐resectional specimens was found in 40.8% of cases with upgraded histologic discrepancies.

Conclusions

MENBI can provide more accurate information than white‐light endoscopy for the prediction of pre‐ and post‐resectional histologic discrepancies in biopsy‐proven gastric LGD. Endoscopic resection is strongly recommended in cases with surface erythema on conventional white‐light endoscopy or positive MENBI, irrespective of the lesion size.
Rice caryopsis development I: Dynamic changes in different cell layers
Authors: Wu Xiaoba , Liu Jinxin , Li Dongqi , Liu Chun‐Ming
Published: October 2015

Rice caryopsis as one of the most important food sources for humans has a complex structure that is composed of maternal tissues including the pericarp and testa and filial tissues including the endosperm and embryo. Although rice caryopsis studies have been conducted previously, a systematic characterization throughout the entire developmental process is still lacking. In this study, detailed morphological examinations of caryopses were made during the entire 30‐day developmental process. We observed some rapid changes in cell differentiation events and cataloged how cellular degeneration processes occurred in maternal tissues. The differentiations of tube cells and cross cells were achieved by 9 days after pollination (DAP). In the testa, the outer integument was degenerated by 3 DAP, while the outer layer of the inner integument degenerated by 7 DAP. In the nucellus, all tissues with the exception of the nucellar projection and the nucellar epidermis degenerated in the first 5 DAP. By 21 DAP, all maternal tissues, including vascular bundles, the nucellar projection and the nucellar epidermal cells were degenerated. In summary, this study provides a complete atlas of the dynamic changes in cell differentiation and degeneration for individual maternal cell layers of rice caryopsis.
The MNE as a Challenge to Institutional Theory: Key Concepts, Recent Developments and Empirical Evidence
Authors: Saka‐Helmhout Ayse , Deeg Richard , Greenwood Royston
Published: October 2015

The co‐existence of multiple, often contradictory, institutional demands pose challenges to organizations. Despite the intriguing context that multinational enterprises (MNEs) present for the study of organizational action to such demands, research has focused on organizational fields. To more deeply consider the MNE context, we argue that MNEs offer an opportunity to examine the role of society in the ‘management’ of multiple institutional logics. Further, we highlight organizational attributes such as economic ties, foreignness, and location strategy that filter institutional complexity in the context of MNEs. The papers in this Special Issue explore how the dynamic interaction between MNEs and the varying institutional demands across their multiple environments creates avenues for active agency.
Plasma Procalcitonin Concentration in Healthy Horses and Horses Affected by Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
Authors: Bonelli F. , Meucci V. , Divers T.J. , Jose‐Cunilleras E. , Corazza M. , Tognetti R. , Guidi G. , Intorre L. , Sgorbini M.
Published: October 2015

Background

The diseases most frequent associated with SIRS in adult horses are those involving the gastrointestinal tract. An early diagnosis should be the goal in the management of horses with SIRS.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the plasma procalcitonin (PCT) concentration in healthy and SIRS horses to assess differences between the two groups.

Animals

Seventy‐eight horses (30 healthy and 48 SIRS).

Methods

Prospective in vivo multicentric study. Horses were classified as SIRS if at least 2 of the following criteria were met: abnormal leukocyte count or distribution, hyperthermia or hypothermia, tachycardia, tachypnea. Healthy horses showed no clinical or laboratory signs of SIRS. Plasma PCT concentrations were measured with a commercial ELISA assay for equine species. Results were expressed as mean±standard deviation. T‐test for unpaired data was performed between healthy and SIRS group. SIRS group was divided in 4 subgroups and t‐test was performed between healthy versus each subgroup.

Results

PCT concentrations in healthy and SIRS horses were 18.28 ± 20.32 and 197.0 ± 117.0 pg/mL, respectively. T‐test showed statistical differences between healthy versus SIRS group and between healthy versus all subgroups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Results showed an increase in PCT concentration in SIRS horses as previously reported in humans and dogs. PCT could be used as a single assay in equine practice for detection of SIRS.
Mixed‐severity natural disturbance regime dominates in an old‐growth Norway spruce forest of northwest Russia
Authors: Khakimulina Tatiana , Fraver Shawn , Drobyshev Igor
Published: October 2015

Quesions

What were the long‐term disturbance rates (including variability) and agents in pristine Norway spruce‐dominated (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests? Have soil moisture conditions influenced disturbance rates across this boreal spruce‐dominated forest? Were the temporal recruitment patterns of canopy dominants associated with past disturbance periods?

Location

Interfluvial region of Northern Dvina and Pinega rivers, Arkhangelsk, northwest Russia.

Methods

We linked dendrochronological data with tree spatial data (n trees = 1659) to reconstruct the temporal and spatial patterns of canopy gaps in a 1.8‐ha area from 1831–2008, and to develop a growth‐release chronology from 1775–2008.

Results

No evidence of stand‐replacing disturbances was found within selected forest stands over the studied period. Forest dynamics were driven by small‐ to moderate‐scale canopy disturbances, which maintained a multi‐cohort age structure. Disturbance peaks were observed in the 1820s, 1920s, 1970s and 2000s, with decadal rates reaching 32% of the stand area disturbed.

Conclusions

The overall mean decadal rate was 8.3% canopy area disturbed, which suggests a canopy turnover time of 122 yr, with a 95% confidence envelop of 91–186 yr. Bark beetle outbreaks (possibly exacerbated by droughts) and wind‐storms emerged as the principal disturbance agents. Recruitment of both Norway spruce and downy birch was associated with periods of increased canopy disturbance. Moisture conditions (moist vs mesic stands) were not significantly related to long‐term disturbance rates. The studied spruce‐dominated boreal forests of this region apparently exhibited long‐term forest continuity under this mixed‐severity disturbance regime. These disturbances caused considerable structural alterations to forest canopies, but apparently did not result in a pronounced successional shifts in tree species composition, rather occasional minor enrichments of birch in these heavily spruce‐dominated stands.
Longitudinal profiles of highly sensitive hepatitis B surface antigen levels: re‐evaluation of HBsAg seroclearance
Authors: Seto Wai‐Kay , Tanaka Yasuhito , Wong Danny K.‐H. , Shinkai Noboru , Cheung Ka‐Shing , Liu Kevin S.‐H. , Fung James , Lai Ching‐Lung , Yuen Man‐Fung
Published: October 2015

Background & Aims

Serologic profiles after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) have not been well‐studied.

Methods

We employed a highly sensitive HBsAg (hs‐HBsAg) assay (lower detection limit 0.5 mIU/ml), 100 times more sensitive than conventional HBsAg measurements. CHB patients achieving HBsAg seroclearance defined by conventional assays were followed up for serum hs‐HBsAg, HBV DNA and antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) levels at 0 months, 6–12 months and 3–5 years after HBsAg seroclearance. Factors associated with hs‐HBsAg detectability were determined.

Results

One hundred and nine patients were recruited; 94 (86.2%) were followed up to years 3–5; and 25 patients (22.9%) were on nucleoside analogue therapy for a median duration of 6.0 (range 1.5–12.7) years before HBsAg seroclearance. Detectable hs‐HBsAg was noted in 88 (80.7%), 60 (55.0%) and 20 (21.3%) patients at 0 months, 6–12 months and 3–5 years respectively. At years 3–5, genotype B patients, when compared to genotype C patients, had a higher anti‐HBs positive rate (63.2% and 41.1% respectively, P = 0.036). Serum anti‐HBs positivity, when compared to persistent anti‐HBs negativity, was associated with a lower rate of hs‐HBsAg detection (7.4% and 40% respectively, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed anti‐HBs negativity at years 3–5 to be independently associated with persistently positive hs‐HBsAg (P = 0.007, odds ratio 7.1, 95% confidence interval 1.7–29.3).

Conclusion

Serum hs‐HBsAg could detect HBsAg presence in a substantial proportion of CHB after HBsAg seroclearance defined by conventional assays, especially among anti‐HBs negative individuals. Serum hs‐HBsAg could potentially assist differentiating HBsAg‐negative CHB from individuals with only past HBV exposure without carrier state.
Right whale occurrence in the coastal waters of Virginia, U.S.A.: Endangered species presence in a rapidly developing energy market
Authors: Salisbury Daniel P. , Clark Christopher W. , Rice Aaron N.
Published: October 2015

The endangered North Atlantic right whale is susceptible to increased risks associated with the developing energy market off the Virginia coast of the U.S.A., including increased noise exposure from shipping and energy exploration and extraction, and shipping activity. Primarily viewed as a migratory corridor between northern feeding and mating areas and the southern calving area, Virginia waters have not been intensely monitored for right whales. We conducted a 1 yr, continuous, passive acoustic survey from the Virginia coast to the continental shelf to better describe the seasonal occurrence and spatial distribution of right whales in this area. We found that whales were acoustically detected in every month of the year, with increased seasonal occurrences in fall and late winter/early spring, and not just during limited periods of the year. As industry activities continue to increase in the area, these new right whale occurrence data have implications for siting and permitting of offshore energy activities.
Overexpression of the potassium channel TPKb in small vacuoles confers osmotic and drought tolerance to rice
Authors: Ahmad Izhar , Devonshire Jean , Mohamed Radwa , Schultze Michael , Maathuis Frans J. M.
Published: October 2015

Potassium (K+) is the most important cationic nutrient for all living organisms. Vacuolar two‐pore K+ (TPK) channels are important players in the regulation of cellular levels of K+ but have not been characterised in rice.

In order to assess the role of OsTPKb, a K+ selective ion channel predominantly expressed in the tonoplast of small vacuoles, we generated overexpressing (OX) lines using a constitutive promoter and compared their phenotypes with control plants.

Relative to control plants, OX lines showed better growth when exposed to low‐K+ or water stress conditions. K+ uptake was greater in OX lines which may be driven by increased AKT1 and HAK1 activity. The enhanced K+ uptake led to tissue K+ levels that were raised in roots and shoots. Furthermore, energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses showed a higher cytoplasm: vacuole K+ ratio which is likely to contribute to the increased stress tolerance.

In all, the data suggest that TPKb can alter the K+ status of small vacuoles, which is important for general cellular K+ homeostasis which, in turn, affects stress tolerance.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF MANAGEMENT KNOWLEDGE: MANAGEMENT TEXTS IN ENGLISH HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: FERLIE EWAN , LEDGER JEAN , DOPSON SUE , FISCHER MICHAEL D. , FITZGERALD LOUISE , MCGIVERN GERRY , BENNETT CHRIS
Published: October 2015

Have generic management texts and associated knowledges now extensively diffused into public services organizations? If so, why? Our empirical study of English healthcare organizations detects an extensive presence of such texts. We argue that their ready diffusion relates to two macro‐level forces: (i) the influence of the underlying political economy of public services reform and (ii) a strongly developed business school/management consulting knowledge nexus. This macro perspective theoretically complements existing explanations from the meso or middle level of analysis which examine diffusion processes within the public services field, and also more micro literature which focuses on agency from individual knowledge leaders.
Codon reassignment to facilitate genetic engineering and biocontainment in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Young Rosanna E. B. , Purton Saul
Published: October 2015

There is a growing interest in the use of microalgae as low‐cost hosts for the synthesis of recombinant products such as therapeutic proteins and bioactive metabolites. In particular, the chloroplast, with its small, genetically tractable genome (plastome) and elaborate metabolism, represents an attractive platform for genetic engineering. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, none of the 69 protein‐coding genes in the plastome uses the stop codon UGA, therefore this spare codon can be exploited as a useful synthetic biology tool. Here, we report the assignment of the codon to one for tryptophan and show that this can be used as an effective strategy for addressing a key problem in chloroplast engineering: namely, the assembly of expression cassettes in Escherichia coli when the gene product is toxic to the bacterium. This problem arises because the prokaryotic nature of chloroplast promoters and ribosome‐binding sites used in such cassettes often results in transgene expression in E. coli, and is a potential issue when cloning genes for metabolic enzymes, antibacterial proteins and integral membrane proteins. We show that replacement of tryptophan codons with the spare codon (UGG→UGA) within a transgene prevents functional expression in E. coli and in the chloroplast, and that co‐introduction of a plastidial trnW gene carrying a modified anticodon restores function only in the latter by allowing UGA readthrough. We demonstrate the utility of this system by expressing two genes known to be highly toxic to E. coli and discuss its value in providing an enhanced level of biocontainment for transplastomic microalgae.
The wheat durable, multipathogen resistance gene Lr34 confers partial blast resistance in rice
Authors: Krattinger Simon G. , Sucher Justine , Selter Liselotte L. , Chauhan Harsh , Zhou Bo , Tang Mingzhi , Upadhyaya Narayana M. , Mieulet Delphine , Guiderdoni Emmanuel , Weidenbach Denise , Schaffrath Ulrich , Lagudah Evans S. , Keller Beat
Published: October 2015

The wheat gene Lr34 confers durable and partial field resistance against the obligate biotrophic, pathogenic rust fungi and powdery mildew in adult wheat plants. The resistant Lr34 allele evolved after wheat domestication through two gain‐of‐function mutations in an ATP‐binding cassette transporter gene. An Lr34‐like fungal disease resistance with a similar broad‐spectrum specificity and durability has not been described in other cereals. Here, we transformed the resistant Lr34 allele into the japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare. Transgenic rice plants expressing Lr34 showed increased resistance against multiple isolates of the hemibiotrophic pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, the causal agent of rice blast disease. Host cell invasion during the biotrophic growth phase of rice blast was delayed in Lr34‐expressing rice plants, resulting in smaller necrotic lesions on leaves. Lines with Lr34 also developed a typical, senescence‐based leaf tip necrosis (LTN) phenotype. Development of LTN during early seedling growth had a negative impact on formation of axillary shoots and spikelets in some transgenic lines. One transgenic line developed LTN only at adult plant stage which was correlated with lower Lr34 expression levels at seedling stage. This line showed normal tiller formation and more importantly, disease resistance in this particular line was not compromised. Interestingly, Lr34 in rice is effective against a hemibiotrophic pathogen with a lifestyle and infection strategy that is different from obligate biotrophic rusts and mildew fungi. Lr34 might therefore be used as a source in rice breeding to improve broad‐spectrum disease resistance against the most devastating fungal disease of rice.
Discursive Construction of Political Categories and Moral Fields: God Versus Rights and Access in a Reproductive Health Legislative Debate
Authors: Montiel Cristina Jayme , Umel Audris , de Leon Marlene
Published: October 2015

Using a discursive lens, we argue that politicians rhetorically construct categories, storylines, and moral fields. We further claim that such discursive products are action‐oriented toward gaining popular support in a public sphere that is politically fault lined along similar moral orders. As a case in point, we analyze speeches delivered during congressional voting on a Reproductive Health bill (RH bill). Employing a mixed methods strategy, we first implement a quantitative lexical analysis of frequently used words, followed by a qualitative detection of cohering storylines on both sides of the debate. Results show that oppositionists mark their speeches with a deployment of the word God, while bill supporters use the word access conspicuously. One storyline claims that The RH bill stands against God, while the other purports that The RH bill advocates rights and access. Although both storylines assert moral righteousness, they invoke two different moral orders backed by power blocs and the public at large. The God story appeals to a Catholic discourse and the moral order loudly supported by the politically powerful Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The rights/access narrative references a liberal morality frame maintained by social liberals and Philippine President Aquino. We end our paper by introducing the idea of an intrastate discursive lens to analyze moral fields constructed by politicians, oriented toward winning support from the public at large.
Event‐related potentials in response to cheating and cooperation in a social dilemma game
Authors: Bell Raoul , Sasse Julia , Möller Malte , Czernochowski Daniela , Mayr Susanne , Buchner Axel
Published: October 2015

A sequential prisoner's dilemma game was combined with psychophysiological measures to examine the cognitive underpinnings of reciprocal exchange. Participants played four rounds of the game with partners who either cooperated or cheated. In a control condition, the partners’ faces were shown, but no interaction took place. The partners’ behaviors were consistent in the first three rounds of the game, but in the last round some of the partners unexpectedly changed strategies. In the first round of the game, the feedback about a partner's decision elicited a feedback P300, which was more pronounced for cooperation and cheating in comparison to the control condition, but did not vary as a function of feedback valence. In the last round, both the feedback negativity and the feedback P300 were sensitive to expectancy violations. There was no consistent evidence for a negativity bias, that is, enhanced allocation of attention to feedback about another person's cheating in comparison to feedback about another person's cooperation. Instead, participants focused on both positive and negative information, and flexibly adjusted their processing biases to the diagnosticity of the information. This conclusion was corroborated by the ERP correlates of memory retrieval. Successful retrieval of a partner's reputation was associated with an anterior positivity between 400 and 600 ms after face onset. This anterior positivity was more pronounced for both cooperator and cheater faces in comparison to control faces. The results suggest that it is not the negativity of social information, but rather its motivational and behavioral relevance that determines its processing.