bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FoxO Transcription Factors Promote AKT Ser473 Phosphorylation and Renal Tumor Growth in Response to Pharmacologic Inhibition of the PI3K–AKT Pathway
Authors: Lin Aifu , Piao Hai-long , Zhuang Li , Sarbassov Dos D. , Ma Li , Gan Boyi
Published: January 2014

The PI3K–AKT pathway is hyperactivated in many human cancers, and several drugs to inhibit this pathway, including the PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor NVP-BEZ235, are currently being tested in various preclinical and clinical trials. It has been shown that pharmacologic inhibition of the PI3K–AKT pathway results in feedback activation of other oncogenic signaling pathways, which likely will limit the clinical utilization of these inhibitors in cancer treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms of such feedback regulation remain incompletely understood. The PI3K–AKT pathway is a validated therapeutic target in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we show that FoxO transcription factors serve to promote AKT phosphorylation at Ser473 in response to NVP-BEZ235 treatment in renal cancer cells. Inactivation of FoxO attenuated NVP-BEZ235–induced AKT Ser473 phosphorylation and rendered renal cancer cells more susceptible to NVP-BEZ235–mediated cell growth suppression in vitro and tumor shrinkage in vivo. Mechanistically, we showed that FoxOs upregulated the expression of Rictor, an essential component of MTOR complex 2, in response to NVP-BEZ235 treatment and revealed that Rictor is a key downstream target of FoxOs in NVP-BEZ235–mediated feedback regulation. Finally, we show that FoxOs similarly modulate the feedback response on AKT Ser473 phosphorylation and renal tumor growth by other phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or AKT inhibitor treatment. Together, our study reveals a novel mechanism of PI3K–AKT inhibition-mediated feedback regulation and may identify FoxO as a novel biomarker to stratify patients with RCC for PI3K or AKT inhibitor treatment, or a novel therapeutic target to synergize with PI3K–AKT inhibition in RCC treatment. Cancer Res; 74(6); 1682–93. ©2014 AACR.
Inactivation of the CDKN2A Tumor-Suppressor Gene by Deletion or Methylation Is Common at Diagnosis in Follicular Lymphoma and Associated with Poor Clinical Outcome
Authors: Alhejaily Abdulmohsen , Day Andrew G. , Feilotter Harriet E. , Baetz Tara , LeBrun David P.
Published: January 2014

Purpose: Follicular lymphoma, the most common indolent lymphoma, is clinically heterogeneous. CDKN2A encodes the tumor suppressors p16INK4a and p14ARF and frequently suffers deleterious alterations in cancer. We investigated the hypothesis that deletion or hypermethylation of CDKN2A might identify follicular lymphoma cases with distinct clinical or pathologic features potentially amenable to tailored clinical management.

Experimental Design: Deletion of CDKN2A was detected in pretreatment biopsy specimens using a single nucleotide polymorphism–based approach or endpoint PCR, and methylation of CpG elements in CDKN2A was quantified by methylation-specific PCR. Correlations between CDKN2A status and pathologic or clinical characteristics, including overall survival (OS), were investigated in 106 cases using standard statistical methods.

Results: Deletion of CDKN2A was detected in 9 of 111 samples (8%) and methylation was detectable in 22 of 113 (19%). CDKN2A was either deleted or methylated in 29 of 106 cases (27%) and this status was associated with inferior OS especially among patients treated with rituximab (P = 0.004). CDKN2A deletion or methylation was associated with more advanced age (P = 0.012) and normal hemoglobin (P = 0.05) but not with sex, FLIPI score, ECOG stage, LDH, performance status, number of involved nodal sites, B symptoms, histologic grade, the presence of a component of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, proliferation index, or other pathologic factors.

Conclusions: Our results show that deletion or methylation of CDKN2A is relatively common in pretreatment follicular lymphoma biopsy specimens and defines a group of cases associated with reduced survival in the rituximab era presumably on the basis of more aggressive disease biology. Clin Cancer Res; 20(6); 1676–86. ©2014 AACR.
Efficacy of Salvage Therapy and Its Effect on Operative Outcomes in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Saito Eiko , Nagahori Masakazu , Fujii Toshimitsu , Ohtsuka Kazuo , Watanabe Mamoru
Published: January 2014

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvage therapy, and to identify risk factors of operative complications among hospitalized ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 88 UC patients hospitalized at our center between April 2010 and November 2012. We compared characteristics of corticosteroid-refractory patients treated with calcineurin inhibitor and those with infliximab as second-line therapy. Furthermore, we compared the characteristics of operative and nonoperative patients. The association between perioperative treatments and complications was also investigated. Results: Calcineurin inhibitor and infliximab were used in 42 and 22 patients, respectively. We found no difference in the clinical background between them. Efficacy rates were 67 and 50%, respectively. Eight out of 10 nonresponders of each treatment were treated with the other drug as third-line therapy. The efficacy rates of calcineurin inhibitor and infliximab as the third-line therapy were 75 and 50%, respectively. Operative patients had more severe disease (87.5 vs. 31%, p < 0.01), higher Lichtiger score (14.1 vs. 11.5, p < 0.01), higher Rachmilewitz endoscopic index (10.5 vs. 8.4, p < 0.01), higher C-reactive protein (7.6 vs. 4.0, p = 0.015) and lower serum albumin (3.1 vs. 3.6, p = 0.014) than nonoperative patients. Complications were observed in 7 out of 16 (44 %) operative patients. Postoperative complications were not increased even when patients were treated with second- or third-line therapy. However, the complication rate in corticosteroid users was 54.5 (6/11) and 20% (1/5) in nonusers. Conclusions: Third-line salvage therapy is effective and tolerable in carefully selected UC patients. Perioperative use of corticosteroids may lead to more adverse outcomes.
Endotoxin Removal: Bringing the Mission to North America
Authors: Foster Debra , Klein David J. , Guadagni Gualtiero , Walker Paul M.
Published: January 2014

The EUPHRATES trial (Evaluating Use of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Adults Treated for Endotoxemia and Septic Shock) is the first biomarker-driven trial in sepsis. This unique trial is being run in a blinded manner, further contributing to the robustness of its design. This paper will describe the implementation of the EUPHRATES trial focusing on 3 pertinent features: (1) managing (and maintaining) the blinding of a medical device trial; (2) impact of the use of a diagnostic test where eligible subjects with septic shock must also have high levels of endotoxin (≥0.60 EAA units), and (3) managing enrolment in a complicated trial design where two medical teams are involved (the intensivist as the blinded caregiver and nephrologists as the unblinded performers of the intervention). The study is nearing the halfway mark and is currently experiencing excellent recruitment success.
Future Options for (Economically) Sustainable Research in Sepsis
Authors: Romay Eduardo , Ferrer Ricard
Published: January 2014

The relentless increase in healthcare costs and the global economic crisis require us to rethink the way research is done. The heterogeneity of patients is a major challenge in designing and coordinating high-quality studies about sepsis. Studies on new treatments and devices, such as polymyxin B hemoperfusion, must be optimized not only for potential benefits for a specific population (i.e. efficacy), but also for their eventual implementation in real-world situations (i.e. effectiveness) and for economic costs (i.e. efficiency). In this regard, theragnosis and newer statistical tools could help us obtain useful information from real-life observational data. In this review, we discuss the basic components required for sustainable research in polymyxin B hemoperfusion.
Preoperative FDG-PET-Scan in Patients with Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Does Not Improve Overall Survival: A Retrospective Analyses Stratified by Clinical Risk Score
Authors: Ayez N. , de Ridder J. , Wiering B. , Oyen W.J. , de Wilt J.H.W. , Verhoef C.
Published: January 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether selection with fluorine-18-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging would result in an improved outcome in surgically treated patients with curative resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), stratified by the clinical risk score (CRS) of Fong et al. [Ann Surg 1999;230:309-318]. Patients and Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2009, all patients who underwent resection for CRLM from two different university teaching hospitals in the Netherlands were analysed. Patients were stratified by the CRS. Results: In total 613 patients were eligible for analysis. There was no statistical difference in median disease-free survival (DFS) between patients with and without an FDG-PET scan in both low CRS [17 months (95% CI 12-22) vs. 14 months (95% CI 11-17), p = 0.332] and high CRS [14 months (95% CI 7-21) vs. 9 months (95% CI 8-10), p = 0.073]. There was no statistical difference in median overall survival (OS) between patients with and without an FDG-PET scan in both low CRS [64 months (95% CI 54-74) vs. 54 months (95% CI 42-66), p = 0.663] and high CRS [39 months (95% CI 23-55) vs. 41 months (95% CI 34-48), p = 0.903]. Conclusion: The present study could not demonstrate that patients selected by an FDG-PET scan before liver resection, and stratified by CRS, have an improvement in DFS or OS.
Improved Efficacy of Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Comparison to Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Miniforceps Biopsy
Authors: Wang Jeff F. , Baidoo Cletus , Collins Brian T.
Published: January 2014

Objective: Endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA) cytology and EBUS-miniforceps biopsy (MFB) have emerged as less invasive tools for evaluating mediastinal lymph nodes and pulmonary lesions. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic yields of EBUS-FNA cytology to EBUS-MFB. Study Design: A retrospective cohort study was performed by reviewing the database at our institution between December 12, 2010, and August 10, 2012. A total of 476 consecutive cases were identified. Of these, 227 patients had concurrent FNA and MFB taken during the procedure. The results and diagnostic yields of both techniques are calculated. Results: Of the 476 cases, the mean age was 62 ± 14 years with 53% being males. In 453 of the total cases, the less invasive FNA technique alone produced enough diagnostic cytology material negating the need for concurrent MFB. Of these FNA cases, 280 were diagnosed as malignant neoplasms. The diagnostic yield of EBUS-FNA cytology was comparable to EBUS-MFB (95% FNA and 94% MFB). There were discordant diagnoses between cytology and histology in 19 of the 227 (∼8.4%) cases. Conclusions: EBUS-FNA cytology is a more efficacious diagnostic modality compared to EBUS-MFB.
Cystatin C Enhances Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimating Equations in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Kukla Aleksandra , Issa Naim , Jackson Scott , Spong Richard , Foster Meredith C. , Matas Arthur J. , Mauer Michael S. , Eckfeldt John H. , Ibrahim Hassan N.
Published: January 2014

Background: The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equation incorporating both cystatin C and creatinine perform better than those using creatinine or cystatin C alone in patients with reduced GFR. Whether this equation performs well in kidney transplant recipients cross-sectionally, and more importantly, over time has not been addressed. Methods: We analyzed four GFR estimating equations in participants of the Angiotensin II Blockade for Chronic Allograft Nephropathy Trial (NCT 00067990): Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations based on serum cystatin C and creatinine (eGFR (CKD-EPI-Creat+CysC)), cystatin C alone (eGFR (CKD-EPI-CysC)), creatinine alone (eGFR (CKD-EPI-Creat)) and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation (eGFR (MDRD)). Iothalamate GFR served as a standard (mGFR). Results: mGFR, serum creatinine, and cystatin C shortly after transplant were 56.1 ± 17.0 ml/min/1.73 m2, 1.2 ± 0.4 mg/dl, and 1.2 ± 0.3 mg/l respectively. eGFR (CKD-EPI-Creat+CysC) was most precise (R2 = 0.50) but slightly more biased than eGFR (MDRD); 9.0 ± 12.7 versus 6.4 ± 15.8 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. This improved precision was most evident in recipients with mGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m2. For relative accuracy, eGFR (MDRD) and eGFR (CKD-EPI-Creat+CysC) had the highest percentage of estimates falling within 30% of mGFR; 75.8 and 68.9%, respectively. Longitudinally, equations incorporating cystatin C most closely paralleled the change in mGFR. Conclusion: eGFR (CKD-EPI-Creat+CysC) is more precise and reflects GFR change over time reasonably well. eGFR (MDRD) had superior performance in recipients with mGFR between 30 and 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.
Emergency Ultrasound of the Chest
Authors: Kreuter Michael , Mathis Gebhard
Published: January 2014

Thoracic ultrasound is a noninvasive and portable diagnostic tool which is highly indicated for an initial workup of thoracic emergencies. The suspicion of a pneumothorax, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism or a lung contusion after trauma can be quickly assessed using ultrasound. Main advantages are its good availability and the steep learning curve. Another advantage of thoracic sonography is that this rapid, symptom-based examination has a high sensitivity and specificity. However, a disadvantage is that only pleura-affecting lesions or lesions visible through a sound window, e.g. an effusion or a subpleural consolidation, can be reached.
Target Indices for Clinical Ablation in Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Ullah Waqas , Hunter Ross J. , Baker Victoria , Dhinoja Mehul B. , Sporton Simon , Earley Mark J. , Schilling Richard J.
Published: January 2014

Background—

In animal studies of radiofrequency ablation, lesion sizes plateau as the maximum lesion size is reached for an ablation. Lesion parameters are not available in clinical ablations, but preclinical work suggests that these correlate with impedance drop and electrogram attenuation. Characterization of the relationships between catheter contact force, ablation duration, and these surrogate markers of lesion formation may allow us to define targets for effective ablation.

Methods and Results—

Fifteen patients undergoing first-time radiofrequency ablation for nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation were studied. All were in atrial fibrillation at the time of the procedure. Ablations were performed with an irrigated-tip contact force–sensing catheter in temperature-controlled mode (temperature limited to 48°C, power to 30 W). Included were 285 left atrial static ablations, 247 with additional impedance data. The ablation force time integral (FTI) correlated with the attenuation of the electrogram with ablation (Spearman ρ, –0.14;
P
=0.02): the relationship plateauing from 500 g·s, a reduction in the electrogram amplitude of 20%. The FTI also correlated with the impedance drop during ablation (Spearman ρ, 0.79;
P
<0.0005): the relationship was logarithmic, the reduction in the impedance with an increasing FTI also plateauing from 500 g·s, an impedance drop of 7.5%. The ablation duration affected the impedance drop at an FTI if the duration was <10 s. Beyond this time point, the FTI achieved rather than the ablation duration or mean contact force applied determined the impedance drop.

Conclusions—

During nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation, an FTI of 500 g·s should be targeted with ablation duration of ≥10 s.

Clinical Trials Registration—

URL:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique Identifier: NCT01587404.
New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation is Associated With Cardiovascular Events Leading to Death in a First Time Myocardial Infarction Population of 89 703 Patients With Long‐Term Follow‐Up: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Bang Casper N. , Gislason Gunnar H. , Greve Anders M. , Bang Christian A. , Lilja Alexander , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Andersen Per K. , Køber Lars , Devereux Richard B. , Wachtell Kristian
Published: January 2014

Background

New‐onset atrial fibrillation (
AF
) is reported to increase the risk of death in myocardial infarction (
MI
) patients. However, previous studies have reported conflicting results and no data exist to explain the underlying cause of higher death rates in these patients.

Methods and Results

All patients with first acute
MI
between 1997 and 2009 in Denmark, without prior
AF
, were identified from Danish nationwide administrative registers. The impact of new‐onset
AF
on all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular death, fatal/nonfatal stroke, fatal/nonfatal re‐infarction and noncardiovascular death, were analyzed by multiple time‐dependent Cox models and additionally in propensity score matched analysis. In 89 703 patients with an average follow‐up of 5.0±3.5 years event rates were higher in patients developing
AF
(n=10 708) versus those staying in sinus‐rhythm (n=78 992): all‐cause mortality 173.9 versus 69.4 per 1000 person‐years, cardiovascular death 137.2 versus 50.0 per 1000 person‐years, fatal/nonfatal stroke 19.6/19.9 versus 6.2/5.6 per 1000 person‐years, fatal/nonfatal re‐infarction 29.0/60.7 versus 14.2/37.9 per 1000 person‐years. In time‐dependent multiple Cox analyses, new‐onset
AF
remained predictive of increased all‐cause mortality (
HR
: 1.9 [95%
CI
: 1.8 to 2.0]), cardiovascular death (
HR
: 2.1 [2.0 to 2.2]), fatal/nonfatal stroke (
HR
: 2.3 [2.1 to 2.6]/
HR
: 2.5 [2.2 to 2.7]), fatal/nonfatal re‐infarction (
HR
: 1.7 [1.6 to 1.8]/
HR
: 1.8 [1.7 to 1.9]), and non‐ cardiovascular death (
HR
: 1.4 [1.3 to 1.5]) all
P
<0.001). Propensity‐score matched analyses yielded nearly identical results (all
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

New‐onset
AF
after first‐time
MI
is associated with increased mortality, which is largely explained by more cardiovascular deaths. Focus on the prognostic impact of post‐infarct
AF
is warranted.
Imagery and Astronomy: Visual Antecedents Informing Non-Reproductive Depictions of the Orion Nebula
Authors: Cooperstein Shana
Published: January 2014

The author analyzes the visual similarities between early astronomy images and advanced practices such as produced by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). While 19th-century images generally were supposed to match what an observer could see if s/he were standing behind the telescope, HST public outreach images are not based on any such match, yet such images resemble photographs that do aim to represent what we see. This paper attempts to explain the insistence on producing images that appear to represent visible phenomena. Emphasizing the ways in which non-reproductive photographs deploy conventions that were originally utilized in reproductive photography, the paper seeks to add to the existing literature concerning the non-reproductive capacities of photography.
Taxonomic status of the subgenus Conoblasta Förster 1869 of the genus Glypta Gravenhorst 1829 with revision of Japanese species (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae)
Authors: WATANABE KYOHEI , MAETO KAORU
Published: January 2014

The Japanese species of subgenus Conoblasta Förster 1869 sensu Aubert (1978) and Kuslitzky (1974, 2007) of the genus Glypta Gravenhorst 1829 are reviewed. No reliable synapomorphies are found for the species of Conoblasta after all and thus we conclude that they should be treated as a tentative species group. Eighteen species of the Conoblasta species group, including 11 new species (G. cognata sp. nov., G. daisetsuzana sp. nov., G. densepunctata sp. nov., G. flavitarsus sp. nov., G. ichitai sp. nov., G. karasawensis sp. nov., G. nipponica sp. nov., G. shigaensis sp. nov., G. suwai sp. nov., G. touyaensis sp. nov., G. zenibakoensis sp. nov.) and two newly recorded species (G. chinensis (Uchida 1956) and G. extincta Ratzeberg 1852), are recognized from Japan. A key to the Japanese species is provided.
A new species of Brevipalpus Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) and key to the Egyptian species
Authors: HALAWA ALAA M. , FAWZY MAGDY M.
Published: January 2014

A new species, Brevipalpus noranae sp. nov. (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is described and illustrated from females collected on Malus domestica Borkh and Citrus aurantium L. A key to the species of the genus Brevipalpus present in Egypt is provided.
Using High-Speed Photography to Study Undercatch in Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauges*
Authors: Duchon Claude , Fiebrich Christopher , Grimsley David
Published: January 2014

To better understand the undercatch process associated with tipping-bucket rain gauges, a high-speed camera normally used in determining the structure of lightning was employed. The photo rate was set at 500 frames per second to observe the tipping of the bucket in a commonly used tipping-bucket rain gauge. The photos showed detail never seen before as the bucket tipped from one side to the other. Two fixed rain rates of 19.9 mm h−1 (0.78 in. h−1) and 175.2 mm h−1 (6.90 in. h−1), the minimum and maximum available, respectively, were used.

The data from four tips at each rain rate were examined. The results show that the time from the beginning of a tip to the time the bucket assembly is horizontal—defined as the period during which undercatch occurs—was an average of 0.450 s for the eight cases. The average time for a complete tip was 0.524 s; thus, the vast majority of the time of a tip, 86%, is spent in undercatch mode. Because there was no apparent dependence of these times on rain rate, it should be possible to apply an accurate linear correction for undercatch as a function of rain rate given the time that undercatch occurs during a tip. Over all eight tips, the undercatch was found to be 0.98% for the 19.9 mm h−1 rate and 8.78% for the 175.2 mm h−1 rate. The procedure used to estimate the undercatch is described. Slow motion videos of the tipping of a bucket are available online.
Polling on Public Policy
Authors: Kimball Spencer , Payne J.Gregory
Published: January 2014

This report details the steps involved in setting up a polling club as part of related classes in political communication, public policy, and civic engagement among college students. It also examines an extracurricular activity that provides students with the opportunity to assess public opinion on policy matters at the local, state, and national levels. Insights as well as challenges from professors and students involved in such pertinent themes as web analytics, aggregate polling, and the internal and external constraints and biases inherent in such a project will be explored, as well as the need to focus on an integrated strategic communication perspective that bridges the frequent silos of marketing, advertising, public relations, journalism, and political communication.
Minimally Invasive Image‐Guided Cochlear Implantation for Pediatric Patients: Clinical Feasibility Study
Authors: Balachandran Ramya , Reda Fitsum A. , Noble Jack H. , Blachon Grégoire S. , Dawant Benoit M. , Fitzpatrick J. Michael , Labadie Robert F.
Published: January 2014

Objective

Minimally invasive image‐guided cochlear implantation (CI) involves accessing the cochlea via a linear path from the lateral skull to the cochlea avoiding vital structures including the facial nerve. Herein, we describe and demonstrate the feasibility of the technique for pediatric patients.

Study Design

Prospective.

Setting

Children's Hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Thirteen pediatric patients (1.5 to 8 years) undergoing traditional CI participated in this Institutional Review Board–approved study. Three fiducial markers were bone‐implanted surrounding the ear, and a CT scan was acquired. The CT scan was processed to identify the marker locations and critical structures of the temporal bone. A safe linear path was determined to target the cochlea avoiding damage to vital structures. A custom microstereotactic frame was fabricated that would mount on the fiducial markers and constrain a tool to the desired trajectory. After traditional mastoidectomy and prior to cochleostomy, the custom microstereotactic frame was mounted on the bone‐implanted markers to confirm that the achieved trajectory was safe and accurately accessed the cochlea.

Results

For all the 13 patients, it was possible to determine a safe trajectory to the cochlea. Custom microstereotactic frames were validated successfully on 9 patients. Two of these patients had inner ear malformations, and this technique helped the surgeon confirm ideal location for cochleostomy. For patients with normal anatomy, the mean and standard deviation of the closest distance of the trajectory to facial nerve and chorda tympani were 1.1 ± 0.3 mm and 1.2 ± 0.5 mm, respectively.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive image‐guided CI is feasible for pediatric patients.
The Relationship of Print Reading in Tier I Instruction and Reading Achievement for Kindergarten Students at Risk of Reading Difficulties
Authors: Wanzek Jeanne , Roberts Greg , Al Otaiba Stephanie , Kent Shawn C.
Published: January 2014

For many students at risk of reading difficulties, effective, early reading instruction can improve reading outcomes and set them on a positive reading trajectory. Thus, response-to-intervention models include a focus on a student’s Tier I reading instruction as one element for preventing reading difficulties and identifying students with a learning disability. The purpose of this study was to examine the amount of time kindergarten students at risk of reading difficulties actively engaged in reading print during Tier I reading instruction, and the extent to which time in reading print was related to end-of-year reading achievement. Findings revealed the amount of time students were engaged in reading print predicted end-of-year reading achievement, although time engaged in reading print during Tier I was limited overall. Student- and teacher-level factors and their relationship to the amount of time students engage in reading print is also examined.
Stancetaking and the Hong Kong Girl in a shifting heterosexual marketplace
Authors: Kang M Agnes , Chen Katherine HY
Published: January 2014

A penchant for luxury goods, insistence on a boyfriend who pays, and any opportunity to be the center of attention have all been described as characteristic of a ‘Kong Girl’ since the mid-2000s. In this article, we explore the social relevance of the popular stereotype by examining the role of stancetaking in online forum discussions. Focusing on a 2005 incident involving ‘Jenny’, who was later described as the ‘Kong Girl’ prototype, we show how forum participants try to come to terms with the sociohistorical changes in a late modern Hong Kong society by positioning Jenny and themselves within a shifting heterosexual marketplace. The heated controversy reflects changing gender ideologies that are exerting pressure on both men and women and provides the backdrop for the rise of the Kong Girl stereotype, which has its media prime in the years following 2005.
Industrial relations in European hypermarkets: Home and host country influences
Authors: Geppert Mike , Williams Karen , Wortmann Michael , Czarzasty Jan , Kağnicioğlu Deniz , Köhler Holm-Detlev , Royle Tony , Rückert Yvonne , Uçkan Banu
Published: January 2014

In this article we examine the industrial relations practices of three large European food retailers when they transfer the hypermarket format to other countries. We ask, first, how industrial relations in hypermarkets differ from those in other food retailing outlets. Second, we examine how far the approach characteristic of each company’s country-of-origin (Germany, France and the UK) shapes the practices adopted elsewhere. Third, we ask how they respond to the specific industrial relations systems of each host country (Turkey, Poland, Ireland and Spain).
Madhya Pradesh: Does Agriculture Determine the State’s Growth Trajectory?
Authors: Sapre Amey
Published: January 2014

This article empirically analyses whether agricultural growth performance determines the growth trajectory of the economy of an Indian state, namely Madhya Pradesh. Long-term growth trends of nearly three decades (1981–2011) in Madhya Pradesh show that fluctuations in agricultural growth and Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) clearly coincide and have a considerable impact on the overall growth of the state’s economy. In examining this, the agricultural terms of trade are first introduced to capture the relative price responsiveness of agricultural supply in the state. Structural breaks, cointegration and an error correction mechanism are used to explore the long-term relationship between terms of trade, agricultural growth and GSDP growth. Findings show that agricultural fluctuations explain nearly half of fluctuations in the growth of the state economy while agricultural supply remains responsive to price and economic incentives. The analysis suggests that agricultural growth performance remains central to achieving any higher growth trajectory for the state.

JEL Classification: C22, C50, Q11, Q18
An Opportunity for Social Work Researchers
Authors: Burnette Catherine E. , McCleary Jennifer S.
Published: January 2014

Objectives:

Recruitment of the needed doctoral level social workers is impeded upon when doctoral graduates experience greater educational debt burden, modest salaries, and limited opportunities for student loan debt repayment. The purpose of this article is to describe a promising opportunity to reduce doctoral level social workers’ educational debt, the National Institutes of Health Loan Repayment Program (NIH LRP).

Methods:

Based on the authors’ experiences in applying for the NIH LRP, we outline the major components of the program and discuss its usefulness—not only in its potential for loan forgiveness but also in outlining an early career trajectory.

Results:

The NIH LRP has the potential to provide instrumental support across multiple dimensions for early career PhD-level social workers.

Conclusions:

The NIH LRP application process requires the thoughtful consideration and planning necessary to achieve a successful early career experience for doctoral social workers to conduct research on social work practice.
A multi-agent-based, semantic-driven system for decision support in epidemic management
Authors: Li Sen , Mackaness William A
Published: January 2014

Issues in epidemiology are truly multidisciplinary, requiring knowledge from diverse disciplines such as sociology, medicine, biology, geography and information science. Such inherent complexity has led to a challenge in developing decision support systems for epidemic information management, especially when data are from heterogeneous origins. In order to achieve a solution, an integrative framework is proposed. The Semantic Web is introduced in the context of enriching meaningful and machine-readable descriptions of epidemiological data. Software agents are utilised to achieve automation in semantic discovery, composition of data and process services. The objective is to enhance the performance in information retrieval in a dynamic decision-making environment while concealing technical complexity from inexperienced users. We illustrate how a prototype system can be developed by considering an epidemiology management scenario in which spatio-temporal analysis is undertaken of a specified epidemic.
Synergy of Cr concentration and withdraw rate on microstructure evolution of directionally solidified Nb–14Si–24Ti alloys
Authors: Guan K. , Jia L. , Chen X. , Weng J. , Ding F. , Zhang H.
Published: January 2014

The synergy of Cr concentration and withdraw rate on the microstructure of directionally solidified and heat treated Nb–14Si–24Ti– xCr ( x = 0, 2, 8, 10, 14 at-) alloys was investigated. The phases present in the directionally solidified alloys were sensitive to Cr concentration and withdraw rate. The addition of Cr changed the solidification path of ternary alloys. High Cr concentration stabilised the Nb5Si3 and facilitated the formation of Cr2Nb during the directional solidification process. However, the effect of Cr was suppressed by the increase in withdraw rate. The competition between the effect of Cr addition and withdraw rate determined the microstructure of alloys and resulted in a four-phase microstructure. During heat treatment, the Nb3Si phases in Nb–14Si–24Ti–0Cr alloys were stable, while in the Cr contained alloys, the Nb3Si decomposed into NbSS/Nb5Si3 eutectoid through the eutectoid reaction (Nb3Si→NbSS+Nb5Si3).
An integrated genetic map based on four mapping populations and quantitative trait loci associated with economically important traits in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Authors: Ren Yi , McGregor Cecilia , Zhang Yan , Gong Guoyi , Zhang Haiying , Guo Shaogui , Sun Honghe , Cai Wantao , Zhang Jie , Xu Yong
Published: January 2014

Background

Modern watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) cultivars share a narrow genetic base due to many years of selection for desirable horticultural qualities. Wild subspecies within C. lanatus are important potential sources of novel alleles for watermelon breeding, but successful trait introgression into elite cultivars has had limited success. The application of marker assisted selection (MAS) in watermelon is yet to be realized, mainly due to the past lack of high quality genetic maps. Recently, a number of useful maps have become available, however these maps have few common markers, and were constructed using different marker sets, thus, making integration and comparative analysis among maps difficult. The objective of this research was to use single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) anchor markers to construct an integrated genetic map for C. lanatus.

Results

Under the framework of the high density genetic map, an integrated genetic map was constructed by merging data from four independent mapping experiments using a genetically diverse array of parental lines, which included three subspecies of watermelon. The 698 simple sequence repeat (SSR), 219 insertion-deletion (InDel), 36 structure variation (SV) and 386 SNP markers from the four maps were used to construct an integrated map. This integrated map contained 1339 markers, spanning 798 cM with an average marker interval of 0.6 cM. Fifty-eight previously reported quantitative trait loci (QTL) for 12 traits in these populations were also integrated into the map. In addition, new QTL identified for brix, fructose, glucose and sucrose were added. Some QTL associated with economically important traits detected in different genetic backgrounds mapped to similar genomic regions of the integrated map, suggesting that such QTL are responsible for the phenotypic variability observed in a broad array of watermelon germplasm.

Conclusions

The integrated map described herein enhances the utility of genomic tools over previous watermelon genetic maps. A large proportion of the markers in the integrated map are SSRs, InDels and SNPs, which are easily transferable across laboratories. Moreover, the populations used to construct the integrated map include all three watermelon subspecies, making this integrated map useful for the selection of breeding traits, identification of QTL, MAS, analysis of germplasm and commercial hybrid seed detection.
Systematic review, network meta-analysis and economic evaluation of biological therapy for the management of active psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Cawson Matthew Richard , Mitchell Stephen Andrew , Knight Chris , Wildey Henry , Spurden Dean , Bird Alex , Orme Michelle Elaine
Published: January 2014

Background

An updated economic evaluation was conducted to compare the cost-effectiveness of the four tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab in active, progressive psoriatic arthritis (PsA) where response to standard treatment has been inadequate.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to identify relevant, recently published studies and the new trial data were synthesised, via a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA), to estimate the relative efficacy of the TNF-α inhibitors in terms of Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC) response, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). A previously developed economic model was updated with the new meta-analysis results and current cost data. The model was adapted to delineate patients by PASI 50%, 75% and 90% response rates to differentiate between psoriasis outcomes.

Results

All four licensed TNF-α inhibitors were significantly more effective than placebo in achieving PsARC response in patients with active PsA. Adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab were significantly more effective than placebo in improving HAQ scores in patients who had achieved a PsARC response and in improving HAQ scores in PsARC non-responders. In an analysis using 1,000 model simulations, on average etanercept was the most cost-effective treatment and, at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence willingness-to-pay threshold of between £20,000 to £30,000, etanercept is the preferred option.

Conclusions

The economic analysis agrees with the conclusions from the previous models, in that biologics are shown to be cost-effective for treating patients with active PsA compared with the conventional management strategy. In particular, etanercept is cost-effective compared with the other biologic treatments.
Electroacupuncture decreases cognitive impairment and promotes neurogenesis in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Authors: Li Xuying , Guo Fan , Zhang Qiaomei , Huo Tingting , Liu Lixin , Wei Haidong , Xiong Lize , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2014

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no effective treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether repeated electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation would improve cognitive function and the pathological features of AD in amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin 1 (PS1) double transgenic mice.

Methods

Cognitive function of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice was assessed using the Morris water maze test before and after EA treatment. Levels of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) deposits in the hippocampus and cortex were evaluated by immunofluorescence, western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was also examined by immunofluorescence and western blot. The neurogenesis was labeled by the DNA marker bromodeoxyuridine.

Results

EA stimulation significantly ameliorated the learning and memory deficits of AD mice by shortening escape latency and increasing the time spent in the target zone during the probe test. Additionally, decreased Aβ deposits and increased BDNF expression and neurogenesis in the hippocampus and cortex of EA-treated AD mice were detected. The same change was detected in wild-type mice after EA treatment compared with wild-type mice without EA treatment.

Conclusions

Repeated EA stimulation may improve cognitive function, attenuate Aβ deposits, up-regulate the expression of BDNF and promote neurogenesis in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. This suggests that EA may be a promising treatment for AD.
Improvement of experimental testing and network training conditions with genome-wide microarrays for more accurate predictions of drug gene targets
Authors: Christadore Lisa M , Pham Lisa , Kolaczyk Eric D , Schaus Scott E
Published: January 2014

Background

Genome-wide microarrays have been useful for predicting chemical-genetic interactions at the gene level. However, interpreting genome-wide microarray results can be overwhelming due to the vast output of gene expression data combined with off-target transcriptional responses many times induced by a drug treatment. This study demonstrates how experimental and computational methods can interact with each other, to arrive at more accurate predictions of drug-induced perturbations. We present a two-stage strategy that links microarray experimental testing and network training conditions to predict gene perturbations for a drug with a known mechanism of action in a well-studied organism.

Results

S. cerevisiae cells were treated with the antifungal, fluconazole, and expression profiling was conducted under different biological conditions using Affymetrix genome-wide microarrays. Transcripts were filtered with a formal network-based method, sparse simultaneous equation models and Lasso regression (SSEM-Lasso), under different network training conditions. Gene expression results were evaluated using both gene set and single gene target analyses, and the drug’s transcriptional effects were narrowed first by pathway and then by individual genes. Variables included: (i) Testing conditions – exposure time and concentration and (ii) Network training conditions – training compendium modifications. Two analyses of SSEM-Lasso output – gene set and single gene – were conducted to gain a better understanding of how SSEM-Lasso predicts perturbation targets.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that genome-wide microarrays can be optimized using a two-stage strategy for a more in-depth understanding of how a cell manifests biological reactions to a drug treatment at the transcription level. Additionally, a more detailed understanding of how the statistical model, SSEM-Lasso, propagates perturbations through a network of gene regulatory interactions is achieved.
Morphological and genetic evaluation of the hydrocoral Millepora species complex in the Caribbean
Authors: Ruiz-Ramos Dannise V , Weil Ernesto , Schizas Nikolaos V
Published: January 2014

Background

The hydrocoral Millepora is an important framework builder that dominates shallow turbulent environments in the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic-Caribbean. The Caribbean representatives of the genus are classified in four species - Millepora alcicornis, Millepora complanata, Millepora striata, and Millepora squarrosa - but their taxonomic boundaries are not clearly defined. We used mitochondrial gene sequences to delineate the four Millepora species and evaluated whether morphological traits and mitochondrial sequence divergence were correlated for two most common species M. alcicornis and M. complanata.

Results

Samples were collected from Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Curaçao, Grand Cayman, and Panama during 2006 to 2007. Diameter of dactylopores distinguished the branching and encrusting morphotypes of M. alcicornis and M. complanata, and gastropore diameter discriminated between M. alcicornis and M. complanata. High levels of haplotypic diversity (H
d = 0.94) were observed, with the most common haplotypes shared by M. alcicornis and M. complanata. Sequence divergence ranged from 0% to 3% among M. alcicornis, M. complanata, and M. striata to 25% between these three species and M. squarrosa. Bayesian analysis of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene indicated the presence of three Caribbean taxa: M. squarrosa, M. striata, and the 'species complex’ encompassing the morphologies displayed by M. complanata and M. alcicornis.

Conclusions

The branched M. alcicornis and encrusted M. alcicornis and M. complanata can be differentiated morphologically but not genetically. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Caribbean milleporids include three species - M. squarrosa, M. striata, and the species complex of M. alcicornis-M. complanata. Millepora striata is closely related to the M. alcicornis-M. complanata species complex.
The association between pain diagram area, fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain catastrophising
Authors: Walker Bruce F , Losco Christine D , Armson Anthony , Meyer Amanda , Stomski Norman J
Published: January 2014

Background

The development of clinical practice guidelines for managing spinal pain have been informed by a biopsychosocial framework which acknowledges that pain arises from a combination of psychosocial and biomechanical factors. There is an extensive body of evidence that has associated various psychosocial factors with an increased risk of experiencing persistent pain. Clinicians require instruments that are brief, easy to administer and score, and capable of validly identifying psychosocial factors. The pain diagram is potentially such an instrument. The aim of our study was to examine the association between pain diagram area and psychosocial factors.

Methods

183 adults, aged 20–85, with spinal pain were recruited. We administered a demographic checklist; pain diagram; 11-point Numerical Rating Scale assessing pain intensity; Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS); MOS 36 Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); and the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ). Open source software, GIMP, was used to calculate the total pixilation area on each pain diagram. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between pain diagram area and the following variables: age; gender; pain intensity; PCS total score; FABQ-Work scale score; FABQ-Activity scale score; and SF-36 Mental Health scale score.

Results

There were no significant associations between pain diagram area and any of the clinical variables.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that that pain diagram area was not a valid measure to identify psychosocial factors. Several limitations constrained our results and further studies are warranted to establish if pain diagram area can be used assess psychosocial factors.
Adiposity and hand osteoarthritis: the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study
Authors: Visser A Willemien , Ioan-Facsinay Andreea , de Mutsert Renée , Widya Ralph L , Loef Marieke , de Roos Albert , le Cessie Saskia , den Heijer Martin , Rosendaal Frits R , Kloppenburg Margreet ,   NEO Study Group
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Obesity, usually characterized by the body mass index (BMI), is a risk factor for hand osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated whether adipose tissue and abdominal fat distribution are associated with hand OA.

Methods

The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity (NEO) study is a population-based cohort aged 45 to 65 years, including 5315 participants (53% women, median BMI 29.9 kg/m2). Fat percentage and fat mass (FM) (kg) were estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was calculated. In 1721 participants, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (cm2) were assessed using abdominal MR imaging. Hand OA was defined according to the ACR criteria.

Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the association of fat percentage, FM, WHR, VAT and SAT with hand OA using logistic regression analyses per standard deviation, stratified by sex and adjusted for age.

Results

Hand OA was present in 8% of men and 20% of women. Fat percentage was associated with hand OA in men (OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.11 to 1.61)) and women (OR 1.26 (1.05 to 1.51)), as was FM. WHR was associated with hand OA in men (OR 1.45 (1.13 to 1.85)), and to a lesser extent in women (OR 1.17 (1.00 to 1.36)). Subgroup analysis revealed that VAT was associated with hand OA in men (OR1.33 (1.01 to 1.75)). This association increased after additional adjustment for FM (OR 1.51 (1.13 to 2.03)).

Conclusions

Fat percentage, FM and WHR were associated with hand OA. VAT was associated with hand OA in men, suggesting involvement of visceral fat in hand OA.