bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition and CLA concentrations of lambs fed diets supplemented with different oil sources
Authors: Badee Ghlailat , Hidaka Satoshi
Published: July 2013

Quality food for human consumption will always be the aim for animal producers. Quantity and composition of fat deposits (fatty acid profile) strongly influences meat quality in ruminants, especially via increasing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration, which is known to have beneficial anticarcinogenic, antiatherogenic, antidiabetic and cholesterol reduction properties for human health. Awassi lambs are one of the main and most consumed meat sources in the Middle East area; however, studies addressing the fat content of CLA and methods to enhance its concentrations in this breed are still rare. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding two different oil sources (soybean oil (SBO) and sunflower oil (SFO) at two levels (1.8 and 3%)) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acid profile of fat in Awassi lambs. Oil supplementation had no effect on growth performance or carcass characteristics, while fatty acid composition changed according to the site of extraction. CLA concentrations were increased in the tail fat deposit, with 1.8% SBO and in intermuscular fat deposit with 3% SFO. Intermuscular fat is the one most naturally consumed by humans, serving to improve food quality.
Complete sequence analysis of two cryptic plasmids from Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense JCM 15439 (type strain) isolated from healthy infant feces
Authors: Takahata Muneaki , Toh Hidehiro , Nakano Akiyo , Takagi Misako , Murakami Masaru , Ishii Yasuo , Takizawa Tatsuya , Tanabe Soichi , Morita Hidetoshi
Published: July 2013

Bifidobacterial plasmids reported so far are derived from a limited number of strains and plasmids of bifidobacterial type strains isolated from humans are unknown. We found that Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense JCM 15439 (type strain) isolated from a healthy infant contained two cryptic plasmids, designated pBBKW‐1 and pBBKW‐2. We determined and analyzed the complete sequences of both plasmids. pBBKW‐1 (7716 bp) was predicted to replicate by a rolling‐circle mechanism and encode six protein‐coding genes, two of which are putative replication proteins. pBBKW‐1 seems to be a cointegrate plasmid containing two copies of the plasmid pMG1 from Bifidobacterium longum. pBBKW‐2 (2920 bp) was predicted to encode six protein‐coding genes and be a theta‐type replicating plasmid, which has been reported to be more stable than a rolling circle‐type replicating plasmid frequently found in bifidobacteria. Our finding will provide new insights into safe recombinant plasmid constructions for humans.
Effects of dietary combination of corn and rice as whole crop silage and grain sources on carbohydrate digestion and nitrogen use in steers
Authors: Li Zongfu , Sugino Toshihisa , Obitsu Taketo , Taniguchi Kohzo
Published: July 2013

Four Holstein steers were used to evaluate the combination effects of whole crop corn (Cs) or rice (Rs) silage with steam‐flaked corn (Cg) or rice (Rg) grain (four dietary treatments) on ruminal carbohydrate digestion, duodenal nitrogen (N) flow and plasma essential amino acid (EAA) concentration. The ruminal digestibility of starch and nonfiber carbohydrate (NFC) for Rs and Rg diets compared with Cs and Cg diets was greater, but that of neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) was less. Because the ruminal disappearance of NFC plus aNDFom was similar across four dietary treatments, microbial N flow was not affected by the diets. There was an interaction of methionine (Met) flow by silage and grain sources: greatest for CsRg and least for RsRg diet, and blood plasma concentration of Met after feeding was lower for Rg than Cg diets. Postprandial reduction degree of plasma EAA varied with the diets and individual EAA. The Cs diets compared with the Rs diets tended to be greater in N retention because of greater digestible organic matter (OM) intake. These results suggest that silage source combined with corn or rice grain affects N use in steers through the digestible OM intake, and the kinds of limiting AA may differ among the combination of silage and grain sources.
The embryonic development of the Egyptian cobra Naja h. haje (Squamata: Serpentes: Elapidae)
Authors: Khannoon Eraqi R. , Evans Susan E.
Published: July 2013

The Egyptian cobra, Naja h. haje, is the largest of the African cobras and is a member of a successful and medically important species complex found throughout Africa, north and south of the Sahara, as well as across the Arabian Peninsula to Oman. Although its phylogenetic position and venom characteristics have been well studied, its development has not. Here, we present a normal staging table for N. h. haje, based on external features. Comparison with firstly the Asian monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia, and then with the small number of other oviparous snake species, allowed us to examine whether differences between two species in the same genus were of the same type and magnitude as those between unrelated genera. In fact, at least with respect to external features, we found a similar level of disparity. N. h. haje embryos lagged behind those of N. kaouthia in body and head scale development, size in ovo and hatchling length, despite having a slightly shorter incubation period and a somewhat larger adult size. Some of these differences may have been the result of differing incubation temperatures. Nonetheless, there does appear to be a broadly conserved pattern of in ovo development in at least macrostomatan snakes.
Treatment Benefit and Treatment Harm Rate to Characterize Heterogeneity in Treatment Effect
Authors: Shen Changyu , Jeong Jaesik , Li Xiaochun , Chen Peng‐Sheng , Buxton Alfred
Published: July 2013

It is well recognized that the conventional summary of treatment effect by averaging across individual patients has its limitation in ignoring the heterogeneous responses to the treatment in the target population. However, there are few alternative metrics in the literature that are designed to capture such heterogeneity. We propose the concept of treatment benefit rate (TBR) and treatment harm rate (THR) that characterize both the overall treatment effect and the magnitude of heterogeneity. We discuss a method to estimate TBR and THR that easily incorporates a sensitivity analysis scheme, and illustrate the idea through analysis of a randomized trial that evaluates the implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) in reducing mortality. A simulation study is presented to assess the performance of the proposed method.
Dynamic Pseudo-Observations: A Robust Approach to Dynamic Prediction in Competing Risks
Authors: Nicolaie M. A. , van Houwelingen J. C. , de Witte T. M. , Putter H.
Published: July 2013

In this article, we propose a new approach to the problem of dynamic prediction of survival data in the presence of competing risks as an extension of the landmark model for ordinary survival data. The key feature of our method is the introduction of dynamic pseudo-observations constructed from the prediction probabilities at different landmark prediction times. They specifically address the issue of estimating covariate effects directly on the cumulative incidence scale in competing risks. A flexible generalized linear model based on these dynamic pseudo-observations and a generalized estimation equations approach to estimate the baseline and covariate effects will result in the desired dynamic predictions and robust standard errors. Our approach has a number of attractive features. It focuses directly on the prediction probabilities of interest, avoiding in this way complex modeling of cause-specific hazards or subdistribution hazards. As a result, it is robust against departures from these omnibus models. From a computational point of view an advantage of our approach is that it can be fitted with existing statistical software and that a variety of link functions and regression models can be considered, once the dynamic pseudo-observations have been estimated. We illustrate our approach on a real data set of chronic myeloid leukemia patients after bone marrow transplantation.
‘Jumping to conclusions’ in first‐episode psychosis: A longitudinal study
Authors: Dudley Robert , Daley Kate , Nicholson Marsha , Shaftoe Debra , Spencer Helen , Cavanagh Kate , Freeston Mark
Published: July 2013

Objectives

People with psychotic symptoms are reported to have a characteristic reasoning style in which they jump to conclusions. To date, little research has been conducted to investigate if this style changes over time and is associated with improvements or worsening of symptoms. This study considered these questions.

Methods

Thirty‐one service users were recruited from a first‐episode service and completed measures of reasoning, psychotic, and non‐psychotic symptomatology at two time points over 2 years.

Results

Over time, people with psychosis generally became less hasty in their decision‐making. Those who became less hasty in their reasoning were less symptomatic. For those who remained very hasty in their reasoning, this was associated with a worsening specifically of the delusional beliefs.

Conclusions

This work supports the notion that there is a critical time in the first few years of psychosis during which symptoms and reasoning can change. However, where reasoning style does not change, this may be associated with greater difficulties associated with delusional beliefs.

Practitioner points

Reasoning biases are common in people with psychosis.

The persistence of hasty reasoning may be a marker for poor outcome.

Reasoning biases can be addressed by specific treatments.

The results are based on a small sample of clinical participants.

This study did not consider if treatments for reasoning would have improved outcome of people with psychosis.

This study may have benefitted from comparison with a control group of people without psychosis.
Recent advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Kulasekararaj Austin G. , Mohamedali Azim M. , Mufti Ghulam J.
Published: July 2013

The advent of novel genomic sequencing technologies has aided the identification of somatically acquired genetic abnormalities up to 80% of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients. Novel recurrent genetic mutations in pathways such as RNA splicing, DNA methylation and histone modification and cohesion complexes, underscore the molecular heterogeneity seen in this clinically varied disease. Functional studies to establish a causative link between genomic aberrations and MDS biogenesis are still in their infancy. The deluge of this molecular information, once validated on a larger cohort, will be incorporated into prognostic systems and clinical practise, and also hopefully aid in MDS therapeutics, especially in guiding targeted therapy.
Long‐term outcomes in healthy adults after radiofrequency ablation of T1a renal tumours
Authors: Ma Yunbo , Bedir Selahattin , Cadeddu Jeffrey A. , Gahan Jeffrey C.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To report the long‐term oncological and renal function outcomes in healthy adults treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small renal masses.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of otherwise healthy patients (those with American Society of Anesthesiologists symptom score 1 or 2) with clinical T1a renal tumours who underwent RFA at our institution between March 2001 and July 2012.

Radiographic follow‐up with contrast imaging was performed at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year and annually thereafter.

Local recurrence was defined as any new enhancing lesion (>10 HU) after the initial negative post‐treatment computed tomography results.

The estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) before and after RFA were calculated using the Cockgroft–Gault equation.

Results

We performed RFA on 58 renal tumours in 52 patients. The mean tumour size was 2.2 cm with a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 60 (48–90) months.

Three (5.1%) of the treated masses had tumour recurrence after initial RFA. The 5‐ and 10‐year recurrence‐free survival rate was 94.2%. There were no recurrences after 3 years. Three (5.1%) patients died during the follow‐up, which gave 5‐ and 10‐year overall survival rates of 95.7% and 91.1%. No patient developed metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and none died from RCC.

Paired analysis showed that the eGFR values at a median follow‐up of 40 months did not differ significantly from those before RFA.

Conclusion

With long‐term follow‐up, RFA provides durable oncological and functional outcomes for selected T1a renal tumours in otherwise healthy patients.
Predictors of survival in patients with disease recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy
Authors: Kluth Luis A. , Xylinas Evanguelos , Kent Matthew , Hagiwara Masayuki , Kikuchi Eiji , Ikeda Masaomi , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Dalpiaz Orietta , Zigeuner Richard , Aziz Atiqullah , Fritsche Hans‐Martin , Deliere Amanda , Raman Jay D. , Bensalah Karim , Al‐Matar Bikheet , Gakis Georgios , Novara Giacomo , Klatte Tobias , Remzi Mesut , Comploj Evi , Pycha Armin , Rouprêt Morgan , Tagawa Scott T. , Chun Felix K.‐H. , Scherr Douglas S. , Vickers Andrew J. , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic value of the Bajorin criteria in a multi‐institutional cohort of patients with disease recurrence after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

To investigate whether clinical, pathological and/or biological factors at time of disease recurrence are also associated with cancer‐specific outcomes in these patients.

Patients and Methods

We identified 242 patients with disease recurrence after RNU for UTUC from 11 centres.

With regard to the Bajorin criteria, patients were categorized into three groups based on two risk factors: Karnofsky performance status <80% and the presence of visceral metastasis.

Assessed variables included pathological characteristics, time to disease recurrence, age‐adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and laboratory tests at time of disease recurrence.

Results

Overall, 185 patients died from their disease; the median survival was 9 months. The survival rates at 1 year were 53, 33, and 39% for patients with no (n = 18), one (n = 109) and two (n = 115) risk factors, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups.

In univariable analyses, higher pT‐stage, tumour necrosis, non‐administered salvage chemotherapy, higher ACCI score, higher ASA score, lower albumin level and higher white blood cell count were significantly associated with a shorter time to cancer‐specific mortality.

Conclusions

We confirmed the poor yet variable outcomes of patients with disease recurrence after RNU.

While the Bajorin criteria seem to have limited prognostic value in this specific cohort, we found several other clinical variables to be associated with worse cancer‐specific mortality.

If validated, these factors should be taken into consideration for clinical trial design.
Focal cryoablation: a treatment option for unilateral low‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Durand Matthieu , Barret Eric , Galiano Marc , Rozet François , Sanchez‐Salas Rafael , Ahallal Youness , Macek Petr , Gaya Jose‐Maria , Cerruti Jennifer , Devilliers Hervé , Loeffler Joyce , Amiel Jean , Vallancien Guy , Cathelineau Xavier
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To assess oncological (biochemical and histological recurrence) and functional (urinary and potency) outcomes in patients with unilateral low‐risk organ‐confined prostate cancer (PCa) treated with focal cryoablation (FC).

Patients and Methods

From January 2009 to March 2012, patients with localized PCa who refused active surveillance were assigned to a FC protocol.

This was a prospective, single‐arm cohort study. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral disease, clinical stage T1c to T2a, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) concentration <10 ng/mL, low volume index lesion and Gleason score ≤6 (3+3). Hemi‐ablation was carried out using the PreciseTM cryoablation system (Galil Medical, Inc., Arden Hills, MN, USA).

Oncological (PSA values) and functional (International Prostate Symptom Score and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)‐5 score) outcomes were analysed at 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up.

The primary endpoint for oncological efficacy, no cancer in ipsilateral side, was based on the 12‐month mandatory biopsy.

Results

A total of 48 consecutive patients with a mean age of 67 years were included. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 13.2 (7.4–26.5) months.

Follow‐up prostate biopsies were negative for the treated lobe in 86% of patients.

The mean PSA concentration dropped significantly at 3 months (by 55%) but did not correlate well with positive biopsy results.

Urinary symptoms were unchanged. A slight decrease in the IIEF‐5 score was present at 3 months, but did not differ significantly from baseline at 6‐month follow‐up.

There were 15% grade 1 and 4% grade 2 complications (Clavien classification).

Conclusions

Focal cryoablation is a low‐morbidity option in selected patients with low‐risk PCa.

We showed PSA concentration to be an unreliable marker for monitoring FC and recommend a protocol of mandatory biopsies for follow‐up.

A multicentre randomized controlled trial is necessary to confirm the low‐morbidity and the biopsy‐proven PCa cure rates.
The palaeoenvironmental significance of δ13C of stalagmite BW‐1 from Beijing, China during Younger Dryas intervals inferred from the grey level profile
Authors: Duan Wuhui , Tan Ming , Ma Zhibang , Cheng Hai
Published: July 2013

High‐resolution records of carbon isotope composition and grey level were analysed from a stalagmite, BW‐1, from Beijing, China, deposited between c. 14 and 10.5 ka BP, the δ18O profile of which has been used to discuss the timing and structure of the Younger Dryas (YD) event in north China. The high grey level and low δ13C match the milk‐white coloured locations on the polished stalagmite surface and coincide with enhanced luminescent bands within which the concentration of both impurities and the total organic carbon (TOC) are high. Additionally, the fluorescence of speleothems was derived from organic acids that have been flushed onto the stalagmite surface along with impurities from the overlying soil by heavy summer rain and co‐precipitated with the speleothem calcite. Thus, predominantly low δ13C and high grey level values indicate increased summer precipitation that supports abundant vegetation and robust biological productivity. Consequently, three distinct time intervals are defined by the palaeoenvironmental conditions expressed in the δ13C and grey level records of stalagmite BW‐1: (i) a warm‐humid stage (Pre‐YD, 13.97 to 12.85 ka BP, including a hiatus from 12.99 to 13.21 ka BP reported before); (ii) a cool‐arid stage (YD, 12.85 to 11.56 ka BP); and (iii) a warm‐humid stage (Post‐YD, 11.56 to 10.39 ka BP). The inferences based on our research are generally consistent with other regional vegetation and climatic records.
The Role of CD133+ Cells in a Recurrent Embryonal Tumor with Abundant Neuropil and True Rosettes (ETANTR)
Authors: Hervey‐Jumper Shawn L. , Altshuler David B. , Wang Anthony C. , He Xiaobing , Maher Cormac O. , Robertson Patricia L. , Garton Hugh J L. , Fan Xing , Muraszko Karin M. , Camelo‐Piragua Sandra
Published: July 2013

Embryonal tumor with abundant neuropil and true rosettes (ETANTR) is a recently described embryonal neoplasm of the central nervous system, consisting of a well‐circumscribed embryonal tumor of infancy with mixed features of ependymoblastoma (multilayer ependymoblastic rosettes and pseudorosettes) and neuroblastoma (neuroblastic rosettes) in the presence of neuropil‐like islands. We present the case of a young child with a very aggressive tumor that rapidly recurred after gross total resection, chemotherapy and radiation. Prominent vascular sclerosis and circumscribed tumor led to the diagnosis of malignant astroblastoma; however, rapid recurrence and progression of this large tumor after gross total resection prompted review of the original pathology. ETANTR is histologically distinct with focal glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and synaptophysin expression in the presence of neuronal and ependymoblastic rosettes with focal neuropil islands. These architectural features, combined with unique chromosome 19q13.42 amplification, confirmed the diagnosis. In this report, we describe tumor stem cell (TSC) marker CD133, CD15 and nestin alterations in ETANTR before and after chemotherapy. We found that TSC marker CD133 was richly expressed after chemotherapy in recurrent ETANTR, while CD15 is depleted compared with that expressed in the original tumor, suggesting that CD133+ cells likely survived initial treatment, further contributing to formation of the recurrent tumor.
Social systems and life‐history characteristics of mongooses
Authors: Schneider Tilman C. , Kappeler Peter M.
Published: July 2013

The diversity of extant carnivores provides valuable opportunities for comparative research to illuminate general patterns of mammalian social evolution. Recent field studies on mongooses (Herpestidae), in particular, have generated detailed behavioural and demographic data allowing tests of assumptions and predictions of theories of social evolution. The first studies of the social systems of their closest relatives, theMalagasyEupleridae, also have been initiated. The literature on mongooses was last reviewed over 25 years ago. In this review, we summarise the current state of knowledge on the social organisation, mating systems and social structure (especially competition and cooperation) of the two mongoose families. Our second aim is to evaluate the contributions of these studies to a better understanding of mammalian social evolution in general. Based on published reports or anecdotal information, we can classify 16 of the 34 species ofHerpestidae as solitary and nine as group‐living; there are insufficient data available for the remainder. There is a strong phylogenetic signal of sociality with permanent complex groups being limited to the generaCrossarchus,Helogale, Liberiictis, Mungos, andSuricata. Our review also indicates that studies of solitary and social mongooses have been conducted within different theoretical frameworks: whereas solitary species and transitions to gregariousness have been mainly investigated in relation to ecological determinants, the study of social patterns of highly social mongooses has instead been based on reproductive skew theory. In some group‐living species, group size and composition were found to determine reproductive competition and cooperative breeding through group augmentation. Infanticide risk and inbreeding avoidance connect social organisation and social structure with reproductive tactics and life histories, but their specific impact on mongoose sociality is still difficult to evaluate. However, the level of reproductive skew in social mongooses is not only determined by the costs and benefits of suppressing each other's breeding attempts, but also influenced by resource abundance. Thus, dispersal, as a consequence of eviction, is also linked to the costs of co‐breeding in the context of food competition. By linking these facts, we show that the socio‐ecological model and reproductive skew theory share some determinants of social patterns. We also conclude that due to their long bio‐geographical isolation and divergent selection pressures, future studies of the social systems of theEupleridae will be of great value for the elucidation of general patterns in carnivore social evolution.
The application of species criteria in avian taxonomy and its implications for the debate over species concepts
Authors: Sangster George
Published: July 2013

The debate over species concepts has produced a huge body of literature on how species can, may or should be delimited. By contrast, very few studies have documented how species taxa are delimited in practice. The aims of the present study were to (i) quantify the use of species criteria in taxonomy, (ii) discuss its implications for the debate over species concepts and (iii) assess recent claims about the impact of different species concepts on taxonomic stability and the ‘nature’ of species. The application of six species criteria was examined in taxonomic studies of birds published between 1950 and 2009. Three types of taxonomic studies were included: descriptions of new species (N = 329), proposals to change the taxonomic rank of species and subspecies (N = 808) and the taxonomic recommendations of the American Ornithologists' Union Committee on Classification and Nomenclature (N = 176). In all three datasets, diagnosability was the most frequently applied criterion, followed by reproductive isolation and degree of difference. This result is inconsistent with the popular notion that the Biological Species Concept is the dominant species concept in avian taxonomy. Since the 1950s, avian species‐level taxonomy has become increasingly pluralistic and eclectic. This suggests that taxonomists consider different criteria as complementary rather than as rival approaches to species delimitation. Application of diagnosability more frequently led to the elevation of subspecies to species rank than application of reproductive isolation, although the difference was small. Hypotheses based on diagnosability and reproductive isolation were equally likely to be accepted in a mainstream checklist. These findings contradict recent claims that application of the Phylogenetic Species Concept causes instability and that broader application of the Biological Species Concept can stabilise taxonomy. The criteria diagnosability and monophyly, which are commonly associated with Phylogenetic Species Concepts, were used throughout the study period. Finally, no support was found for the idea that Phylogenetic Species Concepts have caused a change in the ‘nature’ of species taxa. This study demonstrates that there is a discrepancy between widely held perceptions of how species are delimited and the way species are actually delimited by taxonomists. Theoretically oriented debates over species concepts thus may benefit from empirical data on taxonomic practice.
Hexokinase II in breast carcinoma: A potent prognostic factor associated with hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and Ki‐67
Authors: Sato‐Tadano Akiko , Suzuki Takashi , Amari Masakazu , Takagi Kiyoshi , Miki Yasuhiro , Tamaki Kentaro , Watanabe Mika , Ishida Takanori , Sasano Hironobu , Ohuchi Noriaki
Published: July 2013

Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) mediates adaptive responses to changes under tissue hypoxia in carcinoma cells by controlling the expression of various target genes. Previous studies have demonstrated that HIF‐1α is associated with adverse clinical outcome in breast carcinoma patients, but details of HIF‐1α's role have remained largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the expression profiles of HIF‐1α‐induced genes in 10 breast carcinoma cases using microarray data. As a result, we demonstrated that the status of hexokinase II (HKII) was associated with carcinoma recurrence in patients with these genes. The enzyme HKII is involved in the first, and rate‐limiting, step of glycolysis, but its clinical significance has not yet been examined in breast carcinoma. Therefore, we immunolocalized HKII in 118 breast carcinomas, and HKII immunoreactivity was detected in 44% of the cases. It is significantly associated with histological grade, Ki‐67 labeling index and HIF‐1α immunoreactivity. Also, HKII status is significantly associated with increased risk of recurrence and adverse clinical outcome in breast cancer patients. Subsequent multivariate analysis demonstrated that HKII status was an independent prognostic factor for disease‐free survival of patients. These results all suggest that HKII is induced by HIF‐1α and plays important roles in the proliferation and/or progression of breast carcinoma possibly through increased glycolytic activity. The status of HKII is therefore considered a potent prognostic factor in human breast cancer patients.
Supervised Evolution: Research Concerning the Number of Evolutions that Occur Under Certain Constraints
Authors: Jäntschi Lorentz , Bolboacă Sorana D.
Published: July 2013

It is known that evolution may lead to a new species while adaptation may lead to a new variety. In this manuscript, we present an analysis of the number of evolutions (defined by improvement of the score associated with an objective function of a genetic algorithm) in an experiment supervised by a genetic algorithm, experiment conducted on octan‐1‐ol/H20 partition coefficient of polychlorinated biphenyls. The numbers of evolutions resulted from 9 implemented evolution strategies were investigated. Evolutions arisen from the first 20 000 generations coming from 46 independent runs were recorded. A distribution analysis has been conducted for each evolution strategy. Without exception, the Weibull distribution fits well with the number of evolutions at a significance level of 5% for any evolution strategy. Furthermore, the Weibull distribution could not be rejected when different merged samples were investigated.
Combining Structure‐Based Pharmacophore andIn SilicoApproaches to Discover Novel Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Authors: Zhou Zheng‐Li , Liu Hsuan‐Liang , Wu Josephine W. , Tsao Cheng‐Wen , Chen Wei‐Hsi , Liu Kung‐Tien , Ho Yih
Published: July 2013

Inhibition of human serotonin transporter (hSERT) has been reported to be a potent strategy for the treatment for depression. To discover novel selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a structure‐based pharmacophore model (SBPM) was developed using the docked conformations of six highly activeSSRIs. The bestSBPM, consisting of four chemical features: two ring aromatics (RAs), one hydrophobic (HY), and one positive ionizable (PI), was further validated usingGunner‐Henry (GH) scoring and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve methods. This well‐validatedSBPMwas then used as a 3D‐query in virtual screening to identify potential hits fromNationalCancerInstitute (NCI) database. These hits were subsequently filtered by absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) prediction and molecular docking, and their binding stabilities were validated by 20‐nsMDsimulations. Finally, only two compounds (NSC175176 andNSC705841) were identified as potential leads, which exhibited higher binding affinities in comparison with the paroxetine. Our results also suggest that cation–π interaction plays a crucial role in stabilizing the hSERT‐inhibitor complex. To our knowledge, the present work is the first structure‐based virtual screening study for newSSRIdiscovery, which should be a useful guide for the rapid identification of novel therapeutic agents from chemical database.
Stress‐Induced Elevation of Oxytocin in Maltreated Children: Evolution, Neurodevelopment, and Social Behavior
Authors: Seltzer Leslie J. , Ziegler Toni , Connolly Michael J. , Prososki Ashley R. , Pollak Seth D.
Published: July 2013

Child maltreatment often has a negative impact on the development of social behavior and health. The biobehavioral mechanisms through which these adverse outcomes emerge, however, are not clear. To better understand the ways in which early life adversity affects subsequent social behavior, changes in the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) in children (n = 73) aged 8.1–11.5 years following a laboratory stressor were examined. Girls with histories of physical abuse have higher levels of urinary OT and lower levels of salivary cortisol following the stressor when compared to controls. Abused and control boys, however, do not differ in their hormonal responses. These data suggest that early adversity may disrupt the development of the stress regulation system in girls by middle childhood.
American and Chinese Children's Evaluations of Personal Domain Events and Resistance to Parental Authority
Authors: Smetana Judith G. , Wong Mun , Ball Courtney , Yau Jenny
Published: July 2013

A total of 267 five‐, seven‐, and ten‐year‐olds (M = 7.62), 147 in Hong Kong and 120 in the United States, evaluated hypothetical personal (and moral) events described as either essential or peripheral to actors' identity. Except for young Chinese in the peripheral condition, straightforward personal events were overwhelmingly evaluated as acceptable based on personal justifications. Children primarily endorsed compliance, but attributed negative emotions to actors when mothers forbade personal choices, especially when described as essential to identity. Conventional justifications declined among Chinese children and pragmatic justifications for these judgments increased with age for all children, as did judgments that personal events were up to the child. Rules were seen as more legitimate and events were seen as more up to mothers to decide for moral than personal events.
Mapping of TLR5 and TLR7 in central and distal human airways and identification of reduced TLR expression in severe asthma
Authors: Shikhagaie M. M. , Andersson C. K. , Mori M. , Kortekaas Krohn I. , Bergqvist A. , Dahl R. , Ekblad E. , Hoffmann H. J. , Bjermer L. , Erjefält J. S.
Published: July 2013

Background

The toll‐like receptors, TLR5 and TLR7, have recently been proposed in asthma immunopathogenesis. While supporting data come from animal or in vitro studies, little is known about TLR5 and TLR7 expression in human asthmatic airways.

Methods

Advanced immunohistochemical mapping of TLR5 and TLR7 was performed on bronchial and transbronchial biopsies from healthy individuals and patients with moderate and severe asthma.

Results

TLR5 was identified in multiple structural cells; bronchial epithelium, alveolar type II pneumocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and neutrophils. Contrary to bronchial TLR5, which had a basolateral expression, alveolar TLR5 had polarized apical localization. Patients with severe asthma had decreased total and epithelial TLR5 expression compared to controls and moderate asthmatics (P < 0.001). TLR7 expression was found in several structural cells and asthma‐related immune cells. Whereas TLR7 expression was decreased in severe asthmatics (P < 0.001), nerve‐associated TLR7 increased (P = 0.035). Within the asthma groups, both TLR5 and TLR7 expression correlated with multiple lung function parameters.

Conclusions

Our results reveal broad expression patterns of TLR5 and TLR7 in the lung and that the expression is decreased in severe asthma. Hence, severe asthmatics may suffer from insufficient TLR signalling during viral or bacterial infections leading to poor and impaired defence mechanisms.
Human immune system development and survival of non-obese diabetic (NOD)-scid IL2rγnull (NSG) mice engrafted with human thymus and autologous haematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Covassin L , Jangalwe S , Jouvet N , Laning J , Burzenski L , Shultz L D , Brehm M A
Published: July 2013

Immunodeficient mice bearing targeted mutations in the IL2rg gene and engrafted with human immune systems are effective tools for the study of human haematopoiesis, immunity, infectious disease and transplantation biology. The most robust human immune model is generated by implantation of human fetal thymic and liver tissues in irradiated recipients followed by intravenous injection of autologous fetal liver haematopoietic stem cells [often referred to as the BLT (bone marrow, liver, thymus) model]. To evaluate the non-obese diabetic (NOD)-scid IL2rγnull (NSG)–BLT model, we have assessed various engraftment parameters and how these parameters influence the longevity of NSG–BLT mice. We observed that irradiation and subrenal capsule implantation of thymus/liver fragments was optimal for generating human immune systems. However, after 4 months, a high number of NSG–BLT mice develop a fatal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-like syndrome, which correlates with the activation of human T cells and increased levels of human immunoglobulin (Ig). Onset of GVHD was not delayed in NSG mice lacking murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) classes I or II and was not associated with a loss of human regulatory T cells or absence of intrathymic cells of mouse origin (mouse CD45+). Our findings demonstrate that NSG–BLT mice develop robust human immune systems, but that the experimental window for these mice may be limited by the development of GVHD-like pathological changes.
Mutations in PDGFRB and NOTCH3 are the first genetic causes identified for autosomal dominant infantile myofibromatosis
Authors: Lee JW
Published: July 2013

A recurrent PDGFRB mutation causes familial infantile myofibromatosis

Cheung et al. (2013)

The American Journal of Human Genetics 92: 996–1000.

Mutations in PDGFRB cause autosomal‐dominant infantile myofibromatosis

Martignetti et al. (2013)

The American Journal of Human Genetics 92: 1001–1007.
Use of Historical Logging Patterns to Identify Disproportionately Logged Ecosystems within Temperate Rainforests of Southeastern Alaska
Authors: ALBERT DAVID M. , SCHOEN JOHN W.
Published: July 2013

The forests of southeastern Alaska remain largely intact and contain a substantial proportion of Earth's remaining old‐growth temperate rainforest. Nonetheless, industrial‐scale logging has occurred since the 1950s within a relatively narrow range of forest types that has never been quantified at a regional scale. We analyzed historical patterns of logging from 1954 through 2004 and compared the relative rates of change among forest types, landform associations, and biogeographic provinces. We found a consistent pattern of disproportionate logging at multiple scales, including large‐tree stands and landscapes with contiguous productive old‐growth forests. The highest rates of change were among landform associations and biogeographic provinces that originally contained the largest concentrations of productive old growth (i.e., timber volume >46.6 m3/ha). Although only 11.9% of productive old‐growth forests have been logged region wide, large‐tree stands have been reduced by at least 28.1%, karst forests by 37%, and landscapes with the highest volume of contiguous old growth by 66.5%. Within some island biogeographic provinces, loss of rare forest types may place local viability of species dependent on old growth at risk of extirpation. Examination of historical patterns of change among ecological forest types can facilitate planning for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of forest resources.

El Uso de Patrones Históricos de Tala para Identificar Ecosistemas Talados Desproporcionadamente en Bosques Lluviosos Templados del Sureste de Alaska Albert & Schoen 11‐839
A Political Perspective on Business Elites and Institutional Embeddedness in theUKCode‐Issuing Process
Authors: Haxhi Ilir , van Ees Hans , Sorge Arndt
Published: July 2013

Manuscript Type

Perspective

Research Question/Issue

What is the role of institutional actors and business elites in the development ofUKcorporate governance codes? In the current paper, we explore theUKcode‐issuing process by focusing on theUKactors, their power and interplay.

Research Findings/Insights

Our findings indicate, first, that the comply‐or‐explain principle, intertwined with the rich issuance of codes, reflects the diversity and permissiveness ofBritish society and its ability to absorb contested corporate practices in a way that manages to preserve the status quo. Second, theUKbusiness elites preserve their position in the corporate arena by using the principle of good governance, including the possibility to deviate from best practices, as an instrument of neutralizing institutional change. Third, theUKinstitutional and societal embeddedness givescarte blancheto elites to use corporate governance practices to serve their own interest.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

By emphasizing the strategic behavior of business elites embedded in theUKinstitutional configuration, we offer a political perspective on the national contextuality of the code‐issuing process. The worldwide diffusion of codes should not dissimulate their cross‐national contested nature. Codes reflect potential redistribution of power among institutional actors and business elites as well as the struggle over corporate resources between corporate actors (i.e., shareholders and managers) in maintaining their status quo.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Practitioners should perceive codes as having different meanings depending on national contexts and national political constituencies. Codes reflect constellations of actors such as managers, shareholders, regulators and others, whose approach to codes and strategic interests are at least as important to know and understand as the verbatim content of codes.
WhyChina Shall Not Completely Transit from a Relation Based to a Rule Based Governance Regime: AChinese Perspective
Authors: Lau Kun Luen Alex , Young Angus
Published: July 2013

Manuscript Type

Perspective

Research Question/Issue

This paper argues thatChina shall not completely transit from a relation‐based into a rule‐based governance regime because theChinese system of governance is the product of its rich heritage and entrenched value system.

Research Findings/Insights

Relation‐based governance has two dimensions. This first is apparent from the emphasis on reciprocity and mutual obligations fostered between individuals and groups. The second is evident from inside an organization, where governance is hierarchical and paternalistic. This system of governance was influenced by Confucian doctrines that are moral centered precepts used to regulate human behavior and relationships. Given that this governance regime is interlinked to theChinese culture, it is doubtful thatChina would completely abandon it in favor of a rule‐based system from theWest.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

There are two key implications drawn from this article. First, in the absence of the moral underpinnings of relation‐based governance, this system is susceptible to exploitation. Individuals could take advantage of relationships and relational networks to commit mischief or achieve personal gains through tunneling or expropriation of company assets. Therefore, it is imperative to reinforce the ethical ideals of relation‐based governance inChina. Second, since relationalism fromChina's past and the laws transplanted from theWest are key features ofChina's governance regime, it is important to explore hybrid solutions to lessen the possibility of bottlenecks and incongruities emerging.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Any proposed hybrid governance solution ought to be able to deal with potential differences between theChinese and theWestern value systems as well as combine both regimes into an integrated framework.
Putting the Good Back in Good Corporate Governance: The Presence and Problems of Double‐Layered Agency Theory
Authors: Raelin Jonathan D. , Bondy Krista
Published: July 2013

Manuscript Type

Conceptual

Research Question/Issue

Given its position as a dominant logic in corporate governance, this paper evaluates the theoretical and practical implications of agency theory on good governance. Agency theory is presented as consisting of two layers, one resting on the assumption of oppositional shareholder–manager interests and the other resting on the assumption of supportive shareholder–society interests. Given the dominance of the simple economic depiction of agency theory, its first layer is heavily researched and supported, while the second layer is largely unsubstantiated and often exploited to obscure inefficiencies in the first layer.

Research Findings/Insights

Agency theory is shown to fill a highly institutionalized position in governance, despite often violating the second layer's assumption of aligned shareholder–society interests. We assert that the relationship between societal benefits and value maximization must be reconceptualized from interdependent to correlated but independent. Otherwise, when the second layer of agency theory is undercut, shareholders can eschew their role as societal guardians to partner with managers and engage in mutual managerialism at the expense of society. We detail how inefficiencies in first layer mechanisms (market regulation, monitoring, and contracts) impact agency theory's second layer and present the new mechanisms of oversight boards and expanded founding firm documents to reintegrate a societal orientation.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Aligned shareholder–society interests are shown to be frequently undermined, artificially substantiating the second layer assumption that societal betterment can be sufficiently promoted via financial rewards and sanctions. We discuss agency theory's underlying logic and present the possibility that a violated second layer can be exploited to obscure first layer inefficiencies. Ineffectiveness in the first layer's key mechanisms is shown to potentially undercut agency theory's promotion of good corporate governance on an organizational and societal level.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Oversight boards and expanded founding firm documents are presented to make agency theory's second layer explicit, ensuring the assumed supportive nature of the shareholder–society relationship is substantiated. Specifically, oversight boards formalize how members of boards of directors are vetted, oversee societal claims to ensure that appropriate ones are sufficiently presented and addressed, supervise reporting, and sanction firms who fail to enact these duties. Revised founding documents ensure that both economic and social goals are enshrined in the mission of incorporated firms. Together the two help establish the foundation of a measurable approach to socially responsible actions.
Assessing adolescent preference in the treatment of first‐episode psychosis and psychosis risk
Authors: Welsh Patrick , Tiffin Paul A.
Published: July 2013

Aim

The objective of this study was to investigate the treatment preferences of adolescents with a first‐episode psychosis (FEP) or at‐risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis.

Methods

A questionnaire was distributed to all adolescents (12–18 years) within an early intervention in psychosis service based in North‐East England, during a 3‐month period.

Results

Forty eligible young people responded (53% response rate). The majority of FEP and ARMS participants endorsed psychoeducational material as the most popular treatment choice (36/40; 90%) from the interventions described. Participants with FEP indicated a significant preference for using antipsychotic medications over their ARMS counterparts (75% vs. 25%).

Conclusions

These findings support the use of psychoeducational interventions (both groups) and antipsychotic medication in adolescent FEP (as opposed to ARMS) patient groups, albeit in a small sample requiring replication. This study indicates that the generation of future treatment guidelines and the allocation of clinical resources should be informed by patient preference where possible.