bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting public or private feedback-seeking behaviors
Authors: A. Cheramie Robin
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the presence of an audience inhibits or facilitates feedback-seeking behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of 148 employees completed a survey questionnaire regarding feedback-seeking behaviors. Perceived value of public and private feedback, public self-consciousness (PSC), and tolerance for ambiguity were used to predict public or private feedback-seeking behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– Statistically significant relationships were found between perceived value of public feedback, PSC, tolerance for ambiguity, and public feedback seeking. Subsequently, statistically significant relationships were only found between perceived value of private feedback, tolerance for ambiguity, and private feedback seeking.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research should focus on how individuals respond to less privacy in the workplace in regards to feedback-seeking behaviors.

Practical implications

– Many more companies are moving to open office spaces and cubicles which suggest there is less privacy for employees to seek feedback. This study found that employees do make a distinction when seeking feedback in a public or private context.

Originality/value

– This is the first field study to identify specific antecedents relating to seeking feedback in a public or private context. With this study, the feedback context becomes another important variable in understanding how an individual's feedback environment may relate to feedback seeking.
Psychological influences on customer willingness to pay and choice in automated retail settings
Authors: Dixit Ashutosh , D. Hall Kenneth , Dutta Sujay
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of price attribute framing and factors such as urgency and perceived price fairness on customer willingness to pay (WTP) in automated retail settings.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted two sets of quasi-experimental scenarios surrounding vending-machine purchase decisions. The first set was analyzed with MANOVA, the second set with choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis.

Findings

– When prices are framed positively (as a discount), customer WTP is higher at high published price levels than it is for unframed or negatively framed prices. The effect on WTP holds whether the reference price range is broad (few large increments) or narrow (numerous small increments). In the CBC scenarios, immediate availability of the product was most influential on choice, followed by price and brand effects. These findings held under conditions invoking both urgency and price fairness. Providing an explanation for higher prices increases perceived price fairness.

Research limitations/implications

– Further study might assess the presence or absence of interaction effects in the conjoint scenarios.

Practical implications

– Managers should consider transparency in dynamic pricing, particularly when the price change is outside the control of the firm. The conjoint scenario results also offer evidence that dynamic pricing will not impact other marketing-mix decisions for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) dramatically (availability at point of purchase and presence in the consumer consideration set remain strong influences on choice).

Social implications

– Understanding these effects on WTP could help managers manage perceptions of unfairness and optimize WTP.

Originality/value

– A theoretical contribution from this study is that the immediate loss/gain consideration under theories of decision making under uncertainty outweigh considerations such as scarcity urgency or perceived unfairness. Use of conjoint analysis in WTP research, study of dynamic pricing in FMCG setting.
Influence of financial distress on foreign exchange exposure
Authors: Akhigbe Aigbe , D. Martin Anna , J. Mauer Laurence
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether a non-monotonic relationship may exist between financial distress and foreign exchange (FX) exposure. The authors hypothesize that firms with higher FX exposures are those with the lowest levels of financial distress because the costs of hedging exceed the benefits and those with highest levels of financial distress due to the conflict of interest between shareholders and bondholders.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology allows for the possibility of a non-monotonic relation between financial distress and FX exposure for firms known to have ex-ante exposures. The approach is to include a Black-Scholes-Merton financial distress measure and standard accounting-based financial distress measures.

Findings

– The results support the hypothesis of a non-monotonic relationship between financial distress and exposure; companies with the lowest and highest levels of financial distress are willing to bear greater FX exposures.

Originality/value

– The authors examine whether a non-monotonic relationship may exist between distress and FX exposure. Intuition for this non-monotonic relationship is provided by Stulz (1996) as he describes the risk management practices of firms with low, medium, and high default probabilities.
Top‐down and bottom‐up forces interact at thermal range extremes on American lobster
Authors: Boudreau Stephanie A. , Anderson Sean C. , Worm Boris
Published: November 2014

Exploited marine populations are thought to be regulated by the effects of fishing, species interactions and climate. Yet, it is unclear how these forces interact and vary across a species’ range.

We conducted a meta‐analysis of American lobster (Homarus americanus) abundance data throughout the entirety of the species’ range, testing competing hypotheses about bottom‐up (climate, temperature) vs. top‐down (predation, fishing) regulation along a strong thermal gradient.

Our results suggest an interaction between predation and thermal range – predation effects dominated at the cold and warm extremes, but not at the centre of the species’ range. Similarly, there was consistent support for a positive climate effect on lobster recruitment at warm range extremes. In contrast, fishing effort followed, rather than led changes in lobster abundance over time.

Our analysis suggests that the relative effects of top‐down and bottom‐up forcing in regulating marine populations may intensify at thermal range boundaries and weaken at the core of a species’ range.
Concomitant predation on parasites is highly variable but constrains the ways in which parasites contribute to food web structure
Authors: Cirtwill Alyssa R. , Stouffer Daniel B.
Published: November 2014

Previous analyses of empirical food webs (the networks of who eats whom in a community) have revealed that parasites exert a strong influence over observed food web structure and alter many network properties such as connectance and degree distributions. It remains unclear, however, whether these community‐level effects are fully explained by differences in the ways that parasites and free‐living species interact within a food web.

To rigorously quantify the interrelationship between food web structure, the types of species in a web and the distinct types of feeding links between them, we introduce a shared methodology to quantify the structural roles of both species and feeding links. Roles are quantified based on the frequencies with which a species (or link) appears in different food web motifs – the building blocks of networks.

We hypothesized that different types of species (e.g. top predators, basal resources, parasites) and different types of links between species (e.g. classic predation, parasitism, concomitant predation on parasites along with their hosts) will show characteristic differences in their food web roles.

We found that parasites do indeed have unique structural roles in food webs. Moreover, we demonstrate that different types of feeding links (e.g. parasitism, predation or concomitant predation) are distributed differently in a food web context. More than any other interaction type, concomitant predation appears to constrain the roles of parasites. In contrast, concomitant predation links themselves have more variable roles than any other type of interaction.

Together, our results provide a novel perspective on how both species and feeding link composition shape the structure of an ecological community and vice versa.
Risk factors and morbidity associated with suboptimal instrument placement at instrumental delivery: observational study nested within the Instrumental Delivery & Ultrasound randomised controlled trial ISRCTN 72230496
Authors: Ramphul M , Kennelly MM , Burke G , Murphy DJ
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To identify risk factors and morbidity associated with suboptimal instrument placement at instrumental delivery.

Design

Observational study, nested within a randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Two university‐affiliated maternity hospitals.

Sample

A cohort of 478 nulliparous women at term (≥37 weeks of gestation) undergoing instrumental delivery.

Methods

Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Main outcome measures

Risk factors for suboptimal application of vacuum or forceps, maternal and neonatal morbidity, and the sequential use of instruments, second operator, and caesarean section following failed instrumental delivery.

Results

Instrument placement was suboptimal in 138 of 478 (28.8%) deliveries. Factors associated with suboptimal instrument placement included fetal malposition (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.62–3.66), mid‐cavity station (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02–2.78), and forceps as the primary instrument (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.33–3.04). Compared with optimal instrument placement, suboptimal placement was associated with prolonged hospital stay (adjusted OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.30–4.02) and neonatal trauma (adjusted OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.85–9.72). Suboptimal placement was associated with a greater use of sequential instruments (adjusted OR 3.99, 95% CI 1.94–8.23) and caesarean section for failed instrumental delivery (adjusted OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.10–13.16). The mean decision to delivery interval (DDI) was 4 minutes longer in the suboptimal group (95% CI 2.1–5.9 minutes).

Conclusions

Suboptimal instrument placement is associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and procedural complications. Greater attention should be focused on instrument placement when training obstetricians for instrumental delivery.
Nondestructive estimates of above‐ground biomass using terrestrial laser scanning
Authors: Calders Kim , Newnham Glenn , Burt Andrew , Murphy Simon , Raumonen Pasi , Herold Martin , Culvenor Darius , Avitabile Valerio , Disney Mathias , Armston John , Kaasalainen Mikko
Published: November 2014

Allometric equations are currently used to estimate above‐ground biomass (AGB) based on the indirect relationship with tree parameters. Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) can measure the canopy structure in 3D with high detail. In this study, we develop an approach to estimate AGB from TLS data, which does not need any prior information about allometry. We compare these estimates against destructively harvested AGB estimates and AGB derived from allometric equations. We also evaluate tree parameters, diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height, estimated from traditional field inventory and TLS data.

Tree height, DBH and AGB data are collected through traditional forest inventory, TLS and destructive sampling of 65 trees in a native Eucalypt Open Forest in Victoria, Australia. Single trees are extracted from the TLS data and quantitative structure models are used to estimate the tree volume directly from the point cloud data. AGB is inferred from these volumes and basic density information and is then compared with the estimates derived from allometric equations and destructive sampling.

AGB estimates derived from TLS show a high agreement with the reference values from destructive sampling, with a concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0·98. The agreement between AGB estimates from allometric equations and the reference is lower (CCC =  0·68–0·78). Our TLS approach shows a total AGB overestimation of 9·68% compared to an underestimation of 36·57–29·85% for the allometric equations.

The error for AGB estimates using allometric equations increases exponentially with increasing DBH, whereas the error for AGB estimates from TLS is not dependent on DBH. The TLS method does not rely on indirect relationships with tree parameters or calibration data and shows better agreement with the reference data compared to estimates from allometric equations. Using 3D data also enables us to look at the height distributions of AGB, and we demonstrate that 80% of the AGB at plot level is located in the lower 60% of the trees for a Eucalypt Open Forest. This method can be applied in many forest types and can assist in the calibration and validation of broad‐scale biomass maps.
Routine operative swab cultures and post‐operative antibiotic use for uncomplicated perianal abscesses are unnecessary
Authors: Seow‐En Isaac , Ngu James
Published: November 2014

Background

Routine swab cultures for perianal abscesses remain commonplace in surgical practice. However, patients are often discharged post‐operatively prior to the culture results being made available. Consequently, intra‐operative swab cultures rarely impact subsequent management and outcomes. Similarly, the use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics for perianal abscesses post‐drainage also remains prevalent, albeit with questionable benefit.

Methods

The records of all patients diagnosed with perianal abscess from January 2011 to December 2011 were reviewed. Patients with complicated perianal abscesses or recurrent abscesses previously treated before the study period were excluded. The demographics, medical co‐morbidities, intra‐operative findings, swab cultures, microbiological results and use of post‐operative antibiotics were reviewed. Subsequent wound healing and follow‐up were also recorded.

Results

Two hundred and seven patients were admitted to our institution for perianal abscesses in 2011. After excluding 35, the remaining 172 patients were analysed. One hundred and thirty‐four patients (78%) had swab cultures performed intra‐operatively but 80% of these were discharged prior to the culture results being available. One hundred and eight (63%) were discharged with outpatient antibiotics. During the index admission and subsequent follow‐up, swab culture results were not documented to be reviewed by the attending physician 96.5% of the time. Sixteen patients required repeat surgery for recurrence of anorectal sepsis. We found that the use of antibiotics after the index surgery did not confer a statistically significant benefit.

Conclusion

Routine swab cultures are unnecessary and do not affect management and outcome. The use of post‐operative antibiotics may reduce the rates of recurrence, but this benefit was not found to be statistically significant.
Effects of disability on pregnancy experiences among women with impaired mobility
Authors: Iezzoni Lisa I. , Wint Amy J. , Smeltzer Suzanne C. , Ecker Jeffrey L.
Published: November 2014

Objective

Little is known about how functional impairments might affect the pregnancies of women with mobility disability. We aimed to explore complications that arise during pregnancy that are specifically related to physical functional impairments of women with significant mobility disabilities.

Design

Qualitative descriptive analysis.

Setting

Telephone interviews with women from 17 USA states.

Sample

22 women with significant mobility difficulties who had delivered babies within the prior 10 years; most participants were recruited through social networks.

Methods

We conducted 2‐h, in‐depth telephone interviews using a semi‐structured, open‐ended interview protocol. We used NVIVO software to sort interview transcript texts for conventional content analyses.

Main outcome measures

Functional impairment‐related complications during pregnancy.

Results

The women's mean (standard deviation) age was 34.8 (5.3) years. Most were white, well‐educated, and higher income; eight women had spinal cord injuries, four cerebral palsy, and 10 had other conditions; 18 used wheeled mobility aids; and 14 had cesarean deliveries (eight elective). Impairment‐related complications during pregnancy included: falls; urinary tract and bladder problems; wheelchair fit and stability problems that reduced mobility and compromised safety; significant shortness of breath, sometimes requiring respiratory support; increased spasticity; bowel management difficulties; and skin integrity problems (this was rare, but many women greatly increased skin monitoring during pregnancy to prevent pressure ulcers).

Conclusions

In addition to other pregnancy‐associated health risks, women with mobility disabilities appear to experience problems relating to their functional impairments. Pre‐conception planning and in‐depth discussions during early pregnancy could potentially assist women with mobility disabilities to anticipate and address these difficulties.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for noncardiac chest pain
Authors: Atluri D. K. , Chandar A. K. , Fass R. , Falck‐Ytter Y.
Published: November 2014

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) symptoms, however, data regarding their efficacy remains inconclusive.

Aim

To conduct a meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing SSRIs to placebo in patients with NCCP, and rate the quality of evidence.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched using the terms ‘noncardiac chest pain’, ‘atypical chest pain’ and ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors’. Data were extracted from RCTs of ≥8 weeks. Standardised mean differences (SMD), weighted mean differences (WMD) or risk ratios (RR) were used as summary statistics for pooled outcomes. GRADE methodology was used to rate the quality of evidence.

Results

Four RCTs (184 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to placebo, patients on SSRIs showed a nonsignificant change in chest pain of 3½ points decrease on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (184 patients, 95% CI, −9.5 to 2.5; I2 = 0%). Change in depression scores was not significantly different between the two groups (88 patients; WMD = 0.7; 95% CI, −1.81 to 3.20; I2 = 64%). Treatment discontinuations were not significantly different between groups (154 patients, RR = 2.08; 95% CI, 0.77–5.60; I2 = 0%). The quality of evidence was rated as moderate for change in chest pain symptoms, low for change in depression scores and moderate for treatment discontinuation due to adverse events.

Conclusions

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are not superior to placebo in improving chest pain or depression symptoms in patients with noncardiac chest pain. Larger trials with longer follow‐up periods are necessary to assess the benefits and drawbacks of SSRIs for the treatment of noncardiac chest pain.
The association of hepatitis C virus infection and post‐liver transplant diabetes: data from 17 000 HCV‐infected transplant recipients
Authors: Younossi Z. , Stepanova M. , Saab S. , Trimble G. , Mishra A. , Henry L.
Published: November 2014

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with metabolic manifestations including insulin resistance and diabetes through various mechanisms. Whether HCV infection is associated with an increased risk of post‐transplant diabetes in liver transplant recipients is unclear.

Aim

To assess the association of HCV infection with post‐transplant diabetes.

Methods

All liver transplant recipients infected with hepatitis C (exposed) and hepatitis B (HBV) (controls) with post‐transplant follow‐up from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (2003–2012) were included.

Results

A total of 17 121 HCV patients and 1450 HBV controls were included in this observational study. Subjects with HCV were more likely to be overweight and obese at transplant, but the rate of pre‐transplant diabetes of 13.7% was similar to HBV (P > 0.05). Post‐transplant, 32.5% of HCV patients and 27.5% of HBV patients had diabetes (P < 0.0001). This difference was observed starting as early as 6 months post‐transplant: 22.5% HCV and 18.9% HBV (P = 0.0043). With longer follow‐up, both the cumulative and incidental risks of developing post‐transplant diabetes were consistently higher in HCV patients. In particular, by 5 years post‐transplant, both the relative risk of having diabetes [1.18 (1.08–1.29), P = 0.0002] and the hazard ratio for time to developing diabetes [1.27 (1.15–1.41), P < 0.0001] were significantly higher in HCV patients compared to HBV patients. In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for confounders including the use of immunosuppressants, hepatitis C infection was independently associated with developing post‐transplant diabetes: aHR = 1.55 (1.34–1.79), P < 0.0001.

Conclusion

Hepatitis C infection is associated with a higher risk of post‐transplant diabetes that persists up to 5 years post‐transplant.
Altered balance between self-reactive T helper (Th)17 cells and Th10 cells and between full-length forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) and FoxP3 splice variants in Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Kristensen B , Hegedüs L , Madsen H O , Smith T J , Nielsen C H
Published: November 2014

T helper type 17 (Th17) cells play a pathogenic role in autoimmune disease, while interleukin (IL)-10-producing Th10 cells serve a protective role. The balance between the two subsets is regulated by the local cytokine milieu and by the relative expression of intact forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) compared to FoxP3Δ2, missing exon 2. Th17 and Th10 cell differentiation has usually been studied using polyclonal stimuli, and little is known about the ability of physiologically relevant self-antigens to induce Th17 or Th10 cell differentiation in autoimmune thyroid disease. We subjected mononuclear cells from healthy donors and patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) or Graves' disease (GD) to polyclonal stimulation, or stimulation with human thyroglobulin (TG), human thyroid peroxidase (TPO), or Esherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). TPO and LPS induced increased differentiation of naive CD4+CD45RA+CD45R0– T cells from HT patients into Th17 cells. Th10 cell proportions were decreased in HT after polyclonal stimulation, but were comparable to those of healthy donors after antigen-specific stimulation. Taken together, our data show that an increased Th17 : Th10 ratio was found in HT patients after stimulation with thyroid-specific self-antigens. We also observed an elevated baseline production of IL-6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and of mRNA encoding FoxP3Δ2 rather than intact FoxP3. This may contribute to the skewing towards Th17 cell responses in HT.
A new quantitative method for estimating glomerular filtration rate and its clinical value
Authors: Cheng Mu‐hua , Zeng Feng‐wei , Xie Liang‐jun , Li Jian‐fang , Zhang Feng , Jiang Hang
Published: November 2014

Background and aim

The estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is essential for the renal function. However, all estimation methods for GFR have advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study was to develop a new quantitative method for estimating GFR and evaluate its clinical value.

Methods

The new GFR was estimated by quantifying the accumulation of Tc‐99m DTPA in the dual kidneys and bladder during a gamma camera renogram study in 116 patients with chronic kidney disease. GFR was determined by this new method (nGFR), Gates' gamma camera technique (gGFR), a two‐plasma sampling method (tGFR) and creatinine‐based clearance as estimated by Cockcroft–Gault (cGFR) and abbreviated MDRD (aGFR) formulae. The correlation analysis, Bland–Altman analysis and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) plots were carried out among above methods.

Results

The nGFR value has significant correlation with tGRF (r = 0·827, P<0·01). The nGFR had the best overall performances with a lowest bias deviation (3·1 ml min−1/1·73 m2), better precision (53·0 ml min−1/1·73 m2), narrowest interquartile range (13·5 ml min−1/1·73 m2) and best accuracy (68·1%) within 30% of the tGFR, compared with those of gGFR, cGFR and aGFR. The new method had the similar maximum accuracy with the Gates' method and creatinine clearance as estimated by Cockcroft–Gault and abbreviated modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) method. The new method had better repeatability characteristic compared with the Gates' method.

Conclusions

The new method for estimating GFR had the better performances compared with the Gates' method and creatinine clearance as estimated by Cockcroft–Gault and MDRD method.
High‐risk HPV platforms and test of cure: should specific HPV platforms more suited to screening in a ‘test of cure’ scenario be recommended?
Authors: Innamaa A. , Dudding N. , Ellis K. , Crossley J. , Smith J. H. , Tidy J. A. , Palmer J. E.
Published: November 2014

Objective

When the Sheffield screening laboratory changed the high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) platforms from hybrid capture 2® (HC2; Digene Ltd) and to cobas 4800® (Roche) an unexpected and substantial increase in the number of cytology‐negative/hrHPV‐positive test‐of‐cure (ToC) samples after large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) was noted. We explore the potential reasons for these increased rates and discuss the implications this may have on the English NHS cervical screening programme (CSP).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study with interval analysis between June 2007 and June 2012.

Results

ToC was performed on 1530 women with HC2 and 396 with cobas 4800: 95.1% and 92.4% of women had negative cytology at ToC in the HC2 and cobas4800 testing period, respectively. Of these 13.9% and 27.8% tested positive for hrHPV in the HC2 and cobas 4800 group, respectively (P = <0.0001). No clinically significant increase in the number of cases of cervical intraepithelial neolpasia (CIN) was detected by the cobas4800 test in spite of doubling the number of cytology‐negative/hrHPV‐positive ToC samples.

Conclusions

As far as we are aware, this is the first study reporting potential differences between different HPV platforms currently available in the English programme. The immediate impact of this increase in rates of hrHPV detection with cobas4800 is an increased number of colposcopy referrals to our service. The NHSCSP needs to assess whether this increase is acceptable and, if not, whether specific HPV platforms more suited to screening in a ToC scenario should be recommended.
The central role of trunk control in the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Curtis Derek John , Butler Penny , Saavedra Sandy , Bencke Jesper , Kallemose Thomas , Sonne‐Holm Stig , Woollacott Marjorie
Published: November 2014

Aim

Improvement of gross motor function and mobility are primary goals of physical therapy in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between segmental control of the trunk and the corresponding gross motor function in children with CP.

Method

This retrospective cross‐sectional study was based on 92 consecutive referrals of children with CP in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to V, 39 females, 53 males (median age 4y [range 1–14y]), and 77, 12, and 3 with spastic, dyskinetic, and ataxic CP respectively. The participants were tested using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), and the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo).

Results

Linear regression analysis showed a positive relationship between the segmental level of trunk control and age, with both gross motor function and mobility. Segmental trunk control measured using the SATCo could explain between 38% and 40% of variation in GMFM and between 32% and 37% of variation in PEDI.

Interpretation

This study suggests a strong association between segmental trunk postural control and gross motor function and mobility with significant clinical implications for the treatment of children with CP.
Which commercial partners are important for the most recently admitted EU countries?
Authors: Tello Alicia Gómez‐
Published: November 2014

This paper describes the degree of trade integration inside the European Union (EU) after the fifth enlargement in 2004. To achieve this goal, we build a database of information on trade flows between the new EU countries (EU‐10) and 180 commercial partners in six different sectors from 1999 to 2011. Using the standard gravity model and estimating a difference‐in‐differences specification, we analyze how joining the EU affected the intensity and direction of the EU‐10's trade flows. Our results show that though trade exchanges between the EU‐10 and EU‐15 intensified after 2004, the impact of integration was much more significant to the EU‐10 group.
The primer fITS9 prevents chimera formation during fungal DNA amplification in a bark beetle DNA background
Authors: Strid Y. , Ihrmark K. , Stenlid J.
Published: November 2014

Insects are frequently associated with fungi in natural habitats. Molecular detection of fungal species using the primer pair ITS1F and ITS4 to amplify the ribosomal ITS region has become standard for studies of fungal ecology. When addressing insect and fungal DNA together, sequencing of the ITS region often results in chimeras due to ITS4 binding to both insect and fungal DNA. Using the newly developed primer fITS9, placed in the 5.8S region in the middle of the ITS region, we show that chimeras (insect–fungal, fungal–fungal, fungal–plants or fungal–mammals) can be avoided and a shorter and less variable DNA sequence product can be obtained. This method allows a more targeted amplification of fungal DNA from mixed samples and decreases the necessity for a nested PCR approach.
Dietary influences on production, stoichiometry and decomposition of particulate wastes from shredders
Authors: Halvorson Halvor M. , Fuller Chris , Entrekin Sally A. , Evans‐White Michelle A.
Published: November 2014

Aquatic shredders produce large quantities of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) as fragments and egesta, but the significance of shredder FPOM as a pathway of consumer‐mediated nutrient transformation remains understudied.

We fed the stream shredders Pycnopsyche lepida, Lepidostoma sp. and Tipula abdominalis oak or maple litter conditioned under contrasting phosphorus concentrations to produce gradients in dietary carbon:phosphorus (C:P) and carbon:nitrogen (C:N) content (range = 850–4480 and 30–49 by moles, respectively). We measured total production and stoichiometry of FPOM to estimate particulate N and P release rates, compared resultant rates to those of P excretion and measured microbial decomposition of FPOM.

FPOM production was lowest for Lepidostoma and higher for Tipula and Pycnopsyche; FPOM production by Tipula increased on higher‐nutrient diets. The C:P, C:N and N:P of FPOM from Pycnopsyche and Tipula often diverged from diet stoichiometry depending on litter type, and rates of particulate N and P release by shredders were greater with increasing nutrient content of the diet.

Shredders fed high‐nutrient diets produced FPOM with greater microbial decomposition rates, although these trends differed between litter types.

Bottom‐up changes in litter type and nutrient content may modify production, stoichiometry and decomposition of FPOM from shredders, and shredder‐mediated nutrient transformations may differ across shredder species.
Diet‐switching by omnivorous freshwater shrimp diminishes differences in nutrient recycling rates and body stoichiometry across a food quality gradient
Authors: Snyder Marcia N. , Small Gaston E. , Pringle Catherine M.
Published: November 2014

In tropical streams, omnivorous shrimp may be important nutrient recyclers, because they have a lower body P demand than fish. However, little is known about the controls on nutrient recycling by freshwater shrimp.

Across a series of lowland tropical streams that range in dissolved P, we describe: (i) shrimp body stoichiometry in relation to stream P level; (ii) rates of P excretion by shrimp; (iii) shrimp trophic level using natural stable isotope values (δ15N); and (iv) the importance of shrimp as nutrient recyclers.

Shrimp body elemental composition varied across the study streams, with higher shrimp %C and %N in low‐P streams. P content of shrimp did not change despite large differences in P content of their likely food resources. Also, shrimp P recycling rates did not increase in high‐P streams with P‐enriched food resources.

Stable isotope results combined with change in body nutrient content (%N and %C) suggest that shrimp show different diet choices over the P gradient, feeding at a higher trophic level in low‐P streams. This dietary shift may partially compensate for the lower P content in a given food resource in the low‐P streams. However, P recycling rates were more variable than predicted based on diet choice and stream P level, suggesting that other physiological or behavioural mechanisms are involved.

In comparison to fish species in these same study sites, shrimp species recycle P at lower rates per unit body mass than the majority of fish species, despite their lower body P content. Diet switching may be an important strategy for omnivorous shrimp in correcting the stoichiometric imbalance between food resource and consumer biomass.
A critical analysis of regulated river ecosystem responses to managed environmental flows from reservoirs
Authors: Gillespie Ben R. , Desmet Simon , Kay Paul , Tillotson Martin R. , Brown Lee E.
Published: November 2014

The flow regime of a river is fundamental in determining its ecological characteristics. Impoundment of rivers has been documented to severely impact the natural flow regime, resulting in abiotic and biotic changes in downstream ecosystems. Contemporary water legislation is driving increasing concern among environmentalists and water resource managers with respect to how these impacts can be mitigated. This has stimulated research aimed at assessing the relationship between reservoir outflow modification (i.e. managed environmental flows) and downstream ecosystem responses.

We carried out a critical review and synthesis of the global literature concerning post‐impoundment reservoir outflow modification and associated downstream biotic and abiotic responses. Seventy‐six studies published between 1981 and 2012 were analysed. In contrast to previous studies of this subject, we systematically assessed the methodological quality of research to identify strengths and weaknesses of the approaches. We also undertook a novel quantification of ecosystem responses to flow modification, thus enabling identification of priorities for future research.

We identified that: (i) there was a research bias towards North American and Western European studies; (ii) the majority of studies reported changes in flow magnitude (e.g. artificial floods) and primarily focused on traditionally monitored ecological groups (e.g. fish); (iii) relationships between flow, biota (e.g. macroinvertebrates) and water quality (e.g. electrical conductivity and suspended solids concentration) were evident, demonstrating the potential for managed environmental flows to manipulate river ecosystems; (iv) site‐specific factors (e.g. location, climate) are likely to be important as some ecosystem responses were inconsistent between studies (e.g. fish movement in response to increases in flow magnitude); and (v) quality of study design, methodological and analytical techniques varied, and these factors may have contributed to the reported variability of ecosystem response.

To advance scientific understanding and guide future management of regulated flow regimes, we highlight a pressing need for: (i) diversification of study locations as well as flow modification and ecosystem response types assessed; (ii) a focus on understanding flow–ecosystem response relationships at regional scales; (iii) further quantitative studies to enable robust statistical analyses in future meta‐analyses; and (iv) robust monitoring of flow experiments and the use of contemporary statistical techniques to extract maximum knowledge from ecological response data.
Late Permian marine ecosystem collapse began in deeper waters: evidence from brachiopod diversity and body size changes
Authors: He W.‐H. , Shi G. R. , Twitchett R. J. , Zhang Y. , Zhang K.‐X. , Song H.‐J. , Yue M.‐L. , Wu S.‐B. , Wu H.‐T. , Yang T.‐L. , Xiao Y.‐F.
Published: November 2014

Analysis of Permian–Triassic brachiopod diversity and body size changes from different water depths spanning the continental shelf to basinal facies in South China provides insights into the process of environmental deterioration. Comparison of the temporal changes of brachiopod diversity between deepwater and shallow‐water facies demonstrates that deepwater brachiopods disappeared earlier than shallow‐water brachiopods. This indicates that high environmental stress commenced first in deepwater settings and later extended to shallow waters. This environmental stress is attributed to major volcanic eruptions, which first led to formation of a stratified ocean and a chemocline in the outer shelf and deeper water environments, causing the disappearance of deep marine benthos including brachiopods. The chemocline then rapidly migrated upward and extended to shallow waters, causing widespread mass extinction of shallow marine benthos. We predict that the spatial and temporal patterns of earlier onset of disappearance/extinction and ecological crisis in deeper water ecosystems will be recorded during other episodes of rapid global warming.
Differences in coagulation in clotting of vascular access in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nweke Chinedu , Martin Erika , Gehr Todd , Brophy Donald , Carl Daniel
Published: November 2014

Arteriovenous graft (AVG) thrombosis is a frequent cause of graft failure. We evaluated coagulation protein concentrations, platelet function, and viscoelasticity factors in 20 hemodialysis (HD) patients with AVGs. The goal was to determine whether significant differences in protein concentrations, platelet function, and viscoelasticity factors exist among dialysis patients requiring frequent AVG declot procedures vs. those who do not. Twenty HD patients were enrolled: 10 frequent clotters (>3 declots in the previous year) and 10 were nonclotters. Patients on antiplatelets or chronic anticoagulation were excluded. Laboratories were drawn pretreatment and heparinase was added to counteract any potential heparin effect. Coagulation protein concentrations including tissue factor (TF), thrombin/antithrombin III complex (TAT), and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1+2) were assayed. The time to clot onset was measured by force onset time (FOT). Platelet contractile force (PCF) measured the force produced by platelets during clot retraction, whereas clot rigidity was measured as clot elastic modulus (CEM). FOT, CEM, and PCF were measured by Hemodyne. Both groups had upregulation of the TF pathway, as TF, TAT, and F1+2 levels were similarly increased over baseline levels. Hemodialysis patients with frequent AVG clotting had higher levels of both PCF and CEM compared with nonclotters. Additionally, the frequent clotters had a lower FOT relative to nonclotters, although both were considered in the normal range. Our study suggests that HD patients with recurrent AVG thrombotic events form clots with higher tensile strength compared with HD patients without recurrent graft thrombosis.
Improving the cytological diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma from vitreous fluid
Authors: Ranty Marie‐Laure , Laurent Camille , Aziza Jacqueline , Mahieu Laurence , Olle Priscille , Quintyn Jean‐Claude , Garnier Lorna , Bienvenu Jacques , Collin Laetitia , Delisle Marie‐Bernadette , Courtade‐Saidi Monique
Published: November 2014

Aims

To improve the cytological diagnosis of retinal lymphoma on vitreous fluid using improved cell collection and systematic analyses.

Methods and results

Since October 2010, we have developed and optimized in our department a method with which to perform the diagnosis of retinal lymphoma. The vitreous sample was collected in a tube containing RPMI‐1640 medium, decomplemented fetal bovine serum, and gentamicin. The transport and technical steps were performed at 4°C. Systematically, cytological examination with May–Grünwald–Giemsa staining and immunocytochemistry (mainly anti‐CD3, anti‐CD20 and anti‐CD68 antibodies) were performed on cytospins. Whenever possible, determination of B‐cell clonality, flow cytometry and determination of the interleukin (IL)‐10/IL‐6 ratio were performed. From October 2010 to June 2013, with this optimized protocol, 38 vitreous cytological samples from 32 patients were analysed, and a final diagnosis was possible, avoiding a biopsy, in all cases except one.

Conclusion

The preservation of vitreous fluid cells on culture medium led to the diagnosis of retinal lymphoma in 10 of 12 cases, and exclusion of this diagnosis in 26 cases. This protocol may be applied even when the delay in shipping from the surgery to the pathology departments exceeds 1 h.
A note on the asymmetric part of an outranking relation
Authors: Bouyssou Denis , Pirlot Marc
Published: November 2014

This paper discusses the properties of the asymmetric part of an outranking relation built as in ELECTRE. Such relations have been used in the pseudodisjunctive version of ELECTRE TRI‐B. We show that they have properties that are somewhat different from that of outranking relations. Indeed, contrary to outranking relations, they allow to have at the same time veto and bonus effects. We suggest that this explains the difficulty in analyzing the properties of the pseudodisjunctive version of ELECTRE TRI‐B and the complexity of the elicitation methods of its parameters. We present conditions that characterize such relations.
Reinforcing Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications
Authors: Petry Nancy M. , Alessi Sheila M. , Byrne Shannon , White William B.
Published: November 2014

This pilot study evaluated a reinforcement intervention to improve adherence to antihypertensive therapy. Twenty‐nine participants were randomized to standard care or standard care plus financial reinforcement for 12 weeks. Participants in the reinforcement group received a cell phone to self‐record videos of adherence, for which they earned rewards. These participants sent videos demonstrating on‐time adherence 97.8% of the time. Pill count adherence differed significantly between the groups during treatment, with 98.8%±1.5% of pills taken during treatment in the reinforcement condition vs 92.6%±9.2% in standard care (P<.002). Benefits persisted throughout a 3‐month follow‐up, with 93.8%±9.3% vs 78.0%±18.5% of pills taken (P<.001). Pill counts correlated significantly (P<.001) with self‐reports of adherence, which also differed between groups over time (P<.01). Systolic blood pressure decreased modestly over time in participants overall (P<.01) but without significant time‐by‐group effects. These results suggest that reinforcing medication adherence via cellular phone technology and financial reinforcement holds potential to improve adherence.
Risk of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Candia R. , Ruiz A. , Torres‐Robles R. , Chávez‐Tapia N. , Méndez‐Sánchez N. , Arrese M.
Published: November 2014

Background

Psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of MetS, is now the commonest liver disease worldwide and can evolve into cirrhosis in a subgroup of patients. Psoriasis has been reported to be associated to NAFLD.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the strength of the association between psoriasis and NAFLD.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was conducted in six databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, LILACS, Cochrane Library and EMBASE). Data from studies assessing frequency of NAFLD in psoriatic and non‐psoriatic patients were extracted and meta‐analysed using the Mantel–Haenszel method. Subgroups analysis of patients with psoriatic arthritis and moderate to severe psoriasis was also performed.

Results

Seven case–control studies were included, all of them of low or moderate quality. Psoriatic patients exhibited an increased risk of NAFLD compared to non‐psoriatic controls (six studies; n = 267 761 patients; odds ratio (OR): 2.15, 95% CI: 1.57–2.94). The association remained significant (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.62–2.64) when only high/moderate quality studies were analysed (three studies; n = 3345 patients). The risk of NAFLD was significantly greater in patients with psoriatic arthritis (three studies; n = 505 patients; OR: 2.25, 95% IC: 1.37–3.71) and in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis compared to those with mild psoriasis (two studies; 51 930 patients, OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.59–2.71).

Limitations

Data quality and heterogeneity may restrict the interpretation of the pooled risk estimates.

Conclusion

Case–control studies support an association between psoriasis and NAFLD. Screening of NAFLD in this group of patients may be warranted.
Laser therapy for the treatment of Hailey–Hailey disease: a systematic review with focus on carbon dioxide laser resurfacing
Authors: Falto‐Aizpurua L.A. , Griffith R.D. , Yazdani Abyaneh M.A. , Nouri K.
Published: November 2014

Benign familial chronic pemphigus, or Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD), is a recurrent bullous dermatitis that tends to have a chronic course with frequent relapses. Long‐term treatment options include surgery with skin grafting or dermabrasion. Both are highly invasive and carry significant risks and complications. More recently, ‘laser‐abrasion’ has been described as a less invasive option with a better side‐effect profile. In this article, we systematically review the safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide laser therapy as a long‐term treatment option for HHD, as well as provide a review of other lasers that have been reported with this goal. A total of 23 patients who had been treated with a carbon dioxide laser were identified. After treatment, 10 patients (43%) had had no recurrence, 10 (43%) had greater than 50% improvement, 2 (8%) had less than 50% improvement and 1 (4%) patient had no improvement at all (follow‐up period ranged from 4 to 144 months). Laser parameter variability was wide and adverse effects were minimal, including dyspigmentation and scarring. Reviewed evidence indicates this therapy offers a safe, effective treatment alternative for HHD with minimal risk of side‐effects. Larger, well‐designed studies are necessary to determine the optimal treatment parameters.