bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consequences of facilitation: one plant's benefit is another plant's cost
Authors: Schöb Christian , Prieto Iván , Armas Cristina , Pugnaire Francisco I.
Published: October 2013

Facilitation is known as the positive effect of one species (benefactor) on associated neighbouring species (beneficiaries). Although the beneficial part of this interaction has received considerable research interest, there is a gap of knowledge on the bidirectional nature of these interactions; in particular, the physiological and fitness consequences for both beneficiaries and benefactors.

Alpine cushion plants are generally strong benefactors, increasing species richness and abundance on a global scale, and provide a suitable system to study the physiological effects of bidirectional interactions and its consequences for reproduction. Current knowledge suggests that species improve their fitness when associated to a benefactor cushion species, whereas cushions may receive predominantly negative feedbacks.

We measured physiological and reproductive traits of the cushion species Arenaria tetraquetra ssp. amabilis and three other forbs (Eryngium glaciale, Lotus corniculatus ssp. glacialis and Plantago nivalis) in the dry Sierra Nevada Mountains, southern Spain. All four species were studied either when growing alone or when the three forbs were associated with the cushion plant.

The three forb species improved their water status when associated with the cushion, and Lotus and Plantago significantly increased their seed set. In contrast, Arenaria showed poorer water status and reduced flower density and seed set with increasing cover of beneficiary species. There was a clear relationship between physiological and reproductive traits in Arenaria growing without beneficiaries but not in Arenaria with beneficiaries. Control cushions (without beneficiary species) showed increased seed set and seed mass with increasing photosynthetic and water use efficiencies, respectively, the latter being positively related to leaf nitrogen content. In contrast, cushions with a large cover of beneficiary species did not show such relations. The missing relationship between physiological and reproductive traits for these facilitating cushions indicates that reproductive output in heavily colonized cushions may not be directly related to the plant physiological status and the availability of resources.

Our results revealed the antagonistic behaviour underlying the interaction between beneficiary species and facilitating cushion plants, similar to parasitic interactions. They also provide indications for changes in cushions' resource allocation pattern in response to colonization by beneficiaries.
Genome analysis of Chitinivibrio alkaliphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel extremely haloalkaliphilic anaerobic chitinolytic bacterium from the candidate phylum Termite Group 3
Authors: Sorokin Dimitry Y. , Gumerov Vadim M. , Rakitin Andrey L. , Beletsky Alexey V. , Damsté J. S. Sinninghe , Muyzer Gerard , Mardanov Andrey V. , Ravin Nikolai V.
Published: October 2013

Anaerobic enrichments from hypersaline soda lakes with chitin as substrate yielded five closely related anaerobic haloalkaliphilic isolates growing on insoluble chitin by fermentation at pH 10 and salinities up to 3.5 M. The chitinolytic activity was exclusively cell associated. To better understand the biology and evolutionary history of this novel bacterial lineage, the genome of the type strain ACht1 was sequenced. Analysis of the 2.6 Mb draft genome revealed enzymes of chitin‐degradation pathways, including secreted cell‐bound chitinases. The reconstructed central metabolism revealed pathways enabling the fermentation of polysaccharides, while it lacks the genes needed for aerobic or anaerobic respiration. The Rnf‐type complex, oxaloacetate decarboxylase and sodium‐transporting V‐type adenosine triphosphatase were identified among putative membrane‐bound ion pumps. According to 16S ribosomal RNA analysis, the isolates belong to the candidate phylum Termite Group 3, representing its first culturable members. Phylogenetic analysis using ribosomal proteins and taxonomic distribution analysis of the whole proteome supported a class‐level classification of ACht1 most probably affiliated to the phylum Fibribacteres. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic and genomic analyses, the novel bacteria are proposed to be classified as Chitinivibrio alkaliphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., within a novel class Chitinivibrione.
The Ties that Bind: The Decision to Co‐Offend in Fraud
Authors: Free Clinton , Murphy Pamela R.
Published: October 2013

It is frequently observed that fraud has a greater economic impact on society than any other category of crime. Arguing that both research and practitioner frameworks in auditing and forensic accounting have tended to adopt an individualizing perspective predicated primarily on solo offending, this article adopts an inductive approach to consider why individuals co‐offend in fraud. It reports the results of a set of interviews with 37 individuals convicted of a range of frauds including financial statement fraud, insider trading, credit card fraud, money laundering, and asset misappropriation. In each instance, the fraud was perpetrated by a group of two or more co‐offenders. Based on inductive, exploratory case coding, we find that reasons for co‐offending vary according to the type of bond that exists between co‐offenders. Two dimensions of fraudulent co‐offending are identified—the primary beneficiary of the fraud and the nature of group attachment—to derive three distinct archetypes of bonds between co‐offenders: (1) individual‐serving functional bonds, (2) organization‐serving functional bonds, and (3) affective bonds. Key elements of each archetype as well as their impact on the decision to co‐offend are examined. Our findings suggest that the social nature of fraud is not merely an incidental feature of the crime but is instead a potential key to understanding its etiology and some of its distinctive features. They also support the need for diagnostic tools to move beyond individualistic analyses of fraud toward a broader, group‐sensitive assessment of fraud risk.
Burkholderia sp. SCMS54 reduces cadmium toxicity and promotes growth in tomato
Authors: Dourado M.N. , Martins P.F. , Quecine M.C. , Piotto F.A. , Souza L.A. , Franco M.R. , Tezotto T. , Azevedo R.A.
Published: October 2013

Cadmium (Cd) can enter soil through the use of fertilisers, calcareous, pesticides and industrial and/or domestic effluents. Cd can leach into groundwater and be taken up by plants, potentially leading to reductions in plant growth and yield. In soil, plant roots interact with heavy metal (HM)‐tolerant microorganisms that may promote plant growth. Soil microorganisms may also be able to solubilise or mobilise soil metals, thereby acting as bioremediators. A better understanding of the interaction among plants, metals, microorganisms and soil will lead to improved plant tolerance. Two multi‐tolerant bacteria from the Burkholderia genus were isolated from Cd‐contaminated and Cd‐uncontaminated soil of a coffee plantation. In addition to its high tolerance to Cd, the strain SCMS54 produces indole‐acetic acid (IAA), solubilises inorganic phosphate and produces siderophores, demonstrating its potential to contribute to beneficial plant–microorganism interactions. When interacting with tomato plants exposed to Cd, the bacterium led to decreases in plant peroxide and chlorosis levels, promoted relative plant growth and decreased the root absorption of Cd, resulting in increased plant tolerance to this highly toxic HM. The results indicated that the inoculation of tomato plants with Burkholderia sp. SCMS54 promotes better growth in plants cultivated in the presence of Cd. This phenomenon appears to be attributed to a mechanism that decreases Cd concentrations in the roots via a beneficial interaction between the bacteria and the plant roots.
What are the effects of input subsidy programs on maize prices? Evidence from Malawi and Zambia
Authors: Ricker‐Gilbert Jacob , Mason Nicole M. , Darko Francis A. , Tembo Solomon T.
Published: October 2013

An important hypothesized benefit of large‐scale input subsidy programs in Africa is that by raising maize production, the subsidies should put downward pressure on retail maize prices to the benefit of urban consumers and the rural poor who tend to be net food buyers. To inform debates related to this rationale for input subsidies, this study estimates the effects of fertilizer subsidies on retail maize prices in Malawi and Zambia using market or district‐level panel data covering the 2000–2001 to 2011–2012 maize marketing years. Results indicate that roughly doubling the size of Malawi's subsidy program reduces maize prices by 1.2–2.5% on average. In Zambia, roughly doubling the scale of the country's subsidy program reduces maize prices by 1.8–2.8% on average. The results are robust across countries and model specifications, and indicate that the fertilizer subsidy programs in Malawi and Zambia have had a minimal effect on retail maize prices.
Chronic rhinosinusitis in asthma is a negative predictor of quality of life: results from the Swedish GA2LEN survey
Authors: Ek A. , Middelveld R. J. M. , Bertilsson H. , Bjerg A. , Ekerljung L. , Malinovschi A. , Stjärne P. , Larsson K. , Dahlén S.‐E. , Janson C.
Published: October 2013

Background

Asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) both impair quality of life, but the quality‐of‐life impact of comorbid asthma and CRS is poorly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CRS and other relevant factors on quality of life in asthmatic subjects.

Methods

This Swedish cohort (age 17–76 years) consists of 605 well‐characterized asthmatics with and without CRS, 110 individuals with CRS only, and 226 controls and is part of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) survey. The Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mAQLQ), the Euro Quality of Life (EQ‐5D) health questionnaire, spirometry, skin prick test (SPT), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), smell test, and peak nasal inspiratory flow were used.

Results

Subjects having both asthma and CRS have lower mAQLQ scores in all domains (P < 0.001) and a lower EQ‐5D index value and EQ‐5D VAS value (P < 0.001) compared to those with asthma only. Asthmatics with CRS have significantly lower FEV1%pred and FVC%pred (88.4 [85.1–91.7] and 99.9 [96.7–103.0], respectively) compared with asthma only (91.9 [90.3–93.4] and 104.0 [102.5–105.5], respectively P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis shows that low asthma quality of life is associated with having CRS (P < 0.0001), lower lung function (P = 0.008), current smoking (P = 0.01), BMI > 30 kg/m2 (P = 0.04), high age (P = 0.03), and a negative SPT (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Comorbid CRS was a significant and independent negative predictor of quality of life in asthmatics. Other negative factors were lower lung function, current smoking, obesity, advanced age, and having nonatopic asthma.
The prognostic significance of perineural invasion and race in men considering active surveillance
Authors: Cohn Joshua A. , Dangle Pankaj P. , Wang Chihsiung E. , Brendler Charles B. , Novakovic Kristian R. , McGuire Michael S. , Helfand Brian T.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To determine the importance of perineural invasion (PNI) on diagnostic biopsy in men enrolled in active surveillance (AS).

Patients and Methods

Eligibility criteria for AS included clinical stage ≤ T2a and Gleason score ≤6, ≤3 cores positive, maximum single core involvement <50%, and total tumour volume ≤5% on diagnostic biopsy.

All men received 12‐core confirmation biopsy at ≤6 months.

AS ‘failure’ on confirmatory biopsy was defined as failure to meet one or more eligibility criteria.

Risk of AS failure was compared in men with and without PNI.

Results

For the 165 men comprising the study population, the mean (sd) age was 66.9 (6.5) years and the median (interquartile, IQR) PSA level of men at study entry was 4.4 (3.2–6.0) ng/mL. The median (IQR) follow‐up was 5.5 (1.1–9.9) months.

In all, 8.5% (14/165 men) had PNI on diagnostic biopsy.

Compared with those without PNI, men with PNI tended to have more cores involved with cancer, at a mean (sd) of 2.0 (0.7) vs 1.6 (0.8) cores (P = 0.08) but did not have significantly a greater mean (sd) total tumour length on diagnostic biopsy, at 3.0 (2.1) vs 2.3 (3.6) mm (P = 0.27).

Men with PNI on diagnostic biopsy were significantly more likely to meet criteria for disease progression on confirmatory biopsy (57% [8/14] vs 21% [32/151]; P = 0.006).

PNI remained a significant predictor for AS failure after adjustment for number of positive cores, maximum percentage core involvement, and total tumour length (odds ratio 4.4, 95% confidence interval 1.4–14.2).

Conclusions

PNI on diagnostic biopsy is associated with disease progression on confirmatory biopsy.

The presence of PNI should factor into appropriate patient selection and counselling in AS.
Stage, grade and pathological characteristics of bladder cancer in the UK: British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Urological Tumour Registry
Authors: Boustead Gregory B. , Fowler Sarah , Swamy Rajiv , Kocklebergh Roger , Hounsome Luke ,   Section of Oncology, BAUS
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate Tumour‐Node‐Metastasis (TNM) stage and demographics at presentation in a very large, contemporary UK cohort of patients with bladder cancer and compare them with other published series, as little published data exists on the pathological characteristics of bladder cancer at presentation.

Patients and Methods

The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Section of Oncology started a new urological tumour registry in 1998.

We performed a data analysis of all bladder cancer cases between 1999 and 2008.

Tumour TNM stage, grade and histopathological diagnosis were reviewed along with standard epidemiological data.

Results

In all, 69 712 bladder cancer registrations were recorded. Complete T, N and M stage and grade was available for 32 240 patients.

The male to female ratio of the study population was 3:1 and the overall median (sd, range) age at presentation was 73 (11.6, 6–108) years.

Final pathological T staging showed that non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer accounted for 75% of cases with the remaining 25% being muscle‐invasive disease. Of these patients, 8% had nodal disease and 4% other metastatic sites at presentation.

The tumour grade was G1–2 in 65% and G3 in 35% of cases. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) accounted for 92%, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinomas 1.5% each, with 5% other histological variants.

Conclusions

Non‐muscle‐invasive TCC accounted for 75% of bladder cancer cases in the UK. The 1973 World Health Organization classification remains in widespread use amongst pathologists in the UK.

Obtaining complete and standardised staging and pathology reporting systems in bladder cancer remains a challenge.
Coronary artery disease concomitant with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Roversi Sara , Roversi Pietro , Spadafora Giuseppe , Rossi Rosario , Fabbri Leonardo M.
Published: October 2013

Background

Numerous epidemiologic studies have linked the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to coronary artery disease (CAD). However, prevalence, pathological processes, clinical manifestations and therapy are still debated, as progress towards uncovering the link between these two disorders has been hindered by the complex nature of multimorbidity.

Methods

Articles targeting CAD in patients with COPD were identified from the searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases in July 2013. Three authors reviewed available evidence, focusing on the latest development on disease prevalence, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapeutic strategies. Both clinical trial and previous reviews have been included in this work.

Results

The most accredited hypothesis asserts that the main common risk factors, that is, cigarette smoke and ageing, elicit a chronic low‐grade systemic inflammatory response, which affects both cardiovascular endothelial cells and airways/lung parenchyma. The development of CAD in patients with COPD potentiates the morbidity of COPD, leading to increased hospitalizations, mortality and health costs. Moreover, correct diagnosis is challenging and therapies are not clearly defined.

Conclusions

Evidence from recently published articles highlights the importance of multimorbidity in patient management and future research. Moreover, many authors emphasize the importance of low‐grade systemic inflammation as a common pathological mechanism and a possible future therapeutic target.
Globus pallidus internus oscillatory activity is related to movement speed
Authors: Singh Arun , Bötzel Kai
Published: October 2013

Local field potentials (LFPs) recorded from deep brain stimulation electrodes implanted in the globus pallidus internus (GPi) of patients with hyperkinetic movement disorders (dystonia and Tourette's syndrome) have shown desynchronized activity at 8–20 Hz and synchronized activity at 30–90 Hz during voluntary movements. However, the impact of the speed of the motor task on these frequency shifts is still unclear. In the current study, we recorded LFPs bilaterally from the GPi in seven patients with hyperkinetic movement disorders during normal/slow and fast horizontal line drawing movements as well as during rest. In comparison with rest, the low beta band showed a significant decrease in power during the motor tasks. Low beta power was more suppressed with increasing speed of the movement on the contralateral side. In contrast, a significant increase in power was induced by movements in the high beta and gamma bands on the contralateral side. When comparing slow and fast movements, the power of the low gamma frequency band was significantly elevated on the contralateral side with fast movements. In conclusion, an increase in movement speed changes the power of GPi oscillations by means of a reduction of the activity in the low beta band and an elevation of activity in the gamma band. The current study yields new insights into the physiological mechanism of GPi during the execution of the motor task at low and high speed.
N6‐isopentenyladenosine improves nuclear shape in fibroblasts from humans with progeroid syndromes by inhibiting the farnesylation of prelamin A
Authors: Bifulco Maurizio , D'Alessandro Alba , Paladino Simona , Malfitano Anna M. , Notarnicola Maria , Caruso Maria G. , Laezza Chiara
Published: October 2013

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome is caused by mutations in the lamin A/C gene that lead to expression of a truncated, permanently farnesylated prelamin A variant called progerin. The accumulation of progerin at the nuclear envelope causes mis‐shapen nuclei and results in progeroid syndromes. Previous studies in cells from individuals with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome have shown that blocking of farnesylation of prelamin A ameliorates the nuclear shape abnormalities. Here we observed that an inhibitor of farnesyl diphosphate synthase, N6‐isopentenyladenosine, impeded the farnesylation of prelamin A, causing a decrease in the frequency of nuclear shape abnormalities and redistribution of prelamin A away from the inner nuclear envelope. A combination of lovastatin and N6‐isopentenyladenosine significantly improved nuclear shape in fibroblast cell lines from atypical progeria patients. These findings establish a paradigm for ameliorating the most obvious cellular pathology in lamin‐related progeroid syndromes, and suggest a potential strategy for treating children with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome.
Large‐scale recruitment limitation in Mediterranean pines: the role of Quercus ilex and forest successional advance as key regional drivers
Authors: Carnicer Jofre , Coll Marta , Pons Xavier , Ninyerola Miquel , Vayreda Jordi , Peñuelas Josep
Published: October 2013

Aim

Large‐scale patterns of limitations in tree recruitment remain poorly described in the Mediterranean Basin, and this information is required to assess the impacts of global warming on forests. Here, we unveil the existence of opposite trends of recruitment limitation between the dominant genera Quercus and Pinus on a large scale and identify the key ecological drivers of these diverging trends.

Location

Spain

Methods

We gathered data from the Spanish National Forest inventory to assess recruitment trends for the dominant species (Pinus halepensis, Pinus pinea, Pinus pinaster, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus uncinata, Quercus suber, Quercus ilex, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Quercus faginea and Quercus pyrenaica). We assessed the direct and indirect drivers of recruitment by applying Bayesian structural equation modelling techniques.

Results

Severe limitations in recruitment were observed across extensive areas for all Pinus species studied, with recruitment failure affecting 54–71% of the surveyed plots. In striking contrast, Quercus species expanded into 41% of the plots surveyed compared to only 10% for Pinus and had a lower local recruitment failure (29% of Quercus localities compared to 63% for Pinus species). Bayesian structural equation models highlighted the key role of the presence of Q. ilex saplings and the increase in the basal area of Q. ilex in limiting recruitment in five Pinus species. The recruitment of P. sylvestris and P. nigra showed the most negative trends and was negatively associated with the impacts of fire.

Main conclusions

This study identified Q. ilex, the most widespread species in this area, as a key driver of recruitment shifts on a large scale, negatively affecting most pine species with the advance of forest succession. These results highlight that the future expansion/contraction of Q. ilex stands with ongoing climate change will be a key process indirectly controlling the demographic responses of Pinus species in the Mediterranean Basin.
Benefit of technetium‐99m galactosyl human serum albumin scintigraphy instead of indocyanine green test in patients scheduled for hepatectomy
Authors: Ohkura Yasuo , Mizuno Shugo , Kishiwada Masashi , Hamada Takashi , Usui Masanobu , Sakurai Hiroyuki , Tabata Masami , Yamada Tomomi , Isaji Shuji
Published: October 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of technetium‐99m galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc‐GSA) scintigraphy instead of the indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) in the patients scheduled for hepatectomy, paying special attention to the factors causing the discrepancy between the ICGR15 and the hepatic uptake ratio of 99mTc‐GSA scintigraphy at 15 min (LHL15).

Methods

The medical records on the 197 patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2006 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. We defined ICG‐good as less than 15% at ICGR15 and ICG‐poor as 15% or more, and LHL‐good as 0.9 or more at LHL15 and LHL‐poor as less than 0.9.

Results

The patients were divided into the four groups ICG‐good/LHL‐good, ICG‐good/LHL‐poor, ICG‐poor/LHL‐good and ICG‐poor/LHL‐poor, showing the discrepancy between the two tests in 47 (23.8%) patients. In the ICG‐good group, the incidence of liver cirrhosis (LC) was significant higher in the ICG‐good/LHL‐poor group than in the ICG‐good/LHL‐good group at 54.5% versus 14.9% (P = 0.014). In the ICG‐poor group, the incidence of LC was significant lower in the ICG‐poor/LHL‐good group than in the ICG‐poor/LHL‐poor group at 44.4% versus 77.8% (P = 0.004). In multivariate analysis of the factors causing discrepancy, the factor contributing to LHL‐poor was hepatitis C infection and those contributing to LHL‐good were albumin and hyaluronic acid.

Conclusion

99mTc‐GSA scintigraphy is very helpful to assess the hepatic functional reserve in the ICG‐good patients who have hepatitis C infection and in the ICG‐poor patients who have relatively good levels of albumin and hyaluronic acid.
Mortality in perinatally HIV‐infected young people in England following transition to adult care: an HIV Young Persons Network (HYPNet) audit
Authors: Fish R , Judd A , Jungmann E , O'Leary C , Foster C ,   HIV Young Persons Network (HYPNet)
Published: October 2013

Objectives

Mortality in young people with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV) following transfer to adult care has not been characterized in the UK. We conducted a multicentre audit to establish the number of deaths and associated factors.

Methods

Fourteen adult clinics caring for infected young people reported deaths to 30 September 2011 on a proforma. Deaths were matched to the Collaborative HIV Paediatric Study, a clinical database of HIV‐infected children in the UK/Ireland, to describe clinical characteristics in paediatric care of those who died post‐transition.

Results

Eleven deaths were reported from 14 clinics which cared for 248 adults with PHIV. For the 11 deaths, the median age at transfer to adult care was 17 years (range 15–21 years), and at death was 21 years (range 17–24 years). Causes of death were suicide (two patients), advanced HIV disease (seven patients) and bronchiectasis (one patient), with one cause missing. At death, the median CD4 count was 27 cells/μL (range 0–630 cells/μL); five patients were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) but only two had a viral load < 50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL. Nine had poor adherence when in paediatric care, continuing into adult care despite multidisciplinary support. Eight had ART resistance, although all had potentially suppressive regimens available. Nine had mental health diagnoses.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the complex medical and psychosocial issues faced by some adults with PHIV, with nine of the 11 deaths in our study being associated with poor adherence and advanced HIV disease. Novel adherence interventions and mental health support are required for this vulnerable cohort.
Relationship between physicochemical and functional properties of amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) protein isolates
Authors: Shevkani Khetan , Singh Narpinder , Rana Jai Chand , Kaur Amritpal
Published: October 2013

Protein isolates from six amaranth lines/cultivars (APIs) were evaluated to study their physicochemical (hunter colour, protein content and zeta potential), structural (thermal and conformational) and functional (emulsification, foaming, water and fat absorption) properties. APIs had protein content, whiteness index and gel temperature in range of 79.4–85.4%, 41.17–54.26 and 87.8–91.8 °C, respectively. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectra of APIs revealed α‐helix, β‐sheets and random coil conformations in the secondary structure. APIs with higher relative proportion of β‐sheets had higher Differential Scanning Calorimeter denaturation temperature and gel temperature. Minimum protein solubility (PS) was observed at pH 5.0, indicating isoelectric point (pI) of amaranth proteins. The PS, emulsifying activity index (EAI), emulsifying stability index (ESI), foaming capacity (FC) and foam stability (FS) of APIs at neutral pH were related to their zeta potential (ζ). The emulsifying and foaming properties were also determined at different pHs (between 2.0 and 9.0). The EAI‐pH profile of APIs confirmed close relationship between the emulsifying ability and PS.
Changes in CNS cells in Hyperammonemic portal hypertensive rats
Authors: Tallis Silvina , Caltana Laura R. , Souto Pablo A. , Delfante Amalia E. , Lago Néstor R. , Brusco Alicia , Perazzo Juan C.
Published: October 2013

Rats with pre‐hepatic portal hypertension because of partial portal vein ligation develop minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) with hyperammonemia, impaired blood–brain barrier, mild brain edema, and severe mitochondrial changes in the hippocampus. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of different neural cells in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Animals were divided into two groups, MHE and sham. Astrocytes were studied by immunostaining with glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100β protein; neurons were immunostained with neuronal nuclear marker, microtubule associated protein‐2, and NF‐200 and capillaries with Nestin. The hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) and its downstream proteins, P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and erythropoietin receptor (Epo‐R), were also evaluated. Astrocytes were increased in area and number only in the hippocampus, while S100β increased in both brain areas in MHE animals. Microtubule associated protein‐2 and NF‐200 immunoreactivities (‐ir) were significantly reduced in both areas. Hippocampal Nestin‐ir was increased in MHE animals. These cellular changes were similar to those described in ischemic conditions, thus HIF‐1α, P‐gp, and Epo‐R were also evaluated. A high expression of HIF‐1α in cortical neurons was observed in the MHE group. It is likely that this hypoxia‐like state is triggered via ammonia occupying the binding domain of HIF‐1α and thereby preventing its degradation and inducing its stabilization, leading to the over‐expression of P‐gp and the Epo‐R.

image

Rats with pre‐hepatic portal hypertension because of partial portal vein ligation afford a model of minimal hepatic encephalopathy that developed hyperammonemia. The cellular changes found here were similar to those described in ischemic conditions. Besides, a high expression of HIF‐1α in cortical neurons was observed. It is likely that a hypoxia‐like state is triggered via ammonia occupying the binding domain of HIF‐1α and thereby preventing its degradation and inducing its stabilization, leading to the over‐expression of P‐gp and the Epo‐R.
Autism and normative sexual development: a narrative review
Authors: Dewinter Jeroen , Vermeiren Robert , Vanwesenbeeck Ine , van Nieuwenhuizen Chijs
Published: October 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore the existing knowledge on sexuality and autism spectrum disorders. To this end, the concept of normative sexual development was used as an organising framework.

Background

Sexual health can be seen as a developmental task for all children, adolescents and adults. Core autism features are related with skills central to sexual development and functioning. More insight in sexual development in people with autism is relevant for education, support and interventions by parents and professionals in somatic and mental health care.

Methods

A comprehensive search of scientific online databases and reference lists was conducted. Publications based on qualitative and quantitative research, including case studies, were selected.

Results

Fifty‐five articles and reports were selected and discussed. Information was grouped according to three domains: sexual behaviour, sexual selfhood and sexual socialisation.

Conclusion

Sexual development is a part of life for people with autism of all developmental levels and is generally understudied in this population. Most information was available on behavioural aspects and experiences of socialising agents, such as parents and professionals. Developmental processes and the relation between sexual behaviour, selfhood and socialisation remained unclear.

Relevance to clinical practice

Nurses working in schools, institutions and general health care support children, adolescents and adults with autism and advice their families, teachers, other educators and caregivers on sexuality issues. They can have an important role in daily assessment and support of this developmental domain by actively enquiring about the different aspects of sexual development and by offering information. Our findings offer an overview on the existing knowledge and support the idea that sexual development is normative for people with autism just as for anybody else.
Improving quality‐of‐life outcomes for patients with cancer through mediating effects of depressive symptoms and functional status: a three‐path mediation model
Authors: Hsu Mei‐Chi , Tu Chun‐Hsien
Published: October 2013

Aims and objectives

To test a hypothetical three‐path mediation model evaluating the effects of functional status and depressive symptoms on the relationship between fatigue and quality of life in patients with cancer on the basis of the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms.

Background

Patients with cancer often experience two or more concurrent, interrelated, mutually influential symptoms. Multiple unpleasant symptoms that have been proposed as mediating variables affecting quality of life in a model proposed in recent cancer studies are scanty.

Design

This study was a cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational design.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty‐six patients with cancer from oncology clinics were recruited in Taiwan between 2010–2011. Mediation models were tested and confirmed by applying structural modelling using Analysis of Moment Structures and the joint significance test.

Results

Fatigue affects patient quality of life directly or indirectly through functional status and depressive symptoms. These two mediating variables exhibited direct effects on quality of life. A path analysis approach revealed that 47·28 and 67·70% of the total effects of functional status and depressive symptoms, respectively, on the quality‐of‐life mediation models are attributable to 29·6 and 44·7% of the total effects between fatigue and quality of life, which mediated through two mediators, respectively.

Conclusion

Quality of life may be enhanced by simultaneously improving physiological and psychological factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

An understanding of mediating effects is valuable in nursing care of patients with cancer, particularly in the early phase of treatment or in newly diagnosed stages I–III or recently treated patients with cancer in different disease stages.
Sensory Nerve Conduction and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials of the Trigeminal Nerve in Horses with Idiopathic Headshaking
Authors: Aleman M. , Williams D.C. , Brosnan R.J. , Nieto J.E. , Pickles K.J. , Berger J. , LeCouteur R.A. , Holliday T.A. , Madigan J.E.
Published: October 2013

Background

Idiopathic headshaking (HSK) in horses is a distressing disorder in which the etiology and pathophysiology are unknown.

Hypothesis

Differences in sensory function of the trigeminal nerve exist between healthy and affected horses.

Animals

Six healthy mature geldings and 6 mature geldings with idiopathicHSK.

Methods

Prospective study. Sensory nerve action and somatosensory evoked potentials studies were performed. The stimulus site comprised the gingival mucosa dorsal to the maxillary canine. A pair of recording electrodes was placed along the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex at the infraorbital nerve (R1), maxillary nerve (R2), spinal tract of trigeminal (R3), and somatosensory cortex (R4). Sensory nerve action potential latency (ms), amplitude (μV), duration (ms), area under the curve (μVms), and conduction velocity (m/s) were calculated.

Results

Threshold for activation of the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve was significantly different between 5 affected (≤5 mA) and 6 control horses (≥10 mA). After initiation of an action potential, there were no differences in all parameters measured and no differences between left and right sides. A horse with seasonalHSKtested during a time of no clinical manifestations showed a threshold for activation similar to control horses.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study confirms involvement of the trigeminal nerve hyperexcitability in the pathophysiology of disease. Further, results might support a functional rather than a structural alteration in the sensory pathway of the trigeminal complex that can be seasonal. The horse could serve as a natural animal model for humans with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.
Plasma D‐Dimer Concentrations during ExperimentalEHV‐1 Infection of Horses
Authors: Goehring L.S. , Soboll Hussey G. , Gomez Diez M. , Benedict K. , Maxwell L.K. , Morley P.S. , Sloet van Oldruitenborgh‐Oosterbaan M.M. , Lunn D.P.
Published: October 2013

Background

Central nervous system blood vessel thrombosis is a part of the pathogenesis of equid herpesvirus‐associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM). D‐dimers (DD) are stable breakdown products of cross‐linked fibrin, and increasedDD‐plasma concentrations could reflect the degree of systemic coagulation duringEHV‐1 infection.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that bloodDDconcentrations will be increased during periods ofEHV‐1 fever and viremia, reflecting an activated coagulation cascade with fibrinolysis.

Animals

Twenty‐eight equids were infected withEHV‐1 in 3 experimental infection studies. Three (uninfected) horses were included in a separate study to evaluate methodology forDDconcentration measurements.

Methods

Clinical data and quantitative viremia were evaluated, andDDconcentrations were measured in blood samples on the day before the infection and during days 1–12 postchallenge. Uninfected horses were sampled every 3 hours for 48 hours. Logistic and linear regression was used to investigate the potential association between the fever and viremia with the presence or absence ofDDconcentrations in peripheral blood.

Results

DDconcentrations were increased for 1–8 days in the majority of infected animals. Both viremia (odds ratio [OR] 6.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4–11.8;P = .0013) and fever (OR4.9;CI2.3–10.1;P = .001) were strongly associated with the likelihood of detectingDDin peripheral blood.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

EHV‐1 viremia is associated with increases inDDconcentration in horses and ponies. This indicates thatEHV‐1 viremia can lead to an activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis.
Combined NanoSIMS and synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence reveal distinct cellular and subcellular distribution patterns of trace elements in rice tissues
Authors: Moore Katie L. , Chen Yi , van de Meene Allison M. L. , Hughes Louise , Liu Wenju , Geraki Tina , Mosselmans Fred , McGrath Steve P. , Grovenor Chris , Zhao Fang‐Jie
Published: October 2013

The cellular and subcellular distributions of trace elements can provide important clues to understanding how the elements are transported and stored in plant cells, but mapping their distributions is a challenging task.

The distributions of arsenic, iron, zinc, manganese and copper, as well as physiologically related macro‐elements, were mapped in the node, internode and leaf sheath of rice (Oryza sativa) using synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence (S‐XRF) and high‐resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS).

Although copper and silicon generally showed cell wall localization, arsenic, iron and zinc were strongly localized in the vacuoles of specific cell types. Arsenic was highly localized in the companion cell vacuoles of the phloem in all vascular bundles, showing a strong co‐localization with sulfur, consistent with As(III)–thiol complexation. Within the node, zinc was localized in the vacuoles of the parenchyma cell bridge bordering the enlarged and diffuse vascular bundles, whereas iron and manganese were localized in the fundamental parenchyma cells, with iron being strongly co‐localized with phosphorus in the vacuoles.

The highly heterogeneous and contrasting distribution patterns of these elements imply different transport activities and/or storage capacities among different cell types. Sequestration of arsenic in companion cell vacuoles may explain the limited phloem mobility of arsenite.
Long‐range connectomics
Authors: Jbabdi Saad , Behrens Timothy E.
Published: October 2013

Decoding neural algorithms is one of the major goals of neuroscience. It is generally accepted that brain computations rely on the orchestration of neural activity at local scales, as well as across the brain through long‐range connections. Understanding the relationship between brain activity and connectivity is therefore a prerequisite to cracking the neural code. In the past few decades, tremendous technological advances have been achieved in connectivity measurement techniques. We now possess a battery of tools to measure brain activity and connections at all available scales. A great source of excitement are the new in vivo tools that allow us to measure structural and functional connections noninvasively. Here, we discuss how these new technologies may contribute to deciphering the neural code.
Naturally occurring melanomas in dogs as models for non‐UV pathways of human melanomas
Authors: Gillard Marc , Cadieu Edouard , De Brito Clotilde , Abadie Jérôme , Vergier Béatrice , Devauchelle Patrick , Degorce Frédérique , Dréano Stephane , Primot Aline , Dorso Laetitia , Lagadic Marie , Galibert Francis , Hédan Benoit , Galibert Marie‐Dominique , André Catherine
Published: October 2013

Spontaneously occurring melanomas are frequent in dogs. They appear at the same localizations as in humans, i.e. skin, mucosal sites, nail matrix and eyes. They display variable behaviors: tumors at oral localizations are more frequent and aggressive than at other anatomical sites. Interestingly, dog melanomas are associated with strong breed predispositions and overrepresentation of black‐coated dogs. Epidemiological analysis of 2350 affected dogs showed that poodles are at high risk of developing oral melanoma, while schnauzers or Beauce shepherds mostly developped cutaneous melanoma. Clinical and histopathological analyses were performed on a cohort of 153 cases with a 4‐yr follow‐up. Histopathological characterization showed that most canine tumors are intradermal and homologous to human rare morphological melanomas types – ‘nevocytoid type’ and ‘animal type’‐. Tumor cDNA sequencing data, obtained from 95 dogs for six genes, relevant to human melanoma classification, detected somatic mutations in oral melanoma, in NRAS and PTEN genes, at human hotspot sites, but not in BRAF. Altogether, these findings support the relevance of the dog model for comparative oncology of melanomas, especially for the elucidation of non‐UV induced pathways.
Resistance to vemurafenib resulting from a novel mutation in the BRAFV600E kinase domain
Authors: Wagenaar Timothy R. , Ma Leyuan , Roscoe Benjamin , Park Sung Mi , Bolon Daniel N. , Green Michael R.
Published: October 2013

Resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib poses a significant problem for the treatment of BRAFV600E‐positive melanomas. It is therefore critical to prospectively identify all vemurafenib resistance mechanisms prior to their emergence in the clinic. The vemurafenib resistance mechanisms described to date do not result from secondary mutations within BRAFV600E. To search for possible mutations within BRAFV600E that can confer drug resistance, we developed a systematic experimental approach involving targeted saturation mutagenesis, selection of drug‐resistant variants, and deep sequencing. We identified a single nucleotide substitution (T1514A, encoding L505H) that greatly increased drug resistance in cultured cells and mouse xenografts. The kinase activity of BRAFV600E/L505H was higher than that of BRAFV600E, resulting in cross‐resistance to a MEK inhibitor. However, BRAFV600E/L505H was less resistant to several other BRAF inhibitors whose binding sites were further from L505 than that of PLX4720. Our results identify a novel vemurafenib‐resistant mutant and provide insights into the treatment for melanomas bearing this mutation.
Benefactors and Beneficiaries: The Effects of Giving and Receiving on Cost‐Coalitional Problems
Authors: Meca Ana , Sošić Greys
Published: October 2013

Motivated by supply chain collaborations in practice, we introduce a class of cost‐coalitional problems, which are based on a priori information about the cost faced by each agent in each set that it could belong to. Our focus is on problems with decreasingly monotonic coalitional costs. In this class of problems, we study the effects of giving and receiving when there exist players whose participation in an alliance always contributes to the savings of all alliance members (we refer to these players as benefactors), and there also exist players whose cost decreases in such an alliance (we call them beneficiaries). We use linear and quadratic norm cost games to analyze the role played by benefactors and beneficiaries in achieving stability of different cooperating alliances. We consider different notions of stability (the core and the bargaining set) and provide conditions for stability of an all‐inclusive alliance of agents which leads to minimum value of total cost incurred by all agents.
Transfer Pricing and Sourcing Strategies for Multinational Firms
Authors: Shunko Masha , Debo Laurens , Gavirneni Srinagesh
Published: October 2013

Taking advantage of low tax rates using transfer pricing and taking advantage of low production costs using offshoring are two strategies multinational firms (MNFs) use to increase profits. We identify an important trade‐off that MNFs face in setting their transfer prices: the conflict between (i) the incentive role and (ii) the tax role of the transfer price. For MNFs, we find the profit‐maximizing transfer‐pricing strategies that motivate divisional management to (i) make good sourcing decisions and (ii) take advantage of favorable tax rates. We quantify the absolute and relative maximum inefficiency in terms of the after‐tax MNF's profit change from using a single transfer‐pricing system as compared to the dual transfer‐pricing system. We show that the highest relative loss is attained when the average sourcing cost and the tax differential are high. We demonstrate that the highest absolute loss is attained when the average outsourcing cost is approximately equal to the offshoring cost. We extend our results to two practical variations in MNF structures: an MNF that faces operational constraints on its offshoring capacity and an MNF that uses compensation contracts linked to after‐tax firm‐wide profits. Our insights help MNFs' managers identify when to use single and dual transfer‐pricing systems.
SVR4 (suppressor of variegation 4) and SVR4‐like: two proteins with a role in proper organization of the chloroplast genetic machinery
Authors: Powikrowska Marta , Khrouchtchova Anastassia , Martens Helle Juel , Zygadlo‐Nielsen Agnieszka , Melonek Joanna , Schulz Alexander , Krupinska Karin , Rodermel Steven , Jensen Poul Erik
Published: October 2013

SUPPRESSOR OF VARIEGATION 4 (SVR4, also called MRL7) and its homolog SVR4‐like (also called MRL7‐Like) were originally identified as important proteins for proper function of the chloroplast in Arabidopsis. Both are nuclear‐encoded chloroplast‐located proteins, and knockout mutants of either gene result in seedling lethality. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that chloroplast development is arrested at an early developmental stage in both mutants. Accordingly, in the mutant plants severely decreased levels of photosynthetic pigments as well as subunits of the photosynthetic complexes could be detected. In absence of either of the two proteins chloroplast DNA organization was clearly affected. Immunological analysis revealed that SVR4 is a component of the transcriptionally active chromosome (TAC) from barley chloroplasts. Analyses of gene expression indicate that SVR4 and SVR4‐like are required for proper function of the plastid transcriptional machinery. We propose that SVR4 and SVR4‐like function as molecular chaperones ensuring proper organization of the nucleoids in chloroplasts.
Automated Fast Initial Guess in Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Wang Z. , Vo M. , Kieu H. , Pan T.
Published: October 2013

A challenging task that has hampered the fully automatic processing of the digital image correlation (DIC) technique is the initial guess when large deformation and rotation are present. In this paper, a robust scheme combining the concepts of a scale‐invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm and an improved random sample consensus (iRANSAC) algorithm is employed to conduct an automated fast initial guess for the DIC technique. The scale‐invariant feature transform algorithm can detect a certain number of matching points from two images even though the corresponding deformation and rotation are large or the images have periodic and identical patterns. After removing the wrong matches with the improved random sample consensus algorithm, the three pairs of closest and non‐collinear matching points serve for the purpose of initial guess calculation. The validity of the technique is demonstrated by both computer simulation and real experiment.