bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cross‐sectional multicenter study of osteogenesis imperfecta in North America – results from the linked clinical research centers
Authors: Patel R.M. , Nagamani S.C.S. , Cuthbertson D. , Campeau P.M. , Krischer J.P. , Shapiro J.R. , Steiner R.D. , Smith P.A. , Bober M.B. , Byers P.H. , Pepin M. , Durigova M. , Glorieux F.H. , Rauch F. , Lee B.H. , Hart T. , Sutton V.R.
Published: April 2014

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is the most common skeletal dysplasia that predisposes to recurrent fractures and bone deformities. In spite of significant advances in understanding the genetic basis of OI, there have been no large‐scale natural history studies. To better understand the natural history and improve the care of patients, a network of Linked Clinical Research Centers (LCRC) was established. Subjects with OI were enrolled in a longitudinal study, and in this report, we present cross‐sectional data on the largest cohort of OI subjects (n = 544). OI type III subjects had higher prevalence of dentinogenesis imperfecta, severe scoliosis, and long bone deformities as compared to those with OI types I and IV. Whereas the mean lumbar spine area bone mineral density (LS aBMD) was low across all OI subtypes, those with more severe forms had lower bone mass. Molecular testing may help predict the subtype in type I collagen‐related OI. Analysis of such well‐collected and unbiased data in OI can not only help answering questions that are relevant to patient care but also foster hypothesis‐driven research, especially in the context of ‘phenotypic expansion’ driven by next‐generation sequencing.
The importance of genetic susceptibility in Dupuytren's disease
Authors: Becker K. , Tinschert S. , Lienert A. , Bleuler P.E. , Staub F. , Meinel A. , Rößler J. , Wach W. , Hoffmann R. , Kühnel F. , Damert H.‐G. , Nick H.‐E. , Spicher R. , Lenze W. , Langer M. , Nürnberg P. , Hennies H.C.
Published: April 2014

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a progressive fibromatosis that causes the formation of nodules and cords in the palmar aponeurosis leading to flexion contracture of affected fingers. The etiopathogenesis is multifactorial with a strong genetic predisposition. It is the most frequent genetic disorder of connective tissues. We have collected clinical data from 736 unrelated individuals with DD who underwent surgical treatment from Germany and Switzerland. We evaluated a standardised questionnaire, assessed the importance of different risk factors and compared subgroups with and without positive family history. We found that family history clearly had the strongest influence on the age at first surgery compared to environmental factors, followed by male sex. Participants with a positive family history were on average 55.9 years of age at the first surgical intervention, 5.2 years younger than probands without known family history (p = 6.7 × 10−8). The percentage of familial cases decreased with age of onset from 55% in the 40–49 years old to 17% at age 80 years or older. Further risk factors analysed were cigarettes, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy. Our data pinpoint the importance of genetic susceptibility for DD, which has long been underestimated.
Cost‐of‐illness of patients with contact dermatitis in Denmark
Authors: Sætterstrøm Bjørn , Olsen Jens , Johansen Jeanne Duus
Published: April 2014

Background

Contact dermatitis is a frequent occupational and non‐occupational skin disease.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of contact dermatitis on labour market affiliation and societal costs in terms of healthcare costs and production loss.

Methods

A total of 21 441 patients patch tested either in hospital departments or at dermatological clinics in the period 2004–2009 were included in the study. The analyses were stratified by children (age 0–15 years), occupational contact dermatitis (age 16–65 years), and non‐occupational dermatitis (age ≥ 16 years). Controls were selected from a 30% random sample of the population. Individual encrypted data were retrieved on healthcare utilization, socio‐demographics, education, labour market affiliation and transfer payments from public registers in Denmark for cases and controls.

Results

Attributable healthcare costs for 4 years prior to patch testing (1 year for children) and the year after patch testing were €959 for children, €724 for occupational contact dermatitis, and €1794 for non‐occupational dermatitis. Productivity costs for the same period were €10 722 for occupational contact dermatitis and €3074 for non‐occupational contact dermatitis.

Conclusions

The main findings of this study were that there were statistically significant attributable healthcare costs for both children and adults, and statistically significant productivity loss for adults.
ENTRY AND EXIT, PRODUCT VARIETY, AND THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Authors: CHATTERJEE SATYAJIT , COOPER RUSSELL
Published: April 2014

We study the stochastic behavior of a dynamic general equilibrium model with monopolistic competition. Each seller sells his product in the consumption goods as well as the investment goods market and has market power in both. Consumers derive utility from a constant elasticity of substitution (CES) aggregate of all the consumption goods and augment their capital stock by a CES aggregate of all the investment goods. We analyze the equilibrium of this economy allowing for an endogenous determination of the number of firms and therefore of products. The principal effect we wish to highlight is the endogenous propagation and magnification of technology and preference disturbances through product space variations. (JEL E32, D43, L16)
NEW MEASURES OF THE COSTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT: EVIDENCE FROM THE SUBJECTIVE WELL‐BEING OF 3.3 MILLION AMERICANS
Authors: HELLIWELL JOHN F. , HUANG HAIFANG
Published: April 2014

Using two large U.S. surveys, we estimate the effects of unemployment on the subjective well‐being (SWB) of the unemployed and the rest of the population. For the unemployed, the nonpecuniary costs of unemployment are several times as large as those resulting from lower incomes, while the indirect effect at the population level is 15 times as large. For those who are still employed, a one percentage point increase in local unemployment has an impact on well‐being roughly equivalent to a 4% decline in household income. We also find evidence indicating that job security is an important channel for the indirect effects of unemployment. (JEL E24, H23, J64, J68)
Habituation in Frankliniella occidentalis to deterrent plant compounds and their blends
Authors: Egger Barbara , Spangl Bernhard , Koschier Elisabeth Helene
Published: April 2014

Feeding and oviposition deterrence of three secondary plant compounds and their 1:1 blends to adult female Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and the potential for habituation of the thrips to the pure compounds and the 1:1 blends at various concentrations were investigated. In choice assays, we tested dose‐dependent feeding and oviposition deterrence of the two fatty acid derivatives methyl jasmonate and cis‐jasmone, the phenylpropanoid allylanisole, and their blends when directly applied to bean leaf discs. The concentration required to reduce the feeding damage by 50% relative to the control treatment (FDC50) was lowest for cis‐jasmone and highest for allylanisole. The feeding deterrent effect of both jasmonates was increased when blended with allylanisole. Feeding deterrence and oviposition deterrence were strongly correlated. In no‐choice assays conducted over four consecutive days, we discovered that dilutions at low concentrations (FDC15) applied to bean leaves resulted in habituation to the deterrents, whereas no habituation occurred at higher concentrations (FDC50). We observed a tendency that the 1:1 blends reduce the probability that thrips habituate to the deterrent compounds. Our results may be useful in the development of integrated crop protection strategies with the implementation of allelochemicals as pest behaviour‐modifying agents.
Responses of Thrips tabaci to odours of herbivore‐induced cotton seedlings
Authors: Silva Rehan , Walter Gimme H. , Wilson Lewis J. , Furlong Michael J.
Published: April 2014

Herbivore‐induced changes in plants have been widely viewed as defensive responses against further insect attack. However, changes in plants as a consequence of herbivore feeding can elicit various responses in herbivores; these are variable, context dependent, and often unpredictable. In this laboratory study, the responses of Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) to volatiles emitted by intact and herbivore‐damaged or mechanically damaged cotton seedlings [Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae)] were investigated in dual‐choice olfactometer assays. Thrips tabaci showed increased attraction to seedlings subject to foliar mechanical damage and those with foliar damage inflicted by conspecifics or Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), upon which it preys. However, T. tabaci did not discriminate between intact seedlings and those with foliar damage inflicted by Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), two other species of thrips, Frankliniella schultzei Trybom and Frankliniella occidentalis Pergrande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), or those with root damage inflicted by Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Attraction of T. tabaci was also affected by herbivore density on damaged plants. That is, seedlings damaged by higher densities of T. urticae or T. tabaci were more attractive than seedlings damaged by lower densities of the corresponding arthropod. Although attracted to plants damaged by conspecifics or T. urticae, T. tabaci showed greater attraction to seedlings damaged by T. urticae than to seedlings damaged by conspecifics. Results are discussed in the context of the responses of F. schultzei and F. occidentalis to herbivore‐induced cotton seedlings, highlighting the complexity, variability, and unpredictability of the responses of even closely related species of insects to plants under herbivore attack.
Reflective Journal Writing as a Tool to Teach Aspects of Social Studies
Authors: Al‐karasneh Samih M.
Published: April 2014

This article analyses the impact of a constructivist approach to learning in Jordan, where a traditional context of passive/receptive philosophy of teaching prevails. Student teachers were introduced to journal writing. It was expected that their experiences with journal writing would afford them a better understanding of how it would affect their learning to teach social education. Thirty students were given a short course in journal writing as a reflective learning tool in their final placement. The schools operated passive/receptive approaches to learning and the students in the sample had experienced this throughout their own schooling. The impact of the course was assessed using semi‐structured interviews. Some students found the experience stressful, but 75% found it fruitful and motivating.
Historicism and Critique in Herder's Another Philosophy of History: Some Hermeneutic Reflections
Authors: Mertel Kurt C. M.
Published: April 2014

In Another Philosophy of History, J.G. Herder claims that his aim is not to compare and judge different cultures, but merely to describe and explain how each came into being and thus to adopt the standpoint of an impartial observer. I argue, however, that there is a tension between Herder's understanding of his own project—his stated doctrine of historicism and cultural relativism—and the way in which it is actually put into practice. That is, despite Herder's stated aims, he is nevertheless unable to avoid justifying premodern forms of life and making context‐transcending evaluative judgments in the process of trying to understand cultures on their own terms and holding them up as exemplars vis à vis the Enlightenment. This tension presents the challenge of accounting for it in the most charitable and illuminating way. I argue that this goal can be achieved by appealing to the resources of the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans‐Georg Gadamer, which enables us to disclose two enabling conditions for Herder's project of which he was not explicitly aware, viz., the internal connection between understanding and justification and the enabling character of prejudice as the condition for the possibility of understanding as such.
Why are some microbes more ubiquitous than others? Predicting the habitat breadth of soil bacteria
Authors: Barberán Albert , Ramirez Kelly S. , Leff Jonathan W. , Bradford Mark A. , Wall Diana H. , Fierer Noah
Published: April 2014

Identifying the traits that determine spatial distributions can be challenging when studying organisms, like bacteria, for which phenotypic information is limited or non‐existent. However, genomic data provide another means to infer traits and determine the ecological attributes that account for differences in distributions. We determined the spatial distributions of ~124 000 soil bacterial taxa across a 3.41 km2 area to determine whether we could use phylogeny and/or genomic traits to explain differences in habitat breadth. We found that occupancy was strongly correlated with environmental range; taxa that were more ubiquitous were found across a broader range of soil conditions. Across the ~500 taxa for which genomic information was available, genomic traits were more useful than phylogeny alone in explaining the variation in habitat breadth; bacteria with larger genomes and more metabolic versatility were more likely to have larger environmental and geographical distributions. Just as trait‐based approaches have proven to be so useful for understanding the distributions of animals and plants, we demonstrate that we can use genomic information to infer microbial traits that are difficult to measure directly and build trait‐based predictions of the biogeographical patterns exhibited by microbes.
Flows for native fish in the Murray‐Darling Basin: lessons and considerations for future management
Authors: Koehn John D. , King Alison J. , Beesley Leah , Copeland Craig , Zampatti Brenton P. , Mallen‐Cooper Martin
Published: April 2014

Increased regulation and extraction of water from rivers has contributed to the decline of fishes, and the use of environmental water allocations (EWAs) is now a key rehabilitation measure. Major reform of water policy in the Murray‐Darling Basin (MDB), Australia, has recently provided significant EWAs to improve ecological outcomes. Conflict over water buybacks, the value of the water and the need to maximise environmental benefits and minimise risks of unwanted outcomes has increased the expectation for science to underpin and justify such actions. Recent research has focussed attention on the need to understand fish–flow relationships. The Native Fish Strategy for the Murray‐Darling Basin 2003–2013 (NFS), while not specifically targeted at water policy reform or water delivery, has provided fish ecology research and flow restoration experimentation and contributed considerable new scientific knowledge to support flow management. It has contributed to a substantial and positive change in environmental watering for fish, with native fish targets now regularly incorporated into watering objectives. This study documents changes to water management in the MDB, summarises current knowledge of flow‐related fish ecology in the MDB, highlights the benefits and risks of some water management practises and provides recommendations for future management and research. A major recommendation is the need for a coordinated, cross‐jurisdictional approach to flow restoration for native fish, ensuring that the best available science is being used in all watering allocations. We caution on the use of environmental works such as regulators to artificially inundate floodplains and suggest that such approaches should be viewed as large‐scale experiments with the significant risks posed to fish needing to be recognised, adequately monitored and adaptively managed.
Fish passage in the Murray‐Darling Basin, Australia: Not just an upstream battle
Authors: Baumgartner Lee , Zampatti Brenton , Jones Matthew , Stuart Ivor , Mallen‐Cooper Martin
Published: April 2014

Construction of instream barriers, preventing fish from accessing spawning, nursery and feeding habitat, is a major issue impacting fisheries sustainability throughout the world. Since European settlement, development in the Murray‐Darling Basin for irrigation and potable water supplies has led to the construction of over 10,000 barriers to fish movement. The Native Fish Strategy listed fish passage as a major driving action and was proactive in progressing cost‐effective solutions to help inform large‐scale rehabilitation programmes. The strategy identified a list of high‐priority barriers for mitigation works based on feedback from jurisdictional agencies. Research initiatives were then implemented, with measurable outcomes, to help address key knowledge gaps. Research demonstrated that a project to restore passage to the Murray River main channel was meeting all ecological and engineering objectives. Follow‐on work identified low‐cost mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of existing fishways without compromising ecological functionality. The Native Fish Strategy was also explicit in addressing fish passage issues at irrigation infrastructure and wetland regulators. Work to minimise these impacts included quantifying the scale of irrigation‐associated infrastructure and also optimising screen designs to be retrofitted to pump systems to prevent fish entrainment. Options to enhance lateral movement were also identified. The objective of this study is to summarise the fish passage issues progressed by the Native Fish Strategy to develop basin‐wide solutions to enhance fish passage over the long term.
Managing fish species under threat: case studies from the Native Fish Strategy for the Murray‐Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Lintermans Mark , Lyon Jarod P. , Hames Fern , Hammer Michael P. , Kearns Joanne , Raadik Tarmo A. , Hall Arkellah
Published: April 2014

The Native Fish Strategy (NFS) for Australia's Murray‐Darling Basin was specifically targeted at managing and rehabilitating an entire fish community. Over half of the native fishes (24 of 44 known species) and four fish communities of the Murray‐Darling Basin (MDB) are listed as threatened at either national or state level. One of six ‘Driving Actions’ under the NFS focused on protecting threatened native fish species, and this study reviews a series of NFS case studies during and immediately after the Millennium Drought (1997–2010) which was south‐eastern Australia's worst drought on record. Fish rescues, breeding programmes, the creation of an emergency response contingency fund, and expert panels and workshops were all projects that contributed significantly to conserving threatened fishes. The diversity of approaches taken and lessons learned are highlighted, to formulate future directions for threatened fish recovery.
Management of alien fishes in the Murray‐Darling Basin
Authors: Barrett Jim , Bamford Heleena , Jackson Peter
Published: April 2014

Native Fish Strategy 2003–2013 (NFS) investment over the past decade has considerably improved alien fish management for the Murray‐Darling Basin. The NFS delivered a wide and varied portfolio of activities on alien fish management – planning, social aspects, on‐ground management and a major investment in research. Control of Carp (Cyprinus carpio) was a key feature; however approaches moved beyond this one species to address multiple species and to take a more holistic approach, advocating integrated pest management and linking alien fish with native fish management and broader river rehabilitation. The NFS provided leadership for the management of alien fish in the Basin and established a framework to guide future efforts in this field through the development of a draft Basin Alien Fish Plan.
The role of governance in delivery of natural resource management programmes – a case study involving the restoration of freshwater fish communities in the Murray‐Darling Basin
Authors: Barwick Matt , Ansell Dean , Pritchard Janet , Korodaj Terry
Published: April 2014

Good governance is crucial in the effective management of complex natural resources issues. There are many elements of effective governance, with recent work proposing eight principles relevant to natural resource management. In this study, we consider the Native Fish Strategy (NFS) – a long‐term plan for restoration and protection of native fish in the Murray‐Darling Basin (MDB) – as a case study to explore how these eight principles supported the programme's governance, and in particular, outcomes achieved for stakeholder engagement, knowledge generation and programme delivery. We present a scalable governance model derived from the examined case study, which we believe effectively, links science, management and community participation and would be useful for tackling natural resource management problems at a range of scales in other situations.
Effective engagement of the Native Fish Strategy is delivered by coordinated and contextual effort
Authors: Hames Fern , Townsend Anthony , Ringwood Greg , Clunie Pam , McPhail Jonathan
Published: April 2014

Key distinguishing features of the Native Fish Strategy were genuine, targeted partnerships and effective, planned engagement that aimed to inform, involve and empower relevant stakeholders. Engagement programmes were developed and coordinated at a Basin‐wide scale, but diverse engagement activities were adapted and implemented in a local context by dedicated coordinators.
Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels: marker of progression to generalized amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Tortelli R. , Copetti M. , Ruggieri M. , Cortese R. , Capozzo R. , Leo A. , D'Errico E. , Mastrapasqua M. , Zoccolella S. , Pellegrini F. , Simone I. L. , Logroscino G.
Published: April 2014

Background and purpose

To evaluate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels could predict the time to generalization (TTG) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods

Cerebrospinal fluid NFL levels of 37 cases of sporadic ALS were measured and the time of symptom spreading from spinal or bulbar localization to both (TTG) was evaluated in all patients.

Results

Kaplan−Meier analysis showed a short TTG in patients with high NFL levels (log‐rank test chi‐squared = 19.4, P < 0.0001). In a multivariate regression model patients with NFL levels above the median had an eight‐fold higher risk of generalization (adjusted hazard ratio 7.9, 95% confidence interval 2.9–21.4, P < 0.0001) compared with those with NFL levels below the median.

Conclusions

This study shows that in sporadic ALS NFL, a marker of neurodegeneration, is correlated with TTG, a clinical intermediate parameter of survivorship.
Reproductive factors and Parkinson's disease risk in Danish women
Authors: Greene N. , Lassen C. F. , Rugbjerg K. , Ritz B.
Published: April 2014

Background and purpose

Parkinson's disease is more common in men than women by a ratio of about 1.5:1 and yet there is no consensus to date as to whether female reproductive factors including hormone use affect Parkinson's disease risk. Our objective was to examine the relationship between Parkinson's disease and female reproductive factors in the largest population‐based Parkinson's disease case−control study to date.

Methods

Seven hundred and forty‐three female Parkinson's disease cases diagnosed between 1996 and 2009 were selected from the Danish National Hospital Register, diagnoses confirmed by medical record review, and the cases were matched by birth year to 765 female controls randomly selected from the Danish Civil Registration System. Covariate information was collected in computer‐assisted telephone interviews covering an extensive array of topics including reproductive and lifestyle factors.

Results

After adjusting for smoking, caffeine and alcohol use, education, age, and family Parkinson's disease history, inverse associations between Parkinson's disease and early menarche (first period at ≤11 years), oral contraceptives, high parity (≥4 children) and bilateral oophorectomy were found; adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence limits were respectively 0.68 (0.45–1.03) for early menarche, 0.87 (0.69–1.10) for oral contraceptives, 0.79 (0.59–1.06) for high parity and 0.65 (0.45–0.94) for bilateral oophorectomy. Little support for associations between Parkinson's disease and fertile life length, age at menopause or post‐menopausal hormone treatment was found.

Conclusions

Reproductive factors related to women's early‐ to mid‐reproductive lives appear to be predictive of subsequent Parkinson's disease risk whereas factors occurring later in life seem less important.
Visual function and compensatory mechanisms for hemianopia after hemispherectomy in children
Authors: Koenraads Yvonne , van der Linden Denise C. P. , van Schooneveld Monique M. J. , Imhof Saskia M. , Gosselaar P. H. , Porro Giorgio L. , Braun Kees P. J.
Published: April 2014

Objective

Little is known about the functional visual outcome of children after hemispherectomy. Several case reports have described an anomalous head posture (AHP) and exotropia (XT) contralateral to the side of early brain damage, as possible compensatory mechanisms (CMs) for homonymous hemianopia (HH). The aim of this study was to determine visual outcome and the prevalence of such CMs in hemispherectomized children.

Methods

Patient files from all children who underwent hemispherectomy and had a postoperative ophthalmologic examination in the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht up to October 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative clinical information on visual fixation, visual acuity, visual fields, optic discs, head posturing, ocular alignment, and cognitive development was collected. Clinical characteristics were compared between children who developed CMs and those who did not.

Results

Forty‐five children (21 male) underwent a hemispherectomy (22 right) at a median age of 2.1 years. Median ophthalmologic follow‐up was 2.3 years. After hemispherectomy, visual fixation was present in all children, and 87% of the examined children had a normal visual acuity or a mild visual impairment. All children who underwent a visual field measurement had an HH. Anomalous head posturing and continuous or intermittent XT contralateral to the side of hemispherectomy were found in 53% and 38% of children, respectively. Children with CMs had more frequently right‐sided surgery and earlier onset of epilepsy, and they tended to be younger when they underwent hemispherectomy than children without.

Significance

Despite HH, the majority of children who undergo hemispherectomy have a good visual outcome. Furthermore, they frequently develop AHP and continuous or intermittent XT contralateral to the hemispherectomy as part of a coping strategy to optimize the functional visual field.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Genotype/phenotype in tuberous sclerosis complex: Associations with clinical and radiologic manifestations
Authors: Kothare Sanjeev V. , Singh Kanwaljit , Hochman Tsivia , Chalifoux Jason R. , Staley Brigid A. , Weiner Howard L. , Menzer Kimberly , Devinsky Orrin
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) frequently have autism spectrum disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) have been reported to occur in 5–20% of patients with TSC; however, the relationship between SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders in TSC remains unknown. We utilized a large multicenter database to study associations between SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with TSC.

Methods

Associations between the presence of SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders were examined in a retrospective review of 916 patients enrolled in the TSC Natural History Database Project (Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance).

Results

Among the 916 TSC patients, 226 had SEGAs (25%) and 155 had autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (17%). Compared to patients without SEGAs, patients with SEGAs were 1.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–2.66) times more likely to have ASD. No significant relationship was found between SEGAs and intellectual disability, attention‐deficit/hyperactive disorder, or major depressive disorder.

Significance

The clinical presentation of TSC is highly variable and not well understood. These data show that SEGAs are associated with ASD in patients with TSC, suggesting that the pathologic changes leading to SEGA formation may also predispose patients to ASD.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
NCAM deficiency in the mouse forebrain impairs innate and learned avoidance behaviours
Authors: Brandewiede J. , Stork O. , Schachner M.
Published: April 2014

The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) has been implicated in the development and plasticity of neural circuits and the control of hippocampus‐ and amygdala‐dependent learning and behaviour. Previous studies in constitutive NCAM null mutants identified emotional behaviour deficits related to disturbances of hippocampal and amygdala functions. Here, we studied these behaviours in mice conditionally deficient in NCAM in the postmigratory forebrain neurons. We report deficits in both innate and learned avoidance behaviours, as observed in elevated plus maze and passive avoidance tasks. In contrast, general locomotor activity, trait anxiety or neophobia were unaffected by the mutation. Altered avoidance behaviour of the conditional NCAM mutants was associated with a deficit in serotonergic signalling, as indicated by their reduced responsiveness to (±)‐8‐hydroxy‐2‐(dipropylamino)‐tetralin‐induced hypo-thermia. Another serotonin‐dependent behaviour, namely intermale aggression that is massively increased in constitutively NCAM‐deficient mice, was not affected in the forebrain‐specific mutants. Our data suggest that genetically or environmentally induced changes of NCAM expression in the late postnatal and mature forebrain determine avoidance behaviour and serotonin (5‐HT)1A receptor signalling.
Treeline advances along the Urals mountain range – driven by improved winter conditions?
Authors: Hagedorn Frank , Shiyatov Stepan G. , Mazepa Valeriy S. , Devi Nadezhda M. , Grigor'ev Andrey A. , Bartysh Alexandr A. , Fomin Valeriy V. , Kapralov Denis S. , Terent'ev Maxim , Bugman Harald , Rigling Andreas , Moiseev Pavel A.
Published: April 2014

High‐altitude treelines are temperature‐limited vegetation boundaries, but little quantitative evidence exists about the impact of climate change on treelines in untouched areas of Russia. Here, we estimated how forest‐tundra ecotones have changed during the last century along the Ural mountains. In the South, North, Sub‐Polar, and Polar Urals, we compared 450 historical and recent photographs and determined the ages of 11 100 trees along 16 altitudinal gradients. In these four regions, boundaries of open and closed forests (crown covers above 20% and 40%) expanded upwards by 4 to 8 m in altitude per decade. Results strongly suggest that snow was an important driver for these forest advances: (i) Winter precipitation has increased substantially throughout the Urals (~7 mm decade−1), which corresponds to almost a doubling in the Polar Urals, while summer temperatures have only changed slightly (~0.05 °C decade−1). (ii) There was a positive correlation between canopy cover, snow height and soil temperatures, suggesting that an increasing canopy cover promotes snow accumulation and, hence, a more favorable microclimate. (iii) Tree age analysis showed that forest expansion mainly began around the year 1900 on concave wind‐sheltered slopes with thick snow covers, while it started in the 1950s and 1970s on slopes with shallower snow covers. (iv) During the 20th century, dominant growth forms of trees have changed from multistemmed trees, resulting from harsh winter conditions, to single‐stemmed trees. While 87%, 31%, and 93% of stems appearing before 1950 were from multistemmed trees in the South, North and Polar Urals, more than 95% of the younger trees had a single stem. Currently, there is a high density of seedlings and saplings in the forest‐tundra ecotone, indicating that forest expansion is ongoing and that alpine tundra vegetation will disappear from most mountains of the South and North Urals where treeline is already close to the highest peaks.
Changing forest water yields in response to climate warming: results from long‐term experimental watershed sites across North America
Authors: Creed Irena F. , Spargo Adam T. , Jones Julia A. , Buttle Jim M. , Adams Mary B. , Beall Fred D. , Booth Eric G. , Campbell John L. , Clow Dave , Elder Kelly , Green Mark B. , Grimm Nancy B. , Miniat Chelcy , Ramlal Patricia , Saha Amartya , Sebestyen Stephen , Spittlehouse Dave , Sterling Shannon , Williams Mark W. , Winkler Rita , Yao Huaxia
Published: April 2014

Climate warming is projected to affect forest water yields but the effects are expected to vary. We investigated how forest type and age affect water yield resilience to climate warming. To answer this question, we examined the variability in historical water yields at long‐term experimental catchments across Canada and the United States over 5‐year cool and warm periods. Using the theoretical framework of the Budyko curve, we calculated the effects of climate warming on the annual partitioning of precipitation (P) into evapotranspiration (ET) and water yield. Deviation (d) was defined as a catchment's change in actual ET divided by P [AET/P; evaporative index (EI)] coincident with a shift from a cool to a warm period – a positive d indicates an upward shift in EI and smaller than expected water yields, and a negative d indicates a downward shift in EI and larger than expected water yields. Elasticity was defined as the ratio of interannual variation in potential ET divided by P (PET/P; dryness index) to interannual variation in the EI – high elasticity indicates low d despite large range in drying index (i.e., resilient water yields), low elasticity indicates high d despite small range in drying index (i.e., nonresilient water yields). Although the data needed to fully evaluate ecosystems based on these metrics are limited, we were able to identify some characteristics of response among forest types. Alpine sites showed the greatest sensitivity to climate warming with any warming leading to increased water yields. Conifer forests included catchments with lowest elasticity and stable to larger water yields. Deciduous forests included catchments with intermediate elasticity and stable to smaller water yields. Mixed coniferous/deciduous forests included catchments with highest elasticity and stable water yields. Forest type appeared to influence the resilience of catchment water yields to climate warming, with conifer and deciduous catchments more susceptible to climate warming than the more diverse mixed forest catchments.
Diverse responses of forest growth to drought time‐scales in theNorthernHemisphere
Authors: Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M. , Camarero J. Julio , Azorin‐Molina Cesar
Published: April 2014

Aim

To identify the main spatiotemporal patterns of tree growth responses to different time‐scales of drought at a hemispheric scale using a climate drought index and tree‐ring records, and to determine whether those patterns are driven by different climate and forest features.

Location

NorthernHemisphere.

Methods

We used a large‐scale dendrochronological data set of tree‐ring width series from 1657 sites and a time‐dependent drought index which incorporates information on precipitation and temperature variability (standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index,SPEI). Correlation analysis was used to quantify how tree growth responds to different drought time‐scales. Variation in the correlations was summarized using principal components analysis (PCA) and the contribution of the various environmental factors was estimated using predictive discriminant analysis (PDA).

Results

The period between the water shortage and the impact on tree growth differs noticeably among forest types and tree families. There is a gradient in the response of growth to drought including: (1) forests that do not respond to drought, such as those located in cold and very humid areas; (2) forests located in semi‐arid areas characterized by responses to long‐term droughts; (3) forests that respond to medium‐ to long‐term droughts subjected to subhumid conditions; and (4) forests that dominate humid sites and respond to short‐term droughts.

Main conclusion

Forests that experience semi‐arid and subhumid conditions tend to respond over longer time‐scales than those located in more humid areas. The characteristic time‐scale at which forest growth mainly responds to drought is a proxy for drought vulnerability, reflecting the trees' ability to cope with water deficits of different durations and severities.
Involvement of satellite I noncoding RNA in regulation of chromosome segregation
Authors: Ideue Takashi , Cho Yukiko , Nishimura Kanako , Tani Tokio
Published: April 2014

Human centromeres consist of repetitive sequences from which satellite I noncoding RNAs are transcribed. We found that knockdown of satellite I RNA causes abnormal chromosome segregation and generation of nuclei with a grape‐shape phenotype. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments showed that satellite I RNA associates with Aurora B, a component of the chromosome passenger complex (CPC) regulating proper attachment of microtubules to kinetochores, in mitotic HeLa cells. Satellite I RNA was also shown to associate with INCENP, another component of the CPC. In addition, depletion of satellite I RNA resulted in up‐regulation of kinase activity of Aurora B and delocalization of the CPC from the centromere region. These results suggest that satellite I RNA is involved in chromosome segregation through controlling activity and centromeric localization of Aurora B kinase.
Nanocrystal Formation in Glasses Controlled by Rare Earth Ions
Authors: Liu Chao , Heo Jong
Published: April 2014

Distribution and roles of rare earth ions in fluoride nanocrystals and lead chalcogenide quantum dots formed in glasses are reported. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopic analysis and electron energy loss spectroscopic (EELS) analysis showed that oxyfluoride glasses initially form crystals with high Er3+ content such as PbErF5 during heating and gradually form crystals with low Er3+ concentration. Amount of PbErF5 crystals depended upon the initial concentration of Er3+ ions in the parent glasses. EELS analysis also showed that Nd3+ ions were formed inside PbS quantum dots, supporting the proposition of the formation of Nd‐O clusters.
Growing teratoma syndrome: Clinical and radiographic characteristics
Authors: Lee Dennis J , Djaladat Hooman , Tadros Nicholas N , Movassaghi Mehran , Tejura Tapas , Duddalwar Vinay , Daneshmand Siamak
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To present an overview of our surgical experience in the management of growing teratoma syndrome.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy between November 2005 and February 2012 revealed 15 patients who met the criteria for growing teratoma syndrome. Their clinical data, imaging characteristics, and surgical and oncological outcomes were reviewed.

Results

The median age at diagnosis was 23 years. Primary testis tumors included non‐seminomatous germ cell tumor in 12 of 15 patients, seminoma in two of 15 patients and hemorrhagic mass in one patient. Mature teratoma was present in just six (40%) of the orchiectomy specimens. All patients received preoperative chemotherapy. On imaging, the median size of the largest retroperitoneal mass was 7 cm (range 3.9–24.5 cm). The median rate of linear growth was 0.5 cm/month (range 0.03–2.9), and the increase in volume was 9.2 cm3/month. All tumors were found to have cystic and necrotic components. Median operative time was 6.2 h (range 4.2–15.2 h). Estimated blood loss was 600 mL (range 100–7000 mL), and median length of stay was 5 days (range 3–19 days). Four patients required resection of non‐retroperitoneal growing teratoma masses after post‐chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy to achieve tumor‐free status. There were two minor (Clavien I–II) and two major postoperative complications (Clavien ≥III). All patients are alive and disease free with a median duration of follow‐up of 8 months (range 1–64 months).

Conclusions

Growing teratoma syndrome tumors vary in their growth rate, but they all appear to have cystic features with necrosis elements on radiographic evaluation. Aggressive surgical excision is associated with excellent outcomes.
Prognostic value of systemic inflammation‐based markers in advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Martin H. L. , Ohara K. , Kiberu A. , Van Hagen T. , Davidson A. , Khattak M. A.
Published: April 2014

Background

The prognostic significance of various systemic inflammation‐based markers has been explored in different cancers. These markers can be used to assist with decision‐making in oncology clinics.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of three systemic inflammation‐based factors: neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively for advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012 at the Royal Perth Hospital. The ratios were dichotomised as <5 versus ≥5 for NLR and <200 versus ≥200 for PLR. Modified Glasgow Prognostic Scores were scored as: mGPS ‘0’ = both C‐reactive protein (CRP) and albumin normal, mGPS ‘1’ = elevated CRP < 10 mg/L and mGPS ‘2’ = both elevated CRP > 10 mg/L and albumin < 35 g/L. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out.

Results

Data were evaluable for 124 patients. Median survivals based on the three inflammation‐based prognostic markers evaluated were: NLR <5 versus ≥5 = 8.5 months versus 2.6 months respectively (P = 0.0007; hazard ratio (HR) 1.81), PLR <200 versus ≥200 = 9.1 months versus 4 months respectively (P = 0.007; HR 1.64) and mGPS score 1, 2, 3 = 8.3 months, 9.6 months and 1.8 months respectively (P = 0.0004). Besides Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, NLR, PLR and mGPS were significant independent prognostic markers both on univariate as well as multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the NLR, PLR and mGPS derived from routine blood tests can be used as clinically meaningful biomarkers to stratify advanced pancreatic cancer patients into different prognostic groups.
Elevated mean platelet volume is associated with silent cerebral infarction
Authors: Li B. , Liu X. , Cao Z.‐G. , Li Y. , Liu T.‐M. , Wang R.‐T.
Published: April 2014

Background

The presence of silent cerebral infarction (SCI) increases the risk of transient ischaemia attack, symptomatic stroke, cardiovascular disease and dementia. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a surrogate marker of activated platelets and is considered a link between inflammation and thrombosis. In addition, MPV is a risk predictor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular mortality.

Aims

The purpose of the study was to assess the MPV levels in SCI patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted to evaluate the association between MPV and SCI in 2215 subjects (1385 men and 830 women).

Results

The participants with SCI had higher MPV levels than those without SCI (10.4 ± 1.3 fL vs. 9.2 ± 1.2 fL; P < 0.001). Moreover, the subjects with a high MPV had a higher prevalence of SCI. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for SCI according to MPV quartiles were 1.000, 2.131 (1.319–3.444), 3.015 (1.896–4.794), 7.822 (4.874–12.554) respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

MPV is a novel index for SCI regardless of classical cardiovascular risk factors.
Adverse drug events are a major cause of acute medical admission
Authors: McLachlan C. Y. L. , Yi M. , Ling A. , Jardine D. L.
Published: April 2014

Background

Adverse drug events (ADE) contribute significantly to hospital admissions. Prospective New Zealand data are scant, and the ability of clinical coding to identify ADE associated admissions is uncertain. Outcomes after cessation of causative medications are unknown.

Aims

To assess the frequency, nature and causality of ADE associated with acute admissions to General Medicine at Christchurch Hospital.

Methods

Prospective observational study of patients admitted to our medical team over 20 weeks.

Results

Of 336 admissions, 96 (28.6%) were ADE related. Sixty‐five (19.3%) were caused by an ADE, and 31 (9.2%) were contributed to by an ADE. The mean age of non‐ADE patients was 64.3 years (range 16–91), which was similar to the mean age of ADE patients (65.9 years; 21–92). However, if intentional overdoses and recreational drug use were excluded, ADE patients were significantly older at 72.4 years (21–92) (P = 0.0007). ADE patients took more regular medications on admission (mean 6.6, range 0–22) than non‐ADE patients (mean 5.0, 0–18), (P = 0.003). The average length of stay was similar. The commonest medications implicated were vasodilators, psychotropics and diuretics. The most common adverse effects were postural hypotension and/or vasovagal syncope (29% of ADE), intentional overdoses and recreational drug use (15%) and acute renal failure and/or clinical dehydration (10%). Seventy‐six patients had culprit medications stopped or reduced, and this potentially contributed to six readmissions. Coding identified 61% of ADE associated admissions.

Conclusion

ADE are a common cause of hospital admission. The most frequent problems are postural hypotension and vasovagal syncope, intentional drug misuse and dehydration.
Economic burden of influenza‐associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits in Bangladesh during 2010
Authors: Bhuiyan Mejbah U. , Luby Stephen P. , Alamgir Nadia I. , Homaira Nusrat , Mamun Abdullah A. , Khan Jahangir A. M. , Abedin Jaynal , Sturm‐Ramirez Katharine , Gurley Emily S. , Zaman Rashid U. , Alamgir ASM , Rahman Mahmudur , Widdowson Marc‐Alain , Azziz‐Baumgartner Eduardo
Published: April 2014

Objective

Understanding the costs of influenza‐associated illness in Bangladesh may help health authorities assess the cost‐effectiveness of influenza prevention programs. We estimated the annual economic burden of influenza‐associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits in Bangladesh.

Design

From May through October 2010, investigators identified both outpatients and inpatients at four tertiary hospitals with laboratory‐confirmed influenza infection through rRT‐PCR. Research assistants visited case‐patients' homes within 30 days of hospital visit/discharge and administered a structured questionnaire to capture direct medical costs (physician consultation, hospital bed, medicines and diagnostic tests), direct non‐medical costs (food, lodging and travel) and indirect costs (case‐patients' and caregivers' lost income). We used WHO‐Choice estimates for routine healthcare service costs. We added direct, indirect and healthcare service costs to calculate cost‐per‐episode. We used median cost‐per‐episode, published influenza‐associated outpatient and hospitalization rates and Bangladesh census data to estimate the annual economic burden of influenza‐associated illnesses in 2010.

Results

We interviewed 132 outpatients and 41 hospitalized patients. The median cost of an influenza‐associated outpatient visit was US$4.80 (IQR = 2.93–8.11) and an influenza‐associated hospitalization was US$82.20 (IQR = 59.96–121.56). We estimated that influenza‐associated outpatient visits resulted in US$108 million (95% CI: 76–147) in direct costs and US$59 million (95% CI: 37–91) in indirect costs; influenza‐associated hospitalizations resulted in US$1.4 million (95% CI: 0.4–2.6) in direct costs and US$0.4 million (95% CI: 0.1–0.8) in indirect costs in 2010.

Conclusions

In Bangladesh, influenza‐associated illnesses caused an estimated US$169 million in economic loss in 2010, largely driven by frequent but low‐cost outpatient visits.