bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation of an Antifungal Pathogenesis‐Related Protein from Naked Oat (Avena nuda) Seeds
Authors: Shi Yawei , Jian Liu , Han Deping , Ren Yemei
Published: August 2014

A novel antifungal protein was isolated from naked oat (Avena nuda) seeds by acetone fractionation, (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, Q‐Sepharose ion‐exchange chromatography, chitin affinity chromatography, and Sephacryl S‐200 gel filtration chromatography. The antifungal protein exhibited a molecular mass of 23,760, as measured by gel filtration and SDS‐PAGE. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight MS analysis indicated that the protein was homologous with a permatin precursor from A. sativa. The protein from naked oats exhibited antifungal activity against Trametes sp. SQ01 (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 5.68μM), Trichoderma spp. (IC50 = 0.83μM), and Chaetomium sp. R01.
Multifaceted Capsid Proteins: Multiple Interactions Suggest Multiple Roles for Pepino mosaic virus Capsid Protein
Authors: Mathioudakis Matthaios M. , Rodríguez-Moreno Luis , Sempere Raquel Navarro , Aranda Miguel A. , Livieratos Ioannis
Published: August 2014

Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) (family Alphaflexiviridae, genus Potexvirus) is a mechanically transmitted tomato pathogen that, over the last decade, has evolved from emerging to endemic worldwide. Here, two heat-shock cognate (Hsc70) isoforms were identified as part of the coat protein (CP)/Hsc70 complex in vivo, following full-length PepMV and CP agroinoculation. PepMV accumulation was severely reduced in Hsp70 virus-induced gene silenced and in quercetin-treated Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Similarly, in vitro–transcribed as well as virion RNA input levels were reduced in quercetin-treated protoplasts, suggesting an essential role for Hsp70 in PepMV replication. As for Potato virus X, the PepMV CP and triple gene-block protein 1 (TGBp1) self-associate and interact with each other in vitro but, unlike in the prototype, both PepMV proteins represent suppressors of transgene-induced RNA silencing with different modes of action; CP is a more efficient suppressor of RNA silencing, sequesters the silencing signal by preventing its spread to neighboring cells and its systemic movement. Here, we provide evidence for additional roles of the PepMV CP and host-encoded Hsp70 in viral infection, the first as a truly multifunctional protein able to specifically bind to a host chaperone and to counterattack an RNA-based defense mechanism, and the latter as an essential factor for PepMV infection.
Leaf Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Imaging of Rice Leaves Infected with Monographella albescens
Authors: Tatagiba Sandro Dan , DaMatta Fábio Murilo , Rodrigues Fabrício Ávila
Published: August 2014

This study was intended to analyze the photosynthetic performance of rice leaf blades infected with Monographella albescens by combining chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence images with gas exchange and photosynthetic pigment pools. The net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, total Chl and carotenoid pools, and Chl a/b ratio all decreased but the internal CO2 concentration increased in the inoculated plants compared with their noninoculated counterparts. The first detectable changes in the images of Chl a fluorescence from the leaves of inoculated plants were already evident at 24 h after inoculation (hai) and increased dramatically as the leaf scald lesions expanded. However, these changes were negligible for the photosystem II photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) at 24 hai, in contrast to other Chl fluorescence traits such as the photochemical quenching coefficient, yield of photochemistry, and yield for dissipation by downregulation; which, therefore, were much more sensitive than the Fv/Fm ratio in assessing the early stages of fungal infection. It was also demonstrated that M. albescens was able to impair the photosynthetic process in both symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf areas. Overall, it was proven that Chl a fluorescence imaging is an excellent tool to describe the loss of functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus occurring in rice leaves upon infection by M. albescens.
Molecular and Biological Characterization of Distinct Strains of Jatropha mosaic virus from the Dominican Republic Reveal a Potential to Infect Crop Plants
Authors: Melgarejo Tomas A. , Kon Tatsuya , Gilbertson Robert L.
Published: August 2014

In the Dominican Republic (DO), jatropha plants with yellow mosaic symptoms are commonly observed in and around fields of various crop plants. Complete nucleotide sequences of DNA-A and DNA-B components of four bipartite begomovirus isolates associated with symptomatic jatropha plants collected from three geographical locations in the DO were determined. Sequence comparisons revealed highest identities (91 to 92%) with the DNA-A component of an isolate of Jatropha mosaic virus (JMV) from Jamaica, indicating that the bipartite begomovirus isolates from the DO are strains of JMV. When introduced into jatropha seedlings by particle bombardment, the cloned components of the JMV strains from the DO induced stunting and yellow mosaic, indistinguishable from symptoms observed in the field, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates for the disease. The JMV strains also induced disease symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana, tobacco, and several cultivars of common bean from the Andean gene pool, including one locally grown in the DO. Asymmetry in the infectivity and symptomatology of pseudorecombinants provided further support for the strain designation of the JMV isolates from the DO. Thus, JMV in the DO is a complex of genetically distinct strains that have undergone local evolution and have the potential to cause disease in crop plants.
Temperature alters food web body-size structure
Authors: Gibert Jean P. , DeLong John P.
Published: August 2014

The increased temperature associated with climate change may have important effects on body size and predator–prey interactions. The consequences of these effects for food web structure are unclear because the relationships between temperature and aspects of food web structure such as predator–prey body-size relationships are unknown. Here, we use the largest reported dataset for marine predator–prey interactions to assess how temperature affects predator–prey body-size relationships among different habitats ranging from the tropics to the poles. We found that prey size selection depends on predator body size, temperature and the interaction between the two. Our results indicate that (i) predator–prey body-size ratios decrease with predator size at below-average temperatures and increase with predator size at above-average temperatures, and (ii) that the effect of temperature on predator–prey body-size structure will be stronger at small and large body sizes and relatively weak at intermediate sizes. This systematic interaction may help to simplify forecasting the potentially complex consequences of warming on interaction strengths and food web stability.
How structurally stable are global socioeconomic systems?
Authors: Saavedra Serguei , Rohr Rudolf P. , Gilarranz Luis J. , Bascompte Jordi
Published: August 2014

The stability analysis of socioeconomic systems has been centred on answering whether small perturbations when a system is in a given quantitative state will push the system permanently to a different quantitative state. However, typically the quantitative state of socioeconomic systems is subject to constant change. Therefore, a key stability question that has been under-investigated is how strongly the conditions of a system itself can change before the system moves to a qualitatively different behaviour, i.e. how structurally stable the systems is. Here, we introduce a framework to investigate the structural stability of socioeconomic systems formed by a network of interactions among agents competing for resources. We measure the structural stability of the system as the range of conditions in the distribution and availability of resources compatible with the qualitative behaviour in which all the constituent agents can be self-sustained across time. To illustrate our framework, we study an empirical representation of the global socioeconomic system formed by countries sharing and competing for multinational companies used as proxy for resources. We demonstrate that the structural stability of the system is inversely associated with the level of competition and the level of heterogeneity in the distribution of resources. Importantly, we show that the qualitative behaviour of the observed global socioeconomic system is highly sensitive to changes in the distribution of resources. We believe that this work provides a methodological basis to develop sustainable strategies for socioeconomic systems subject to constantly changing conditions.
Paternal signature in kin recognition cues of a social insect: concealed in juveniles, revealed in adults
Authors: Wong Janine W. Y. , Meunier Joël , Lucas Christophe , Kölliker Mathias
Published: August 2014

Kin recognition is a key mechanism to direct social behaviours towards related individuals or avoid inbreeding depression. In insects, recognition is generally mediated by cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) compounds, which are partly inherited from parents. However, in social insects, potential nepotistic conflicts between group members from different patrilines are predicted to select against the expression of patriline-specific signatures in CHC profiles. Whereas this key prediction in the evolution of insect signalling received empirical support in eusocial insects, it remains unclear whether it can be generalized beyond eusociality to less-derived forms of social life. Here, we addressed this issue by manipulating the number of fathers siring clutches tended by females of the European earwig,Forficula auricularia, analysing the CHC profiles of the resulting juvenile and adult offspring, and using discriminant analysis to estimate the information content of CHC with respect to the maternal and paternal origin of individuals. As predicted, if paternally inherited cues are concealed during family life, increases in mating number had no effect on information content of CHC profiles among earwig juveniles, but significantly decreased the one among adult offspring. We suggest that age-dependent expression of patriline-specific cues evolved to limit the risks of nepotism as family-living juveniles and favour sibling-mating avoidance as group-living adults. These results highlight the role of parental care and social life in the evolution of chemical communication and recognition cues.
Variable processing of the IgA protease autotransporter at the cell surface of Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Roussel-Jazédé Virginie , Arenas Jesús , Langereis Jeroen D. , Tommassen Jan , van Ulsen Peter
Published: August 2014

As with all classical monomeric autotransporters, IgA protease of Neisseria meningitidis is a modular protein consisting of an N-terminal signal sequence, a passenger domain and a C-terminal translocator domain (TD) that assists in the secretion of the passenger domain across the outer membrane. The passenger of IgA protease consists of three separate domains: the protease domain, the γ-peptide and the α-peptide that contains nuclear localization signals (NLSs). The protease domain is released into the extracellular milieu either via autocatalytic processing or via cleavage by another autotransporter, NalP, expression of which is phase-variable. NalP-mediated cleavage results in the release of a passenger that includes the α- and γ-peptides. Here, we studied the fate of the α-peptide when NalP was not expressed and observed strain-dependent differences. In meningococcal strains where the α-peptide contained a single NLS, the α-peptide remained covalently attached to the TD and was detected at the cell surface. In other strains, the α-peptide contained four NLSs and was separated from the TD by an IgA protease autoproteolytic cleavage site. In many of those cases, the α-peptide was found non-covalently associated with the cells as a separate polypeptide. The cell surface association of the α-peptides may be relevant physiologically. We report a novel function for the α-peptide, i.e. the binding of heparin – an immune-modulatory molecule that in the host is found in the extracellular matrix and connected to cell surfaces.
Estimating survival of patients receiving radiosurgery alone for cerebral metastasis from melanoma
Authors: Sehmisch Lena , Huttenlocher Stefan , Schild Steven E. , Rades Dirk
Published: August 2014

This study aimed to identify clinical factors associated with survival and to develop a prognostic tool in patients receiving radiosurgery alone for very few cerebral metastases from melanoma. Ten characteristics of 69 patients treated with radiosurgery alone for 1–3 cerebral metastases from melanoma were retrospectively analyzed for survival. Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels before radiosurgery, Karnofsky performance score, maximum diameter of all irradiated cerebral lesions, and extracranial lesions were significantly associated with survival and included in the tool. Twelve‐month survival rate (in %) divided by 10 was calculated for each of these four factors. The four scores were summed resulting in total scores ranging 9–22 points. Based on the 12‐month survival rates, three groups were formed: less than 15 points (group I, n = 25); 15–20 points (group II, n = 34); and more than 20 points (group III, n = 10). Corresponding 12‐month survival rates were 10 ± 6%, 51 ± 9% and 90 ± 9%, respectively (P < 0.001). In group I, death within 12 months following radiosurgery occurred mostly due to extracranial progression, whereas cerebral progression was the major cause of death in group II. In group III, only one of 10 patients died within 1 year. This new prognostic tool helps predict the survival time following radiosurgery of very few cerebral metastases from melanoma. An individual treatment approach should consider a patient's survival time and the most likely cause of death (cerebral or extracranial progression).
Ribavirin inhibits human parainfluenza virus type 2 replication in vitro
Authors: Kihira Sahoko , Uematsu Jun , Kawano Mitsuo , Itoh Ai , Ookohchi Ayumi , Satoh Saemi , Maeda Yurie , Sakai Kae , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Tsurudome Masato , O'Brien Myles , Komada Hiroshi
Published: August 2014

The antiviral activities of eight nucleoside analog antiviral drugs (ribavirin, acyclovir, lamivudine, 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine, emtricitabine, tenofovir, penciclovir and ganciclovir) against human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV‐2) were investigated. Only ribavirin (RBV) inhibited both cell fusion and hemadsorption induced by hPIV‐2. RBV considerably reduced the number of viruses released from the cells. Virus genome synthesis was inhibited by RBV, as determined by real time PCR. An indirect immunofluorescence study showed that RBV largely inhibited viral protein synthesis. mRNAs of the proteins were not detected, indicating that inhibition of protein synthesis was caused by transcription inhibition by RBV. Using a recombinant green fluorescence protein‐expressing hPIV‐2 without matrix protein, it was found that RBV did not completely inhibit virus entry into the cells; however, it almost completely blocked multinucleated giant cell formation. RBV did not disrupt actin microfilaments and microtubules. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of RBV is caused by inhibition of both virus genome and mRNA synthesis, resulting in inhibition of virus protein synthesis, viral replication and multinucleated giant cell formation (extensive cell‐to‐cell spreading of the virus).
Community‐wide mesocarnivore response to partial ungulate migration
Authors: Henden John‐André , Stien Audun , Bårdsen Bård‐Jørgen , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Ims Rolf A.
Published: August 2014

Mesocarnivores increase in number and geographic range in human‐disturbed ecosystems with cascading negative impact on biodiversity. To mitigate such impacts, it is essential to identify the proximate causes of such mesocarnivore releases. Here, we assess to what extent increased partial migration in semi‐domesticated tundra reindeer induce a response in boreal and arctic mesocarnivores.

We used a large‐scale and multiyear quasi‐experimental study design with camera traps deployed on coastal tundra peninsulas in northernNorway to estimate area occupancy of the whole carnivore community. These peninsulas represent summer pastures for separate semi‐domestic reindeer herds that, owing to different degrees of partial migration, now display spatially and temporally variable densities of year‐round resident reindeer. We estimated resident reindeer density by means of aerial surveys.

Area occupancy of all the recorded carnivore species increased strongly when resident reindeer densities exceeded 1·5 deer km−2.

Most of the increasing carnivore species were typical boreal forest species, implying range expansions into tundra when provided with stable food resources (prey and carrion) in terms of resident reindeer.

Synthesis and applications. We found that boreal mesocarnivores, known to negatively impact the productivity of reindeer and arctic wildlife of conservation concern, steeply increased in tundra areas with many year‐round resident reindeer due to increased partial migration. To avoid such negative impacts, actions should be taken to minimize residency in tundra reindeer.
Investigating morphological awareness and the processing of transparent and opaque words in adults with low literacy skills and in skilled readers
Authors: To Nancy L. , Tighe Elizabeth L. , Binder Katherine S.
Published: August 2014

For adults with low literacy skills, the role of phonology in reading has been fairly well researched, but less is known about the role of morphology in reading. We investigated the contribution of morphological awareness to word reading and reading comprehension and found that for adults with low literacy skills and skilled readers, morphological awareness explained unique variance in word reading and reading comprehension. In addition, we investigated the effects of orthographic and phonological opacity in morphological processing. Results indicated that adults with low literacy skills were more impaired than skilled readers on items containing phonological changes but were spared on items involving orthographic changes. These results are consistent with previous findings of adults with low literacy skills reliance on orthographic codes. Educational implications are discussed.
Anti‐obesity effect of feeding probiotic dahi containing Lactobacillus casei NCDC 19 in high fat diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Rather Sarver A , Pothuraju Ramesh , Sharma Raj Kumar , De Sachinandan , Mir Nazir A , Jangra Surender
Published: August 2014

Nowadays, studies about the anti‐obesity potential of probiotics are of growing interest. Lactobacilli are one of the well‐studied probiotics owing to their preventing effect on metabolic disorders. This study was undertaken to access the anti‐obesity effect of probiotic dahi containing Lactobacillus casei NCDC 19 on C57BL/6 mice. Feeding of probiotic dahi showed reduce body weight gain and epididymal fat weights. Moreover, blood glucose, plasma lipids and expression level of leptin were reduced and caecal bifidobacteria counts and adiponectin expression levels were significantly increased. It can be concluded that feeding of probiotic dahi containing L. casei NCDC 19 showed potential anti‐obesity effects.
Preparation and Molecular Characterization of Chitosans Obtained from Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Shells
Authors: Fernández‐Martín F. , Arancibia M. , López‐Caballero E. , Gómez‐Guillén C. , Montero P. , Fernández‐García M.
Published: August 2014

Four chitosan samples were prepared from shrimp shells without deproteination and decoloration steps, by a deacetylation process at 2 reaction times (2 and 4 h) and with/without using a reducing agent (R.A.). Variations in the physicochemical properties of the final products were analyzed. Viscosity average molecular weight (Mw) determinations demonstrated the protective action of the R.A. on the molecular oxidative degradation. Oppositely, an increase on the reaction time produced samples with low Mw. Deacetylation degrees (DDs) were chemically evaluated by the nitrogen content and by spectroscopic techniques as infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. The existing differences in crystallinity were studied by X‐ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry were used to demonstrate the dehydration and thermal degradation processes of the different chitosans. A novel method from calorimetric profiles is presenting for DD determinations of chitosan, which achieved highly satisfactory results (linear fit and Pearson's correlation coefficient) and is proposed to be generally extended to complex curves application.
Antiretrogradation in Cooked Starch‐Based Product Application of Tea Polyphenols
Authors: Wu Lijing , Che Liming , Chen Xiao Dong
Published: August 2014

Retrogradation in cooked starch‐based products is a significant hindrance in extending the shelf life of these products as they become progressively hard to bite over short time periods (say 1 or 2 months). In this study, the effects of tea polyphenols (TPs) on cooked amylopectin‐rich cassava starch have been investigated. Cassava starch was mixed with TPs and then gelatinized to form starch gels. The obtained gels were stored for up to 80 d and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), hardness test, color analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The results of XRD show that the formation of long‐range ordered structure of amylopectin was retarded by the interaction of TPs with amylopectin via hydrogen bond. The results of hardness test show that the accelerating increase in the hardness of cassava starch gel was retarded by the addition of TPs. The increase in hardness versus time can be correlated well using a single‐parameter exponential equation. The increase in hardness, variations in color, and FT‐IR spectrum of the TPs treated samples during storage with TPs were relatively small, suggesting that the retrogradation of starch is inhibited by TPs. This work presents an opportunity of antiretrogradation in the related products.
Improving the genetic representation of rare taxa within complex microbial communities using DNA normalization methods
Authors: Gagic Dragana , Maclean Paul H. , Li Dong , Attwood Graeme T. , Moon Christina D.
Published: August 2014

Complex microbial communities typically contain a large number of low abundance species, which collectively, comprise a considerable proportion of the community. This ‘rare biosphere’ has been speculated to contain keystone species and act as a repository of genomic diversity to facilitate community adaptation. Many environmental microbes are currently resistant to cultivation, and can only be accessed via culture‐independent approaches. To enhance our understanding of the role of the rare biosphere, we aimed to improve their metagenomic representation using DNA normalization methods, and assess normalization success via shotgun DNA sequencing. A synthetic metagenome was constructed from the genomic DNA of five bacterial species, pooled in a defined ratio spanning three orders of magnitude. The synthetic metagenome was fractionated and thermally renatured, allowing the most abundant sequences to hybridize. Double‐stranded DNA was removed either by hydroxyapatite chromatography, or by a duplex‐specific nuclease (DSN). The chromatographic method failed to enrich for the genomes present in low starting abundance, whereas the DSN method resulted in all genomes reaching near equimolar abundance. The representation of the rarest member was increased by approximately 450‐fold. De novo assembly of the normalized metagenome enabled up to 18.0% of genes from the rarest organism to be assembled, in contrast to the un‐normalized sample, where genes were not able to be assembled at the same sequencing depth. This study has demonstrated that the application of normalization methods to metagenomic samples is a powerful tool to enrich for sequences from rare taxa, which will shed further light on their ecological niches.
Medical management of lung cancer: Experience in China
Authors: Shi Yuankai , Sun Yan
Published: August 2014

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide, as well as in China. A multidisciplinary treatment strategy for lung cancer, which includes medical and radiation oncology, surgery, and pathology is used in clinical practice in China. Chinese lung cancer patients are treated according to different pathologic and genetic types of the disease. For those with active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) are used in first‐, second‐ or third‐line and maintenance treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). For patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement, Crizotinib is a promising treatment in advanced NSCLC patients. A platinum‐based regimen remains the mainstay of first‐line systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC patients who are negative for EGFR mutation or ALK gene rearrangement. For patients with non‐squamous NSCLC, Pemetrexed plus Cisplatin is recommended in first‐line systemic therapy. An Endostatin combination with chemotherapy is used in first‐ and second‐line advanced NSCLC patients. S‐1 presents a new option of chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC cases. Cisplatin‐based doublet chemotherapy is commonly used in NSCLC patients after surgery as adjuvant therapy. EGFR‐TKIs are now being assessed in the adjuvant setting. The standard first‐line chemotherapy regimen of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is platinum with Etoposide (PE). Amrubicin provides similar survival compared with the PE regimen with an acceptable toxicity profile in extensive stage SCLC patients. Supportive care, such as traditional Chinese medicine and pegylated filgrastim, play an important role in improving patients' quality of life.
Psychometric Properties of the Body Image Scale in Turkish Ostomy Patients
Authors: Karayurt Özgül , Edeer Aylin Durmaz , Süler Gülseren , Dorum Hatice , Harputlu Deniz , Vural Fatma , Üçer Ceylanım
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To investigate the validity and reliability of the Body Image Scale in Turkish ostomy patients.

Methods

This study has a methodological and cross‐sectional design. A hundred patients with ostomy lasting for at least 2 months were recruited from an ostomy and wound care unit.

Findings

Confirmatory factor analyses showed that goodness‐of‐fit indexes were acceptable. Exploratory factor analyses showed that factor loadings of the scale items varied between 0.74 and 0.91, and a single factor was determined. The Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was 0.94. Item‐to‐total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.75 to 0.91.

Conclusion

The Turkish version of the Body Image Scale is a valid and reliable tool for evaluating body image in Turkish ostomy patients.
Are we meeting the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for cholecystectomy post‐gallstone pancreatitis?
Authors: Creedon Lee R. , Neophytou Chris , Leeder Paul C. , Awan Altaf K.
Published: August 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to audit the current management of patients suffering with gallstone pancreatitis (GSP) at a university teaching hospital for compliance with the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines regarding cholecystectomy post‐GSP.

Methods

Data were collected on all patients identified via the hospital coding department that presented with GSP between January 2011 and November 2013. Patients with alcoholic pancreatitis were excluded. The primary outcome was the length of time in days from diagnosis of GSP to cholecystectomy. Secondary outcomes included readmission with gallstone‐related disease prior to definitive management and admitting speciality.

Results

One hundred and fifty‐eight patients were identified with a presentation of GSP during the study period. Thirty‐nine patients were treated conservatively. One hundred and six patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy a median (interquartile range) interval of 33.5 days (64 days) post‐admission. Patients with a severe attack as classified by the Glasgow severity score (n = 16) waited a median of 79.5 days (71.5) for cholecystectomy. Only 32% (n = 34) of patients with mild disease underwent cholecystectomy during the index admission or within 2 weeks. When grouped by admitting speciality, patients admitted initially under hepatobiliary surgery waited significantly fewer days for definitive treatment compared with other specialities (P < 0.0001). Twenty‐one patients (19.8%) re‐presented with gallstone‐related pathology prior to undergoing cholecystectomy.

Conclusions

Only 32.1% were treated as per BSG guidelines. About 19.8% (n = 21) of the patients suffered further morbidity as a result of a delayed operation and there is a clear difference between admitting speciality and the median time to operation.
The importance of angle kappa evaluation for implantation of diffractive multifocal intra‐ocular lenses using pseudophakic eye model
Authors: Karhanová Marta , Pluháček František , Mlčák Petr , Vláčil Ondřej , Šín Martin , Marešová Klára
Published: August 2014

Purpose

To determine the critical value of the angle kappa in connection with a higher risk of photic phenomena for the AcrySof ReSTOR and Tecnis multifocal intra‐ocular lens (MIOL) on a standardized pseudophakic eye model. To analyse the impact of biometric value changes on the critical angle kappa.

Methods

Geometrical optic rules applied to a suitable optical model of the pseudophakic eye were used to calculate the critical value of the angle kappa for the Tecnis and three types of the AcrySof ReSTOR MIOLs. The angle kappa was defined as critical if the incident ray passed through the first ring's edge area. The influence of different positive optical corneal power (K), effective lens position (ELP) and axial length (AL) on the critical angle kappa (κc) was investigated. The dependence of κc on one of the parameters was studied for standardized values of the remaining parameters.

Results

The highest value of the critical angle kappa was evaluated for the Tecnis MIOL. The increase in ELP and K caused an increase in κc under the given conditions. On the contrary, an increase in AL led to lower values of κc.

Conclusion

We demonstrated the dependence of the critical angle kappa on the central part of the MIOL and on biometric parameters of the eye, especially on the effective lens position. According to these results, we conclude that shallow anterior chamber depth in connection with a higher angle kappa is an important risk factor for pronounced photic phenomena after implantation of a diffractive MIOL.
Estimation of treatment effects in matched‐pair cluster randomized trials by calibrating covariate imbalance between clusters
Authors: Wu Zhenke , Frangakis Constantine E. , Louis Thomas A. , Scharfstein Daniel O.
Published: August 2014

We address estimation of intervention effects in experimental designs in which (a) interventions are assigned at the cluster level; (b) clusters are selected to form pairs, matched on observed characteristics; and (c) intervention is assigned to one cluster at random within each pair. One goal of policy interest is to estimate the average outcome if all clusters in all pairs are assigned control versus if all clusters in all pairs are assigned to intervention. In such designs, inference that ignores individual level covariates can be imprecise because cluster‐level assignment can leave substantial imbalance in the covariate distribution between experimental arms within each pair. However, most existing methods that adjust for covariates have estimands that are not of policy interest. We propose a methodology that explicitly balances the observed covariates among clusters in a pair, and retains the original estimand of interest. We demonstrate our approach through the evaluation of the Guided Care program.
From current distinctiveness to future homogenization of the world's freshwater fish faunas
Authors: Villéger Sébastien , Blanchet Simon , Beauchard Olivier , Oberdorff Thierry , Brosse Sébastien
Published: August 2014

Aim

Assessing the consequences of a future increase in non‐native species introductions and native species extirpations on taxonomic similarity among fish faunas.

Location

World‐wide.

Methods

We designed 42 scenarios of future species introductions and extirpations to simulate future fish composition for 1054 river basins. Using these simulated future compositions, we computed the change in taxonomic similarity among pairs of fish faunas from historical to future situation at the river basin, biogeographic realm and world scales.

Results

According to all our scenarios, taxonomic similarity among fish faunas will strongly increase in the future at the three spatial scales considered. Fish faunas from the Southern Hemisphere, which are currently the less affected by taxonomic homogenization, are forecasted to show the steepest changes. Our scenarios also reveal that non‐native species introductions will account for most of the predicted changes, whereas the effect of native species extirpations will be weak.

Main conclusions

The predicted future taxonomic homogenization will blur the current high level of taxonomic dissimilarity among freshwater fish faunas, and therefore, imperil the conservation programmes based on beta‐diversity mapping.
Informalizing the Economy: The Return of the Social Question at a Global Level
Authors: Breman Jan , van der Linden Marcel
Published: August 2014

The classical conceptualization of the working class, of workers’ collective action and, especially, of trade unionism, was implicitly or explicitly based on the Standard Employment Relationship that, for a few decades, has been dominant in North America, Europe, Japan and Australasia. The ‘classical’ model of collective bargaining, which has shaped the world's traditional labour movements, was based on this conceptualization. However, it is now increasingly undermined by the rapid spread of ‘informal’ or ‘precarious’ labour in the global North. It is our contention that the ‘classical’ view of the working class and workers’ collective action is fundamentally biased and takes as a norm or standard what was in fact an historical exception. The real norm or standard in global capitalism is insecurity, informality or precariousness, and the Standard Employment Relationship is an historical phenomenon which had a deep impact in a limited part of the world for a relatively short period of time. If, as we argue, the ‘Rest’ is not now becoming like the ‘West’, but the other way round, then the ‘traditional’ forms of collective action that have developed in the North Atlantic region during the last two centuries are gradually losing much of their impact. New forms of collective action are emerging, though these are often still at an embryonic stage. It is, therefore, high time to rethink the concept of the working class and the ways in which it can further its interests.
Managing Imbalanced Supply Chain Relationships for Sustainability: A Power Perspective
Authors: Touboulic Anne , Chicksand Daniel , Walker Helen
Published: August 2014

This study adopts a power perspective to investigate sustainable supply chain relationships and specifically uses resource‐dependence theory (RDT) to critically analyze buyer–supplier–supplier relationships. Empirical evidence is provided, extending the RDT model in this context. The concept of power relationships is explored through a qualitative study of a multinational company and agricultural growers in the UK food industry that work together to implement sustainable practices. We look at multiple triadic relationships involving a large buyer and its small suppliers to investigate how relative power affects the implementation of sustainable supply‐management practices. The study highlights that power as dependence is relevant to understanding compliance in sustainable supply chains and to identifying appropriate relationship‐management strategies to build more sustainable supply chains. We show the influences of power on how players manage their relationships and how it affects organizational responses to the implementation of sustainability initiatives. Power notably influences the sharing of sustainability‐related risks and value between supply chain partners. From a managerial perspective, the study contributes to developing a better understanding of how power can become an effective way to achieve sustainability goals. This article offers insights into the way in which a large organization works with small and medium size enterprises to implement sustainable practices and shows how power management—that is, the way in which power is used—can support or hinder effective cooperation around sustainability in the supply chain.
Distinct patterns of cortical thinning in concurrent motor and attention disorders
Authors: Langevin Lisa Marie , MacMaster Frank P , Dewey Deborah
Published: August 2014

Aim

Many neurodevelopmental disorders co‐occur yet are rarely studied in terms of brain development. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and attention‐deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) co‐occur at a high frequency and are associated with functional and structural brain alterations. The objective of this study was to examine whether the effects of comorbid motor and attention problems influence cortical thickness in children and whether the pattern of changes for concurrent disorders is distinct from the alterations seen in single disorders.

Method

A total of 34 children (19 males, 15 females, mean age 9y 9mo, range 8–17y) who met the criteria for DCD (n=14), ADHD (n=10), or DCD+ADHD (n=10) were recruited into the study. Fourteen participants with typical development (eight males, six females, mean age 11y 9mo, range 8–17y) were also recruited for comparison. Participants underwent neuropsychological assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness analysis was performed to determine the patterns of cortical thinning in each disorder, which was then compared across groups.

Results

Children with comorbid DCD+ADHD demonstrated more widespread decreases in cortical thickness than participants with a diagnosis of DCD or ADHD alone. Cortical thinning was found to be concentrated in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes, and was correlated with measures of motor and attentional functioning.

Interpretation

The co‐occurrence of DCD+ADHD was associated with a distinct global pattern of regional cortical thickness decrease, highlighting the unique neurobiology of comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders. This novel feature of concurrent DCD and ADHD may help inform diagnostic definitions and provide clues to both the shared and the isolated genetic and environmental origins of motor and attention disorders.
Liquidity Constraints, Fundamentals and Investment: What Do We Learn From Panel Data?
Authors: Tomat Gian Maria
Published: August 2014

Liquidity constraints are an important determinant of investment in imperfect financial markets. Firm's investment is a function of marginal q, although liquidity constraints impose an upper bound on investment. Moreover, expectations over future liquidity conditions entail a financial accelerator effect on the firm's marginal q. Under regularity conditions there exists a relation between marginal and average q. However, these quantities are not equivalent in the presence of liquidity constraints, therefore econometric estimates using Tobin q as explanatory variable in the investment equation are subject to distortion. Econometric evidence from a dynamic panel of Italian firms in the period 1996–2010 supports these findings.
Photoperiodism of diapause induction and diapause termination in Ostrinia furnacalis
Authors: Yang Hui‐Zhong , Tu Xiao‐Yun , Xia Qin‐Wen , He Hai‐Min , Chen Chao , Xue Fang‐Sen
Published: August 2014

The Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), enters facultative diapause as fully grown larva in response to short‐day conditions during the autumn. Photoperiodic response curves showed a stable critical daylength of ca. 13.5 h at 25, 28, and 30 °C, which is nearly identical with the critical daylength between 13 h 22 min and 13 h 27 min in the field. The incidence of diapause obviously declined during ultra‐long nights (14–22 h scotophases) and DD (i.e., constant darkness). The required day number (RDN) for a 50% response differed significantly between short‐ and long‐night cycles at different temperatures, indicating that the effect of one short night was equivalent to the effect of three long nights at 25 and 28 °C. The third instar was the stage most sensitive to the photoperiod. Night‐interruption experiments with a 1‐h light pulse at L9:D15 and L12:D12 exhibited a broad trough of diapause inhibition. In experiments using non‐24‐h light‐dark cycles, only the cycles containing a long night of 12 h resulted in high incidence of diapause, regardless of the duration of the accompanying light period, indicating that the duration of the dark period was of greater importance than that of the light period. The Nanda‐Hamner and Bünsow experiments in O. furnacalis did not show any rhythmic fluctuations with a period of ca. 24 h in their photoperiodic response curves; the incidence of diapause was low when the scotophase length exceeded 16 h. The rearing daylengths of 11 and 12 h evoked a greater intensity of diapause than did 13 h at 25 and 28 °C. By transferring naturally overwintering larvae from natural conditions to a short photoperiod of L12:D12 or a long photoperiod of L15:D9 combined with 25 °C, photoperiod appeared to have a significant influence on diapause development during the early phase of diapause. Field observations for 2 years revealed that pupation and adult emergence of overwintering individuals (50% responses) occurred in early May and mid‐May, respectively.
Methylphenidate improves learning impairments and hyperthermia‐induced seizures caused by an Scn1a mutation
Authors: Ohmori Iori , Kawakami Nozomi , Liu Sumei , Wang Haijiao , Miyazaki Ikuko , Asanuma Masato , Michiue Hiroyuki , Matsui Hideki , Mashimo Tomoji , Ouchida Mamoru
Published: August 2014

Objective

Developmental disorders including cognitive deficit, hyperkinetic disorder, and autistic behaviors are frequently comorbid in epileptic patients with SCN1A mutations. However, the mechanisms underlying these developmental disorders are poorly understood and treatments are currently unavailable. Using a rodent model with an Scn1a mutation, we aimed to elucidate the pathophysiologic basis and potential therapeutic treatments for developmental disorders stemming from Scn1a mutations.

Methods

We conducted behavioral analyses on rats with the N1417H‐Scn1a mutation. With high‐performance liquid chromatography, we measured dopamine and its metabolites in the frontal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, and midbrain. Methylphenidate was administered intraperitoneally to examine its effects on developmental disorder–like behaviors and hyperthermia‐induced seizures.

Results

Behavioral studies revealed that Scn1a‐mutant rats had repetitive behavior, hyperactivity, anxiety‐like behavior, spatial learning impairments, and motor imbalance. Dopamine levels in the striatum and nucleus accumbens in Scn1a‐mutant rats were significantly lower than those in wild‐type rats. In Scn1a‐mutant rats, methylphenidate, by increasing dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft, improved hyperactivity, anxiety‐like behavior, and spatial learning impairments. Surprisingly, methylphenidate also strongly suppressed hyperthermia‐induced seizures.

Significance

Dysfunction of the mesolimbic dopamine reward pathway may contribute to the hyperactivity and learning impairments in Scn1a‐mutant rats. Methylphenidate was effective for treating hyperactivity, learning impairments, and hyperthermia‐induced seizures. We propose that methylphenidate treatment may ameliorate not only developmental disorders but also epileptic seizures in patients with SCN1A mutations.
Does human‐induced hybridization have long‐term genetic effects? Empirical testing with domesticated, wild and hybridized fish populations
Authors: Harbicht Andrew , Wilson Chris C. , Fraser Dylan J.
Published: August 2014

Current conservation practices exclude human‐generated hybridized populations from protection, as the genetic effects of hybridization in the wild have been observed to be long‐lasting based on neutral genetic markers and are considered potentially irreversible. Theory, however, predicts otherwise for genes under selection. We transplanted combinations of wild, domesticated and hybridized populations of a fish species to new environments. We then compared survival, phenotypic variation and plasticity to determine whether hybridization affects adaptive potential after multiple generations of selection in the wild. Although the fitness of our hybridized populations at the onset of hybridization cannot be assessed, our results suggest that within five to eleven generations, selection can remove introduced foreign genes from wild populations that have hybridized with domesticated conspecifics. The end result is hybridized populations that, in terms of survival, phenotypic plasticity, mean trait expression and overall general responses to environmental change, closely resemble neighbouring wild populations. These results have important implications for considering the potential conservation value of hybridized populations and illustrate the effectiveness of selection in a local environment.
Agonist‐dependent and ‐independent dopamine‐1‐like receptor signalling differentially regulates downstream effectors
Authors: Roosterman Dirk
Published: August 2014

De‐regulation of energy metabolism by the dopaminergic system is linked to neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Inverse agonists are thought to be more beneficial in treating neurological diseases than neutral antagonists, but only limited experimental data are available regarding the impact of constitutive signalling on energy metabolism. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of constitutive dopamine‐1 receptor (D1R) and dopamine‐5 receptor (D5R) signalling on downstream targets in transiently and stably transfected HEK293T cells. The high constitutive activity of D5R was accompanied by increased Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity and accelerated glucose degradation due to increased transcription and translation of the Na, K‐ATPase‐α3 and NHE‐2. Chronic treatment with an agonist increased the mRNA levels of the α2 Na,K‐ATPase, NHE‐2 and NHE‐3. Constitutive D5R activation of a cAMP response element‐based reporter was regulated by G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2, but this did not affect the cell‐surface abundance of the receptor. Our data suggest that constitutive and agonist‐induced activity of D5R differentially regulates the activity and expression of proteins.