bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety study of 38 503 intravitreal ranibizumab injections performed mainly by physicians in training and nurses in a hospital setting
Authors: Hasler Pascal W. , Brandi Bloch Sara , Villumsen Jørgen , Fuchs Josefine , Lund‐Andersen Henrik , Larsen Michael
Published: November 2014

Purpose

To evaluate and to compare the safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections performed by physicians and nurses at a single large hospital clinic in Denmark during 5 years.

Design

Retrospective, interventional, non‐comparative study.

Methods

Setting: All eyes that underwent a protocolized ranibizumab injection procedure performed in an operating room mainly by nurses and physicians in their first year of ophthalmology training. Study population: A total of 4623 eyes in 3679 patients with subretinal neovascularization secondary to a variety of retinal diseases, mainly neovascular AMD treated with intravitreal therapy (IVT) at the Glostrup Hospital from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011 with a mean follow‐up of 12.2 months (95% confidence interval: 11.9–12.6). Main outcome measures: Frequency of endophthalmitis, traumatic cataract, intraocular haemorrhage and retinal detachment from 2007 to 2012.

Results

Overall, 38 503 intravitreal ranibizumab injections were performed in 4623 eyes. Injections were performed by nurses (32.5%), ophthalmology residents (61.3%) and vitreoretinal surgeons (6.2%). Severe complications to treatment were observed in 17 eyes: Endophthalmitis (14 eyes, 0.36 ‰ of injections whereof seven cases were culture‐positive), anterior uveitis (one eye, 0.026 ‰), traumatic cataract (one eye, 0.026 ‰) and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (one eye, 0.026 ‰). Retinal pigment epithelial tears were registered in 14 eyes in 14 subjects within the first year of treatment with ranibizumab. Of the 14 cases of endophthalmitis, seven occurred within a period of 5 weeks in 2010 when occasionally abnormal needle outflow resistance prompted the needle replacement in the operating room. No drug‐related adverse events were recorded.

Conclusions

Intravitreal ranibizumab injection performed by nurses and physicians without preinjection topical antibiotics was associated with a rate of injection‐related adverse events of 0.44 ‰.
Developmental Pathways From Childhood Aggression–Disruptiveness, Chronic Peer Rejection, and Deviant Friendships to Early‐Adolescent Rule Breaking
Authors: Ettekal Idean , Ladd Gary W.
Published: November 2014

Childhood aggression–disruptiveness (AD), chronic peer rejection, and deviant friendships were examined as predictors of early‐adolescent rule‐breaking behaviors. Using a sample of 383 children (193 girls and 190 boys) who were followed from ages 6 to 14, peer rejection trajectories were identified and incorporated into a series of alternative models to assess how chronic peer rejection and deviant friendships mediate the association between stable childhood AD and early‐adolescent rule breaking. There were multiple mediated pathways to rule breaking that included both behavioral and relational risk factors, and findings were consistent for boys and girls. Results have implications for better understanding the influence of multiple social processes in the continuity of antisocial behaviors from middle childhood to early adolescence.
Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) antigen in obese and normal weight subjects
Authors: Salamati S. , Martins C. , Kulseng B.
Published: November 2014

Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and its cell wall components have been used as one of the alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in the feed industry. Antibodies to cell wall mannan of this yeast (ASCA) have been traditionally used in the study of Crohn's disease (CD). We applied ASCA in relation to obesity. This study aims (i) to determine the concentration of ASCA (immunoglobulin A [IgA] and immunoglobulin G [IgG]) in obese compared with normal weight individuals and (ii) to determine if there is a correlation between ASCA concentrations, obesity indices and C‐reactive protein. Forty obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] > 35 kg m−2) and 18 healthy (BMI < 25 kg m−2) volunteers participated in this case–control study. Binding activity of serum IgA and IgG to the cell wall mannan of S. cerevisiae was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. More than one‐third of the obese individual (35%) showed elevated titres of ASCA compared with the control group (5%). This antibody was positively associated with weight (P = 0.01), BMI (P = 0.02) and waist circumference (P = 0.02), but not with C‐reactive protein. It seems that ASCA are not only specific for CD but are also associated with obesity. S. cerevisiae or a related antigen may play a role in the matrix of this complex condition.
ALK‐positive (2p23 rearranged) anaplastic large cell lymphoma with localization to the skin in a pediatric patient
Authors: Pulitzer Melissa , Ogunrinade Olakunle , Lin Oscar , Steinherz Peter
Published: November 2014

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) either as primary cutaneous or nodal disease is rare in children and difficult to distinguish, which is important both prognostically and for treatment purposes. We present a case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)+ skin‐limited ALCL that highlights this challenge and draws attention to pitfalls in assessing ALK status. The patient was an 11‐year old girl with a twice recurrent nodule on her right shoulder. Each biopsy revealed a deep infiltrate of atypical lymphocytes that expressed CD3, CD4, CD43, CD45RO and CD30. The initial biopsy was epithelial membrane antigen (EMA)+ with vague cytoplasmic ALK‐1 positivity by immunohistochemistry, while the second biopsy was EMA+ and nuclear ALK‐1+. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis for an ALK (2p23) rearrangement of the first specimen was negative, while an ALK gene rearrangement was present in the second specimen. Therefore, this case was treated as nodal ALCL, despite negative bone marrow and radiographic imaging studies. The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy and remains disease‐free. Demonstration of nuclear ALK‐positivity, ALK (2p23) gene rearrangement is suggestive of systemic ALCL. Without evidence of systemic disease, this case highlights challenges of skin‐limited ALCL, whose clinical behavior as either cutaneous ALCL systemic ALCL may not be immediately apparent.
Diabetes nutrition therapy and dietary intake among individuals with Type 1 diabetes in China
Authors: Jaacks L. M. , Liu W. , Ji L. , Mendez M. A. , Du S. , Crandell J. , Rosamond W. , Mayer‐Davis E. J.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To describe the contribution of diabetes nutrition therapy to disease self‐management among individuals with Type 1 diabetes in China and to estimate the association of diabetes nutrition therapy with dietary intake.

Methods

The 3C Study was an epidemiological study of the coverage, cost and care of Type 1 diabetes in China. The data reported in the present study are from the 3C Nutrition Ancillary Study, a follow‐up study conducted a mean ± sd of 1.6 ± 0.2 years later. Diabetes nutrition therapy was assessed by an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using three 24‐h recalls. The association of diabetes nutrition therapy with dietary intake was estimated using ancova.

Results

Participants (n = 100; 54% male) had a mean ± sd age of 41.7 ± 16.3 years and a mean ± sd diabetes duration of 11.8 ± 9.7 years. Fewer than half of the participants reported that they had ‘ever’ met with a dietitian. While 64% of participants were taught carbohydrate counting, only 12% ‘ever’ use this tool. Participants on insulin pumps and those testing ≥ 1 time/day reported greater dietary flexibility and higher fruit intakes compared with participants on other insulin regimens and testing less frequently. After adjustment for confounding by age and occupation, there were no consistent differences in dietary intake across subgroups of diabetes nutrition therapy.

Conclusions

In this sample of individuals with Type 1 diabetes in China there is little dietitian involvement or carbohydrate counting. Increased frequency of nutrition education in conjunction with intensified self‐monitoring of blood glucose is needed to improve care.
The development of equine immunity: Current knowledge on immunology in the young horse
Authors: Perkins G. A. , Wagner B.
Published: November 2014

The development of equine immunity from the fetus to adulthood is complex. The foal's immune response and the immune mechanisms that they are equipped with, along with changes over the first months of life until the immune system becomes adult‐like, are only partially understood. While several innate immune responses seem to be fully functional from birth, the onset of adaptive immune response is delayed. For some adaptive immune parameters, such as immunoglobin (Ig)G1,IgG3,IgG5andIgAantibodies, the immune response starts before or at birth and matures within 3 months of life. Other antibody responses, such asIgG4,IgG7andIgEproduction, slowly develop within the first year of life until they reach adult levels. Similar differences have been observed for adaptiveTcell responses. Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) production byThelper 1 (Th1)‐cells and cytotoxicTcells starts shortly after birth with low level production that gradually increases during the first year of life. In contrast, interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) produced byTh2‐cells is almost undetectable in the first 3 months of life. These findings offer some explanation for the increased susceptibility of foals to certain pathogens such asRhodococcus equi. The delay inTh‐cell development and in particularTh2immunity during the first months of life also provides an explanation for the reduced responsiveness of young horses to most traditional vaccines. In summary, all immune components of adult horses seem to exist in foals but the orchestrating and regulation of the immune response in immature horses is strikingly different. Young foals are fully competent and can perform certain immune responses but many mechanisms have yet to mature. Additional work is needed to improve our understanding of immunity and immune regulation in young horses, to identify the preferred immune pathways that they are using and ultimately provide new preventive strategies to protect against infectious disease.
Climate Change Response at the Farm Level: A Review of Farmers’ Awareness and Adaptation Strategies in Developing Countries
Authors: Harmer Nichola , Rahman Sanzidur
Published: November 2014

This paper provides an overview of farmers’ awareness and a typology of adaptation strategies undertaken in order to combat climate change at the farm‐level in developing countries. The review suggests that the extent to which farmers are aware of climate change is uneven, and the link between perception and action is often unclear. Farmers adopt a range of strategies from financial responses, to agricultural changes, to religious and cultural strategies, to the use of local and wider support networks. However, whether these actions are adaptation or coping strategies is debatable. Response to climate change has both spatial and temporal dimensions; and a host of socio‐economic factors (e.g., lack of resources, gender or cultural identities) influence adaptation strategies. Finally, these adaptation strategies can be seen as nested within broadly defined livelihood strategies.
ABLIM1 splicing is abnormal in skeletal muscle of patients with DM1 and regulated by MBNL, CELF and PTBP1
Authors: Ohsawa Natsumi , Koebis Michinori , Mitsuhashi Hiroaki , Nishino Ichizo , Ishiura Shoichi
Published: November 2014

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an RNA‐mediated disorder characterized by muscle weakness, cardiac defects and multiple symptoms and is caused by expanded CTG repeats within the 3′ untranslated region of the DMPK gene. In this study, we found abnormal splicing of actin‐binding LIM protein 1 (ABLIM1) in skeletal muscles of patients with DM1 and a DM1 mouse model (HSALR). An exon 11 inclusion isoform is expressed in skeletal muscle and heart of non‐DM1 individuals, but not in skeletal muscle of patients with DM1 or other adult human tissues. Moreover, we determined that ABLIM1 splicing is regulated by several splice factors, including MBNL family proteins, CELF1, 2 and 6, and PTBP1, using a cellular splicing assay. MBNL proteins promoted the inclusion of ABLIM1 exon 11, but other proteins and expanded CUG repeats repressed exon 11 of ABLIM1. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that MBNL proteins are trapped by expanded CUG repeats and inactivated in DM1 and that CELF1 is activated in DM1. However, activation of PTBP1 has not been reported in DM1. Our results suggest that the exon 11 inclusion isoform of ABLIM1 may have a muscle‐specific function, and its abnormal splicing could be related to muscle symptoms of DM1.
Groundwater Governance in the United States: Common Priorities and Challenges
Authors: Megdal Sharon B. , Gerlak Andrea K. , Varady Robert G. , Huang Ling‐Yee
Published: November 2014

Groundwater is a critical component of the water supply for agriculture, urban areas, industry, and ecosystems, but managing it is a challenge because groundwater is difficult to map, quantify, and evaluate. Until recently, study and assessment of governance of this water resource has been largely neglected. A survey was developed to query state agency officials about the extent and scope of groundwater use, groundwater laws and regulations, and groundwater tools and strategies. Survey responses revealed key findings: states' legal frameworks for groundwater differ widely in recognizing the hydrologic connection between surface water and groundwater, the needs of groundwater‐dependent ecosystems, and the protection of groundwater quality; states reported a range in capacity to enforce groundwater responsibilities; and states have also experienced substantial changes in groundwater governance in the past few decades. Overall, groundwater governance across the United States is fragmented. States nevertheless identified three common priorities for groundwater governance: water quality and contamination, conflicts between users, and declining groundwater levels. This survey represents an initial step in a broader, continuing effort to characterize groundwater governance practices in the United States.
Sustainable Capture: Concepts for Managing Stream‐Aquifer Systems
Authors: Davids Jeffrey C. , Mehl Steffen W.
Published: November 2014

Most surface water bodies (i.e., streams, lakes, etc.) are connected to the groundwater system to some degree so that changes to surface water bodies (either diversions or importations) can change flows in aquifer systems, and pumping from an aquifer can reduce discharge to, or induce additional recharge from streams, springs, and lakes. The timescales of these interactions are often very long (decades), making sustainable management of these systems difficult if relying only on observations of system responses. Instead, management scenarios are often analyzed based on numerical modeling. In this paper we propose a framework and metrics that can be used to relate the Theis concepts of capture to sustainable measures of stream‐aquifer systems. We introduce four concepts: Sustainable Capture Fractions, Sustainable Capture Thresholds, Capture Efficiency, and Sustainable Groundwater Storage that can be used as the basis for developing metrics for sustainable management of stream‐aquifer systems. We demonstrate their utility on a hypothetical stream‐aquifer system where pumping captures both streamflow and discharge to phreatophytes at different amounts based on pumping location. In particular, Capture Efficiency (CE) can be easily understood by both scientists and non‐scientist alike, and readily identifies vulnerabilities to sustainable stream‐aquifer management when its value exceeds 100%.
Trends in Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Māori, Pacific, and European Birth Cohorts in New Zealand
Authors: McDonald Andrea M. , Sarfati Diana , Baker Michael G. , Blakely Tony
Published: November 2014

Background

The aim of this paper is to estimate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the New Zealand population by ethnicity and year of birth.

Methods

A systematic search identified seven studies in New Zealand that reported prevalence of H. pylori infection among 4463 participants. Prevalence data were pooled to estimate the Māori, Pacific, and European seroprevalence of H. pylori in four birth cohorts (1926–40, 1941–55, 1956–70, and 1971–85), by assuming that infection is acquired in childhood and seroprevalence is stable with aging. The best estimates of national seroprevalence were obtained by geographic regional weighting and corrections for selection and measurement bias.

Results

Infection rates among all ethnic groups declined in more recent birth cohorts. Prevalence was highest among Pacific peoples (ranging from 39–83%) followed by Māori (18–57%) and then European (7–35%). The absolute ethnic differences in seroprevalence decreased in subsequent cohorts, but the relative ethnic differences increased.

Conclusions

There is scope to much further reduce Māori and especially Pacific people's risk of H. pylori infection. Solutions to reduce H. pylori prevalence and its sequelae should focus on people at greatest risk of the infection. Further evaluation of strategies to address H. pylori infection is warranted. Interventions to be evaluated could include household crowding reduction and eradication therapy for asymptomatic infected persons to reduce their risk of noncardia stomach cancer.
Early Failure of the Biotronik Linox Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Lead
Authors: PADFIELD GARETH J. , STEINBERG CHRISTIAN , KARIM SHAHZAD S. , TUNG STANLEY , BENNETT MATTHEW T. , LE MAITRE JOHN P. , BASHIR JAMIL
Published: November 2014

Early Failure of the Biotronik Linox

Introduction

The Linox and Durata implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads were introduced to British Columbia (BC) in 2008. We determined their performance and the potential risk factors for lead failure in a large population‐based patient registry.

Methods and Results

We used the BC Cardiac Registry, a mandatory Governmental database of ICD implants, to identify all recipients of Linox and Durata leads in BC between October 2008 and April 2012, and those subsequently undergoing reoperation. Lead failure was defined as recurrent nonphysiological high‐rate sensing unrelated to external electromagnetic interference or T‐wave oversensing; a sudden rise in impedance unrelated to perforation or lead dislodgement; or abnormal lead parameters with definite evidence of lead fracture or insulation failure. We determined the estimated cumulative lead survival by the Kaplan–Meier method, and the risk factors for lead failure in a proportional hazards model. Over a median of 39 (27–50) months, the Linox failed more frequently than the Durata (16/477 [3.4%] vs. 4/838 [0.4%]; P < 0.001), and had a significantly lower estimated cumulative survival (91.6 [80.6–96.5]% vs. 99.4 [98.4–99.8]% at 5 years; P < 0.0001). Linox failure was characterized by high‐rate nonphysiological sensing (11 cases), and/or a sudden impedance rise (7 cases). Insulation failure was clearly confirmed in 6 cases of Linox failure. Female sex was a significant risk factor for Linox failure (adjusted HR = 2.1[1.3–3.4]; P = 0.004).

Conclusions

This multicenter registry indicates a high rate of Linox lead failure, particularly in female patients. Ongoing surveillance of the Linox ICD lead performance is recommended.
Smoking is associated with combined allergic and irritant hand eczema, contact allergies and hyperhidrosis
Authors: Molin S. , Ruzicka T. , Herzinger T.
Published: November 2014

Background

The pathogenesis of chronic hand eczema (CHE) is multifactorial. Certain life‐style factors have been suggested as potential triggers of the disease, among them tobacco smoking. However, the few studies addressing the influence of smoking on CHE have been more or less limited to occupational hand eczema.

Objective

The aim of our study was to investigate the association of smoking status with clinical features like contact sensitization, irritant exposure, atopy and hyperhidrosis in a thoroughly characterized cohort of CHE patients.

Methods

A total of 153 patients with CHE underwent clinical examination and an interview about their history and course of disease.

Results

Significantly more smokers suffered from combined allergic and irritant hand eczema (25/86) than non‐smokers (7/67; P < 0.05). Nickel sensitization and palmar hyperhidrosis tended to be more frequent among smokers than among non‐smokers (nickel: 17/86 smokers, 6/67 non‐smokers; hyperhidrosis: 21/84 smokers, 8/64 non‐smokers). Among the smoking CHE patients with palmar hyperhidrosis, a significant proportion had contact allergies relevant contact allergies (16/21, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results reveal a predominance of smokers among patients with combined allergic and irritant hand eczema as well as with hyperhidrosis and relevant contact sensitizations.
Poultry Carcasses Chilled by Forced Air, Water Immersion and Combination of Forced Air and Water Immersion
Authors: Rodrigues L.G.G. , Carciofi B.A.M. , Laurindo J.B.
Published: November 2014

Conventional chilling methods such as forced air (FA) and water immersion (WI) are used in the industry to chill poultry carcasses from approximately 40 to 4C, which is essential to improve safety. Besides both processes, a combined method (CO) of WI and FA has been reported in the literature. The objective of this investigation was to compare the chilling of poultry carcasses by FA, WI and CO using an experimental apparatus specially designed for this purpose. Time‐temperature evolutions of pectoral muscle and carcass mass variations during the chilling processes were determined under different chilling conditions, comprising different air velocities and relative humidities (RH). The results showed that it is possible to reduce the water loss (approximately 50%) and chilling time (reduction between 14.5 and 1.5%) of FA process using CO process. Air velocity and RH ranges can be varied to take advantage of evaporative chilling and to reduce the carcasses water loss.

Practical Applications

In the factories, poultry carcasses are chilled from approximately 40 to 4C by water immersion, which is crucial to ensure safe products. However, air chilling (AC) has been often used for safety reason and due to the limited availability of water. On the contrary, wetting the carcasses avoids excessive moisture loss in air chillers, whereas the evaporation of the water adhered to the carcass surface may assist the chilling process. The present paper evaluates the effectiveness of AC and of a combined chilling method (CC) (AC combined with water immersion chilling) of poultry carcasses at different relative humidity and air velocities. The results showed that the CC process was shorter and reduced carcasses weight loss compared with the AC process.
Gustav Senn (1875–1945): The pioneer of chloroplast movement research
Authors: Kataoka Hironao
Published: November 2014

Gustav Senn analyzed for the first time light‐induced movement and arrangement of chloroplasts. Using many plant species he performed physiological analyses of chloroplast migration in response to external stimuli, with emphasis on light. He determined light paths within a cell by measuring refractive indices and optical thickness of cellular compartments and confirmed that chloroplasts migrate towards the region where the light intensity is optimum. After 6 to 7 years' concentrated study, Senn published the famous monograph “Die Gestalts‐ und Lageveränderung der Pflanzen‐ Chromatophoren”(The Changes in Shape and Position of Plant Chloroplasts) in 1908. This book has stimulated many plant physiologists and photobiologists, because Senn not only thoroughly classified and defined various types of light‐induced chloroplast migration but also already described possible interaction of different photoreceptor systems inMougeotiamore than 50 years before the discovery of phytochrome. This book also contains still useful experimental hints and overlooked findings on the interaction between light and other factors, such as temperature, water content, and nourishment. After publishing this book, Senn retreated from the study of chloroplasts and became a researcher of the Greek philosopher, Theophrastus. In this review, I introduce his biographical background and then summarize some of his key research accomplishment.

Hironao Kataoka
Exome sequencing reveals mutations in MFN2 and GDAP1 in severe Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
Authors: Kostera‐Pruszczyk Anna , Kosinska Joanna , Pollak Agnieszka , Stawinski Piotr , Walczak Anna , Wasilewska Krystyna , Potulska‐Chromik Anna , Szczudlik Piotr , Kaminska Anna , Ploski Rafal
Published: November 2014

The aim of our study was to characterize electrophysiologically and explain the genetic cause of severe Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) in a 3.5‐year‐old with asymptomatic parents and a maternal grandfather with a history of mild adult‐onset axonal neuropathy. Severity of neuropathy was assessed by Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathy score (CMTNS). Whole‐exome sequencing was performed using an Illumina TruSeq Exome Enrichment Kit on the HiSeq 1500 with results followed up by Sanger sequencing on an ABI Prism 3500XL (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). Paternity was confirmed using a panel of 15 hypervariable markers. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated severe axonal sensory‐motor neuropathy in the proband, mild motor neuropathy in his mother, and mild sensory‐motor neuropathy in his grandfather. CMTNS in the proband, his mother, and grandfather was 21, 1, and 12, respectively. On genetic analysis, the boy was found to carry a heterozygous dominant MFN2 T236M mutation transmitted via the maternal line and a de novo GDAP1 H123R mutation. Our findings emphasize the need to search for more than one causative mutation when significant intrafamilial variability of CMT phenotype occurs and underline the role of whole‐exome sequencing in the diagnosis of compound forms of CMT disease.
Majoring in Selection, and Minoring in Socialization: The Role of the College Experience in Goal Change Post–High School
Authors: Hill Patrick L. , Jackson Joshua J. , Nagy Nicole , Nagy Gabriel , Roberts Brent W. , Lüdtke Oliver , Trautwein Ulrich
Published: November 2014

Though it is frequently assumed that the college experience can influence our life goals, this claim has been relatively understudied. The current study examined the role of goals in college major selection, as well as whether major selection influences later goal change. In addition, we examined whether a person's perceptions of his or her peers' goals influence goal setting. Using a sample of German students (Mage = 19 years; n = 3,023 at Wave 1), we assessed life goal levels and changes from high school into college across three assessment occasions. Participants reported their current aspirations, along with the perceived goals of their peers during the college assessments. Using latent growth curve models, findings suggest that life goals upon entering college significantly predict the majors students select. However, this major selection had limited influence on later changes in life goals. Stronger effects were found with respect to perceptions of peers' goals, with students tending to change their goals to better align with their peers. The current study provides evidence that life goals are relatively stable and yet can change during the emerging adult years, in ways that demonstrate the potential influence of the college experience.
Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Indirectly Predict Prosocial Behavior Through Perspective Taking and Empathic Concern
Authors: Christ Christa C. , Carlo Gustavo , Stoltenberg Scott F.
Published: November 2014

Engaging in prosocial behavior can provide positive outcomes for self and others. Prosocial tendencies contribute to the propensity to engage in prosocial behavior. The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has also been associated with prosocial tendencies and behaviors. There has been little research, however, investigating whether the relationship between OXTR and prosocial behaviors is mediated by prosocial tendencies. This relationship may also vary among different types of prosocial behavior. The current study examines the relationship between OXTR, gender, prosocial tendencies, and both altruistic and public prosocial behavior endorsement. Students at a midwestern university (N = 398; 89.2% Caucasian; Mage = 20.76; 26.6% male) provided self‐report measures of prosocial tendencies and behaviors and buccal cells for genotyping OXTR polymorphisms. Results indicated that OXTR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2268498 genotype significantly predicted empathic concern, whereas gender moderated the association between several other OXTR SNPs and prosocial tendencies. Increased prosocial tendencies predicted increased altruistic prosocial behavior endorsement and decreased public prosocial behavior endorsement. Our findings suggest an association between genetic variation in OXTR and endorsement of prosocial behavior indirectly through prosocial tendencies, and that the pathway is dependent on the type of prosocial behavior and gender.
Marital Status and Derived Pension Rights: A Political Economy Model of Public Pensions with Borrowing Constraints
Authors: ONO TETSUO
Published: November 2014

This paper develops an overlapping‐generations models featuring four types of households: single female, single male, one‐breadwinner couple, and two‐breadwinner couple. The paper considers majority voting over public pension in the presence of derived pension rights for one‐breadwinner couples. In an economy with a low intertemporal elasticity of substitution, borrowing‐constrained one‐breadwinner couples may prefer a lower tax rate than do other types of households, although the former attain a higher benefit‐to‐cost ratio of public pension than do others. Changes in the gender wage gap, the level of derived pension rights, and the fraction of two‐breadwinner couples produce an inverse U‐shaped relationship between the relevant variable and the tax rate.
Phytate in pig and poultry nutrition
Authors: Humer E. , Schwarz C. , Schedle K.
Published: November 2014

Phosphorus (P) is primarily stored in the form of phytates in plant seeds, thus being poorly available for monogastric livestock, such as pigs and poultry. As phytate is a polyanionic molecule, it has the capacity to chelate positively charged cations, especially calcium, iron and zinc. Furthermore, it probably compromises the utilization of other dietary nutrients, including protein, starch and lipids. Reduced efficiency of utilization implies both higher levels of supplementation and increased discharge of the undigested nutrients to the environment. The enzyme phytase catalyses the stepwise hydrolysis of phytate. In respect to livestock nutrition, there are four possible sources of this enzyme available for the animals: endogenous mucosal phytase, gut microfloral phytase, plant phytase and exogenous microbial phytase. As the endogenous mucosal phytase in monogastric organisms appears incapable of hydrolysing sufficient amounts of phytate‐bound P, supplementation of exogenous microbial phytase in diets is a common method to increase mineral and nutrient absorption. Plant phytase activity varies greatly among species of plants, resulting in differing gastrointestinal phytate hydrolysis in monogastric animals. Besides the supplementation of microbial phytase, processing techniques are alternative approaches to reduce phytate contents. Thus, techniques such as germination, soaking and fermentation enable activation of naturally occurring plant phytase among others. However, further research is needed to tap the potential of these technologies. The main focus herein is to review the available literature on the role of phytate in pig and poultry nutrition, its degradation throughout the gut and opportunities to enhance the utilization of P as well as other minerals and nutrients which might be complexed by phytates.
Night and day: comparing flight initiation dynamics in two closely related species of true frogs
Authors: Cloyed C. S. , Eason P. K.
Published: November 2014

The decision of when to flee a predator depends on the costs and benefits of flight. Here, we used two species of closely related frogs, Lithobates catesbeianus and L. clamitans, to test the effects of several factors on flight initiation distance (FID), the distance between an approaching predator and its prey when the latter flees. We altered costs of flight by approaching frogs from within versus outside ponds, and we tested the influence of broad‐scale visibility by approaching frogs during the day and at night. To assess small‐scale visibility, we measured percentage of vegetative cover at the point from which a frog fled. To test effects of distance to refuge and body size on FID, we measured distance between each frog and the pond margin when the frog fled, and we estimated frog size. We predicted that FID would be greatest during the day and when frogs were approached from outside the pond. We also predicted that FID would increase with less vegetative cover, increasing distance between frogs and the pond, and increased frog body size. We used an information theoretic approach to contrast alternative models. For L. catesbeianus, the best‐fit model included four highly weighted parameters: approach location, day/night, body size and distance to refuge. For L. clamitans, the best‐fit model included only two parameters with high weights, day/night and body size. Lithobates catesbeianus and L. clamitans appear to differ in their sensitivity to predators, with L. catesbeianus having longer FIDs than L. clamitans and being strongly affected by more parameters. The differences we observed in FID between the two species may be best explained by differences in body size.
Coexistence of the tiger and the common leopard in a prey‐rich area: the role of prey partitioning
Authors: Lovari S. , Pokheral C. P. , Jnawali S. R. , Fusani L. , Ferretti F.
Published: November 2014

Ecological theory predicts that sympatric species should avoid competition through diet, spatial and/or temporal partitioning. In carnivores, interference is widespread between species with similar diets. Smaller species are expected to differentiate their diet from that of larger, dominant ones, to reduce the risk of potentially lethal encounters. Interference has been reported between tigers and common leopards, with the former dominant over the latter. In 2009–2011, in an area ofTerai,South‐WestNepal, we assessed food habits and prey selection of tigers and common leopards, to evaluate whether prey partitioning occurred between these large cats. Prey availability was high, both in terms of number of species (at least seven wild ungulates beside livestock, two primates and an array of smaller prey) and density (large ungulates, livestock and primates: 130.8–174.8 individuals per km2). Wild vertebrates were the staple of both cats (tigers: 82.7%; common leopards: 66.6%), but common leopards used livestock significantly more than tigers did. Diet breadth of leopards wasc.20% larger than that of tigers, indicating a broader trophic niche. Significant differences in prey use and selection occurred between tigers and leopards, with the former using large (i.e. >100 kg) prey more often and small (i.e. 5–25 kg) prey less often than the latter did. Medium‐sized prey were taken in comparable proportions by the two cats, with a great overlap of diet (Pianka index: 0.85). In conclusion, in our study area, apparently tigers and leopards did not base their coexistence on diet partitioning, suggesting a major role for spatial and/or temporal partitioning.
Association of VARS2‐SFTA2 polymorphisms with the risk of chronic hepatitis B in a Korean population
Authors: Cheong Hyun Sub , Lee Jeong‐Hoon , Yu Su Jong , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Lee Hyo‐Suk , Cheong Jae Youn , Cho Sung Won , Park Neung Hwa , Park Byung Lae , Namgoong Suhg , Kim Lyoung Hyo , Shin Hyoung Doo , Kim Yoon‐Jun
Published: November 2014

Background & Aims

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most serious risk factor for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, several genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) identified important variants associated with the risk of CHB in Asian populations. Specifically, our previous GWAS identified the VARS2‐SFTA2 gene region as one of the genetic risk loci for CHB.

Methods

To further characterize this association and to isolate possible causal variants within it, we performed an additional association study by genotyping more SNPs in the vicinity of the VARS2 and SFTA2 genes. In all, 14 SNPs of VARS2‐SFTA2 were analysed among a total of 3902 subjects (1046 cases and 2856 controls).

Results

Logistic regression analysis revealed that six SNPs, including the previously reported rs2532932, were significantly associated with the risk of CHB (P = 1.7 × 10−10~0.002). Further linkage disequilibrium and conditional analysis identified two variants (rs9394021 and rs2517459) as new markers of genetic risk factors for CHB rather than the reported SNP from our previous study (rs2532932). To evaluate the cumulative risk for CHB based on all known genetic factors, genetic risk score (GRS) were calculated. As anticipated, the distribution of the number of risk alleles in cases vs. controls clearly differed according to the GRS. Similarly, the odds ratios (ORs) were increased (OR = 0.32–3.97).

Conclusion

Our findings show that common variants in the VARS2‐SFTA2 gene region are significantly associated with CHB in a Korean population, which may be useful in further understanding genetic susceptibility to CHB.
The extent and genetic basis of phenotypic divergence in life history traits inMimulus guttatus
Authors: Friedman Jannice , Twyford Alex D. , Willis John H. , Blackman Benjamin K.
Published: November 2014

Differential natural selection acting on populations in contrasting environments often results in adaptive divergence in multivariate phenotypes. Multivariate trait divergence across populations could be caused by selection on pleiotropic alleles or through many independent loci with trait‐specific effects. Here, we assess patterns of association between a suite of traits contributing to life history divergence in the common monkey flower,Mimulus guttatus, and examine the genetic architecture underlying these correlations. A common garden survey of 74 populations representing annual and perennial strategies from across the native range revealed strong correlations between vegetative and reproductive traits. To determine whether these multitrait patterns arise from pleiotropic or independent loci, we mappedQTLs using an approach combining high‐throughput sequencing with bulk segregant analysis on a cross between populations with divergent life histories. We find extensive pleiotropy forQTLs related to flowering time and stolon production, a key feature of the perennial strategy. Candidate genes related to axillary meristem development colocalize with theQTLs in a manner consistent with either pleiotropic or independentQTLeffects. Further, these results are analogous to previous work showing pleiotropy‐mediated genetic correlations within a single population ofM. guttatusexperiencing heterogeneous selection. Our findings of strong multivariate trait associations and pleiotropicQTLs suggest that patterns of genetic variation may determine the trajectory of adaptive divergence.
Horizontal transfer of carbohydrate metabolism genes into ectomycorrhizal Amanita
Authors: Chaib De Mares Maryam , Hess Jaqueline , Floudas Dimitrios , Lipzen Anna , Choi Cindy , Kennedy Megan , Grigoriev Igor V. , Pringle Anne
Published: November 2014

The genus Amanita encompasses both symbiotic, ectomycorrhizal fungi and asymbiotic litter decomposers; all species are derived from asymbiotic ancestors. Symbiotic species are no longer able to degrade plant cell walls. The carbohydrate esterases family 1 (CE1s) is a diverse group of enzymes involved in carbon metabolism, including decomposition and carbon storage. CE1 genes of the ectomycorrhizal A. muscaria appear diverged from all other fungal homologues, and more similar to CE1s of bacteria, suggesting a horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event.

In order to test whether AmanitaCE1s were acquired horizontally, we built a phylogeny of CE1s collected from across the tree of life, and describe the evolution of CE1 genes among Amanita and relevant lineages of bacteria.

CE1s of symbiotic Amanita were very different from CE1s of asymbiotic Amanita, and are more similar to bacterial CE1s. The protein structure of one CE1 gene of A. muscaria matched a depolymerase that degrades the carbon storage molecule poly((R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Asymbiotic Amanita do not carry sequence or structural homologues of these genes.

The CE1s acquired through HGT may enable novel metabolisms, or play roles in signaling or defense. This is the first evidence for the horizontal transfer of carbohydrate metabolism genes into ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Replicate altitudinal clines reveal that evolutionary flexibility underlies adaptation to drought stress in annual Mimulus guttatus
Authors: Kooyers Nicholas J. , Greenlee Anna B. , Colicchio Jack M. , Oh Morgan , Blackman Benjamin K.
Published: November 2014

Examining how morphology, life history and physiology vary along environmental clines can reveal functional insight into adaptations to climate and thus inform predictions about evolutionary responses to global change. Widespread species occurring over latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in seasonal water availability are excellent systems for investigating multivariate adaptation to drought stress.

Under common garden conditions, we characterized variation in 27 traits for 52 annual populations of Mimulus guttatus sampled from 10 altitudinal transects. We also assessed variation in the critical photoperiod for flowering and surveyed neutral genetic markers to control for demography when analyzing clinal patterns.

Many drought escape (e.g. flowering time) and drought avoidance (e.g. specific leaf area, succulence) traits exhibited geographic or climatic clines, which often remained significant after accounting for population structure. Critical photoperiod and flowering time in glasshouse conditions followed distinct clinal patterns, indicating different aspects of seasonal phenology confer adaptation to unique agents of selection. Although escape and avoidance traits were negatively correlated range‐wide, populations from sites with short growing seasons produced both early flowering and dehydration avoidance phenotypes.

Our results highlight how abundant genetic variation in the component traits that build multivariate adaptations to drought stress provides flexibility for intraspecific adaptation to diverse climates.
Symphyotrichum ericoides populations from seleniferous and nonseleniferous soil display striking variation in selenium accumulation
Authors: El Mehdawi Ali F. , Paschke Mark W. , Pilon‐Smits Elizabeth A. H.
Published: November 2014

Symphyotrichum ericoides (Asteraceae) from naturally seleniferous habitat (Pine Ridge) was shown previously to have selenium (Se) hyperaccumulator properties in field and glasshouse studies, and to benefit from Se through protection from herbivory.

To investigate whether Se hyperaccumulation is ubiquitous in S. ericoides or restricted to seleniferous soils, the S. ericoides Pine Ridge (PR) population was compared with the nearby Cloudy Pass (CP) population from nonseleniferous soil.

The S. ericoidesPR and CP populations were strikingly physiologically different: in a common garden experiment, PR plants accumulated up to 40‐fold higher Se concentrations than CP plants and had 10‐fold higher Se : sulfur (S) ratios. Moreover, roots of S. ericoidesPR plants showed directional growth toward selenate, while CP roots did not. Growth of both accessions responded positively to Se. Each accession grew best on its own soil. Rhizosphere soil inoculum from the S. ericoidesPR population stimulated plant growth and Se accumulation in both S. ericoidesPR and S. ericoidesCP plants, on both PR and CP soils.

While the S. ericoidesPR population hyperaccumulates Se, the nearby CP population does not. The capacity of S. ericoidesPR plants to hyperaccumulate Se appears to be a local phenomenon that is restricted to seleniferous soil. Mutualistic rhizosphere microbes of the S. ericoidesPR population may contribute to the hyperaccumulation phenotype.
Cross‐generational costs of compensatory growth in nine‐spined sticklebacks
Authors: Ab Ghani Nurul Izza , Merilä Juha
Published: November 2014

Compensatory growth (CG) is a form of phenotypic plasticity allowing individuals’ growth trajectories to rebound after a period of resource limitation, but little is known about the reproductive and cross‐generational costs of CG. We studied the potential costs of CG by exposing female nine‐spined sticklebacksPungitius pungitiusto 1) high (favourable), 2) low (stressful), and 3) recovery (initially stressful, subsequently favourable) feeding treatments, and quantified the effects of these treatments on female reproductive traits (clutch, egg and yolk size), and on the size of their offspring. The low feeding treatment reduced female size relative to the high and recovery feeding treatments, which produced equally large females. Hence, females from the recovery treatment demonstrated CG and full growth compensation. Feeding treatments had significant effects on clutch, yolk, egg and larval size, also when the effect of female size was controlled for. However, these effects came about mostly because females from the low feeding treatment produced small clutches with large eggs (containing little yolk) and larvae, whereas females from the recovery feeding treatment produced as large clutches, eggs (with similar amounts of yolk) and larvae as females from the high feeding treatment. Yet, structural equation modelling revealed that while a direct effect of female size on offspring size was positive in the low and high feeding treatments, it was negative in the recovery feeding treatment, independently of egg and clutch size. This indicates a cross‐generational tradeoff between female and offspring sizes in the recovery feeding treatment. Also the tradeoff between clutch and larval size was more pronounced in recovery than in low or high feeding treatments. Hence, apart from demonstrating that environmental influences experienced by females during their development have the potential to influence their size, fecundity and reproductive traits, the results also provide evidence for complex cross‐generational costs of recovery growth.