bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book Reviews
Authors: Giunipero Larry C.
Published: June 2017

PROFITABLE PURCHASING: AN IMPLEMENTATION HANDBOOK FOR JUST IN TIME, by Michael Harding, Industrial Press, New York, 1990.
Purchasing's Views on Countertrade
Authors: Forker Laura B.
Published: June 2017

Countertrade is a growing practice worldwide, yet one that many purchasing professionals are unfamiliar with. This article reports the results of a nationwide survey on purchasers' perceptions of countertrade. The survey was sponsored by NAPM's Center for Advanced Purchasing Studies. Results indicate that purchasers who have participated in countertrade have a more positive attitude toward the practice than those who have not. Participants' firms also tend to be larger and more deeply involved in international purchasing than nonparticipants' firms. Firm size, familiarity with international markets, and greater receptiveness to countertrade opportunities may be important factors in determining countertrade success.
Purchasing's Role in Value Analysis: Lessons from Creative Problem Solving
Authors: Williams Alvin J. , Lacy Steve , Smith William C.
Published: June 2017

As purchasing professionals seek to enhance performance in increasingly competitive worldwide markets, innovative approaches must be sought and implemented. This article focuses on the applications of creative problem solving techniques to improve the value analysis effort, in particular, and overall purchasing and organizational performance in general. Purchasing's contribution to this process can be enhanced through greater commitment to innovative and creative techniques.
Evaluating Product Quality: An Application of the Taguchi Quality Loss Concept
Authors: Quigley Charles , McNamara Charles
Published: June 2017

This article develops a method by which quality and price differentials between competitors can be measured and used as a basis for determining the value of suppliers' products to the firm. Value pricing and the Taguchi quality loss concept are combined to provide a vehicle for calculating the total cost to the buyer associated with competing suppliers' product offerings. Based on the total cost to the buyer, a superior sourcing decision can be made.
Purchasing Information Technologies: Behavior Patterns in Service Companies
Authors: Geisler Eliezer , Hoang Wen
Published: June 2017

The purchase of information technologies (IT) by service companies is a crucial element in the effective management of the information processes of these companies. In this article the authors report the results of a study of the acquisitions and management of IT in a sample of 67 companies in 5 service sectors. The results indicate, first, that most service companies follow a logical purchasing process with 5 distinguishable steps, and second, that the size of the company is the best explanation for differences in the use of decision factors by service companies.
Worldwide Sourcing: Assessment and Execution
Authors: Monczka Robert M. , Trent Robert J.
Published: June 2017

There is a need to develop an understanding of functional globalization requirements in purchasing, at both the firm and industry levels. Since this issue has not been addressed, functional purchasing executives may be wondering what the appropriate worldwide sourcing strategy should be for their firm. This article presents a framework that can be used to help identify the worldwide sourcing strategy that best supports a firm's competitive requirements. It recognizes that not all industries require the same level of worldwide sourcing for a firm to be a leading edge competitor. This framework guides managers through an evaluation of the factors that impact a firm's worldwide sourcing strategy development as well as the requirements to pursue an appropriate sourcing strategy. If executive management can identify the strategy response necessary to meet the competitive challenges of the 1990s, it can develop the structure and the systems to support that strategy. This provides a major contribution toward the attainment of a firm's strategic performance objectives.
Accurate Product Costing in a JIT Environment
Authors: Gagne Margaret L. , Discenza Richard
Published: June 2017

Traditional accounting systems have failed to match revenues and expenses properly in today's JIT purchasing environment. An alternative approach is discussed—one that utilizes activity‐based costing, which helps accurately measure overhead costs for a basis of cost allocation. Suggestions are offered for designing and utilizing an activity‐based approach to produce true measures of product cost.
An Investigation of Purchases by American Businesses and Governments
Authors: Heberling Col. Michael E. , Carter Joseph R. , Hoagland John H.
Published: June 2017

Management has focused a great deal of attention and resources on improving the efficiency of direct labor employees. It has tried to increase the productivity of these workers by improving attitudes, tightening discipline, providing training, or when all this fails, eliminating workers. Unfortunately, direct labor costs exceed 10 percent of sales in only a few industries. In contrast, purchases exceed 60 percent of sales in many industries. Hence, it appears that management should accord materials expenditures an even greater level of attention than that which is currently reserved for labor expenditures. This article provides an empirical justification for that restructuring. The authors present research concerning the proportion of costs attributable to major types of purchases and to labor by all major industry categories.
The late‐Holocene decline of Tilia in relation to climate and human activities – pollen evidence from 42 sites in southern Sweden
Authors: Hultberg Tove , Lagerås Per , Björkman Leif , Sköld Eva , Jacobson George L , Hedwall Per‐Ola , Lindbladh Matts
Published: June 2017

Aim

The dominant role of Tilia in primeval forests of Scandinavia has long been recognized, but the timing and mechanisms for its decline have not been completely unravelled. A particular uncertainty involves the balance between climate and human activities as the drivers of the change. One reason for the uncertainty is the challenge in evaluating the past cover of the genus owing to its poorly dispersed pollen; another is that a multi‐site study would be required to trace subregional differences. To overcome these obstacles, we here apply two different analytical methods to pollen data from 42 sites in two distinct vegetation zones of Sweden.

Location

Temperate and hemi‐boreal vegetation zones of southern Sweden.

Methods

Generalized additive mixed models (GAMM) were used to model the development of Tilia and cereal pollen percentages over time. Twelve sites were used for reconstruction of local cover of Tilia using the landscape reconstruction algorithm (LRA).

Results

Before 4000 cal. bp the Tilia mean pollen percentages were similar in the two vegetation zones. Thereafter, values in the hemi‐boreal zone declined, with less Tilia since around 3000 cal. bp. In contrast, Tilia did not decrease in the temperate zone until this past millennium. The LRA application revealed that in some forests a large cover of Tilia remained considerably longer than has traditionally been estimated by pollen percentages alone.

Main conclusions

By using a large coherent dataset we found significant differences in how the abundance and distribution of Tilia changed through time between two adjacent vegetation zones. We interpret the initial decline in the northern hemi‐boreal zone to be driven by cooling climate, and the later decline in the southern temperate zone to be driven more by human land‐use.
Safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using purse‐string suture compared with compression bandage after pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Akkaya Ersan , Berkowitsch Alexander , Zaltsberg Sergej , Deubner Nikolas , Greiss Harald , Hain Andreas , Hamm Christian W. , Sperzel Johannes , Neumann Thomas , Kuniss Malte
Published: June 2017

Introduction

This observational study was designed to analyze the safety and feasibility of percutaneous skin closure using a purse‐string suture and compare it with the use of a compression bandage after pulmonary vein isolation.

Methods and results

A total of 407 patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (217 with radiofrequency and 190 with cryoballoon ablation) were treated with either purse‐string sutures or compression bandages. The purse‐string suture was applied after ablation before withdrawal of the sheaths. Patients were on bed rest for 6 hours prior to suture removal, which was accomplished 18–24 h after ablation. The compression bandage was applied after sheath withdrawal and was removed after 12 hours of bed rest. We analyzed the occurrence of any vascular or thromboembolic complication as well as hospital costs and hospital stay length after ablation.

The incidence of vascular complications after compression bandage was higher than after purse‐string suture in the cryoballoon and radiofrequency group (P < 0.05, respectively). The hospital costs were lower and hospital stay was shorter in both radiofrequency (4.921 ± 3.145 vs. 5.802 ± 4.006 Euro; 2.34 ± 1.32 vs. 2.98 ± 1.57 days, P < 0.05) and cryoballoon groups (4.705 ± 3.091 vs. 5.661 ± 3.563 Euro; 2.14 ± 1.37 vs. 2.61 ± 1.55 days, P < 0.05) in patients treated with a purse‐string suture.

Conclusions

Percutaneous skin closure with a purse‐string suture has the clinical impact to reduce vascular complications, hospital costs, and hospital stay length after pulmonary vein isolation.
Polydatin alleviated radiation‐induced lung injury through activation of Sirt3 and inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Cao Kun , Lei Xiao , Liu Hu , Zhao Hainan , Guo Jiaming , Chen Yuanyuan , Xu Yang , Cheng Ying , Liu Cong , Cui Jianguo , Li Bailong , Cai Jianming , Gao Fu , Yang Yanyong
Published: June 2017

Radiation‐induced lung injury (RILI) is one of the most common and fatal complications of thoracic radiotherapy. It is characterized with two main features including early radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis in later phase. This study was to investigate the potential radioprotective effects of polydatin (PD), which was shown to exert anti‐inflammation and anti‐oxidative capacities in other diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that PD‐mitigated acute inflammation and late fibrosis caused by irradiation. PD treatment inhibited TGF‐β1‐Smad3 signalling pathway and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Moreover, radiation‐induced imbalance of Th1/Th2 was also alleviated by PD treatment. Besides its free radical scavenging capacity, PD induced a huge increase of Sirt3 in culture cells and lung tissues. The level of Nrf2 and PGC1α in lung tissues was also elevated. In conclusion, our data showed that PD attenuated radiation‐induced lung injury through inhibiting epithelial–mesenchymal transition and increased the expression of Sirt3, suggesting PD as a novel potential radioprotector for RILI.
Satisfaction of mountain guides with high sun protection as a tool to prevent non‐melanoma skin cancer
Authors: Tizek L. , Krause J. , Biedermann T. , Zink A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is an occupational disease for outdoor workers in Germany since 2015. Sustainable prevention is demanded and sunscreen promoted as an effective tool. However, studies on the satisfaction of sunscreen users are rare.

Objective

To evaluate the satisfaction of mountain guides using a high SPF sunscreen product as an appropriate prevention tool for mountain guides.

Methods

Motivating mountain and ski guides in Germany to use very high protection sunscreen (SPF50+, Actinica Lotion) during a 4‐ to 8‐h workday followed by the completion of a self‐filled paper‐based questionnaire about their experience and satisfaction with the product.

Results

Of 88 mountain and ski guides (61 men, 27 women) included in the study, 61.4% reported regular sunscreen use with the application of very high protection (SPF50+) in 18.6% of all cases. At the end of the workday, 78.6% found the product convenient and easy to include into their daily work and 79.3% felt sufficiently protected against the sun.

Conclusion

Overall satisfaction with the use of high SPF products during work is high in mountain and ski guides and could be an effective tool in prevention campaigns.
Discovery and characterization of two novel CB1 receptor splice variants with modified N‐termini in mouse
Authors: Ruehle Sabine , Wager‐Miller James , Straiker Alex , Farnsworth Jill , Murphy Michelle N. , Loch Sebastian , Monory Krisztina , Mackie Ken , Lutz Beat
Published: June 2017

Numerous studies have been carried out in the mouse model, investigating the role of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). However, mouse CB1 (mCB1) receptor differs from human CB1 (hCB1) receptor in 13 amino acid residues. Two splice variants, hCB1a and hCB1b, diverging in their amino‐termini, have been reported to be unique for hCB1 and, via different signaling properties, contribute to CB1 receptor physiology and pathophysiology. We hypothesized that splice variants also exist for the mCB1 receptor and have different signaling properties. On murine hippocampal cDNA, we identified two novel mCB1 receptor splice variants generated by splicing of introns with 117 bp and 186 bp in the N‐terminal domain, corresponding to deletions of 39 or 62 amino acids, respectively. The mRNAs for the splice variants mCB1a and mCB1b are expressed at low levels in different brain regions. Western blot analysis of protein extracts from stably transfected HEK293 cells indicates a strongly reduced glycosylation because of the absence of two glycosylation sites in mCB1b. On‐cell western analysis in these stable lines revealed increased internalization of mCB1a and mCB1b upon stimulation with the agonist WIN55,212‐2 as compared to mCB1. Results also point toward an increased affinity to SR141716 for mCB1a, as well as slightly enhanced inhibition of neurotransmission compared to mCB1. In mCB1b, agonist‐induced MAPK phosphorylation was decreased compared to mCB1 and mCB1a. Identification of mouse CB1 receptor splice variants may help to explain differences found between human and mouse endocannabinoid systems and improve the understanding of CB1 receptor signaling and trafficking in different species.

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Bullying and quality of life in children and adolescents with food allergy
Authors: Fong Andrew T , Katelaris Constance H , Wainstein Brynn
Published: June 2017

Food allergy is an increasing phenomenon in Australia, with most recent reports of food allergy occurring in 1 in 12 children. A number of studies have demonstrated that children and adolescents with food allergies experience a decreased quality of life across a number of domains. More recent evidence suggests that this population also experiences an increased occurrence of bullying compared to similar school‐aged children. Some individuals have reported being bullied because of their allergies, whilst others have reported specific allergy‐related‐bullying, such as being touched with foods that they are allergic to or having their food being intentionally contaminated with an allergen. Where there may be a risk of severe anaphylaxis, this is of great concern. This article reviews the current literature on bullying in populations of children and adolescents with food allergies. Several papers worldwide have investigated this, providing evidence of its occurrence in North America, Canada, Italy and Japan.
Effect of cereal straw and alfalfa hay diet on amino acid profile of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Wang B. , Tu Y. , Jiang L. S. , Liu J. X.
Published: June 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing alfalfa hay with rice straw (RS) or corn stover (CS) on amino acid (AA) profiles of gastrointestinal digesta in lactating cows. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 6) and fed identical concentrate and corn silage with different forages on dry matter basis: (i) 23% alfalfa hay and 7% Chinese wild rye hay (AH); (ii) 30% CS; and (iii) 30%RS. After the 14‐week feeding, a total of 18 cows were slaughtered to collect digesta from four representative organs, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum. TheAAprofiles of ruminal microbial fraction were similar among the treatments, except for greater Arg in cows fedRSthan in cows fedAHorCS. Most of the analysedAAchanged under different diets. Significant differences were found among the microbial fraction, rumen fluid and rumen digesta, with greater essentialAAin digesta than in microbial fraction or rumen fluid and greater essentialAAin microbial fraction than rumen fluid. Significant differences in individualAAprofiles of digesta and relevant fluid were found across the four representative digestive tract parts, including rumen, omasum, duodenum and jejunum, showing much lower Leu proportion inCSandRSthan inAHin duodenal fluid. In summary, ruminal microbes may prefer using essentialAA, rather than non‐essentialAA. TheAAprofile of ruminal microbes was constant except for Arg. TheAAcomposition of digesta across the four digestive tracts changed dramatically, which indicated differences in the ability and efficiency ofAAabsorption. The lower duodenum absorbable Leu proportion in cows fed CS or RS indicated the shortage of Leu in CS or RS diets, which might also restrict the balancedAAabsorption.
Effects of dietary red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) on production performance and egg quality of laying hens
Authors: Tapingkae W. , Panyachai K. , Yachai M. , Doan H. V.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary red yeast (Sporidiobolus pararoseus) on production performance and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 200 Esa Brown laying hens (23 weeks of age) were allocated equally to negative control group (no yeast supplement); positive control group (2 g/kg of Saccharomyces cerevisiae); 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg red yeast respectively. The experiment was lasted for 12 weeks. Feed intake, hen‐day egg production and egg weight were not different between control and supplemented groups. However, yeast‐supplemented groups were significantly improved feed efficiency (p < .05). Incremental levels of red yeast increased the colour score of egg yolk (p < .05). The cholesterol and triglyceride of serum and yolk were significantly (p < .05) lower in the laying hens fed dietary administration red yeast compared to the control diet; however, no significant (p > .05) differences among yeast‐supplemented groups were observed. The hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzymeA (HMG‐CoA) reductase activity was significantly lower (p < .05) in the 2 g/kg red yeast‐supplemented group compared to the control and other red yeast‐supplemented groups. Concentrations of caecal short‐chain fatty acids was increased (p < .05) in laying hens fed 1 and 2 g/kg red yeast as compared to the control group. Dietary administration of 2 g/kg red yeast (S. pararoceus) significantly improved egg yolk colour, decrease serum and egg yolk cholesterol levels.
Effects of dissolved carbon dioxide on the integrity of the rumen epithelium: An agent in the development of ruminal acidosis
Authors: Rackwitz R. , Gäbel G.
Published: June 2017

The carbon dioxide released and dissolved in rumen fluid may easily permeate across the epithelial cell membrane. Thus, we hypothesized thatCO2may act as proton carrier and induce epithelial damage under acidotic conditions. Ovine ruminal epithelia were mounted in Ussing chambers under short‐circuit conditions. The serosal buffer solution had a constantpHof 7.4 and was gassed either with 100% oxygen or with carbogen (95% O2/5%CO2). The mucosal solution was gassed with either 100% oxygen or 100% carbon dioxide. The mucosalpHwas lowered stepwise from 6.6 to 5.0 in the presence or absence of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA). The transepithelial conductance (Gt) as an indicator of epithelial integrity and the short‐circuit current (Isc) as an indicator of active electrogenic ion transfer were continuously monitored. At an initial mucosalpHof 6.6, there was no significant difference in Gtbetween the treatment groups. In the absence of bothSCFAandCO2, Gtremained constant when the mucosal solution was acidified topH5.0. In the presence ofSCFA, mucosal acidification induced a significant rise in Gtwhen the solutions were gassed with oxygen. A small increase in Gtwas observed in the mucosal presence ofCO2. However, no difference in final Gtwas observed betweenSCFA‐containing andSCFA‐free conditions under carbon dioxide gassing during stepwise mucosal acidification. TheSCFA+proton‐induced increase in Gtcould also be minimized by serosal gassing with carbogen. Because of theSCFA+proton‐induced changes in Gtand their attenuation byCO2, a protective role for mucosally available carbon dioxide may be assumed. We suggest that this effect may be due to the intraepithelial conversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. However, the serosal presence ofCO2at a physiological concentration may be sufficient to protect the epithelia fromSCFA+proton‐induced damage for a certain period of time.
Plantago ovata in broiler chicken nutrition: Performance, carcass criteria, intestinal morphology, immunity, and intestinal bacterial population
Authors: Divani A. , Bagherzadeh‐Kasmani F. , Mehri M.
Published: June 2017

In this experiment, the effect of dietary Plantago ovata (PO) on performance, carcass criteria, intestinal morphology, immunity, and intestinal bacterial population of broiler chickens was evaluated. A total of 250 one‐day‐old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to five treatments containing 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 g/kg of PO with five replicate pens and 10 birds in each replicate. Dietary PO increased body weight gain and decreased feed conversion ratio in the finisher period, improving the performance index (p < .05). Dietary treatments had no effects on carcass criteria, but breast meat percentage showed an increasing trend with incremental levels of PO in the diet (p = .069). The length of small intestine, especially jejunum section, as well as the villus height, villus width, villus area, and goblet cell numbers were significantly increased with supplemental PO (p < .05). Humoral and cellular immunity parameters, and oxidation stability of meat were improved due to use of dietary PO (p < .05). Dietary PO decreased the CFU of Escherichia coli, whereas the Lactobacilli population was increased (p = .001). Broken‐line regression revealed that dietary PO at the rate of 10 g/kg may results in the best performance in broiler chickens. This study showed that PO at the level of 10 g/kg could be considered as a beneficial feed additive in broiler diet.
Identification and Detection of the Pathogenic Bacteria Responsible for Swollen Abdomen Disease in Cultured Turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, and Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Xue Shuxia , Sun Jinsheng , Xu Wei
Published: June 2017

Swollen abdomen disease (SAD) seriously threatens the aquaculture of turbots and flounders. Two dominant bacterial strains, FS1 and FS2, were isolated from the livers and kidneys of fish with diagnosed SAD. Applications of biochemical analyses, sequence analyses of 16S ribosomal RNA gene and heat shock protein 60 gene revealed two distinct pathogenic bacterial species, Edwardsiella tarda and Vibrio alginolyticus. These two hypothesized SAD‐causing pathogens were validated by challenge trials on flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Challenges with E. tarda and V. alginolyticus demonstrated lethal dose 50 (LD50) values at 1.51 × 105 colony‐forming units (CFU) and 1.05 × 105 CFU, respectively. To develop a rapid SAD diagnosis method in flounders and turbots, a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay method was developed to simultaneously detect E. tarda and V. alginolyticus. Our multiplex PCR assay successfully detected as low as 105 CFU/mL E. tarda and V. alginolyticus in flounders and turbots. No other common fish pathogens were detected with the multiplex PCR, suggesting a high specificity of this assay. The multiplex PCR assay developed in this study showed a great reliability in detecting SAD‐causing bacterial pathogens. Further optimization of this assay may contribute to the development of a novel SAD diagnosis tool in aquaculture.
Evaporation modelling using neural networks for assessing the self‐sustainability of a water body
Authors: Jain Ashu , Roy Tirthankar
Published: June 2017

Studies addressing the self‐sustainability of water bodies are crucial from the perspective of sustainable water resources management. An artificial water body is vulnerable to drastic water level changes resulting from various hydroclimatical and geological factors. It is incumbent therefore to rigorously investigate the effects of these factors in order to assess the response of the water body, consequent to a wide range of scenarios. This study focuses on the self‐sustainability of a water body, based on the water budget approach, and taking into account various hydroclimatical and geological factors in the study area. As the available evaporation data shared a very short (~2 years) common time frame with the other variables, evaporation was modelled using regression and artificial neural network models. The study results indicated the water body would be self‐sustainable under the extreme climatical and hydrological conditions considered. While seepage exhibited substantial impacts on the storage of the water body, evaporation was found to have only marginal impacts.
Taxonomic studies on Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) in China IV: Z. pauciflorum sp. nov. from Yunnan
Authors: Bai Lin , Leong‐Škorničková Jana , Li Dezhu , Xia Nianhe
Published: June 2017

Zingiber pauciflorum L.Bai, Škorničk., D.Z.Li & N.H.Xia (Zingibereae, Zingiberaceae), a new species from southern Yunnan, China, is described and colour plates are provided. It belongs to Z. sect. Cryptanthium Horan. and is compared with three similar species, namely Z. tenuifolium L.Bai, Škorničk. & N.H.Xia, Z. smilesianum Craib and Z. yunnanense S.Q.Tong & X.Z.Liu. A colour plate of the most similar species, Z. smilesianum is also provided for comparison.
The genus Myrosmodes (Orchidaceae: Cranichidinae) in Argentina
Authors: Martín Claudia M. , Zanotti Christian A. , Scrocchi Gustavo J.
Published: June 2017

Descriptions, brief taxonomic notes and data on the ecology of the two species of Myrosmodes known from Argentina (M. gymnandra & M. paludosa) are provided. In addition, an identification key to Myrosmodes species known from the south–central Andes is given. The descriptions are complemented with illustrations and distribution maps.
Epistasis × environment interactions among Arabidopsis thaliana glucosinolate genes impact complex traits and fitness in the field
Authors: Kerwin Rachel E. , Feusier Julie , Muok Alise , Lin Catherine , Larson Brandon , Copeland Daniel , Corwin Jason A. , Rubin Matthew J. , Francisco Marta , Li Baohua , Joseph Bindu , Weinig Cynthia , Kliebenstein Daniel J.
Published: June 2017

Despite the growing number of studies showing that genotype × environment and epistatic interactions control fitness, the influences of epistasis × environment interactions on adaptive trait evolution remain largely uncharacterized.

Across three field trials, we quantified aliphatic glucosinolate (GSL) defense chemistry, leaf damage, and relative fitness using mutant lines of Arabidopsis thaliana varying at pairs of causal aliphatic GSL defense genes to test the impact of epistatic and epistasis × environment interactions on adaptive trait variation.

We found that aliphatic GSL accumulation was primarily influenced by additive and epistatic genetic variation, leaf damage was primarily influenced by environmental variation and relative fitness was primarily influenced by epistasis and epistasis × environment interactions. Epistasis × environment interactions accounted for up to 48% of the relative fitness variation in the field. At a single field site, the impact of epistasis on relative fitness varied significantly over 2 yr, showing that epistasis × environment interactions within a location can be temporally dynamic.

These results suggest that the environmental dependency of epistasis can profoundly influence the response to selection, shaping the adaptive trajectories of natural populations in complex ways, and deserves further consideration in future evolutionary studies.
Intraspecific genetic diversity modulates plant–soil feedback and nutrient cycling
Authors: Semchenko Marina , Saar Sirgi , Lepik Anu
Published: June 2017

Plant genetic diversity can affect ecosystem functioning by enhancing productivity, litter decomposition and resistance to natural enemies. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that genetic diversity may influence ecosystem processes by eliciting functional plasticity among individuals encountering kin or genetically diverse neighbourhoods.

We used soil conditioned by groups of closely related (siblings) and diverse genotypes of Deschampsia cespitosa – a species known to exhibit kin recognition via root exudation – to investigate the consequences of kin interactions for root litter decomposition and negative feedback between plants and soil biota.

Genetically diverse groups produced root litter that had higher nitrogen (N) content, decomposed faster and resulted in greater N uptake by the next generation of seedlings compared with litter produced by sibling groups. However, a similar degree of negative soil feedback on plant productivity was observed in soil conditioned by siblings and genetically diverse groups. This suggests that characteristics of roots produced by sibling groups slow down N cycling but moderate the expected negative impact of soil pathogens in low‐diversity stands.

These findings highlight interactions between neighbouring genotypes as an overlooked mechanism by which genetic diversity can affect biotic soil feedback and nutrient cycling.
Allelopathy prevents competitive exclusion and promotes phytoplankton biodiversity
Authors: Felpeto Aldo Barreiro , Roy Shovonlal , Vasconcelos Vitor M.
Published: June 2017

It has been hypothesized that allelopathy can prevent competitive exclusion and promote phytoplankton diversity in aquatic ecosystems, where numerous species coexist on a limited number of resources. However, experimental proof‐of‐principle is not available to support this hypothesis. Here we present the first experimental evidence to support this hypothesis by demonstrating that allelopathy promotes the coexistence of two phytoplankton species, Ankistrodesmus falcatus and Oscillatoria sp., that compete for a single limiting nutrient. By performing long‐term competition experiments in nitrate‐limited continuous cultures, and by describing the population dynamics using a mechanistic model, we demonstrate that when allelopathy comes into play, one of the following outcomes is possible depending on the relative initial abundances of the species: dominance of the stronger competitor for nitrate (the non‐allelopathic species), oscillatory coexistence, or dominance of the weaker competitor (the allelopathic species). Our model analysis revealed that sustained oscillatory coexistence of the two species would be a common outcome of this experiment. Our study confirms for the first time, based on laboratory experiments combined with mechanistic models, that allelopathy can alter the predicted outcome of inter‐specific competition in a nutrient‐limited environment and increase the potential for the coexistence of more species than resources, thereby contributing to the identification of endogenous mechanisms that explain the extreme diversity of phytoplankton communities.
Liver transplantation may prevent neurodevelopmental deterioration in high‐risk patients with urea cycle disorders
Authors: Kido Jun , Matsumoto Shirou , Momosaki Ken , Sakamoto Rieko , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Endo Fumio , Nakamura Kimitoshi
Published: June 2017

UCDs are among the most common inherited metabolic diseases in Japan. We investigated the clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognoses of 177 patients with UCDs who were evaluated and treated from January 1999 to March 2009 in Japan, using a questionnaire survey. Among these 177 patients, 42 (seven with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency, 27 with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, seven with argininosuccinate synthetase deficiency, and one with arginase 1 deficiency) underwent living‐donor LT. Although this study was retrospective and included limited neurodevelopmental information before and after LT, we evaluated whether LT could improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in patients with UCDs. The neurodevelopmental outcomes of patients with a MAC of <300 μmol/L at the time of onset were not significantly different between the LT and non‐LT groups (P=.222). LT may have prevented further neurodevelopmental complications in children with MAC ≥300 μmol/L (P=.008) compared with non‐transplant management. Therefore, Liver transplant should be considered in patients with UCD with a MAC of ≥300 μmol/L at the time of disease onset.
Continuous glucose monitoring following pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation in children
Authors: Elder Deborah A. , Jiminez‐Vega Jose M. , Hornung Lindsey N. , Chima Ranjit S. , Abu‐El‐Haija Maisam , Lin Tom K. , Palermo Joseph J. , Nathan Jaimie D.
Published: June 2017

Aim was to determine whether CGM could accurately monitor blood glucose concentration in the immediate postoperative period following pancreatectomy with IAT in children. CGM was used in nine patients undergoing IAT at our institution between April 2015 and September 2016 (eight total pancreatectomy and one subtotal pancreatectomy). MAD and MARD of CGM values compared to time‐matched serum blood glucose were calculated during the first 5 days of ICU admission. Goal range was defined as 70‐140 mg/dL and out‐of‐range was >140 mg/dL or <70 mg/dL. Of 89 time‐matched measures found, 75% of CGM values were within 15 mg/dL, and 51% were within 10 mg/dL, compared to serum glucose. MAD was 11.6 mg/dL, and MARD was 10.6%. CGM values did not differ from serum glucose (P=.74). By Clarke error grid analysis, 100% of paired values were in clinically acceptable zones. By surveillance error grid analysis, 96% of paired values were within clinically acceptable agreement. CGM is a reliable tool in monitoring glycemic control in the immediate postoperative period following pancreatectomy with IAT in children.
Monitoring of libido and semen quality parameters in melatonin‐treated French alpine bucks during the non‐breeding season
Authors: Vince S , Valpotić H , Berta V , Milinković‐Tur S , Samardžija M , Grizelj J , Špoljarić B , Đuričić D , Nazansky I , Žura Žaja I
Published: June 2017

Contents

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous melatonin on libido and semen quality parameters in bucks during the non‐breeding season. Twelve bucks of the French alpine breed from 1.5 to 4 years of age were assigned into melatonin (MG) and control (CG) groups, with 6 bucks in each group. The experimental period was 3 months (March–May), divided into six periods of 15 days each. The bucks in the MG group received four melatonin implants at the end of March. Two semen samples were taken from the bucks by artificial vagina once per week and their libido estimated. Volume and spermatozoa concentration, their mass motility and motility, proportion of live and total abnormal and forms with abnormal head and tail were determined in the obtained ejaculate samples. The total number of spermatozoa and functional spermatozoa fraction in the ejaculate was also calculated. The MG bucks had significantly higher mass motility and motility of spermatozoa in the first half of April, and a higher proportion of live spermatozoa in the first and second half of April (p < .05). Differences in libido intensity were not significant. The results indicated that the application of melatonin significantly improved the qualitative parameters of semen in bucks, as seen in increased mass motility, motility of spermatozoa and proportion of live spermatozoa shortly following melatonin insertion. Therefore, the results of the current study are novel regarding the use of melatonin treatment during the non‐breeding season to improve the qualitative parameters of ejaculates in bucks.
Hormonal changes in hemodialysis patients: Novel risk factors for mortality?
Authors: Gungor Ozkan , Kocyigit Ismail , Carrero Juan Jesus , Yılmaz Mahmut Ilker
Published: June 2017

Patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing dialysis commonly experience derangements in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis together with alterations at the level of synthesis and clearance of many hormones. This hormonal imbalance, even if asymptomatic, has recently been associated with increased mortality in these patients. In this review, we summarize observational and mechanistic evidence linking hormonal alterations at the level of the thyroid and sex‐hormone systems with this mortality risks.
Clinical aspects of magnesium physiology in patients on dialysis
Authors: Misra Paraish S. , Nessim Sharon J.
Published: June 2017

Magnesium balance is infrequently discussed in the dialysis population, and the clinical consequences of derangements in magnesium homeostasis are incompletely understood. There is an association between hypomagnesemia and adverse outcomes including increases in cardiovascular disease and mortality, while elevated magnesium levels have also been linked with complications such as osteomalacia. In this review, we discuss the features of magnesium physiology relevant to dialysis patients and provide an updated summary of the literature linking magnesium derangements with bone disease, cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac death, and mortality.
HIV in the dialysis population: Current issues and future directions
Authors: Boyle Suzanne M. , Lee Dong H. , Wyatt Christina M.
Published: June 2017

Antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced mortality due to HIV infection, but the aging HIV‐positive patient population now faces a growing burden of comorbidity. This review describes the changing epidemiology of chronic kidney disease and end‐stage renal disease in this population, and highlights recent advances in antiretroviral therapy and kidney transplantation that directly impact the care of patients with HIV infection and end‐stage renal disease.
Is There a ‘National Body’? How National Cultures Shape the ‘Fat’ Body and the Food Practices
Authors: Carof Solenn
Published: June 2017

Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the objective of this article is to seize the national variability of the physical norms of overweight and obesity by comparing France, England, and Germany. The bodily representations and food practices, as well as the daily‐life experiences of stigmatization and discrimination, are influenced by national characteristics such as food traditions, aesthetical values, and political philosophies. In France, being overweight or obese is socially viewed as a lack of taste, whereas in England it can be seen as an individual moral ‘fault’. In Germany, being slightly overweight is defined as a ‘normal’ body, whereas being obese is strongly criticized. These country‐level variations reveal what could be called a ‘national body’.
Politicized Ethnicity and Income Inequality
Authors: Terry Dana
Published: June 2017

This article examines the effect of politicized ethnicity on income inequality. It hypothesizes that ethnically diverse countries that politicize ethnicity are more likely to have greater economic inequality than ethnically diverse countries that do not politicize ethnicity. The idea behind this hypothesis is that the more polarized a state is, the weaker its institutions, and thus the poorer the state's economy and the greater the chance of corruption and ethnic patronage. Since identity and governing structures are difficult to change, a country that politicizes ethnicity can be seen as institutionalizing ethnic differences for the long term. The article discusses how existing literature reaffirms this hypothesis through a variety of theoretical explanations and case studies. However, the results find that politicized ethnic identity is negatively correlated to higher inequality. Though these results are negative, more research must be done before this debate can be considered fully conclusive, as data for politicized ethnicity is limited. The article concludes with a brief statement on the policy implications of the findings for post‐conflict state building.
The new HLA‐B*50:51 allele was generated by intralocus recombination between B*50:01:01:02 and B*14:02:01
Authors: Sánchez‐Gordo F. , Gomez‐Zumaquero J. M. , Vicario J. L. , Balas A.
Published: June 2017

The new B*50:51 allele was found in 3 Caucasians from Southern Spain.
Aetiology and outcome of massive transfusion in two large London teaching hospitals over a 3‐year period (2012–2014)
Authors: Green L. , Tan J. , Grist C. , Kaur M. , MacCallum P.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to determine: (i) the incidence of massive transfusion (MT) (defined as transfusion of ≥5 red‐blood‐cell (RBC) units within 4 h, and/or ≥10 RBC units within 24 h of bleeding) over a 3‐year period; (ii) the cause, and mortality rate of patients who received MT (from any cause); and (iii) the risk factors for death.

Background

MT can occur in different clinical settings, yet little is known about its epidemiology/clinical outcomes.

Methods

Data was extracted using transfusion laboratory information management system (LIMS) and patients' electronic databases.

Results

We identified 701 episodes (incidence 1.7 per 1000 admissions [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–1.9], belonging to 678 patients (225 females and 453 males, median age 61). Main causes of MT were cardiac surgery (35%), trauma (28%), medical (10%) and vascular surgery (9%). The overall mortality was 32%, and the median number of days spent in hospital was 14 and 2 for those who survived and those who died, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that cardiac surgery was associated with 56% (95% CI: 9–78%) lower odds of death compared to other surgery, and transfusion of 10–14 RBC and >15 RBC units (compared with 5–9 RBC units) were associated with 2.1 (95% CI: 1.4–3.3) and 9.9 (95% CI: 4.6–21.1) times higher odds of dying, respectively.

Conclusion

In‐hospital morbidity and mortality of MT is high. Future research should focus on unifying the definition of MT, and early identification of the MT markers in order to improve outcomes.
Intestinal tuberculosis: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Kentley J. , Ooi J. L. , Potter J. , Tiberi S. , O'Shaughnessy T. , Langmead L. , Chin Aleong J. , Thaha M. A. , Kunst H.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To describe characteristics, presentation, time to diagnosis and diagnostic findings of patients with intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) in a low‐burden country.

Method

Retrospective study of 61 consecutive ITB patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2014 at a large East London hospital.

Results

Forty of sixty‐one patients were male. Mean age was 34.6 years. 93% of patients were born abroad, mostly from TB‐endemic areas (Indian subcontinent: 88%, Africa: 9%). 25% had concomitant pulmonary TB. Median time from symptom onset to ITB diagnosis was 13 weeks (IQR 3–26 weeks). Ten patients were initially treated for IBD, although patients had ITB. The main sites of ITB involvement were the ileocaecum (44%) or small bowel (34%). Five patients had isolated perianal disease. Colonoscopy confirmed a diagnosis of ITB in 77% of those performed. 42 of 61 patients had a diagnosis of ITB confirmed on positive histology and/or microbiology.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of ITB is often delayed, which may result in significant morbidity. ITB should be excluded in patients with abdominal complaints who come from TB‐endemic areas to establish prompt diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis is challenging but aided by axial imaging, colonoscopy and tissue biopsy for TB culture and histology.
The Rome Transplant Network model compared to the Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry activity for unrelated donor search process and transplant efficiency for hematologic malignancy
Authors: Picardi Alessandra , Arcese William , Pollichieni Simona , Di Piazza Fabio , Mangione Ilaria , Gallina Anna Maria , Cerretti Raffaella , Cudillo Laura , De Angelis Gottardo , Mengarelli Andrea , Dentamaro Teresa , Tirindelli Maria Cristina , Chierichini Anna , Ferrari Antonella , Marciano Renato , Andreani Marco , Bonifazi Francesca , Sacchi Nicoletta
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

From 2011 to 2014, a total of 71% of the 3834 patients with hematologic malignancies successfully identified a matched unrelated donor (MUD) through the Italian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (IBMDR), corresponding to a transplant efficiency of 62%.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

From 2006, the Rome Transplant Network (RTN) followed a hierarchical selection strategy for the alternative donor search: first MUD, second cord blood, and third haploidentical donor. Using a low‐resolution HLA, a preliminary query (PQ) was performed in all cases with assignment of good or poor score if more or less than 10 MUDs were identified in Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide. Herein we assessed the utility of PQ and of high‐resolution (HR) HLA from the start of the search. Moreover, we compared the donor identification and the transplant efficiency between IBMDR and RTN.

RESULTS

At RTN 79% of 417 patients met a good PQ with a 50% MUD identification versus 12.5% with poor PQ. Our policy led to 78 and 74% of alternative donor identification and transplant efficiency, respectively, higher than IBMDR data equal to 71% (p = 0.007) and 62% (p < 0.0001). The timing for donor identification was significantly reduced using HR HLA at the start of the search from 88 to 66 days at IBMDR (p < 0.001) and from 61 to 41 days at RTN (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both PQ and HR HLA at the start of the process represents a useful tool to address the search towards the best and timely donor choice. Moreover, establishing a specific donor policy significantly improves the transplant efficiency.
Transfusion‐related acute lung injury: critical neutrophil activation by anti‐HLA‐A2 antibodies for endothelial permeability
Authors: Khoy Kathy , Nguyen Minh Vu Chuong , Masson Dominique , Bardy Béatrice , Drouet Christian , Paclet Marie‐Hélène
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a major complication of hemotherapy that may occur after the transfusion of any blood type component. Several clinical reports have suggested the presence of anti‐HLA antibodies in the blood product. This study sought to examine the role of anti‐HLA‐A2 antibodies in polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) activation and thus in endothelial permeability.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

PMN activation was assessed by both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. A coculture assay of EA.hy926 endothelial cells with PMNs or differentiated‐PLB‐985 cells, a model of neutrophil‐like cells, was performed to estimate the impact of ROS on endothelial permeability.

RESULTS

Anti‐HLA‐A2 antibodies significantly increased PMN activation, with subsequent endothelial dysfunction. Phagocyte NADPH oxidase (NOX2) activity was shown to be involved in this process and ROS themselves were demonstrated to induce VE‐cadherin cleavage and endothelial permeability.

CONCLUSION

Our data may support the existence of a critical anti‐HLA‐A2 antibody threshold for PMN activation, with NOX2 activity and subsequent endothelial permeability in the two‐hit model of TRALI.
Minimal weights of Hilbert modular forms in characteristic
Authors: Diamond Fred , Kassaei Payman L
Published: June 2017

We consider mod $p$ Hilbert modular forms associated to a totally real field of degree $d$ in which $p$ is unramified. We prove that every such form arises by multiplication by partial Hasse invariants from one whose weight (a $d$-tuple of integers) lies in a certain cone contained in the set of non-negative weights, answering a question of Andreatta and Goren. The proof is based on properties of the Goren–Oort stratification on mod $p$ Hilbert modular varieties established by Goren and Oort, and Tian and Xiao.